THE HEADLINES:
• Cabinet approves eight thousand 800 crore rupees for Skill India programme; Also gives nod to extension of National Commission for Safai Karmacharis.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit France and US starting Monday; To co-chair AI Action Summit with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.
• Delhi gears up for counting of votes for Assembly elections tomorrow amid tight security.
• RBI cuts repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.25 per cent; Estimates GDP growth of 6.7 per cent in 2025-26.
• 9th Asian winter games kicks off in China; 59 Indian athletes to participate in the games.
• And, FIFA suspends Pakistan Football Federation.
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The Government has approved eight thousand 800 crore rupees for the Skill India programme from the period 2022-23 to 2025-26. Briefing media in New Delhi today, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that demand driven skill development is the focus of the government and emphasis will be laid on convergence and quality enhancement.
Mr. Vaishnaw said the government has also approved the extension of the tenure of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis for three years till 31st March 2028.
The Minister also informed that South Coast Railways Zone has been given post facto approval which will lead to efficiency in Railways operations.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a high-profile diplomatic visit to France and the United States next week. His tour will focus on strengthening strategic, economic, and technological partnerships with both the nations. Prime Minister Modi’s visit to France, from February 10 to 12, comes at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. A key highlight of the visit will be the AI Action Summit, where global leaders will discuss the future of artificial intelligence governance. India, as a co-chair of the summit, will play a pivotal role in shaping the international AI policies, emphasizing ethical AI development, accessibility, and innovation. Briefing the media in New Delhi this afternoon, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said Both leaders will also hold bilateral talks and address the India-France CEOs Forum.
In addition to the summit, discussions between the Indian and French leadership will cover defense, trade, and energy cooperation, further strengthening the bilateral ties. The visit will also see the inauguration of India’s new Consulate General in Marseille, aimed at improving consular services for the Indian diaspora in southern France. Following his engagements in France, Prime Minister Modi will travel to the United States on February 12 for a two-day working visit. The visit is expected to focus on trade, strategic cooperation, and technology partnerships, along with discussions on regional security.
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External Affairs Ministry today summoned the Bangladesh Acting High Commissioner, Mr. Md. Nural Islam, and conveyed that it is regrettable that regular statements made by Bangladesh authorities continue to portray India negatively. In response to media queries on the summoning of the Bangladesh Acting High Commissioner, Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India desires a positive, constructive, and mutually beneficial relationship with Bangladesh, which has been reiterated several times in recent high-level meetings. He further stated that regular statements made by Bangladesh authorities holding India responsible for internal governance issues are, in fact, responsible for the persistent negativity.
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Counting of votes for the Delhi Assembly elections will be held tomorrow. Preparations are in full swing for a smooth and fair counting process. Chief Electoral Officer of Delhi, R. Alice Vaz said scrutiny of the election documents, including Form 17C of the 70 Assembly constituencies, has been conducted. Independent central observers appointed by the Election Commission, candidates and their agents, and returning officers were present during the scrutiny. Our correspondent reports that nineteen counting centres have been set up in 11 districts of Delhi for counting of votes.
All eyes are on Delhi with the counting process set to begin early tomorrow morning. The EVMs are being kept in the strong rooms under the constant vigil of the Election Commission and the police officials. Around five thousand staff members, comprising counting supervisors, counting assistants, micro observers, statistical staff, and other supporting personnel, have been deployed for the counting process. The polls witnessed a three way fight between BJP, Aam Aadmi Party and Congress, with 699 candidates in the fray. A party needs to win 36 seats to form government in the national capital. Suparna Saikia, Akashvani News, Delhi.
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A voter turnout of 60.54 percent was recorded in the Delhi Assembly election held on 5th of this month. The Election Commission today released the updated data of voter turnout. As per the latest data, the highest poll percentage of 66.25 was recorded in North East Delhi district while South East district recorded the lowest voter percentage of 56.40 percent. Maximum 69.01 voting percentage was registered in the Mustafabad constituency and Mehrauli witnessed 53.02 percent voting.
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The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) today reached Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal's residence in the National Capital to probe his allegation that his party candidates in the Delhi Assembly polls are being offered 15 crore rupees by the BJP. However, the ACB team was denied entry. Meanwhile, AAP leader Sanjay Singh has filed a complaint with the ACB in the matter. Talking to the media, he claimed that he has provided evidence to the Anti- corruption bureau.
On the other hand, Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva dismissed AAP's allegations, terming them baseless. Mr. Sachdeva told the media that AAP leaders should provide evidence before making such allegations.
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The Lok Sabha today took up discussion on the General Budget 2025-26. Participating in the discussion, Rao Rajendra Singh of BJP lauded the Union Budget saying it has taken care of the interests of the poor, farmers and women. He said the government has focused on the well-being of farmers and taken several initiatives in this direction. Another party MP Sudheer Gupta said that this Budget focuses on welfare of farmers and steps have been taken to increase the production of pulses. He added that budgetary allocation of one lakh 70 thousand crore rupees have been made for agriculture and allied activities. Initiating the debate Dharamvir Gandhi of Congress alleged that the Union Budget has failed to address the agrarian challenges being faced by the country. He also raised the issue of farmers' suicide. The discussion remained in conclusive.
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Almost after 5 years, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has reduced the policy repo rate by 25 basis points, from 6.50 per cent to 6.25 per cent. Governor Sanjay Malhotra made the announcement today in Mumbai, following a three-day meeting of the MPC.The 25 basis points rate cut to 6.25 percent comes after the last rate reduction in May 2020. He further informed that, according to the first advance estimates, real GDP growth for the current year is projected at 6.4 per cent, with economic activity expected to improve in the coming year.
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India's foreign exchange reserves increased by 1.05 billion dollars to over 630.6 billion dollars in the week ending January 31, according to the latest data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This is the second consecutive week of rise in the reserves. In the previous week, the country's forex reserves had increased by 5.57 billion dollars and had settled at 629.55 billion dollars.
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Around ten lakh people are observing the ancient tradition of Kalpvas at Sangam in Mahakumbh. The devotees observe Kalpvas for one month till Maghi Poornima, strictly adhering to the prescribed rituals. It is believed that Kalpvas is regarded as a supreme path to spiritual growth and purification.
"The Kalpvasi's are staying near the banks of the holy Sangam and engaged in Vedic studies and meditation. During the period, the Kalpvasi bath thrice a day, perform prayers and follow the lifestyle of simplicity and discipline. Talking to Akashwani News, a Kalpwasi Mahimashankar Tiwari of Uttar Pradesh said, he is observing Kalpwas from the past eighteen years.
The month - long Kalpwas commenced on 13th January, Paush Purnima, will continue till 12th February. With Dipendra kumar, Aman yadav Akashvani news Prayagraj.
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Ninth Asian Winter Games (AWG) 2025 has begun at Harbin, capital city of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Chinese President Xi Jinping declared the Games open in presence of visiting dignitaries including International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach this evening. The Games will continue till 14th of this month. A record 34 countries and regions are competing in the games. 88-member Indian contingent, which includes 59 athletes and 29 team officials, will participate in the games.
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The International Football Federation (FIFA) has suspended the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) after it failed to amend its constitution as required for the smooth and fair governance of the sport in the country. FIFA stated that Pakistan will remain suspended until the PFF congress makes the necessary amendments. This is Pakistan Football Federation’s third suspension since 2017.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN.
• Cabinet approves eight thousand 800 crore rupees for Skill India programme; Also gives nod to extension of National Commission for Safai Karmacharis.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit France and US starting Monday; To co-chair AI Action Summit with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.
• Delhi gears up for counting of votes for Assembly elections tomorrow amid tight security.
• RBI cuts repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.25 per cent; Estimates GDP growth of 6.7 per cent in 2025-26.
• 9th Asian winter games kicks off in China; 59 Indian athletes to participate in the games.
• And, FIFA suspends Pakistan Football Federation.
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