THE HEADLINES:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi says India is setting new benchmarks in space technology with visionary scientists providing solutions to future challenges.
- In his Mann ki Baat programme on Akashvani, the Prime Minister saluted members of the Constituent Assembly in framing the constitution; urged citizens to take inspiration from the thoughts of these great leaders.
- Mr. Modi said the on-going Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj is an extraordinary confluence of equality and harmony and its global popularity is a matter of pride for every Indian.
- Northern Railway announces three special trains between Katra and Prayagraj to facilitate pilgrims travelling to Maha Kumbh Mela.
- Gaza Agreement runs into rough weather as Israel delays its implementation Until Hamas provides the names of the first hostages for release.
- In Tennis, Rohan Bopanna and Shuai Zhang enter mixed doubles quarterfinals of Australian Open.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the country is setting new benchmarks in space technology, with visionary scientists and innovators providing solutions to future challenges. Addressing the nation in the 118th episode of his Mann Ki Baat programme on Akashvani today, Mr. Modi commended the nation’s recent achievements in the space sector.
Lauding the Bengaluru-based Indian Space-Tech start-up, ‘Pixxel’ for successfully launching the country’s first private satellite constellation ‘Firefly’, the Prime Minister called it a significant step towards self-reliance.
The Prime Minister also applauded the space docking of satellites, saying that this technology is important for sending supplies to space stations and crew missions in space. He said, India has become the fourth country to achieve this success. Mr. Modi extended his best wishes to scientists, innovators and young entrepreneurs on behalf of the entire nation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his greetings in advance for the 75th anniversary of Republic Day saying that this year’s celebration is particularly special as this year marks 75 years of the constitution coming into force.
Mr. Modi saluted the members of Constituent Assembly who contributed in framing the Constitution. The Prime Minister remembered Baba Saheb Ambedkar, Dr. Rajendra Prasad and Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee saying that citizens must take inspiration from thoughts of these great leaders.
Prime Minister Modi also highlighted the importance of National Voters Day which will be celebrated on 25th January. This day is important because on this day the Election Commission of India was established. Lauding the role and contributions of the Election Commission, Mr. Modi said, constitution makers have accorded a very important place to the Election Commission in the Constitution and to the people’s participation in democracy.
On the on-going Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, the Prime Minister said, this is an extraordinary confluence of equality and harmony.
Highlighting the amazing bonding between humans and animals, Mr. Modi said, Indian culture and heritage teaches us to live with love with the surrounding animals and birds.
On the completion of nine years of Start-Up India, the Prime Minister said, the country’s Start-Up culture is not limited to big cities and more than half of the start-ups are from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. He said, Waste Management, Non-Renewable Energy, Biotechnology and Logistics are the sectors in which the most number of Start-Ups are being noticed.
Remembering the contribution of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, the Prime Minister said, the country will celebrate the 23rd of January as Parakram Diwas on Netaji’s birth anniversary. Terming Subhash Babu a visionary leader, Mr. Modi said, courage was ingrained in Netaji’s nature.
Pointing towards good work done by the citizens for the betterment of society and environment, Mr Modi lauded the efforts of KG Mohammad of Lakshadweep saying that the marine ecosystem of Minicoy Island is improving with his hard work.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke on the various aspects of Mahakumbh 2025 during his monthly radio programme- Mann Ki Baat. He said, it is an extraordinary confluence of equality and harmony. More from our correspondent:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the Kumbh celebrates the festival of unity in diversity and people congregate on the sands of the Sangam.
On the participation of youth in the kumbh, Mr. Modi said, when the young generation connects with its civilization with pride, its roots become stronger.
He said, this time the country is witnessing the digital footprints of the Kumbh on such a large scale and this global popularity of the Kumbh is a matter of pride for every Indian.
Talking to Akashvani News, few devotees also shared their views.
Devotees and Pilgrims in Mahakumbh Nagar are also listening to Akashvani’s Kumbhvani News Bulletins live from the public address system. The Channel will continue to broadcast news and other programmes till 26th of February. Anand For Akashvani News, Mahakumbh Nagar Prayagraj.
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In Andhra Pradesh, the Union Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah participated in the 20th Raising Day Celebrations of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in Vijayawada. On this occasion, the Home Minister also inaugurated the Southern Campus of the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) at Kondapavuluru in Krishna District.
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The Northern Railways division has announced operation of three special trains between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Railway Station, Katra and Prayagraj to facilitate pilgrims travelling to the Maha Kumbh Mela. Akashvani Jammu Correspondent reports that the first train will depart from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra station on January 24 at 3:50 AM and will return from Prayagraj on 25 January.
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In the actor Saif Ali Khan attack case, the Mumbai Police have arrested a man accused of stabbing Bollywood star from Maharashtra’s Thane West area today. Addressing a media briefing, Mumbai Police said the arrested accused is likely a Bangladeshi national as his belongings that they seized indicate so and he doesn’t have any valid Indian identity proof.
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Israel has delayed the Gaza ceasefire deal with Hamas. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the ceasefire will not come into force until Hamas provides the names of the first hostages it plans to release.
A statement from his office says he instructed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) not to begin the ceasefire, which was scheduled to take effect at 12 noon Indian time today. On the other hand, Hamas says the delay is due to technical reasons. According to the ceasefire agreement, names should be provided at least 24 hours before a planned exchange.
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The Indian men’s and women’s teams are all set to compete in the finals of the Kho Kho World Cup 2025 today. Both teams will face Nepal at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi. The Indian women’s team will play their final match at 6 PM, followed by the men’s final at 7:45 PM. Both teams will aim to secure victory and lift the trophy in this inaugural World Cup.
Sudhanshu Mittal, President of the Kho Kho Federation of India, praised the Indian teams for their outstanding performances during the tournament.
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In the Australian Open Tennis, Indian ace Rohan Bopanna and his Chinese partner Shuai Zhang entered the quarterfinals of the mixed doubles after they got walked over from the fourth-seeded Monaco-American pair of Hugo Nys and Taylor Townsend today. Bopanna and Shuai will next play the winner of the match between Hungry’s Timea Babos and El Salvador’s Marcelo Arevalo and Australian combination of Olivia Gadecki and John Peers.
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In the ICC under 19 Women’s T 20 Cricket, India beat West Indies by nine wickets at the Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur.
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In Chess, World Champion D Gukesh has won the first round in the Tata Steel Masters, defeating Anish Giri of Holland in a closely-contested match at Wijk Aan Zee in the Netherlands. Gukesh secured the win against Giri in 42 moves. The second round will be played today from 6:30 PM IST.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi says India is setting new benchmarks in space technology with visionary scientists providing solutions to future challenges.
- In his Mann ki Baat programme on Akashvani, the Prime Minister saluted members of the Constituent Assembly in framing the constitution; urged citizens to take inspiration from the thoughts of these great leaders.
- Mr. Modi said the on-going Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj is an extraordinary confluence of equality and harmony and its global popularity is a matter of pride for every Indian.
- Northern Railway announces three special trains between Katra and Prayagraj to facilitate pilgrims travelling to Maha Kumbh Mela.
- Gaza Agreement runs into rough weather as Israel delays its implementation Until Hamas provides the names of the first hostages for release.
- In Tennis, Rohan Bopanna and Shuai Zhang enter mixed doubles quarterfinals of Australian Open.
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