:THE HEADLINES:
• Country all set to create history with an Indian astronaut scheduled to fly to International Space Station next month.
• In Chhattisgarh, 33 Maoists surrender before security forces in Sukma district.
• Delegations from NHRC and NCW meet victims of Murshidabad Waqf related violence in West Bengal.
• Centre notifies rules for radar equipment to strengthen road safety and fairness in traffic enforcements.
• Good Friday being observed all over the world today.
• And in Squash, India’s Veer Chotrani and Anahat Singh advance to semifinals of World Championship Asia qualifier at Kuala Lumpur.
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The Country is all set to create history in its space journey as the international Space mission carrying an Indian astronaut has been scheduled for next month. Minister of State for Space and Atomic Energy Dr Jitendra Singh announced this after a high-level meeting held to review major future plans of Indian Space Research Organisation ISRO in the coming months. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force will be part of the upcoming Axiom Space mission, Ax-4. Dr Singh said, the mission will mark the visit of first Indian ever to visit the International Space Station and the first Indian astronaut to travel to Space in over four decades after Rakesh Sharma’s iconic 1984 flight aboard a Soviet Soyuz spacecraft.
“Highlighting the significance of the upcoming human spaceflight and a series of critical ISRO missions, the Minister said, India is ready for its next space milestone. He noted that the collaboration with international partners and the strategic momentum of projects like Gaganyaan reflect India’s commitment to becoming a global leader in space technology. The Minister emphasized that these efforts are not only scientific in nature but also aligned with the vision of a developed and self-reliant India. Dr. V. Narayanan, Secretary, Department of Space and Chairman of ISRO, informed that Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force is all prepared to fly to the International Space Station next month as part of Axiom Space’s Ax-4 mission.’With Anupam Mishra’s report Tripti Srivastava Akashvani News”
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today spoke to the CEO of Tesla Elon Musk and discussed collaboration in the areas of technology and innovation. In a social media post, Mr Modi informed that he talked about various issues, including the topics that he covered with Mr Musk during his meeting in Washington DC earlier this year. Mr Modi also reaffirmed India’s commitment in advancing partnerships with the US in the domains of technology and innovation.
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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has said that India is steadily progressing towards self-reliance in defence manufacturing by significantly reducing imports and encouraging indigenous production. During a high-level seminar held in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar today, the Defence Minister highlighted that over 500 defence-related products are currently being manufactured in the country, reflecting the strong growth of the domestic defence industry. He stated that the country has begun exporting its defence equipment, with exports rising from 600 crore rupees to 2,400 crore rupees.
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Thirty-three Maoists surrendered today before senior officers of the Police and CRPF in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh. A total reward of 49 lakh rupees had been announced on these Maoists. Of the Naxalites who surrendered today, 11 were active in Gram Panchayat Bade Setty in Sukma district. Talking exclusively to Akashvani news, Sukma Superintendent of Police Kiran Chavan said, with the surrender of these Naxalites, Bade Setty has been officially declared the first Naxal-free gram panchayat of the Bastar division.
All these surrendered Maoists have been given an incentive amount of fifty thousand rupees each under the rehabilitation policy of the state government. In addition, they will also be provided with other facilities. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has congratulated the security force personnel and Chhattisgarh Police for this success in the Naxal-free India campaign. He appealed to the Naxalites to lay down their arms as soon as possible and join the mainstream by adopting the surrender policy of the government.
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In West Bengal, delegations from the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, and National Commission for Women, NCW, visited Parlalpur in Malda’s Baishnabnagar today. The delegations met with victims of the violence linked to the Murshidabad Waqf law agitation, who had fled their homes in search of safety. NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar described the women and children in relief camps as being in deep distress.
Allegations were made of administrative neglect and a conspiracy to destabilize the region. Locals demanded a permanent BSF camp to ensure safety. Meanwhile, Governor C.V. Ananda Bose who reached Malda to visit the camps. Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury criticized Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for not addressing the crisis on the ground.
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India has rejected the remarks made by Bangladesh officials on the developments in West Bengal. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal termed the remarks as a disguised and disingenuous attempt to correlate with India’s concerns over the ongoing persecution of minorities in Bangladesh where the criminal perpetrators of such acts still roam free. He added that instead of making unwarranted comments and indulging in virtue signalling, Bangladesh would do better to focus on protecting the rights of its own minorities.
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The Centre has notified rules for radar equipment to strengthen road safety and fairness in traffic enforcements. Radar equipment is used to measure vehicle speed. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution in a statement today said, the rules will take effect from Ist of July.
Under the rules, all radar-based speed measurement devices must be verified and stamped by Legal Metrology authorities. The ministry said verified radar equipment will ensure accuracy, legal compliance, and fair enforcement-boosting transparency, public trust, and road safety. It added that citizens will benefit from fewer unjust penalties and more confidence in scientifically validated speed checks.
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A book titled Sanskriti Ka Panchva Adhyay, which is a compilation of speeches delivered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on various occasions, was launched in New Delhi today. The head of the Juna Akhara, Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avdheshanand Giri, launched the book. Presiding over the event, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Harivansh, lauded Prime Minister Modi’s efforts in preserving the country’s culture, traditions, spiritual values, and cultural heritage. Recalling the key excerpts from the Prime Minister’s speeches, he noted that the book serves as a curated collection that reflects Mr. Modi’s commitment to cultural preservation and his vision for upholding India’s timeless traditions.
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Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said that Electronic manufacturing has increased five times in the last 10 years. Talking to reporters at Manesar in Gurugram today, Mr Vaishnaw said, there is a big jump in electronic manufacturing sector because of the Make in India initiative. He said, the Electronics export has also increased six times in the last ten years and it has crossed three lakh 25 thousand crore rupees.
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Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Dr. L. Murugan, held a review meeting on the ongoing preparations for the highly anticipated World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit, scheduled to be held from 1st to 4th May in Mumbai. Nodal officers from the Centre and the Maharashtra government participated in the meeting. The Minister also reviewed the on-ground preparations at the summit venue.
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Prasar Bharati Chairman Navneet Kumar Sehgal today said that Akashvani and Doordarshan is continuously boosting its content and technology of broadcast with changing scenarios.
Talking to Akashvani News Mr. Sehgal said, both the public service broadcasters are adopting better technology and enhancement.
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The Centre today appointed Secretaries in different Ministries and Departments. Arvind Shrivastava has been appointed as Secretary Department of Revenue in Ministry of Finance. He is currently serving as Additional Secretary in Prime Minister’s Office. Samir Kumar Sinha who is working as Director General (Aquisitions) in Ministry of Defence has been appointed as Secretary Civil Aviation. Santosh Kumar Sarangi who is currently serving as Director General Foreign Trade has been appointed as Secretary in the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. Nikunja Bihari Dhal has been appointed as Secretary Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.
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The Government today stated that claims suggesting levying of GST on UPI transactions over two thousand rupees are completely false, misleading, and without any basis. In a statement, the Finance Ministry clarified that currently, no such proposal is under consideration of the Government.
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The result of the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2025 will be declared tomorrow. The National Testing Agency in a statement said, the final answer keys of JEE Main 2025 Session-II is available for download on the JEE Main website.
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Christians across the globe are observing Good Friday today- one of the most solemn and sacred days in the Christian calendar. Marking the crucifixion of Jesus Christ at Calvary, Good Friday is a day of mourning, reflection, and spiritual devotion. In Kerala, special prayers were held in churches across the state to mark the day.
“The day was observed as a day of sorrow and penance, with devotees attending special prayers in churches. At various places across the state, priests and members of the laity re-enacted the Way of the Cross — the 14 stations on Jesus Christ’s final journey to Mount Calvary. Church leaders led their congregations in solemn processions, recalling the message of Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for humanity’s betterment. At the St. Thomas’ Church in Malayattoor near Kochi, believed to be founded by Christ’s apostle St Thomas, several hundreds undertook the pilgrimage to the hill shrine, carrying symbolic wooden crosses commemorating the sufferings undergone by Jesus Christ. The Holy Week ends with Easter on Sunday, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. ” Raj Mohan, Akashvani News, Kochi.
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On to sports now, In squash, Indian squash players Veer Chotrani and Anahat Singh advanced to the semifinals of the Qualifying Event (Asia) of the World Championship in Kuala lumpur.
In IPL T20 Cricket, rain has delayed the toss for today’s match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN.
• Country all set to create history with an Indian astronaut scheduled to fly to International Space Station next month.
• In Chhattisgarh, 33 Maoists surrender before security forces in Sukma district.
• Delegations from NHRC and NCW meet victims of Murshidabad Waqf related violence in West Bengal.
• Centre notifies rules for radar equipment to strengthen road safety and fairness in traffic enforcements.
• Good Friday being observed all over the world today.
• And in Squash, India’s Veer Chotrani and Anahat Singh advance to semifinals of World Championship Asia qualifier at Kuala Lumpur.
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