THE HEADLINES::
Prime Minister says, Cabinet approval of three multitracking projects will strengthen rail infrastructure, reduce logistic cost and create job opportunities for youth.
Government announces launch of PM RAHAT Scheme for cashless treatment of up to 1 Lakh 50 thousand rupees for road accident victims
Railways to launch enhanced cleanliness in general coaches of long-distance trains.
In Bangladesh, newly elected Members of Parliament and cabinet members to be sworn in on Tuesday.
And, in ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup, India to take on arch-rivals Pakistan in a high- voltage clash at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo this evening.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the Cabinet approval for three multitracking projects covering various districts across Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra and Karnataka will strengthen rail infrastructure, reduce logistic cost and create job opportunities for youth. A report :-
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the decision of widening National Highway-167 from Gudebellur to Mahabubnagar on the Hyderabad-Panaji Economic Corridor will boost economic growth, create employment and further Ease of Living. Prime Minister Modi said, the Cabinet has also approved a 4-lane access-controlled Greenfield corridor between Gohpur and Numaligarh, including India’s first underwater Road-cum-Rail tunnel under the Brahmaputra. He said, this transformative project will enhance connectivity, reduce logistics costs and accelerate growth across Assam and the entire Northeast. The Prime Minister said, Cabinet has approved the extension corridor from Noida Sector 142 to Botanical Garden (Noida). He said, this decision will add momentum to Noida’s development journey. Congestion will be reduced significantly as well. With Dipendra, Aditya Pratap Singh, Akashvani News, Delhi.”
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Government announces the launch of PM RAHAT (Road Accident Victim Hospitalization and Assured Treatment) Scheme. Under the Scheme, every eligible road accident victim on any category of road will be entitled to cashless treatment up to one lakh 50 thousand per victim, for a period of seven days from the date of accident. Road, Transport and Highways Ministry said that the decision underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring that no life is lost due to lack of immediate medical assistance after a road accident. The Ministry said, reimbursement to hospitals will be made through the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund. It said, the launch of PM RAHAT from Seva Teerth in New Delhi yesterday, symbolizes a citizen-first approach – where governance translates into timely action, compassionate response, and protection of life.
India records a significant number of road accident fatalities every year, many of which are preventable with timely medical intervention. Studies indicate that nearly 50 per cent of road accident deaths can be averted if victims are admitted to hospital within the first hour.
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Union Home Minister Amit Shah will launch India’s first Central Bank Digital Currency-based Public Distribution System at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, today. This digital currency initiative by the Gujarat government aims to make the distribution of food grains more transparent and leak-proof. We have a report from our correspondent:
“This launch makes Gujarat the first state in the country to use RBI-authorized digital tokens for public distribution. Under this pilot project, over twenty-six thousand families in Ahmedabad, Surat, Anand, and Valsad will receive digital tokens in their wallets to procure rations via QR codes or OTPs. Another major highlight is the ‘Annapurti’ Grain ATM in Ahmedabad, which can dispense up to twenty-five kilograms of grain in just thirty-five seconds.. Furthermore, the Home Minister will launch the ‘Suposhit Garudeshwar’ mission to tackle malnutrition in Narmada district On this occasion, Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will be signed with CARE Ratings and the Consumer Education and Research Centre (CERC) to strengthen consumer protection and transparency in the state. Aparna Khunt, Akashvani News, Gandhinagar.”
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Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced that the general Coaches of trains will now be cleaned at par with first class coach. Addressing a press conference on Railway reforms in New Delhi yesterday, Mr Vaishnaw said that initially 80 long distance trains will be identified within six month for the enhanced cleaning initiative. He said, dedicated staff will be deployed on these trains to ensure cleaning at intervals of one to one-and-a-half hours. Mr Vaishnaw added that continuous cleaning of toilets, garbage bins, and cabins will be ensured. He added that linen distribution, collection, packing and cleaning, which were earlier handled by different firms, will now be managed by a single agency to ensure greater accountability and efficiency.
Mr Vaishnaw said that a total of 124 Gati Shakti cargo terminals are being established within three years covering 18 states and Union Territories. He said, these terminals have enhanced multi model connectivity and reduced logistic cost across the country.
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External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar said that the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) is meant to ensure connectivity, logistics and trade. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference yesterday, Dr Jaishankar stressed that reforms of the United Nations are urgently required to ensure it reflects contemporary geopolitical realities and remains effective in addressing today’s global challenges. Talking about India’s oil procurement, the Minister said that oil companies in India, as in Europe and other parts of the world, look at availability, cost, and risk and take the decision that they think is in the best interest. He underlined that the world is heading towards greater multipolarity and there will be many more independent or autonomous centres of decision-making.
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Newly elected Members of Parliament and cabinet members are set to be sworn in on Tuesday, February 17, following the landslide victory of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in the 13th national election. More from our Dhaka correspondent:-
“BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibly said the MPs will take oath at 10am on Tuesday at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin will administer the oath. Later in the afternoon, at 4pm, President Mohammed Shahabuddin will swear in the new cabinet members at the South Plaza of Parliament. According to constitutional procedures, after the MPs are sworn in, the parliamentary party that commands a majority will hold a meeting to elect its leader. The elected leader will then meet the President to formally stake claim to form the government. The President will first administer the oath to the Prime Minister, followed by ministers, state ministers and deputy ministers. Navalsang Parmar, Akashvani News, Dhaka.”
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The festival of Mahashivratri is being celebrated across the country today with deep devotion and spiritual fervour. Considered one of the most sacred occasions for devotees of Lord Shiva, the day is marked by fasting, special prayers and night-long worship at temples.
Lakhs of devotees are taking a holy dip in various rivers and worshipping Lord Shiva in temples on the occasion of Mahashivratri in Uttar Pradesh. The administration has made elaborate arrangements for today’s holy dip at sangam which will also mark the end of Magh Mela. A report:-
“Long queue of devotees can be seen at various shiv temples across the state from early morning. Amid the prayers of Lord Shiva, people are taking holy dip at sangam, the confluence of River Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati in Prayagraj. After the bath Devotees are offering prayers at different temples of Lord Shiva. Special arrangements are in place at Shiv Temples including famous Mankameshwar, Someshwar and Nag Vasuki temples. The ongoing annual Magh Mela at sangam in Prayagraj will come to an end with last official bathing of Maha Shivaratri today. Meanwhile Lakhs of devotees are expected to gather on famous Shiv temples across the state including. Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi, Gola Gokarnnath in Kheeri, Lodheshwar Mahadev in Barabanki, Jharkhandi Mahadev, Munjeshwarnath and Mukteshwarnath in Gorakhpur, Baba Augharnath in Meerut, Nageshwarnath in Ayodhya and Bateshwar Mahadev in Agra. On this occasion processions of Shiv Barats will also be carried out in many cities. Sushil Chandra Tiwari, Akashvani News, Lucknow.”
President Droupadi Murmu has extended heartfelt greetings to the countrymen on the auspicious occasion of Mahashivratri. In a social media post, the President prayed that the grace of Lord Shiva remains on all citizens and India continues to advance on the path of progress.
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India will take on arch-rivals Pakistan in a high-voltage clash of the ICC Men’s T20 cricket World Cup 2026 at the R Premadasa Stadium, with both teams aiming to maintain their winning momentum. The game is scheduled to start at 7 pm Indian Time. Both sides are at 4 points from two games each, with one more game scheduled after tonight’s match. A report.
“Riding high on a dominant 7-1 head-to-head record in T20 World Cups, India lock horns with Pakistan in their marquee clash at Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium today, brimming with confidence after back-to-back victories. Both sides are locked on four points, setting the stage for a mouth-watering battle of form and firepower, as cricket’s most intense rivalry lights up the World Cup stage once again. Even with rain clouds hovering over Colombo, the mood among fans is electric as thousands from across the globe have converged on the city, hoping for a full-throttle spectacle. The buildup, however, has been anything but ordinary with the contest having been briefly thrown into doubt after Pakistan announced a boycott over political concerns, only to make a dramatic U-turn days before the match. Since confirmation, Colombo has witnessed a tourism boom, with hotel room rates at several five-star properties soaring by nearly 300 to 400 percent and accommodations almost completely sold out,. Ahmed Muyeen Farooqi, Akashvani News, Colombo“
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India Women will take on Australia in the first T20 International cricket of the three-match series in Sydney this afternoon.
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NEWSPAPERS HEADLINES
The top news in The Asian Age highlights the decision of the Centre, in its Cabinet meeting on Friday, to clear one lakh crore rupees to push urban infrastructure and market-led growth.
The Statesman quotes Mr. Rahman as saying that Dhaka’s foreign policy will be decided by the interests of the nation and its people and won’t be country-specific.
External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, has reiterated India’s support for UNSC reform during meeting with his G7 counterparts, writes The Pioneer.
In its editorial piece titled “Shared Symbols” The Statesman argues that Vande Mataram is a layered cultural text, not merely a political or administrative directive. It notes that early republic leaders deliberately adopted an inclusive public version to preserve unity in a diverse nation. Reopening settled questions risks simplifying history and turning shared symbols into divisive tests of loyalty.
The Economic Times has quoted Communications Minister, Jyotiraditya Schindia, as saying that India now accounts for half of all online tansactions done globally
The Indian subcontinent’s two great northern river systems – the Indus and the Ganga – are moving in opposite hydrologica directions, with important implications for the region, reveals a study, reported in The Hindu. Annual Indus basin water flows rose by 8% over past four decades, while the Ganga basin saw a 17% decline.
And finally, a large US study has found that people who regularly drink moderate amounts of caffeinated coffee or tea are less likely to develop dementia, reports The Times of India.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
Prime Minister says, Cabinet approval of three multitracking projects will strengthen rail infrastructure, reduce logistic cost and create job opportunities for youth.
Government announces launch of PM RAHAT Scheme for cashless treatment of up to 1 Lakh 50 thousand rupees for road accident victims.
Railways to launch enhanced cleanliness in general coaches of long-distance trains.
In Bangladesh, newly elected Members of Parliament and cabinet members to be sworn in on Tuesday.
And In ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup, India to take on arch-rivals Pakistan in a high- voltage clash at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo this evening.
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