THE HEADLINES:
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi calls upon people to make unity our guiding principle and work with understanding that service to nation is service to divine.
• Uttar Pradesh government announces additional bonus to sanitation and health workers and bus drivers for their continuous services during Maha Kumbh.
• Prime Minister Modi chairs high-level meeting to review Ayush sector; Reiterates government’s commitment to strengthen the sector.
• External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar and President of European Commission explore ways to boost India-Europe engagement.
• And in Women’s Premier League Cricket, Gujarat Giants elect to field against Royal Challengers Bangalore in Bengaluru.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the tradition of Mahakumbh has been reinvigorating India’s national consciousness for thousands of years, showing new ways to the country and society. Mr Modi said, this time the Mahakumbh of this kind came after 144 years and has given the message of a new chapter in India’s development journey. He said, the message is of Viksit Bharat. Mr Modi penned down these thoughts in a blog shared today. The Prime Minister said, as a citizen, he prays that we draw new inspiration from the memories of our ancestors and saints. He called upon people to make unity our guiding principle and work with the understanding that service to the nation is service to the divine. The Prime Minister said, people from every region, including abroad, caste and ideology were one in the Maha Kumbh.
“The Prime Minister said, it was Ekta Ka Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, where the sentiments of 140 crore Indians converged at the same place, at the same time, for this sacred occasion. Mr Modi said, every devotee came with one purpose taking a dip in the Sangam, the holy confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati. He said, it filled every pilgrim with enthusiasm, energy, and confidence. He said, the world watched in wonder how crores of people gathered at Prayagraj. The Prime Minister said, these people had no formal invitations, no prior communication on when to go. Yet crores of people left for the Mahakumbh of their own accord and felt the bliss of taking a dip in the sacred waters. He hoped that this Ekta Ka Mahakumbh help the nation move ahead with new resolutions. Mr Modi called upon everyone to make unity the guiding principle to work with the understanding that service to the nation is service to the divine. Anupam Mishra, Akashvani News, Delhi.”
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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced that the state government will provide an additional bonus of 10,000 rupees to the sanitation and health workers, bus who continuously provided their services in the Maha Kumbh. The Chief Minister interacted with the sanitation, health, bus operators, and policemen associated with the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj today. Mr. Yogi also honored the employees who made the Maha Kumbh a success. He announced that 16,000 rupees per month will be given to the sanitation and health workers who do not receive the minimum wage.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today chaired a high-level meeting in New Delhi to review the Ayush sector. In the meeting, the Prime Minister emphasized the sector’s significant contributions in promoting preventive healthcare, boosting rural economies through medicinal plant cultivation, and enhancing the country’s global standing as a leader in traditional medicine. He highlighted the sector’s resilience and growth, noting its increasing acceptance worldwide and its potential to drive sustainable development and employment generation. The Prime Minister reiterated that the government is committed to strengthening the Ayush sector with a focus on research and innovation. He also emphasised the need to promote holistic and integrated health and standard protocols for Yoga, Naturopathy, and the Pharmacy Sector. The meeting was attended by Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Dr. PK Mishra, and other senior officials.
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President Draupadi Murmu has lauded the critical role played by the design sector in providing innovative solutions to contemporary challenges. Addressing the 44th convocation of the National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad, the president said design acts as a bridge between tradition and modernity. She said, this fusion fosters innovation and preserves our rich heritage. President Murmu stressed the need to study and document India’s rich design systems, especially the older, lesser-known designs. Highlighting the role of design in bringing social change, the President praised the Indian design industry and institutions like NID for providing innovative solutions to real-world problems. Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel were also present on the occasion.
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Union Home Minister Amit Shah today hailed the contribution of social reformer Nanaji Deshmukh, saying some people leave a lasting impact and become the reason for the change of an era. Mr. Shah was addressing a programme organized to pay tributes to Deshmukh on his 15th death anniversary at Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh. Recalling his contribution in the fields of art, politics, industry, and the service sector, Mr. Shah said he left an indelible impact in all these areas. He said 60 crore people have got houses, toilets, free rations, and free health coverage of 5 lakh rupees in the last 10 years.
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Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, launched a series of major initiatives by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways aimed at modernising India’s maritime infrastructure, strengthening its global trade presence, and promoting sustainability. These initiatives were launched during a stakeholder meeting in Mumbai today to discuss various possibilities stemming from the major announcements made in the Union Budget for the maritime sector. The initiatives include ‘One Nation-One Port Process (ONOP),’ to standardise and streamline operations across India’s major ports.
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External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar called on President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen this evening. In a social media post, Dr Jaishankar said he appreciates Ms von der Leyen’s thoughts on reenergizing India’s engagement with Europe. He said the wide ranging participation of Indian Ministers and EU College of Commissioners during this visit stands testimony to the importance placed on deeper India-EU ties.
President of the European Commission arrived in New Delhi today for the first visit of EU College of Commissioners to India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold delegation level talks with the President of the European Commission tomorrow. Our correspondent reports that 22 of the 27 EU Commissioners are on a two day visit to India. This is the first ever visit of the EU College of Commissioners together to India. The visit will pave the way for further strengthening of bilateral relations based on growing convergences.
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NITI Aayog today said that India holds the 5th position among the world’s top economies, boasting a staggering chained real GDP of 4.3 trillion dollars in 2025. In a social media post, NITI Aayog cited the International Monetary Fund, saying India’s chained real GDP has witnessed a significant surge from 2.4 trillion dollars in 2015 to 4.3 trillion dollars in 2025. India also recorded the highest inflation-adjusted growth of 77 percent among the top 20 countries, surpassing major economies like China and the United States.
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Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw today said that India’s IT sector hit 282 billion dollars in revenue in the Financial Year 2024-25. In a social media post, Mr. Vaishnaw said 90 thousand patents were filed, and exports in the IT sector reached 224 billion dollars in 2024-25.
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The ‘Make the World Wear Khadi’ campaign will be part of the inaugural World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit or WAVES. The campaign aims to blend India’s rich textile heritage with global fashion trends, offering an exciting challenge to advertising professionals and freelancers. This challenge is a part of the Create in India Challenges, which is a flagship WAVES initiative. Over 73 thousand creative minds from worldwide have already registered in the challenge.
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Prasar Bharati Chairman Navneet Kumar Sehgal has emphasized the importance of engaging the youth and expanding the reach of radio, particularly in urban areas. Mr. Sehgal visited Akashvani Ahmedabad today and reviewed the operations of the station’s studios, news, and programme units.
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In Telangana, the rescue teams are yet to establish contact with the trapped persons while efforts have been intensified. They have begun cutting parts of the Tunnel Boring Machine and other obstacles that are preventing them from reaching the spot where they can search for the individuals. Nagarkurnool Superintendent of Police Vaibhav Gaikwad said the debris transportation can be taken up after the repair of the conveyor belt in the tunnel.
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Met Department has issued orange alerts for rainfall and snowfall over Jammu & Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh for the next 2 days. Yellow alerts for rainfall in North Punjab and Uttrakhand has also been issued. National Capital Delhi will witness drizzle along with thunderstorms for the next three days.
The weather department also predicted a gradual fall in maximum temperature over the next two days and an increase thereafter.
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Uttarakhand experienced snowfall today in the higher altitudes and rainfall in the lower regions, leading to a drop in temperature. There are reports of snowfall in the high Himalayan areas of the state, including Harsil-Mukhba in Uttarkashi district. The Meteorological Department has predicted rainfall in various parts of the state today and tomorrow, with snowfall expected in higher-altitude areas. An orange alert has also been issued for heavy to very heavy snowfall in the high-altitude regions of Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Tehri Garhwal, Pithoragarh, and Bageshwar districts tomorrow.
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In Women’s Premier League Cricket, Royal Challengers Bengaluru have set a target of 126 runs before Gujarat Giants in Bengaluru. Earlier, put to bat first Royal Challengers posted 125 runs losing 7 wickets in stipulated 20 overs.
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In the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy, the match between hosts Pakistan and Bangladesh at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium has been called off without a single ball being bowled due to incessant rain. Hosting an ICC tournament for the first time in 29 years, Pakistan thus ended their disastrous campaign without registering a single victory. Bangladesh, too, concluded their journey without a win.
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Ministers for State Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying S.P. Singh Baghel and George Kurian today conferred the awards to the winners of Prani Mitra and Jeev Daya Awards at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. This initiative aims to recognize outstanding individuals and organizations for their remarkable contributions to animal welfare and protection.
Speaking to the media, Mr. Baghel said that these awards raise awareness among citizens, and the awardees will also inspire other people.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi calls upon people to make unity our guiding principle and work with understanding that service to nation is service to divine.
• Uttar Pradesh government announces additional bonus to sanitation and health workers and bus drivers for their continuous services during Maha Kumbh.
• Prime Minister Modi chairs high-level meeting to review Ayush sector; Reiterates government’s commitment to strengthen the sector.
• External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar and President of European Commission explore ways to boost India-Europe engagement.
• And in Women’s Premier League Cricket, Royal Challengers Bangalore set a target of 126 runs before Gujarat Giants in Bengaluru.
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