THE HEADLINES ::
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address annual NCC PM Rally at Cariappa Parade Ground in New Delhi today.
- Uniform Civil Code to come into force in Uttarakhand from today.
- Uttar Pradesh government declares entire Maha Kumbh Mela area in Prayagraj as no-vehicle zone from today, ahead of Mauni Amavasya Amrit Snan.
- Colombia decides to send plane to bring deported nationals after US President Donald Trump imposes tariffs and sanctions.
- And, Odisha Warriors beat JSW Soorma Hockey Club 2-1 to lift Women’s Hockey India League title in Ranchi.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the annual National Cadet Corps (NCC) PM Rally at the Cariappa Parade Ground in New Delhi today. The theme for this year’s NCC PM Rally will be ‘Yuva Shakti, Viksit Bharat’. During the event, a cultural programme by more than 800 cadets will be performed, showcasing commitment of NCC towards nation building. Further, the Rally will also witness participation by 144 young cadets from 18 friendly foreign countries.
Besides, more than 650 volunteers from Mera Yuva Bharat, Education Ministry and Tribal Affairs from across the nation will also attend the Rally as special guests.
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The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will come to force in Uttarakhand from today, making it the first state to implement such a law. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that all preparations, including rule approval and official training, are complete. UCC aims to standardize personal civil laws, ensuring equal rights for all citizens. Mr Dhami said, under the UCC, an attempt has been made to bring uniformity in all laws related to personal civil matters that discriminate on the basis of caste, religion and gender.
The UCC seeks to establish a uniform and equal set of rules on marriage, divorce, succession, and inheritance for all citizens in the state, except the scheduled tribes, irrespective of religion. It makes registration of all marriages and live-in relationships mandatory.
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The 70 member Delhi assembly will go to polls on 5th of next month. Akashvani News brings you a special series in view of Delhi assembly polls. Today, we take a look at Greater Kailash constituency.
“Greater Kailash, assembly constituency is one of those seats in this election on which everyone’s eyes are fixed. This seat of South Delhi is also important because senior leader of Aam Aadmi Party and Minister in Delhi government Saurabh Bhardwaj is in the fray once again. BJP has fielded Shikha Rai on this seat which has been in the possession of Aam Aadmi Party since 2013, while Congress has fielded Garvit Singhvi in the political arena, making it a triangular contest. The election is being fought on the issues of waterlogging, parking problems, garbage heaps, old water pipelines and hike in electricity bills. It will be interesting to see whether AAP’s Saurabh Bhardwaj will get his fourth consecutive victory, or the people of Greater Kailash will opt for a new representative this time. With Sumit Saha, Bhanu Pratap Singh, Akashvani News Delhi.”
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News from the Mahakumbh,
Uttar Pradesh government has declared the entire Maha Kumbh Mela area in Prayagraj as no-vehicle zone from today. The decision has been taken to ensure smooth management of the massive crowds expected on Mauni Amavasya on 29th January. The Integrated Control and Command Center has been activated to monitor crowd density and ensure that no excessive gathering takes place at Sangam Nose. Quick-response teams have been deployed in high-density areas to handle emergencies.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh today to participate in the Maha Kumbh. Mr Shah will also take a holy dip in the sacred waters of the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati. The Home Minister is expected to meet several saints including Shankaracharya Puri and Shankaracharya Dwarka.
The Mahakumbh in Prayagraj has become a significant platform for promoting women’s empowerment through various initiatives and events. Our correspondent reports that several organizations and NGOs have provided platform to women to showcase their products.
“The massive Gathering in Mahakumbh is not just a celebration of Faith but also a platform for social change. Under the Motto of Women Empowerment, several Pavilions have been setup to advocate Women Rights. National Commission for Women has setup a pavilion to create awareness about laws protecting women’s rights. Talking to Akashvani News, Shivangi Shukla of NCW said that the commission is spreading awareness about the women’s rights and providing legal advice.
An Artisan named Asiya Khan hailing from Jammu and Kashmir said that Mahakumbha Mela has given opportunity to showcase her products.
Women from local and rural areas have set up stalls in the Mahakumbh to sell traditional handicrafts, textiles, and organic products. The platform is also empowering women by providing opportunities for economic independence and self-reliance. Aman Yadav, Akashvani News, Prayagraj.”
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In Kerala, four persons including two women drowned after they were swept away by strong waves off Thikkodi beach in Kozhikode last evening. The mishap took place when five persons, part of a group from Kalpetta in Wayanad district, ventured into the sea.
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Colombia has decided to send presidential plane to Honduras to pick up its nationals. In a statement, the President of Columbia, Gustavo Petro, said that he will provide a presidential plane for the dignified return of his fellow citizens. Earlier, he refused to accept migrant deportation flights from the United States, following which US President Donald Trump imposed 25 per cent tariffs and sanctions. Mr Trump said, the tariffs on all goods coming into the US from Colombia would be put in place immediately, and in one week the 25 per cent tariffs would be raised to 50 per cent.
The tension arose between the two nations after Columbia became the first country to reject US deportation flights, sending back Colombians living illegally in the US.
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At least 34 Indian fishermen have been were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy in two separate incidents. Sri Lankan Navy also seized three trawling boats used for fishing. The fishermen have been arrested for alleged illegal fishing in two separate incidents on Saturday and yesterday. Ramanathapuram Fisheries Department said that the Sri Lankan Navy apprehended three boats for allegedly violating the International Maritime Boundary Line.
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Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will be on a two-day visit to Muscat in Oman for the 11th Joint Commission Meeting from today. During the visit, Mr Goyal will hold talks with Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion Minister Oman, Qais bin Mohammed bin Moosa al-Yousef. Both the Ministers will hold wide-ranging discussions on trade, investment, and the global economic situation. The Commerce and Industry Ministry in its statement said that the visit will underscore the country’s commitment to trade and investment ties with Oman and further bolster the ties between the two countries.
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Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri arrived in Beijing yesterday on a two-day visit to China. The Ministry of External Affairs said that Foreign Secretary Misri will participate in a meeting of the Foreign Secretary-Vice Minister mechanism between India and China.
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Moving on to further updates from the world of sports, the 8th round battle at Tata Steel Chess Masters 2025 between Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa and world champion D Gukesh ended in a draw at Wijk aan Zee in the Netherlands yesterday.
“Playing the white side of a Berlin defense, Praggnanadhaa had slightly favourable position optically but Gukesh was always on guard to defend. As a result, a tense and interesting fight ended at draw. In another match, India’s top-ranked chess player Arjun Erigaisi accepted a draw against Serbian Grandmaster Alexey Sarana. Moving on to Australian Open Tennis, World No. 1, Italy’s Jannik Sinner clinched the men’s singles title after defeating Alexander Zverev in the final clash at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne yesterday. He joins Andre Agassi, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in an elite list of players to have won consecutive Australian Open titles in the 21st century. Next we have from Indian Super League (ISL) Football, where Mumbai City FC netted 3 goals in 11 minutes to register a home victory against Mohammedan SC by 3-0 at the Mumbai Football Arena last night. Today, Mohun Bagan Super Giant will host Bengaluru FC at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata at 7:30 PM. Moving on to Cricket, in the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, India stormed into the semi-finals with a commanding 8 wicket win over Bangladesh in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. With a semifinal spot secured, India will face Scotland in their final Super Six match at the same venue tomorrow. While in the Men’s Cricket, the third T20I between India and England will be played tomorrow at Rajkot. Suryakumar Yadav led Men in Blue are currently leading the 5 match series 2-nil. CHIRAG JHA, AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI.”
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In our bilingual live phone-in programme “Public Speak” today at 09.30 pm, we will bring an insightful discussion on “Tackling exam related stress by students” with Dr. Shweta Arora, Joint Secretary, Central Board of Secondary Education and Dr. Rajesh Sagar, Professor of Psychiatry, AIIMS.
During the program, listeners will have the opportunity to ask questions to our experts relating to causes of stress, ways to overcome it, and tips for maintaining mental well-being during exams.
To participate, simply dial the telephone numbers 011 – 23421050 and 011 – 23314444, 9:30 PM onwards tonight.
Alternatively, you can also send your queries via WhatsApp to the number 9289094044 or post your questions on X with the hashtag AskAir.
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TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS HEADLINE,
- Dailies are full of colour photographs of India celebrating the 76th Republic Day, yesterday. “Hi-tech systems, missiles, Army’s Daredevils dazzle” headlines The Asian Age. The Pioneer headline reads, “Republic Day; A parade of woman power”. The Times of India has highlighted a choreographed tribute to mark the 150th birth anniversary of tribal leader Birsa Munda, featuring 5,000 folk and tribal artistes. Hindustan Times reports that this was Delhi’s warmest Republic Day in 8 years.
- Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri lands in Beijing as India and China attempt to repair ties, reports The Indian Express.
- 28 more patients of Guillain-Barre Syndrome in Pune take the city’s caseload to 101 in 18 days. Authorities are sampling Pune’s water, writes The Times of India.
- And finally, the fight against drug menace has hit a new note in Haryana, with popular singers joining an anti-drug drive, writes The Hindu.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN-
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address annual NCC PM Rally at Cariappa Parade Ground in New Delhi today.
- Uniform Civil Code to come into force in Uttarakhand from today.
- Uttar Pradesh government declares entire Maha Kumbh Mela area in Prayagraj as no-vehicle zone from today, ahead of Mauni Amavasya Amrit Snan.
- Colombia decides to send plane to bring deported nationals after US President Donald Trump imposes tariffs and sanctions.
- And, Odisha Warriors beat JSW Soorma Hockey Club 2-1 to lift Women’s Hockey India League title in Ranchi.
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