THE HEADLINES:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate first World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 in Mumbai today.
- Union Cabinet approves inclusion of caste enumeration in the upcoming census.
- India closes its airspace for Pakistan airlines in the wake of Pahalgam terror attack.
- Bangladesh Supreme Court stays High Court order granting bail to former ISKCON monk, Chinmoy Krishna Das.
- US and Ukraine sign minerals deal after intense negotiation.
- Gurindervir Singh, Animesh Kujur, Manikanta Hoblidhar and Amlan Borgohain create national record in men’s 4x100m relay at Indian Open Relay Competition in Chandigarh.
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The first World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 will begin today at Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the four-day summit.
The event will provide a global platform for discussions on the future of the audio-visual and entertainment industry. The summit with the tagline ‘Connecting Creators, Connecting Countries’ is poised to position India as a global hub for media, entertainment, and digital innovation. It will integrate films, OTT, gaming, comics, digital media, Artificial Intelligence, broadcasting, and emerging tech, making it a comprehensive showcase of India’s media and entertainment prowess. Prime Minister Modi will also visit the Creatosphere and interact with creators, selected from the 32 Create in India Challenges.
Now we go over live to our correspondent Adarsh, covering the WAVES summit.
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Government has decided to include the caste enumeration as part of the next census. The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken a decision in this regard. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed about the cabinet decision at a media briefing yesterday.
Mr Vaishnaw said, the move demonstrates that the Narendra Modi government is committed to the values and interests of the society and country, like in the past when it had introduced ten per cent reservation for the economically weaker sections without causing stress in any section of the society.
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved a new highway from Shillong to Silchar at a cost of 22 thousand 864 crore rupees. Mr Vaishnaw informed that the length of the highway will be over 166 kilometers and it will improve connectivity to Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur and the Barak valley region of Assam.
The CCEA also approved fair and remunerative price of sugarcane for sugar season 2025-26 at 355 rupees per quintal for farmers. Mr. Vaishaw added that the decision will benefit five crore sugarcane farmers.
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India has closed its airspace for Pakistan airlines in the wake of Pahalgam terror attack. The airspace closure will be in effect till 23rd May. The Civil Aviation Ministry has informed that Indian airspace is not available for aircraft registered in Pakistan, aircraft operated, owned or leased by Pakistani airlines or operators including military aircraft during the period. A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) has been issued banning Pakistan airlines from using the Indian airspace.
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Madhya Pradesh government has banned stubble burning. The decision has been taken in view of the increase in cases of stubble burning in the fields after harvesting. The government has also clarified that if a farmer burns stubble in his field, that farmer will not be given the benefit of Chief Minister Kisan Kalyan Yojana.
“The nutrients available in the soil are destroyed and the fertility of the land also decreases by setting fire to the field. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said that if a farmer burns stubble in his field, he will not be given the benefit of 6000 rupees under the Chief Minister Kisan Kalyan Yojana. Also, these farmers will not be able to sell their crops at the minimum support price. This decision of the state government will come into effect from today in view of maintaining the environment, soil conservation and land productivity. More than 17 thousand cases of stubble burning were registered in Madhya Pradesh this year, in which a fine of rupees 25 lakh was imposed and more than 100 FIRs were registered . Sanjeev Sharma, Akashvani News, Bhopal”.
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Gujarat is celebrating its statehood day today. The state came into existence on 1st May 1960 after being separated from the Bombay State on a linguistic basis. The state-level celebrations of the Foundation Day will be held in Panchmahal district in the presence of Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.
On Gujarat Gaurav Divas, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of various developmental projects worth Rs. 649 crore in Panchmahal district today. Cultural programmes will be organised at the SRP Ground in the evening in the presence of Governor Acharya Devvrat. The Governor and the Chief Minister will also present Gujarat Garima Award to six individuals for their notable contribution in different fields. With only 5 per cent of the population, Gujarat contributes 8.2 per cent to country’s GDP. It holds over 30 per cent share in the country’s exports, and contributes 8 per cent to India’s GST revenues. Aparna Khunt/Akashvani news/Ahmedabad.
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Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said that the state is playing an important role in the development of the country and in the coming days, it will be a developed state not only in the country but also in the world. He extended his greetings to the citizens of the state on Maharashtra Day and Workers’ Day. He emphasized the need for creating a more progressive and prosperous state through the efforts and cooperation of all. Mr. Fadnavis added that Maharashtra has made spectacular progress in many fields such as industry, education, health, agriculture, art, sports, literature, and social justice in the last 65 years.
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A massive fire broke out at Dilli Haat in the INA area of the national capital yesterday evening. Delhi Fire Services said, 13 fire tenders were sent to the spot, and fire brigade teams were in action to douse the fire. Nearly 26 shops were gutted in the fire. However, no loss of life or injuries was reported.
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Bangladesh Supreme Court has stayed the High Court order granting bail to Chinmoy Krishna Das, the former ISKCON monk and spokesperson of Bangladesh Sammilito Sanatani Jagaran Jote, in a sedition case. Judge of the Appellate Division of Supreme Court, Justice Rezaul Haque passed the order after hearing an appeal filed by the state counsel hours after the High Court granted him bail yesterday. The stay order will remain in force until the filing of a leave-to-appeal petition and release of the full text of the verdict.
Earlier, the Bangladesh High Court granted bail to Chinmoy Krishna Das, who was arrested on November 25 last year. His arrest had sparked widespread outrage across the world.
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The United States has announced that it has signed an economic partnership agreement with Ukraine that will allow Washington access to Kyiv’s rare earth minerals in exchange for a joint fund to invest in Ukraine’s reconstruction. Washington and Kyiv have been engaged in intense negotiations for a couple of months to reach an agreement to provide the United States with access to Ukraine’s natural resources.
Announcing the agreement, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the creation of the United States-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund is a signal to Russia that the Trump administration is committed to a peace process centered on a free, sovereign, and prosperous Ukraine over the long term.
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A team comprising top sprinters Gurindervir Singh, Animesh Kujur, Manikanta Hoblidhar and Amlan Borgohain broke the national record in the men’s 4x100m relay at the 2nd Indian Open Relay Competition, held in Chandigarh yesterday.
The quartet clocked a timing of 38.69 seconds to set a new record in the discipline. The previous record of 38.89 seconds was set at Delhi’s 2010 Commonwealth Games.
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In IPL T20 Cricket, Punjab Kings defeated Chennai Super Kings, CSK by 4 wickets at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai last night. After being invited to bat first, Chennai Super Kings were bowled out for 190 runs in 19.2 runs. For CSK, Sam Curran made highest 88 runs off 47 balls and Dewald Brevis also contributed 32 runs off 26 balls.
For Punjab Kings, spinner Yuzvendra Chahal bagged 4 wickets, while Arshdeep Singh and Marco Jansen picked up 2 wickets each. Punjab Kings surpassed the target scoring 194 for 6, with 2 balls remaining.
Today, Rajasthan Royals will take on Mumbai Indians at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. The match will begin at 07:30 PM.
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TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS HEADLINE,
- Almost all papers have on their front page the story of caste enumeration being a part of the next decade’s census. The Indian Express headlines “Caste census to be held with national census, Shah calls it historic” “Cabinet decides to include caste count in next census” headlines The Hindu, “Govt. to hold caste census, slams Oppn. for using it as political tool” says The Tribune.
- Most papers also report on the shutting down of Indian airspace to Pakistani airlines. The Asian Age headlines ” After Pakistan, India shuts its airspace for Pak Airlines. Delhi responds to Islamabad move, closes airspace to all Pak aircraft reports The Pioneer.
- And Finally Pahalgam victim’s daughter who saw carnage, clears ISC with 87% marks. Shubhangi Guha has found renewed resolve to honour her father’s dreams for her.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate first World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 in Mumbai today.
- Union Cabinet approves inclusion of caste enumeration in the upcoming census.
- India closes its airspace for Pakistan airlines in the wake of Pahalgam terror attack.
- Bangladesh Supreme Court stays High Court order granting bail to former ISKCON monk, Chinmoy Krishna Das.
- US and Ukraine sign minerals deal after intense negotiation.
- Gurindervir Singh, Animesh Kujur, Manikanta Hoblidhar and Amlan Borgohain create national record in men’s 4x100m relay at Indian Open Relay Competition in Chandigarh.
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