THE HEADLINES:-
- 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel observed all over the country today as National Unity Day.
- Leading the celebrations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Unity Oath taken by crores of people reaffirms their collective resolve to strengthen National Unity.
- Prime Minister calls Arya Samaj as an organisation of staunch nationalists that inspired many revolutionaries.
- In poll bound Bihar, several leaders of different political parties hold road shows and public meetings despite bad weather.
- IMD issues red alert for very heavy snowfall over parts of Sikkim and heavy rainfall over North-East region till tomorrow.
- FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 begins in Taleigao, Goa marking tournament’s return to India after 23 years.
- In cricket, Australia beat India by four wickets in second T-20 International at Melbourne; Take 1-0 lead in five match series.
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150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was observed all over the country today as National Unity Day. Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to the citizens to unite and dedicate themselves to the nation’s progress to achieve the dream of Viksit Bharat. Addressing the huge gathering at National Unity day celebrations in Ekta Nagar, marking the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Prime Minister highlighted the nationwide participation in the unity oath taken by crores of people, reaffirming the collective resolve to strengthen national unity. He emphasized that every citizen must reject any thought or action that weakens the fabric of the nation, calling it the need of the hour.
The Prime Minister said that since 2014, the government has delivered a decisive and powerful blow to Naxalism and Maoist terrorism.
President Droupadi Murmu paid floral tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his 150th birth anniversary at his statue in Patel Chowk, New Delhi, this morning. She also extended her heartfelt greetings to the citizens of the country, on the ocassion of National Unity Day.
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On the occasion of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla today interacted with over 600 students from across the country who participated in the programme Know Your Leader in New Delhi. Addressing the students, Mr Birla said that India’s youth, guided by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s vision and values are driving the nation towards Viksit Bharat through innovation, science, technology, and leadership. He also noted that the world today looks up to India as a beacon of hope, progress, and stability which is powered by the energy, talent, and determination of its young citizens.
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National Security Adviser Ajit Doval today stated that technology is going to play a very important role in governance and in eroding the power of the state. Addressing the gathering at a lecture on Rashtriya Ekta Diwas in Delhi, Mr Doval stressed that technology must be used to ensure greater transparency, accountability, delivery of service to the common man, and grievance redressal. He said, civil society must be protected from cyber and other threats that technology poses.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that Arya Samaj has been an organization that fearlessly talks about Indianness and it is an organisation of staunch nationalists. He said, revolutionaries like Lala Lajpat Rai and Ram Prasad Bismil drew inspiration from the Arya Samaj. Addressing the International Arya Mahasammelan in Delhi, Mr Modi said, unfortunately, due to political reasons, Arya Samaj's role in freedom struggle did not receive the honour it deserved.
He said, 150 years of the Arya Samaj, this occasion is not just about one section of society or sect, it is about the Vedic identity of India.
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In Bihar, several star campaigners and leaders from various political parties addressed election rallies in different poll bound assembly constituencies today. Due to the bad weather, many leaders had to postpone their rallies. Because of the continuous rain, several senior leaders conducted roadshows in support of their party candidates. More details from our correspondent:
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President J.P. Nadda addressed an election rally in Bikram in Patna today, sharply criticizing the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress Party. The BJP President said that RJD’s rule was marked by extortion, jungle raj, and hooliganism, whereas the NDA established good governance in the state.
Janata Dal (United) President and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar could not address public meetings due to bad weather. However, he held roadshows in Darbhanga and Samastipur in support of NDA candidates.
The Chief Ministerial candidate of the Mahagathbandhan, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, was scheduled to hold nine election rallies in Munger, Khagaria, Begusarai, and Samastipur today, but could not campaign due to bad weather. Senior CPM leader Brinda Karat campaigned for the party candidate in Vibhutipur in Samastipur. Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor conducted roadshows in Baruraj in Muzaffarpur, and in Vaishali district. Meanwhile after the murder of Dulal Chandra Yadav a supporter of Jan Suraaj Party in Mokama Assembly Constituency a large number of police personnel have been deployed in Mukama and Barh area in view of tense situation. Dharmendra Kumar Rai, Akashvani News, Patna."
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Senior BJP leader and Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said the NDA's manifesto for the Bihar Assembly elections brings forward party's vision for a self-reliant and developed Bihar. In a social media post, Mr Modi said this reflects BJP's commitment to making life easier for the people of Bihar, especially farmers, youth, and women of Bihar.
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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has underlined that maritime security is a central focus of India-ASEAN engagement. He commended ASEAN member states for agreeing to the second edition of the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise. Delivering opening remarks at the ASEAN-India defence ministers' informal meeting in Kuala Lumpur today, the Defence Minister emphasised that securing maritime routes is the country's top priority, saying that more than half of India's trade passes through the South China Sea and the Malacca Strait.
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Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan led the Swacchta Pledge at Akashvani Bhawan in New Delhi. Speaking at the Bapu Studio in Akashvani Bhawan during his visit, the Minister elaborated the efforts of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and its organizations under the Special Campaign 5.0 initiative as part of 'Swachhta hi Seva.' The campaign led to cleaning the workspaces, identifying and disposing of waste, freeing up space and digitisation leading to clean record management. On the occasion, Mr Murugan also planted a sapling and toured the premises.
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The GST Bachat Utsav bagan on the 22nd of September as the Narendra Modi government slashed GST rates in many sectors, benefiting citizens across the country. Today our correspondent brings a report on how the reduced GST rates in the healthcare sector are helping citizens.
Under the next-generation GST reforms, the government made significant tax reductions in the healthcare sector. The Goods and Service Tax on Health and life insurance premiums, which earlier attracted 18 per cent, have now been made completely tax-free. This move is expected to encourage wider adoption of health insurance, reducing out of pocket medical expenses for the people especially middle class families. The government has also waived off taxes on 33 life saving drugs used for the treatment of cancer and severe chronic diseases to provide affordable and long-term treatments for chronic illnesses. Under the new tax structure, GST on various medicines and medical equipment such as gauze, bandages, diagnostic kits, glucometers and thermometers have also been slashed to 5 percent. Talking to Akashvani News, Pradeep Singh, a pharmacist in Delhi said that the recent reduction in GST on medicines has provided significant relief to patients.
The next gen GST reforms has reduced the cost of medicines, discouraged harmful consumption and has made healthcare affordable for all. With Rishu and Saumya, Saklen Akhtar, Akashvani News, Delhi."
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India Meteorological Department, IMD has issued a red alert for heavy to very heavy snowfall over parts of Sikkim for the next 24 hours. IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall over Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Sub Himalayan West Bengal, Jharkhand and Sikkim till tomorrow. Similar conditions will prevail over Bihar, Gujarat and West Madhya Pradesh.
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The FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 was inaugurated today at the Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium in Taleigao, Goa marking the prestigious tournament’s return to India after 23 years. The World Cup, being held from October 31 to November 27, features 206 players from 82 countries competing for a total prize purse of two million dollars. Top names like Gukesh D, Praggnanandhaa R, Wesley So, and Anish Giri are taking part, making Goa the global capital of Chess for the next four weeks.
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In Cricket, Australia have defeated India by 4 wickets in the second T-20 International of five match series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Chasing the target of 126 runs, hosts sealed the win in 13.2 overs, losing 6 wickets. For India, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav took two wickets each.
Earlier, visitors were all out for 125 in 18.4 overs after put into bat first. Abhishek Sharma’s 68 off 37 balls supported by Harshit Rana's 35 off 33 steered India to 125 in an otherwise underwhelming innings. The hosts now have taken - 1-nil lead in the 5 match series.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN.
- 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel observed all over the country today as National Unity Day.
- Leading the celebrations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Unity Oath taken by crores of people reaffirms their collective resolve to strengthen National Unity.
- Prime Minister calls Arya Samaj as an organisation of staunch nationalists that inspired many revolutionaries.
- In poll bound Bihar, several leaders of different political parties hold road shows and public meetings despite bad weather.
- IMD issues red alert for very heavy snowfall over parts of Sikkim and heavy rainfall over North-East region till tomorrow.
- FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 begins in Taleigao, Goa marking tournament’s return to India after 23 years.
- In cricket, Australia beat India by four wickets in second T-20 International at Melbourne; Take 1-0 lead in five match series.
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