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March 3, 2025 3:12 PM

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Midday News

THE HEADLINES:
 

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairs 7th meeting of National Board for Wildlife at Junagadh in Gujarat; Commends the role of tribal communities and women in preserving the Asiatic Lion habitat.

  • Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah says, along with driving the country’s development, Dairy sector plays important role in strengthening the rural economy.

  • Supreme Court rules, visually impaired persons cannot be denied opportunity of employment in judicial services.

  • Director Sean Baker’s “Anora” sweeps the Oscars, with five awards including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress.

  • In Jammu & Kashmir, plains and upper reaches of Kashmir Valley receive rain and snowfall since early morning.

  • India’s Krishna Jayasankar becomes first Indian woman to cross 16-metre mark in indoor shot put.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the seventh meeting of the National Board for Wildlife at Sasan Gir in Junagadh district of Gujarat today on the occasion of World Wildlife Conservation Day. Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav, members from different states, representatives from NGOs, chief wildlife wardens and secretaries from various states participated in the meeting. Various issues pertaining to wildlife conservation and management were discussed in the board’s meeting. This board works for the promotion of conservation and development of wildlife and forests with the Prime Minister as its chairperson.

“During the meeting, the PM also virtually laid the foundation stone for the National Referral Centre for Wildlife at Junagadh. He also unveiled the 16th Asiatic lion population estimation 2025, and inaugurated Centre for Excellence in Human-Wildlife Conflict Management at Coimbatore. Before the meeting, the PM took a jungle safari at Gir National Park and also participated in the tree plantation at Sinh Sadan Campus in Gir. He also flagged off the patrolling bikes for field staff for conservation and management of wildlife and also interacted with the eco guides, trackers and other women field staff. “

In a social media post, the Prime Minister lauded the collective conservation efforts at Gir forest that ensured steady rise in the population of Asiatic lions. Mr Modi also commended the role of tribal communities and women in preserving Asiatic lion habitat.

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Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah has said that the dairy sector not only contributes to the development of the country, but also contributes significantly to rural development and the prosperity of small farmers. Inaugurating the workshop on sustainability and circularity in the dairy sector in New Delhi, Mr Shah said, the Dairy sector also takes care of the nutrition of the country.

The Cooperation Minister said, Sustainability and circularity in the dairy sector is important for White Revolution 2.0. Mr Shah stressed on the need to create Dairy Union in 80 per cent of the districts of the country.

The workshop will focus on policies and initiatives of Ministry of Cooperation and the Ministry of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and fisheries aimed at promoting sustainable dairy farming while ensuring economic growth with environmental responsibility.

Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh said the Milk production in the country has increased by more than 63 per cent in the last ten years.

During the workshop, Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed for the establishment of biogas plants across multiple states.

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has reiterated that India is on track to become the third largest economy in the world in the coming two years. He said that India has now become the fifth-largest economy in the world. He said this while addressing the Armed Forces Flag Day CSR Conclave in New Delhi today. Mr. Singh emphasized the crucial role of both the public and private sector in the country’s economic development.

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External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar today held a meeting with Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot in New Delhi and highlighted India’s historical relation with the country. During the meeting, Dr Jaishankar said, the two countries have good and steady relations in the areas of trade, industry, education, innovation and culture. He noted that they are also holding discussion in the fields of semiconductor, AI and clean energy.

Dr Jaishnkar also held a meeting with Princess Astrid of Belgium this afternoon in the national capital. Princess Astrid of Belgium, who is on a seven day visit to India, will also call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi tomorrow. 

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In a significant verdict, the Supreme Court today held that visually impaired persons cannot be denied opportunity of employment in judicial services. Pronouncing the verdict today, Justice R Mahadevan said, persons with disabilities must not face any discrimination in their pursuit of judicial service recruitments and that the State must provide them affirmative action to ensure an inclusive framework. A bench comprising justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan had reserved the judgement on six petitions including a suo motu case, in December last year over non-grant of quota to such candidates in judicial services in a few states.

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The Delhi Assembly has resumed the discussion on the CAG report on public health, infrastructure and management of health services today. The report was tabled by the Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta last week. During the discussion on the report, Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh alleged that the CAG report exposed corruption of the pervious, Aam Aadmi Party led Delhi Government.

Other BJP MLAs also supported the call for investigation into this matter.

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The Budget Session of the Delhi Assembly will be held from the 24th to the 26th of March. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said this while briefing the media in New Delhi. She also released a phone number and e-mail ID for people to send their suggestions for the Budget 2025.

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The month-long budget session of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly has begun with the address of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. He said, the government is committed to fulfilling the long-standing demand of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir:

The LG added that the government is also committed to facilitate the return of Kashmiri pandits and create a safe and conducive environment for it.

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The 97th edition of the Academy Awards has concluded in Los Angeles. Director Sean Baker’s romantic comedy-drama “Anora” emerged as the ceremony’s biggest winner, taking home five awards in Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Editing and Best Actress categories. However Emilia Pérez topped this year’s nominations with 13 nods.

Adrien Brody grabbed the best actor Oscar for “The Brutalist,”

Mikey Madison won best actress for Anora.

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In Jammu & Kashmir, most of the plains and upper reaches in Kashmir Valley have been witnessing rain and snowfall since early morning. The Srinagar city also received light rains since morning.

The snowfall has been reported from maximum areas in North Kashmir’s Kupwara and Bandipora districts. The Gurez-Bandipora Road has been closed for vehicular traffic due to heavy snowfall in the area. 

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The India Meteorological Department has forecast fairly widespread rainfall and snowfall today over the Western Himalayan Region including Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. Talking to Akashvani News, IMD Scientist Dr Soma Sen Roy said that an orange alert has been issued over the region today.

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India’s Krishna Jayasankar made history at the Mountain West Indoor Track and Field Championships 2025 in New Mexico by becoming the first Indian woman to cross the 16-metre mark in indoor shot put. Her record-breaking throw measured 16.03 metres. She clinched the bronze medal with her final throw.

The 22-year-old broke the previous Indian indoor record of 15.54 m set by Poornarao Rane in the 2023 American Athletic Conference Indoor Championships.

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In our bilingual live phone-in programme “Public Speak” at 09.30 pm tonight, we will bring a discussion on “Rising Obesity Concerns and Preventive Measures”. Assistant Professor, Department of Cardiology AIIMS New Delhi, Dr. Sourabh Agastam and Dietician Dr. Mala Manral will answer the queries of the listeners on the subject.

You can ask questions on telephone numbers 011 – 23421050 and 011 – 23314444, 9:30 PM onwards tonight.

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN

 

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairs 7th meeting of National Board for Wildlife at Junagadh in Gujarat; Commends the role of tribal communities and women in preserving the Asiatic Lion habitat.

  • Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah says, along with driving the country’s development, Dairy sector plays important role in strengthening the rural economy.

  • Supreme Court rules, visually impaired persons cannot be denied opportunity of employment in judicial services.

  • Director Sean Baker’s “Anora” sweeps the Oscars, with five awards including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress.

  • In Jammu & Kashmir, plains and upper reaches of Kashmir Valley receive rain and snowfall since early morning.

  • India’s Krishna Jayasankar becomes first Indian woman to cross 16-metre mark in indoor shot put.

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