THE HEADLINES:
- External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar says, one of India’s key diplomatic objectives is to ensure favourable energy environment for coming decades.
- RSS to launch several outreach programmes to promote social harmony and national unity on Vijayadashami this year to mark 100 years of its formation.
- Nation pays homage to great revolutionaries Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev on Martyrs’ Day today; Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, their fearless pursuit for freedom and justice continues to inspire people of the country.
- In Basketball, India beat Hosts Bahrain in final qualifier match in Manama to book spot in FIBA Men’s Asia Cup 2025.
- In IPL-T20 Cricket, Sunrisers Hyderabad to take on Rajasthan Royals in Hyderabad this afternoon; Chennai Super Kings to face Mumbai Indians in Chennai this evening.
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External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said, one of India’s key diplomatic objectives is to ensure favourable energy environment for coming decades. Speaking at a media event in Mumbai yesterday, Dr Jaishankar said after decades of hearing the virtues of globalisation, the world today is grappling with the reality of industrial policies, export controls and tariff wars. He said, India as the world’s fifth-largest economy, must develop a broad and diverse set of energy relationships.
The External Affairs Minister said, the idea of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, also applies to the country’s foreign policy, adding that India is among the few that can simultaneously engage with Russia and Ukraine, Israel and Iran, the democratic West and the Global South, and the BRICS and the QUAD countries. He further said, even in a sensitive domain like Defence and Security, Indian diplomacy ensures that both our armed forces and businesses have the widest possible selection of partners.
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The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has announced the launch of several outreach programmes on Vijayadashmi this year aimed at encouraging social participation as it completes 100 years of its formation. Briefing media persons on the conclusion of three-day national meet of Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha of the Sangh in Bengaluru today, RSS General Secretary, Dattatreya Hosabale said, there will be no formal celebration, However, various outreach programmes will be launched on the foundation day of RSS on Vijayadashmi this year. He added, these programmes will seek social participation in various activities for the betterment of the society. Hosabale informed that there will be mass contact programmes at the grassroot level to promote social harmony and national unity.
Replying to media queries on the issue of Aurangzeb controversy, Mr Hosabale made it clear that Aurangzeb does not represent Indian ethos and cultural values. He added that the society should decide whether an invader can be their icon. Responding to another question, he said religion based reservation is not constitutional and many courts have rejected such an action.
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The Centre has withdrawn 20 percent duty on onion export, effective from 1st of April. The Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Ministry said, this will ensure remunerative prices to farmers while maintaining affordability of onion to the consumers at a crucial juncture. As per the estimates, higher production of crops during the rabi season including onion is expected to further ease the market price in the coming months.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent podcast with AI researcher and podcaster Lex Fridman is now accessible in multiple languages. In a social media post, Mr Modi said that the aim is to make the conversation accessible to a wider audience.
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The Budget Session of Delhi Legislative Assembly will get underway tomorrow. The session is tentatively scheduled to run till 28th of March, with provisions for extension if required. CAG report on the Functioning of DTC will be tabled in the House on Monday. The budget will be presented this Tuesday.
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The National Testing Agency (NTA) has extended the submission deadline for the online application forms of Common University Entrance Test (CUET) Under Graduate 2025 till tomorrow. In a press release, the NTA announced that the deadline for submitting examination fees has been revised to 25th of March, while the correction window will be open from 26th to 28th of this month, allowing modifications to specific fields.
The CUET-UG 2025 is tentatively scheduled to be held from 8th of May to 1st of June this year, in Computer-Based Test mode at various centres across the country and in 15 cities abroad.
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The Nation is paying homage to great revolutionaries of the Indian freedom struggle Shaheed-E-Azam Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar – who were executed at the Central Jail in Lahore on this day in 1931. The brave freedom fighters were tried for assassinating British police officer J.P. Saunders on 17th of December 1928 in Lahore, and were sentenced to death. Their sacrifice remains etched in the collective memory of the Indian people, forever inspiring the nation to uphold the ideals of freedom and unity.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to legendary freedom fighters on Martyrs’ Day today. In a video message shared on social media platforms, Mr. Modi recalled their fearless pursuit of freedom and justice will continue to inspire people of the country.
A large number of people are visiting the National Martyrs Memorial at Hussainiwala in Punjab to pay homage to the great freedom fighters Haryana Sports Minister Gaurav Gautam flagged off a rally at Palwal on Martyrs’ Day.
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Nation is remembering great freedom fighter Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia on his birth anniversary today. Dr Lohia, a socialist political leader was born on this day in 1910 at Akbarpur in Uttar Pradesh.
Paying tribute to the veteran leader, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a social media post, described Dr. Lohia as a visionary leader, a fierce freedom fighter, and an icon of social justice who dedicated his life to empowering the underprivileged and building a strong India.
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The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, APEDA has announced the global resurgence of the traditional Indian Goli Soda, rebranded as Goli Pop Soda. Commerce and Industry Ministry said in a statement that this iconic beverage is making a remarkable comeback on the global stage, driven by its innovative reinvention and strategic international expansion.
The product has already made strong inroads in global markets, with successful trial shipments to the US, UK, Europe, and Gulf countries.
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The United States has lifted bounties of 10 million dollars on three senior Taliban figures, including the Interior Minister who also heads a powerful network blamed for bloody attacks against Afghanistan’s former government. Speaking to media in Kabul, Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Mateen Qani said, the US government has revoked the bounties placed on Haqqani, Abdul Aziz Haqqani, and Yahya Haqqani. The Haqqani network grew into one of the deadliest arms of the Taliban after the U.S. led 2001 invasion of Afghanistan. A Foreign Ministry official, Zakir Jalaly, said, the Taliban’s release of U.S. prisoner George Glezmann and removal of bounties shows both sides are moving beyond the effects of the wartime phase.
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Union Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya has said, to make the Fit India Movement a success, the people in the country must include regular exercise and cycling in their daily routine. The Minister was speaking after participating in the nationwide ‘Fit India Sundays on Cycle’ campaign at Lucknow this morning.
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At the Khelo India Para Games, shooting competitions are being held at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi today. In the 10M Air Rifle Prone Mixed SH1 category, Sagar Balasaheb Katale clinched the gold medal while Mona Agarwal secured silver and Deepak Saini claimed the bronze medal. We now go over to our correspondent Abhishek Kapil for more updates on the mega sports event.
Question: Abhishek, What were the highlights of the day at the Games so far and what events are lined up later in the day?
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Indian Basketball team has qualified for FIBA Men’s Asia Cup 2025 after registering a thrilling win over hosts Bahrain 81-77 in their final match at Qualifiers in Manama last night.
India will now travel to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for FIBA Asia Cup to be held from 5th to 17th of August this year.
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In IPL T20 Cricket, Sunrisers Hyderabad will take on Rajasthan Royals in Hyderabad this afternoon. The match will start at 3:30 PM Indian Standard Time. In another clash of the day, arch rivals Chennai Super Kings will face Mumbai Indians in Chennai. The match will be played from 07:30 PM.
In the inaugural match of the tournament yesterday, Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated Kolkata Knight Riders by 7 wickets in Kolkata.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
- External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar says, one of India’s key diplomatic objectives is to ensure favourable energy environment for coming decades.
- RSS to launch several outreach programmes to promote social harmony and national unity on Vijayadashami this year to mark 100 years of its formation.
- Nation pays homage to great revolutionaries Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev on Martyrs’ Day today; Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, their fearless pursuit for freedom and justice continues to inspire people of the country.
- In Basketball, India beat Hosts Bahrain in final qualifier match in Manama to book spot in FIBA Men’s Asia Cup 2025.
- In IPL-T20 Cricket, Sunrisers Hyderabad to take on Rajasthan Royals in Hyderabad this afternoon; Chennai Super Kings to face Mumbai Indians in Chennai this evening.
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