THE HEADLINES:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserts that India’s performance in various sports has consistently improved since 2014 and is now bidding to host the 2036 Olympics; Inaugurates National Volleyball Tournament via video conferencing in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
- Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan Says MGNREGA had become a synonym for corruption where workers were often sidelined and exploited.
- India expresses deep concern over recent developments in Venezuela; re-affirms its support to the well-being and safety of people of the country.
- Government advises Indian nationals to avoid all non-essential travel to Venezuela.
- Leaders of Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council meet BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman in Dhaka to discuss growing concerns over violence against minority communities in the country.
- IMD issues warning for dense to very dense fog conditions in Delhi, Haryana, Chandigarh, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Odisha till tomorrow.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India’s performance in various sports has consistently improved since 2014. Inaugurating 72nd National Volleyball Tournament in Varanasi today via video conferencing, Mr Modi said that India is strongly bidding to host the 2036 Olympics.
He said that his government has brought many changes and reforms in the field of sports like National Sports Governance Act and Khelo Bharat Niti 2025.
The Prime Minister said that the sports model of the country is now athlete centric that is why there is a significant increase in the success of the sports persons after 2014. Underlining the efforts of his government in the field of sports, Mr Modi said that the government is working on different aspects, which include identifying talent, scientific training, providing nutritious food and transparent selection.
The Prime Minister added that the country is also moving forward in the same way.
Drawing the similarities between volleyball and development, the Prime Minister said that volleyball is a game which connects us to the team spirit. The nature of this game is like the development story of the nation which requires cooperation and readiness to contribute.
The 8-day tournament, being held from today to 11th January, is witnessing participation from across India, with over 1,000 players competing as part of 58 teams representing various states and institutions.
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Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today said that MGNREGA had become a synonym for corruption, where workers were often sidelined and routinely exploited. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Mr Chouhan called out Congress for allegedly misleading the public over the newly enacted Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar aur Aajeevika Mission – Gramin (G-RAM-G) Act.
Mr Chouhan said that despite having an enormous budget, MGNREGA did not lead to any permanent asset creation or long-term development of the villages. While highlighting the shortcomings of the previous Act, the Minister said that Viksit Bharat G-RAM-G safeguards workers’ interest. He noted that provisions of increased pay and unemployment wages, interest on delayed payment, and employment guarantee of 125 days from the earlier 100 days, ensure that not only workers remain better off but they also bring meaningful contribution to their villages.
He highlighted the vision of Viksit Bharat through Viksit Gaon and said funding for rural employment has been significantly increased to support sustainable outcomes.
Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan today said that India’s rice production exceeded 150 million tons in 2025. Inaugurating 184 new varieties of 25 crops with improved traits developed by ICAR, Mr Chouhan said that India has surpassed China in rice production.
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India has expressed deep concern over the recent developments in Venezuela. The External Affairs Ministry said in a statement that the evolving situation is being closely monitored. India has re-affirmed its support to the well-being and safety of the people of Venezuela. New Delhi has called upon all concerned to address issues peacefully through dialogue, ensuring peace and stability of the region. The Embassy of India in Caracas is in contact with the members of the Indian community and will continue to provide all possible assistance.
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The External Affairs Ministry has issued an advisory urging Indian nationals to avoid all non-essential travel to Venezuela in view of recent developments. All Indians who are in Venezuela for any reason have been advised to exercise extreme caution, restrict their movements, and remain in contact with the Embassy of India in Caracas. The Embassy’s email id is cons.caracas@mea.gov.in and the emergency phone number is +58-412-9584288.
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The United Nations Security Council will hold an emergency meeting tomorrow to discuss the US military operation in Venezuela. The meeting has been convened at the request of Colombia, a non-permanent member of the Council, and was supported by permanent members — China and Russia. Venezuela’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations has sent a letter to the Security Council seeking the emergency session, criticising the US-action.
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The government has removed the condition of three-year existence of a startup to avail the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund. Addressing the 41st Foundation Day event of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) in New Delhi, Dr Jitendra Singh announced that any new startup group that floats itself can come and avail this fund through DSIR.
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The Election Commission has invited citizens to submit suggestions for improving the ECINet App, a unified digital platform aimed at enhancing voter services and election-related information. Citizens can share their feedback through the ‘Submit a Suggestion’ tab on the ECINet App till January 10.
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Leaders of Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council met BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman in Dhaka to express condolences over the death of former prime minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. During the meeting, the minority leaders described Khaleda Zia as a strong and uncompromising leader who played an important role in the country’s democratic movement. They said her death was a great loss for Bangladesh and conveyed their sympathy to Tarique Rahman and his family. The leaders also discussed growing concerns over the recent incidents of violence against minority communities in different parts of the country. More from our correspondent:
Minority leaders of Bangladesh raised concerns over a rise in violence against minority communities and submitted an eight-point demand to BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, urging its inclusion in the party’s election manifesto. Responding, Tarique Rahman said restoring law and order and strengthening democracy were essential to ensure the safety and rights of all citizens. He stressed that he does not believe in dividing people into majority or minority, saying all citizens share the same identity as Bangladeshis. He also called for cooperation and joint efforts to safeguard equal rights. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul and representatives from minority organisations, including the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad and the Dhakeshwari National Temple, were present at the meeting. Navalsang Parmar, Akashvani News, Dhaka.
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Japan has issued an emergency alert after North Korea launched multiple ballistic missiles toward the sea today, just hours before South Korea’s president leaves for China for talks expected to cover North Korea’s nuclear program. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement it detected several ballistic missile launches from North Korea’s capital region.
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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange colour warning for dense to very dense fog conditions in Delhi, Haryana, Chandigarh, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Odisha today. The IMD said that dense fog conditions will also prevail over Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and North-Eastern parts of India till tomorrow. The Met Department has predicted cold wave conditions at Delhi, Haryana, Chandigarh, Punjab, Bihar, Uttarakhand and Rajasthan for the next two to three days. Meanwhile, the air quality in Delhi-NCR continues to be 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 301 as of 1 PM today.
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In Under-19 Men’s Cricket, India defeated hosts South Africa by 25 runs under the DLS method in the opening Youth ODI of the three-match series at Willowmoore Park in Benoni last evening. Put in to bat first, India were bowled out for 300 runs in 50 overs, with Harvansh Pangalia scoring 93 and R.S. Ambrish contributing 65. Chasing a target of 301, South Africa were 148 for 4 in 27.4 overs when rain and lightning interrupted play. The match could not resume, and India were declared winners under the DLS method.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserts that India’s performance in various sports has consistently improved since 2014 and is now bidding to host the 2036 Olympics; Inaugurates National Volleyball Tournament via video conferencing in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
- Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan Says MGNREGA had become a synonym for corruption where workers were often sidelined and exploited.
- India expresses deep concern over recent developments in Venezuela; re-affirms its support to the well-being and safety of people of the country.
- Government advises Indian nationals to avoid all non-essential travel to Venezuela.
- Leaders of Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council meet BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman in Dhaka to discuss growing concerns over violence against minority communities in the country.
- IMD issues warning for dense to very dense fog conditions in Delhi, Haryana, Chandigarh, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Odisha till tomorrow.
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