Morning News -

THE HEADLINES:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh today to launch multiple development projects.
Prime Minister to share his thoughts in ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme on Akashvani at 11 this morning.
Death toll in Myanmar’s earthquake rises to 1644; India sends rescue teams and relief supplies to the quake-hit country under Operation Brahma.
Chaitra Navratri begins with morning aarti in temples across the country.
IMD issues heatwave warning for six districts of Odisha today.
And in IPL cricket, Gujarat Titans beat Mumbai Indians by 36 runs in Ahmedabad.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh today to attend several programs and launch a series of development projects.

In Maharashtra, Mr. Modi will travel to Nagpur this morning, where he will undertake Darshan at Smruti Mandir and pay homage to the founding fathers of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Dr. Keshav Hedgewar and Madhavrao Golwalkar. More from our correspondent:

“This will be the first visit of any sitting Prime Minister to the RSS Smruti Mandir in Reshimbag area of Nagpur. Prime Minister will also pay homage to the central memorial of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar in the Deekshbhoomi stupa where Dr.Ambedkar embraced Buddhism along with thousands of his followers in October 1956. During his visit to the city, the Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of Madhav Netralaya Premium Centre at Hingana Road in Nagpur and address a public meeting in the presence of RSS Chief Dr. Mohan Bhagwat and Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis. Later in the after noon PM Modi will also inaugurate the Loitering Munition Testing Range and Runway facility for Unarmed Aerial Vehicles at Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited in the Bajaragaon village of Nagpur district. Dhananjay Wankhede, Akashvani News, Nagpur.”

In Chattisgarh, Prime Minister Modi will lay the foundation stone, initiate commencement of work and dedicate to the nation multiple development projects worth over 33,700 crore rupees during his visit to Bilaspur district. More from our Raipur correspondent:

“Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of NTPC’s Sipat Super Thermal Power Project Stage-III located in Bilaspur district. He will initiate the commencement of work of First Super Critical Thermal Power Project of Chhattisgarh State Power Generation Company Limited. He will also dedicate to the nation three Power Transmission projects of POWERGRID under Western Region Expansion Scheme. Apart from this, During the programme, Griha Pravesh of 3 lakh beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin will be held and Prime Minister will hand over the keys to some beneficiaries under the scheme.Vikalp Shukla, Akashvani News, Raipur.”

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will share his thoughts with the people of the country and abroad in the ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme on Akashvani at 11 AM today. It will be the 120th episode of the monthly radio programme. The programme will be broadcast on the entire network of Akashvani and Doordarshan, the AIR News website, and the NewsOnAir mobile app. It will also be live-streamed on the YouTube channels of AIR News, DD News, PMO, and the Information and Broadcasting Ministry. Akashvani will broadcast the programme in regional languages immediately after the Hindi broadcast.

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Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah will today inaugurate a state level cooperative conclave at Patna and also address a public meeting at Gopalganj in Bihar. The cooperative conclave is being organized as part of the International Year of Cooperatives. More from our correspondent:

“Union Cooperative Minister Amit Shah will address a cooperative conclave at Bapu Sabhagar in Patna. The day long conclave has been organised as a part of commemoration of International Year of cooperatives. The Union Cooperative minister will also dedicate and lay the foundation of various development programmes and projects worth over 800 crore rupees. It includes inauguration and dedication of different initiatives of worth over 532 crore rupees, which are mostly intended to strengthen cooperative societies. Dharmendra Kumar Rai, Akashvani News, Patna.”

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The death toll in Myanmar has risen to 1,644 following a powerful 7.7 magnitude quake. The country’s military-led government has also announced that the number of injured has risen to 3,408, while 139 people are still missing. It stated that the numbers could increase as detailed figures are still being collected.

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The Ministry of External Affairs has informed that five Indian Air Force aircraft have landed in earthquake-hit Myanmar’s Yangon and Nay Pyi Taw as part of Operation Brahma. The aircraft carried HADR materials, 60 Para Field Ambulance, and NDRF personnel. The NDRF team will proceed to Mandalay today, becoming the first rescue team to reach the city for operations.

Earlier, around 15 tonnes of relief material were sent to earthquake-hit Myanmar on an IAF C-130J aircraft from AFS Hindon. Briefing the media in New Delhi yesterday, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India has been actively playing the role of first responder in natural calamities and crisis like situations.

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A sharpshooter of the Mukhtar Ansari gang, Anuj Kanaujia was killed in an encounter with a joint team of Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force and Jharkhand Police in Jamshedpur last night. Additional Director General of UP STF, Amitabh Yash informed that Kannaujia was killed in cross-firing.

ADG STF said that Kanaujia, who was on the run for over five years, was wanted in 23 criminal cases, including murder, extortion, land grabbing, and arms smuggling.

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The nine-day-long Chaitra Navratri festival began today with the morning aarti at temples across the country. Navratri is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga and her nine avatars. The nine-day long festival concludes on Ram Navami, which marks the birthday of Lord Ram. The festival is celebrated with great devotion across India, with rituals and prayers honouring the goddess in her various forms.

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Telugu speaking people across the world are celebrating their Telugu New Year Day, Ugaadi (उगादी) today. The festival is being celebrated across the two Telugu states, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to mark the beginning of the Hindu Lunar calendar. More from our correspondent:

“People of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are celebrating the ‘Sri Vishwavasu’ Nama Ugadi (श्री विश्वावसु नामा उगादी) of the Telugu Calendar in a colourful manner. People decorated the entrance of their houses with Mango and Neem leaves along with Jasmine and marigold flowers. They savour special Ugadi chutney today, comprising Neem flower, jaggery, salt, sugar cane, tamarind and mango to indicate six basic tastes and listen to Panchangam, the forecast of the New Year as it is an ancient practice on the occasion. Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy will be formally launching distribution of Fine Rice to the BPL families in the state from Huzurnagar Assembly constituency later this afternoon. Lakshmi, Akashvani News, Hyderabad.”

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The Marathi New Year Gudi Padwa is also being celebrated today across Maharashtra with lot of pomp and show. The festival marks the onset of ‘Vasant’ or Spring season. People decorate their houses and doorsteps with Rangoli on the occasion.

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President Droupadi Murmu has greeted fellow citizens on the occasion of Chaitra Sukladi, Ugadi, Gudi Padava, Cheti Chand, Navreh and Sajibu Cheiraoba. In a message, President said, these festivals, celebrated at the onset of spring season, symbolize the beginning of Indian New Year. She said, these festivals showcase our cultural diversity and promote social cohesion.

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The “Jal Ganga Sanvardhan Mahabhiyan” (Water Conservation Campaign) will be launched in Madhya Pradesh on Gudi Padwa, today, to save every drop of rainwater. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav will formally inaugurate the campaign at the Kshipra River in Ujjain. The campaign will conclude on 30th June. More from our correspondent:

“The statewide campaign will continue for more than 90 days. The initiative aims to improve groundwater levels and promote awareness about water conservation. The campaign will focus on Rainwater harvesting, the Revival of water sources, community participation, Identification of Narmada Parikrama Path for water conservation and “Pani Chaupal” at various places. More than 12 departments, including Water Resources, Narmada Valley Development Authority, Public Health Engineering will collaborate on restoring water bodies. Pooja P. Vardhan, Akashwani News Bhopal.”

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India Meteorological Department (IMD)has issued heatwave warning for six districts of Odisha today. These districts are Jharsuguda, Subarnapur, Sambalpur, Boudh, Balangir and Kalahandi. Our correspondent has filed this report:

“In response to the rising heatwave concerns across Odisha this summer, the Odisha government has reviewed the preparedness and management to tackle the situation. Chief Secretary of Odisha Manoj Ahuja held a crucial review meeting at Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar yesterday. All the District Collectors have been asked to regularly monitor the effectiveness of the directives issued to combat the heatwave. The Chief Secretary also reviewed the availability of water, particularly drinking water across the state, particularly in Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Balangir, Sonepur, and Bargarh districts. People have been advised to stay hydrated and avoid direct sun exposure during peak hours of the day. Prakash Dash,Akashvani, Bhubaneswar.”

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Moving on to the world of sports, we have a detailed report from cricket, table tennis, football and chess:

“In IPL cricket, Gujarat Titans defeated Mumbai Indians by 36 runs in Ahmedabad last night. Put in to bat first, Titans, posted a formidable total of 196 for 8 in 20 overs. In response, Mumbai managed to score only 160 for the loss of 6 wickets. In today’s matches, Delhi Capitals will face Sunrisers Hyderabad in Visakhapatnam at 3:30 PM, while Rajasthan Royals will take on Chennai Super Kings in Guwahati at 7:30 PM. In table tennis, India’s Manav Thakkar made history by becoming the first Indian to reach the semi-finals of a WTT Star Contender event. He will next take on Thibault Poret of France in the semifinal this afternoon. Moving on to ISL football, Bengaluru FC thrashed Mumbai City FC 5-NIL to book their spot in the semifinals of the tournament. They will face FC Goa in a two-legged semifinal on Wednesday and on the 6th of next month. And in chess, India’s Nihal Sarin has clinched the 2025 Tashkent Open Agzamov Memorial title in Uzbekistan.THIS IS VISHNU PS, AKSHVANI NEWS, DELHI.”

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TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS HEADLINE

The devastating earthquake in Myanmar grabs headlines across dailies today while back home, 18 Maoists killed in Chattisgarh gains prominence in the newspapers.
‘Myanmar earthquake death toll crosses 1600, writes Hindustan Times while The Sunday Statesman reports ‘India launches Operation Brahma to assist Myanmar.’
The Sunday Pioneer headlines, ‘Eighteen Naxals killed during Chhattisgarh encounters.’
‘CBI court acquits former High Court judge Nirmal Yadav in cash-at-judge’s-door case,’ reports The Sunday Tribune.
In business news, Financial Express Sunday notes, ‘India, US focus on mutual market access, adding Tariff talks working out very well says Trump.’
The Economic Times writes, ‘Musk’s AI firm buys X in thirty three billion dollar All-stock deal.’
The Sunday Express headlines, ‘Key nuclear deal breakthrough: US clears firm to build and design n-reactors in India.’
And finally, Seems like there’s a healthy drink wave in the country! Financial Express Sunday writes that Natural flavours shaking up soft drinks market. ‘Indians cut sugar in beating the heat this summer.’

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh today to launch multiple development projects.
Prime Minister to share his thoughts in ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme on Akashvani at 11 this morning.
Death toll in Myanmar’s earthquake rises to 1644; India sends rescue teams and relief supplies to the quake-hit country under Operation Brahma.
Chaitra Navratri begins with morning aarti in temples across the country.
IMD issues heatwave warning for six districts of Odisha today.
And in IPL cricket, Gujarat Titans beat Mumbai Indians by 36 runs in Ahmedabad.