THE HEADLINES:
• India lodges protest over China’s announcement of establishing two new counties in Ladakh region.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticizes Aam Aadmi Party over misgovernance and corruption in Delhi; Launches slew of development projects.
• EPFO’s centralized Pension Payments System operationalised enabling people to access their pensions from any bank.
• Government clarifies there is no cause for alarm over reports of spread of HMP virus in China.
• And, India unveils trophies and mascots for Kho Kho World Cup in New Delhi today.
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External Affairs Ministry today said that India has urged the Chinese side to ensure that the interests of downstream states of the Brahmaputra are not harmed by activities in upstream areas. Replying to a query on hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that as a lower riparian state with established user rights to the waters of the river, New Delhi has reiterated its concerns.
Replying to another query, the spokesperson said they have seen the announcement pertaining to the establishment of two new counties in Hotan Prefecture of China. Parts of jurisdiction of these so-called counties fall in India’s Union Territory of Ladakh.
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A delegation level talk was held between the Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives Abdulla Khaleel in New Delhi today.
During his opening remarks, Dr. Jaishankar said, both the countries increased their engagements in various sectors. He reiterated that India always stood with Maldives and the country has facilitated the exports of essential commodities to Maldives.
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India has extended humanitarian assistance to Bolivia to support tackling of forest fires. In a social media post, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal said that the consignment consisting of fire fighting gears, first-aid kit, medicines and other utilities has departed for Bolivia. Overall, 16 tons of fire-fighting equipment and related relief material will be sent. He also added that the assistance would also help in tackling environmental crisis and health issues caused by forest fires.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched a scathing attack on the Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi accusing it of pushing the city into disaster during its decade long rule. Mr Modi used the term Sheesh Mahal to hit out at AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal for allegedly spending huge amount for luxurious facilities at his residence as Chief Minister. The Prime Minister said, he could have built a Sheesh Mahal for himself but prioritized housing for the poor. Mr Modi stated this while inaugurating and laying the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth over 4500 crore rupees in Delhi. He said, AAP has failed in providing proper water, sewer and other facilities in colonies.
Outlining the vision for 2025, Mr Modi emphasized it is a year for India to become the world’s largest manufacturing hub, empowering youth for start-ups and entrepreneurship.
Mr Modi inaugurated around 1700 newly constructed flats for the dwellers of JJ clusters and handed over keys to eligible beneficiaries in Ashok Vihar, in the national capital.
Besides, the Prime Minister also inaugurated the Central Board of Secondary Education’s Integrated Office Complex at Dwarka built at around 300 crore rupees.
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Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has said that India is the third largest startup ecosystem in the world with over 110 Unicorn startups. Interacting with the media on Indian Startups in New Delhi today, the Minister said that the country’s startup journey over the past nine years has been transformational as well as inspiring for countless individuals with innovative ideas.
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Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan has stated that in order to bridge the gap between the losses faced by farmers and the compensation they receive through crop insurance, these losses will now be surveyed using satellites. Addressing a gathering of farmers at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra at Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University in Nashik, Mr. Chouhan explained that when the prices of onions or other crops rise, leading to complaints from people in urban areas, the amount received by farmers does not increase.
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The final inspection of the Katra-Reasi section of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) will be conducted by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) before the 15th of this month. Indian Railways is expected to introduce a new Vande Bharat train and two Mail and Express trains for Jammu and Kashmir. These trains will operate between Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar railway stations and will be maintained by the Northern Railway zone.
“The CRS inspection report will pave way for running the train from Delhi to Srinagar thereby completing the rail link from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. Talking to Akashvani, Northern Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer Himanshu Upadhyay outlined the progress on the remaining work on USBRL project. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to virtually inaugurate the Jammu Railway Division from New Delhi after a couple of days, marking a significant stride towards connectivity of Kashmir with rest of the country. TARIQ RATHER, Akashvani News, Srinagar.”
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North Central Railway has introduced a new, tech-savvy way for Maha Kumbh attendees to book their train tickets. Railway staff will wear green jackets with QR codes. By scanning the code, passengers can access the UTS app to book unreserved tickets digitally, reducing wait times. This initiative is designed to simplify the ticketing process for the millions of devotees expected to visit Prayagraj during Mahakumbh.
These employees will be stationed at key locations within the railway premises to assist devotees in booking their tickets conveniently.
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Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation, EPFO’s Centralized Pension Payments System is now fully operationalised across the country. Pension worth about one thousand 570 crore rupees was disbursed to more than 68 lakh pensioners pertaining to all 122 pension disbursing Regional offices of EPFO for December last.
Labour and Employment Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya said, this modern system will ensure that pensioners can access their pensions from any bank, anywhere in the country swiftly and hassle-free.
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The Government today said that there is no cause for alarm in the country over the reports of the spread of HMPV (human metapneumovirus) in China. Talking to reporters, Director General Health Services, Atul Goel said, it is like any other respiratory virus that causes flu-like symptoms mostly in elders and kids. He also said, the country is fully prepared to deal with any situation of this kind.
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Akashvani News brings you glimpses of 2024 in its special series. Today, we take a look at the key initiatives and achievements of the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region.
“The Ministry has achieved substantial goals focusing on Policy Reforms, Impact driven initiatives and Innovative ideas. A total of 86 projects worth around One thousand 970 crore rupees have been sanctioned for various schemes and development projects of the North Eastern Region. At the beginning of last year the Ministry organized Vividhtaka Amrit Mahotsav to showcase the rich diversity of Northeast India, blending traditional arts, crafts, and cultures under one vibrant umbrella. Bharatiya Kala Mahotsav was also held to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the North-Eastern States. It gave over 300 talented artists and artisans from these regions the opportunity to showcase their diverse traditions. The highlight of 2024 was the first ever Ashtalakhsmi Mahotsav which was organized to showcase Northeast India’s vibrant textile sector, tourism opportunities, traditional craftsmanship, and distinctive Geographical Indication tagged products. Over 250 artisans displayed unique handicrafts, handlooms, and agri-horti products, including 34 GI-tagged items. North Eastern Region Agri-Commodity e-Connect app was also launched to connect farmers of the areas to the global market. SUMIT SAHA FOR AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI.”
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The Indian Navy is set to commission three frontline combatants-‘Nilgiri,’ the lead ship of the Project 17A stealth frigate class; ‘Surat,’ the fourth and final ship of the Project 15B stealth destroyer class; and ‘Vaghsheer,’ the sixth and final submarine of the Scorpene-class project-at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai on 15 January.
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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall and snowfall over Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit, Baltistan and Muzaffarabad during the next two days due to western disturbance. Heavy rainfall is also likely over Himachal Pradesh on 5th and 6th January. Light to moderate rainfall accompanied with thunderstorms is also likely over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Uttarakhand on Sunday.
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Trophies and Mascots for the first Kho Kho World Cup to be held in India were unveiled in New Delhi today. The tournament, scheduled from January 13 to 19, will feature 21 men’s teams and 20 women’s teams from 24 countries. The mascots are gazelles named Tejas and Tara.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN.
• India lodges protest over China’s announcement of establishing two new counties in Ladakh region.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticizes Aam Aadmi Party over misgovernance and corruption in Delhi; Launches slew of development projects.
• EPFO’s centralized Pension Payments System operationalised enabling people to access their pensions from any bank.
• Government clarifies there is no cause for alarm over reports of spread of HMP virus in China.
• And, India unveils trophies and mascots for Kho Kho World Cup in New Delhi today.
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