Midday News -

THE HEADLINES:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairs Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog in New Delhi deliberating on development challenges facing the country.
India slams Pakistan at UN Security Council over decades of cross-border terrorism.
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar expresses gratitude over Germany’s support to India’s fight against terrorism and its right to defend itself.
Monsoon hits Kerala, eight days ahead of schedule.
In Badminton, Kidambi Srikanth storms into Men’s Singles final of Malaysia Masters Tournament in Kuala Lumpur.
And, BCCI announces India’s Test Cricket squad for England tour; Shubman Gill to lead the Indian team.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi is chairing the tenth Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog in New Delhi. The meeting is being attended by Several State Chief Ministers and Lieutenant Governors of Union Territories, Union Ministers, and the Vice Chairman, Members and the CEO of NITI Aayog. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai are among those who are attending the meeting. The Governing Council meeting is discussing the approach on this year’s theme, Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat @ 2047. The meeting provides a unique platform to deliberate on development challenges faced by the country and build a consensus on the states’ role in making India a developed nation.

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India has strongly criticised Pakistan at the United Nations Security Council over decades of cross-border terrorism. India said that it has experienced decades of Pakistani-sponsored terrorist attacks across the border. The comments came from India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, during an open debate on protecting civilians during armed conflicts.

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External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has expressed gratitude over Germany’s support to India’s fight against terrorism and its right to defend itself. Addressing an interaction at the German Council on Foreign Relations in Berlin, Dr. Jaishankar reiterated that India has the right to defend itself, its people and secure the country, something much of the world will agree including Germany.

Talking about Operation Sindoor, the External Affairs Minister said that India’s campaign is against terrorism and had targeted terrorist headquarters and terror sites while receiving a lot of international understanding.

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The all-party delegation, led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda, arrived in Bahrain today to put forth India’s firm message of zero tolerance towards terrorism in all its forms. During their engagements, the delegation will highlight India’s unwavering stand against cross-border terrorism. The delegation will also visit Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Algeria to showcase India’s continued fight against terrorism.

Another high-level all-party delegation, led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, departed from Delhi in the early hours today for a five-nation diplomatic outreach. Guyana is the first stop of the delegation, followed by the USA, Panama, Brazil, and Colombia. Ahead of his departure, Mr. Tharoor shared a video message on his social media platform, reiterating India’s stand against terrorism.

Meanwhile, all-party delegation from India to Japan, led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Jha interacted with members of the Indian diaspora at the Embassy. Addressing the gathering, Mr Jha presented a unified front of India and clearly explained the role of Pakistan in the gruesome terror attacks in Pahalgam on 22nd of April.

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As the Nation celebrates the success of Operation Sindoor, we pay heartfelt tribute to the unmatched courage of our Indian soldiers. In honour of their unwavering dedication, Akashvani News brings you a special series dedicated to our Armed Forces. Today we remember Param Vir Chakra awardee Lance Naik Albert Ekka who made the supreme sacrifice during the India-Pakistan War in 1971.

“Born in Ranchi in 1942, Lance Naik Albert Ekka was enrolled in 14 Guards in December 1962. During India-Pakistan war in 1971, 14 Guards was tasked to capture a Pakistani position at Gangasagar, six and half kilometres west of Agartala in the Eastern Sector. 14 Guards launched an attack on enemy positions and Albert Ekka accompanied the left forward company of the battalion in the attack. The assaulting Indian troops were subject to intense shelling and heavy Small arms fire by the enemy. Lance Naik Ekka observed that an enemy machine gun was belching deadly fire from a bunker causing heavy casualties to his company. Unmindful of his personal safety, he charged the bunker, bayonetted two occupants and silenced the machine gun. Though seriously injured, Lance Naik Albert Ekka continued to fight securing bunker after bunker. When he along with his comrades reached northern end of the objective, an enemy medium machine gun opened up from a fortified building inflicting heavy casualties and held up the progress. Once again Lance Naik Albert Ekka rose to the occasion, crawled to the building and hurled a grenade to the bunker killing one enemy soldier and injuring other. He then scaled the sidewall to enter the bunker. Lance Naik Ekka bayonetted the enemy holding the bunker and silenced the weapon. This saved his company from further casualties and ensured success. Due to the injuries suffered during the battle, Lance Naik Albert Ekka was martyred. He was honoured with Param Vir Chakra posthumously for displaying most conspicuous valour and determination. The Nation Salutes Him. Anupam Mishra, Akashvani News, Delhi.”

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NEWS JUST IN,

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked states to develop at least one tourist destination per State at par with global standards and by providing all facilities and infrastructure under One State: One Global Destination. Chairing the tenth Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog in New Delhi today, the Prime Minister highlighted that this would also lead to the development of the neighbouring cities as tourist places. Emphasising on the need to work towards future-ready cities, Prime Minister Modi said that India is getting rapidly urbanised. He mentioned that if the Centre and all the States come together and work together like Team India, no goal is impossible.

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The southwest monsoon arrived in Kerala today, eight days ahead of its scheduled date of 1st June, marking the earliest onset in the last 16 years. Making the announcement, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that this is the earliest date of monsoon onset over Kerala after the year 2009. More from our Thiruvananthapuram correspondent:

“As heavy rain continues across Kerala,red alert has been issued in Kannur and Kasaragod districts today. Orange alert has been issued in 9 districts and yellow alert in 3 districts and in Lakshadweep. In the wake of the heavy rain warning, restrictions have been imposed in tourist areas in the state. Widespread damage is being reported. Traffic and Power supply is affected in many regions. Two deaths were reported in rain related incidents.Hilly areas, river banks, landslide prone regions and coastal areas are on high alert.Fisherfolks are warned from venturing into the sea in the Kerala Karnataka Lakshadweep coasts. Meanwhile, a high level meeting of State ministers, MLAs and public representatives will be held in Thiruvananthapuram this evening to take stock of the situation. Mayusha for Akashvani News from Thiruvananthapuram.”

The weather agency said that the South West Monsoon is now passing through Karwar, Shivamogga, Hassan and Mysuru regions in Karnataka. More from our Bengaluru Correspondent:

“The Met department has forecast very heavy rain with isolated extreme rains over coastal Karnataka and Western ghats districts of Uttara Kannada, Kodagu, Shivamogga, Chikmagalur and Hassan till May 30th. They are put under red alert. The North Karnataka districts of Belagavi, Dharwad, Haveri are under orange alert and Bengaluru and surrounding areas are under Yellow alert. Dark clouds with high winds and intermittent rains are lashing in coastal Karnataka. The prediction of above normal rainfall has brought cheers to farmers expecting a good harvest. Sudhindra, Akashvani News, Bengaluru.”

Meanwhile, several districts in Maharashtra are also experiencing incessant rainfall. The IMD has issued a red alert for two districts and an orange alert for seven districts today. More from our Mumbai correspondent:

“The IMD has issued a red alert for Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts, forecasting extremely heavy rainfall. Surrounding districts, including Ahmednagar, Pune, Raigad, Satara, Kolhapur, and the eastern districts of Gadchiroli and Chandrapur, are under an orange alert, indicating the possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall today. Mumbai, the state capital, has been enveloped in heavy cloud cover since morning, accompanied by intermittent light drizzles. Neighbouring Raigad district has been experiencing continuous rainfall with thunderstorms since midnight, disrupting daily life. Jalna district and several parts of Sangli district have also been witnessing extremely heavy rainfall. Ankita Apte, Akashvani News, Mumbai.”

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Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel said that the central government has collaborated with the state governments to enhance access to quality and affordable healthcare. The Minister was speaking to media at the Rising North East Investors Summit in New Delhi.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will share his thoughts with the people of the country and abroad in the Mann Ki Baat programme on Akashvani tomorrow at 11 AM. It will be the 122nd episode of the monthly radio programme.

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In Jharkhand, three Naxalites, including a dreaded Maoist leader Pappu Lohara, were killed in an encounter with the police in Latehar district last night. Lohara was the head of an outfit named Jharkhand Jan Mukti Parishad and was carrying a bounty of 10 lakh rupees over his head.

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In Badminton, ace Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth has entered into the Men’s Singles final of the Malaysia Masters Tournament at Kuala Lumpur. Srikanth defeated Yushi Tanaka of Japan in the semifinal this morning. With this win Kidambi Srikanth has become the first Indian shuttler to make it to the final this year.

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The Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) has announced the 16-member Indian Test cricket squad for the upcoming five-match series against hosts England, starting on 20th of June. Shubman Gill has been appointed as the new Test captain for Team India, while Rishabh Pant has been chosen as vice-captain in Test cricket. A new era is expected to begin for India, following the Test retirements of stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi asks States to develop at least one World-Class Tourist Spot Under ‘One State: One Global Destination’ initiative; Chairs Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog in New Delhi.
India slams Pakistan at UN Security Council over decades of cross-border terrorism.
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar expresses gratitude over Germany’s support to India’s fight against terrorism and its right to defend itself.
Monsoon hits Kerala, eight days ahead of schedule.
In Badminton, Kidambi Srikanth storms into Men’s Singles final of Malaysia Masters Tournament in Kuala Lumpur.
And, BCCI announces India’s Test Cricket squad for England tour; Shubman Gill to lead the Indian team.