THE HEADLINES:-
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi launches multiple development projects including Ken-Betwa River Link Project in Khajuraho; Says, Ken-Betwa Link Project will open new doors of prosperity and happiness in Bundelkhand region.
- Union Minister Amit Shah dedicates over ten thousand newly established Multipurpose Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies in New Delhi.
- President Droupadi Murmu to confer Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar tomorrow on 17 children from 14 States and UTs for exceptional achievements.
- In Kazakhstan, dozens of people killed after a passenger plane crashed in Aktau city.
- Christmas being celebrated across the globe to mark birth of Jesus Christ.
- In Cricket, India to take on Australia in fourth Test of Border-Gavaskar Trophy at Melbourne tomorrow.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today laid the foundation stone of the country’s first ambitious and multipurpose Ken-Betwa National River Linking Project in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, on the 100th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
The Prime Minister also inaugurated the country’s first Omkareshwar Floating Solar Project and performed Bhoomi Pujan of 1,153 Atal Gram Sushasan Bhawans.
Ken-Betwa National River Linking Project will provide irrigation facilities in more than 8 lakh hectares of area. More than 7 lakh farmer families of 2 thousand villages in 10 districts of Madhya Pradesh will also be benefited. The Project will also provide drinking water facility to 44 lakh people of 10 districts of Madhya Pradesh. This project will generate 103 MW of hydropower and 27 MW of solar power. It will also provide irrigation facilities in more than 2.51 lakh hectares and drinking water facility to 21 lakh population of Uttar Pradesh. The Prime Minister said, the project will improve the condition of ground water level in drought prone Bundelkhand region, promote industrialization, increase investment and tourism and provide employment opportunities.
On the occasion, Mr Modi also released a stamp and a coin in memory of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Sharing memories of former Prime Minister Vajpayee, Mr. Modi said that Atal ji has always been a source of inspiration for good governance and good service.
Appreciating the role of Baba Saheb Ambedkar, Prime Minister Modi said that Dr Ambedkar’s vision and farsightedness have contributed significantly to strengthening India’s water resources, water management, and dam construction.
Referring to the government’s efforts to promote tourism in the country, Mr Modi assured that the central government is constantly making efforts to increase facilities for all tourists from the country and abroad.
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Union Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah today dedicated more than ten thousand newly established Multipurpose Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies and Dairy and Fisheries Cooperatives to the nation. Mr Shah also distributed registration certificates, RuPay Kisan Credit Cards and micro ATMs to the newly formed cooperative societies at a function in New Delhi. These financial tools are designed to provide easy access to credit services in Panchayats and promote financial inclusion.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Shah said, the Modi government is giving new strength to the rural economy by promoting cooperatives. He said, the government will set up two lakh primary agricultural credit societies (PACS) much ahead of the target of five years. He said, through these initiatives, farmers’ produce will easily reach the global market.
Mr. Shah also highlighted that when infrastructure was not being prioritised in the country, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee launched the Swarnim Chaturbhuj Marg.
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On the occasion of the 100th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a Good Governance Day function was organized at Lok Bhavan Lucknow. On the occasion, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath paid floral tribute at Vajpayee’s statue and remembered his life and works.
Addressing the programme, the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said Atal ji gave good governance to India, which took the country to new heights.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasized that a sense of security is crucial for effective governance, and to achieve good governance, it requires active public participation.
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Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh today launched the Viksit Panchayat Karmayogi initiative on Good Governance Day to strengthen grassroots governance. The initiative aims to enhance the capacity and competence of Panchayati Raj Institutions by equipping elected representatives and officials with the tools and knowledge required for effective governance.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Singh emphasized that governance reforms must begin at the grassroots to bring about long-lasting and meaningful change.
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President Droupadi Murmu will confer the ‘Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar’ on 17 children for exceptional achievements in seven categories in New Delhi tomorrow. The children hail from 14 States and UTs. The government confers the Bal Puraskar to children for achievements in Art and Culture, Bravery, Innovation, Science and Technology, Social Service, Sports, and Environment. Each awardee will receive a medal, certificate and citation booklet.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in Veer Baal Diwas, a nationwide celebration honouring children as the foundation of India’s future at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi tomorrow. He will also address the gathering on the occasion. In 2022, Mr Modi had announced that the 26th of December will be marked as the Veer Baal Diwas to pay tribute to the courage of the Sahibzades, the sons of Guru Gobind Singh and their quest for justice. More from our correspondent:-
On the occasion, the Prime Minister will launch the Suposhit Gram Panchayat Abhiyan. This initiative aims at improving the nutritional outcomes and well-being by strengthening implementation of nutrition related services and by ensuring active community participation. Around three thousand 500 children, along with the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar awardees and dignitaries, will attend the event. Various initiatives will also be run across the nation to engage young minds, promote awareness about the significance of Veer Baal Diwas and foster a culture of courage and dedication to the nation. A series of online competitions, including interactive quizzes, will be organized through the MyGov and MyBharat Portals. Interesting activities like storytelling, creative writing and poster-making among others will be undertaken in schools, Child Care Institutions and Anganwadi centres. With Dipendra Kumar, Adarsh, Akashvani News, Delhi.
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In Uttarakhand, 4 people lost their lives after a State Transport Corporation bus fell into a deep gorge in Bhimtal in Nainital district. According to Police, the bus carrying 28 people was going from Pithoragarh to Haldwani. Twenty four passengers were injured and they have been admitted to Sushila Tiwari Hospital in Haldwani. Relief and rescue operations have been completed at the spot.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has expressed deep grief over the accident and wished for the speedy recovery of the injured.
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In Kazakhstan, dozens of people were killed today after a passenger plane crashed with about 70 people on board. Authorities in Azerbaijan, where the flight originated, say there were at least 30 survivors. Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243 caught fire as it attempted to make an emergency landing near the Kazakh city of Aktau. The plane was en route to Grozny in Russia but it was diverted due to fog.
Those on board were mostly Azerbaijani nationals, but there were also some passengers from Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Both Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan have launched investigations into the accident.
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Christmas is being celebrated across the globe today to mark the birth of Jesus Christ. On the occasion, people decorate their houses by putting a Christmas tree, an illuminated star, Holy wreaths and exchange gifts. President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the nation on the occasion.
Christmas is being celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety across Maharashtra. More from our Mumbai correspondent:
In Mumbai, several buildings have been lit up with decorative lights while houses have been adorned with decorations to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Mount Mary Church and St. Peter’s Church in Bandra, St. Michael Church in Mahim, Wodehouse Church in Colaba, St. John Baptist Church in Thane, Robinson Memorial Methodist Marathi Church in Byculla among many others have been decorated magnificently to mark the birth of Lord Christ. Masses and special prayers are being organized in the churches with bells and carols reverberating the praise of Lord Jesus. Decorated Christmas trees have been put outside houses, societies, shops and malls exhibiting the spirit of Christmas. In schools, Christmas carnivals were celebrated with students singing Christmas Carols and wearing costumes of Santa Claus. Ankita Apte, Akashvani News, Mumbai.
In Tripura, not only people from the Christian faith but also those from other religions are visiting churches with their loved ones to pay obeisance to Lord Jesus Christ. We have a report from our Agartala correspondent.
Christmas is being celebrated with full devotion, pomp and gaiety in Agartala, and at the Christian dominated Jampui Hills in North Tripura. Church services were held in the morning where the devotees attended the morning services and offered prayers to Jesus Christ. Also, markets wore a vibrant look with shopping spree for buying Christmas gifts and home decorative items peaked up. Most of the prime locations of the city and Church areas are decorated with colourful illumination. Two of the prominent churches in Agartala, the Meriam Nagar Church and the Don Bosco Church at Nandan Nagar are beautifully decorated with colourful lights. People have been thronging at these churches to offer prayers. Kunal Shinde, Akashvani News, Agartala.
Reports of Christmas celebrations have also come in from abroad. Pilgrims lined up early today to walk through the great Holy Door at the entrance of St. Peter’s Basilica at Vatican City. Pope Francis kicked off the 2025 Holy Year, inaugurating a celebration of the Catholic Church that is expected to draw some 32 million pilgrims to Rome.
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In Cricket, India will take on Australia in the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at Melbourne tomorrow. The match is scheduled to begin at 5 a.m. (IST).
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi launches multiple development projects including Ken-Betwa River Link Project in Khajuraho; Says, Ken-Betwa Link Project will open new doors of prosperity and happiness in Bundelkhand region.
- Union Minister Amit Shah dedicates over ten thousand newly established Multipurpose Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies in New Delhi.
- President Droupadi Murmu to confer Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar tomorrow on 17 children from 14 States and UTs for exceptional achievements.
- In Kazakhstan, dozens of people killed after a passenger plane crashed in Aktau city.
- Christmas being celebrated across the globe to mark birth of Jesus Christ.
- In Cricket, India to take on Australia in fourth Test of Border-Gavaskar Trophy at Melbourne tomorrow.
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