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December 7, 2024 2:57 PM

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Midday News

THE HEADLINES,

  • President Droupadi Murmu lays foundation stones of multiple projects, including three railway line projects in Odisha.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirms government’s commitment to improve connectivity across the country.
  • Syrian Government loses control of Daraa city; Rebels close in on Homs, country’s third largest city; India advises its nationals to leave the country.
  • Junior Women’s Hockey Asia Cup kicks off in Muscat, Oman.
  • And…, Australia were 316 for 7  against India’s 180 runs in first Innings in Adelaide Test of Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

 

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President Droupadi Murmu today laid the foundation stones for different projects including three railway projects  worth 6,294 crore rupees in north Odisha, connecting Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj districts. She also initiated projects for a Tribal Research and Development Centre, a 52.4 crore rupees 100-bed hospital and development project for upgrading Dandbose airstrip at Rairangpur in her home district Mayurbhanj.  The new railway lines are Bangriposi to Gorumahisani, Badampahad to Kendujhargarh and Budamara to Chakulia. The new rail lines are expected to greatly enhance connectivity, stimulate economic growth, and improve living standards in the region. The rail projects were recently approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narenra Modi. Chief Minister of Odisha Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Minister for Railways Aswhini Vaishnaw, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram were present at the foundation laying ceremony. The President, who was on a 5-day visit to her home state Odisha since Tuesday, returned to Delhi this afternoon. More from our correspondent:

 

President Droupadi Murmu has said that the Centre is focussing on the all round development of tribals in the country. She said the new railway projects were the dreams of the people of Mayurbhanj district including those living in Bangriposi and Rairangpur and hoped that the projects will be completed within a specific time limit. The 86-km Bangiriposi-Gorumahisani worth 2,549 crore rupees rail line will enhance connectivity within the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha. The 82-km Badampahar-Kendujhargarh worth 2,106 crore rupees rail line will pass through Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar districts of Odisha. The 60-km Buramara-Chakulia worth 1,639 crore rupees rail line will connect the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha and East Singhbhum district of Jharkhand. The introduction of these new rail lines will bring immense benefits to local residents who have long been deprived of efficient rail communication.  Prakash Dash, Akashvani News, Bangriposi, Odisha.”

 

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that the Government is committed to improve connectivity across the country. In a social media post, he said that the approval of the Rithala-Kundli corridor under the fourth phase of Delhi metro will make commuting between Delhi and Haryana easier.

 

Yesterday, the Cabinet approved the corridor under the Delhi Metro Phase-IV Project, which is scheduled to be completed in the next four years.

 

Earlier briefing media about the cabinet decisions, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said yesterday that Rapid expansion of Metro is essential for Urban Commuters as it is the convenient mode of travel.

 

Lauding the Cabinet’s decision to open 85 new Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) across the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that this is a big decision taken by the government to make school education as accessible as possible. He highlighted that while this step will benefit a large number of students, it will also create many new employment opportunities.

 

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually address the BAPS Karyakar Suvarna Mahotsav – the golden jubilee celebrations of BAPS volunteers this evening. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel along with the state Cabinet Ministers will also be present for the golden anniversary celebration at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Our correspondent reports that the event will felicitate the service of 1 lakh BAPS volunteers, from across the globe.

 

The year-long Karyakarta Suvarna Mahotsav has been organised to honour the service of the volunteers of Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha BAPS. It was inaugurated by Mahant Swami Maharaj in Surat on January 28, 2024. The grand golden jubilee celebrations will conclude today at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. More than 1 lakh volunteers from 30 countries across the world will participate in the event. The Mahotsav will showcase the contributions and sacrifices of the volunteers through interactive immersive presentations, demonstrations, narrations and throwback videos. Aparna Khunt, Akashvani News, Ahmedabad.”

 

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah has praised the BJP government, led by Prime Minister Modi, for turning the vision of a welfare state, as envisaged in the Constitution into reality. Addressing the Annual Function of the Lokseva Trust in Ahmedabad, Mr Shah said the BJP government is aiming at the holistic development of the nation with a commitment to poverty eradication, affordable housing, medical care, and education and a better life for the citizens.

 

Saying that the “Sanskar of Seva” is a legacy of Gujarat, the Minister lauded the state for its exemplary contributions to social service, especially in blood and organ donation. On the occasion, Mr Shah urged the people to rise above personal interests and dedicate themselves to society’s welfare which he said is a real service to the nation. During his visit to Gujarat, Mr. Shah inaugurated the 70-bed Global Multi-Specialty Hospital in Ahmedabad this morning.

 

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today saluted the courage, valour, fortitude and sacrifices of Indian Armed Forces on the occasion of the Armed Forces Flag Day. In his message, Mr Singh said the Armed Forces Flag Day is a day to remember the courage and contributions of Indian armed forces.

 

Since 1949, 7th December is observed as the Armed Forces Flag Day to honour the martyrs and the men in uniform of the nation.

 

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In  Maharashtra, the special session of the Legislative Assembly began in Mumbai this morning. Protem Speaker Kalidas Kolambkar led the proceedings. More updates from our Mumbai Correspondent…

 

“Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, along with Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, took the oath as members of the state legislative assembly. Protem Speaker Kalidas Kolambkar is overseeing the assembly proceedings and administering the oath of office and secrecy to the 288 newly elected MLAs. The oath-taking ceremony will be held over two days, today and tomorrow. The election for the Speaker of the legislative assembly is scheduled for 9th December. Following this, Governor C. P. Radhakrishnan will address a joint session of both houses of the legislature. Madhuri Pange, Aakashvani News, Mumbai”

 

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Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today chaired the second pre-budget consultation with various farmer associations and leading agricultural economists in connection with the forthcoming Union Budget 2025-26 in New Delhi.  The meeting was also attended by Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, Finance Secretary, Secretary, DIPAM and Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs.

 

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Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari today said, the electric vehicle industry in India will be a sector which is expected to  generate about 4 crore jobs by 2030. The Minister was   addressing a workshop on ‘Management of Fire Accidents in Electric Vehicles’ at the National Fire Service College (NFSC) under the Union Home Ministry in  Nagpur today. While underlining the importance of lithium ion battery used in Evs, Mr. Gadkari further informed that, as about 6 percent of the world’s lithium reserves are found in Jammu and  it will be used in 60 crore electric vehicles in the form of lithium ion batteries  which will also lead to the reduction in the cost of  lithium ion batteries.  

 

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Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Minister, Jyotiraditya Scindia today said the world’s geo-political order is shifting towards the Global South and North-East has the potential to be a key partner in its development. Mr Scindia was addressing a panel discussion with Chief Ministers of Meghalaya, Sikkim and Tripura during the first technical session of Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav on the topic “Catalysing North East’s Progress for a Viksit Bharat” at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The minister said that Centre is assisting to hone the specialties of each North-East state and present it to the world, ranging from tourism to agri-horticulture products. 

 

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A nationwide campaign ‘Prashasan Gaon Ki Ore’ will be launched on the 19th of December during the Good Governance Week. The one-week programme will be held till the 24th of December, covering events in all the districts across the country. In this campaign, over 700 District Collectors will be participating and officials will be visiting Tehsils and Panchayat Samiti headquarters. This is the third time, that the Government will be conducting a national campaign at Tehsil level to address public grievances and improve service delivery. Prashasan Gaon Ki Ore Abhiyaan will create a national movement for good governance that will inspire future generations. 

 

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In Syria, the government forces have lost control of Daraa city, widely regarded as the birthplace of Syria’s 2011 civil uprising. According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, rebel forces now control over 90 per cent of Daraa province Daraa city, located roughly 100 km from capital Damascus.

 

Meanwhile, thousands of people left Homs, Syria’s third-largest city, as yesterday, opposition fighters began advancing to Homs after capturing two nearby towns.      

 

 Jordan’s Interior Minister Mazen Farrayah has announced the closure of the Jaber border crossing with Syria due to the security conditions in southern Syria.

 

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India has advised its nationals to avoid all travel to Syria until further notification in view of the prevailing situation in the West Asian nation. In an advisory, the External Affairs Ministry has asked Indians currently in Syria to remain in touch with the Indian Embassy in Damascus for updates. The Embassy’s emergency helpline number is +96 3993385973 and email ID is hoc.damascus@mea.gov.in.

 

Those who can leave have been advised to leave by the earliest available commercial flights. Others have been requested to observe utmost precaution about their safety and restrict their movements to the minimum.

 

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The Junior Women’s Hockey Asia Cup began today in Muscat, Oman with ten teams participating in the continental showpiece. The Junior Asia Cup is a qualifying event for the FIH Junior World Cup 2025 in Chile.

 

In Pool A, Indian Junior Women’s team will face China, Malaysia, Thailand, and Bangladesh, while Pool B will feature South Korea, Japan, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, and Sri Lanka. Indian Junior Women’s Team will be led by Captain Jyoti Singh with Sakshi Rana serving as Vice-Captain. India will open their Junior Asia Cup hockey campaign against Bangladesh tomorrow.

 

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In Cricket, Australia were 332 for 8 in first inning against India on the second day of the second test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at Adelaide Oval, when reports last came in. The hosts were leading by 152  runs as India scored 180 runs in their first innings.  

 

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:

  • President Droupadi Murmu lays foundation stones of multiple projects, including three railway line projects in Odisha.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirms government’s commitment to improve connectivity across the country.
  • Syrian Government loses control of Daraa city; Rebels close in on Homs, country’s third largest city; India advises its nationals to leave the country.
  • Junior Women’s Hockey Asia Cup kicks off in Muscat, Oman.
  • And…, Australia were 332 for 8 against India’s 180 runs in first Innings in Adelaide Test of Border-Gavaskar Trophy. 

 

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