Midday News

THE HEADLINES :

Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurates Gujarat’s largest waste to energy plant in Ahmedabad.
Today is last day for withdrawal of candidature for second phase of assembly elections in Jharkhand.
Eight states including Karnataka and Chhattisgarh and two Union Territories celebrate their statehood day; President, Vice President and Prime Minister greet the people.
In US, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump enter intense campaign in Swing States for Final Week of Presidential Election.
In Tennis, India’s Rithvik Choudary Bollipalli and Arjun Kadhe advance to Men’s doubles semi-finals at Bratislava Open in Slovakia.
And in Cricket, third and final Test between India and New Zealand underway in Mumbai.

<><><>

Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated Gujarat ‘s largest waste to energy plant at Pirana in Ahmedabad City today. The plant has been established on Public-Private Partnership, PPP model at a cost of Rs. 375 crore. Our correspondent reports that this will be Ahmedabad’s first waste to energy plant which will prove to be a big step towards green future. We have a report :

“The state’s largest Waste to energy plant which has been set up at Piranha landfill in Ahmedabad is a joint partnership between Ahmedabad Municipal corporation and the Jindal urban waste management company . The plant which was set up on experimental basis was inaugurated officially today. Nearly 1 thousand metric tonnes of solid waste will be processed in the plant per day generating 15 mega watt of energy. The plant will not only ensure green and clean future to Ahmedabad city but will also prove to be a model initiative for effective waste management in urban areas. Aparna khunt Akashvani News Ahmedabad.”

<><><>

President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi today extended greetings to the people of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Lakshadweep and Puducherry on the statehood Day of their states. In a social media post, President Murmu highlighted the contributions made by the people of these States and Union Territories in the country’s development journey.

Mr. Dhankar wished that these States and Union Territories continue to flourish and progress, contributing to the peace and prosperity of the country. In a social media post, the Prime Minister wished for the happiness and success of the people of these states and Union Territories.

<><><>

Chhattisgarh is celebrating the 24th anniversary of its formation today. On this occasion, Rajyotsav will be organized in Raipur from 4th November. More details from our correspondent:

“Chhattisgarh government has appealed to all the people of the state to light lamps in their homes today on the occasion of State Foundation Day. Rajyotsav and state investiture ceremony will be organized by the state government from November 4 to 6 at capital Raipur. Apart from this, cultural programs will be organized in all the district headquarters of the state on November 5. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, in his greeting message, has said that after the formation of the state, Chhattisgarh has progressed in every field. He said that the state government is continuously working to provide their rights to the tribals, farmers, laborers and deprived sections of the society. Vikalp Shukla, Akashvani News, Raipur.”

<><><>

Karnataka Rajyotsava is celebrated each year on November 1st. It marks the formation of the state, unifying Kannada-speaking regions under one banner in 1956. On the 69th Kannada Rajyotsava, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah hoisted the national flag at Kantheerava Outdoor Stadium this morning. More from our correspondent :

“As part of Karnataka Day, the Karnataka Rajyotsava Awards and Karnataka Sambhrama-50 Golden Jubilee Awards will be presented at the Valedictory Ceremony today at 4 pm in front of Vidhana Soudha.The government has also raised the Golden Jubilee Award amount for the Karnataka Sambhram-50 Abhiyan from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 1 lakh. In Bengaluru, the iconic Vidhana Soudha shines in the state’s colors, symbolizing Karnataka’s unity and progress. Rajyotsava is more than a day; it’s a celebration of the resilience, history, and pride of Kannadigas everywhere. This is Ponnumon from Bengaluru for Akashvani News.”

<><><>

Puducherry Liberation Day is being celebrated with great fervour today. Chief Minister N. Rangasamy hoisted the national flag at the Liberation Day function held at Gandhi Tidal on Beach Road. He also received the guard of honor from the police during the Liberation Day parade.

In his address, Chief Minister Rangasamy emphasized the need to address the reduction of cultivated land due to urbanization. The Chief Minister announced plans to introduce hydroponic farming in Puducherry as a sustainable agricultural solution.

<><><>

Withdrawal of candidature for the second phase of assembly elections in Jharkhand is underway. Today is the last date for withdrawal of nomination papers. Six hundred thirty four candidates have filled nominations for this phase. Final figure of the candidates remaining in the fray after the withdrawal is expected by this evening.

Thirty eight constituencies will go to polls in the second phase on the 20th November, while the first phase of polling will be undertaken on 13th November in Forty three constituencies. 685 candidates are in first phase after withdrawal of candidatures. Counting of votes will be on 23rd November.

<><><>

Rajesh Kumar Singh, a 1989-batch IAS officer from Kerala cadre, today assumed charge as the Defence Secretary. Mr Singh succeeded a 1988-batch IAS officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre Giridhar Aramane, who superannuated from service yesterday. Before taking charge, Mr Singh laid a wreath and paid homage to the fallen heroes at the National War Memorial in New Delhi.

Earlier, Mr Singh was holding the charge of Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. He has held many other important positions in the Union Government . He has also held important positions in the State Government as Secretary, Urban Development and lately as Kerala Finance Secretary.

<><><>

Government has released the Operational Guidelines of Central Sector Scheme Namo Drone Didi. Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ministry has approved this Central Sector Scheme for providing drones to the Women Self Help Groups under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana- National Rural Livelihoods Mission. The scheme aims to provide drones to 14 thousand 500 selected Women Self Help Groups during the period from 2024-25 to 2025-2026, with an outlay of one thousand 261 crore rupees.

<><><>

Iron ore production has registered a growth of 5.5 percent in the first half of the current financial year. Ministry of Mines said that the production of iron ore increased to 135 million metric tonnes from April to September in financial year 2024-25, compared to 128 million metric tonnes recorded during the same period last financial year.

<><><>

The air quality in Delhi has slipped to very poor category after Diwali celebration. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, national capital’s air quality index was recorded at 351 at 1:00 PM. As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast the air quality is likely to remain in the very poor category during next three days. More from our correspondent.

“Despite all the measures and ban on fire crackers to curb pollution, Delhi’s air quality dropped significantly after Diwali celebrations. Last night, people burst firecrackers, resulting in a thin layer of smog in Delhi this morning. The effect of pollution was also seen on temperature. The city has also experienced a record-breaking temperature in October this year, with an average maximum temperature of 35 degrees Celsius which is the highest since 1951. This time, the fire incident on Diwali also broke the record of the last ten to fifteen years. According to the Delhi Fire Department Director Atul Garg, the number of fire-related incidents this Diwali exceeded 300, a significant increase from the yearly average of around 200 over the past 10 to 15 years.

Both central and state governments have taken extensive measures to reduce pollution levels in Delhi-NCR. With Dipendra Kumar, Bhupendra Singh, Akashvani News, Delhi.”

<><><>

Lakshmi Poojan, regarded as the most important day of the Diwali festival, is being done with fervour in Maharashtra through shopping, cultural programmes, and religious rituals. More from our correspondent-

“This evening, on Ashwin Amavasya, the Pooja of Goddess Lakshmi will be performed in accordance with tradition. Devotees are thronging the marketplaces across Maharashtra to buy the materials needed for the Pooja, including various flowers, sweet offerings for the Goddess, auspicious symbols, decorative items, and colourful lights. There is also great enthusiasm for purchasing gold and silver idols of Goddess Lakshmi during the Muhurat of Lakshmi Poojan. The day is being celebrated with joy through various cultural programmes, particularly classical music, as tradition dictates. The festival is being utilised as a platform to raise voter awareness ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra assembly polls. Business owners are performing the traditional ‘Chopda Pujan’ today. The Bombay Stock Exchange will conduct its annual Muhurat trading session this evening. Ankita Apte, Akashvani News, Mumbai.”

<><><>

The new train ticket advance reservation booking rules have come into force from today. The Railways has reduced the existing time limit for advance reservations in trains from 120 days to 60 days. However, all the bookings done upto 31st October this year will remain intact.

According to the Railways Ministry, 60 day booking window will help in reducing the chances of ticket hoarding, ensuring more tickets for passengers. The Ministry said, it was observed that about 21 percent of reservations done for 61 to 120 day periods were getting cancelled.

Certain daytime express trains like the Taj Express and Gomti Express will continue to follow the lower time limits for advance reservations. The Ministry added that the 365-day advance reservation booking limit for foreign tourists remains unchanged.

<><><>

Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council Dr. Bibek Debroy passed away at AIIMS, New Delhi this morning. He was 69. He was admitted at the hospital last night.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the demise of Dr. Bibek Debroy. In a social media post today, Mr. Modi said Dr. Debroy was a towering scholar, well-versed in diverse domains like economics, history, culture, politics, spirituality and more.

<><><>

In the US, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, the Democratic and Republican contenders for the 5th November US presidential election, began a tour of swing states in the final week of campaigning. The two contenders are locked neck and neck, according to pre-poll surveys. Most surveys have put Harris marginally ahead of Trump. She was elevated as the Democrats’ presidential nominee after Biden decided not to seek re-election.

<><><>

In Tennis, India’s Rithvik Choudary Bollipalli and Arjun Kadhe has advanced to the Men’s doubles semi-finals at the Bratislava Open, being held at Slovakia. The Indian duo will take on the pair of Julian Cash of United Kingdom and Nicolás Barrientos of Colombia in the semi-finals this evening.

<><><>

In Cricket, New Zealand were 192 for 6 in their first innings against India on the first day of the third and final Test match in Mumbai, when reports last came in. Earlier, the visitors won the toss and elected to bat first.

<><><>

THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN::

Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurates Gujarat’s largest waste to energy plant in Ahmedabad.
Today is last day for withdrawal of candidature for second phase of assembly elections in Jharkhand.
Eight states including Karnataka and Chhattisgarh and two Union Territories celebrate their statehood day; President, Vice President and Prime Minister greet the people.
In US, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump enter intense campaign in Swing States for Final Week of Presidential Election.
In Tennis, India’s Rithvik Choudary Bollipalli and Arjun Kadhe advance to Men’s doubles semi-finals at Bratislava Open in Slovakia.
And in Cricket, third and final Test between India and New Zealand underway in Mumbai.