THE HEADLINES :-
- Nation pays homage to Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on their birth anniversary today.
- Special Gram Sabhas to be convened across the country on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti.
- Civil Aviation Ministry initiates series of reforms to make aviation security processes simpler and quicker.
- Saudi Arabia hands over to UAE, Omani co-pilot who made abortive attempt to crash Flydubai’s Tel Aviv bound plane.
- Brave Indian pilot Smit Machchhar airlifted to Abu Dhabi for treatment; India closely following his health condition.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin says, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has very good ideas to find mutually acceptable solution for Ukraine conflict.
- And, India bags Gold medal in Women’s Recurve Archery team event at Asian Games in Japan.
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The Nation pays homage to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi on his 157th birth anniversary today. A series of functions are being organized across the country and by Indian Missions abroad. A Sarva Dharma Prarthana Sabha was organised at his Samadhi – Raj Ghat in the national capital.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at his memorial in Raj Ghat this morning.
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On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that Mahatma Gandhi’s entire life is a beacon of truth, non-violence, compassion, and service. Sharing a social media post, Mr Modi noted that Bapu’s ideals will continue to pave the way for humanity in every era. He wished that the timeless message of Mahatma Gandhi keep guiding the countrymen towards a better society and a Viksit Bharat.
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President Droupadi Murmu has said Mahatma Gandhi’s message of peace and non-violence has become even more relevant in the atmosphere of war and conflict prevailing in many parts of the world. In her message on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, President Murmu paid tributes to the Father of the Nation on his 157th birth anniversary. She said Mahatma Gandhi’s life and ideals are widely respected by the global community. The President said India is advancing towards the national goal of becoming Viksit Bharat by the year 2047.
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Gujarat will host a series of activities to celebrate the birth anniversary of Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel will attend the prayer meet at Kirti Mandir, the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi in Porbandar. Similarly, All Faith prayer will also be organised at Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad this morning. Large-scale cleanliness drives are also being held across the state. State Government has announced a thirty percent Special Market Incentive Support on the production of Khadi and Polyvastra on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti.
“The decision aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Khadi for Nation, Khadi for Fashion’, ‘Vocal for Local’, and ‘Har Ghar Swadeshi’ which this be effective till the 31st of December 2026. The incentive will directly benefit consumers in the form of discounts at authorized Khadi sales outlets.. To further encourage the sale of local products during the upcoming festive season, special Khadi exhibition-cum-sale fairs are also being organized across major cities in the state. Aparna Khunt, Akashvani News, Ahmedabad.”
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The Nation also pays homage to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on his 122nd birth anniversary today. He was born on 2nd October 1904 in Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Nagar, previously known as Mughalsarai in Uttar Pradesh. As a teenager, he joined India’s freedom struggle and participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1921. Following Independence, Shastri held several important positions in Uttar Pradesh and later in the Union Government.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid floral tribute to the former Prime Minister at his Memorial Vijay Ghat in the national capital this morning.
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Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta paid tributes to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri at Vijay Ghat on the occasion of his birth anniversary.
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Special Gram Sabhas are being convened across the country today on Gandhi Jayanti to deliberate on governance reforms, strengthening Panchayats and improving public services in rural areas.
The Rural Development Ministry said the meetings will also mark the launch of the People’s Plan Campaign 2026-27, Sabki Yojana, Sabka Vikas.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi is completing 25 years in public service, a journey defined by the mantra of Jan Seva Se Desh Seva, and a relentless commitment that continues. Guided by this vision for Seva and Sushasan, the Government has been ceaselessly working towards achieving Vikshit Bharat by 2047. Through inclusive development and social empowerment , this dedication is transforming lives. Today, in our Special series, we bring you an instance of how this vision has been translated into action through the scheme.
“The renovated Pamban Bridge at Rameswaram is India’s first vertical lift railway sea bridge inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the auspicious day of Ram Navami on April 6 last year. During his speech he said that it was a momentous occasion to extend best wishes to the people from the pious land of Rameswaram.
The earlier historical marvel Pamban was built to expand trade connectivity to Srilanka. The bridge construction which began in the 1870s stretched to about 2.2 km with 143 piers and was commissioned in 1914. The vertical lift in the new bridge features a 72.5 meter Central span that rises 17 to 22 metres vertically to accommodate ships at sea. Talking to Akashvani, railway officials of the Madurai Division said that to protect the infrastructure of the Bridge, over three thousand tonnes of steel went into the 99 approach girders alone. The lift span was built from 54 pieces and joined with 168 welds done inside special huts that kept the conditions just right. Some tower sections were floated to the site on barges. The entire stretch offers an ecstatic view of the Arabian Sea also. Pamban Bridge survived major cyclones that destroyed Dhanushkodi, the ruins which bears testimony to it. joy, Akashvani news, chennai”
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The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has initiated a series of reforms to make aviation security processes simpler and quicker for the people working at Indian Airports. Briefing the media on the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) Reforms to Improve Operational Efficiency and Ease of Doing Business in New Delhi, Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha said that these sweeping changes aim to digitize workflows, making processes simpler, and transition towards accountability-driven governance while maintaining the highest security standards.
The Ministry informed that BCAS has streamlined the security clearance framework by moving towards a category-and contract-agnostic security clearance which is applicable across the nine identified categories of aviation entities. It is proposed to remain valid for five years as part of these reforms.
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Saudi Arabia has handed over to UAE, the Omani co-pilot who made abortive attempt to crash Flydubai’s Tel Aviv bound plane. Investigators are probing the attack on Indian pilot Smit Machchhar by Omani co-pilot in the cockpit. The development came after Saudi authorities conducted a preliminary investigation into the incident, that forced the flight to make an emergency landing in the Saudi city of Tabuk on Wednesday. Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry said its initial investigation indicated that the co-pilot has assaulted the captain during the flight. The preliminary investigation was conducted in coordination with security teams from the UAE.
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External Affairs Ministry has said it continue to closely follow the health condition of Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian national and the brave pilot of FlyDubai flight FZ 1073. It said in a statement that after receiving initial medical treatment in a hospital in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, he has now been shifted to Abu Dhabi for continued medical attention and recovery. Indian Ambassador in UAE met Captain Machchhar in hospital and enquired about his well being. Earlier, the Ambassador also met his family and assured all possible support for the Captain’s health and well-being. The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and Consulate in Dubai are in close touch with the local authorities in the matter. External Affairs Ministry once again saluted Captain Smit Machchhar’s valour and courage. It also conveyed deep appreciation for the admiration and support he has received from across the world for his act of gallantry.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has very good ideas aimed at finding a mutually acceptable solution to the Ukraine conflict. Speaking at the Valdai Forum, Mr Putin noted that Mr Modi regularly raises the topic of ending the war during their discussions and shows strong interest in a peaceful settlement. Mr Putin described India’s diplomatic position as neutral yet deeply invested in bringing the hostilities to an end, while Mr Modi has previously emphasized that India stands firmly “on the side of peace”. Mr Putin expressed gratitude for Mr Modi’s persistent engagement and practical approach toward dialogue and diplomacy.
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Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is visiting Goa today. He will interact with farmers and citizens at an event in Ponda. Panchayat members and councillors will participate through online mode.
“The Goa Fresh brand will be launched by Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today in Goa. Under the initiative, branding and packaging of agricultural products produced in Goa will be undertaken. The state government has developed the Goa Fresh brand to promote and give recognition to agricultural produce from Goa. The programme will provide farmers and women from across the state an opportunity to interact directly with the Union Agriculture Minister. Discussions will focus on challenges in the agricultural sector, farmers’ welfare, rural livelihoods, and the contribution of women to the rural economy. Minister will later visit Indian Council of Agricultural Research – Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute and will take review meeting. Mahesh Chopade, Akashvani News, Panaji.”
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In Mizoram, three persons, including PIB Imphal Additional Director General Dr. Engam Pame, DD News Aizawl Director Nampibou Marinmai and CBC Aizawl MTS H. Lianvela, were killed in a road accident near Sialsuk yesterday. The car in which they were travelling fell into a gorge.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw expressed condolences to their bereaved families.
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India’s women’s recurve archery team has created history by winning its maiden Asian Games gold medal, defeating world champions South Korea 5-3 in a thrilling final today.
Ankita Bhakat, Kirti Sharma and Kumkum Mohod held their nerve in windy conditions to edge past the 10-time Olympic champions.
After the first two sets were tied, India seized the advantage in the third set with a 55-point score against Korea’s 52. In the fourth set, a crucial score correction turned Kirti Sharma’s 8 into a 9, taking India to 54 points and sealing the gold.
Earlier, India had defeated China 5-1 in the semifinal to reach its first-ever Asian Games women’s recurve final.
This is India’s first Asian Games gold in women’s recurve team event.
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TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS HEADLINES:-
- On the FlyDubai flight incident, Hindustan Times leads “Averted a 9/11-style tragedy: Modi lauds Capt Machchhar”. “Injured Indian Captain stable, attack motive still unclear” headlines The Asian Age.
- “Israeli leaders hails Indian pilot as hero” states The Pioneer.
- At the UPSC Centenary celebrations, The Asian Age reports “Modi pushes “citizen first” approach in civil services”. “UPSC turns 100: Prime Minister urges shorter exam cycles, youth -centric reforms” reports The Indian Express.
- “Supreme Court bars licence renewal for motorists with unpaid fines” informs The Hindu.
- And Finally, “Selecao land in City of Joy amid tight security”. Well, The Indian Express reports that” FIVE-TIME FOOTBALL world champions Brazil landed in Kolkata on Thursday night for their much-anticipated friendly with India on Saturday”.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:-
- Nation pays homage to Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on their birth anniversary today.
- Special Gram Sabhas to be convened across the country on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti.
- Civil Aviation Ministry initiates series of reforms to make aviation security processes simpler and quicker.
- Saudi Arabia hands over to UAE, Omani co-pilot who made abortive attempt to crash Flydubai’s Tel Aviv bound plane.
- Brave Indian pilot Smit Machchhar airlifted to Abu Dhabi for treatment; India closely following his health condition.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin says, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has very good ideas to find mutually acceptable solution for Ukraine conflict.
- And, India bags Gold medal in Women’s Recurve Archery team event at Asian Games in Japan.
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