THE HEADLINES:

1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi calls on industry and Start-ups to emphasize on quality; Sharing his thoughts in Mann Ki Baat programme on Akashvani, Mr Modi says India’s economy is progressing rapidly and the world is watching India.
2. Prime Minister urges youth to register themselves as voters upon turning 18.
3. President Droupadi Murmu presides over National Voters’ Day function; Says voting is not just a political expression but a reflection of citizens’ faith in the democratic process.
4. President Droupadi Murmu to address the nation this evening on the eve of 77th Republic Day.
5. Nine-hundred eighty-two personnel of Police, Fire, Home Guard and Civil Defence and Correctional Services awarded Gallantry and Service Medals on the occasion of Republic Day.
6. In United States, airlines cancel more than a third of scheduled flights as winter storm intensifies.
7. In cricket, the third Twenty20 between India and New Zealand to be played in Guwahati this evening.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged the countrymen, especially the youth associated with industry and Start-ups to emphasize on quality. Sharing his thoughts in the Mann Ki Baat programme on Akashvani today, Mr Modi said, India’s economy is progressing rapidly and the world is watching India. He called on people to resolve to improve the quality of whatever is manufactured in the country. He said, excellence should be the benchmark. He added that only by doing this the Nation will be able to accelerate the journey towards a ‘Viksit Bharat’.

The Prime Minister said, ten years ago, in January 2016, the Nation embarked upon an ambitious journey with the launch of Start-Up India. Mr Modi said, today India has become the third largest Start-ups ecosystem in the world.

On National Voter’s Day Mr Modi said, a voter is the soul of democracy. He said, whenever a young person becomes a voter for the first time, the entire neighbourhood, village, or city should come together to congratulate them and distribute sweets.

Saying that, the Nation will celebrate Republic Day tomorrow, the Prime Minister said, the Constitution came into effect on this very day and it gives people an opportunity to pay homage to the founding fathers of the Constitution. 

Lauding people of Azamgarh, who have given a new life to the Tamsa river, Mr Modi said, the Tamsa is not just a river, it is a live continuum of the cultural and spiritual heritage. He said, ‘this river, which crosses Ayodhya and merges with the Ganga, was once the life of the people of this region.

Mr Modi said, bhajans and kirtans have been the soul of Indian culture for centuries. He said, today’s youth have incorporated the spirit of devotion into their experiences and lifestyles.

Speaking about the Indian community in Malaysia which is doing commendable work in preserving and promoting the essence of their culture, Mr Modi said, there are more than 500 Tamil schools in Malaysia and in addition to teaching the Tamil language, other subjects are also taught in Tamil. Along with Telugu and Punjabi there is also a lot of focus on other Indian languages. He said, Malaysia India Heritage Society last month organised, the “Lal Paad Saree” iconic walk. The Prime Minister said, ‘this saree has a special connection to the culture of Bengal.

Mr Modi mentioned Benoy Das of Cooch Behar, West Bengal, who has single-handedly worked to make the district green. He said, more than 200 crore trees have been planted in the country so far under Ek Ped Maa ke Naam campaign.

The Prime Minister said, India AI Impact Summit which is going to be held next month will highlight India’s progress and achievements in the world of AI.

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President Droupadi Murmu today said that voting is not just a political expression but a reflection of the citizens’ faith in the country’s democratic electoral process. Addressing the National Voters’ Day programme in New Delhi, the President said that voting also serves as a medium through which citizens express their aspirations. 

In her address, the President highlighted India’s chairship of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, International IDEA. 

President Droupadi Murmu also presented the Best Electoral Practices Awards in different categories including effective use of technology, election management and logistics, innovative voter awareness, and implementation and enforcement of Model Code of Conduct along with other special awards and awards for the media.

The News Service Division of Akashvani received the media award in the category of Electronic Radio for Best Campaign on Voters’ Education Awareness for the year 2025. Rajeev Kumar Jain, Director General Akashvani recieved the award from the President. The award recognises Akashvani’s contribution in promoting electoral participation and awareness about accessible elections.

Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Election Commissioners, Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr Vivek Joshi were also present on the occasion.

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President Droupadi Murmu will address the nation on the eve of the 77th Republic Day this evening. The address will be broadcast from 7 PM on the entire national network of Akashvani and telecast over all channels of Doordarshan in Hindi, followed by the English version. Broadcast of the address in Hindi and English on Doordarshan will be followed by broadcast in regional languages by the regional channels of Doordarshan. Akashvani will broadcast the regional language versions from 9.30 PM onwards on its regional networks.

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On the occasion of the Republic Day, 982 personnel of Police, Fire, Home Guard and Civil Defence and Correctional Services have been awarded Gallantry and Service Medals. Out of them, 125 personnel have been awarded the Medal for Gallantry. The medal is awarded for rare conspicuous and conspicuous act of Gallantry in saving life, property, preventing crime or arresting criminals. Further, 101 distinguished personnel received the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service and 756 personnel received the Medal for Meritorious Service.

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In the United States, thousands of flights have been cancelled as the winter storm intensified in over the weekend. Officials warned that today could rank among the worst days for weather-related flight disruptions in US aviation history. American Airlines canceled more than a third of their scheduled flights according to airline and airport data.

President Donald Trump has issued emergency declarations for several states as authorities continue to prepare for frigid cold which will sweep across the eastern two-thirds of the country.

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In Bangladesh, a 23-year-old Hindu mechanic was burned to death after miscreants allegedly set fire to the car repair workshop where he was sleeping late on January 23 in Narsingdi town. It has triggered renewed criticism of Bangladesh’s law-and-order situation under the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government.

Police and eyewitnesses said the fire was deliberately lit from outside the shutter of the garage at Khana Bari Mosque Market near the Police Lines. CCTV footage reportedly shows individuals setting the fire before fleeing.

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In Hyderabad, five people were killed as fire engulfed in a furniture showroom at Nampally. The fire which broke out yesterday afternoon was brought down to control today after a 22-hour rescue operation. Fire Director General Vikram Singh Mann stated today that the building lacked fire safety measures, and chemical materials blocked the ramp, preventing people from escaping.

Search operations are underway to locate another person suspected to be trapped in the building.

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In Odisha, thousands of devotees today thronged the Chandrabhaga beach near Konark in Puri district to take a holy dip and offer prayers to the Sun God on the occasion of ‘Magha Saptami’. Pilgrims in large numbers assembled before sunrise to bathe in the sacred river and the nearby sea after witnessing the first rays of the Sun, marking the annual ‘Magha Mela’.

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In Cricket, the third Twenty20 match between India and New Zealand will be played at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati today. The match will start at 7 in the evening. India led the five-match series 2-0 and a win in this game will secure the series for India.

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The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially announced that Scotland will replace Bangladesh in Group C of the T20 World Cup, which will be hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 onwards. ICC Chief Executive Sanjog Gupta informed member boards of the decision in a formal letter, stating that Bangladesh’s demands to shift their scheduled matches away from India were not in accordance with the ICC policy.

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:

1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi calls on industry and Start-ups to emphasize on quality; Sharing his thoughts in Mann Ki Baat programme on Akashvani, Mr Modi says India’s economy is progressing rapidly and the world is watching India.
2. Prime Minister urges youth to register themselves as voters upon turning 18.
3. President Droupadi Murmu presides over National Voters’ Day function; Says voting is not just a political expression but a reflection of citizens’ faith in the democratic process.
4. President Droupadi Murmu to address the nation this evening on the eve of 77th Republic Day.
5. Nine-hundred eighty-two personnel of Police, Fire, Home Guard and Civil Defence and Correctional Services awarded Gallantry and Service Medals on the occasion of Republic Day.
6. In United States, airlines cancel more than a third of scheduled flights as winter storm intensifies.
7. In cricket, the third Twenty20 between India and New Zealand to be played in Guwahati this evening.

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