THE HEADLINES ::
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauds the role of middle class in country’s growth; Says their aspirations are strongest foundation for nation’s progress.
- RBI to announce its sixth and last bi-monthly monetary policy decision of Financial Year 2025 today.
- Government says EPFO achieved significant milestone of surpassing 5 crore claim settlements in financial year 2024-25.
- India strongly condemns attack on Sheikh Mujibur Rehman’s residence by vandals in Bangladesh.
- Donald Trump imposes sanctions on International Criminal Court accusing the body of targeting America and Israel.
- Ninth Asian Winter Games to begin at Harbin in China today.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lauded the role of the middle class in the country’s growth and said their aspirations are giving impetus to the nation’s progress. Replying to the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address in Rajya Sabha yesterday, the Prime Minister highlighted the government’s decision to empower the middle class by giving more money in their hands. Mr Modi said, a neo-middle class has emerged in the country and his government is standing with strong commitments with this neo-middle class.
Taking a dig at the Congress, the Prime Minister said, the Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas model of governance is incomprehensible for Congress as the whole party is dedicated to one family. Asserting that the BJP-led NDA government’s model of development is ‘Nation First’, which focuses on “satisfaction” rather than appeasement, he said, people have tested, understood and supported this model and therefore gave his government the mandate for the third time.
After Prime Minister’s reply, the Upper House adopted the Motion of Thanks on President’s address, negating the amendments of several opposition MPs by voice vote.
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Meanwhile, the issue of Deportation of Indian nationals from the USA rocked both Houses of Parliament yesterday as the opposition demanded a discussion on the issue. Making a statement on the issue in the Rajya Sabha External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar said the process of deportation of illegal immigrants is a generally accepted principle in international relations, asserting that it is in the collective interest of the nations to increase legal mobility. Dr Jaishankar made similar statement in the Lok Sabha amid din by the Opposition members.
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The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will announce today the decision of its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting amid widespread expectations of 25 basis points reduction in interest rate after a gap of nearly five years. New RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra, who chaired his first MPC meeting, is expected to announce the decision of the six-member panel this morning. The three-day meeting of the MPC started on Wednesday.
In a statement, the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India, ASSOCHAM yesterday said, the rate cut can enhance liquidity in the banking system and will also revive consumption and fiscal discipline.
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The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has reached a significant milestone by surpassing 5 crore claim settlements in the financial year 2024-25. Labour and Employment Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya announced this yesterday. He said, the claims have exceeded the 4.45 crore claims settled in the previous year. Dr. Mandaviya attributed this achievement to a series of transformative reforms introduced by the EPFO to streamline the claim settlement process and reduce grievances of the members. The Minister also highlighted that auto claim settlements have doubled to 1.87 crore in the current financial year, compared to 89.52 lakh claims processed throughout FY 2023-24.
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All preparations are in full swing for the counting of votes for the Delhi Assembly elections to be held tomorrow.
“The Delhi CEO informed that nineteen counting centres have been set up in 11 districts of Delhi for counting of votes. Around five thousand staff members, comprising counting supervisors, counting assistants, micro observers, statistical staff, and other supporting personnel have been deployed and trained for the counting process. Ms. Vaz said that scrutiny of election documents, including Form 17C of 70 Assembly constituencies, has been conducted. She added that independent central observers appointed by the Election Commission, candidates, and their agents, and returning officers were present during the scrutiny, and they did not receive any complaint from any candidate during the process. The EVMs have also been kept at the strong rooms, under the constant vigil of the commission and the police officials. The Delhi CEO noted that the counting of voter slips of 5 voter-verifiable paper audit trails in each assembly constituency will be randomly selected. Priya Mondal, Akashvani News, Delhi.”
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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth yesterday reviewed the India-US defence cooperation spanning across multiple domains including land, air, maritime and space. During their phone conversation, Mr. Singh congratulated Mr Hegseth for his appointment as the US Secretary of Defense. Both the leaders appreciated the bilateral defence partnership, and reaffirmed their commitment to deepen the ties.
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External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar and Greece Foreign Affairs Minister George Gerapetritis held a bilateral meeting in New Delhi yesterday. Both the leaders expressed their view on a wide gamut of bilateral relationships.
During the meeting, Dr. Jaishankar highlighted the importance of India-Greece partnership saying that India wants trade, investment, and technology collaboration.
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India has strongly condemned the destruction of the residence of Sheikh Mujibur Rehman in Bangladesh by vandals. In response to media queries, Spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal said it is regrettable that the historic residence of Sheikh Mujibur Rehman, a symbol of the heroic resistance of the people of Bangladesh against the forces of occupation and oppression has been destroyed. He added that all those who value the freedom struggle that nurtured Bangla identity and pride, are aware of the importance of this residence for the national consciousness of Bangladesh. Mr Jaiswal said that this act of vandalism should be condemned.
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Now news from Mahakumbh,
A digital exhibition has been set up at the Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj to educate public about the three new criminal laws in the country. The laws are Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam. Our correspondent reports that the new laws have replaced the Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and Indian Evidence Act.
“The Mahakumbh mela is not just a gathering of faith but also educating devotees about their legal rights and digital tools for justice. Central government and Uttar Pradesh government has set up different stalls to make awareness about the three new laws. Talking to Akashvani News, Head Operator of Uttar Pradesh Police, Om Kumar Gupta said that they are providing information to the public about these new laws in simple language.
An artist Munna Lal Yadav said that they are generating awareness through street drama.
The new laws have been designed to make India’s justice system more transparent. With Dipendra Kumar, Aman Yadav, Akashvani News Prayagraj.”
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Drawn by the spiritual grandeur of the Maha Kumbh, a group of 68 Hindu devotees from Pakistan’s Sindh province arrived in Prayagraj yesterday and took a holy dip at the Sangam. According to the UP Information Department, the devotees performed rituals at the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati, offering prayers for their forefathers.
Speaking to the media, the pilgrims expressed gratitude to the Indian government for issuing their visas quickly, enabling them to take part in the spiritual event.
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The 38th Surajkund International Crafts Fair, a unique confluence of colours, art, crafts, music and cultural heritage, is starting from today in Faridabad.
Union Tourism and Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat will be the chief guest on the occasion and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini will presided the event.
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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast thunderstorms accompanied with lightning at isolated places over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Meghalaya today. Pockets of Himachal Pradesh and Odisha are likely to experience dense fog conditions today.
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US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) accusing it for illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America and its close ally Israel. The measure places financial and visa restrictions on individuals and their families who assist in ICC investigations of American citizens or allies. According to the order, the ICC has no jurisdiction over the United States or Israel, adding that the court had set a dangerous precedence with its actions against both countries. Trump’s action came as Netanyahu was visiting Washington.
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A small plane contracted by the US Defence Department crashed in the southern Philippines yesterday, killing all four people on board. The US Indo-Pacific Command said, the crash occurred in Maguindanao del Sur in the southern Philippines.
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Ninth Asian Winter Games (AWG) 2025 will kick off at Harbin in China this evening. The Games will continue untill 14th of this month. Deputy Secretary-General of the organizing committee of the Games and the chief spokesperson, said yesterday that this year’s Games will see the largest representation of Asian countries and regions in history and representatives from 34 countries and regions across Asia will parade during the opening ceremony. He said, all preparations for the opening ceremony.
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At the ongoing 38th National Games in Uttarakhand, four-time Olympian Deepika Kumari bagged a gold medal in the women’s recurve individual event yesterday. Deepika saw off a spirited challenge from Anshika Kumari to win the decider 6-4.
In the men’s recurve individual event, Juyel Sarkar claimed the gold medal with a 6-4 victory over Indra Chand.
In the recurve mixed team category, the duo of Shukmani Gajanan Babrekar and Gatha Anandrao Khadake emerged victorious, securing gold with a score of 4(19).
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TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS HEADLINE,
⦁ The deportation of 104 illegal indian immigrants from the United States on Wednesday is the lead in all newspapers. Engaging with US to ensure deportees are’nt mistreated, Jaishankar tells parliament is the lead in The Tribune; EAM says restraining deportees not new, women not cuffed is the lead in the Times of India.
⦁ Mostly all papers have, on their front page, the prediction of a comfortable win for the BJP and a significant decline in AAP’s electoral fortunes in the capital . The Hindustan Times says ” More Delhi Polls predict big BJP win.
⦁ Another story covered prominently with pictures is the demolition of Sheikh Mujibur Rehman’s iconic house in Dhaka as students and youth activists first set the house on fire and then used excavators and cranes to demolish the building.
⦁ and finally a story in The Asian Age says that global temperatures shattered records again as January 2025 was the warmest ever despite LaNina conditions which are supposed to bring in cooler condtions.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN-
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauds the role of middle class in country’s growth; Says their aspirations are strongest foundation for nation’s progress.
- RBI to announce its sixth and last bi-monthly monetary policy decision of Financial Year 2025 today.
- Government says EPFO achieved significant milestone of surpassing 5 crore claim settlements in financial year 2024-25.
- India strongly condemns attack on Sheikh Mujibur Rehman’s residence by vandals in Bangladesh.
- Donald Trump imposes sanctions on International Criminal Court accusing the body of targeting America and Israel.
- Ninth Asian Winter Games to begin at Harbin in China today.
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