THE HEADLINES

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi says government is modernising the country’s education system to meet the needs of the 21st century.
• India condemns Pakistan at the United Nations on Pahalgam terror attack; Calls it a rogue state for fuelling global terrorism.
• Congress party urges Prime Minister Narendra Modi for special session of Parliament in the backdrop of Pahalgam terror attack.
• Mark Carney’s Liberal Party set to win Canada’s general election.
• In IPL Cricket, Delhi Capitals to face Kolkata Knight Riders in New Delhi this evening.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the government is modernising the country’s education system to meet the needs of the 21st century. He added that the Centre is bringing world-class knowledge within every student’s reach in the country. Mr. Modi stated this while addressing the YUGM Conclave, a first-of-its-kind strategic conclave convening leaders from government, academia, industry, and innovators at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi today. He highlighted that a country’s future is dependent on its youth, which is why it is crucial to prepare them for India’s bright future.The Prime Minister noted that the New Education Policy is driving transformation in the country. He said, the trinity of Talent, Temperament and Technology will transform India’s future.

Mr Modi said, India’s university campuses are emerging as dynamic centres where the Youth is driving breakthrough innovations. He said, ‘One Nation One Subscription’ scheme is bringing world-class knowledge within every student’s reach.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi  said the government is working on the vision of “Make AI in India” with the objective of making AI work for India. He added that to further accelerate this growth, the government has launched the India AI Mission. $A9668B61-4935-4FD2-909B-79D1946BC578$

The Conclave aims to catalyze large-scale private investment in India’s innovation ecosystem, accelerate research-to-commercialization pipelines in frontier tech; strengthen academia-industry-government partnerships and foster a national innovation alignment toward Viksit Bharat@2047.

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India has strongly raised the Pahalgam terror attack at the United Nations and also flagged a Pakistani minister’s “confession” to training and funding terrorists. Pointing to a recent Television interview of Pakistan Defence Minister Khwaja Asif, India’s Deputy Permanent Representative at the UN, Yojna Patel said the whole world has heard Pakistan’s Defence Minister’s confession of Pakistan’s history of supporting, training and funding terrorist organisations. She said the open confession surprises no one and exposes Pakistan as a rogue state fuelling global terrorism and destabilising the region. 

Ambassador Patel also slammed Pakistan for misusing and undermining the global forum to indulge in propaganda and make baseless allegations against India.

The Ambassador said India deeply appreciates and values the strong, unequivocal support and solidarity extended by leaders and governments across the world in the wake of the recent terrorist attack at Pahalgam.

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External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar today spoke to Greece Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis. Both leaders discussed the Pahalgam terrorist attack. Dr S Jaishankar said that Greece’s strong stance against cross-border terrorism is commendable. He added that both the countries strategic partnership reflects the depth of our ties.

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In United States, members of the Indian community across various parts held prayer meets and vigils to express solidarity with the victims of the brutal Pahalgam terror attack. In Edison,New Jersey, more than 300 members representing around 20 organisations of the Indian-American community gathered to condemn the horrific terrorist attack. Edison Mayor Sam Joshi and New Jersey Assemblyman Robert Karabinchak also attended the tribute event to pay homage to the victims.

In Columbus, Ohio, community members waving Indian and American flags came together in a moving display of unity and grief, showing resilience against the horrific terror attack. 

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Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, have called for a special session of Parliament in the wake of the brutal terror attack in Pahalgam.

In separate letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, both leaders urged that a special session of both Houses be convened at the earliest to demonstrate national unity and resolve.

Mr. Kharge said at a time when unity and solidarity are essential, such a session would be a powerful expression of the nation’s collective will following the attack on innocent citizens.

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Meanwhile, the BJP today took a dig at the Congress for demanding a special session of Parliament on the Pahalgam terror attack. Party  Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla  told media in New Delhi that  Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge should first tell what the collective resolution of the Congress is on the  terror attack.  He  said during all party meeting, the Congress said that they are with the government and  strict action must be taken while  Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that  there should be no action against Pakistan. He further alleged that some Congress leaders have even attempted to shift the blame from Pakistan to India.

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The BJP has sharply reacted to an image shared by the Congress on its social media handle targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Briefing media in New Delhi today, party spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia alleged that the Congress is trying to weaken the country through such post in this crucial time after the Pahalgam terror attack. 

The BJP Spokesperson asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has clearly stated that  the master of  terrorists behind the Pahalgam terror attack will be given a befitting reply.

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The Indian Army effectively responded to firing by Pakistan military at some places along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir last night. Defence sources said, Pakistan Army posts fired unprovoked across the Line of Control in areas opposite Kupwara and Baramulla districts, as well as the Akhnoor sector. The Indian troops responded swiftly and effectively. There were no reports of any casualties.

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Mark Carney’s Liberal Party is set to win the Canadian general election. According to the latest trends, The Liberals are currently leading in 167 seats, while the Conservative Party, led by Pierre Poilievre, is leading in 145. To secure a majority government, a party must win at least 172 out of 343 seats.

Addressing the party supporters, Carney urged Canadians to embrace kindness and prepare for transformative action to build strong and free Canada. He said that President Trump is trying to break us so that America can own us but that will never ever happen.

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Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met with UK’s Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds in London to advance negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two nations. Mr Goyal arrived in London for two days of discussions aimed at strengthening investment ties and bilateral trade. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the talks on the Free Trade Agreement between India and the UK are being relaunched, and both sides are committed to moving the agreement forward.

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In Pakistan’s Sindh province, protests have intensified against the construction of six new canals on the Indus River. Lawyers, social activists, and civil society groups have rejected the recent declaration by the Council of Common Interests, which failed to build consensus on the controversial project. The project, approved by President Asif Ali Zardari in July 2024, was aimed at irrigating vast tracts of previously uncultivable land.  

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In Uttarakhand, the sacred portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines in Uttarkashi district will be opened for devotees on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, tomorrow. With this, the official commencement of the 2025 Chardham Yatra will take place.

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In IPL T20 Cricket, Delhi Capitals will face Kolkata Knight Riders at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi this evening. The match is scheduled to begin at 7.30 PM.

Last night, Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s historic century powered Rajasthan Royals  to register an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. 

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In the Women’s Tri-Nation  Cricket Series , the match between India and South Africa is  currently underway at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Batting first, India Women scored 276 runs for the loss of six wickets in the allotted 50 overs. 

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The Benchmark domestic equity indices, Sensex and Nifty, were trading marginally up in afternoon trade today amid mixed global cues. On the sectoral front, while Industrial, energy as well as IT were leading, there was some selling pressure seen in the pharmaceutical, metal and healthcare packs.

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi says government is modernising the country’s education system to meet the needs of the 21st century.
• India condemns Pakistan at the United Nations on Pahalgam terror attack; Calls it a rogue state for fuelling global terrorism.
• Congress party urges Prime Minister Narendra Modi for special session of Parliament in the backdrop of Pahalgam terror attack.
• Mark Carney’s Liberal Party set to win Canada’s general election.
• In IPL Cricket, Delhi Capitals to face Kolkata Knight Riders in New Delhi this evening.