India will overcome terrorism: Home Minister

Terrorism is a challenge but the country will achieve victory over it, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh asserted today even as he dismissed the fears about ISIS terror outfit spreading its reach to India.
"As far as terrorism is concerned, it is a challenge, but India will get victory over it," he told reporters here on the sidelines of an event.
Asked about the apprehension about the dreaded Islamic State terror outfit was expanding in several states of India, the Home Minister said, "Do not worry about it, there is nothing like this."
A reporter said that Pakistan has reportedly claimed that India was not ready for talks, to which Singh said, "Let them level allegations. It has no meaning."

The senior minister and BJP leader did not comment when referred to party MP RK Singh's allegation that the party was giving tickets to candidates with criminal antecedents for Bihar elections.
Earlier, in his speech at the event, Singh said the Narendra Modi government was making efforts to address social concerns and claimed that it was the first time in the country's history that any government at the centre was doing so.

"Generally, the work of any government is related to economic and strategic issues. But for the first time, in the history of the country, a government has come at the Centre which is fulfilling social concerns as well," he said.

Referring to the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan, Singh said, "Such a campaign by the government and efforts being made to motivate people is not witnessed very frequently."
He added that with Modi having taken up the 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' drive, the goal is now to balance the gender ratio to make the country prosperous.
"It is an irony that the gender ratio is not balanced in India. In all countries that are considered prosperous, gender ratio is balanced. A country and society where gender ratio is unbalanced can never prosper," he said.
Singh said that while a man could be the patron of a single person, a woman is the protector of an entire family.

"Indian women have done wonders internationally. They are CEOs of global companies. Kalpana Chawla reached space. They are playing an active, effective and fruitful role in paramilitary forces and police," he said.
In recently declared UPSC examination results, girls were in top three, Singh said.