THE HEADLINES ::
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold talks with French President Emmanuel Macron today in Paris; To co-chair AI Action Summit.
- President Droupadi Murmu to inaugurate two-day International Conference on Unani Day this evening in New Delhi.
- India launches its first indigenous Automated Bio Medical Waste Treatment Plant.
- India Energy Week 2025 to begin at Yashobhoomi in Delhi, with 700 exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge technology.
- Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships to kick off in China today; Lakshya Sen and Malvika Bansod to lead India’s challenge.
<><><>
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris today, aimed at further strengthening India-France relations. He will also engage in key bilateral discussions, where several important bilateral deals are also expected to be signed between India and France. He will also set to take part in the AI Action Summit today, where India is co-chairing with the objective of establishing global AI standards and promoting responsible AI development.
As artificial intelligence rapidly transforms our world-and raises concerns about privacy, bias, and job losses-the Prime Minister, along with other leaders, will deliberate on establishing global AI standards and promoting the responsible development of this technology. A leaders’ declaration and the announcement of an AI foundation are expected at the summit. Both leaders will also co-chair the Indo-French CEOs Forum. Important bilateral deals, including defence agreements, are expected to be signed in line with the 2047 roadmap. Later this evening, Prime Minister Modi will head to the historic city of Marseille, where he is scheduled to participate in multiple engagements with President Macron. Today’s packed agenda reflects India’s dynamic and forward-looking diplomacy. The Prime Minister’s engagements-from setting global standards for AI to sealing strategic partnerships-underscore India’s commitment to fostering a secure, innovative, and interconnected world. RAJADURAI, AKASHVANI NEWS , PARIS.
Last night, Prime Minister received a warm welcome upon his arrival in France. Upon landing, he was greeted at the airport by France’s Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu. Despite the chilly weather, the Indian community in Paris gave Prime Minister Narendra Modi a heartwarming welcome.
Later, Prime Minister attended a dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron for the leaders participating in the AI Summit. The Prime Minister also conversed with United States Vice President JD Vance during the event. Following the engagements in France, the Prime Minister will embark on a two-day visit to the United States at the invitation of President Donald Trump, departing from Marseille tomorrow.
<><><>
President Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate the two-day International Conference on Unani Day today in New Delhi. Minister of Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh will also be present on the occasion.
The 11th of February is celebrated annually as Unani Day to honour the birth anniversary of the renowned Unani physician, educator, and freedom fighter, Hakim Ajmal Khan. The Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine, a premier research council under the Ministry of Ayush is hosting the two day International Conference on “Innovations in Unani Medicine for Integrative Health Solutions – A Way Forward”. This conference will serve as a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge exchange, aiming to underscore the pivotal role of Unani Medicine in promoting global health and well-being.
<><><>
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh has launched India’s first indigenous Automated Biomedical Waste Treatment Rig, named Sṛjanam, at AIIMS New Delhi, yesterday. Developed by the CSIR National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, NIIST, in Thiruvananthapuram, the rig is the first of its kind in the country.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister called for a paradigm shift from Waste to Wealth and emphasized the importance of sustainability and environmental concerns. Dr. Singh highlighted India’s economic transformation, noting that the country has moved from being part of the ‘fragile five’ to a member of the ‘First Five’ and is on track for continued growth. He also highlighted the significance of the new biomedical waste treatment rig, which is set to revolutionize waste management in healthcare facilities.
<><><>
Over 54 crore bank accounts have been opened in the country till January this year under PM Jan Dhan Yojana. In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said over 30 crore accounts out of them, belong to women constituting over 55 per cent. The minister said the government has taken several measures for financial inclusion with focus on covering every unbanked adult. The Minister further said over 22 crore people have enrolled with PM Jeevan Jyothi Bima Yojana and 49 crore people have enrolled with the PM Suraksha Bima Yojana.
<><><>
The government has said the Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme (PMIS) has not been extended to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME). This was informed by MSME Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha. He said, as a Pilot Project of the Scheme, 1.25 lakh internship opportunities were provided in November last year. The Minister said, the Corporate Affairs Ministry has identified top 500 companies for implementing the PMIS on the basis of their average CSR expenditure of the last three years.
<><><>
India Energy Week 2025 (IEW’25) is scheduled to commence today at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi. IEW’25 is set to be a landmark event in the global energy calendar, continuing its rapid growth from previous editions.
Over 700 exhibitors and 70 thousand global energy professionals will attend the four-day mega event with an aim to unveil innovation, from partnerships, and shape the future of energy. Briefing media in New Delhi yesterday, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually inaugurate the event today. He said the event will be the second-largest energy event globally in terms of ministerial and CEO participation, exhibition space, and the number of sessions.
The minister said that the event will showcase the country’s success with the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) as a model for global adoption. Priya Mondal, Akashvani News, Delhi.
<><><>
Niti Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Bery, CEO B.V.R Subhramanyam and Member Dr. Vinod Kumar Paul released Niti Aayog’s report on Expanding Quality Higher Education through States and State Public Universities in New Delhi. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Bery expressed hope that the recommendations contained in the report would be enthusiastically taken forward by the Ministries in the Central and State Governments. He also called on the country’s institutions like IITs and State Public Universities to strive for high standards.
Further, NITI Aayog CEO B.V.R. Subrahmanyam highlighted that by 2035, the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 aims to double enrolment in the higher education system to nearly 9 crore students.
<><><>
The Indian Railways has been working at a war footing to make special arrangements for pilgrims and tourists ahead of the Maghi Purnima Snan tomorrow at the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj. Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw yesterday inspected the arrangements at Prayagraj Railway Station.
Mr. Vaishnaw told that the Centre is working closely with the Uttar Pradesh government to create the best possible arrangements.
Chairman Railway Board & CEO, Satish Kumar also clarified that only one station, Prayagraj Sangam, will remain closed for passenger movement till Friday, which is a routine practice. Meanwhile, Executive Director at the Information and Publicity Department of Railway Board, Dilip Kumar said that more than 13 thousand railway personnel have been deployed.
The Railway Ministry has advised passengers to refer to official railway sources. Adarsh, Akashvani News, Prayagraj.
<><><>
The Union Home Ministry has announced the seizure of drugs worth over 25 thousand crore rupees in 2024, marking a 55 percent increase from the 16 thousand crore rupees worth of drugs seized in 2023, as part of its Zero Tolerance policy against drugs. In a statement, the Ministry also highlighted the rise in seizures of more harmful and addictive substances, including synthetic drugs, cocaine, and pharmaceutical drugs used as psychotropic substances.
<><><>
Iranian Ambassador Iraj Elahi underscored the importance of Chabahar Port as the golden gateway for regional connectivity. He highlighted its role in strengthening India-Iran ties through a long-term operational agreement and the International North-South Transport Corridor. Last year, Iran and India signed a long-term agreement to run the Chabahar port, that connects nations along the Indian Ocean with Central Asia and the Caucasus.
<><><>
United States President Donald Trump has signed an order to impose 25 percent tariffs on steel and aluminium imports. The tariffs will apply widely to all US imports of steel and aluminium, including from Canada and Mexico, the country’s top two foreign suppliers of the metals.
While the measures unveiled yesterday did not include exemptions for trading partners. Trump indicated that he may consider a break for Australia, crediting the country’s import of US-made aircraft. Trump’s move comes on top of new 10 percent tariffs on goods from China, 25 percent levies on Canada and Mexico that are currently paused.
<><><>
In Badminton, the Asia Mixed Team Championships 2025 will kick off today in Qingdao, China. Lakshya Sen and Malvika Bansod will lead the Indian challenge. Sen, along with HS Prannoy, will represent India in the men’s singles. While India’s No. 2, Malvika Bansod, will represent the country in the women’s singles.
In the men’s doubles, Asian Games champions Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will take charge. In women’s doubles, young stars Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand, alongside Olympians Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto, will represent India. The tournament will feature 12 teams, divided into four groups of three.
<><><>
In Tennis, India’s Mukund Sasikumar is set to take on France’s Sascha Gueymard Wayenburg in the men’s singles opening round of the Delhi Open 2025 tennis tournament at the DLTA Complex today. In another match, Indian Ramkumar Ramanathan will compete against Czechia’s Dalibor Svrcina in the same category.
<><><>
World champion D Gukesh bowed out of Freestyle Grand Slam chess after losing his second straight quarterfinal game against Fabiano Caruana of the United States yesterday. Having lost the first game with white pieces, Gukesh did not last long against the American Grandmaster in a must-win tie with Caruana finishing the contest in a mere 18 moves. Gukesh will now fight for the last-four spots.
The freestyle chess is built around 960 random positions, shifting the initial position of the pieces from the base rank while the pawns remain intact..
<><><>
TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS HEADLINE,
- Aero India is the Kumbh of research says Rajnath is the lead in The Hindu, Govt seeks targeted solutions in strong Make in India Pitch headlines The Hindustan Times and Aero India to showcase tech prowess says Rajnath is the lead in The Asian Age. The papers add that Asia’s biggest aerospace and defence exhibition show Aero India 2025 got underway at the Air Force station in Bangalore yesterday.
- ALMOST ALL PAPERS have on their front page with pictures the visit of PM Modi to France where he will co-chair the AI action summit with French President Macron.
- Almost all papers have on their front page the story of long jams reported on the highway towards Prayagraj. The Pioneer headlines maha traffic towards Maha Kumbh and the tribune headlines 300 km jam, lakhs stranded on way to Maha Kumbh.
- And finally, The Hindu has a story of exhorbitant airfares to prayagraj as Chennai-Prayagraj one way ticket touches 53000 rupees.
<><><>
THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN-
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold talks with French President Emmanuel Macron today in Paris; To co-chair AI Action Summit.
- President Droupadi Murmu to inaugurate two-day International Conference on Unani Day this evening in New Delhi.
- India launches its first indigenous Automated Bio Medical Waste Treatment Plant.
- India Energy Week 2025 to begin at Yashobhoomi in Delhi, with 700 exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge technology.
- Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships to kick off in China today; Lakshya Sen and Malvika Bansod to lead India’s challenge.
<><><>