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December 13, 2024 9:53 PM

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Evening News

THE HEADLINES:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi launches several development projects worth 5,500 crore rupees to provide seamless connectivity in Prayagraj ahead of Mahakumbh.

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says, Constitution is not a contribution of any single party but a transformative document which reflects India’s core values.

• External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar calls for scaling up defence and security cooperation with UAE for mutual benefit.

• New Delhi raises concern with Canada over murder of three Indian students; Issues advisory to remain vigilant amid growing hate crime.

• Cold wave conditions likely to continue over northwest and central India in the next two to three days says, IMD.

• And, Third Test of Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia to begin tomorrow.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that Mahakumbh 2025 will be such a Mahayagya of Unity and Equality, which will guide the nation and will be discussed all over the world. He was speaking at a public gathering in Sangam area of Prayagraj after formally inaugurating the Mahakumbh-2025, which will officially start from 13th of January next year and will continue till 26th of February.

 

On the occasion, Prime Minister Modi launched development projects worth around 5500 crore Rupees, which includes various rail and road projects to boost infrastructure and provide seamless connectivity in Prayagraj.

 

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Modi said that a new history will be created on the sacred land of Prayagraj during Mahakumbh which is a rare event symbolizing the power of collectiveness and ending every kind of inequality.

 

The Prime Minister also inaugurated major temple corridors on the occasion which include Bharadwaj Ashram corridor, Shringverpur Dham corridor, Akshayvat corridor, Hanuman Mandir corridor among others. He said that his government is working towards enrichment of the culture and heritage.

 

In line with his commitment towards Swachh and Nirmal Ganga, the Prime Minister inaugurated projects of interception, tapping, diversion and treatment of minor drains leading to river Ganga, which will ensure zero discharge of untreated water into the river.

 

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The Lok Sabha today began a special discussion on the glorious journey of 75 years of the Constitution of India. Initiating the discussion, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, Indian Constitution paves the way for nation building by touching all aspects of social, economic, political and cultural life. In a veiled attack on the opposition Congress, Mr Singh said, in the last few years attempts have been made to project the Constitution as a contribution of a particular party. He said, the Constitution is not a contribution of any single party but an unparalleled, transformative document aligned with the values of India.

 

Participating in the discussion, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra of Congress said, the Constitution is the safety armour to keep the citizens safe. She alleged that through lateral entry and privatisation, the government is trying to weaken reservation.

 

Noting that secularism is a part of the preamble, Kalyan Banerjee of Trinamool Congress alleged that the secular fabric of the country is under threat over the last 10 years.

 

Sachithanantham of CPI(M) alleged that the Constitution is under threat. K Subbarayan of CPI, TMC MP Mahua Moitra, BJP MP Jagdambika Pal and other members also participated in the discussion.

 

Later the house adjourned for the day to meet again tomorrow.Earlier, during the discussion, the Lower House faced two brief adjournments following the uproar over the remarks of TMC MP Mahua Moitra in connection with the death of a CBI Judge B H Loya. The discussion remained inconclusive.

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The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day following the heated exchange of words between Treasury and Opposition members on the issue of no- confidence motion against the Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar. The motion had been brought by Congress led Opposition. Mr Dhankhar informed the House that it should reflect as to how many notices were received last thirty years against the Chair and also during his tenure.

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Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh has said that the Central government has accorded highest priority to getting permanent membership for India in the United Nations Security Council. In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today, Mr Singh said, India remains engaged, both at the bilateral and multilateral level for getting permanent membership as it has all the credentials.

 

The Minister said, India engages actively in the ongoing Inter-Governmental Negotiations on UNSC reforms. He informed that a large number of countries have supported India’s initiatives for reform of the UNSC as well as endorsed its candidature for a permanent membership.

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The Centre today said that it has set the target to eliminate Tuberculosis (TB) by 2025 and with the implementation of a National Strategic Plan cases of TB have shown a sharp decline. Replying to a question in Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Anupriya Patel said the incidence of TB in India has shown a 17.7 percent decline from 237 per lakh population in 2015 to 195 per lakh population in 2023.

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The BJP today approached the Election Commission over the alleged discrepancies in the voter list of Delhi. A party delegation led by Delhi BJP Chief Virendra Sachdeva met the Commission over the issue and alleged the Aam Aadmi Party Government in the city has been sheltering illegal immigrants due to appeasement politics. Mr Sachdeva accused the Delhi Government of trying to intimidate government officials to prevent action against illegal voters.

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India has raised concerns with Canadian authorities following the murder of three Indian students in Canada last week. Addressing a press briefing in New Delhi, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India has taken up the issue with the Canadian authority and India high commissions are in touch with the local authorities for a thorough investigation.

 

Responding to media query over the issue, He added that India has also issued an advisory for its nationals and students to exercise extreme caution amid growing incidents of hate crimes and violence.

 

The MEA spokesperson also informed the President of Sri Lanka Anura Kumara Dissanayake is scheduled to visit India on the 15th of this month. Mr Jaiswal said that this will be Mr. Dissanayake’s first visit since his election as the President of Sri Lanka. He also said that during his three-day visit Mr. Dissanayake will meet President Droupadi Murmu and hold discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual interest.

 

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External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar emphasized the need to scale up defence and security cooperation with the UAE for mutual benefit. In his opening remarks at the 15th India-UAE Joint Commission Meeting with his UAE counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed bin Al Nahyan in New Delhi today, Dr. Jaishankar said that India and the UAE share a common interest in preserving and promoting the stability, security, and prosperity of their regions.

 

Dr. Jaishankar also mentioned the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, stating that trade has steadily grown and now stands at 85 billion dollars.

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External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar held meetings with Ambassadors of several countries in New Delhi today. He met with the Ambassador of Japan to India, Ono Keiichi and discussed Special Strategic and Global Partnership between the two nations. Dr Jaishankar also met with Ambassador of Belarus to India, Mikhail Kasko to discuss ways to broaden India’s bilateral engagement with Belarus. He met with Ambassador of Armenia Vahagn Afyan as well and they discussed deepening the long-standing India-Armenia cooperation.

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French President Emmanuel Macron today appointed centrist leader François Bayrou as the new Prime Minister of France following a no-confidence vote that ousted the previous government. Francois Bayrou is the fourth Prime Minister this year. The 73-year-old MoDem leader, is tasked with forming a government and bringing stability amid the political turmoil. The previous Prime Minister, Michel Barnier, served only three months, becoming the shortest serving in French history. The priority for Bayrou, a close Macron ally, will be passing a special law to roll over the 2024 budget, with a battle over the 2025 legislation looming early next year.

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The High Court today granted an interim bail for four weeks to the film actor Allu Arjun over a quash petition filed by the actor in a case relating to stampede which led to the death of a woman and injuring her son. The court also directed the actor for a personal bond of 50 thousand rupees. Justice J Sridevi pronounced this while hearing the quash petition. The judge also granted four weeks interim bail to other accused who were arrested earlier.

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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast cold wave conditions to likely continue over Northwest and Central India during the next 2 to 3 days and abate thereafter. Talking to media, IMD scientist Dr Soma Sen Roy said the sudden dip in temperature was due to the western disturbance.

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The Third Cricket Test of Border Gavaskar Trophy series between India and Australia will begin at Gabba in Brisbane tomorrow morning. The series is currently tied 1-1.

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi launches several development projects worth 5,500 crore rupees to provide seamless connectivity in Prayagraj ahead of Mahakumbh.

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says, Constitution is not a contribution of any single party but a transformative document which reflects India’s core values.

• External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar calls for scaling up defence and security cooperation with UAE for mutual benefit.

• New Delhi raises concern with Canada over murder of three Indian students; Issues advisory to remain vigilant amid growing hate crime.

• Cold wave conditions likely to continue over northwest and central India in the next two to three days says, IMD.

• And, Third Test of Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia to begin tomorrow.

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