THE HEADLINES:
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserts his government’s model of development is ‘Nation First’, focusing on satisfaction rather than appeasement.
• Replying to discussion in Rajya Sabha on Motion of thanks, Prime Minister says, government prioritizing skill development, financial inclusion, and industrialization to foster growth.
• External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar briefs Parliament on US deportation issue; Says it is obligation of all countries to take back their nationals living illegally abroad.
• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his US counterpart Pete Hegseth review defence cooperation between the two countries; Agree to support growing defence innovation collaboration.
• And in Cricket, India beat England by four wickets in first ODI in Nagpur.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today asserted that his government’s model of development is ‘Nation First’, which focuses on “satisfaction” rather than appeasement. He said, people have tested, understood and supported this model and therefore gave his government the mandate for the third time. The Prime Minister was speaking in the Rajya Sabha while replying to a discussion on the Motion of Thanks to President Droupadi Murmu’s address to the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament. Taking a dig at the Congress, the Prime Minister said, the Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas model of governance is incomprehensible for the Congress as the whole party is dedicated to one family.
Mr Modi said, the journey from being a developing to developed nation passes through infrastructure development. He said, 25 crore people of the country have moved out of poverty and become part of the neo middle class. Mr Modi also talked about Mudra Yojana and Startup India scheme, saying the initiatives are fulfilling the dreams of millions of people. He said, the government has prioritized skill development, financial inclusion, and industrialization to foster growth.
After the Prime Minister’s reply, the Upper House adopted the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address, negating the amendments of several opposition MPs by voice vote. Later, the Raya Sabha was adjourned for the day.
Meanwhile, the issue of Deportation of Indian nationals from the USA today rocked both Houses of Parliament as the opposition demanded a discussion on the issue. Making a statement on the issue in the Rajya Sabha External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar today said the process of deportation of illegal immigrants is a generally accepted principle in international relations, asserting that it is in the collective interest of the nations to increase legal mobility. He said it is obligatory for nations to take back their citizens who are found living illegally in other countries.
Dr Jaishankar made similar statement in the Lok Sabha amid din by the Opposition members. As the ruckus continued after his statement the Speaker adjourned the House for the day.
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The government today informed the Rajya Sabha that the construction of 12 Nuclear Power Plants have been accorded administrative approval and financial sanction since 2014. In a written reply, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Prime Minister’s Office Dr. Jitendra Singh said, 10 indigenous 700 MW Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors will be set up in fleet mode and two units of Light Water Reactors will be set up in cooperation with Russian Federation at Kudankulam.
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The government today said over 90 lakh houses have been completed and delivered to the beneficiaries so far under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban. In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, Tokhan Sahu said, over 1 crore 18 lakh houses have been sanctioned, out of which over 1 crore 12 lakh houses are under construction.
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Labour and Employment Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya today said that the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has reached a significant milestone by surpassing 5 crore claim settlements in the financial year 2024-25, exceeding the 4.45 crore claims settled in the previous year. Dr. Mandaviya attributed this achievement to a series of transformative reforms introduced by EPFO to streamline the claim settlement process and reduce member grievances.
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Union Education Minister Dharmedra Pradhan today slammed some political leaders including the Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi for their alleged statements distorting the progressive educational reforms into imagined threats in order to uphold their political narratives. Mr Pradhan called their remarks unfortunate and concerning. He said, UGC draft regulations aim to expand opportunities, not limit them. He added that they preserve institutional autonomy and celebrate linguistic diversity and also strengthen academic institutions, rather than undermine them.
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All preparations are in the final phase for the counting of votes for the Delhi Assembly elections to be taken up on Saturday. Overall 60.42 per cent of voters exercised their franchise in yesterday’s polling to decide the political fate of 699 candidates. The Election Commission said, EVMs have been kept in the strong rooms, which are under a constant vigil of the commission and police officials. The Poll body said, 19 counting centres have been set up in 11 districts of Delhi for counting of votes.
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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth today reviewed the India-US defence cooperation spanning across multiple domains including land, air, maritime and space. During their phone conversation, Mr. Singh congratulated Mr Hegseth for his appointment as the US Secretary of Defense. Both the leaders appreciated the bilateral defence partnership, and reaffirmed their commitment to deepen the ties.
The two Ministers have decided to work together on technology cooperation, integration of defence industrial supply chains, enhanced interoperability, logistics and information sharing and joint military exercises. They also agreed to provide enhanced support to the growing defence innovation collaboration between the governments, start-ups, businesses and academic institutions.
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External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar and Greece Foreign Affairs Minister George Gerapetritis held a bilateral meeting in New Delhi today. Both leaders expressed their view on a wide gamut of bilateral relationships. During the meeting, Dr. Jaishankar highlighted the importance of India-Greece partnership saying that India wants trade, investment, and technology collaboration.
The Greece Foreign Affairs Minister said that the bilateral relations between Greece and India have been upscaled in the last couple of years.
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The 5th Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting between the Ministry of Defence of India and Spain was held in New Delhi today. During the meeting, both sides reviewed the ongoing bilateral defence cooperation activities and discussed the plan for multiple joint activities, including in the maritime domain. In a statement, the defence ministry said they agreed to focus on a closer collaboration in defence, particularly in technology and armament production areas.
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Janjatiya Yuva Kumbh was organised at the Mahakumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj today under the Janjati Sanskritik Samagam. More than eight thousand tribal youths from across the country participated in the Yuva Kumbh. Our correspondent reports that during the event 25 youth from different states who have done excellent work for the tribal community, were awarded.
India is home to around 11 crore Scheduled Tribe population, which shows the rich and tribal heritage of the country. During the Yuva Kumbh, the tribal youth took a pledge to protect culture and tradition of Tribals. Talking to Akashvani News, the young participants said that they will work for the empowerment of tribal community and self reliant India.
The national president of Akhil Bharatiya Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, Satyendra Singh said that Shobha Yatra will be taken out tomorrow and the people of tribal community will take a holy dip in Triveni Sangam.
120 cultural dance groups from across the country will also showcase their traditional art at Mahakumbh from tomorrow. With Dipendra kumar, Aman yadav, Akashwani news Prayagraj.
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In Men’s Cricket, India registered a dominant four-wicket victory over England in the first ODI of the three match series in Nagpur. With the win, the Men in Blue are leading the series 1-nil.
Chasing a target of 249 runs, India overhauled the score, posting 251 for the loss of six wickets in 38,4 overs. Earlier, opting to bat after winning the toss, England were bundled out for 248 runs in 47.4 overs. The second match of the series will be played in Cuttack on Sunday.
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At the ongoing 38th National Games in Uttarakhand, Neeraj Kumar from Services won the gold medal in the Men’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions event with an exceptional performance. In archery, there was fierce competition. In the Men’s Recurve event, Juel Sarkar from West Bengal clinched the gold medal, with Services taking the silver and Sikkim the bronze.
In the Women’s Recurve Team event, the Maharashtra team bagged the gold, while Jharkhand won silver and Haryana secured the bronze.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserts his government’s model of development is ‘Nation First’, focusing on satisfaction rather than appeasement.
• Replying to discussion in Rajya Sabha on Motion of thanks, Prime Minister says, government prioritizing skill development, financial inclusion, and industrialization to foster growth.
• External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar briefs Parliament on US deportation issue; Says it is obligation of all countries to take back their nationals living illegally abroad.
• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his US counterpart Pete Hegseth review defence cooperation between the two countries; Agree to support growing defence innovation collaboration.
• And in Cricket, India beat England by four wickets in first ODI in Nagpur.
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