THE HEADLINES :-
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi calls for promoting round the year tourism in Uttarakhand to strengthen economy and create jobs.
- India adopting pragmatic and techno-legal approach to AI governance, asserts Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
- New Delhi condemns security breach by extremists during External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s UK visit; Calls upon London to fully live upto diplomatic obligations.
- Babbar Khalsa International terrorist with Pakistan’s ISI links arrested in joint operation by Uttar Pradesh and Punjab police.
- In Indian Super League Football, Hyderabad FC to clash with Punjab FC in Hyderabad this evening.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasized on promoting ’round the year’ tourism in Uttarakhand to strengthen economy and create jobs for the youth. Addressing a public meeting at Harsil in Uttarkashi district of the state today, Mr Modi stressed on the need for diversification of the tourism sector in the state, appealing to the people to visit Uttarakhand in winter season. The Prime Minister said, there should be no off-season in the picturesque hill state. He said, it will allow visitors to experience state’s divine landscapes all throughout the year.
Highlighting the state’s winter beauty, Prime Minister Modi noted that vacant hotels during this season cause economic imbalance, even though winter showcases Uttarakhand’s true charm.
The Prime Minister also outlined major infrastructure projects approved for the state.
The Prime Minister further advocated promoting Uttarakhand as a destination for weddings, calling it a perfect place for memorable celebrations. Mr Modi arrived in Uttarkashi this morning on a day-long visit to Uttarakhand.
Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister flagged off a trek and bike rally in Harsil as part of efforts to promote tourism and boost the local economy. He then admired the panoramic view of the Himalayas from Mukhwa Viewpoint. Prime Minister Modi also offered prayers at Mukhwa temple — the winter abode of Goddess Ganga in Uttarkashi district.
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Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has stressed that India is adopting a pragmatic and techno-legal approach to Artificial intelligence (AI) governance. In an article written by him in a national daily, the Minister said, the Government is investing in AI-driven safeguards against deepfakes, cybersecurity threats, and privacy risks, ensuring responsible AI deployment. He said, India wants to leverage technology for inclusive growth while maintaining a regulatory framework that fosters innovation.
The Minister said, India has long been a global leader in software development, but now, the nation is making rapid strides in hardware manufacturing. He said, with five semiconductor plants under construction, India is strengthening its position in the global electronics sector. Mr Vaishnaw said, the country will soon reach a major milestone with the launch of India’s first Make in India semiconductor chip this year.
Mr Vaishnaw asserted that the nation is shaping its digital future with a strong focus on Digital Public Infrastructure, Artificial Intelligence, Semiconductors, and Electronics manufacturing.
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The Select Committee of Lok Sabha on the new Income Tax Bill is holding a meeting at the Parliament House in New Delhi. The Committee has summoned the representatives of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India along with Ernst and Young to record oral evidence. The 31-member panel is headed by BJP MP Baijayant Panda.
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India has condemned the security breach by separatists and extremists during the visit of External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar to the United Kingdom. The External Affairs Ministry in a statement called it provocative activity of a small group of separatists and extremists. It said that India has deplored these actions and it is the misuse of democratic freedom by such elements. It further added that they expect the host government in such cases to fully live upto their diplomatic obligations.
Dr Jaishankar is on a six-day visit to the UK and Ireland. Yesterday, External Affairs Minister addressed a session titled ‘India’s rise and role in the world’ at the Chatham House, a British think tank based in London. Speaking at the event, Dr Jaishankar said, the US administration under President Donald Trump is moving towards multipolarity which suits India’s interests.
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In Uttar Pradesh, an active terrorist of Babbar Khalsa International with alleged links to Pakistan’s ISI was arrested from Kaushambi district in the early hours today in a joint operation by State’s Special Task Force and Punjab Police. Briefing media about the successful joint operation, Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police, Prashant Kumar said, the arrested terrorist works for the head of the Germany-based module of Babbar Khalsa International, Swarn Singh alias Jeevan Fauji, and is in direct touch with Pakistan-based ISI operatives. Uttar Pradesh’s Special Task Force has recovered some explosive material and illegal arms from the terrorist. Mr Kumar said, the state, under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is committed to zero tolerance towards crime.
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Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said, the Central government is committed to the welfare of minority communities in the country, prioritising inclusive development. The Minister was speaking at the Regional Review Meeting and Training Workshop on the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram for the States and Union Territories of the Southern Region at Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala.
Mr Rijiju said, India is a country where majority and minority communities live in harmony, and all Central government schemes are designed for the welfare of every citizen. He reaffirmed the Central Government’s commitment to “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.”
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Delhi Metro today completed a tunnel breakthrough for its Golden metro line at Vasant Kunj in the national capital. The 26 kilometer metro line will run under the Aerocity-Tughlakabad Corridor and is being built by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation as part of its Phase 4 expansion. After the breakthrough, Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister, Manohar Lal called it a matter of great happiness. The Minister said that India’s Metro network now ranks as the third most vast, after USA and China.
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President Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate a national conference in New Delhi on International Women’s Day on Saturday. The Conference is being organised on the theme of “Nari Shakti Se Viksit Bharat” by the Women and Child Development Ministry.
Talking about International Women’s Day, Minister for Women and Child Development, Annpurna Devi said, the day provides an opportunity to discuss the multi-faceted development of women and remove the obstacles to achieving this.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has thanked the people of Telangana for their phenomenal support to the BJP in the recently-held MLC elections in the state. In a social media post, Mr Modi also hailed the party workers for working among the people with great diligence. The BJP has won two out of three Members of the Legislative Council (MLC) seats in Telangana.
In another post, Prime Minister Modi hailed the victory of NDA candidates in the graduate MLC elections in Andhra Pradesh. NDA candidates A Rajendra Prasad and P Rajasekharam won the graduate MLC elections in Andhra Pradesh, while an independent candidate secured victory in the teachers’ constituency MLC poll.
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In Rajasthan, six persons lost their lives in a road accident near Kivrali village on National Highway 27 in the Sirohi district this morning. The victims, all residents of Jalore district, were traveling from Ahmedabad to Jalore when their car collided with a trailer.
In a tragic road accident in Punjab, three persons lost their lives while five others were injured when two cars collided with a tractor-trolley at Batala last night.
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US President Donald Trump issued a stern ultimatum to Palestinian armed group Hamas, demanding the immediate release of all hostages held in Gaza, along with the return of the bodies of those killed. These hostages were taken captive in a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7th of October in 2023.
President Trump’s warning came just hours after the White House confirmed it was engaged in direct negotiations with the armed group, a move that marks a shift in US policy. He further pledged to provide Israel with everything it needs to eliminate Hamas.
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The Benchmark domestic equity indices, Sensex and Nifty, were trading over half per cent up in the afternoon trade today. The 30-share BSE Sensex rose 397 points to 74,127 and the NSE Nifty50 gained 145 points to 22,482, when reports last came in.
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The Indian Meteorological Department has forecast strong surface winds to prevail over the plains of Northwest India, including Delhi, today. The IMD said that the surface winds will blow with the speed of 25 to 35 kilometres per hour. Meanwhile, light to moderate rainfall and snowfall with thunderstorms and lightning will descend over Arunachal Pradesh and Assam today and over Nagaland tomorrow.
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In Indian Super League Football, Hyderabad FC will take on Punjab FC at 7:30 this evening at Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad. Yesterday, Odisha FC defeated Jamshedpur FC 3-2 at Jamshedpur.
In the ICC Champions Trophy Cricket, New Zealand set up the summit clash with India after defeating South Africa by 50 runs in the second semifinal in Lahore last night. The Summit Clash between India and New Zealand will be played at Dubai on Sunday.
Khelo India Para Games 2025 will be held in New Delhi from 20th of this month. Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya announced that the second edition of the Games will be held in New Delhi till 27th of this month.
Around one thousand 230 para athletes will compete in six disciplines during the games.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN :-
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi calls for promoting round the year tourism in Uttarakhand to strengthen economy and create jobs.
- India adopting pragmatic and techno-legal approach to AI governance, asserts Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
- New Delhi condemns security breach by extremists during External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s UK visit; Calls upon London to fully live upto diplomatic obligations.
- Babbar Khalsa International terrorist with Pakistan’s ISI links arrested in joint operation by Uttar Pradesh and Punjab police.
- In Indian Super League Football, Hyderabad FC to clash with Punjab FC in Hyderabad this evening.
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