Evening News -

THE HEADLINES:

• ISRO to launch two satellites tonight from its spaceport in Sriharikota to demonstrate docking and undocking of spacecraft in orbit.

• Defence Ministry signs two contracts worth 2,867 crore rupees for construction of Air Independent Propulsion Plug and integration of the Electronic Heavy Weight Torpedo.

• Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman chairs sixth Pre-Budget Consultation with experts and representatives from industry, health and education sectors.

• India’s manufacturing sector witnesses remarkable growth this year, underscoring its transformation into a global powerhouse.

• And, US announces nearly 6 billion dollar aid, including military package for Ukraine.

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The Indian Space Research Organisation, ISRO is all set with its Space Docking experiment known as the SpaDex mission to demonstrate docking and undocking of spacecraft in orbit. Its powerhorse rocket PSLV C60 will lift off tonight from spaceport Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. Two satellites – SDX01 called also as Chaser and SDX02 called Target – will be placed into a 470 km circular orbit at 55 degree inclination with a local time cycle of about 66 days. Both Target and Chaser satellites will be placed in the same orbit at a distance of 10 to 20 kms.

“The SpaDex Space Docking experiment once successful will establish India as the country that can successfully undertake human spaceflight and satellite servicing missions. This is a cost effective technology demonstrator mission that will enable India to plan a mission to the Moon and build its own Bhartiya Antriksh Station where the satellite can dock and get back to Earth. In space docking technology is essential when multiple rocket launches are required for common mission objectives. This needs precision in inter satellite separation, velocity and navigation, transfer of electric power between two docked spacecraft, composite spacecraft control, payload operations after undocking. India will be the fourth country to master docking and undocking technology. SUDHINDRA AKASHVANI NEWS BENGALURU.”

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The Ministry of Defence today signed two contracts, worth around 2,867 crore rupees, for the construction of the Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) Plug for the DRDO-AIP system and its integration onboard Indian submarines, and the integration of the Electronic Heavy Weight Torpedo (EHWT) onboard the Kalvari-class submarines. Both contracts were signed in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh in New Delhi. The Ministry, in its statement, said that the contract for the construction of the AIP Plug and its integration was inked with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, Mumbai, worth around 1,990 crore rupees, while the contract for the integration of the EHWT, being developed by DRDO, was signed with Naval Group, France, at an approximate cost of 877 crore rupees.

The Ministry highlighted that AIP technology is being indigenously developed by DRDO. The project pertaining to the construction of the AIP Plug and its integration will enhance the endurance of conventional submarines and significantly contribute towards the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.

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Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today chaired the sixth Pre-Budget Consultation with experts and representatives from the health and education sectors in connection with the upcoming Union Budget 2025-26 in New Delhi. The meeting was attended by the Finance Secretary, Secretaries of the Department of Economic Affairs, Chief Economic Adviser of the Government, and senior officials of the Ministry of Health and the Department of School Education. Earlier in the day, Ms. Sitharaman chaired the Pre-Budget Consultation meeting with industry representatives. The Union Budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 is expected to be presented in Parliament on 1st of February next year. This will mark Finance Minister Sitharaman’s eighth consecutive Budget presentation.

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The government today said that Rabi crops have been sown across over 614 lakh hectare area so far. Ministry of Agriculture in a statement said that over 319 lakh hectare area coverage under wheat has been reported compared to 313 lakh hectare area during the corresponding period of last year. The Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare released the progress report on area coverage under Rabi crops as of today. Pulses were cultivated in more than 136 lakh hectares while coarse cereals were sown across 48.55 lakh hectares. The area sown with Oilseeds crossed over 96 lakh hectares.

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The BJP today claimed that the Aam Aadmi Party is tampering with voters’ lists in Delhi. BJP leader Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma alleged that 61,000 people’s names have been removed from the voters’ list in the area of former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s constituency. He added, in 2020, one lakh 46 thousand people’s names were in the voting list, but it has been reduced now.

BJP also questioned Aam Aadmi Party National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal for announcing an 18 thousand rupee monthly honorarium for priests and granthis. Addressing the media, BJP leader Prem Shukla took a dig at AAP for not providing such benefits to priests earlier.

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In Punjab, the day-long Bandh by farmers passed off peacefully. However it crippled the Rail and Road traffic causing inconvenience to general public. Emergency services, including Ambulances were, though, allowed to move. The traffic has been resumed now. The call for the shutdown was given by farmers unions demanding among others legal guarantee for the MSP for crops.

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The News Services Division of Akashvani will bring a special 30 minute programme in English tomorrow, ‘2024: The Year That Was, The Memories That Remain’.

This programme can be heard on 100.1 FM Gold Channel and additional frequencies from 8 pm onwards. The programme will also be available on our website NEWS ON AIR DOT GOV DOT IN and on our YouTube Channels Akashvani AIR and NEWS ON AIR OFFICIAL.

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India’s manufacturing sector has witnessed remarkable growth this year, underscoring its transformation into a global powerhouse. The Narendra Modi government has implemented far-reaching economic, social, and foreign policy initiatives in the last ten years. These initiatives have contributed to India’s rise as a global power. Our correspondent reports that during this period, the country steadily positioned itself as a global manufacturing hub.

“Over the last decade, India’s manufacturing sector has undergone a significant transformation, largely propelled by the Make in India initiative. The introduction of Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes across 14 sectors attracted investments of over one lakh 28 thousand crore rupees and generated more than 8.5 lakh jobs. These initiatives have spurred growth in electronics, steel, pharmaceuticals, and defense manufacturing. Toy exports grew by 239 percent, and mobile phone production by 600 percent. The surge in the production of solar panels and wind turbines also reflects India’s growing commitment to renewable energy. ANAND KUMAR, AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI.”

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Newly appointed RBI Governor, Mr. Sanjay Malhotra, today expressed optimism about India’s economic outlook in 2025. In his foreword to the December 2024 Financial Stability Report (FSR), Mr. Malhotra said that inflation is expected to decline, boosting purchasing power and giving the central bank more flexibility in supporting economic activity. He noted that while the first half of FY 2024-25 saw a slowdown, consumer and business confidence remain strong, with corporations entering 2025 on solid financial footing. The FSR also highlighted the strong health of India’s financial sector.

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The Benchmark domestic equity indices today ended with losses of over half percent.

“The 30-share index at Bombay Stock Exchange, Sensex, lost 451 points, or 0.57 percent, to close at 78,248. Similarly, the National Stock Exchange Nifty-50 fell 168 points, or 0.71 percent, to end at 23,645. In the Forex market, the rupee today ended marginally up to settle at 85 rupees and 53 paise against the US dollar. In the Indian Bullion Market, 24 Karat Gold was trading up at 76,820 rupees per 10 grams. Brent Crude was trading up at 74 dollars and 22 cents per barrel. According to the latest reports. ANUBHA ROHATGI FOR AKASHVANI NEWS.”

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The United States today announced nearly 6 billion dollars in additional military and budget assistance for Ukraine. US President Joe Biden announced 2.5 billion dollars in additional security assistance for Ukraine. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the United States has made available 3.4 billion dollars in additional budget aid to Ukraine, giving the war-torn country critical resources amid intensifying Russian attacks on Ukraine. It includes 1.25 billion dollars in military aid drawn from U.S. stockpiles and a 1.22 billion dollar Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) package.

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At least 71 people died in Ethiopia when a truck packed with passengers plunged into a river. The officials said that the dead included 68 men and three women. The crash occurred yesterday in Sidama state, some 300 kilometers south of the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. According to media reports, the truck had missed a bridge and fell into a river, and the road had many bends. The state-run Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) also reported that the passengers were travelling to a wedding when the accident occurred. Ethiopia is among Africa’s most populous countries, and road accidents there are relatively common.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today condoled the demise of former United States President Jimmy Carter. In a social media post, the Prime Minister called Mr. Carter a statesman of great vision. He added that Mr. Carter worked tirelessly for global peace and harmony, and his contributions in fostering strong India-US ties have left a lasting legacy.

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter passed away last night at his home in Plains, Georgia, at the age of 100. He was the oldest living President of all time and the third U.S. President to visit India. A Democrat, former President Carter served one term from 1977 to 1981.

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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast cold day and cold wave conditions in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Gilgit, Baltistan and Muzaffarabad tomorrow. Cold wave conditions are also expected in West Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Chandigarh tomorrow. Further, the IMD predicted dense fog conditions in the night and morning hours in isolated pockets of Odisha, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura tomorrow. The met department also predicted fall in minimum temperatures by two to three degrees celsius over Central and East India during next 2-3 days.

Meanwhile, the movement of several trains has been adversely affected due to low visibility caused by fog across various parts of the country. According to Indian Railways, as many as 15 Delhi-bound trains are running late. These trains include the Ranikhet Express, the Pooja Express, the Gorakhdham Express, the Paschim Express, and the Andaman Express. Passengers have been advised to check the latest status of their respective trains in which they are travelling before boarding them.

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In Himachal Pradesh, the work of road restoration in snow-covered areas continued in full swing today after the weather cleared in most parts of the state. Road, electricity and drinking water supply has been restored at most places in the tribal areas of the state.

“The Atal Tunnel Rohtang, which was closed for the last three days due to snowfall, has been opened for emergency vehicles, while the movement of four by four small vehicles on the Manali-Kelang road has started from today. National Highway-5 in Kinnaur district has been restored for all types of vehicles till Pooh. In view of the slippery roads, the administration has advised the drivers to take precautions. Cold wave continues to prevail in most parts of the state and the minimum temperature in the upper areas is being recorded below zero. The Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert of increasing cold wave in the plains and mid-mountain areas of the state for the next two days. PRABHA SHARMA AIR NEWS SHIMLA.”

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In the Hockey India League, the match between UP Rudras and Vedanta Kalinga Lancers is underway at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela. The Kalinga Lancers were leading by 1-0, when reports last came in. Enrique Gonzalez scored in the first quarter to put the Kalinga Lancers ahead in the match.

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In Border-Gavaskar Trophy Cricket, Australia registered a 184 run victory over India on the fifth and final day of the fourth test in Melbourne. With this loss, India has thin chances for reaching the World Test Championship Final.

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN.