THE HEADLINES:
• US Vice President JD Vance meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. Both leaders to review progress in bilateral relations.
• Prime Minister Modi emphasizes on determining quality in governance through welfare schemes’ reach and impact among people; Urges Civil servants to keep a close eye on global challenges.
• Country’s core sector output grows by 3.8 percent in March this year.
• Tributes pour in from across the world over demise of Pope Francis; Prime Minister Modi and other global leaders hail his legacy of compassion and humility.
• IMD forecasts heat wave conditions over Central India during next two days.
• And, in IPL T20 Cricket, Hosts Kolkata Knight Riders elect to field against Gujarat Titans at Eden Gardens.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi is holding a meeting with visiting US Vice President JD Vance at his official residence in New Delhi. Both leaders will review progress in bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and global developments of mutual interest. The US Vice President is accompanied by Second Lady of the United States, Usha Vance and his children. Mr Modi will host a dinner for the visiting dignitary. The US Vice President arrived in New Delhi this morning on a four-day visit to India. He was received by Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw at the airport in the National Capital. Mr Vance was also accorded the ceremonial Guard of Honour. This is the first visit of Vice President Vance to India. Soon after his arrival, Vice President Vance along with his family visited the Akshardham Temple in the national capital. The US Vice President is also scheduled to visit Jaipur in Rajasthan and Agra in Uttar Pradesh.
Our Jaipur correspondent reports that Mr Vance will be reaching Jaipur tonight along with his family and senior officials of the US administration.
“During his stay in Jaipur, the US Vice President will visit various historical sites with his family. These include Amer Fort, City Palace and Jantar Mantar. He will address a business summit on ‘the future of India-US trade relations’ in Jaipur. During this tour, Mr. Vance is also scheduled to meet Governor Haribhau Bagde and Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma. Elaborate preparations have been made to make this visit historic and memorable. Mr. Vance will be welcomed with the traditional Rajasthani culture. About 2500 police personnel have been deployed for the security. Special traffic arrangements have been made in the city. Meanwhile, Mr. Vance will also visit the Taj Mahal in Agra on Wednesday. Jitendra Dwivedi, Akashwani News, Jaipur.”
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasized on determining quality in governance through welfare schemes’ reach and impact among people. The Prime Minister was speaking on the occasion of the 17th Civil Services Day in New Delhi today. Addressing the civil servants, Mr Modi stressed the need to keep a close eye on global challenges in this rapidly changing time. He said food, water and energy security still remains a big challenge particularly for the global south.
Mr Modi outlined India’s ambitious goals for the coming years, including energy security, clean energy, advancements in sports, and achievements in space exploration.
On the occasion, Mr. Modi conferred the Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration in the categories of Holistic Development of Districts, Aspirational Blocks Programme, and Innovation to civil servants. Our correspondent spoke to some of the awardees.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia tomorrow. This will be Prime Minister Modi’s third visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia after his previous visits in 2016 and 2019. The visit highlights Saudi Arabia’s strategic importance to India across multiple dimensions.
“For India, Saudi Arabia remains a critical partner not only in crisis response but also in ensuring the safety of its diaspora and advancing broader regional stability. India’s “Operation Kaveri” successfully evacuated over 3,500 Indian nationals from Sudan with crucial logistical support from Saudi Arabia, which facilitated the safe transit of evacuees through Jeddah. Let’s hear from Dr. Prince Mufti Ziaul Hasan, who is part of the Indian Diaspora in Jeddah and instrumental in Operation Kaveri.
This practical cooperation reflects the deepening ties between India and Saudi Arabia since the establishment of the Strategic Partnership Council in 2019. The relationship has expanded across multiple sectors including defense, trade, energy, technology, and culture. Vinod Kumar, Akashvani News, Dubai.”
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Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a review meeting in New Delhi today with Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai to assess the implementation of three new criminal laws in the state. The discussion focused on the progress and current status of key provisions concerning police, prisons, courts, prosecution and forensic services.
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Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda today called upon the people to take the pledge for taking care of liver health, get it checked regularly, and embrace a healthy lifestyle. The Minister said this while addressing the “Liver Health Pledge Ceremony” at a Health Camp organized by the Ministry in New Delhi.
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Union Minister of State for Skill Development, Jayant Chaudhary, urged educational institutions across the country to align skill training with the evolving needs of industry. The Minister was speaking after inaugurating the NSDC-PDEU Centre of Excellence at Pandit Deendayal Energy University at Gandhinagar in Gujarat today.
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The output of eight core infrastructure sectors, which constitutes about two-fifths of the country’s industrial production, increased by 3.8 percent in March this year on an annual basis. The production of Cement, Fertilizers, Steel, Electricity, Coal and Refinery Products recorded positive growth during the last month.
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The Centre has imposed 12 per cent safeguard duty on the import of certain non-alloy and alloy steel flat products with a view to shield Indian steel sector. Welcoming the decison Union Minister of Steel HD Kumaraswamy said the measure is a timely and necessary step to protect domestic steel manufacturers from the adverse impact of import surges and to ensure fair competition in the market.
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The benchmark domestic equity indices today ended with gains of over one percent.
“The 30-share index at the Bombay Stock Exchange, Sensex, rose 855 points to close at 79,409. The National Stock Exchange Nifty-50 gained 274 points to settle at 24,126. In the Forex market, the rupee today appreciated by 24 paise to close at 85 rupees and 13 paise against the US dollar. In the Indian Bullion Market, 24 Karat Gold was trading at 97,330 rupees per 10 grams. Brent Crude was trading at 66 dollars and 46 cents per barrel. Lalima Aneja Dang for Akashvani News.”
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Tributes have poured in from around the world following the demise of Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff in the history of the Roman Catholic Church. The Argentine pontiff passed away today at his residence in Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta at the age of 88 after a prolonged illness. Throughout his 12-year papacy, he endured various health challenges, with severe complications arising in recent weeks.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other global leaders from European Commission, Russia, France and the United Kingdom remembered the Argentine pontiff, for his compassion, humility, and dedication to peace and social justice.
In a social media post, Prime Minister Modi said, Pope Francis affection for the people of India will always be cherished.
Talking to media in Kerala, Major Archbishop Emeritus of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Cardinal George Alencherry described Pope Francis as a person who spent his life for the sake of the people.
With the passing of Pope Francis, the Vatican is set to begin its centuries-old rituals that mark the end of one papacy and the beginning of another. A nine-day mourning period known as the ‘Novendiales’ will now follow. The burial is expected to take place between the fourth and sixth day after his death, in keeping with Vatican protocol. The Pope’s body will also be displayed at St. Peter’s Basilica for a public mourning.
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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heat wave conditions to prevail over Central India during the next two days. According to the IMD, Heat wave conditions are likely over Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Vidarbha and Chhattisgarh during the period. The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall over north east parts of the country during the next 3 to 4 days.
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In IPL T20 Cricket, Gujarat Titans have set a target of 199 runs against Hosts Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens. Earlier, put in to bat, Gujarat Titans posted 198 for 3 in stipulated 20 overs when reports last came.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN.
• US Vice President JD Vance meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. Both leaders to review progress in bilateral relations.
• Prime Minister Modi emphasizes on determining quality in governance through welfare schemes’ reach and impact among people; Urges Civil servants to keep a close eye on global challenges.
• Country’s core sector output grows by 3.8 percent in March this year.
• Tributes pour in from across the world over demise of Pope Francis; Prime Minister Modi and other global leaders hail his legacy of compassion and humility.
• IMD forecasts heat wave conditions over Central India during next two days.
• And, in IPL T20 Cricket, Gujarat Titans set target of 199 runs against Hosts Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens.
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