THE HEADLINES::
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi urges citizens to mark festive season by buying Swadeshi products.
- Festival of lights Diwali being celebrated across the country today with traditional fervour and gaiety.
- Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw takes stock of arrangements for passengers at Anand Vihar railway station in view of Diwali and Chhath festivals; Says, strict action initiated against those circulating fake videos against railways.
- Filing of nominations for second phase of Bihar Assembly elections to end today.
- Khushi opens India's medal account at Asian Youth Games in Manama, Bahrain.
- And in cricket, England beat India to seal semifinal berth in ICC Women’s World Cup.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called upon the citizens to ring in the festive season by buying Swadeshi products and celebrate the hard work of 140 crore Indians. Mr Modi also urged citizens to share on social media what they have bought during the festive season. The Prime Minister said this will also inspire others to do the same. In reply to a post by MyGovIndia, Mr Modi emphasised the need to buy products made in India and proclaim - Garv Se Kaho Yeh Swadeshi Hai.
"Prime Minister’s appeal comes amid a nationwide movement to boost local industries and artisans, reinforcing the message of self-reliance and economic empowerment. Supporting this initiative, MyGovIndia launched a special campaign titled “Celebrate Diwali and Empower Swadeshi,” inviting citizens to take a pledge to buy only Swadeshi products this festive season. The campaign emphasises the importance of supporting local artisans, whose craftsmanship and livelihoods are vital to India’s cultural and economic fabric. In its message, MyGovIndia highlighted that Prime Minister Modi is inspiring the nation to go Vocal For Local. This interactive campaign aims to create a ripple effect of awareness and pride among consumers, linking personal choice with national progress. The Swadeshi movement, deeply rooted in India’s freedom struggle, has regained momentum in recent years as a crucial pillar of the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiative. By promoting indigenous products, the campaign seeks to boost local economies, create jobs, and reduce dependence on imports. Jigyasa Pandey, Akashvani News, Delhi."
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Festival of lights Diwali is being celebrated across the country today with traditional fervour and gaiety. The festival, which marks the victory of good over evil, is celebrated by lighting up houses, temples and other public places. People also worship the Goddess of wealth Lakshmi on the occasion.
Our correspondent takes a look at Diwali celebrations in national capital Delhi:
"Markets and streets in Delhi are decked out with vibrant flowers and lights. People have been decorating the entrance of their homes with colorful diyas and rangolis to welcome Maa Laxmi. To ensure a safe and secure festival for everyone, organizations, including the police, fire department, and hospitals, have put in place extensive security measures throughout the city. Security precautions have also been implemented at important places. Festive spirits are illuminating major markets, including Lajpat Nagar, Karol Bagh, Connaught Place, Chandni Chowk, INA, and Sarojini Nagar. Priya Mondal, Akashvani News, Delhi."
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In Uttar Pradesh, festival of lights Diwali is being celebrated with religious fervour and zeal.
"Pilgrims are taking dip in holy Mandakini river in Chitrakoot where Lord Rama spent a lot of time during his vanvas. Major buildings and temple are decorated with lights. Preparation for Lakshmi pooja is in full swing and rangolis are being made to welcome goddess of wealth. A day after the Uttar Pradesh government celebrated a grand Diwali in Ayodhya, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will take blessings of Hanumangarhi and Shri Ramlala temple in Ayodhya. He will visit Nishad basti in Ayodhya to congratulate people on the occasion of Diwali. Later chief minister will reach Gorakhpur where he will celebrate Diwali with Vantangiya community. He has been celebrating Diwali since decades with these tribal people living in the deep forests of Gorakhpur and neighbouring areas. CM will later perform Deepdan in Gorakhnath temple. With Sushil Chandra Tiwari from Lucknow, Yashsavi Kiryal, Akashvani News, Delhi."
President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President C P Radhakrishnan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have greeted the nation on the occasion of Diwali.
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Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw along with Railway Officers visited Anand Vihar railway station late last night to take stock of the arrangements made for passengers in view of Diwali and Chhath Festivals. During the visit, he also interacted with passengers and asked for their feedback about the arrangement.
In a social media post, Mr. Vaishnaw said that Delhi stations receive a large number of passengers on Diwali and Chhath, and railways has made extensive arrangements for their comfort. He added that the holding area and large number of ticket counters have made their travel easier.
Mr Vaishnaw said, strict action has been initiated against those people who circulate fake videos on social media targeting railways. Railway Minister also appealed to people not to circulate fake videos as this creates confusion among the passengers.
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The filing of nominations for the second phase of assembly elections in Bihar will end today. Out of a total of 243 seats, 122 constituencies spread over 20 districts will go to polls in this phase on the 11th of November.
Today is also the last date for withdrawal of candidature for the first phase of Assembly elections. 121 constituencies spread over 18 districts will go to polls in the first phase on the 6th November.
"The Economic intelligence wing has been activated to curb the misuse of black money, liquor, drugs, narcotics and freebies in the Bihar assembly elections. Since the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct, various enforcement agencies, patrol units, and surveillance teams have seized liquor worth over 23.41 crore rupees and drugs and narcotic substances worth around 17 crore rupees. Additionally, items and freebies worth 14.13 crore rupees, intended to lure voters, have been confiscated, along with cash amounting to more than 4.19 crore rupees. The expenditure observers deployed for the first phase of assembly elections will hold a meeting tomorrow in Patna and other districts to sensitize the candidates about the poll expenditure. Dharmendra Kumar Rai Akashvani News Patna."
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The GST Bachat Utsav, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and launched on the 22nd of last month, is benefiting people across all sections of the society. Today, our correspondent brings a report, highlighting the impact of GST reforms in strengthening the country's healthcare sector.
"The next-generation GST reforms have provided significant relief to citizens and strengthened the country's healthcare sector by making medicines and other medical related products more affordable. The tax rates on 36 life saving medicines used for the treatment of cancer and severe chronic diseases have been exempted from the earlier 12 percent. Talking exclusively to Akashvani News, Keshav Gupta, a Delhi-based pharmacist, said that the patients are getting direct benefits from the tax cut in medicines brought by the new GST Reform.
The new GST rates on medicines and medical devices are improving access to healthcare and supporting domestic manufacturing in this sector. Through all these the healthcare sector is making the lives easier and treatment cheaper for people. With Adarsh, Dilnashi Arzoo , Akashvani News, Delhi."
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This festive season, provide a smooth and seamless travel experience to your family and friends by gifting them FASTag annual Pass that will enable them a year-long hassle-free travel on National Highways and National Expressways across the country. The annual pass can be gifted through Rajmargyatra mobile application of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to non-commercial vehicles. The app is available on Google Play Store.
"To gift a hassle-free travel to your near and dear ones, all you have to do is to click the ‘Add Pass’ option on the Rajmargyatra app and add vehicle number and contact details of the person whom you wish to gift. Verify the OTP delivered on your mobile phone and the pass will get activated on the valid FASTag attached to that vehicle. With just Rs. 3,000 having one year validity, the pass provides a seamless and economical travel option. It is applicable on about 1,150 toll plazas across India. Rajesh Bali, Akashvani News, Jalandhar."
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News from the world of sports:
"At the 2025 Asian Youth Games, India's 15-year-old Khushi opened the medal tally for the country in Bahrain, winning a bronze medal in Kurash yesterday. Competing in the girls' 70 kg weight class, in a draw of six, she got a bye in the quarterfinals and lost to Uzbekistan's D Tursunova in the semi-finals. Kurash is a traditional form of upright jacket wrestling and is one of the world's oldest martial arts. In Women's Cricket, England defeated India by four runs in the ICC ODI World Cup in Indore last night. Chasing a target of 289 runs set by England, India managed to score only 284 for six in 50 overs. Heather Knight was adjudged the Player of the match. The win assured an unbeaten England of a semi-final spot, joining Australia and South Africa. On the other hand, India must now win both their remaining games against New Zealand and Bangladesh to guarantee a semi-final berth in the World Cup. Today, Sri Lanka will face Bangladesh in Navi Mumbai at 3 PM Indian Standard Time. In Men’s Cricket, Australia defeated India by 7 wickets in the rain affected first ODI of the three-match series at Perth yesterday. Australia surpassed the DLS target of 131 in only 21.1 overs losing three wickets. The match was reduced to 26 overs after rain marred play. The second match of the series will be played in Adelaide on 23rd of this month. Sanyukta Yadav, Sports desk."
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In our bilingual live phone-in programme “Public Speak” tonight at 09.30, we will bring an insightful discussion on "GST Bachat Utsav: Benefits for All, Boost to Economy with Dr. Aman Agrawal, Economic Analyst.
During the programme, listeners can ask questions on telephone numbers 011-23310481 , 011-23717117 , 011-23717106 and 011-23314444* from 09:30 PM onwards tonight.
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AND NOW, FOR A LOOK AT TODAY'S NEWSPAPERS,
- Bihar polls, Diwali celebrations, and the developments in Ladakh dominate the headlines of all newspapers today.
- On Bihar polls, Hindustan Times writes, 'Nomination withdrawal closes today; Opposition seat share unclear.'
- The Economic Times says, 'Cracker of a Festive Sales Season Ends with a bang,' adding 'Cars, smartphones, white goods purchase estimated to be up 50 per cent from last year's Navratri-Diwali period.'
- Gone In four minutes! Napoleonic jewels stolen from iconic Louvre' writes The Tribune.
- And finally, The Tribune carries a photograph giving a breathtaking aerial view of Ayodhya's Deepotsav, where over twenty six lakh diyas were lit on the banks of the Saryu River and over two thousand persons performed aarti simultaneously, creating a Guiness World Record!
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AND NOW BEFORE WE END THE BULLETIN, THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi urges citizens to mark festive season by buying Swadeshi products.
- Festival of lights Diwali being celebrated across the country today with traditional fervour and gaiety.
- Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw takes stock of arrangements for passengers at Anand Vihar railway station in view of Diwali and Chhath festivals; Says, strict action initiated against those circulating fake videos against railways.
- Filing of nominations for second phase of Bihar Assembly elections to end today.
- Khushi opens India's medal account at Asian Youth Games in Manama, Bahrain.
- And in cricket, England beat India to seal semifinal berth in ICC Women’s World Cup.
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