THE HEADLINES:
- President Droupadi Murmu grants assent to SHANTI Bill passed by Parliament during Winter Session.
- Mahayuti alliance comprising BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP sweeps municipal council and nagar panchayat elections in Maharashtra.
- Ruling BJP secures landslide victory in local body polls in Arunachal Pradesh.
- Government says, there is no imminent threat to Aravalli ecology as over 90 percent of Aravalli region remain protected.
- National Mathematics Day being observed today to commemorate birth anniversary of Srinivasa Ramanujan.
- In Women’s cricket, India beat Sri Lanka by eight wickets in opening T20 International of five-match series in Visakhapatnam.
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President Droupadi Murmu has granted assent to the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, passed by the Parliament during the Winter Session. The Bill subsumes all laws dealing with the civil nuclear sector and also opens it up for participation by private players. The SHANTI Bill repealed the Atomic Energy Act of 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, which had proved to be an impediment in the growth of the civil nuclear sector in India. The law enables private companies and joint ventures to build, own, operate and decommission nuclear power plants under a license from the government. More from our correspondent :
“The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act, 2025 consolidates and modernises India’s nuclear legal framework. It enables limited private participation in the nuclear sector under regulatory oversight. It strengthens statutory regulation by granting statutory recognition to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board. It supports India’s clean-energy transition and the long-term objective of achieving 100 Giga Watt nuclear energy capacity by 2047. India’s nuclear energy programme has maintained a steady role in the country’s electricity mix and is now poised for significant expansion. The present nuclear energy capacity stands at 8.78 Giga Watt. With the indigenous 700 Mega Watt and 1000 Mega Watt reactors being developed through international cooperation, the capacity is projected to rise to over 22 Giga Watt by 2031-32. The SHANTI Act stands as a pivotal step in shaping the next phase of India’s nuclear journey. ANUPAM MISHRA, AKASHVANI NEWS. DELHI.”
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President Droupadi Murmu has also given assent to the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (Viksit Bharat-G RAM G) Bill, 2025. The Parliament had passed the legislation during the recently concluded winter session. More from our correspondent :
“The Act seeks to establish a rural development framework aligned with the national vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047. A statutory guarantee of 125 days of wage employment will be provided in every financial year to every rural household whose adult members volunteer to undertake unskilled manual work. This is a significant push, up from the 100 days period under the previous scheme. The fund-sharing pattern between the Central and State governments will be 60:40 for all states, except the North-Eastern and Himalayan states, where the sharing arrangement will be 90:10.
Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has termed the Act as the next step forward for MGNREGA, which is in favour of development and the poor. In a video message, the Minister informed that more than 1 lakh 51 thousand crore rupees have been proposed for it.
The Act replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005. Adarsh for Akashvani News.”
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The Mahayuti alliance of BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP has swept the elections to 288 municipal councils and nagar panchayats by winning 207 posts of presidents of local bodies. The BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP combine restricted the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi to a collective tally of 44. According to State Election Commission, BJP won 117 posts of municipal presidents, Shiv Sena won 53, and the NCP won 37 posts. The Congress bagged 28, the NCP (SP) seven, and Shiv Sena (UBT) nine. Parties registered with the poll commission bagged four seats, while 28 seats of municipal presidents went to unrecognised registered parties. Five seats were won by Independents. The elections to 286 municipal councils and nagar panchayats were held in two phases, while candidates in two other local bodies had been elected unopposed.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP President J P Nadda and BJP National Working President Nitin Nabin have expressed gratitude to the people of Maharashtra for the victory of BJP and Mahayuti in Municipal Council and Nagar Panchayat elections.
<><><> The ruling BJP has registered a landslide victory in the local body elections in Arunachal Pradesh, securing a majority of seats in the Zilla Parishads and Gram Panchayats, polls for which were held on 15th of December . The BJP also scored a decisive win in the Itanagar Municipal Corporation elections by winning 14 of the 20 wards. However, the regional People’s Party of Arunachal emerged victorious in the Pasighat Municipal Council, bagging five of the eight wards, while the BJP won two and an Independent secured one seat. The opposition Congress failed to win a single seat in both the IMC and PMC elections. Chief Minister Pema Khandu also expressed gratitude to the electorate for the party’s resounding victory. According to final results declared by the State Election Commission last night, the BJP won 170 of the 245 Zilla Parishad seats, including 59 uncontested, establishing its clear dominance at the district-level local bodies.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed gratitude to the people of Arunachal Pradesh for the victory and the support for politics of good governance in Panchayat Elections. In a social media post, Mr Modi said that this win strengthens the resolve to keep working for the state’s transformation.
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The Government has said that there is no imminent threat to the Aravallis’ ecology. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change said that the ongoing afforestation, eco-sensitive zone notifications, and strict monitoring of mining and urban activities ensure that the Aravallis continue to serve as a natural heritage and ecological shield for the nation.
Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav has said that the Supreme Court’s 100-metre ruling is being misinterpreted. Addressing a press conference, he urged the citizens to stop spreading misinformation regarding Aravalli.
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National Mathematics Day will be observed today to commemorate the birth anniversary of Srinivasa Ramanujan, one of India’s most influential and globally recognised mathematicians. The day will be marked across educational institutions, research bodies and academic forums to highlight the importance of mathematics in scientific progress and everyday life. The observance was formally instituted by the Government of India in December 2011, and December 22 was designated as National Mathematics Day in recognition of Ramanujan’s extraordinary contributions to the discipline.The following year, 2012, was observed nationwide as the National Mathematics Year, giving further institutional push to mathematical learning and research. December 22 marks the birth of Srinivasa Ramanujan, whose work continues to influence modern mathematics even till more than a century later.
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Bangladesh Police say, they have no specific information to suggest that Faisal Karim Masud, the prime suspect in the killing of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, has left the country. Addressing a press conference, Additional Inspector General of Police Khandaker Rafiqul Islam said, law enforcement and intelligence agencies are actively trying to trace Faisal’s whereabouts. He said, no concrete evidence has emerged linking any political party to the murder. More from our correspondent:
“A leading human rights organisation in Bangladesh has expressed grave concern over recent incidents of mob violence across the country. Ain O Salish Kendra, or ASK, has condemned the lynching of garment worker Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh and the death of a seven-year-old girl in an arson attack in Lakshmipur, warning of a worsening law and order situation and a growing culture of impunity. Dipu Chandra Das, a member of the Hindu community, was beaten to death in Bhaluka upazila on December 18 over allegations of blasphemy. His body was later tied to a tree and set on fire. However, the Rapid Action Battalion says no direct evidence has been found to support claims that he made any derogatory religious remarks. ASK has called for impartial investigations into the incidents. Navalsang Parmar, Akashwani News, Dhaka.”
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In Women’s cricket, India defeated Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the opening T20 International of the five-match series in Visakhapatnam last night. India have taken 1-Nil lead in the five-match series.
Chasing the target of 122 set by Sri Lanka, India achieved it in 14.4 overs. For India Jemimah Rodrigues scored unbeaten 69 runs off 44 balls. She was adjudged Player of the Match. For Sri Lanka, Kawya Kavindi and Inoka Ranaweera took a wicket each. Earlier, India Women won the toss and opt to Bowl. Batting first, Sri Lanka scored 121 for 6 in the stipulated 20 overs. Vishmi Gunaratne who scored 39 runs, was the highest scorer for Sri Lanka. For India, Kranti Gaud, Deepti Sharma, and N. Shree Charani claimed a wicket each.
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In our bilingual live phone-in programme “Public Speak” at 9.30 PM today, we will bring a discussion on Consumer Rights and Responsibilities with Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, Nidhi Khare. During the programme, listeners can ask questions about consumer rights and responsibilities to help make empowered choices.
To participate, simply dial the telephone numbers 23310481, 23717117, 23717106 and 23314444 prefixing 011, from 9:30 PM tonight.
You can also send your queries via WhatsApp to the number 9289094044 or post your questions on X with the hashtag AskAir.
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TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS,
- Hindustan Times and all the dailies have mentioned the President signing the ‘G Ram G, Shanti Bills into law as top front page headlines today.
- After security incident in Bangladesh port city “Indian mission in Chittagong puts visa operations on hold” notes The Indian Express.
- Indicating continuity in policy support for small entrepreneurs, “Flagship Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana may get another five years” states Financial Express.
- “Railways hikes fares on long-haul routes from friday; to rake in 600 crore rupees” informs The Tribune.
- The Times of India cites “Wash to shield: IIT-Delhi develops mosquito repellent detergent.”
- With fresh spell of snowfall lashing the higher reaches of Kashmir, The Pioneer writes about the harsh forty-day period delighting the tourism sector under the headline “Chillai- Kalan begins: Kashmir Valley transforms into a Winter Wonderland.”
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN
- President Droupadi Murmu grants assent to SHANTI Bill passed by Parliament during Winter Session.
- Mahayuti alliance comprising BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP sweeps municipal council and nagar panchayat elections in Maharashtra.
- Ruling BJP secures landslide victory in local body polls in Arunachal Pradesh.
- Government says, there is no imminent threat to Aravalli ecology as over 90 percent of Aravalli region remain protected.
- National Mathematics Day being observed today to commemorate birth anniversary of Srinivasa Ramanujan.
- In Women’s cricket, India beat Sri Lanka by eight wickets in opening T20 International of five-match series in Visakhapatnam.
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