THE HEADLINES:
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates Sonamarg Tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir; Says, improved connectivity will open doors for tourists to explore lesser-known regions of Union Territory.
• India summons top Bangladesh diplomat on border fencing issue; Says, New Delhi expects cooperative approach from Dhaka to combat cross-border crimes.
• Over one crore fifty lakh devotees take holy dip in Triveni Sangam on first day of Mahakumbh at Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh.
• India signs Haj agreement 2025 with Saudi Arabia, securing a quota for over one lakh 75 thousand Indian pilgrims.
• US imposes export restrictions on ‘AI chips’ to curb access by China.
• First Kho Kho World Cup kicks off in New Delhi with dazzling opening ceremony.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the prestigious Sonamarg Tunnel in Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir. The project has been constructed at a cost of over two thousand seven hundred crore rupees. The tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar Valley and Ladakh promoting tourism and giving boost to defense logistics in the region.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Prime Minister said, Jammu and Kashmir is becoming a hub of tunnels, high bridges, and ropeways.
The Prime Minister asserted that work is in progress on road-connectivity projects worth more than 42,000 crore rupees.
Underlining the significant contribution of the tourism sector to India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation, the Prime Minister remarked that improved connectivity will allow tourists to reach previously unexplored areas of Jammu and Kashmir.
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The Bangladesh Acting High Commissioner to India, Md. Nural Islam was today summoned by the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi. During the meeting, it was conveyed that with regard to security measures at the border, including on fencing, India observed all protocols and agreements between the two governments. The Ministry said, India conveyed its expectation that all earlier understandings will be implemented by Bangladesh and that there will a cooperative approach to combating cross-border crimes. India has also reiterated its commitment to ensuring a crime-free border by effectively addressing the challenges of cross-border criminal activities, smuggling, movement of criminals and trafficking. It said, barbed wire fencing, border lighting, installation of technical devices and cattle fences are measures for securing the border.
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Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi today emphasized that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir is under control and the region is witnessing a gradual shift from terrorism to tourism. General Dwivedi stated this during the Annual Press Conference of the Indian Army in New Delhi,
General Dwivedi said, the situation is sensitive but stable on the northern borders. He affirmed that the forces are well poised to deal with any adverse situation, and building a robust infrastructure at the border areas is the key priority of the Indian Army. He informed that 60 percent of terrorists eliminated last year were of Pakistan origin underlining the success of counter-terrorism operations.
On the eastern Ladakh front, General Dwivedi said that contentious issues at Demchok and Depsang have been resolved, allowing patrolling and traditional grazing activities in the areas.
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Odisha has become the 34th State and Union Territory to implement Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana- AB PM-JAY. Under this scheme health cover of five lakh rupees per year is provided for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization of every family. National Health Authority and Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Odisha signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi today in this regard.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today congratulated the people of Odisha over the implementation of AB PM-JAY.
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President Droupadi Murmu has said livestock plays an important role in the rural economy and rural household income. The President said this while virtually inaugurating Cow Induction, Giftmilk and Market support for Odisha State Cooperative Milk Producers’ Federation initiatives of the National Dairy Development Board from Rashtrapati Bhavan today.
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News from the Mahakumbh:-
Over one crore fifty lakh devotees and pilgrims took the holy dip in Triveni Sangam – a sacred confluence of rivers Ganga, Yamuna and ‘mythical’ Saraswati today on Paush Poornima, the first day of Mahakumbh at Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh. At the world’s largest spiritual and cultural gathering, flower petals were showered from helicopters on devotees welcoming them to the holy city.
The beginning of the Mahakumbh on the sacred banks of the Triveni Sangam is not just a religious gathering but a profound declaration of India’s ancient traditions and the world’s largest cultural confluence. It is a confluence of seven Akharas from the Shaivite tradition and three each from the Vaishnavite tradition and Udasin sect. It showcases the diverse yet unified spiritual streams. More than seven lakh Kalpvasis are participating in this month-long spiritual retreat. Every camp and event at the Maha Kumbh, from prayers to yajnas, reflects the spirit of “May the world be well, may all beings live in harmony.
A seven-tier security plan is in place for the 45-day mega event with over 50 thousand police personnel deployed to ensure the safety and security of the area. The grand event will continue till Mahashivaratri on the 26th February.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished people on the commencement of the Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj and several harvest festivals.
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Union Tourism and Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has said that Maha Kumbh 2025 is a landmark event not only for spiritual gatherings but also for global tourism. The Minister said this during an exclusive interview with Akashvani News.
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A digital exhibition organised by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting was inaugurated today at exhibition complex on Triveni Marg in Prayagraj. The exhibition is based on ‘Public Welfare through Public Participation’ and showcases the achievements, programs, policies and schemes of the Government of India in the last decade. The Digital exhibition will remain open free of charge for the public till the 26th of next month.
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Festivals of harvest known by different names are being celebrated across the country today. Lohri in North India, Magh Bihu in Assam and Bhogi in Karnataka are being celebrated with great fervour and enthusiasm.
Lohri marks the end of the long nights of winter and welcomes the longer days of summer, as the Sun begins its journey to the Northern Hemisphere.
On the occasion, a bonfire is lit in the evening to say goodbye to cold days. The festival is mostly associated with crop harvesting and happiness.
President and Vice President greeted the people on the auspicious occasion of Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, and Magh Bihu.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today participated in Pongal celebrations at the residence of Union Minister G Kishan Reddy in New Delhi. Mr Modi also witnessed a cultural programme.
In a social media post, Mr Modi said, Sankranti and Pongal are a celebration of gratitude, abundance and renewal, deeply rooted in the agricultural traditions of our culture.
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India signed a Haj agreement 2025 with Saudi Arabia. The agreement was inked between Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Saudi Arabia’s Minister for Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah in Jeddah. The agreement secures a quota of one lakh 75 thousand 25 pilgrims from India for the upcoming Haj pilgrimage.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has welcomed the agreement. In a social media post, Mr Modi said, the government is committed to ensuring improved pilgrimage experiences for the devotees.
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India’s retail inflation eased to four month low of 5.22 percent in December, down from 5.48 percent in the previous month of current fiscal year, as the rate of increase in food prices slowed. According to data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, inflation in rural areas stood at 5.76 percent compared to 4.58 percent in urban regions.
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National Test Agency, NTA has postponed the UGC NET December 2024 exam which was earlier scheduled on Wednesday. In a statement, NTA said, it has received representations to postpone the UGC NET examination on account of Pongal, Makar Sankranti and other festivals on 15th January. The new date of exam will be announced later. NTA said, the examination on 16th January will be conducted as per the earlier schedule.
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In the United States, the outgoing Biden administration has imposed new restrictions on exporting indigenously-developed AI chips, aiming to curb China’s military and industrial rise and blocking access to powerful AI chips and “closed” AI models. The decision, made just a week before President Biden is set to leave the office, is expected to heighten tensions with Beijing. US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo stated the rules are designed to protect advanced AI technology and prevent it from reaching foreign adversaries. China and Russia, already blocked from buying advanced chips, will face additional restrictions on “closed” AI models which are often used for sensitive applications, such as military or high-stakes commercial uses.
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The first edition of Kho Kho World Cup kicked off at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi this evening with a dazzling opening ceremony. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, alongside Indian Olympic Association President P. T. Usha and Kho Kho Federation of India President Sudhanshu Mittal, lit the ceremonial torch of the tournament, symbolizing the spirit of sportsmanship, unity, and the global celebration of India’s traditional sport. The historic event marked the global debut of the traditional Indian sport, with teams from 20 countries participating. The Kho-Kho Federation of India has selected 15-member squads for both the men’s and women’s categories. Prateek Waikar has been named captain of the men’s team, while Priyanka Ingle will lead the women’s team. All teams will compete in group-stage matches, after which the quarterfinals will be held on 17th of this month and the finals on 19th of January.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates Sonamarg Tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir; Says, improved connectivity will open doors for tourists to explore lesser-known regions of Union Territory.
• India summons top Bangladesh diplomat on border fencing issue; Says, New Delhi expects cooperative approach from Dhaka to combat cross-border crimes.
• Over one crore fifty lakh devotees take holy dip in Triveni Sangam on first day of Mahakumbh at Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh.
• India signs Haj agreement 2025 with Saudi Arabia, securing a quota for over one lakh 75 thousand Indian pilgrims.
• US imposes export restrictions on ‘AI chips’ to curb access by China.
• First Kho Kho World Cup kicks off in New Delhi with dazzling opening ceremony.
