THE HEADLINES:-
- Cabinet approves three new corridors of Delhi Metro worth over 12 thousand crore rupees; Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, Delhi Metro expansion to boost ‘Ease of Living’ in national capital.
- Centre directs States to completely ban grant of any new mining leases in Aravali ranges; Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav reiterates government is fully committed to its conservation.
- Home Minister Amit Shah says there is peace in areas affected by left-wing extremism, terrorism and armed groups, and the country is now in safe hands.
- People rejoice the birth of Lord Jesus on the eve of Christmas; President Droupadi Murmu says it conveys the message of love and compassion.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy calls for a meeting with his US counterpart to resolve sensitive issues, in future peace deal with Russia.
- IMD Issues Orange Alert for Dense to Very Dense Fog in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh, Bihar and Punjab for next three days; GRAP IV restrictions revoked in NCR with immediate effect
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The Union Cabinet has approved three new corridors as part of Delhi Metros Phase 5 (A) Project worth around 12 thousand 15 crore rupees. These corridors are R.K Ashram Marg to Indraprastha, Aerocity to Airport Terminal -1, and Tughlakabad to Kalindi Kunj. Briefing media in New Delhi after the cabinet meeting, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, with this expansion, the Delhi metro netwok will cross 400 kilometers.
The Minister said, the Aerocity – Airport Terminal -1 and Tughlakabad – Kalindi Kunj sections will be an extension of the Aerocity-Tughlakabad corridor. He said, this will boost connectivity of the airport with the southern parts of the national capital in areas such as Tughlakabad, Saket and Kalindi Kunj. Our correspondent has filed this report.
“Delhi Metro has the largest Metro network in the country and it is also one of the largest Metros in the world. It has completed 23 years of operations, marking more than two decades of transforming urban mobility in the National Capital Region. India has become the third largest metro network in the world after China and USA. The new corridor approved today will enhance connectivity, reduce congestion on road and improve air quality. Presently a total of 12 metro lines of about 395 kilometers with 289 stations are being operated by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. The Delhi Metro has become the lifeline of the city by setting the epitome of excellence in the core parameters of punctuality, reliability, and safety. Today, it caters to an average of 65 lakh passenger journeys per day. With Dipendra Kumar, Suparna Saikia, Akashvani News Delhi.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has highlighted that Delhi’s infrastructure got a major boost. In a social media post, Mr Modi said Cabinet’s approval for three new corridors as part of Delhi Metro’s Project will expand the capital’s metro network, thus boosting ‘Ease of Living’ and reducing congestion.
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The Centre has issued directions to the States for a complete ban on the grant of any new mining leases in the Aravallis in a major step towards conservation and protection of the entire Aravalli Range stretching from Delhi to Gujarat from illegal mining. Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry said in a statement that this prohibition applies uniformly across the entire Aravalli landscape and is intended to preserve the integrity of the range. The directions are aimed at safeguarding the Aravallis as a continuous geological ridge extending from Gujarat to the National Capital Region, and at stopping all unregulated mining activities.
In an exclusive interview with the Akashvani News, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav said, the Modi government is fully committed to the conservation of the Aravalli range.
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Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said the government stands like a rock with the states in their fight against drug and human trafficking, cybercrime, and organised crime. Addressing a function in Panchkula, he said the country is now in safe hands.
Mr. Shah said that the government has emphasised upon strengthening agriculture and rural development. Addressing the Mega Cooperative Conference organized by KRIBHCO in Panchkula today, he said, the agriculture budget has been increased to one lakh 27,000 crore rupees in recent years.
The Minister along with Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, inspected and took the salute at the passing out parade of the Haryana Police at the Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex in Panchkula today.
Recalling former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on the eve of his 101st birth anniversary, he noted that India became a nuclear power during his tenure. Later, Amit Shah also unveiled a statue of the late leader at Atal Park in Panchkula .
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Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said, the Centres contribution under the Viksit Bharat: G RAM G scheme has been raised to nearly 95 thousand crore rupees as compared to MGNREGA which was 86 thousand crore rupees. In an article in an English daily, Mr Chouhan said, the President has given assent to the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025, enhancing the statutory wage employment guarantee to 125 days.
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Union Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi has said that National Consumer Day reaffirms Indias commitment to protect, empower, and give voice to every consumer. Addressing an event in New Delhi today to mark National Consumer Day, Mr Joshi said, the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 has reformed the consumer framework by strengthening enforcement, covering e-commerce, introducing product liability and enabling e-filing and virtual hearings. He emphasized the e-Jagriti platform allows the consumers to file complaints, make payments and participate in virtual hearings.
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As the warm December sun settles over the Arabian Sea, Goa has fully transformed into a festive landscape of faith, tradition, and culinary delight for Christmas. More from our Panaji correspondent:
The air in Goan neighborhoods is currently filled with the rich aroma of Kuswar, the collective term for traditional Christmas sweets. The state is glowing with elaborate decorations and unique community projects. In Ribandar, the cherished tradition of the grand crib at the Chapel premises continues to draw tourists from across the state. Initiated 35 years ago Ribandar was among the first to feature large-scale, life-sized statues. Massive crowds are expected at Midnight Mass, particularly at iconic landmarks with extra flights landing at Mopa and Dabolim airports and special trains arriving at Madgaon, Goa is set for a peak season of soulful, sunlit celebration. Mahesh Chopade, Akashvani News, Panaji.”
In Manipur the hill districts and Christian dominated valley areas are in a festive mood for the Christmas. People are shopping, churches are decorated and streets are lit. Special services are held for Christmas and the sound of carol singing echoes in the villages. The festive cheer has taken over towns and villages across Nagaland. Churches are holding special prayer services, choirs are going around singing carols, and homes are illuminated with dazzling lights to commemorate the birth of Lord Jesus Christ. In Jammu and Kashmir also people are rejoicing on the occasion.
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President Droupadi Murmu has extended greetings to the people on the eve of Christmas. In a message, the President said Christmas is the festival of joy and enthusiasm which conveys the message of love and compassion. She said it reminds everyone of the sacrifice made by Lord Jesus Christ for the welfare of humanity. President Murmu added that the occasion inspires people to further strengthen the values of peace, harmony, equality, and service in the society.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for a meeting with his US counterpart to hammer out the most sensitive issues in a future peace deal with Russia, such as control of territory, following the latest round of U.S.-Ukrainian talks. According to remarks released by Ukrainian President office, Mr Zelenskyy said, U.S.-Ukrainian delegations had inched closer to finalising a 20-point plan at the talks over the weekend in Miami.
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Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw today expressed gratitude to the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi for acknowledging the success of Prime Minister led ‘Make in India’ programme. In a social media post, Mr Vaishnaw shared a post by Mr Gandhi, saying that India is becoming a producer economy as the government is implementing Prime Minister’s vision.
Meanwhile, in a message, Mr Gandhi underlined that over thirty thousand staff were hired in just eight to nine months in a company showcasing the fastest factory ramp-up seen in India so far.
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External Affairs Ministry today stressed that disrespectful acts such as demolishing statues of deities hurt the sentiments of followers around the world, and should not take place. In response to media queries on the demolition of Hindu deity statue in an area affected by the ongoing Thai-Cambodia border dispute, Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Hindu and Buddhist deities are deeply revered and worshipped by people across the region, as part of shared civilizational heritage.
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India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an Orange warning for dense to very dense fog conditions over Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit, Baltistan, Muzaffarabad, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Uttarakhand for next three days. According to IMD, dense fog is likely over East Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Sub Himalayan West Bengal and North Eastern states till 28th of this month.
Sub-Committee on Graded Response Action Plan of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR and Adjoining Areas, CAQM today revoked all actions under Stage-IV of the extant schedule of GRAP in the entire NCR with immediate effect following significant improvement in air quality. The Commission had invoked Stage-IV on the 13th of this month when the average AQI of Delhi sharply declined and breached the 450 mark.
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Bihar opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi today created history scoring 150 in just 59 balls, breaking AB de Villiers’ record for the fastest 150 in men’s List A cricket. AB de Villiers had taken 64 balls to make similar score against the West Indies in 2015.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN :-
- Cabinet approves three new corridors of Delhi Metro worth over 12 thousand crore rupees; Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, Delhi Metro expansion to boost ‘Ease of Living’ in national capital.
- Centre directs States to completely ban grant of any new mining leases in Aravalli ranges; Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav reiterates government is fully committed to its conservation.
- Home Minister Amit Shah says there is peace in areas affected by left-wing extremism, terrorism and armed groups, and the country is now in safe hands.
- People rejoice the birth of Lord Jesus on the eve of Christmas; President Droupadi Murmu says it conveys the message of love and compassion.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy calls for a meeting with his US counterpart to resolve sensitive issues, in future peace deal with Russia.
- IMD Issues Orange Alert for Dense to Very Dense Fog in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh, Bihar and Punjab for next three days; GRAP IV restrictions revoked in NCR with immediate effect
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