THE HEADLINES:
Four-day Somnath Swabhiman Parv begins at Prabhas Patan in Gujarat, celebrating the enduring spirit of Somnath Temple.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserts, civilisational resolve of Bharat ensured Somnath was rebuilt time and again; Says, celebration honours countless children of India who never compromised on principles.
Enforcement Directorate conducts raids at 15 locations across six states in connection with fake government job scam.
India’s economy expected to grow at 7.6 per cent in current fiscal, exceeding government’s 7.4 per cent estimate, says, Morgan Stanley.
US withdraws from over 60 global organizations, including several UN bodies and International Solar Alliance.
And, in Badminton, PV Sindhu storms into Women’s Singles quarterfinals of Malaysia Open in Kuala Lumpur.
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The four-day Somnath Swabhiman Parv, celebrating the enduring spirit of the Somnath Temple, began today in the coastal town of Prabhas Patan in Gujarat. The event marks one thousand years since the first attack on the Somnath Temple in 1026 AD by Mahmud of Ghazni. This year’s celebrations also coincide with the upcoming 75th anniversary of the inauguration of the restored temple in 1951. Our correspondent has the details:
“The pristine shores of the Arabian Sea resonated with spiritual energy today as the ‘Somnath Swabhiman Parv’ commenced at the Somnath Mahadev Temple. Marking the beginning of the festival, a 72-hour continuous ‘Akhand Omkar Jap’ was grandly inaugurated at the first Jyotirlinga. The ceremony opened with the resounding echoes of conch shells and traditional damrus. Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, alongside state ministers Jitu Vaghani and Dr. Pradyumanbhai Vaja, led the ceremonial Shankhnad. Nearly 2,500 Rishi Kumars from across Gujarat have gathered on the sea shores to perform these continuous Vedic chants. This celebration of self-respect extended beyond Somnath, as Shiva temples across India joined in synchronized chanting. To facilitate pilgrims, the state government has arranged special trains, bringing devotees from across the state to the holy site. Cabinet Minister Jitu Vaghani noted that the festival will feature year-long spiritual, cultural, and social activities. Major highlights include a massive drone show, the 72-hour Omkar Naad, and a grand ‘Shaurya Yatra’ or heroic procession.
The event serves as a vital medium to pass down Somnath’s 1,000-year saga of sacrifice and reconstruction to the younger generation. With Rajesh Bhajgotar, from Somnath Aparna Khunt, Akashvani News, Ahmedabad.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended greetings to the nation on the commencement of Somnath Swabhiman Parv. In a series of social media post today, Mr Modi said, in January 1026, Somnath faced its first attack. The Prime Minister said, despite repeated assaults in subsequent centuries, the eternal faith of devotees and the civilisational resolve of Bharat ensured that Somnath was rebuilt time and again. He said, the celeberation reflects the resilience and unwavering faith associated with one of India’s most revered pilgrimage sites. He said, the Parv is also about remembering the countless children of the country, who never compromised with their principles and ethos. The Prime Minister shared glimpses from his previous visits to Somnath Temple and invited citizens to join the celebration by sharing their own memories on social media platforms by using hashtag SomnathSwabhimanParv. He recalled the programme held on 31st October 2001, marking 50 years since the rebuilt Somnath Temple opened its doors to people in 1951 in the presence of the then President Dr. Rajendra Prasad. Mr Modi highlighted the efforts of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, K M Munshi and several others as pivotal in the temple’s reconstruction.
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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is conducting searches in a Fake Government Job Scam against an organized gang, across the country. The agency said the scam was initially detected in the name of Indian Railways. However, the investigation revealed that it covers over 40 other Government organisations and departments.
Searches are ongoing at 15 locations in 13 cities of six states. This includes Muzaffarpur and Motihari in Bihar, Kolkata in West Bengal, Ernakulam, Pandalam, Adoor, and Kodur in Kerala, Chennai in Tamil Nadu, Rajkot in Gujarat and Gorakhpur, Allahabad and Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh. The ED noted the gang used fake email accounts, impersonating official government domains to send fraudulent joining letters. The probe agency added that, to gain trust, the gang made initial salary payments for 2-3 months to some victims, who were placed in roles like RPF, TTE, and Technician in Indian Railways.
The Enforcement Directorate today also carried out searches at the residence of political consultancy firm Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) chief Prateek Jain in Kolkata in connection with a coal smuggling case. The searches triggered a sharp political reaction from the Trinamool Congress (TMC). Amid the raids, TMC leader and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma arrived at the residence of I-PAC chief where the ED teams were present. Later, talking to media outside, Ms Banerjee stated that Pratik Jain is a party worker, and alleged that under the guise of investigation, attempts were being made to seize important documents such as the party’s candidate lists.
On the other hand, BJP Leader and leader of Opposition in West Bengal Suvendu Adhikari accused the Chief Minister of obstructing the ED’s investigation and demanded legal action against her. He claimed that Ms Banerjee had interfered with investigative processes on previous occasions as well.
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In Tamil Nadu, in a significant political development, PMK founder Dr S. Ramadoss has rejected his son Dr Anbumani Ramadoss’s claim that the PMK would join the AIADMK-led alliance for the upcoming Assembly elections. In a statement issued today, Dr Ramadoss said that only the party founder is authorised to take formal decisions regarding electoral alliances and dismissed any announcement made by his son. He asserted that no political party can claim an alliance with the PMK at this stage.
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India’s economic growth is expected to outpace the National Statistical Office (NSO’s) first advance estimate, reflecting buoyant high‑frequency data since September last year led by policy impetus. A report from Morgan Stanley estimated real GDP growth at 7.6 per cent for Financial Year 2026, above the NSO’s first advance estimate which pegged the real GDP growth at 7.4 per cent in the current fiscal. The combined impetus from fiscal and monetary policy support, improved purchasing power and labour market outlook are likely to ensure consumption recovery gains more breadth.
Reacting to the NSO’s figures, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India’s “Reform Express” continues to gain momentum. Talking to media, a Member of NITI Aayog Dr. Arvind Virmani said, the Indian economy has shown strong resilience to deal with external shocks.
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Former Cabinet Secretary and Member NITI Aayog Rajiv Gauba has said, that PRAGATI has brought about a new momentum to infrastructure project execution in the country. In an exclusive interview with Akashvani News, Mr. Gauba revealed that some of the projects to be reviewed under PRAGATI are selected by the Prime Minister himself.
The interview will be broadcast tonight at 09.30 on 100.1 Akashvani FM Gold channel and additional frequencies.
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The Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue will be held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi tomorrow. Talking to media, Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya said, during the four day event, the young leaders from across the country will converge to present their ideas on Viksit Bharat before Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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The Delhi Police have identified 548 foreign nationals who were staying illegally in the national capital without valid visas over the past year. Deputy Commissioner of Police, Outer district, Sachin Sharma informed that after apprehension, the foreign nationals were produced before the Foreigners Regional Registration Office and subsequently sent to detention centres for deportation procedures. He said, the highest number of 380 deportees is from Bangladesh.
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A senior leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s affiliated organisation was shot dead and another man injured in a shooting incident in Dhaka’s Tejgaon area last night, highlighting deteriorating law and order situation in the country. The incident triggered protests and prompted heavy deployment of police and army personnel.
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The United States has withdrawn from over 60 international organisations, including UN bodies and the India-France-led International Solar Alliance. US President Donald Trump signed the memorandum yesterday titled Withdrawing the United States from International Organisations, Conventions, and Treaties that are Contrary to the Interests of the United States. After signing, President Trump said he has determined that it is contrary to the interests of the United States to remain a member of, participate in, or otherwise provide support to the 66 UN and Non-United Nations organisations.
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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast cold wave conditions over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar during next two days. It has also predicted cold wave conditions over Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha and North Interior Karnataka. Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir remained under the grip of a cold wave, as several palces registered the season’s lowest temperatures. We have a report:
The weather department said cold wave conditions are likely to persist in parts of the region over the next few days. The Union Territory is likely to witness largely dry and stable weather conditions till January 22, with no major weather disturbance expected during this period. It further cautioned that moderate fog is likely to prevail over the plains of Jammu division, with dense fog at isolated places, a condition expected to continue for the next four days. People have been advised to take necessary precautions, particularly during night and early morning hours. Gulshan Raina, Akashvani News, Jammu.”
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In Badminton, India’s PV Sindhu has stormed into the women’s singles quarterfinals of the Malaysia Open in Kuala Lumpur. She outclassed eighth seed Tomoko Miyazaki of Japan in the Round of 16 today. However, Lakshya Sen and Ayush Shetty bowed out of the tournament after losing their respective pre-quarterfinal matches in the Men’s Singles category.
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Benchmark domestic equity indices, the Sensex and the Nifty, were trading on a bearish note in afternoon session today. The Sensex tumbled 685 points to 84 thousand 276 when reports last came in.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
Four-day Somnath Swabhiman Parv begins at Prabhas Patan in Gujarat, celebrating the enduring spirit of Somnath Temple.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserts, civilisational resolve of Bharat ensured Somnath was rebuilt time and again; Says, celebration honours countless children of India who never compromised on principles.
Enforcement Directorate conducts raids at 15 locations across six states in connection with fake government job scam.
India’s economy expected to grow at 7.6 per cent in current fiscal, exceeding government’s 7.4 per cent estimate, says, Morgan Stanley.
US withdraws from over 60 global organizations, including several UN bodies and International Solar Alliance.
And, in Badminton, PV Sindhu storms into Women’s Singles quarterfinals of Malaysia Open in Kuala Lumpur.
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