THE HEADLINES:
- Lok Sabha holds special discussion on 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram; Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserts, national song energised country’s freedom struggle and continues to inspire Nation toward realising freedom fighters’ dreams.
- Prime Minister says, Nehru succumbed to pressures on the National Song
- Multidimensional poverty in the country declined from 29.17 per cent to 11.28 per cent in past decade, says Government.
- Delhi Airport says, on-ground teams actively coordinating with all stakeholders to minimize flight disruptions and ensure a seamless travel for passengers.
- Thailand strikes along disputed border with Cambodia as both accuse each other of starting fresh escalation.
- And, in Men’s Hockey, India to take on Hosts South Africa in second fixture of three-match series at Cape Town tonight.
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The Lok Sabha today began a special discussion on the 150th anniversary of the National Song Vande Mataram. The national song was written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1875.
Initiating the discussion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the mantra of Vande Mataram gave strength and inspiration to the entire country and energised the freedom struggle. He said, the national song continues to inspire people to fulfil the dreams envisioned by the freedom fighters. He said that remembering the sacred Vande Mataram today is a great privilege for all Members of the House and for the people of the nation. He said, Vande Mataram is not just a mantra for political freedom but it was a sacred war cry to rid Bharat Mata of shackles of colonialism. The Prime Minister said, Vande Matram was written at a time of uprising in 1875 against the British government for unleashing various forms of oppression. He said through the national song, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay responded to this challenge with great strength and resolve.
Mr. Modi added that the 150th anniversary of the song provides an opportunity to revive that historic chapter and its glory. He said the national song played a vital role in India’s Freedom struggle.
The Prime Minister highlighted that the politics of the Muslim League opposing Vande Mataram took pace in 1937. Mr Modi criticized Congress for compromising on Vande Mataram. He alleged that Congress bowed to the Muslim League on the national song. The Prime Minister said, Mohammed Ali Jinnah raised slogans against it and the then Congress chief Jawaharlal Nehru instead of condemning Jinnah started investigating Vande Mataram just five days after Jinnah’s opposition.
Prime Minister Modi recalled that when Vande Mataram marked its 100th anniversary, the country was shaken by the Emergency.
Participating in the debate, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said, several writers and poets from Bengal wrote songs that inspired many during the Independence movement. He alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi tried to give a political colour to the debate during his speech.
Earlier, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said, the House is taking up the discussion of Vande Mataram, the National song written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay. He said, the national song offered light and hope during difficult times as India fought off colonial oppression.
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On the special discussion on the National Song in the Parliament, Rajya Sabha MP Sudha Murty while talking to reporters outside Parliament said, Vande Matram is a connecting song to all states of the country.
Minister of Food Processing Industries Chirag Paswan said, it is simply vital for the younger generation of the country to understand the significance of Vande Mataram and the spirit it communicates. Speaking to the Media outside Parliament, Mr. Paswan urged young people to listen to this debate.
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The government today said that multidimensional poverty in India is estimated to have declined from 29.17 per cent in 2013-14 to 11.28 per cent in 2022-23. Replying to during the question hour in Lok Sabha the Minister of State of Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said around 24.8 crore people have come out of poverty during this period. Quoting the World Bank report on International Poverty Line, the Minister said India’s extreme poverty rate decreased to 5.25 per cent in 2022-23 from 27.12 per cent in 2011-12.
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Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat today alleged that the West Bengal government has not submited any proposal for the promotion of religious tourism in the state. Replying to the supplementaris in the Lok Sabha the Minister said the central government had given 68 crore rupees under the costal circuit initiative and 31 crore rupees for the development of Belur Math under the ‘PRASAD’ scheme.
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Minister of State for Minority Affairs George Kurian has informed the Rajya Sabha that the government is implementing several schemes for the welfare of the minority communities including the Sikh community. In reply to supplementaries, the Minister said that Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram is being implemented by the Ministry of Minority Affairs with a focused interventions in areas of education, health, skill and women empowerment in minority concerned pockets.
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Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal today said that over the past eleven years, the Narendra Modi Government’s policies have begun to visibly translate the fundamental spirit of social justice into reality on the ground. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, the Minister emphasized that the Mudra Yojana has strengthened the economic capacity of citizens.
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Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today said that the government under the Market Intervention Scheme has introduced a provision to ensure that farmers receive a fair price for their produce. Addressing the Agribusiness Summit 2025 in New Delhi, the Minister said that for horticultural crops, if the rate falls below a certain limit, the government will deposit the difference between the model rate and the sale price directly into the farmer’s account.
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Union Minister for Civil Aviation K Rammohan Naidu has said that there will be no compromise on air safety as it is the top most priority for the government. In reply to supplementaries regarding the implementation of the Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) guidelines, Mr Naidu informed the Rajya Sabha that the government is conducting an enquiry in connection with the situation leading to cancellation of several flights due to which passengers had to face a lot of difficulties. He said, the government is not taking this situation easily and very strict action will be taken in the matter.
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The Delhi Airport has informed that Airport operations are running smoothly, although a few flights may be rescheduled or cancelled due to operational reasons. In a passenger advisory issued today, Delhi Airport said that its on-ground teams are actively coordinating with all stakeholders to minimize disruptions and ensure a seamless travel experience for passengers.
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The Election Commission is steadily expanding its digital services to make the the process of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral roll faster, simpler and more accessible for all voters. As a result, several citizens are now completing and submitting their SIR verification forms online from their homes. In Puducherry, college student Bhavatharini shared her experience of using the online facility for the first time, describing it as convenient and user-friendly.
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External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar today met European Trade and Economic Security Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič in New Delhi. In a social media post, Dr Jaishankar expressed confidence that the European Commissioner and his team will have productive discussions in India.
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Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs of the United States Allison Hooker arrived in New Delhi today. In a statement, the US Embassy informed that the visit focuses on advancing the U.S.-India strategic partnership, deepening economic and commercial ties, including increasing American exports.
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Tension has risen along the Thailand Cambodia border, as the Royal Thai Army carried out air strikes along its disputed border with Cambodia, with both countries accusing each other of starting the fresh escalation. The Royal Thai Army accused Cambodian forces of opening fire in the Ubon Ratchathani Province this morning which resulted in the death of a soldier while eight other military personnel were wounded which prompted the airstrikes. However, in a statement, Cambodia’s Ministry of Defence claimed the attack was launched by Thailand and the country did not retaliate, urging an immediate halt to hostilities. Both countries have accused each other of breaching a ceasefire agreement that was brokered by Malaysia and US President Donald Trump.
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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast cold wave conditions in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha and Odisha till tomorrow. 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 region was recorded at 321 as of 1 PM today.
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In our bilingual live phone-in programme “Public Speak” tonight, we will bring discussion on ‘Understanding Tools and Techniques to Identify Fake News’ with New Media Consultant Shali Ittaman.
During the programme, listeners can ask questions by dialling the telephone numbers 011 – 23310481, 011-23717117, 011- 23717106 and 011 – 23314444, 9:30 PM onwards.
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In Men’s hockey, India will take on Hosts South Africa in the second fixture of three-match series tour at Hartleyvale Stadium in Cape Town tonight. The match will be played at 10:30 PM Indian Standard Time. Yesterday, India defeated South Africa 5-2 in the first match.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
- Lok Sabha holds special discussion on 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram; Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserts, national song energised country’s freedom struggle and continues to inspire Nation toward realising freedom fighters’ dreams.
- Prime Minister says, Nehru succumbed to pressures on the National Song.
- Multidimensional poverty in the country declined from 29.17 per cent to 11.28 per cent in past decade, says Government.
- Delhi Airport says, on-ground teams actively coordinating with all stakeholders to minimize flight disruptions and ensure a seamless travel for passengers.
- Thailand strikes along disputed border with Cambodia as both accuse each other of starting fresh escalation.
- And, in Men’s Hockey, India to take on Hosts South Africa in second fixture of three-match series at Cape Town tonight.
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