THE HEADLINES
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi to share his thoughts in 128th episode of Mann Ki Baat programme this morning.
- Government to hold all-party meeting ahead of Winter Session of Parliament beginning tomorrow.
- Cyclonic Storm Ditwah moves towards Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts; 14 Disaster Response and Coast Guard teams on standby.
- India to lock horns with South Africa in first ODI at Ranchi this afternoon; KL Rahul to lead Men in Blue.
- And in badminton, Kidambi Srikanth to take on Jason Gunawan of Hong Kong in summit clash at Syed Modi International tournament, in Lucknow.
<><><>
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will share his thoughts with the people of the country and abroad in the Mann Ki Baat programme on Akashvani today at 11 AM. It will be the 128th episode of the monthly radio programme. The programme will be broadcast across the entire Akashvani and Doordarshan network, the AIR News website, and the Newsonair mobile app. It will also be live-streamed on the YouTube channels of AIR News, DD News, the PMO, and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Akashvani will broadcast the programme in regional languages immediately after the Hindi broadcast.
<><><>
The Government has convened an all-party meeting in New Delhi today ahead of the Winter Session of Parliament. The winter Session will begin tomorrow and will continue till 19th of December. More from correspondent:
“Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju will meet the floor leaders of political parties of both the Houses of Parliament. The meeting aims to foster cooperation and coordination among all political parties to ensure the smooth and productive functioning of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. During the session, several important legislations are scheduled to be taken up for discussion and passage. Some of the bills which are likely to be taken up are the Atomic Energy Bill 2025, the Insurance Laws (Amendement) Bill, the Higher Education Commission of India Bill 2025 and the National Highways (Amendement) Bill. During the Session, Parliament is set to have 15 sittings across 19 days. With Anand Kumar, Aman Yadav, Akashvani News, Delhi”
<><><>
Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan will visit Kurukshetra in Haryana today. During the visit, Mr Radhakrishnan will attend the 20th Convocation of the National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra as a Chief Guest. He will also attend the Akhil Bhartiya Devsthanam Sammelan which is being held on the sidelines of the International Gita Mahotsav.
<><><>
The Cyclonic Storm Ditwah over southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Sri Lanka & Tamil Nadu coasts has slowed down its movement to five kilometer per hour during the past 6 hours and lay centered over the same region, about 90 km east of Karaikal , 90 km east-northeast of Vedaranniyam in Nagapattinam district , 160 km south-southeast of Puducherry and 260 km south of Chennai. It is very likely to move nearly northwards parallel to North Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts during the next 24 hours. While moving northwards, the cyclonic storm will be centered over southwest Bay of Bengal within a minimum distance 50 km today morning and 25 km during the evening from the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coastline.
The red alert warning is likely to be withdrawn even as the cyclone has slowed down its movements. Rain alert is likely to occur at a few places over Chennai, Chengalpet, Kanchipuram, delta areas and some interior districts. Air traffic other than services to Srilanka has been restored. A report from our correspondent:
“The Weather department has warned of Strong surface winds with speed reaching from to 70 kmph gusting upto 80 kmph is likely to prevail over North Coastal Tamilnadu and Puducherry today. Gusty winds are also likely over South Coastal Tamilnadu , Delta districts and Karaikal area. Kodiyakarai in Nagapattinam district received a maximum of 32 cm of rain in the past 24 hours , Karaikal received 19 cm ,Mayiladuthurai and neighbouring delta region registered over 10 to 15 cm of rain. Storm warning signal number five has been hoisted at Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Puducherry and Karaikal ports. Signal number four has been hoisted at Chennai, Ennore,Kattupalli,Pamban and Thoothukudi ports. The Coast Guard has deployed three ships and one aircraft off the Tamilnadu Coast. 14 Disaster Response teams have been kept on standby to act in case of emergency. Ten additional NDRF teams have been airlifted to Chennai from Pune and Vadodara . The Railways have also been alerted to be in high preparedness. The Wind velocity is being monitored using anemometers to avoid train movements. Joy, Akashvani New, Chennai”
<><><>
Heavy rainfall is expected in parts of South Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema due to Cyclone Ditwah. Andhra Pradesh Government said the State Emergency Operations Centre is closely monitoring the cyclone and issuing alerts to district administrations in potentially affected regions.
Government departments have been instructed to take necessary preparedness measures. Fishermen have been brought back from sea, farmers advised to stay cautious, and warning messages are being sent to the public. People in low-lying areas have been urged to remain alert due to possible sudden flooding.
<><><>
In the wake of Cyclone Ditwah bearing down on Tamil Nadu, Union Minister for Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw reviewed preparedness measures to ensure minimum disruption to rail services and ensure safety for passengers and coastal populations. He reviewed measures with General Manager and teams of Southern Railways. Mr Vaishnaw emphasised establishment of dedicated helplines and passenger-assistance desks to support travellers facing uncertainties due to cancellations or rerouting. He also reaffirmed the commitment of Indian Railways to public safety. He has instructed concerned officials to ensure activation of War Rooms at divisional, Zonal and Railway board level to monitor the situation and remain alert for any extreme situation.
<><><>
Cyclone Ditwah has left behind a trail of destruction in Sri Lanka. The Disaster Management Centre has reported that 159 deaths have been recorded so far as adverse weather conditions continue to affect the island. Meanwhile, 203 persons have been reported missing. Our Correspondent reports that India is providing humanitarian aid to island nation.
“India has significantly expanded its humanitarian operations in Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu as Cyclone Ditwah’s aftermath continues to trigger severe flooding and landslides. Earlier yesterday, two IAF aircraft brought in 21 tonnes of relief supplies and 80 NDRF personnel, now deployed to Puttalam and Badulla, among the hardest-hit regions, saving over 40 lives. From INS Vikrant, two Chetak helicopters have joined Sri Lankan Air Force teams in search-and-rescue missions, completing multiple sorties to pull stranded residents to safety. In the evening, two helicopters arrived with essential HADR cargo to reinforce the effort. Dr. Ahmed Muyeen Farooqi/Colombo”
<><><>
The Conference of Directors General and Inspectors General of Police being held in Raipur will conclude today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is chairing the conference. In a post on X, Mr Modi remarked that the first day of the conference witnessed extensive deliberations on different aspects of India’s security system. He underscored that this forum serves as a vital platform to share best practices and innovations in the field of national security. The conference is being held at the Indian Institute of Management in Nawa Raipur. The Prime Minister will also present the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, the Union Minister of State for Home, Directors General of Police from various States and Union Territories, as well as heads of Central Police Organisations are attending the conference.
<><><>
Thailand Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow has arrived in Delhi on a four-day visit to India. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal welcomed him on his arrival last night saying that the visit is an occasion to strengthen strategic partnership and enduring civilisation ties. According to a Ministry of External Affairs, Phuangketkeow will hold official engagements in the capital today. He will meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at Hyderabad House for bilateral discussions tomorrow. India and Thailand have historically enjoyed warm and cordial relations. In contemporary times, diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1947, and both sides celebrated the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties in 2022.
<><><>
India has been re-elected to the Council of the International Maritime Organisation in Category B, which includes 10 countries with the largest interest in international seaborne trade. India secured the highest number of votes in the category, receiving 154 out of 169 valid ballots cast during the November 28 elections at the 34th IMO Assembly in London.The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, described the outcome as a significant endorsement of India’s growing global maritime influence.
<><><>
The GST Bachat Utsav began on the 22nd of September as the Narendra Modi government slashed GST rates in many sectors, benefiting citizens across the country. Our correspondent brings a report on how the next generation GST reforms are benefiting automobile sector.
“The next-generation GST reforms are providing a significant boost to India’s automobile sector by making vehicles more affordable for citizens. The tax rates on two-wheelers with engines below 350cc have been reduced from 28 percent to 18 percent. Similarly, petrol cars up to 1200 cc and diesel cars up to 1500 cc are now taxed at 18 percent. Meanwhile, tractors below 1800cc are now attracting 5 per cent GST. Under the new tax structure, buses, trucks, three-wheelers, and auto parts, are part of 18 per cent tax slab, making transport and repairs more affordable. The new reforms are lowering the prices of vehicles and also boosting demand while creating growth opportunities in the automobile industry. With Arzoo and Drishti, Bhanu Pratap Singh, Akashvani News, Delhi.”
<><><>
In Men’s Cricket, India and South Africa will clash in the opening of the three-match ODI series, at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi today. The match will begin at 1:30 this afternoon.
Led by KL Rahul as stand-in captain for the series, India will be eager to bounce back in a format they have traditionally dominated at home, following a recent disappointing in the Test series whitewash. Both Rohit and Virat Kohli return for the ODIs, with the senior duo drawing attention after their match-winning 168-run partnership in the final ODI of the recent Sydney series.
<><><>
In badminton, India will be aiming for title glory at the Syed Modi International 2025 today, with Kidambi Srikanth and the women’s doubles pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand set to compete in their summit clashes at the Babu Banarasi Das Indoor Stadium in Lucknow.
Srikanth will take on world No. 59 Jason Gunawan of Hong Kong China in the men’s singles final. The match will begin at 3:20 in the afternoon. The world No. 38 secured his spot in the summit clash after a 2-1 victory over fellow Indian Mithun Manjunath in the semifinals last night. In women’s doubles, top seeds Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand will face Japan’s eighth-seeded duo Kaho Osawa and Mai Tanabe in the final.
<><><>
TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS HEADLINE:
- In its top story, The Indian Express reports that, as steep 50 percent US tariffs effective August 27 begin to weigh on Indian exports, several categories such as marine, auto and jewellery have found new markets, while exports to the US have fallen.
- More than six dozen terror launchpads located close to the Line of Control have been dismantled and shifted deeper into Pakistan, reports The Asian Age, quoting senior BSF officials.
- According to a new analysis by a research organisation, no major Indian city recorded safe Air Quality Index levels at any point from 2015 to 2025, with Delhi being the worst, writes The Statesman.
- At an average minimum of 11.5 degrees celcius, Delhi records coldest November in five years, reports Hindustan Times.
- And finally, man-animal conflict is reshaping life in Uttarakhand, with increasing frequency of attacks on humans cattle and sheep by the Himalayan bears, reports The Pioneer.
<><><>
THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi to share his thoughts in 128th episode of Mann Ki Baat programme this morning.
- Government to hold all-party meeting ahead of Winter Session of Parliament beginning tomorrow.
- Cyclonic Storm Ditwah moves towards Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts; 14 Disaster Response and Coast Guard teams on standby.
- India to lock horns with South Africa in first ODI at Ranchi this afternoon; KL Rahul to lead Men in Blue
- And in badminton, Kidambi Srikanth to take on Jason Gunawan of Hong Kong in summit clash at Syed Modi International tournament, in Lucknow.
<><><>