THE HEADLINES:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi says Government is committed to all-round development of Bihar.
- President Droupadi Murmu to inaugurate National Conference on Environment in New Delhi today.
- Maharashtra government issues guidelines to all departments to respond promptly on incorrect or misleading news.
- India sends 15 tonnes of relief material to earthquake hit Myanmar.
- Manisha Bhanwala clinches India’s first gold medal in Asian Wrestling Championship in Jordan.
- In IPL Cricket, Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeat Chennai Super Kings by 50 runs at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hailed the Cabinet decisions approving the inclusion of the Kosi Mechi Intra-State Link Project in Bihar under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana-Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme and a four-lane Patna-Sasaram corridor project. In a social media post, Mr Modi said, the Government is committed to the all-round development of Bihar. He said while this will provide water for irrigation in a large area, it will also increase the income of farmer brothers and sisters.
Briefing the media in New Delhi yesterday, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, the project will provide over two lakh 10 thousand hectares additional annual irrigation in Kharif season in Araria, Purnea, Kishanganj and Katihar districts of Bihar.
Mr Vaishnaw also informed that the government has approved construction of four-lane greenfield and brownfield Patna-Arrah-Sasaram corridor. The Minister said, this project will give a boost to infrastructure development by generating 48 lakh man days employment.
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President Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate the National Conference on Environment- 2025 in New Delhi today. The two-day event, organized by the National Green Tribunal is set to bring together environmental experts, policymakers, and activists to discuss critical environmental issues and formulate actionable solutions. The meet will have four key technical sessions that will address pressing challenges faced by the environment, including climate change, pollution control, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development.
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The Maharashtra government has issued guidelines to all its departments through a Government Resolution (GR) to promptly respond to “non-factual or misleading news” about the state government. The move comes two weeks after the state issued a GR to set up a media monitoring centre to monitor news coverage related to the government – be it print, electronic, social or digital. The centre will analyse the coverage and take action on the spread of “negative” or “misleading” news related to the state government.
In this regard, Director General of Information and Public Relations, Brijesh Singh said that through the circular, the government aims to enhance its operational efficiency by taking cognisance of significant news related to governance and providing better services to citizens.
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A High-Level Committee, under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, has approved projects worth over one thousand 604 crore rupees for five states under the scheme for the expansion and modernization of fire services. These states are Bihar, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Kerala.
The committee also approved over 555 crore rupees for Sikkim for recovery and reconstruction needs arising from the devastating Glacial Lake Outburst Flood in the state during October 2023. The Ministry of Home Affairs said that the government has taken several initiatives to ensure effective management of disasters in the country.
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Union Home Minister will be on a two days visit to Bihar beginning today. Mr. Shah will attend several programmes including a public meeting at Gopalganj and state level cooperative conclave in Patna. Mr. Shah is scheduled tot hold a meeting with party leaders. Tomorrow, Mr. Shah will inaugurate state level co-operative conclave in Patna. He will also dedicate and lay foundation of various development programmes and projects worth over 800 crore rupees.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh tomorrow. In Nagpur, he will visit Smruti Mandir and Deekshabhoomi. Later, he will lay the foundation stone of Madhav Netralaya Premium Centre, and address a public meeting. Mr. Modi will also inaugurate a Loitering Munition Testing Range and UAV runway facility at Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited.
Thereafter, the Prime Minister will travel to Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh and dedicate multiple development projects worth over 33 thousand crore rupees. He is also scheduled to address a public meeting.
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In Madhya Pradesh, the government is procuring wheat at the Minimum Support Price, MSP and farmers are also selling their produce enthusiastically. So far 13 lakh 98 thousand farmers have registered for sale of wheat at the MSP this year. The last date for registration is 31st March.
More than 5 lakh 80 thousand metric tonnes of wheat has been procured from about 75 thousand farmers at the minimum support price in Madhya Pradesh. Payment for the procured wheat is also being made continuously to the farmers. So far, more than 757 crore rupees have been paid to the farmers.
The minimum support price of wheat in Madhya Pradesh is 2,425 rupees per quintal. The state government is giving a bonus of 175 rupees per quintal. In this way, wheat is being procured at the rate of 2,600 rupees per quintal.SANJEEV SHARMA AKASHVANI NEWS, BHOPAL.
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India has dispatched 15 tonnes of relief material to Myanmar following yesterday’s earthquake. According to sources, an Indian Air Force C-130J aircraft transported the aid from Hindon Air Force Station.
The 15 tonnes of relief package includes essential supplies such as tents, sleeping bags, blankets, ready-to-eat meals and generator sets. Additionally, crucial medical supplies like paracetamol, antibiotics, syringes, gloves, and bandages are being dispatched to support those affected by the disaster.
A powerful earthquake rocked Myanmar and neighbouring Thailand yesterday destroying buildings, bridges and a monastery. At least 144 people were killed in Myanmar. At least 10 died in the Thai capital Bangkok, where a high-rise under construction building collapsed.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed concern over the incident. In a social media post, Mr Modi prayed for the safety and wellbeing of the citizens of both the countries. He added that India stands ready to offer all possible assistance and asked the External Affairs Ministry to remain in touch with the Governments of Myanmar and Thailand.AISHWARYA RAI NIGAM,AKASHVANI NEWS, NEW DELHI.
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Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has emphasized strengthening of alignment of strategic interests between India and the United States. Congratulating US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau after his recent confirmation by the US Senate, Mr Misri highlighted the importance of the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. The two officials also discussed increasing bilateral trade, defense, and technology collaboration, as well as issues related to mobility and migration. Both sides agreed to maintain an ongoing dialogue on matters of shared interest.
The Foreign Secretary invited Mr Landau to visit India at the earliest opportunity.
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In the Asian Wrestling Championship-2025, Manisha Bhanwala clinched India’s first gold medal since 2021 edition while Antim Panghal settled for a bronze at Amman in Jordan last night.
In women’s 62 kg category, Manisha defeated Korea’s Ok J Kim by 8-7 to clinch the historic Amman in Jordan. Meanwhile, in 53 kg category bronze play-off, Antim Panghal defeated Taipei’s Meng H Hsieh by technical superiority without conceding a point. Indian wrestlers have now won one gold, one silver and six bronze medals, including two by Greco Roman wrestlers in the tournament. The men’s freestyle competition will begin today.
In the IPL Cricket, Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated Chennai Super Kings by 50 runs at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai last night. Chasing 197 for victory, Chennai Super Kings scored 146 for loss of 8 wickets in stipulated 20 overs. Rajat Patidar of RCB was adjudged player of the match for contributing 51 off 32 balls. Today Gujarat Titans will clash with Mumbai Indians at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The match will begin at 7:30 this evening.
In tennis, Novak Djokovic defeated Grigor Dimitrov to reach his first Miami Open final since 2016, moving within one win of his 100th career ATP title. Djokovic will now face rising Czech star Jakub Menšík in the final tomorrow. Menšík eased past America’s Taylor Fritz in the second semifinal this morning. With Sudhir, Manik Sharma, Akashvani News, Delhi.
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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast scattered light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds at isolated places over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, Goa and Maharashtra today. Similar Conditions are expected over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya.
According to the weather department, strong surface wind is very likely to prevail at isolated places in Northwest India today, with Rajasthan experiencing significant dust storms that will impair visibility. Talking to Media, IMD senior scientist Dr. Soma Sen Roy said For the next two days, strong winds will affect the entirety of northern India, with Rajasthan experiencing significant dust storms that will impair visibility.
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Akashvani’s Youtube Channel- Aradhana will Broadcast Special Programmes on the auspicious occasion of Navratri. The channel is set to offer an immersive spiritual experience for its listeners from tomorrow till 6th of April. Our Correspondent reports that the channel will present a series of exclusive devotional programs, bringing the essence of the festival directly to viewers’ homes.
Special highlight of the Navratri celebrations will be Bhajans, performed by renowned artists such as Anup Jalota, Narinder Chanchal, Hari Om Sharan and Anuradha Paudwal. These renditions will be aired from 6 PM to 7 PM every day. Speaking about the channel, Prasar Bharti CEO Gaurav Dwivedi said that the Channel will feature a curated series in which Navratri’s each day significance will be highlighted.
The Navratri celebrations will culminate in a grand Live Programme on Ram Janmotsav, directly from Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir, Ayodhya.This special broadcast will take place on 6th April bringing the divine festivities to audiences across the nation. Listeners can tune in to Akashvani’s Aradhana YouTube Channel to experience the spiritual essence of Navratri and celebrate the festival in an atmosphere of devotion and reverence. Aman Yadav, Akashvani News, Delhi.
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TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS HEADLINE,
- The devastation caused by the earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand is front page news in most dailies. “Over 150 dead as strong 7.7 quake hits Myanmar, Thailand. Shakes India too” reads The Tribune In a first, ruling Myanmar junta has asked for international aid, reports The Asian Age.
- The Centre has approved a 23 thousand crore rupees scheme to make India self-reliant in electronics components manufacturing, providing direct employment to over 90,000 people, writes The Pioneer.
- India has inked a record 63 thousand crore rupees chopper deal with HAL to procure 156 indigenous ‘Prachand’ helicopters from its armed forces, reports The Times of India.
- The Delhi High Court has prohibited hotels and restaurants from automatically adding a “service charge” to food bills, while observing that this is against public interest, writes Hindustan Times.
- And finally, The Hindu quotes a survey by CBSE that reveals that one in five parents in India faces parenting challenges.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi says Government is committed to all-round development of Bihar.
- President Droupadi Murmu to inaugurate National Conference on Environment in New Delhi today.
- Maharashtra government issues guidelines to all departments to respond promptly on incorrect or misleading news.
- India sends 15 tonnes of relief material to earthquake hit Myanmar.
- Manisha Bhanwala clinches India’s first gold medal in Asian Wrestling Championship in Jordan.
- In IPL Cricket, Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeat Chennai Super Kings by 50 runs at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
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