Evening News -

THE HEADLINES:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi calls for strengthening early warning systems to mitigate disaster risks.
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar says recently concluded free trade agreement between India and UK will improve strategic bilateral ties and two way trade.
Union Health Minister J P Nadda launches awareness campaign to reduce obesity on the occasion of World Food Safety Day.
Eid-ul-Azha, the festival of sacrifice celebrated with religious fervour in various parts of the country and abroad.
Indian athletes clinch six gold on the Opening day of Taiwan Open Athletics Championship at Taipei.
And in French Open Tennis, women’s singles final underway between Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today outlined key global priorities to strengthen Disaster Resilience, including innovative financing and strengthening early warning systems and coordination. Addressing the International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, CDRI 2025 via video conferencing, Mr Modi called for construction of infrastructure that remains steadfast against time and tide, emphasizing the need for resilience in development.

He underscored the vulnerability of coastal regions and islands to natural disasters and climate change.

Prime Minister expressed his appreciation for the presence of representatives from the Pacific Indian Ocean, and Caribbean regions, and welcomed the African Union’s participation in the coalition.

He underscored that disaster resilience requires innovative financing and called for the creation of actionable programs to ensure developing nations have access to necessary funds.

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External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar today termed the recently concluded free trade agreement between India-United Kingdom and the Double Contribution Convention a milestone. During his meeting with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy in New Delhi, Dr Jaishankar said the agreement will not only propel two-way trade and investment but will also have a positive effect on other strategic aspects of the bilateral ties between the two nations. He added that it would also contribute to the strengthening of supply and value chains.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi met UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy in New Delhi today. In a social media post, Mr Modi appreciated his contribution to the progress in India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which has been further strengthened by the recently concluded Free Trade Agreement. He said he valued UK’s support for India’s fight against cross-border terrorism.

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The all-party Parliamentary delegation led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad met with senior representatives from German Government, Parliament and Think-Tanks in Berlin to convey India’s principled position of ‘Zero-Tolerance against Terrorism’ and its strategy to tackle cross-border terrorism. Addressing Indian Diaspora, Mr. Prasad said that Pakistan is habitual offender.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that any attack on India will be met with a strong response and no distinction will be made between terrorists and their perpetrators. Mr Modi said this while sharing an article penned by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for a news daily, reaffirming India’s zero-tolerance for cross-border terrorism. In his article, the Defence Minister laid out India’s position of zero-tolerance of Pak-sponsored terrorism and assured retaliation against it.

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Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had said that making India a developed country depends on improving farming and making farmers more prosperous. He encouraged farmers to make the most of the Vikasit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan by listening to scientists and using their advice to improve their work. He was speaking at a programme in Sehore, Madhya Pradesh today.

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India has undergone a decade of remarkable transformation, driven by the principles of Seva, Sushasan, and Garib Kalyan. Akashvani News brings you a special feature on the Government’s efforts over the last 11 years across key sectors. Today, we focus on the empowerment of Indian Farmers.

“In the last eleven years, India’s agriculture has witnessed a quiet revolution, guided by the vision of “Beej Se Bazaar Tak”, that is, “from seed to market”. The government’s budgetary allocation in agriculture has grown nearly five-fold, from 28 thousand crore rupees in 2013-14 to 1.37 lakh crore rupees in 2024-25. Direct support to farmers has been unprecedented. Over 3.7 lakh crore rupees has reached 11 crore farmers directly under PM-KISAN. Financial security for farmers has also improved. The Kisan Credit Card scheme has extended 10 lakh crore rupees in credit, while Fasal Bima Yojana has helped nearly 20 crore farmers with crop insurance claims worth 1.75 lakh crore rupees. MSPs for key crops like wheat, paddy, pulses, and oilseeds have seen sharp hikes. Schemes like PM-KUSUM for solar pumps, and Natural Farming Missions have enhanced resilience and promoted sustainability. Efforts like PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana and the Soil Health Card Scheme have strengthened irrigation and soil productivity, empowering farmers with modern tools and scientific inputs. The government has also focused on allied sectors. Milk production has grown by over 63 percent, placing India firmly as the world’s top dairy producer, benefiting over 8 crore farmers employed in this sector. While in fisheries, India’s output nearly doubled in ten years, boosting rural livelihoods and coastal prosperity. Today, the Indian farmer stands not just as a cultivator, but as a key driver of national growth. WITH VISHNU PS. Shagun Chopra, for Akashvani News, Delhi.”

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Union Minister for Health J P Nadda launched the awareness initiative of FSSAI to stop obesity by eating safe and healthy food. It coincided with the World Food Safety Day celebration in Bengaluru today. The Union Minister emphasised that a healthy society alone can ensure a strong nation. He reiterated that for India to become Viksit, our people should remain healthy.

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Eid-ul-Azha, the festival of sacrifice was celebrated with religious fervour and due reverence across the country today. The faithfuls offered Eid prayers in Eidgahs and mosques this morning. Later they exchanged Eid greetings.

In Delhi, main congregations were held at Jama Masjid, Fatehpuri mosque and Shahi Eidgah.

Eid-ul-Azha is celebrated to commemorate the willingness of Hazrat Ibrahim to sacrifice his only son in obedience of God’s command.

Reports of Eid prayers congregations have also come in from other parts of the country.

The festival was celebrated with devotion and fervour across the state of Maharashtra today. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde extended wishes on the occasion.

“In the capital city of Mumbai, large crowds offered namaz at Haji Ali Dargah and Sunni Jama Masjid, among other places, on the occasion of Eid al Adha. Thousands of devotees offered collective namaz at Eidgah Maidan on Pune-Solapur Road. More than 150 masjids across Pune city also witnessed the fervour and enthusiasm of Eid al Adha. In Washim, devotees offered collective namaz. The festival was celebrated in Beed city with fervour at 27 locations, where devotees offered namaz with devotion. Dhule city and district, along with Hingoli, also witnessed enthusiastic celebrations of Eid al Adha. Ankita Apte, Akashvani News, Mumbai.”

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The festival of Eid-ul-Azha was celebrated in Bangladesh with religious fervour and solemnity. People started gathering in mosques early in the morning to celebrate the festival of sacrifice and sharing. In the capital city Dhaka, the national Baitul Mukarram mosque held five congregations for the devotees starting from 7 a.m. Special prayers were also held seeking continued peace and development of the nation as well as global peace.

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The Muslim community across Sri Lanka is celebrating Eid-ul-Adha today with religious fervour, marking one of the holiest occasions in the Islamic calendar. Devotees gathered at mosques early in the morning to offer Eid prayers.

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Olympian Jyothi Yarraji continued her solid run this season with a victory in the women’s 100m hurdles as India secured six gold medals on the opening day of the Taiwan Athletics Open 2025 in Chinese Taipei today.

Tejas Shirse, the national record holder in the men’s 110m hurdles, also claimed gold in his pet event with a season-best time of 13.52s.

India also won gold medals in both the men’s and women’s 100m relays.

The quartet of Sudheeksha Vadluri, Abinaya Rajarajan, Sneha SS and Nithya Gandhe won the women’s 100m relay.

The men’s 100m relay saw the quartet of Gurindervir Singh, Animesh Kujur, Manikanta Hoblidhar and Amlan Borgohain win the gold.

Earlier in the day, Pooja won India’s first gold medal by dominating the women’s 1500m race.

Abdulla Aboobacker secured India’s second gold in the men’s triple jump, registering a leap of 16.21 meters on his third attempt.

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In Women’s Single at the French Open 2025, the final match between Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka and American Coco Gauff is currently underway. When reports last came in, both players had taken one set each. Sabalenka won the first set 7-6 while Gauff took the second 6-2. The third and final set is going on.

In Women’s doubles, No. 2-seeded Italian pair Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini will face Kazakhstan’s Anna Danilina paired with Serbia’s Aleksandra Krunic for the title on Sunday.

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi calls for strengthening early warning systems to mitigate disaster risks.
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar says recently concluded free trade agreement between India and UK will improve strategic bilateral ties and two way trade.
Union Health Minister J P Nadda launches awareness campaign to reduce obesity on the occasion of World Food Safety Day.
Eid-ul-Azha, the festival of sacrifice celebrated with religious fervour in various parts of the country and abroad.
Indian athletes clinch six gold on the Opening day of Taiwan Open Athletics Championship at Taipei.
And in French Open Tennis, women’s singles final underway between Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff.