THE HEADLINES:-
- Top leaders of political parties continue to campaign vigorously for the second phase of Lok sabha elections.
- President Draupadi Murmu addresses convocation ceremony at AIIMS Rishikesh; asks medical students to embrace rapid changes in medical science.
- RBI says conditions are shaping up for an upshift in real GDP growth.
- A Delhi Court extends judicial custody of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and BRS leader K Kavitha till 7th May.
- Two Naval Helicopters collide mid air in Malaysia killing 10 crew members.
- In sports, Archery World Cup begins at Shanghai in China; Indian women’s team finishes as best team in qualification round.
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Campaigning for second phase of Lok Sabha polls is in full swing, it will conclude tomorrow. Leaders of various political parties are holding multiple rallies across the country to woo the voters. Polling for this phase will take place in 89 constituencies of 13 states and union territories on Friday.
Prime Minister and senior BJP leader Narendra Modi addressed a public meeting in Janjgir Champa Lok Sabha constituency of Chhattisgarh. Mr Modi said NDA’s priority is the welfare of the poor, youth, women and farmers. He also addressed a public meeting in Dhamtari town under Mahasamund Lok Sabha constituency.
Earlier, Mr Modi also addressed an election rally at Uniara in Tonk-Sawai Madhopur Lok Sabha constituency in Rajasthan.
In Uttar Pradesh, Political Parties came out with all guns blazing on the penultimate day of the poll campaign for second phase of the elections. Senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh today campaigned for party candidate Mahesh Sharma in Gautam Budh Nagar district. Addressing a large gathering, he said now the state is known for its law and order, development, investment and good governance. Another senior BJP leader and Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath held a road show for Party candidate Arun govil in Meerut. He addressed rallies in Amroha and Baghpat districts of Western Uttar Pradesh earlier in the day. Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav held a rally in Aligarh district for the SP-Congress Alliance candidates Bijendra Singh from Aligarh and Jasveer Balmiki from Hathras. Bahujan Samaj Party Chief Mayawati also addressed a rally in Meerut district in support of party candidate Devbrat Tyagi.
In Madhya Pradesh, BJP National President JP Nadda addressed many election meetings. Addressing the gathering in Rewa, he said, for a developed India we need a stable, strong and decisive government.
In Karnataka, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra held a public rally in Chitradurga. Speaking on the occasion the Congress national General Secretary raised the issue of unemployment and price rise.
The Congress General Secretary also charged that the Central Government is not releasing funds to the states ruled by the Opposition parties. On the other hand, the BJP Karnataka President B Y Vijendra has criticised the Congress led state Government in Karnataka for its failure to safeguard women.
In Kerala, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a public meeting in Wayand this evening.Addressing the gathering, Mr Kharge said that the Congress manifesto is for the poor, youth, farmers and women. Earlier, addressing a public meeting at Chengannur, Mr Kharge said Congress will undertake a nation-wide caste based census not to divide the society, but to know more about people’s lives, education and income.
In West Bengal, senior BJP leader Amit Shah held a public meeting in Raiganj parliamentary constituency. Earlier he joined a road show in Malda Town in support of party’s Dakshin Malda candidate.
In Manipur, the polling teams for far flung areas started their journey to designated polling stations for the upcoming second phase of Lok Sabha Elections. Remaining teams for polling stations of two assembly segments under Pherzawl district will be dispatched by road tomorrow.
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A total of one thousand 351 candidates are in the fray for 95 Parliamentary Constituencies from 12 States and Union Territories in the third phase of the Lok Sabha Elections. This includes 8 contesting candidates for the adjourned poll in 29-Betul (ST) Parliamentary Constituency of Madhya Pradesh. Additionally, one candidate from Surat Parliamentary Constituency in Gujarat has been elected unopposed. The Commission added that a total of 2 thousand 963 nominations were filed for 95 Parliamentary Constituencies including Betul Lok Sabha seat across 12 States and UTs going for polls in the third phase. After the scrutiny of all nominations filed, one thousand 563 nominations were found valid. The polling will be held on 7th of May for this phase.
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In Jammu and Kashmir, the fate of 22 candidates will be decided by over 17.81 lakh voters of Jammu-Samba-Reasi Lok Sabha seat in the second phase of General elections to be held on Friday.
“Jammu Lok Sabha Constituency is a political powerhouse renowned for its significant influence in Indian politics. As for the 2024 candidates list in Jammu Lok Sabha Constituency, Jugal Kishore Sharma from BJP and Raman Bhalla from Congress are the prominent candidates. The 5-Jammu Parliamentary Constituency is spread over three districts including Jammu, Samba and Reasi with a total number of 17, 81, 545 voters out of which 9,21,462 are male 8,60,055 are female and 28 transgenders. The Constituency has 2416 polling stations and 18 Assembly segments. In 2014 and 2019, BJP won the Jammu Parliamentary Constituency, wherin the sitting Member of Parliament, Jugal Kishore Sharma emerged victorious. This is N. Gulshan Raina, For Akashvani News from Jammu.”
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President Draupadi Murmu has praised AIIMS for its top-tier medical education and service provision. The President was addressing the fourth convocation ceremony held at AIIMS Rishikesh today. President Murmu said that providing world-class education and service in medicine is the national achievement of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences-AIIMS. The President emphasized the ongoing rapid changes in medical science and urged students to embrace these changes, advocating for a commitment to lifelong learning.
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Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court today extended the judicial custody of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha till May the 7th, in connection with the money laundering case linked to the now scrapped Delhi excise policy. Special judge Kaveri Baweja directed the Tihar jail authorities to produce both Mr. Kejriwal and Ms. Kavitha through virtual conferencing on the May the 7th.
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The Reserve Bank of India’s April bulletin has said that conditions are shaping up for an extension of a trend upshift in real GDP growth, backed by strong investment demand and upbeat business and consumer sentiments. The article titled ‘State of the Economy’ said that CPI inflation settled at 4.9 percent in March after averaging 5.1 percent in the preceding two months. The article however warns that extreme weather events may pose a risk to inflation along with prolonged geo-political tensions that could keep crude oil prices volatile.
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External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar today said that India truly believes that a strong and unified Association of South East Asian Nations, ASEAN, can play a constructive role in the emerging regional architecture of the Indo-Pacific. Speaking at the First ASEAN Future Forum virtually, Dr. Jaishankar said the synergy between India’s Indo Pacific Ocean’s Initiative and the ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific provides a strong framework of cooperation addressing challenges to comprehensive security.
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A successful launch of the new variant of a Medium-Range Ballistic Missile was carried out under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command today. Ministry of Defence in a statement said the user launch has proven the operational capability of the Command and validated new technologies.
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Marking World Book Day, Sahitya Akademi organised a symposium on the “Value of Books” in New Delhi today. Speaking on the occasion, Sahitya Akademi Secretary K. Sreenivasrao emphasized the importance of books and urged everyone to carry forward the practice of reading. Mr Rao said from time immemorial, books in every form have been an integral part of human existence. He further added, that books allow discovery of various perspectives in life which is the foundation of growth.
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In Malaysia, atleast ten crew members were killed when two helicopters crashed midair while practicing for a naval parade today.
The Royal Malaysian Navy reported that the incident took place during a rehearsal for their upcoming 90th anniversary celebration at a naval base located in northern Perak state.
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In China, multiple days of heavy rains have lashed the southern Guangdong province, unleashing deadly floods and disrupting the lives of tens of millions of people trapped by rising waters. According to state media reports, the province has seen widespread flooding forcing more than one Lakh people to be relocated. The floods have killed at least four people in Guangdong, including a rescue worker. At least 10 people remain missing.
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The Archery World Cup 2024 has begun today at Shanghai in China. The Indian women’s team comprising top three scorers Vennam, Swami, and Parneet finished as the best team in the qualification round with a total score of 2118. The Indian women’s team will, thus, start as the top seeds in the competition ahead of South Korea and Mexico. The teams are ranked by adding the individual scores of the top three archers from the country. India’s Jyothi Surekha Vennam finished second in the women’s compound qualification round at Stage I. In the men’s compound qualification round, no Indian finished in the top 10 of the individual event.
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In IPL Cricket, Chennai Super Kings were 195 runs for 3 wickets in 19 overs against Lucknow Super Giants at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, a short while ago. For the Super Kings, skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad scored 107 runs from 59 balls.
Earlier, KL Rahul led LSG won the toss and elected to bowl against CSK.
LSG had beaten CSK in their previous encounter on Friday. Currently, CSK is at the 4th spot in the points table, whereas LSG is at the 5th spot.
Tomorrow, Gujarat Titans will take on Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
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Widespread light to moderate rainfall and snowfall accompanied with isolated thunderstorm is expected over North east India till the 29th of this month. India Meteorological Department has forecast rainfall over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Odisha and Sikkim for the next two to three days. Isolated rainfall, thunderstorm and lightning is very likely over Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada, and several parts of South India during next three to four days.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:-
- Top leaders of political parties continue to campaign vigorously for the second phase of Lok sabha elections.
- President Draupadi Murmu addresses convocation ceremony at AIIMS Rishikesh; asks medical students to embrace rapid changes in medical science.
- RBI says conditions are shaping up for an upshift in real GDP growth.
- A Delhi Court extends judicial custody of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and BRS leader K Kavitha till 7th May.
- Two Naval Helicopters collide mid air in Malaysia killing 10 crew members.
- In sports, Archery World Cup begins at Shanghai in China; Indian women’s team finishes as best team in qualification round.
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