Midday News -

THE HEADLINES::

Over 20 Naxalites killed in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh today.
India begins diplomatic outreach Programme to expose Pakistan-sponsored terrorism following Operation Sindoor.
UK suspends trade talks with Israel amid Gaza situation; Israel asserts not to change security policies due to outside pressure.
IMD predicts heavy rainfall in most parts of the country till 26th of this month.
And in IPL cricket, Mumbai Indians to take on Delhi Capitals at Wankhede Stadium this evening.

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Over 20 Naxalites have been killed in an encounter with security forces in the Abujhmad area of Narayanpur district of Chhattisgarh. A top leader of the Naxalites is also reported to have been killed in this encounter. A security force personnel was injured during the exchange of fire. The encounter between Naxalites and security forces has continued since this morning. Our correspondent has filed this report;

“A team of District Reserve Guard of Narayanpur, Dantewada, Bijapur and Kondagaon districts of Chhattisgarh started a joint operation 2 days ago after receiving intelligence of the presence of a large number of Maoists and a top cadre of Naxalites in Abujhmad area. The encounter between Naxalites and security forces continues since this morning. A top leader of Naxalites, CPI Maoist General Secretary Basav Raju is also reported to have been killed in this encounter. A reward of one crore rupees was declared on him. Vikalp Shukla, Akashvani news, Raipur.”

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An all-party delegation led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha today left for a five-nation visit as part of India’s diplomatic outreach on Operation Sindoor and to further expose Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. The delegation will visit Indonesia, Malaysia, the Republic of Korea, Japan and Singapore to project the country’s resolute approach to combat terrorism in all its forms. Talking to the media before the departure of the delegation in New Delhi, Mr. Jha said terrorism is a part of Pakistan’s state policy, and they will tell the world how Islamabad has been sponsoring terrorism.

Another delegation led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde will also embark on the visit to UAE, Liberia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sierra Leone today.

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The Government has dismissed posts carried by various social media channels, claiming that the Central Government has issued a high alert on a possible rise in temperature to 55 degrees Celsius between the 29th of May and the 2nd of June. The Fact Check Unit of the Press Information Bureau clarified that the Government has issued no such notification and instructed the citizens to check the official website of the India Meteorological Department.

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The stage is all set for the inauguration of 103 Amrit Bharat Stations tomorrow with modern amenities. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the stations from Bikaner, Rajasthan. These stations have been upgraded and redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme as city centres, showcasing regional culture and heritage. He will dedicate multiple development projects worth over 26 thousand crore rupees to the nation. The Projects include Railways, Roadways, Power, Water and New and Renewable Energy sectors. More from our correspondent:

A total of 103 redeveloped Amrit Bharat Stations to be inaugurated tomorrow are situated in 86 districts across 18 States and Union Territories. A maximum of 19 stations will be inaugurated in Uttar Pradesh, followed by 18 in Gujarat, and 15 in Maharashtra. 9 Amrit Bharat stations will be inaugurated in Tamil Nadu and eight in Rajasthan. Besides, six stations in Madhya Pradesh, five each in Chhattisgarh and Karnataka, will also be dedicated to the citizens. The redevelopment of these stations has been carried out based on the city’s cultural, spiritual and religious heritage. Key features of these stations include wider roads, well-constructed underpasses, foot overbridges, modern waiting areas, executive lounges, spacious circulating areas, grand porches, modern restrooms and lifts, all designed to be disabled-friendly. These stations are also equipped with enhanced passenger information systems and offer free Wi-Fi. With Anand Kumar, Bhanu Pratap Singh, Akashvani News, Delhi

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Three Railway stations, including an all-women-operated Railway station, will be dedicated after redevelopment in Telangana tomorrow. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually inaugurate them. Our correspondent has talked to Chief Public Relations Officer of South-Central Railway, Sridhar who informed that the first all-women-operated railway station in the SCR, Begumpet, besides Karimnagar and Warangal stations, has been re-developed at a cost of 25 crore rupees.

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BJP today hit out at TMC following the report of a court-monitored probe on the Murshidabad violence, which mentions that some leaders of the ruling party in West Bengal were involved in the violence. Briefing the media in New Delhi, party spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said the report has mentioned violence and rejected the claim of TMC that outsiders were involved in it. He alleged that one particular community was targeted in this violence, which was preplanned and was done at the direction of TMC leaders. Mr Trivedi demanded an answer from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee about the action to be taken against TMC leaders involved in the violence.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has paid tributes to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his death anniversary today.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also paid homage to the former Prime Minister at Vir Bhumi in New Delhi. The day marks the 34th death anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi.

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Mizoram has been declared India’s first fully literate state, marking a historic milestone in the state’s educational journey. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan congratulated the people of Mizoram for this achievement.

In a social media post, Mr. Pradhan said that this is a momentous and proud milestone in the State’s educational journey and also a moment of great pride for the nation.

“Education in Mizo society began only after the advent of the British in 1890. Before the arrival of the British, Mizos were without written scripts and were illiterate. Traditional knowledge was imparted orally at Zawlbuk, the learning centre of the Mizos. However, the advent of the British witnessed transformational change in education with the establishment of the first school in Mizo Hills in 1894, with just two students. The English missionaries worked on creating the Mizo alphabet based on the Roman Script. In 1895, the first book in the Mizo language, “Mizo Zir Tir Bu”, was published and has become the source of learning for the Mizos. In the Census of India in 1941, Lushai, now Mizo, had attained a literacy rate of 36 per cent. In 1910, a person named Leta passed his matriculation examination under the University of Calcutta, creating history as the first matriculate amongst the Mizos. With about a century of modern education, it is significant that Mizoram is today the first fully literate state in India. Gin Gangte, Akashvani News, Aizawl.”

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As we celebrate the success of Operation Sindoor, the Nation salutes the valour of the Indian soldiers. As a tribute to the Armed Forces, Akashvani News is presenting a special series. Today we remember Param Vir Chakra awardee Major Hoshiar Singh.

Born in Rohtak District of Haryana, Major Hoshiar Singh, was commissioned in the 3rd Grenadiers Regiment in June 1963. During Indo-Pak war in 1971, the battalion was assigned the task of establishing a bridgehead across the Basantar River which was covered with deep minefields on both sides and protected by well fortified defences by the enemy. Major Singh was the commanding officer of the C Company which was instructed to capture the locality of Jarpal, held under Pakistani control. The company came under intense shelling and crossfire from medium machine guns. Undeterred, Major Hoshiar Singh led his troops and engaged in a fierce hand-to-hand fight. Despite the heavy bombardment and tank fire, he went from trench to trench motivating his troops. Inspired by his courage and leadership, his company countered all the attacks and brought on heavy casualties on the enemy. On 17th December 1971, the enemy made yet another attack with a battalion backed by heavy artillery fire. Major Hoshiar Singh was seriously wounded by the enemy fire, but unflinching, he went from trench to trench motivating his men. As he was encouraging his men, an enemy shell landed near the medium machine gun post injuring the crew. Major Hoshiar Singh, realizing the importance of machine-gun fire, immediately rushed to the machine-gun pit and though seriously wounded himself, manned the gun inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. The attack was successfully combated and the enemy retreated leaving behind 85 dead including their Commanding Officer. Major Hoshiar Singh was awarded Param Vir Chakra for his absolute bravery and steadfast devotion in the line of duty. The Nation salutes him. ANUPAM MISHRA, AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI.

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Brigadier Khushal Thakur (Retd.), a key figure in the Kargil War who led his men of the 18th Grenadiers to capture Tiger Hill, is all praise for the optimal success of ‘Operation Sindoor’.

“Brigadier Thakur said that the whole world has seen India’s capacity to respond when pushed and the valour of our brave soldiers. At the same time, the armaments like missiles and air-defence systems made under Make in India have proved our Nation’s commitment towards preparing indigenous products to be self-reliant in any situation.

Brigadier Thakur said that our armed forces have just paused the military action. If Pakistan again tries to do something against India, it will be dealt with more emphatically. Paying tributes to those India lost, Brig. said that through ‘Operation Sindoor’, the Nation has taken revenge for those sisters and mothers who lost their husbands and sons in the dastardly Pehalgam attack. Rajesh Bali, Akashvani News, Jalandhar.”

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A total of 750 pilgrims have been selected for this year’s Kailash Manasarovar Yatra. The selection of pilgrims was executed through an online computerised draw in New Delhi today, in the presence of Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan.

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The UK has suspended trade talks with Israel, summoned the Israeli ambassador, and imposed new sanctions on West Bank settlers over the worsening situation in Gaza.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy called Israel’s military actions in Gaza “morally unjustifiable” and said the country’s blockade of aid had created a major humanitarian crisis.

Israel however dismissed the UK’s criticism, saying it would not change its security policies due to outside pressure.

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India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast extremely heavy rainfall over Coastal and Ghat areas of Karnataka today. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is also expected over Assam, Meghalaya, Konkan, Goa and Madhya Maharashtra today. Heavy rainfall is likely to prevail in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand as well. The IMD predicted rainfall accompanied with thunderstorms, gusty winds and lightning over Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Uttar Pradesh till the 26th of this month.

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In IPL T20 Cricket, Mumbai Indians will face Delhi Capitals at Wankhede Stadium today. The match is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:-

Over 20 Naxalites killed in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh today.
India begins diplomatic outreach Programme to expose Pakistan-sponsored terrorism following Operation Sindoor.
UK suspends trade talks with Israel amid Gaza situation; Israel asserts not to change security policies due to outside pressure.
IMD predicts heavy rainfall in most parts of the country till 26th of this month.
And in IPL cricket, Mumbai Indians to take on Delhi Capitals at Wankhede Stadium this evening.

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