THE HEADLINES:-
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi launches multiple developmental projects in Delhi worth over 12 thousand crore rupees to enhance regional connectivity; Lauds India’s remarkable achievement of attaining third-largest metro-rail network in the world.
- Government announces development of indigenous technology by CSIR to produce widely used paracetamol medicine.
- Three crew members killed as Indian Coast Guard helicopter crashes at Porbandar Airport Runway in Gujarat.
- Biting cold wave sweeps across North India; Dense fog hits train and flight services.
- Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurates NCC Republic Day Camp-2025 in Delhi; Emphasizes on role of nationalism in India’s development.
- In Sports, Varun Tomar clinches both, senior and junior Men’s 10-meter Air Pistol titles at 67th National Shooting Championship in Delhi.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple developmental projects in Delhi worth over 12,200 crore rupees. The key focus of the slew of projects is to enhance regional connectivity and ensure ease of travel. Mr Modi also inaugurated a 13-kilometer stretch of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Namo Bharat corridor between Sahibabad and New Ashok Nagar. The Prime Minister undertook a ride in Namo Bharat Train. A 2.8-kilometer stretch between Janakpuri and Krishna Park of Delhi Metro Phase-IV was also inaugurated on the occasion. The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the new state-of-the-art building for the Central Ayurveda Research Institute at Rohini.
Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Modi highlighted that India’s metro network has now reached one thousand kilometers and lauded it as a remarkable achievement. Mr Modi noted that over the past ten years, India has become the third-largest country in the world in terms of metro rail network. He emphasized that during the current tenure of their government, India will have the second-largest metro network in the world. More from our correspondent:
“The Prime Minister said that the government’s primary focus has been on infrastructure development. He noted that ten years ago, the budget for infrastructure was around two lakh crore rupees, which has now increased to over 11 lakh crore rupees. He added that emphasis has been on modern connectivity, particularly within cities and connecting one city to another. Prime Minister also said that India has immense potential to become the world’s health and wellness capital. He remarked that the day is not far when, along with “Make in India,” the world will also adopt “Heal in India” as a mantra. With Anand Kumar, Suparna Saikia, Akashvani News, Delhi.”
Later, Prime Minister Modi addressed a rally at Swarn Jayanti Park in Rohini. Speaking at the rally, Mr Modi accused the AAP ruled Delhi government of wasting a decade fighting with the Centre. He urged the people of city to give the BJP an opportunity to turn the national capital into a city of the future. Mr Modi said, the next 25 years are crucial for the development of Delhi.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the Namo Bharat project showcases the future of public transport in developed Indian cities.
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Science and Technology Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh today announced that Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-CSIR has developed an indigenous technology to produce Paracetamol, a widely used pain reliever and fever reducer drug. Addressing the Foundation Day of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research in New Delhi, the Minister said that this innovation aims to make India self-reliant in paracetamol manufacturing and reducing dependence on imported ingredients to make this drug.
Dr Singh also highlighted that there has been a series of indigenous developments like India’s 1st Indigenously developed Antibiotic-Nafithromycin to treat both atypical and typical drug-resistant bacteria.
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Three crew members were killed after a helicopter of the Indian Coast Guard crashed at Porbandar Airport Runway in Gujarat today. The helicopter was on a routine training sortie. It had two Pilots and one Air Crew Diver at the time of incident.
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) said in a statement that the reasons leading to the incident are being investigated by a Board of Inquiry. ICG saluted the three brave souls who laid down their lives in the line of service to the nation.
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Exchange of fishermen between India and Bangladesh completed at the international maritime Border in Bay of Bengal this evening. 95 Indian fishermen, who were detained in Bangladesh for allegedly violating international border are returning to India. Similarly, 90 Bangladeshi fishermen returned to their country. Freed Indian fishermen are inhabitants of Kakdwip sub division in West Bengal. They will return to Sagar Island tomorrow where West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will meet them.
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National Security Advisor Ajit Doval will meet his US counterpart Jake Sullivan in New Delhi tomorrow. There will be extensive discussions on matters related to Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) and other bilateral issues, during the meeting. During his visit, Mr. Sullivan will meet with External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar.
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The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested a key accused in the Phulwari Sharif PFI terror funding module case. The case is related to alleged involvement of cadres of banned organisation Popular Front of India (PFI) in unlawful and anti-national activities in Bihar. The agency made the arrest of Mohammed Sajjad Alam yesterday from the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport in the National Capital on the arrival of accused from Dubai. As per NIA investigation, the accused was involved in channelising illegal funds from Dubai to PFI cadres in Bihar through UAE, Karnataka and Kerala based syndicates for promoting the PFI’s criminal and unlawful activities.
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Bone-chilling cold wave continued to sweep across North India, with dense fog being witnessed in several parts, bringing life to a near standstill in the region. Movement of several trains and flights were affected in these areas due to low visibility caused by dense fog. In the National Capital, around fifty trains were delayed at New Delhi Railway Station while around hundred filghts at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi were impacted. Delhi International Airport Limited requested the Passengers to contact the concerned airlines for updated flight information.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said, dense fog conditions are likely to prevail during morning and night hours in some parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan during the next 2 to 3 days. The IMD has forecast light to moderate rainfall and snowfall over Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, and Himachal Pradesh tomorrow.
In Jammu and Kashmir, intense cold weather conditions are prevailing across the Valley. Srinagar and other areas in the plains received moderate to heavy rainfall and snow today. We have a report:
“Almost all districts including tourist places, plains and hilly areas across Kashmir region received moderate to heavy rain and snow. Tourists are seen enjoying snowfall at main tourist places like Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam. Authorities have urged residents, tourists and transporters to follow traffic and other advisories to avoid inconvenience. The Administration has put in place district level control rooms for all kinds of facilitation to public and tourists. Tariq Rather, Akashvani News Srinagar “
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The Commission of Air Quality Management (CAQM) Sub-Committee on Graded Response Action Plan GRAP, has revoked restrictions under Stage-III of on Graded Response Action Plan in the entire National Capital Region with immediate effect today, citing an improvement in pollution levels in the capital and surrounding areas. However, all actions under Stages two and one will remain in force.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) has been recorded as 335 at 5 PM and the forecast suggests that the AQI levels will further go down.
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Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar today inaugurated National Cadet Corps (NCC) Republic Day Camp-2025 in Delhi. Speaking on the occasion, the Vice-President said, no country can grow unless its citizens are deeply committed to nationalism. The Vice-President highlighted that the nation’s transformation rests on five basic Pillars, namely, social harmony, imbibing patriotic values at grassroots, environmental awareness, self reliance, and civic duties.
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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 Civil Aviation. Our correspondent has filed this report:
“Ministry of Civil Aviation has undertaken several initiatives to boost the aviation sector. In December 2024, Parliament passed Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam Act, modernizing the 90-year-old Aircraft Act to align with contemporary needs and global standards. The government also introduced significant infrastructure development projects including laying the foundation stone for new terminals at Varanasi, Agra, Darbhanga, and Bagdogra. Since the launch of UDAN scheme, 619 Routes and 88 Operational Airports have been operationalised across the country to enhance connectivity. In 2024, the number of domestic passengers carried by scheduled domestic Indian Carriers witnessed a growth of 5.9 per cent as compared to the previous year. Pallavi Parmar, Akashvani News, Delhi”
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In Bihar, the three-day-long celebration of Prakash Utsav to mark the 358th birth anniversary of the 10th and last Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh is underway at Takht Shri Harimandir Sahib in Patna City.
On the second day of the celebrations today, a grand Nagar Kirtan was taken out through different parts of Patna. The celebrations will conclude tomorrow midnight with ‘Kirtan Darbar’ and ‘Akhand Path.
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In Uttar Pradesh, security has been ramped up in the holy city of Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh Mela set to begin later this month. The Mela in Prayagraj is expected to draw around 40 crore people.
For the safety of the devotees, a large number of Jal Police personnel have been deployed. Indian Railways has decided to operate 13,000 trains during the Mela to cater to the massive influx of pilgrims.
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Reigning Asian champion Varun Tomar from Indian Army clinched both the senior and the junior Men’s 10-meter Air Pistol titles at the 67th National Shooting Championship Competitions in New Delhi today. The 21-year-old Army marksman overcame a sluggish start in the senior final to snatch his maiden national crown. Varun’s teammate Pradhyumn Singh won Sliver, while Rajasthan’s Aakash Bhardwaj bagged Bronze medal.
Varun also won the Men’s Junior 10-meter Air Pistol event, his teammate Pradhyumn Singh grabbed the second medal of the day, a Bronze while Nikhil Saroha of Uttar Pradesh won Silver medal.
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In Hockey India League, Soorma Hockey Club defeated Defending champion Vedanta Kalinga Lancers 4-3 at Rourkela. The other match between Tamil Nadu Dragons and UP Rudras is underway at the same venue.
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In Indian Super League Football, the match between Punjab FC and Kerala Blasters FC is underway in New Delhi. The Kerala Blasters were leading the match 1-0, when the reports last came in.
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In Test Cricket, Australia defeated India by six wickets in the fifth and final Test match in Sydney, and clinched the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, 3-1. With this victory, Australia have also qualified for the final of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-2025. They will face South Africa in the final, which is to be held in June this year.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi launches multiple developmental projects in Delhi worth over 12 thousand crore rupees to enhance regional connectivity; Lauds India’s remarkable achievement of attaining third-largest metro-rail network in the world.
- Government announces development of indigenous technology by CSIR to produce widely used paracetamol medicine.
- Three crew members killed as Indian Coast Guard helicopter crashes at Porbandar Airport Runway in Gujarat.
- Biting cold wave sweeps across North India; Dense fog hits train and flight services.
- Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurates NCC Republic Day Camp-2025 in Delhi; Emphasizes on role of nationalism in India’s development.
- In Sports, Varun Tomar clinches both, senior and junior Men’s 10-meter Air Pistol titles at 67th National Shooting Championship in Delhi.
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