THE HEADLINES:
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, India and Kuwait have constantly stood by each other; Addressing Indian diaspora in Kuwait, Prime Minister highlights India’s skilled talent to meet world’s demand.
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah stresses on separate guidelines for finance for North East region.
• GST Council announces rate cut on fortified rice kernels to 5 per cent; Recommends amendment to definition of pre-packaged and labelled items.
• Delhi LG V K Saxena gives nod to ED to prosecute Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal in excise policy case.
• And in Western India Slam Squash, Asian Games double-bronze medalist Anahat Singh to face compatriot top seed Akanksha Salunkhe in final tomorrow.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India and Kuwait have consistently stood by each other. Addressing the Indian diaspora at the ‘Hala Modi’ event held at Kuwait’s Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Indoor Sports Complex this evening, Mr Modi lauded the Indian community’s contributions to Kuwait’s progress and their strong reputation among the Kuwaiti government and citizens.
Highlighting India’s global leadership in remittances, he attributed this success to the dedication and hard work of overseas Indians, including those in Kuwait. The Prime Minister said, India has the skill, technology, innovation, and manpower that Kuwait needs. Mr Modi emphasized that India is well-equipped to meet the world’s demand for skilled talent.
Mr. Modi highlighted India’s achievements as the world’s fifth-largest economy, a global leader in fintech, and the third-largest player in the startup ecosystem. Mr. Modi also showcased India’s advancements in technology, including initiatives like the E-Migrate portal to support Indian workers in the Gulf region. The Prime Minister extended a special invitation to diaspora members to attend Pravasi Bharatiya Divas and the Maha Kumbh in January 2025.
The Prime Minister reached Kuwait City this afternoon on a two day visit to the West Asian country.
This historic visit, made at the invitation of Kuwait’s Amir, seeks to strengthen the enduring friendship between the two nations. Mr. Modi expressed gratitude to Kuwait’s leadership for their support of the Indian community and highlighted the potential for enhanced collaboration across various sectors. He is also set to attend the opening ceremony of the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup as a special guest of the Emir of Kuwait.
Earlier, the Prime Minister visited the Gulf Spic Labour Camp and met Indian workers in Kuwait. Mr Modi met Indian diaspora and 101-year-old former Indian Foreign Service officer Mangal Sain Handa in Kuwait City. The Prime Minister also met with Abdullah Al Baroun, who has translated both the Ramayana and Mahabharata into Arabic, and Abdul Lateef Al Nesef, who has published their Arabic versions.
Tomorrow, Mr Modi will be accorded a ceremonial guard of honour at the Bayan Palace following which he will be holding separate meetings with the Emir of Kuwait and the crown Prince of Kuwait. There will be delegation-level talks with the Prime Minister of Kuwait as well.
This visit marks the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister to the Gulf nation in 43 years. It aims to strengthen bilateral ties and enhance cooperation in various sectors.
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Union Home Minister Amit Shah has asked the NABARD, RBI and North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd. to formulate separate guidelines for finance for the North East region. Addressing the North East Bankers Conclave 2024 at Agartala today, he said, as the region possesses a distinct topography, there cannot be a uniform guideline entire country.
Mr. Shah expressed confidence that the region will break all previous records in terms of attracting investment inflow. He said that it is the national duty to ensure progress and development of North eastern region as it possesses immense potential. The Home Minister stated that the region will become a gateway for the developed India and also from trust and export point of view.
Earlier today, addressing the 72nd plenary of North Eastern Council Mr Shah said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has brought the North East at the focal point. He said, establishment of peace is the most important thing that has happened in the region.
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Several decisions have been taken related to Goods and Service tax – GST in the 55th meeting of the GST Council held in Jaisalmer of Rajasthan today. The meeting was chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. It was attended by the Chief Ministers, Deputy Chief Ministers, State Finance Ministers and officials of the Ministry of Finance.
Later, addressing a press conference Ms. Sitharaman said, the GST Council has decided rate cut on fortified rice kernels to 5 per cent.
Announcing reduction in rate of compensation cess to supplies for merchant exporters, the Finance Minister said, this has been done to increase working capital for exporters.
The Finance Minister said, the GST Council has decided to reduce or exempt tax rates on many items. Ms. Sitharaman said that the Gene-therapy has been exempted from GST. Also, GST will not be levied on the penal charges, late payment fees of banks and NBFCs.
Ms. Sitharaman said, the Council has recommended amendment to definition of pre-packaged and labelled items. She added that the Council has given in-principle approval on the concept note to remove the difficulties faced in the registration of small companies.
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Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has given sanction to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to prosecute Aam Aadmi Party convener and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a case related to a now-scrapped excise policy. ED had sought the LG’s nod to prosecute Mr Kejriwal earlier this month after it found alleged irregularities in framing and implementation of the excise policy.
In a social media post, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi said that this news is being spread only to mislead people and distract them from the issues. She said that if such permission has been given, then ED should make the copy of the approval public. Delhi BJP chief, Virendra Sachdeva welcomed the decision of Delhi LG and said that this reflects that Mr Kejriwal is allegedly involved in corruption.
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Health and Family Welfare Minister JP Nadda today held a virtual meeting with Chief Ministers and Health Ministers of all States and UTs on the government’s 100-day Intensified TB Elimination Campaign. Mr Nadda requested the support of Chief Ministers to monitor the progress of the campaign. He also encouraged the support of Members of Legislative Assemblies and Councils to ensure community mobilization.
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Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan today said that the government is committed to make educational curriculum of different courses available in regional languages. Addressing at the inaugural Choudhary Charan Singh Awards 2024, the Minister said that the awards has been started to honour those who have worked for farmers and for the rural development.
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Union Railway and Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw today conferred 69th Ati Vishisht Rail Seva award 2024 to 101 employees and officers for their exceptional contributions to the Indian Railways. Addressing the gathering in New Delhi, Mr. Vaishnaw highlighted the significant progress made by Indian Railways over the last ten years. He noted that the ambitious project connecting Kashmir to Kanyakumari is nearing completion, promising seamless travel across the length of the country.
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`Former Supreme Court judge Madan B Lokur has been appointed as chairperson of the United Nations Internal Justice Council (IJC). He has been appointed for a 4-year-tenure ending on 12th November, 2028. In a communication to Justice Lokur, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, Its a pleasure to appoint him with immediate effect, as the Chairperson of IJC. The General Assembly of UN established the IJC as part of the new internal justice system to help ensure independence, professionalism and accountability in the administration of UN’s justice system.
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India Meteorological Department has forecast cold wave to severe cold wave conditions over Himachal Pradesh during the next three days. Cold wave conditions are also very likely in isolated pockets over Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad from today till 23rd of this month. Met department said minimum temperatures were in the range of 4 to 8 degrees Celsius over major parts of Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
Met department has forecast moderate fog in the national capital in the morning tomorrow with mainly clear sky during the day.
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In Western India Slam Squash, the final of women’s singles will witness an all-Indian clash as Asian Games double-bronze medalist Anahat Singh will face her compatriot top-seeded Akanksha Salunkhe in Mumbai, tomorrow. Anahat beat Egypt’s Nour Khafagy 3-1, 11-4, 12-14, 11-9, 11-9 to advance to the final. In other semifinal of women’s singles, Akanksha defeated Egypt’s fifth seed, Jana Swaify 11-5, 12-14, 15-13, 5-11, 12-10.
In the semifinal of men’s singles, India’s Veer Chotrani lost against Malaysia’s Ameeshenraj Chandaran in straight sets 10-12, 12-14, 8-11.
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In Women’s Cricket, India will lock horns with Bangladesh in the final of the Under-19 Women’s T20 Asia Cup at Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia tomorrow. The match is schedule to begin at 7 AM Indian Standard Time.
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The 2024 winter solstice, the shortest day of the year is observed today on 21 of December, in the Northern Hemisphere. The celestial event, astronomically signifies the first day of winter.
The winter solstice is the day each year that has the shortest period of daylight between sunrise and sunset, and therefore the longest night.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, India and Kuwait have constantly stood by each other; Addressing Indian diaspora in Kuwait, Prime Minister highlights India’s skilled talent to meet world’s demand.
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah stresses on separate guidelines for finance for North East region.
• GST Council announces rate cut on fortified rice kernels to 5 per cent; Recommends amendment to definition of pre-packaged and labelled items.
• Delhi LG V K Saxena gives nod to ED to prosecute Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal in excise policy case.
• And in Western India Slam Squash, Asian Games double-bronze medalist Anahat Singh to face compatriot top seed Akanksha Salunkhe in final tomorrow.
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