THE HEADLINES:-
- President Droupadi Murmu calls for according highest priority to girls’ education as the most effective way to promote women-led development; Presents National Teachers Awards 2025 in New Delhi.
- Reduction in Goods and Services tax rates announced by the Centre being widely welcomed by various sections of the society in the country.
- India welcomes positive developments toward resolving ongoing Ukraine conflict.
- United States announces visa restrictions on nationals from Central America, accused of working for China’s Communist Party.
- Eid Milad-un-Nabi and Onam being celebrated with enthusiasm in the country.
- And, IMD forecasts heavy to very heavy rainfall over Gujarat region, Rajasthan, Goa and Madhya Maharashtra today.
<><><>
President Droupadi Murmu has said that providing the best possible education to daughters is the most effective way to promote women-led development. Addressing the gathering after presenting the National Teachers Awards 2025 in New Delhi on the occasion of Teacher’s day today, the President emphasized that girls’ education should be accorded the highest priority. She added that investment in daughters’ education is a priceless contribution to the development of families, society, and the nation.
The President expressed happiness that the Gross Enrollment Ratio of girls in higher education has shown a significant rise in recent years.The President said that education empowers individuals, enabling children from the weakest backgrounds to achieve remarkable progress. President Murmu highlighted that the National Education Policy 2020 lays special emphasis on making education more accessible and seamless at the school level.
<><><>
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today shared an article written by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in an English daily, on the significance of the National Education Policy(NEP) 2020.
In the article, Mr Pradhan has described the NEP 2020 as central to India’s journey towards self-reliance and development.
<><><>
The reduction in Goods and Services Tax (GST) on several items, announced by the Central Government recently, has brought relief to various sections of society.
On this Independence Day from the ramparts of the Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the Next Generation of GST reforms with a focus on the common man, by Diwali. The Prime Minister’s vision of creating a more efficient and citizen friendly economy was realised as the GST Council on the 3rd of this month approved rates rationalisation, simplifing the indirect tax system into a two-tier structure of 5 per cent and 18 per cent from a four-tier structure of 5, 12 per cent, 18 per cent and 28 per cent. The GST reforms will come into effect from 22nd of this month.
These reforms have reduced tax rates in many sectors easing the life of citizens. From homemakers to students and farmers, people across the country are welcoming the move as a step towards easing everyday financial burdens and promoting inclusive growth.
Talking to Akashvani News, a Delhi-based resident, Laxmi Narayan highlighted how the GST reductions in the education sector will benefit students in purchasing various stationery products.
Another resident of Delhi, Alisha said that these reforms will make daily essentials more affordable and will help in purchasing more items.
A class 8 student from Mumbai, Vaibhav, thanked the Centre for waiving off GST on educational items.
A farmer from Maharashtra, Navnath Desai, thanked the central government wholeheartedly for reducing taxes on tractors, fertilizers, agricultural tools, and irrigation equipment.
Our correspondent takes a look at the GST reforms undertaken in the education sector.
The GST Council approved the exemption of several educational and stationery products from GST. Items like exercise books, pencil, sharpner, graph bookm maps, globes and laboratory notebooks, which previously attracted a 12 per cent GST rate, are now tax-free. Other stationery items such as mathematical, geometry and colour boxes have also been cut down from 12 per cent to five per cent. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that GST has been removed from many items, while on several others, it has been reduced to 5 per cent. He said, this will ease the financial burden on citizens, especially in the education sector.
The decision of GST council will directly ease the financial burden on parents and also have a broad impact on educational institutions, students, and providers of educational materials and services across the country. With Dipendra Kumar, Bhanu Pratap Singh, Akashvani News Delhi.
<><><>
Senior BJP Leader and Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has termed the next generation GST reforms taken recently as historic and comprehensive. Briefing media at the party headquarters in New Delhi this afternoon, Mr Goyal said, significant relief has been provided to the country’s consumers, which will be impactful for ease of doing business.
<><><>
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated a green hydrogen pilot plant and several other development projects at V.O.Chidambaranar Port at Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu today. He also laid the foundation stones for multiple projects. Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the shipping industry is witnessing massive growth through port-led development initiatives.
<><><>
India has welcomed the recent positive developments toward resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. It emphasised the need for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the conflict while voicing concern over the war’s collateral consequences, including prices of fuel, saying countries of the Global South have been left to fend for themselves. India’s permanent representative to the United Nations, P Harish was speaking in the UN General Assembly during a debate on the Ukraine conflict.
<><><>
The United States has announced a new visa restriction policy targeting certain Central American nationals accused of “acting on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and undermining the rule of law. In a press statement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio yesterday announced a new visa restriction policy to allow the US to restrict American visas for nationals from Central American countries who are intentionally acting on behalf of the CCP and knowingly direct, authorize, fund and provide significant support to, or carry out activities that undermine the rule of law in the region.
<><><>
External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar will call on the Prime Minister of Bhutan, Dasho Tshering Tobgay, in New Delhi this evening. The Bhutanese Prime Minister arrived in India on Wednesday on a four-day visit. He is scheduled to arrive in the national capital after attending programmes in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.
<><><>
Punjab continues to battle severe flooding across all 23 districts, with border districts of Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Ferozepur, Fazilka, and Pathankot among the worst affected. Fresh alerts have now been issued in parts of Ludhiana and Patiala due to the rising water levels in the Sutlej River.
“Over 1900 villages and more than 3.80 lakh population in Punjab has been affected due to floods ands 43 persons have lost their life. Loss of standing crops have also been reported in 1.71 lakh hectares of submerged land. The Joint Check Post of the BSF at Hussainiwala at Ferozepur has also been inundated. The Beating the Retreat ceremony has been cancelled till further orders. Rescue and relief operations are on war footing. 28 Army, Navy and Air Force units are active in Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Ferozepur, Pathankot, Jalandhar, Rupnagar, Tarn Taran, SBS Nagar, Fazilka, Patiala and Kapurthala. Around 35 helicopters of Indian Air Force and Army are providing air support for evacuation and relief supply. Besides, the BSF and NDRF are also assisting in relief operations. Rajesh Bali, Akashvani News, Jalandhar.”
In Himachal Pradesh, with the monsoon rains easing slightly in the state, relief and rescue operations have gained momentum in the affected areas.
Uttarakhand is also witnessing clear weather today, providing much-needed relief to the people after weeks of incessant rainfall.
<><><>
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red color warning for very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall over Gujarat region today. The Met Department forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall over Rajasthan, Konkan, Goa, Madhya Maharashtra, Saurashtra, Kutch and Madhya Pradesh today. In Delhi-NCR, heavy rainfall is expected during the day.
<><><>
Keralites across the globe are celebrating Thiru Onam today. It is the most important and vibrant festival of Kerala. The harvest festival, which symbolizes the homecoming of the legendary King Mahabali, is celebrated with great enthusiasm across communities, irrespective of caste or religion. In Kerala, devotees offered special prayers at major temples, including Sabarimala, Guruvayur, and Thrikkakara. The Onam celebrations will continue till Tuesday.
President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have extended their greetings and wishes to the citizens on the occasion of Onam.
<><><>
Eid Milad-un-Nabi, the birthday of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad, is being celebrated with religious fervour in various parts of the country today. “Milaad Mehfils”and “Seerat Conferences” are being held, highlighting the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad. Milad processions are also being organised to mark the occasion.
President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have greeted the nation on the occasion of Milad-un-Nabi.
<><><>
THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:-
- President Droupadi Murmu calls for according highest priority to girls’ education as the most effective way to promote women-led development; Presents National Teachers Awards 2025 in New Delhi.
- Reduction in Goods and Services tax rates announced by the Centre being widely welcomed by various sections of the society in the country.
- India welcomes positive developments toward resolving ongoing Ukraine conflict.
- United States announces visa restrictions on nationals from Central America, accused of working for China’s Communist Party.
- Eid Milad-un-Nabi and Onam being celebrated with enthusiasm in the country.
- And, IMD forecasts heavy to very heavy rainfall over Gujarat region, Rajasthan, Goa and Madhya Maharashtra today.
<><><>