THE HEADLINES :-
- National Security Advisor Ajit Doval meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi; Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan holds meeting with Chief Secretaries of States ahead of Civil Defence Mock Drill tomorrow.
- US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson says, US will make every effort to support India in its fight against terrorism.
- External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar says, there is strong global demand for talent and India is well positioned to meet it.
- IMD forecasts heavy rainfall along with strong winds in Gujarat and Rajasthan for next two to three days.
- In Khelo India Youth Games, several medals are at stake in Swimming, Sepak Takraw and Shooting competitions today.
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In a series of high level meetings following the Pahalgam Terror Attack, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence in New Delhi today.
Yesterday, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh had called on the Prime Minister. Earlier, Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh also held a meeting with Mr Modi. Separate meetings were held with Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi and Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi.
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Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan held a meeting today with Chief Secretaries of States and Union Territories through video-conferencing to review the preparations for the Civil Defence Mock Drill scheduled for tomorrow. The meeting was attended by the Directors General of Civil Defence and the National Disaster Response Force along with other senior officials in the National Capital.
Yesterday, the Centre had asked the states to conduct mock drills to evaluate civil defence preparedness in the country. It has decided to organize the Civil Defence Exercise and Rehearsal across the 244 categorized Civil Defence Districts of the country. The conduct of the exercise is planned up to the village level. Our Correspondent reports that the Civil Defence Exercise is aimed to assess the operational efficacy and coordination of various Civil Defence measures.
The mock drill will assess the effectiveness of air raid warning systems, operationalization of Hotline or Radio Communication Links with the Indian Air Force, as well as it will test the functionality of control rooms. The exercise also includes training of civilians and students, on the civil defence aspects to protect themselves in the event of hostile attack. Besides the provision of crash blackout measures, provision for early camouflaging of vital installations and update of the evacuation plan and its rehearsal are also included in the Mock Drill. This exercise aims to assess and enhance the readiness of Civil Defence mechanisms across all States and Union Territories. NCC cadets across the country are fully geared up to take part in this exercise across the country. Talking to Akashvani News, NCC Director General Lt. Gen. Gurbirpal Singh said that the cadets will be talking parts in firefighting, rescue activities, emergency situations and other activities.
In Delhi, security drills has been seen conducted at prominent places including Connaught Place. Talking to media, Chief Minister of Delhi Rekha Gupta said that the city is fully prepared for the tomorrow’s exercise.
Ahead of tomorrow’s exercise, mock drills are also being conducted at various places across country including Lucknow, in Uttar Pradesh and Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir. SAKLEN AKHTAR, AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI.
Talking to reporters, DGP Uttar Pradesh, Prashant Kumar said, 19 districts of the state have been identified by the centre for the mock drill:
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United States House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson has said that US will make every effort to support India in its fight against terrorism. In his remarks at the Congressional briefing yesterday, he called India a very important partner for the US. He also spoke about the trade deal between India and the US and expressed hope that the trade negotiations will work out well between two nations.
Mr Johnson said, the Trump administration has expressed support for India’s fight against terrorism following the Pahalgam Terror Attack which claimed the lives of 26 people and injured several others.
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The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) questioned Pakistan during a closed-door session about the Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people. The session took place amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan. Reports said several UNSC members criticized Pakistan and raised concerns about the role of the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba in the attack.
UNSC President Evangelos Sekeris said it was a “productive and helpful meeting” and stressed the Council’s role in supporting peace and de-escalation.
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Punjab Police and central agencies have recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition in a joint operation. Punjab Director General of Police, Gaurav Yadav said in a social media post that the State Special Operation Cell, Amritsar, along with a central agency, recovered the weapons from a forested area near Tibba Nangal-Kular Road in SBS Nagar. The cache includes rocket propellers, improvised explosive devices and hand grenades.
The DGP called it a major breakthrough against cross-border terrorism. He said, preliminary investigation indicates a coordinated attempt by Pakistan’s ISI and allied terror outfits to revive sleeper cells in Punjab.
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External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has said that there is a strong global demand for talent and India is well positioned to meet it. While speaking at the launch of Global Access to Talent from India ‘GATI’ in New Delhi today, Dr Jaishankar said, there must be more focus on opportunities abroad due to the emergence of a global workplace and workforce.
The Minister said, the government has initiated a range of skill training, vocational education and professional preparation efforts for the Indian workforce to be more productive in the contemporary era.
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Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge today wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi making some suggestions on caste census. In a letter, Mr Kharge has urged to have a dialogue with all political parties over the caste census and also cited Telangana government’s model for the exercise. He also pitched for removing 50 per cent cap on reservation. Mr Kharge also demanded to implement the provisions for reservations for SCs, STs and OBCs in private educational institutions.
Meanwhile, Talking to Akashvani News, BJP Spokesperson Guru Prakash alleged that Congress has become issueless after government’s announcement about caste census.
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Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia has said that smartphones are no longer merely a means of communication but have become tools of empowerment and gateways to the world of information. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the 22nd edition of Bharat Telecom 2025 in New Delhi today, Mr Scindia mentioned that India has emerged as the second-largest telecom market in the world.
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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids at 10 locations in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, targeting a Rs 100 crore fraud involving Salim Jummakhan Pathan and associates, who allegedly posed as Waqf Board trustees to collect rent from properties illegally.
The raids follow an FIR by the Gaekwad Haveli police in Ahmedabad. The group is accused of illegally collecting rent from properties associated with the Waqf Board, in Ahemdabad. Police investigation revealed that the accused were never officially appointed as trustees by the Gujarat State Waqf Board.
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As voting continues in Sri Lanka’s Local Government Elections, district wise voter turnout by 12 noon has been reported to be between 30 and 40 percent across the island.
This is the country’s third major election in a year, following last year’s Presidential and Parliamentary polls. The elections are being closely watched as a barometer of public sentiment as the ruling National People’s Power Coalition is hoping to secure control of local councils to implement its policy agenda more effectively at the grassroots level.
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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall along with strong and swirly winds over Gujarat and Rajasthan for next 2-3 days. Talking to Akashvani News, Senior IMD scientist, R.K. Jenamani said, western himalayan region will also witness the same weather conditions along with thunderstorms and lightning.
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On the third day of the Khelo India Youth Games, fate of medals will be decided in several events today. In Patna, qualifying teams will contest for the gold in Sepak Takraw. In swimming, medals will be at stake in the 400 meter 100 meter, and 200 meter breaststroke and butterfly categories. The final matches in the 400 meter freestyle category will also be held today. Several team matches in the volleyball competition are also being played today.
In the shooting competitions at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range, in 50m Rifle 3 Positions Women Youth category, Prachi Shashikant Gaikwad claimed gold medal with a score of 458.4 points. Tilottama Sen from Karnataka earned the silver while Anushka H Thokur, also from Karnataka, won the bronze.
Meanwhile, the cycling events off at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi today. In the Girls’ 7.5 km Scratch Race, Harshita Jakhar from Rajasthan clinched the gold medal with an impressive timing of 11:50.973.
Speaking exclusively to Akashvani News, Harshita said that it was not an easy event and that every cyclist gave their best effort.
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In IPL cricket, Mumbai Indians will take on Gujarat Titans at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium this evening. The match will begin at 7:30 PM.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN :-
- National Security Advisor Ajit Doval meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi; Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan holds meeting with Chief Secretaries of States ahead of Civil Defence Mock Drill tomorrow.
- US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson says, US will make every effort to support India in its fight against terrorism.
- External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar says, there is strong global demand for talent and India is well positioned to meet it.
- IMD forecasts heavy rainfall along with strong winds in Gujarat and Rajasthan for next two to three days.
- In Khelo India Youth Games, several medals are at stake in Swimming, Sepak Takraw and Shooting competitions today.
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