THE HEADLINES::
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, government is committed to bring significant change in lives of farmers, and PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana is another step in this direction.
- Centre to provide free Artificial Intelligence training to 10 lakh citizens; Priority to be given to Village Level Entrepreneurs.
- President Droupadi Murmu to present Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 Awards in New Delhi today.
- Centre to constitute high-level committee to resolve Polavaram project and other inter-state water issues between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
- 7.3 magnitude earthquake hits Alaska in US.
- In Women’s Cricket, India beat England by four wickets in first ODI to take 1-nil lead in three-match series.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the government is committed to bringing a significant change in the lives of farmers, and the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana is another crucial step towards that goal. In a social media post, Mr Modi said that this will not only increase crop production in the districts that have been lagging in the agricultural sector but also boost the income of our food providers.
The Union Cabinet yesterday approved the “Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana” for a period of six years, beginning with 2025-26 to cover 100 districts. The scheme draws inspiration from NITI Aayog’s Aspirational District Programme, a first of its kind focusing exclusively on agriculture and allied sectors. The scheme aims to enhance agricultural productivity, increase adoption of crop diversification and sustainable agricultural practices, augment post-harvest storage at the Panchayat and block levels, improve irrigation facilities and facilitate availability of long-term and short-term credit, according to the official statement. The scheme was announced as part of the Budget proposals for 2025-26 to develop 100 districts under “Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana”. Briefing media after the Cabinet meeting, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the scheme will be implemented through convergence of 36 existing schemes across 11 Departments, other state schemes and local partnerships with the private sector.
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Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced that Artificial Intelligence training will be provided to ten lakh citizens in the country free of cost, and priority will be given to Village Level Entrepreneurs. Mr. Vaishnaw made this announcement in an event – ‘CSC Diwas’ organised in New Delhi, celebrating 10 Years of Digital India. The event marked a decade of transformative digital empowerment across the nation.
Highlighting the efforts and achievements of Common Service Centers workers, Mr. Vaishnaw said that Village Level Entrepreneurs across the country have set a remarkable example by delivering the benefits of Digital India to every citizen.
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President Droupadi Murmu will confer the prestigious Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 Awards today in New Delhi. This event will felicitate the cleanest cities of urban India, recognizing the tireless efforts of cities driving the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban forward. This year, the awards will be presented across four categories, including Super Swachh League Cities and top three clean cities in five population categories. Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry said, a total of 78 Awards will be presented this year.
“Swachh Survekshana landmark initiative under the SBM-U, has become a defining force in urban India’s journey toward cleanliness. Starting with 73 Urban Local Bodies in 2016, the latest edition now encompasses 4,500+ cities. This year, the awards not only celebrate the top Swachh Shehar but also recognize and encourage small cities showing strong promise and progress. This year the awards spotlight the theme of “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”. Over 3,000 assessors conducted thorough inspections in every ward across the country over a period of 45 days. With an unwavering commitment to inclusivity and transparency, the initiative encompassed the assessment of over 11 lakh households , reflecting a comprehensive and far-reaching approach to understanding urban living and sanitation on a national scale”. YASHASHVI KIRYAL, AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI.”
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In Jammu & Kashmir, Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra has been temporarily halted due to bad weather conditions in most areas in both Kashmir and Jammu divisions. Official sources confirmed that in view of heavy rainfall along the Baltal and Pahalgam routes the authorities have decided to suspend Amarnath Ji Yatra for today. No Yatra convoy has been allowed to move from the Jammu Base camp towards Kashmir today.
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The Centre has decided to constitute a high-level technical committee to examine concerns around the Polavaram Banakacherla Link Project and other pending inter-state water issues between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The move follows a high-level meeting chaired by Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil with both Chief Ministers N Chandrababu Naidu of Andhra Pradesh and A Revanth Reddy of Telangana in New Delhi, yesterday. The Jal Shakti Ministry said the committee, comprising senior officials and technical experts from both states and the Centre, will collaboratively assess outstanding issues and recommend equitable and technically viable solutions to ensure equitable and efficient water sharing.
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Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah will visit Jaipur in Rajasthan today. He will participate in the Sahkarita Evam Rojgaar Utsav to be held at Dadiya village near Jaipur. Mr Shah will also address a public meeting and hand over appointment letters to 8,000 youths selected for government jobs.
“Mr. Shah will distribute certificates and cheques to the beneficiaries of various schemes and inaugurate many infrastructure projects. He will also inaugurate 24 warehouses built under the world’s largest grain storage scheme and 64 millet outlets for the promotion of Shri Anna. Along with distributing loans worth about 12 crore rupees to one thousand 400 beneficiaries under the Gopal Credit Card Scheme, the Union Minister will also launch the White Revolution 2.0 PDCS online registration platform. He will also flag off 100 new police vehicles to be used for police stations, armed forces, troop carriers and training purposes. With Jitendra Dwivedi from Jaipur, Nitya Franco, Akashvani News, Delhi.”
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India Meteorological Department has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall over Kerala, Mahe, and South Interior Karnataka over the next two days. IMD also said that strong surface winds are expected at isolated places over Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Mahe, and Lakshadweep today.
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In Uttar Pradesh, Met Department has issued an orange alert for rain in many districts during the next 24 hours.
“According to the Meteorological Department, rain and thundershowers are expected at many places in western UP and almost all places in eastern UP today. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in Bundelkhand along with central and eastern UP in the next 24 hours. Districts like Banda, Chitrakoot, Prayagraj, Sonbhadra, Mirzapur, Jhansi and Lalitpur may be particularly affected. Apart from this, a comprehensive alert has also been issued for lightning along with thunder in almost all the districts of the state. Heavy rains are expected in the state till July 22. People have been advised to remain alert and stay in safe places. Om Awasthi, Akashvani News, Lucknow.”
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The western and north-western parts of Jharkhand will continue to receive rainfall till 19th of this month. Ranchi Met Centre has issued orange alert for four districts of Palamu, Garhwa, Chatra and Hazaribagh while yellow alert has been issued for 11 districts including Ranchi, Koderma, Deoghar and others.
“Heavy rainfall in the north-western parts of Jharkhand has brought life to standstill. Several rivers are flowing above the danger mark, while rain-water has entered in many houses in low lying areas of Palamu and Garhwa districts. Schools have been closed for today in Palamu, Latehar and Garhwa districts ahead of the orange alert issued by the MeT Department. Kanwariyas are covering their Shravan yatras amid continuous rainfall in Deoghar district. Shilpi, Akashvani News, Ranchi.”
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An earthquake of magnitude 7.3 struck Alaska in United States last night at around 2:07 AM, Indian Time. Alaska’s earthquake monitoring agency said the epicenter was located 89 kilometers south of Sand Point in Alaska. The agency further said that the shock was felt over a broad region, extending as far as Anchorage and Juneau, where reported shaking was light. No injury or casualty has been reported so far.
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US President Donald Trump has said that the ongoing negotiations between India and the United States for a much-anticipated interim trade could be sealed soon. Mr Trump said the talks are on track and the proposed deal could provide American companies greater access to the Indian market in line with the trade pact between the US and Indonesia.
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Moving on to the world of Sports, India Women’s Cricket Team defeated hosts England by 4 wickets in the first ODI match at The Rose Bowl in Southampton last night. We have more from our Sports Desk:
“The Women in Blue are now leading the 3-match ODI series against England 1-nil. Opting to bat first, England made 258 for 6 in stipulated 50 overs. In response, Harmanpreet Kaur led Indian side managed to chase the score with 10 balls remaining. Deepti Sharma was declared Player of the Match for her unbeaten innings of 62 runs. India will now aim to clinch the series in the second ODI clash at Lord’s in London on Saturday.
Moving ahead, West Indies’s star all-rounder Andre Russel is set to retire from International Cricket. The Jamaican will play his last two international matches on July 20 and 22 at his homeground in Sabina Park, which is scheduled to host the first two T20Is against Australia. Russel represented the maroon jersey for more than a decade and he was known for his hard hitting with bat.
Onto Football, India Under-20 Women’s national team convincingly defeated Uzbekistan 4-1 in their second friendly match at the Do’stlik Stadium in Tashkent last night. Unlike the first friendly that ended with a 1-1 draw, the visitors took the lead this time. CHIRAG JHA, SPORTS DESK.”
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TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS HEADLINE,
- In a push for indigenous war technology, the Chief of Defence staff says “Can’t rely on imported niche tech” writes Hindustan Times on its front page. The Asian Age adds “India plans co-production of Javelin missile with US.”
- Government merges 36 schemes to float farm programme while Hundred agri districts across country gets cabinet go ahead, says The Indian Express.
- “House panel proposal on dividend in IT Bill may bring relief to companies” states The Economic Times.
- The Times of India notes “Foreign brands head to India amid global woes” as consumption slows in developed countries.
- “Karnal, Sonepat to get national honours in swachh Survekshan” writes The Tribune.
- And Finally, As people are getting more fitness conscious, The Pioneer cites the new menu designed to support wellness of Parliamentarians under its headline “Millets, grams and grilled fish will now fuel house debates.”
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN-
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, government is committed to bring significant change in lives of farmers, and PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana is another step in this direction.
- Centre to provide free Artificial Intelligence training to 10 lakh citizens; Priority to be given to Village Level Entrepreneurs.
- President Droupadi Murmu to present Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 Awards in New Delhi today.
- Centre to constitute high-level committee to resolve Polavaram project and other inter-state water issues between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
- 7.3 magnitude earthquake hits Alaska in US.
- In Women’s Cricket, India beat England by four wickets in first ODI to take 1-nil lead in three-match series.
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