THE HEADLINES:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi hails Operation Sindoor as a symbol of pride showcasing world, India’s uncompromising stand on national security; Recalls country’s achievements in last Mann Ki Baat programme of the year.
- Prime Minister expresses hope 2026 will be a key milestone in country’s journey towards Viksit Bharat; Cautions people against indiscriminate use of antibiotics.
- President Droupadi Murmu undertakes sortie onboard Indian Navy’s indigenously-built frontline submarine INS Vaghsheer off western coast.
- Civil Aviation Ministry sets up round-the-clock control room to address passenger grievances.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to hold talks with his US counterpart Donald Trump in Florida tonight to end war with Russia.
- In Badminton, Rithvik Sanjeevi S clinches Men’s Singles title at 87th Senior National Championships in Vijayawada; Surya Charisma Tamiri bags Women’s Singles title.
- in Women’s Cricket, India set a target of 222 runs before Sri Lanka in fourth T20 in Thiruvananthapuram.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today hailed Operation Sindoor as a symbol of pride for every Indian, showcasing the world, country’s uncompromising stand on national security. The Prime Minister was addressing the nation in his Mann Ki Baat programme on Akashvani. Recalling country’s achievements in last Mann Ki Baat programme of the year, Prime Minister Modi said, country’s impact in 2025 was clearly visible across national security, sports, scientific innovation, and on the world’s biggest platforms.
The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction that people’s excitement towards Swadeshi was evident this year. Mr Modi expressed hope that 2026 would prove to be an important milestone in the journey towards the fulfillment of Viksit Bharat.
The Prime Minister said, on the 12th of next month, ‘National Youth Day’ will be celebrated on the occasion of Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary. He said, second edition of ‘Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue’ will be held on the same day and he will participate in the event.
Mr Modi also touched upon the subject of antibiotics, cautioning the people against its indiscriminate use. He expressed concern over a report recently released by the Indian Council of Medical Research stating that antibiotics are proving ineffective against many diseases like pneumonia and UTI due to its indiscriminate use.
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Prime Minister Modi is chairing the fifth National Conference of Chief Secretaries in New Delhi. The three-day Conference which began on Friday, is aimed at strengthening Centre-State partnership through structured and sustained dialogue on national development priorities. The conference focuses on the theme ‘Human Capital for Viksit Bharat’ covering best practices and strategies for states and Union Territories to follow.
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Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah has said that India will become the world’s third largest economy by 2027. Addressing the Youth Business Summit at Vishwa Umiya Dham in Ahmedabad, Gujarat today, Mr. Shah said, the country’s GDP has reached 4.19 trillion dollars and soon India will become a 5 trillion dollar economy. Mr. Shah also attended the cultural program Namotsav based on the life of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Godhavi in Ahmedabad.
Earlier, while addressing the 100th All India Medical Conference in Ahmedabad, Mr. Shah said, the health infrastructure is being built in the country with a holistic perspective. The Minister inaugurated various development projects worth 330 crore rupees at Nava Vanjar.
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Union Science and Technology Minister Dr Jitendra Singh has termed SHANTI Bill as one of the biggest science reforms initiated by the Narendra Modi government. Talking to the media in New Delhi today, Mr Singh said, India’s nuclear power capacity has doubled from about 4.4 Giga Watt in 2014 to nearly 8.7 Giga Watt today. The Minister said, the SHANTI Bill marks a historic reform in India’s nuclear sector, unlocking its potential for peaceful, clean, and sustainable energy while maintaining uncompromising standards of safety, sovereignty, and public interest.
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President Droupadi Murmu today undertook a sortie onboard Indian Navy’s indigenously-built frontline submarine INS Vaghsheer off the western coast. With this, President Murmu became only the second President of India to experience an operational submarine voyage. APJ Abdul Kalam was the first President of India to undertake a submarine sortie in 2006 at Visakhapatnam.
The President, who is also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, embarked on the Kalvari-class submarine from the Karwar naval base in Karnataka. She was accompanied by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi. More from our correspondent:
“It was a historic moment to see President Droupadi Murmu attired in Navy uniform with matching cap taking a two hour sortie in indigenous INS Vaghsheer submarine off the coast of Karwar today. The Kalvari Class Submarine built by Mazagon Dock features advanced stealth, combat systems and weaponry. The maiden sortie onboard indigenous submarine reflects the President’s continued engagement with the armed forces in operational settings. In November last year the President witnessed an operational demonstration onboard the indigenous aircraft INS Vikrant. Sudhindra Akashvani News Bengaluru.”
Tomorrow, the President will grace the centenary celebrations of Ol Chiki Lipi, at Jamshedpur in Jharkhand. The Ol Chiki script was created in 1925 by Raghunath Murmu for the Santali language.
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Ministry of Civil Aviation has operationalised a permanent, round the clock Passenger Assistance Control Room (PACR) to institutionalise a unified, future-ready mechanism for passenger assistance and crisis response. Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha said, the PACR functions as an integrated hub, bringing together officials from the Civil Aviation Ministry, Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Airports Authority of India, airline operators and other key stakeholders under one roof at Udaan Bhawan. Mr Sinha said that till date, more than 13 thousand passenger grievances have been resolved through focused monitoring and expedited interventions at the PACR since 3rd of this month. He added that grievances related to flight delays, cancellations, refunds and baggage issues were prioritised and addressed in accordance with the provisions of the passenger charter.
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Congress today celebrated its 140th foundation day at party headquarters in New Delhi. On the occasion, party President Mallikarjun Kharge hoisted the flag at Indira Bhawan in New Delhi. Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, senior leaders and party workers also attended the function.
Speaking at the event, Mr Kharge said, India emerged as the world’s largest democracy due to the contributions of great leaders from the party.
Meanwhile, BJP today took a dig over Congress’ foundation day celebration. Addressing Media in New Delhi, Party spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said, the foundation of the Congress party has weakened. Mr Bhatia said that its own party leaders have already raised questions over the issue of internal democracy in the Congress. He added that it is the Congress which had imposed emergency in the country.
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Union Minister for Minority affairs Kiren Rijiju addressed the Buddhist conference organised at Mundgod Tibetan camp in North Kanara district of Karnataka today. Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama graced the occasion. Speaking at the event, Mr. Rijiju said, the path of non-violence and compassion shown by the Dalai Lama has gained renewed significance at a time when the world is facing unrest and conflict. He also assured the Tibetan community in India of all necessary support from the Government.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet US President Donald Trump in Florida tonight to discuss United States brokered peace agreement to end the ongoing war with Russia. The two leaders will discuss a 20-point peace plan and potential US security guarantees. President Zelenskyy has reiterated that territories occupied by Russia, including the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, remain red lines for Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused Ukraine of lacking urgency in seeking a peaceful settlement of the ongoing conflict. He warned that if Kyiv is unwilling to negotiate, Russia will continue to achieve its objectives by force.
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A powerful winter storm Johannes swept across Nordic countries leaving two persons dead in Sweden. The storm has caused severe travel disruption and power outages. The Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute has issued alerts for strong winds for large parts of the northern half of the country as storm Johannes hit the region hard. Several Roads and rail services have also been disrupted across parts of the Nordic nations due to the storm conditions. Tens of thousands of homes in Sweden, Norway and Finland have been left without power.
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Dense fog affected the flight and rail services across large parts of North India today, severely reducing visibility and affecting normal life. Rail services were hit badly, with many trains running several hours behind schedule and some being diverted. Flights in multiple cities, including Delhi, were also delayed.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for very dense fog conditions over Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar till 31st of this month. Cold wave conditions will also prevail at these places.
Meanwhile, the air quality in Delhi-NCR has been registered in the very poor category. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, the average Air Quality Index (AQI) of the National Capital was recorded at 391 as of 7 this evening.
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In Badminton, Rithvik Sanjeevi S clinched the Men’s Singles title at the 87th Senior National Championships in Vijayawada today. He defeated Bharat Raghav in straight games, 21-16, 22-20 in the final, to clinch the title. Surya Charishma Tamiri won the Women’s Singles title, defeating Tanvi Patri, 17 -21, 21-12, 21-14.
In Men’s doubles, the pair of A. Hariharan and Ruban Kumar emerged champions after defeating Mithilesh Krishnan and Prejan in the final. In the women’s doubles final, former champions Shikha Gautam and Ashwini Bhat K overcame Priya Devi Konjengban and Shruti Mishra to reclaim the title.
Meanwhile, in the mixed doubles final, Sathwik Reddy K and Radhika Sharma secured the championship with a convincing win over duo Ashith Surya and Amrutha P.
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In Women’s cricket, India have set a target of 222 runs before Sri Lanka in the fourth T20 of five-match series in Thiruvananthapuram. Put into bat, India posted 221 runs for the loss of 2 wickets in stipulated 20 overs. The Indian openers gave a solid start, with Smriti Mandhana scoring 87 off 48 balls, while Shafali Verma contributed 79 off 46 balls. Richa Ghosh then gave a brilliant finish, smashing 40 off just 16 balls to help India reach a commanding total.
In reply, Sri Lanka were 66 for 1 in 7 overs when reports last came in. Earlier, the visitors won the toss and opted to bowl first.
The hosts have already taken an unassailable 3-Nil lead in the five-match series.
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Indian Tennis star Vaidehi Chaudhary clinched the women’s singles title at the W35 Solapur Tennis Tournament in Maharashtra today. The 25-year-old, seeded sixth in the tournament defeated Japan’s Michika Ozeki in a thrilling three-set final.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN :
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi hails Operation Sindoor as a symbol of pride showcasing world, India’s uncompromising stand on national security; Recalls country’s achievements in last Mann Ki Baat programme of the year.
- Prime Minister expresses hope 2026 will be a key milestone in country’s journey towards Viksit Bharat; Cautions people against indiscriminate use of antibiotics.
- President Droupadi Murmu undertakes sortie onboard Indian Navy’s indigenously-built frontline submarine INS Vaghsheer off western coast.
- Civil Aviation Ministry sets up round-the-clock control room to address passenger grievances.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to hold talks with his US counterpart Donald Trump in Florida tonight to end war with Russia.
- In Badminton, Rithvik Sanjeevi S clinches Men’s Singles title at 87th Senior National Championships in Vijayawada; Surya Charisma Tamiri bags Women’s Singles title.
- In Women’s Cricket, India set a target of 222 runs before Sri Lanka in fourth T20 in Thiruvananthapuram.