THE HEADLINES:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi launches development projects worth over 6,600 crore rupees from Bihar’s Jamui on Janjatiya Gaurav Divas marking birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
- Political parties intensify efforts to reach out to voters ahead of assembly elections in Jharkhand and Maharashtra.
- S&P Global Ratings projects 6.5 to 7 per cent growth for India’s GDP till financial year 2026-2027.
- Guru Nanak Jayanti and Kartik Poornima being celebrated with religious fervour across the country.
- Ruling National People’s Power party of Sri Lanka registers landslide victory in Parliamentary election.
- And, in Cricket, India to take on Hosts South Africa in fourth and final T20 International at Johannesburg this evening.
<><><>
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth over 6,600 crore rupees from Jamui in Bihar on the occasion of Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, marking birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. The projects are aimed at uplifting tribal communities and improving infrastructure in rural and remote areas of the region. Dharti Aaba Birsa Munda is revered as Bhagwan by tribal communities across the country. Today also marks the commencement of the 150th Birth Anniversary Year celebrations of Birsa Munda.
On the occasion, Mr Modi unveiled a commemorative coin and postal stamp in honor of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. He also virtually participated in the ‘Grih Pravesh’ of 11,000 houses built for tribal families under the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN).
Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said today’s projects are set to transform tribal life with 1.5 lakh Homes, roads, and new educational and health Facilities.
Prime Minister Modi, said, education, employment, and healthcare of the tribal community is the top priority of the NDA government.
Mr Modi announced eighty thousand crore rupees package for the infrastructure development of tribal villages under the Janjatiya Utkarsh Gram Abhiyan.
The Prime Minister also announced the launch of Birsa Munda Gaurav Upvan in tribal dominated districts on the occasion. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and state ministers, and dignitaries also attended the programme.
<><><>
Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled a statue of Bhagwan Birsa Munda at Baansera Park in New Delhi today, honoring the legendary freedom fighter. Speaking at the event, Mr Shah highlighted his immense contribution to the nation. He added that Birsa Munda raised awareness about the importance of water, land, and forests of the tribal communities.
<><><>
As Jharkhand gears up for second phase of assembly polls and Maharashtra for single-phase voting next week, major political parties have intensified efforts to reach out to voters in the final days before the election.
In Jharkhand, during an election meeting at Tundi in Dhanbad, senior BJP leader and Union Minister Rajnath Singh criticized Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and Chief Minister Hemant Soren for rampant corruption in the state.
Senior BJP leaders Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Himanta Biswa Sarma, and Champai Soren also addressed rallies in Dumka, Pakur, and Jama.
At a public gathering in Godda, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi promised that if the I.N.D.I.A alliance is voted to power, all of their poll promises will be fulfilled.
Meanwhile, speaking at a rally in Deoghar, senior RJD leader Tejaswi Prasad Yadav accused the BJP of dividing society along religious and caste lines.
Leaders from the AJSU and left-wing parties are also actively campaigning, holding rallies and roadshows across different parts of the state.
Polling in Jharkhand in the second phase will take place for 38 seats on 20th of this month.
<><><>
Voting for all 288 constituencies in Maharashtra will also take place on the same day. Speaking at a rally in Sangli today, NCP(SP) Chief Sharad Pawar claimed that the BJP wants to change the constitution and like-minded parties have come together under the MVA umbrella to oppose this. Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackery campaigned in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, where he hit out at the ruling NDA and Mahayuti government over the low Minimum Support Price of Soyabean.
Union Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah will be campaigning in Hingoli, Yawatmal and Chandrapur today, while Union Minister Nitin Gadkari is scheduled to campaign in Gadchiroli, Chandrapur and Nagpur. The counting of votes will take place on the 23rd of November.
As part of our ongoing series on constituency profiles ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in Maharashtra, today we focus on Kasba constituency in Pune. Our correspondent reports. the Kasba seat is the most politically debated constituency among the eight constituencies in the district:
“The Kasba constituency lies in the heart of the city and placed equally so in the politics of the district. It was known as BJP’s fort from 1995 to 2019. Late BJP MLA and former mayor of Pune Mukta Tilak won the 2019 elections but it went to by-poll last year due to her demise, in which Ravindra Dhangekar of Congress defeated BJP candidate Hemant Rasane. Dhangekar and Rasne are face to face in this election but the Congress is infested with rebels. Kamal Vyavhare, a staunch Congress loyalist, is now contesting on the ticket of Swarajya Party Maharashtra Navnirman Sena has fielded Ganesh Bhokare. Women voters are crucial in the result of Kasba constituency as they are more in numbers. There are a total of 12 contestants for the seat. Manoj Kshirsagar, Akashvani News, Pune.”
<><><>
S&P Global Ratings has projected India’s GDP to grow between 6.5-7 per cent annually in the next three fiscal years till 2027 driven by infrastructure development and increased consumption. In its global bank outlook report, the agency stated that structural improvements and good economic prospects will support the resilience of India’s financial institutions. For the current fiscal, the Reserve Bank has projected real GDP growth at 7.2 per cent.
<><><>
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan today reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a zero-error entrance examination system for students. Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the second Insights Forum organized by the Indian School of Business (ISB) in Hyderabad, Mr Pradhan said, multi-dimensional reforms, as recommended by the Dr. Radhakrishna Committee, are currently under examination. He said, research work conducted by institutions like ISB will help in creating public policy and help the government at different levels.
Earlier, the Minister inaugurated the second edition of the ISB Insights Forum, an annual research showcase at the ISB campus.
<><><>
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the first Bodoland Mahotsav in New Delhi this evening. The two-day Mahotsav is a mega event on language, literature, and culture to sustain peace and build a Vibrant Bodo Society. The Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement that the Mahotsav aims to integrate the indigenous Bodo people residing not only in Bodoland but also in other parts of Assam, West Bengal, Nepal, and other international border areas of the North East.
<><><>
Guru Nanak Jayanti or Gurpurab is being celebrated with religious fervour in the country and across the world. The day marks the birth of the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev, who laid the foundation of Sikhism. This year, celebrating the 555th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
Sikh devotees around the world begin the day with early morning processions and offer prayers in Gurudwaras.
In Punjab, hundreds of devotees are paying obeisance at Shri Harimandir Sahib in Amritsar and other Gurudwaras in the state. More from our correspondent:
“Sat Guru Nanak Pargateya, Mitti Dhund Jag Chanan Hoya’ itself means when Guru Nanak came, the mist went away and the world saw the light. Celebrating the Prakash Purb of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the Harimandir Sahib in Amritsar and all other Gurudwaras are soulfully decorated in Punjab and across India to celebrate the divine occasion. A large number of devotees from India and abroad are arriving at Sri Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar since early morning to pay obeisance to the first Guru, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Many of them are taking a dip in the holy Sarovar. Standing in long ques, the joyful devotees are listening to Gurbani. They are experiencing internal bliss in their hearts while bowing their heads in the sanctum sanctorum. Devotees are also visiting Gurudwaras related with Guru Nanak Dev Ji in Sultanpur Lodhi in Kapurthala district, where Guru Nanak Dev Ji lived for 14 years and attained enlightenment. People are partaking in Langar at Community Kitchens in Gurudwaras as well as at places setup by public and other organizations. Meanwhile, a group of 2656 devotees had also crossed over to Pakistan from Attari-Wagah Joint Check Post to pay obeisance at Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of the Guru. Rajesh Bali, Akashvani News, Jalandhar.”
The President, Vice President and Prime Minister have greeted the people on the occasion.
The day is also celebrated as Kartik Poornima which falls on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Kartik. It is revered as a time of spiritual cleansing and devotion. In different parts of the country, since early morning, lakhs of devotees are taking holy dip in various rivers on the auspicious occasion. The day also coincides with Dev Deepawali.
<><><>
Sri Lanka’s ruling National People’s Power (NPP) has secured a landslide victory in the Parliamentary election, crossing the majority mark of 113 in the 225-member Parliament. The leftist coalition won 159 seats in the 225 member house.
<><><>
The fourth and final T20 International cricket match between India and South Africa will be played at Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg this evening. The Men in Blue are currently leading the series 2-1.
<><><>
THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN::
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi launches development projects worth over 6,600 crore rupees from Bihar’s Jamui on Janjatiya Gaurav Divas marking birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
- Political parties intensify efforts to reach out to voters ahead of assembly elections in Jharkhand and Maharashtra.
- S&P Global Ratings projects 6.5 to 7 per cent growth for India’s GDP till financial year 2026-2027.
- Guru Nanak Jayanti and Kartik Poornima being celebrated with religious fervour across the country.
- Ruling National People’s Power party of Sri Lanka registers landslide victory in Parliamentary election.
- And, in Cricket, India to take on Hosts South Africa in fourth and final T20 International at Johannesburg this evening.
<><><>