Evening News -

THE HEADLINES:

• In his Mann Ki Baat on Akashvani, Prime Minister urges citizens to make ‘Catch The Rain’ a mass movement.

• Centre extends Armed Forces Special Powers Act in Manipur, parts of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh for six months.

• Indian Navy Ships sail with humanitarian aid to earthquake hit Myanmar; Death toll rises above 1700.

• Iran rejects direct negotiations with United States over its nuclear programme.

• President Droupadi Murmu extends greetings to people on eve of Eid-ul-Fitr.

• And, In the Asian Championships, Indian wrestlers Udit and Deepak Punia to play for gold in freestyle event in Jordan.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated, laid the foundation stone and dedicated development projects worth more than 33,700 crores rupees related to power, road, rail, oil & gas, education and housing at Mohbhatta in Bilaspur district of Chhattisgarh.

Addressing a public meeting on this occasion, the Prime Minister said that a new era of permanent peace is being seen in the Naxal-affected areas of Chhattisgarh. He said that roads, electricity and mobile network along with health and other facilities are being provided in the remote tribal areas of the state.

In recent years, many schools have been reopened in Naxal-affected areas. Mr Modi said that the fate of Chhattisgarh is changing. The Prime Minister said that Dharti Aba Janjati Utkarsh Abhiyan has been started for the development of tribal areas.

During the programme, Grihapravesh of 3 lakh beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin was held . The Prime Minister handed over the keys of houses to 3 lakh beneficiaries of this scheme. Mr Modi said that his government does not just build four walls, but also builds the lives of the people living in these houses.

On this occasion, the Prime Minister flagged off the MEMU train service on the Abhanpur-Raipur rail section. The programme was also addressed by Union Housing and Urban Development Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai.

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Fifty Maoists surrendered today in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district. Out of these, thirteen Maoists had a reward of 68 lakhs rupees declared on their heads.

It is for the first time that such a large number of Maoists have surrendered together in the state.

Bijapur district’s Superintendent of Police Jitendra Kumar Yadav said that those who surrendered include Maoists of the level of militia commanders and deputy commanders active in the Maoists’ PLGA battalion and other companies.

The surrendered Maoists were given a cheque of 25,000 rupees each as an incentive under the state government’s rehabilitation policy.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah today expressed happiness over the surrender of 50 Naxalites in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh, and welcomed them into the mainstream.

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The Centre announced today the extension of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) for another six months in Manipur, parts of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, starting April 1.

In Manipur, AFSPA will continue in all districts except for those under the jurisdiction of 13 police stations in five districts – Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur, and Kakching. The state has been grappling with ethnic violence since May 2023.

The law has also been extended in eight districts of Nagaland and parts of five others, while in Arunachal Pradesh, AFSPA applies to Tirap, Changlang, Longding districts, and certain areas in Namsai district.

The decision follows a review of the law and order situations in these regions, where the AFSPA has been in place to address security concerns. Manipur has been under President’s Rule since February 13, following the ongoing ethnic violence.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today highlighted the challenge of textile waste, saying that it has become a major cause of worry for the entire world. Addressing the nation in his Mann Ki Baat programme on Akashvani, Mr Modi expressed concern over a finding, that only less than one percent of textile waste is recycled into new clothes.

Speaking about water harvesting, the Prime Minister expressed satisfaction that works related to water harvesting and water conservation have gained new momentum in many states. Mr Modi further stated that like every year, preparations have been made on a war footing for ‘Catch The Rain’ campaign this year as well. He urged listeners to turn the Campaign into a mass movement.

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah today held a meeting of leaders of all five constituent parties of the NDA in Patna. Mr. Shah convened the meeting at the official residence of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and discussed strategy and various issues related to Bihar Assembly Election which is likely to be held later this year. Besides JD(U) National President and CM Nitish Kumar, leaders of all NDA constituent parties like LJP (R), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) and Rashtriya Lok Morcha remained present. The meeting was in continuity of discussions held earlier among the NDA allies in Delhi.

“Senior BJP leader and Union Minister Amit Shah sounded the poll bugle for Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 with his Bihar visit. During the public meeting at Gopalganj Mr. Shah claimed that BJP will give a permanent solution to the flood. Mr. Shah also assured to revive closed sugar mills of Bihar to augment industry. Mr. Shah also held a crucial meeting of BJP and JD(U) with three other NDA allies at CM Nitish Kumar Official residence. Earlier, Mr. Shah addressed a cooperative conclave at Bapu Sabhagar in Patna. He dedicated, inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of several developmental projects of road and infrastructure worth over 800 crore rupees. Dharmendra Kumar Rai, Akashvani News, Patna”

Earlier addressing a public meeting at Gopalganj Mr. Shah said that the NDA is synonymous with development as several projects and development works have been sanctioned for Bihar.

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In Odisha, 11 coaches of the Bengaluru-Guwahati Kamakhya SuperFast Express derailed at Manguli-Choudwar near Nirgundi railway station in Cuttack district today. One passenger from West Bengal died and at least seven passengers were injured, some of them seriously in this accident. The injured passengers are being treated at SCB Medical College and Hospital at Cuttack. A high-level probe has been ordered by the Indian Railways to ascertain the cause of the derailment.

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Indian Navy Ships Karmuk and LCU 52 will be sailing for Yangon from the Andaman and Nicobar Command today to assist in the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief, HADR operations in earthquake hit Myanmar. These will carry approximately 52 tonnes of relief material including HADR pallets consisting of essential clothing, drinking water, food, medicines, and emergency stores.

INS Satpura and Savitri sailed for Yangon yesterday from the Eastern Naval Command as part of Indian Navy’s immediate response towards HADR. The Defence Ministry said in a statement that the Indian Navy remains committed to India’s resolve to remain the ‘First Responder’ in the region.

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In the earthquake hit Myanmar, its military chief has said that the death toll has risen to more than 1700. As per the media reports, the death toll may rise further as many of those trapped under the debris haven’t received help yet.

In Thailand, rescuers are working to find those trapped under the rubble at the site of a collapsed high-rise in Bangkok, as the death toll across the city has risen to 17 with 83 people missing.

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A strong 7.1 magnitude earthquake hit near Tonga, prompting an initial tsunami warning that was later lifted for the Pacific island country. The US Geological Survey said the quake hit about 100 kilometres northeast of the main island in the early morning hours of Monday local time.

There were no initial reports of damage. Residents in the Ha’apai island group had calmly moved to higher ground.

Tonga is a country in Polynesia made up of 171 islands.

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Iran’s President today said that the Islamic Republic has rejected direct negotiations with the United States over its rapidly advancing nuclear programme, offering Tehran’s first response to President Donald Trump’s letter to the country’s supreme leader. President Masoud Pezeshkian in his response, delivered via the sultanate of Oman, left open the possibility of indirect negotiations with Washington.

However, such talks have made no progress since Trump in his first term unilaterally withdrew America from Tehran’s nuclear deal with world powers in 2018. The White House offered no immediate reaction to the announcement.

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President Droupadi Murmu has extended her greetings on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr to all citizens, especially to the Muslim community, living in India and abroad. In her message, she emphasized that this festival reinforces the spirit of brotherhood, cooperation, and compassion.

In Jammu & Kashmir, the Shawwal (first day of Islamic month Shawwal) crescent has been sighted across the Kashmir region this evening. This has confirmed that Eid Ul-Fitr will be celebrated across Jammu and Kashmir tomorrow. Eid ul-Fitr is one of the most significant festivals in Islam that is celebrated with special prayers, feasting, and acts of charity. The moon was also sighted in Lucknow on Sunday evening, and Chairman of the Central Moon Sighting Committee, Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahali announced that Eid will be celebrated on March 31. Namaz will be offered at 10 am in Lucknow Eidgah.

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In the Asian Championships in Amman, Jordan, Indian wrestlers Udit and Deepak Punia kept the country in the gold medal contention in the freestyle event by reaching the final. On the last day of the event today, In 61 kg Men’s section, Udit blanked China’s Wanhao Zou 2-0 while Deepak Punia defeated Takashi Ishiguro of Japan 8-1 in Men’s 92kg category.

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In IPL, Rajasthan Royals were at 175 for 8 in 19 overs against Chennai Super Kings at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, when reports last came in. Earlier, Chennai Super Kings won the toss and opted to bowl.

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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast isolated to scattered light to moderate rainfall accompanied with thunderstorm, lightning and gusty winds over Maharashtra and Gujarat during the next 4 days. The IMD predicted hot and humid weather conditions in Assam and Tripura during the next 2-3 days.

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi says new era of permanent peace is being seen in Naxal-affected areas of Chhattisgarh; Inaugurates and lays foundation stone of various development projects worth more than 33,700 crores rupees.

• In his Mann Ki Baat on Akashvani, Prime Minister urges citizens to make ‘Catch The Rain’ a mass movement.

• Centre extends Armed Forces Special Powers Act in Manipur, parts of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh for six months.

• Indian Navy Ships sail with humanitarian aid to earthquake hit Myanmar; Death toll rises above 1700.

• Iran rejects direct negotiations with United States over its nuclear programme.

• President Droupadi Murmu extends greetings to people on eve of Eid-ul-Fitr.

• And, In the Asian Championships, Indian wrestlers Udit and Deepak Punia to play for gold in freestyle event in Jordan.

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