Evening News -

THE HEADLINES:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates new terminal building of Jayaprakash Narayan International Airport in Patna, Bihar; Holds roadshow in Patna.
Prime Minister launches several development projects for West Bengal and Sikkim.
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan begins Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan from Puri district in Odisha.
MEA reaffirms its position on Pakistan that terrorism and talks cannot go together; Reiterates that any engagement has to be bilateral.

U.S. federal court blocks President Donald Trump’s global trade tariffs; Says President exceeded his authority.
National record holder Avinash Sable wins gold in 3,000-meter steeplechase at Asian Athletics Championships in South Korea; Jyothi Yarraji also bags gold in women’s 100-meter hurdles.
In IPL T20 Cricket, hosts Punjab Kings set a target of 102 runs before Royal Challengers Bengaluru in first qualifier.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a grand roadshow this evening in Patna after inaugurating the new terminal building of Jayaprakash Narayan International Patna Airport and laying the foundation stone for the second airport of Patna at Bihta.

“During the six-kilometer-long roadshow, people showered flower petals on the Prime Minister’s convoy and greeted him holding the national flag in their hands. There was significant enthusiasm prevailing among the people at various locations along the roadshow held on Patna Bailey Road.

During the roadshow, posters, banners, and pictures celebrating the success of Operation Sindoor were displayed on both sides of the route of the roadshow. A large number of pictures and models of the BrahMos missile were also displayed, signifying the victory celebration of Operation Sindoor.

Following the roadshow, the Prime Minister held an important meeting with Bihar region BJP leaders and workers at the BJP state headquarters in Patna. SAIRA MUJTABA NEWS DESK AKASHVANI.”

The new terminal building at Patna Airport, constructed at a cost of around 1,200 crore rupees, is set to significantly enhance the airport’s annual passenger handling capacity to one crore. The project of new civil enclave of Bihta Airport is worth over 1,410 crore rupees.

Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu were also present at the inaugural function.

Tomorrow , on the last leg of Bihar visit Mr. Modi will visit Bikramganj in Rohtas district. He will inaugurate, lay the foundation stone for, and dedicate multiple development projects worth over 50,000 crore rupees. He is also scheduled to address a public meeting at the venue.

Earlier, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of city based gas distribution project at Alipurduar parade ground in the Alipurduars district of West Bengal. The 1017 crore rupees project will benefit the people of Alipurduar and Coochbehar districts of West Bengal. Speaking at the event, Prime Minister said, the Central government has initiated numerous development projects worth thousands of crores in West Bengal over the past decade.

Addressing the Sikkim @50 event virtually today, Prime Minister Modi said Sikkim and the entire Northeast are emerging as a shining chapter in India’s progress. The Prime Minister asserted that the Centre is fully supporting Sikkim in its growth.

The Prime Minister virtually laid the foundation stone and inaugurated multiple development projects in Sikkim.

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Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’ from Sakhigopal in Puri district, Odisha today. The Minister said the campaign promotes two-way communication between scientists and farmers. He said, scientists will share research and technical insights while also gathering data on the challenges faced by farmers. Mr. Chouhan said the initiative will involve experts from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Krishi Vigyan Kendras to strengthen the ‘Lab to Land’ connection. He added that teams of 16,000 scientists have been formed, who will go from village to village to engage with farmers. During the 15-day campaign, Mr. Chouhan will travel across about 20 states.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Ladakh, Nagaland, West Bengal, Puducherry and other states have also joined the nationwide Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the importance of developing the country’s agriculture sector as a key step toward making India a developed nation. In a video message on his social media account at the launch of the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan in Odisha, he stated that the central government is addressing various agriculture-related issues, including ensuring fair prices for farmers’ produce and strengthening the agricultural economy. He also emphasized the government’s efforts to modernize the country’s farming sector and explore how science and technology can be leveraged to benefit agriculture.

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External Affairs Ministry today stated that India’s stand has been very clear on engagement with Pakistan and reiterated that any engagement has to be bilateral. Briefing media in New Delhi this afternoon, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said terrorism and talks cannot go together.

Mr. Jaiswal stressed that Pakistan needs to hand over the terrorists to India whose records were submitted to them some years ago. He said, talks on Jammu and Kashmir will be held only on the vacating of Pakistan occupied Kashmir and when Pakistan hands over the territory to India.

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As a demonstration of India’s steadfast dedication to eradicating terrorism, the seven multiparty parliamentary delegations are engaged in high-level discussions during their official visits abroad. The all-party parliamentary delegation led by NCP (SCP) Supriya Sule met with the leaders of African National Congress led by Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula. Speaking to media, Mr Mbalula said that South Africa has pledged solidarity with India in terms of engagement in the fight against terrorism.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who is leading an all-party delegation in Panama today reaffirmed India’s firm stance against terrorism. Speaking at an event organised by the Indian Embassy in Panama, he emphasized that the country will not turn the other cheek and will respond to any further attack.

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today lauded Indian women for their active participation in Operation Sindoor. Speaking at the flag-in ceremony of INSV Tarini for the second leg of Navika Sagar Parikrama II in Goa, Mr Singh said women pilots significantly contributed to air force attacks during the operation.

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As we celebrate the success of Operation Sindoor, the Nation salutes the valour of Indian soldiers. As a tribute to the Armed Forces, Akashvani News is presenting a special series. Today we remember Param Vir Chakra awardee Major Dhan Singh Thapa who showed exemplary courage and bravery during the Sino-Indian war in 1962.

“Born in 1928 in Himachal Pradesh, Major Dhan Singh Thapa was commissioned into the 8 Gorkha Rifles in August 1949. During the 1962 Indo-China War, he commanded a platoon of C Company at the strategically vital Sirijap-1 post near Pangong Lake in Ladakh, tasked with defending the Chushul airfield. On October 21, the Chinese launched a heavy artillery and mortar assault on the post, damaging some wireless sets and setting the area ablaze. Despite being outnumbered, Major Thapa and his men repelled two successive enemy attacks, inflicting significant casualties on the enemy. Undeterred by mounting losses, they stood firm. A third and more intense assault followed, supported by tanks. With dwindling ammunition and reduced manpower, the platoon continued to resist. When the post was finally overrun, Major Thapa emerged from his trench, engaging in fierce hand-to-hand combat before being captured. For his extraordinary courage, leadership, and bravery, Major Dhan Singh Thapa was awarded the Param Vir Chakra. SAKLEN AKHTAR for Akashvani News, Delhi.”

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A U.S. federal court today blocked President Donald Trump’s global trade tariffs, dealing a major blow to a central part of his economic agenda. The Court of International Trade ruled that President Trump overstepped his authority by using emergency powers to impose broad tariffs on imports from nearly every country. The court said only Congress has the constitutional power to regulate foreign commerce. The Trump administration said it would appeal the decision.

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President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the Literary Conference at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre in New Delhi today. Speaking on the occasion, the President said that there are several languages and dialects in the country which resonate the spirit of Indianess.

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National record holder Avinash Sable won gold in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the Asian Athletics Championships at GUMI, South Korea today. Jyothi Yarraji also bagged gold in women’s 100-meter hurdles.

The 30-year-old Avinash Sable, a two-time Olympian and reigning Asian Games champion, clocked 8 minutes, 20.92 seconds for a comfortable victory. With this win, he becomes only the third Indian man to earn gold in the event.

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In IPL T20 Cricket, table topper Punjab Kings have set a target of 102 runs for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the first qualifier in Mullanpur, Chandigarh.

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:-

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates new terminal building of Jayaprakash Narayan International Airport in Patna, Bihar; Holds roadshow in Patna.
Prime Minister launches several development projects for West Bengal and Sikkim.
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan begins Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan from Puri district in Odisha.
MEA reaffirms its position on Pakistan that terrorism and talks cannot go together; Reiterates that any engagement has to be bilateral.
U.S. federal court blocks President Donald Trump’s global trade tariffs; Says President exceeded his authority.
National record holder Avinash Sable wins gold in 3,000-meter steeplechase at Asian Athletics Championships in South Korea; Jyothi Yarraji also bags gold in women’s 100-meter hurdles.
In IPL T20 Cricket, hosts Punjab Kings set a target of 102 runs before Royal Challengers Bengaluru in first qualifier.