THE HEADLINES:
- Justice Surya Kant becomes 53rd Chief Justice of India; President Droupadi Murmu administers oath.
- National Commission for Women rolls out new 24×7 helpline number- 1 4 4 9 0 to provide assistance to women in distress.
- Indian Navy Commissions country’s first Indigenous Anti-Submarine Warfare Vessel ‘INS Mahe’ in Mumbai.
- Standard and Poor’s global rating projects India’s GDP growth at 6.5 percent in current fiscal.
- And, in Test cricket, South Africa tighten grip against India; Picks 7 wickets for 174 runs at lunch on day three at Guwahati.
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Justice Surya Kant today took oath as the 53rd Chief Justice of India. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office to him at Rashtrapati Bhavan this morning. Justice Surya Kant has succeeded Justice BR Gavai. Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Union Ministers including Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, JP Nadda and other dignitaries were present during the oath taking ceremony.
We have more from our correspondent:-
“Born in 1962 in Hisar (Haryana), Justice Surya Kant started practicing Law at the District Court, Hisar in 1984. He shifted to Chandigarh in 1985 to practice in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. He is specialised in Constitutional, Service and Civil matters. He represented a number of Universities, Boards, Corporations, Banks and also the High Court itself. Justice Surya Kant earned distinction of being appointed the youngest Advocate General of Haryana in July 2000. He was elevated as a permanent Judge to the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2004. Justice Surya Kant was appointed Chief Justice of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh in October 2018. He was elevated as a Judge of the Supreme Court in May 2019. ANUPAM MISHRA, AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI.”
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The National Commission for Women-NCW has rolled out a new 24×7 short helpline number- 1 4 4 9 0 to ensure quicker and more accessible support for women in distress across the country. In a statement, the commission said that the toll-free number serves as an easy-to-recall short code connected to the Commission’s existing helpline, enabling women to seek assistance without any delay. The new helpline number strengthens NCW’s ongoing efforts to provide immediate help to women facing violence, harassment, or any form of distress.
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The Indian Navy today commissioned INS Mahe, the first vessel of the Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi presided over the ceremony as the chief guest, marking a significant milestone in the induction of a new generation of indigenous, shallow-water combatants. Speaking at the event, General Upendra Dwivedi emphasised that the true strength of the Armed Forces lies in synergy.
Built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, INS Mahe stands as a testament to the growing capabilities of the country’s shipbuilding ecosystem under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
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A grand ritual is underway at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra in Ayodhya ahead of the flag hoisting ceremony tomorrow. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will grace the occasion and participate in the flag hoisting ceremony at Shri Ram janmabhoomi Temple which will also be termed as the end of the temple construction work. Mr modi will also hold a road show in Ayodhya City. Yesterday, on the third day, various revered deities were invoked and worshipped in the full Vedic manner. More from our correspondent:
“Preparations are in full swing to prepare the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir premises for the Dhwajarohan ceremony being organised on Margshirsh Shukla Panchami (Vivah Panchami) which falls Tomorrow. On the third day of the Dharma Dhwajarohan karyakram at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, Vedic acharyas conducted, the Ganapati Puja, Panchang Puja, and Shodasha Matrika Puja. This was then followed by Yogini Puja, Kshetrapal Puja, Vastu Puja, Navagraha Puja, and the invocation and worship of the Pradhan mandalas, including the Ramabhadra Mandala and all other sacred mandalas. Security arrangements are being tightened in Ayodhya in the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s arrival. SUSHIL CHANDRA TIWARI, AKASHVANI NEWS, AYODHYA.”
The Prime Minister will also visit Kurukshetra tomorrow evening to participate in a special programme commemorating the 350th Shaheedi Diwas of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. During the programme, Mr Modi will release a special coin and commemorative stamp marking the 350th Shaheedi Diwas of the revered Guru. To honour the 350th Shaheedi Diwas of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the Central Government is observing a year-long commemoration.
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Goa electors are actively participating in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise drive. Over eight lakh 27 thousand enumeration forms, which is nearly 69.84 percent of the total 11 lakh 85 thousand 34 existing electors have been collected and digitized. Enumeration forms were printed for electors of all 40 constituencies and distributed to BLOs to be taken from house to house. BLOs are trained to explain to the people how to fill Enumeration forms, and check their names.
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Standard and Poor’s global rating has projected that India’s economy will grow by 6.5 percent in the current fiscal year and 6.7 percent in the next financial year. It said that expected tax cuts and monetary policy easing will give a boost to consumption-driven growth.
India’s real GDP is estimated to have expanded at 7.8 percent in the April-June quarter of the current fiscal, the fastest pace in five quarters. The Reserve Bank of India has forecast GDP growth at 6.8 percent for the year, higher than the 6.5 percent recorded in the previous fiscal year.
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Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has said that India and Canada will fast-track negotiations for Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to boost bilateral trade and investment. Addressing the Indo-Canadian Business Chamber in New Delhi today, Mr Goyal said, India sees considerable scope for collaboration with Canada in critical minerals, clean energy, nuclear energy and supply-chain diversification.
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The fifth day of the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Panaji, Goa has continued to draw cinephiles and art lovers alike in large crowds today. The jam packed schedule ranges from an illuminating masterclass by acclaimed director Rajkumar Hirani to elusive film screenings and many more. A report from our correspondent:
“In his Masterclass on Writing and Editing, Rajkumar Hirani highlighted that writing is when you imagine a film while editing is when you experience a film. He underlined the unsung role of an editor and said that a movie gets its true meaning at the editing table. Mr Hirani also discussed about the underlying themes present in some of his movies that are regarded as cult classics.
Amongst film screenings, critically acclaimed movies including the Japanese film – Two Seasons, Two Strangers, World Premiere of Albanian film – Hana, and Govind Nilahni’s 1984 classic – Party were screened today. Creators of non-mainstream films such as Lala and Poppy and The Pursuit of Spring shared insights into their projects, highlighting how their storytelling aims not only to entertain but also to leave a lasting impact on audiences.Later in the day, IFFI’s musical offshoot – IFFIesta will have its grand conclusion at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium. The finale will feature programmes such as Battle of Bands, Suron Ka Eklavya, Waah Ustad and Devanchal ki Prem Katha. With Nikhil and Saira, Adarsh for Akashvani News, Panaji.”
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The International Film Festival of India (IFFI) has partnered with the United Nation Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to showcase movies about children, highlighting the beauty and struggles of childhood. Talking exclusively to Akashvani News, UNICEF India Representative, Cynthia McCaffrey said, five films are being screened at IFFI 2025 in Goa to raise children’s issues, challenges and opportunities. She said, with these films coming from India, Kosovo, Egypt and South Korea, the audience can experience the different lives of children around the world, overcoming cultural boundaries.
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Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has reached Bhutan to lead the delegation for the return of Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha, which was brought to the Himalayan nation for public exposition. The relics from India were enshrined at the Grand Kuenrey Hall in Tashichhodzong were sent for exposition as a special gesture for the Global Peace Prayer Festival, organised by the Bhutan.
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In Men’s Cricket, India were 176 for 7 in its first innings’ against South Africa on day three of second and final Test played at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati when reports last came in. India trail by 313 runs.
Earlier, South Africa made 489 in its first innings. Muthusamy scored 109 runs while Jansen played a knock of 93. For India, Kuldeep Yadav took 4 wickets.
Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is leading Team India in this match as regular skipper Shubman Gill was ruled out of the second Test due to a neck injury. South Africa had defeated India by 30 runs in the first Test of the two match series at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated the Indian Blind Women’s Cricket Team for creating history by winning the inaugural Blind Women’s T20 World Cup. In a social media post, the Prime Minister said, the win is commendable as the Indian team remained unbeaten in the series. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also congratulated Indian athletes for their phenomenal, extraordinary and record-breaking performance at the World Boxing Cup Finals 2025.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
- Justice Surya Kant becomes 53rd Chief Justice of India; President Droupadi Murmu administers oath.
- National Commission for Women rolls out new 24×7 helpline number- 1 4 4 9 0 to provide assistance to women in distress.
- Indian Navy Commissions country’s first Indigenous Anti-Submarine Warfare Vessel ‘INS Mahe’ in Mumbai.
- Standard and Poor’s global rating projects India’s GDP growth at 6.5 percent in current fiscal.
- And, in Test cricket, South Africa tighten grip against India; Picks 7 wickets for 174 runs at lunch on day three at Guwahati.
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