THE HEADLINES
- President Droupadi Murmu hosts Russian President Vladimir Putin at Rashtrapati Bhavan; Says, India-Russia friendship will continue to prosper.
- Nation pays homage to Bharat Ratna Dr. BR Ambedkar on his 70th Mahaparinirvan Diwas today.
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurates EARTH Summit 2025 in Gandhinagar; Also launches more than 13 new services and products under ‘Sahakar Sarathi’ initiative.
- Delhi Police arrests 16 gangsters and notorious criminals in national capital and its adjoining areas.
- India beat Belgium 4-3 to enter semifinals of FIH Men’s Junior Hockey World Cup in Chennai.
- And in Men’s Cricket, third and final ODI between India and South Africa to be played in Visakhapatnam this afternoon.
<><><>
President Droupadi Murmu hosted a banquet yesterday evening in honour of Russian President Vladimir Putin. She noted that his visit marks an important milestone in the strategic relationship between the two countries, as it coincides with the 25th anniversary of the India-Russia Strategic Partnership.
President Murmu appreciated President Putin’s support and personal commitment to the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.
The President noted that the partnership is guided by a shared commitment to peace, stability, and mutual socio-economic and technological advancement. President Murmu added that the year 2025 has been especially fruitful for India-Russia multifaceted partnership, with notable progress in areas including high-level political exchanges, trade and economy, defence, civil nuclear cooperation, space, science and technology, and people-to-people exchanges.
She added that the Joint Statement of the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit reflects the special nature of the ties and provides a comprehensive framework for further deepening the bilateral ties.
The Two Presidents expressed confidence that the friendship between India and Russia, which has been steadfast for many years, will continue to prosper.
<><><>
India and Russia yesterday exchanged sixteen agreements in areas related to defence, trade, economy, healthcare, academics, culture and media. Addressing a joint press meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed confidence that India-Russia friendship will give the strength to face global challenges, and this very trust will enrich the shared future of both nations.
He stated that India and Russia have been standing shoulder to shoulder in the fight against terrorism.
<><><>
The nation pays homage to Bharat Ratna Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on his 70th Mahaparinirvan Diwas or death anniversary today. Across the country, several programmes are being organised to highlight Dr. Ambedkar’s unparalleled contribution to nation-building.
“Today is 70th Mahaparinirvan Diwas of the man who shaped India’s constitutional soul, Dr BR Ambedkar. The Mahaparinirvan Diwas is observed every year by the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The commemoration honours the memory of Dr. Ambedkar who was a visionary social reformer, jurist and politician. President Droupadi Murmu, Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla among others will pay floral tributes at Prerna Sthal in Parliament House complex in New Delhi this morning. The entire event will be opened to the public to pay their obeisance at the feet of the life-size statue of Dr. Ambedkar at the Parliament House Lawn. Dr Ambedkar’s thoughts on social justice, equality, and democracy still continue to inspire generations and the current government, which is seen in the mantra of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas” as propagated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. SHIVANG MISRA , AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI.”
<><><>
Union Home & Cooperation Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the EARTH Summit 2025 in Gandhinagar and also launched more than 13 new services and products under the ‘Sahakar Sarathi’ initiative. The new offerings include Digi KCC, Campaign Sarathi, Website Sarathi, Cooperative Governance Index, ePACS, the World’s Largest Grain Storage Application, Shiksha Sarathi and Sarathi Technology Forum.
Addressing the summit yesterday, Mr Shah said this second edition is part of a series of three EARTH Summits aimed at strengthening the rural economy and finding result-oriented solutions for rural development. He said major issues linked to four ministries associated with the rural economy would be resolved through deliberations held across the summits, culminating in a policy framework at the third meeting in Delhi next year.
<><><>
Mr. Amit Shah will chair the 3rd meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee of Ministry of Cooperation at Banas Dairy today. The Minister who is on a three day visit to Gujarat will also inaugurate Bio-CNG and Fertilizer Plant of Banas Dairy at Sanadar and perform the groundbreaking ceremony of the state-of-the-art 150 TPD Milk Powder and Baby Food Plant at Sanadar. The Minister will also address a Public meeting at Sanadar.
“The Parliamentary Consultating Committee of Ministry of Cooperation chaired by Union Minister Amit Shah will review the progress of wide-ranging initiatives undertaken by Banas Dairy in the domains of dairy development, circular economy, agri-value addition, livestock productivity, water conservation and rural cooperative strengthening. During the day, Mr. Shah will undertake tour to various facilities at Banas Dairy in Sanadar. He will then visit the newly built Bio-CNG and Fertilizer Plant at Agartala, an initiAtive that will boost farmer income and contribute to cleaner energy generation. The Minister will also hold an interaction with women milk producers at Agartala. He will also review the livestock initiatives of Banas Dairy at the Germ transplant Lab in Raiya and then visit oil mill, flour and honey plant at Palanpur in Banaskantha. Aparna Khunt, AKASHVANI NEWS,Ahmedabad.”
<><><>
Delhi Police has arrested 16 gangsters and notorious criminals in the national capital and its adjoining areas. In order to curb organised crime across Delhi-NCR, Delhi Police carried out a large-scale night operation comprising over eight hundred fifty police personnel. According to Delhi police, the coordinated drive targeted major gangs involved in extortion, illegal arms trade, drug trafficking, robbery and snatching. In a statement, Delhi Police informed that under this operation police raided more than one hundred fifty premises across Delhi and Haryana.
<><><>
A Delhi court is expected to hear today the Enforcement Directorate’s submissions after the agency named businessman Robert Vadra, son-in-law of former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, as an accused in a money laundering case connected to UK-based defence dealer Sanjay Bhandari. Last month, the ED filed a prosecution complaint before Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
<><><>
Under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in Chhattisgarh, more than two crore eight lakh forty-six thousand enumeration forms have been digitised so far. This accounts for more than 98 per cent of the total forms received. Almost all registered voters in the State have been provided enumeration forms.
“The Special Intensive Revision exercise is progressing across Chhattisgarh. In the geographically challenging and tribal-dominated Bastar division, Booth Level Officers are making every possible effort to reach voters in remote locations. Deputy District Election Officer of Bijapur, N.R. Gawel, informed that to reach areas situated across the Indravati River and surrounded by dense forests, BLO teams have also been provided boats and steamers.The State Chief Electoral Officer, Yashwant Kumar, has also announced that Booth Level Officers performing outstanding work during the SIR campaign will be felicitated. Vikalp Shukla, Akashvani News, Raipur.”
<><><>
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has said the situation of Indigo flight delays and cancellations is getting better and it is expected that there won’t be any waiting at airports from today. He said, the government’s major focus has been on reducing the backlogs that have been happening at the airports and it is actively on the ground engaging with all the necessary stakeholders. Talking to media in New Delhi, he said, Ministry of Civil Aviation has engaged with all the airport and airline operators to give priority to children, mothers, senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
<><><>
In view of the surge in passenger demand following widespread flight cancellations in the country, Indian Railways has taken extensive measures to ensure smooth travel and adequate availability of accommodation across the rail network. A total of 37 trains have been augmented with 116 additional coaches in the country. Southern Railway has undertaken the highest number of coach augmentations, boosting capacity in 18 trains.
<><><>
In Men’s Cricket, third and final ODI between India and South Africa will be played at ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam today. The match will begin at 1:30 PM. The series is currently tied at 1-1. India drew first blood with a thrilling 17-run win in Ranchi.
<><><>
In FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup 2025, the spirited Indian team entered into the semi finals after defeating traditional rivals Belgium in the quarter final clash at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Chennai last night. The Indian team won in the penalty shootout 4-3 after both teams were locked at 2-2 at full time. Princedeep Singh was the hero of the match with some incredible saves in the shootout that brought about glimpses of his coach, PR Sreejesh, the former custodian of the Indian senior team.
<><><>
FOR A LOOK AT TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS,
- “Seeking balance, India, Russia agree to deepen economic ties”, is the top headline in Hindustan Times, referring to the Russian President Vladimir Putin’s current visit to India. The paper quotes Prime Minister Modi as saying that the two countries can reach 100 billion US dollar trade target befor 2030.
- Buoyed by stronger-than-expected economic momentum and a steady cooling in inflation, RBI cut repo rate by 25 basis point to 5.25%. RBI Governor calls it a ‘rare Goldilocks period’, writes The Indian Express.
- “Indigo cancels over 1,000 flights, gets exemption from new night duty rules”, headlines The Hindu.
- The Times of India has noted, on its front page, the death of Simone Tata, who made Lakme a household name.
- And finally, end of leftwing extremism in Bastar in Chhattisgarh will save from extinction, the endangered wild buffalo species of Central India, known for its genetic purity, writes The Asian Age.
<><><>
THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN
- President Droupadi Murmu hosts Russian President Vladimir Putin at Rashtrapati Bhavan; Says, India-Russia friendship will continue to prosper.
- Nation pays homage to Bharat Ratna Dr. BR Ambedkar on his 70th Mahaparinirvan Diwas today.
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurates EARTH Summit 2025 in Gandhinagar; Also launches more than 13 new services and products under ‘Sahakar Sarathi’ initiative.
- Delhi Police arrests 16 gangsters and notorious criminals in national capital and its adjoining areas.
- India beat Belgium 4-3 to enter semifinals of FIH Men’s Junior Hockey World Cup in Chennai.
- And in Men’s Cricket, third and final ODI between India and South Africa to be played in Visakhapatnam this afternoon.
<><><>