News on AIR

THE HEADLINES :

Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, peace, security and stability of South China Sea is in the interest of entire Indo-Pacific region; Also holds bilateral talks with his counterparts of Thailand and Lao PDR.
Mahadev Betting App promoter Sourabh Chandrakar arrested by authorities in Dubai.
Bihar government transfers more than 225 crore rupees directly to bank accounts of over three lakh families as a flood grant relief.
In Pakistan, at least 20 miners were killed, and eight injured in armed attack Balochistan province.
And in Valencia Open Tennis, India's Jeevan Neduchazhiyan and Vijay Sundar Prashanth to lock horns with Piotr Matuszewski and Karol Drzewiecki of Poland in men's doubles semi-final in Spain this evening.

<><><>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stressed that a free, open, inclusive, prosperous and rules-based Indo-Pacific is vital for the peace and progress of the entire region. He said, peace, security and stability of the South China Sea is in the interest of the entire Indo-Pacific region. The Prime Minister was speaking at the 19th East Asia Summit in Vientiane, Lao PDR today.

Highlighting concern over the ongoing conflict in different regions of the world, Mr Modi said, development should be the approach and not expansionism. He said, the ongoing conflicts in different regions are negatively impacting the countries of the Global South. He said that everyone wants peace and stability to be restored in Eurasia and the West Asia region. He reiterated that this is not an age of war and solutions to problems cannot come from the battlefield.

Terming terrorism a serious challenge to global peace and security, the Prime Minister stressed that humanity will have to work together to deal with the challenges posed by the terrorism.

Our correspondent reports that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the first leader to be invited to address the East Asia Summit after the host and incoming chair.

Meanwhile, Mr Modi and his Lao PDR counterpart Sonexay Siphandone today held productive discussions aimed at further strengthening bilateral ties, including in key sectors of cooperation such as heritage conservation and restoration, development partnership, capacity building, economic, defence, culture and people-to people ties. India and Lao PDR exchanged MoUs for Defence cooperation, mutual assistance in custom matters and on quick impact projects under Mekong Ganga cooperation. Prasar Bharati and Lao National Television exchanged MoU for cooperation in broadcasting. The MoUs were exchanged in the presence Mr Modi and Mr Siphandone. Mr Modi also called President of Lao PDR Thongloun Sisoulith.

Mr Modi also met his Thailand counterpart Paetongtarn Shinawatra on the sidelines of East Asia Summit in Vientiane today. The leaders exchanged views on areas of India-Thailand bilateral relations and ways to forge closer regional cooperation through BIMSTEC.

Briefing media, Secretary (East) in Ministry of External Affairs Joydeep Mazumdar said, the Prime Minister attended the 21st ASEAN-India Summit and the 19th East Asia Summit and these were especially significant this year because it marked the 10th year of the Prime Minister's Act East Policy.

<><><>

Sourabh Chandrakar one of the main promoters of the Mahadev Betting App was arrested by authorities in Dubai today. Chandrakar is alleged kingpin of the Mahadev betting app scam, was arrested following a Red Corner Notice issued by the Enforcement Directorate last year. According to the sources, the extradition process has already commenced, and it is expected that Chandrakar could be returned to India within a week.

<><><>

In a significant move towards self-reliance, the Indian Army has rolled out its first overhauled T-90 Bhishma tank, further enhancing its operational readiness. The T-90 Bhishma, the Army's main battle tank since 2003, is known for its firepower, speed, and protection. With this overhaul, the tank has become even more powerful and lethal. As part of the ongoing Decade of Transformation in the Indian Army, Chief of the Army Staff General, Upendra Dwivedi witnessed the rollout ceremony of the overhauled T-90 Bhishma tank recently.

Our correspondent reports that the complex overhaul process involves disassembling the tank and replacing any damaged parts. Weighing approximately 47 tons, the T-90 Bhishma is 9.6 meters long and 2.8 meters wide. Its compact size enables it to manoeuvre quickly through forests, mountains, and marshy terrain at a speed of up to 60 kilometres per hour.

<><><>

The BJP today took a dig at the Congress over reports that the party will form a fact finding committee to look into the reasons of its defeat in the Haryana assembly election. Talking to media in New Delhi, party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla alleged that it is an attempt to shield senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and to blame others for the defeat in Haryana.

<><><>

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has transferred more than 225 crore rupees directly to the bank accounts of over thtree lakh families as a flood grant relief through the Direct Benefit Transfer. He transferred the money at a meeting in Patna yesterday. The state government has given seven thousand rupees each to flood hit families under its new resolution of flood relief aid, which was earlier 6,000 rupees per family.

This was the second tranche of the aid to flood affected people.

In the first tranche around 307 crore rupees were disbursed to more than four lakh 38 thousand flood hit families in the state.

<><><>

The Body of the missing pilot of the Indian Coast Guard was recovered yesterday 55 kilometres south-west of Porbandar, Gujarat. According to the Indian Coast Guard, it continued unrelenting search efforts along with Indian Navy and other stakeholders to locate missing pilot Commandant Rakesh Kumar Rana. The Advanced Light Helicopter MK-III helicopter fell into the sea on the night of the second of last month when it took off to provide medical aid to a crew member of a motor tanker Hari Leela. The helicopter had two pilots and two air crew divers.

<><><>

Dr. Aniket Mahato, one of the protesting junior doctors on hunger strike is seriously ill and has been shifted to CCU of R G Kar Medical College and Hospital. His condition is said to be critical.

Meanwhile, the joint platform of doctors has written to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to intervene and resolve the stalemate.

<><><>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today paid tribute to Loknayak Jaiprakash Narayan and Bharat Ratna Nanaji Deshmukh on their birth anniversary. In a social media post, the Prime Minister lauded the contributions of JP Narayan to the country and society. He said, his personality and ideals will remain a source of inspiration for every generation.

In another post, Mr. Modi remembered and lauded Nanaji Deshmukh’s dedication and service towards the empowerment of rural people of the country.

<><><>

In Pakistan, at least 20 miners were killed, and eight injured when an unidentified armed man attacked a coal mine in the Dukki area of Balochistan province this morning. According to District Chairman of Dukki, Haji Khair Ullah Nasir, the attackers used hand grenades and rocket launchers in the attack. Meanwhile, police, paramilitary Frontier Corps and rescue teams rushed to the spot after the attack. The attack is the latest in a string of violence in the country. It comes ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization's summit to be held in Islamabad on 15th and 16th of this month.

<><><>

In Bangladesh, a crown of goddess Kali at the Jeshoreshwari Temple in Satkhira was stolen yesterday. In a social media post, the High Commission of India in Bangladesh said that the crown was gifted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Jeshoreshwari Kali Temple in March, 2021 during his visit to Bangladesh. The High Commission has expressed deep concern and urged the government of Bangladesh to recover the crown and take action against the perpetrators.

<><><>

Navaratri celebration is in full swing in Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh. The enthusiasm of the people is at its peak in the capital city.

More than 1500 pandals and goddess idols are installed in Bhopal. This year, glimpses of Ayodhya's Ram Mandir to Amarnath Yatra are dipected in Bhopal. Tableaus of Disney Land, Hinglaj Mata Mandir of Pakistan, Vaishno Devi, Khatu Shyam Ji to Ram Darbar have also been attracting crowds. The most popular is the live tableau of nine goddesses in the regional office of Brahma Kumari Ashram, in which Brahma Kumaris sit for two and a half hours in the form of goddesses. This year, more than 1 crore rupees have been spent by various pandals for decoration in Bhopal. The administration has also made extensive arrangements for Durga Puja and Dussehra. Sanjeev Sharma, Akashvani News, Bhopal

<><><>

In Odisha, the city of Cuttack is abuzz with devotion and festivity as Durga puja rituals are in full swing at various Puja pandals. 'Aarti' is being offered at the pandals, drawing large crowds of devotees who have gathered to seek blessings from Goddess Durga.The rituals began early this morning and will continue throughout the day. The pandals, adorned with intricate decorations and vibrant lights, are a sight to behold.

Devotees, dressed in traditional attire, are seen offering prayers and participating in the rituals with great enthusiasm. The atmosphere has been filled with the sounds of devotional songs and the fragrance of incense, adding to the spiritual ambiance. Cuttack’s rich cultural heritage is on full display as people from all walks of life come together to celebrate this auspicious occasion. We have a report:

Durga puja in Cuttack, the silver city of Odisha, is very famous. The Sharadiya Durga Puja in this more than thousand years old city is the oldest and unique one. The people of Cuttack, irrespective of caste and religion, join in and celebrate Durga puja. Various puja committees of Cuttack prepare 'chandi medha' or the silver decorations with gold crown of the Goddess in Durga puja. This year also most of the Durga puja pandals in the city are dazzling with gold and silver tableaus. There are around 170 puja pandals in Cuttack in this year's festival with 34 puja pandals decorated with silver tableaus. Apart from this, more than five puja pandals have been decorated with gold crowns and other gold ornaments. Between three kilos and seven kilos of gold has been used in the tableaus. Chief minister of Odisha Mohan Charan Majhi and a number of ministers of his cabinet visited different puja pandals this morning to seek the blessings of Goddess Durga. Prakash Dash, Akashvani News, Cuttack and Bhubaneswar.

<><><>

In Bihar, a large number of devotees and people are thronging to different Puja Pandal in several parts of the state on Mahanavami to seek blessings of Goddess Durga. Revelers from all walks of life and society attired in new and colourful dresses are hopping from one Puja Pandal to another. More than 15 thousand committees are organizing Durga Puja across the state.

Social Feed

Midday News