Evening News -

THE HEADLINES:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, Operation Sindoor showcased India’s indigenous defence capabilities and the strength of Make in India to the world.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh asserts, India will not hesitate to use every method to root out terrorism.
Home Minister Amit Shah announces special relief package for LoC residents of Jammu & Kashmir affected by recent shelling from Pakistan.
India’s real GDP estimated to grow by 7.4 percent in last quarter of financial year 2024-25.
Russia dismisses Pakistani media reports claiming Moscow’s plans to jointly set up steel mills in Karachi.
In Sports, Runner Gulveer Singh and high jumper Pooja bag gold medals at Asian Athletics Championships in South Korea; Nandini Agasara also clinches Heptathlon gold.
And in Badminton, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty enter Men’s doubles semifinals of Singapore Open.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that Operation Sindoor showcased India’s indigenous defence capabilities and the strength of Make in India to the world. He was speaking after inaugurating and laying the foundation stone for 15 mega development projects worth around 47,600 crore rupees in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh this afternoon. Mr. Modi also flagged off the Kanpur Metro’s new corridor between Chunniganj and Nayaganj. These projects are aimed at boosting the region’s infrastructure and connectivity. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister highlighted that it is a matter of pride for the entire Uttar Pradesh that it is playing a big role in self-reliance in the defence sector. He said, the entire world witnessed the anger and pain of daughters in the form of Operation Sindoor and that India completely destroyed several terror hubs in Pakistan.

The Prime Minister said, Pakistan’s state and non-state actors can no longer play their games and the enemy will be dealt with decisively.

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth over 48,000 crore rupees in Rohtas district of Bihar.

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has warned that if Pakistan carries out any terrorist act against India, it will have to face the consequences and suffer defeat. He said India will not hesitate and will use every method to root out the menace of terrorism. Mr. Singh was addressing officers and sailors onboard India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, off the Goa coast today. The Defence Minister said, Operation Sindoor is not just a military action,but India’s frontal assault against terrorism.

The Defence Minister called for the handing over of terrorists like Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar to India.

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah today announced a special relief package for the Line of Control residents of Jammu & Kashmir affected by recent shelling from Pakistan. The Home Minister said in addition to the existing 90,000 underground bunkers, additional steps will be taken to strengthen the safety and support of border communities. Addressing a gathering in the town of Poonch after distributing appointment letters to the family members of victims killed in the shelling, the Home Minister said the administration is currently assessing the damage in the affected areas. He assured that the Central Government will provide all possible support to the victims’ families.

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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 delegation led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad which is currently on a visit to Denmark today met Christian Friis Bach, Chairperson of Danish Parliament’s Foreign Policy Committee and Danish MP Trine Pertou Mach. After the meeting, Mr. Prasad added that Denmark understands India’s position against terrorism.

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Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan today met with Chief of Joint Staff of Japan General Yoshida Yoshihide in Singapore to reinforce defence ties and foster mutual understanding. Under the backdrop of Operation Sindoor, discussions focused on enhancing Defence cooperation, regional security and strategic collaboration in the Indo Pacific. The interaction reaffirmed the shared commitment of both nations to address emerging security challenges and foster closer bilateral defense relations.

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As we celebrate the success of Operation Sindoor, the Nation salutes the valour of the Indian soldiers. As a tribute to the Armed Forces, Akashvani News is presenting a special series. Today we remember Param Vir Chakra awardee Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria who was a part of UN Peacekeeping force from India in Congo and made the supreme sacrifice during the Civil War like situation in Congo in 1961.

“Born in 1935 in Gurdaspur Punjab, Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria was commissioned in 1 Gorkha Rifles in 1957. Captain Salaria, serving with the Indian contingent of the UN peacekeeping force in Congo, displayed exceptional bravery during a critical operation in December 1961. Following Belgium’s withdrawal, Congo descended into civil war, and the UN intervened to restore order. When the Security Council moved to end hostile actions by secessionist Katangese forces, their leader, Moise Tshombe, escalated violence against UN personnel. On December 5, Captain Salaria led a platoon to reinforce a position near Elisabethville airfield, where Katangese troops had established a strong roadblock supported by two armored cars and about 90 men. Despite facing superior enemy strength and heavy fire, he launched a direct assault. Charging with bayonets, khukris, hand grenades, and rocket-launcher support, Captain Salaria and his men killed 40 enemy soldiers, destroyed the armored vehicles, and forced the rest to flee in panic. Though grievously wounded by enemy fire, Captain Salaria fought on until he collapsed and later succumbed to his injuries. His decisive action prevented the encirclement of the UN Headquarters in Elisabethville. For his extraordinary courage and leadership, he was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra. Saklen Akhtar for Akashvani News.”

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Russia has dismissed recent Pakistani media reports as fake, which claim that Moscow is expanding economic ties with Islamabad, including plans to jointly set up steel mills in Karachi. The reports stemmed from a May 13 meeting between Haroon Akhtar Khan, a special assistant to Pakistan’s Prime Minister, and Russian envoy Denis Nazirov. Moscow firmly denied any signed multibillion-dollar deal, accusing elements in Pakistan of trying to disrupt the strong India-Russia strategic partnership, especially after India’s recent Operation Sindoor targeting terror camps in Pakistan and PoK. A senior Russian official called the reports exaggerated and said they aim to sensationalize ties that do not exist at such a scale.

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The country’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is estimated to grow by 6.5 per cent in the financial year 2024-25. According to the Statistics and Programme Implementation Ministry, real GDP has been estimated to grow by 7.4 percent in the last quarter of financial year 2024-25. Nominal GDP has witnessed a growth rate of 9.8 percent in the financial year 2024-25. Talking to Akashvani News, economic expert Puneet Jain said, the 4th quarter GDP data is driven by a strong performance in the services manufacturing and agriculture sectors.

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Heavy rainfall is affecting the northeastern states as a result of the southwest monsoon. In Arunachal Pradesh, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for five districts, including Lower Subansiri, West Kameng, West Siang, Lohit, and Changlang.

In Manipur, heavy rainfall has been witnessing in different districts since yesterday affecting normal life in the State.

In Assam, normal life is paralysed due to relentless heavy rain and strong winds.

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India enjoyed a stellar day at the Asian Athletics Championships as Gulveer Singh bagged his second gold, leading the country’s medal charge. Gulveer clinched the men’s 5000 meters title in a Championship Record time of 13:24.78, surpassing the previous mark set in 2015. He had earlier won gold in the 10,000 meters event on the opening day.

In the women’s high jump, 18-year-old Pooja bagged a gold with a season-best effort 1.89 meter breaking her own Under-20 national record.

Nandini Agasara then added the third gold to the day’s tally after winning the women’s heptathlon with 5941 points.

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In Badminton, Indian men’s doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty secured a spot in the Singapore Open semifinals with a win over top-ranked Malaysians Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin. The Indian duo defeated the World No. 1 pair in straight games, 21-17, 21-15, in just 39 minutes at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

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In IPL T20 Cricket, Mumbai Indians were 119 for 4 in 18.1 overs against Gujarat Titans in eliminator round match in Chandigarh, when reports last came in.

THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, Operation Sindoor showcased India’s indigenous defence capabilities and the strength of Make in India to the world.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh asserts, India will not hesitate to use every method to root out terrorism.
Home Minister Amit Shah announces special relief package for LoC residents of Jammu & Kashmir affected by recent shelling from Pakistan.
India’s real GDP estimated to grow by 7.4 percent in last quarter of financial year 2024-25.
Russia dismisses Pakistani media reports claiming Moscow’s plans to jointly set up steel mills in Karachi.
In Sports: Runner Gulveer Singh and high jumper Pooja bag gold medals at Asian Athletics Championships in South Korea; Nandini Agasara also clinches Heptathlon gold.
And in Badminton, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty enter Men’s doubles semifinals of Singapore Open.