Midday News -

THE HEADLINES::

Prime Minister Narendra Modi says Northeast is emerging as shining chapter in India’s progress; Launches several development projects in Sikkim.
Prime Minister Modi also launches City Gas Distribution Project worth over 1000 crore rupees in Alipurduar and Cooch Behar in West Bengal; Says development of Bengal is key to India’s future.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh asserts Make-in-India played key role in India’s effective action against terrorism during Operation Sindoor.
Multi party delegations continue to brief global leaders about New Delhi’s uncompromising approach towards terrorism.
Indian men’s doubles team of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty enter quarterfinals in Singapore Open badminton tournament.
And, In IPL cricket, Punjab Kings to clash with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in first qualifier in Mullanpur this evening.

<><><>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today laid the foundation stone of city based gas distribution project at Alipurduar parade ground today in the Alipurduars district of West Bengal. The 1017 crore rupee project will benefit the people of Alipurduar and Coochbehar districts of West Bengal. Speaking at the event, the Prime Minister said the Indian economy is progressing towards a gas based economy. There will be no need of gas cylinder in the households. Cooking LPG will be distributed directly to the kitchen through gas distribution pipeline. The Prime Minister stressed that environmental pollution will be less in future. Now, we take you live to the Prime Minister’s address at Alipurduar:-

Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the Sikkim and the entire Northeast are emerging as a shining chapter in India’s progress. Addressing the Sikkim @50 event virtually today, the Prime Minister asserted that the Centre is fully supporting Sikkim in its growth. He said that Sikkim is to be the global tourist destination. Reaffirming his inclusive development agenda, the Prime Minister said, “in 2014, we gave the slogan of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’. He said, it is necessary to do a balanced development of every state and region of the nation to make India ‘Viksit’.

Mr. Modi said, every state and region of India has its own speciality and therefore, our government has brought the North East to the centre of development.

The Prime Minister virtually laid the foundation stone and inaugurated multiple development projects in Sikkim. Projects include a new 500-bedded District hospital worth over 750 crore rupees in Namchi district and a Passenger Ropeway at Sangachoeling.

<><><>

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has said that Make-in-India is an essential component in national security and has played a key role in India’s effective action against terrorism during Operation Sindoor. Addressing the CII Annual Business Summit in New Delhi, Mr Singh said that India has redesigned and redefined both its strategy and response against terrorism.
The Defence Minister made it clear that now whenever there will be talks with Pakistan , it will be only on terrorism and PoK.

<><><>

Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh has emphasized that new technology is being introduced in a big way in India’s warfare as the character of war is changing. Addressing the CII summit in New Delhi, the IAF chief said that Operation Sindoor has given a clear idea of where India is headed and what it needs in future.

Speaking at the same event, Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi has said that the character of warfare has changed rapidly and continues to do so.

<><><>

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri led the Indian delegation along with Deputy NSA Pavan Kapoor for the inter-agency discussions on the India-US COMPACT (Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology) for the 21st century. The discussions at the White House in Washington focused on implementing the TRUST initiative, taking forward cooperation in the defence and energy domains, and strengthening the QUAD, IMEEC, and I2U2 initiatives.

<><><>

As a demonstration of India’s steadfast dedication to eradicating terrorism, the seven multiparty parliamentary delegations are engaged in high-level discussions during their official visits abroad. In Rome, the all party delegation led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad held a meeting with the President of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee of the Senate, Stefania Craxi. Talking exclusively to Akashwani News, Former Union Minister MJ Akbar, who is a part of the all-party delegation crticised Pakistan for practicing state sponsored terrorism since 1947, calling it a tool the country uses to justify its own survival.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who is leading an all-party delegation in Panama today reaffirmed India’s firm stance against terrorism and underlined that the country will not turn the other cheek and will respond to any further attack.

<><><>

As we celebrate the success of Operation Sindoor, the Nation salutes the valour of Indian soldiers. As a tribute to the Armed Forces, Akashvani News is presenting a special series. Today we remember Param Vir Chakra awardee Major Dhan Singh Thapa who showed exemplary courage and bravery during the Sino-Indian war in 1962.

“Born in 1928 in Himachal Pradesh, Major Dhan Singh Thapa was commissioned into the 8 Gorkha Rifles in August 1949. During the 1962 Indo-China War, he commanded a platoon of C Company at the strategically vital Sirijap-1 post near Pangong Lake in Ladakh, tasked with defending the Chushul airfield. On October 21, the Chinese launched a heavy artillery and mortar assault on the post, damaging some wireless sets and setting the area ablaze. Despite being outnumbered, Major Thapa and his men repelled two successive enemy attacks, inflicting significant casualties on the enemy. Undeterred by mounting losses, they stood firm. A third and more intense assault followed, supported by tanks. With dwindling ammunition and reduced manpower, the platoon continued to resist. When the post was finally overrun, Major Thapa emerged from his trench, engaging in fierce hand-to-hand combat before being captured. For his extraordinary courage, leadership, and bravery, Major Dhan Singh Thapa was awarded the Param Vir Chakra. SAKLEN AKHTAR for Akashvani News, Delhi.”

<><><>

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places over northeastern states, Coastal and South Interior Karnataka, Kerala, Mahe, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal today. Places over Andhra Pradesh, East Madhya Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Baltistan, Muzaffarabad, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Delhi are expected to witness thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds during the next 2-3 days. IMD further predicted heat wave and dust storm conditions over West Rajasthan today.

<><><>

The Indian men’s doubles team of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty today entered the quarterfinals of the Singapore Open badminton tournament. Indian pair beat seventh-seeded Indonesian pair of Sabar Karyaman Gutama and Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani 19-21, 21-16, 21-19 in a gruelling contest.

<><><>

The Playoffs will begin today at IPL cricket. Table topper, Punjab Kings will take on second-placed Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the first qualifier in Mullanpur this evening. The match will begin at 7:30 PM. After the first qualifier, all eyes will be on the eliminator, where fourth-placed Mumbai Indians will face third-placed Gujarat Titans tomorrow.

<><><>

THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi says Northeast is emerging as shining chapter in India’s progress; Launches several development projects in Sikkim.
Prime Minister Modi also launches City Gas Distribution Project worth over 1000 crore rupees in Alipurduar and Cooch Behar in West Bengal; Says development of Bengal is key to India’s future.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh asserts Make-in-India played key role in India’s effective action against terrorism during Operation Sindoor.
Multi party delegations continue to brief global leaders about New Delhi’s uncompromising approach towards terrorism.
Indian men’s doubles team of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty enter quarterfinals in Singapore Open badminton tournament.
And, In IPL cricket, Punjab Kings to clash with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in first qualifier in Mullanpur this evening.