THE HEADLINES:
- Government convenes all party meeting in New Delhi today in wake of Operation Sindoor.
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah asks Lieutenant Governors and Chief Ministers to maintain strict vigil against anti-national propaganda on social media.
- Film and sports personalities hail Indian armed forces for Operation Sindoor against Pakistan.
- Ladakh hotels offer free stays to stranded tourists following cancellation of flights from Leh airport.
- Sotheby’s Hong Kong postpones auction of Piprahwa Buddhist Relics following intervention by government of India.
- In Cricket, India beat South Africa by 23 runs to set up a title clash with Sri Lanka in Women’s Tri-Nation ODI Series.
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Government has convened an all party meeting in New Delhi today in the wake of Operation Sindoor. During the meeting, the leaders of different political parties will be briefed by the government on the Operation. Leaders cutting across party lines have lauded Operation Sindoor and expressed pride at the Armed Forces’ action against terrorists. The opposition had earlier extended its support for any action that the government takes in the aftermath of Pahalgam terror attack. Our correspondent has filed this report:
“By launching strikes against terror camps in PoK and Pakistan, India used its ‘Right to Respond’ to attack on its soil. Operation Sindoor has sent a strong message to the world that India will not tolerate any terror attack and the Operation also demonstrated Narendra Modi government’s zero-tolerance policy against terrorism. The Union Cabinet met yesterday in which Prime Minister Modi hailed the Armed Forces for successfully conducting the Operation and dismantling terror hideouts. By conducting Operation Sindoor, India lived up to the commitment that those responsible for the Pahalgam attack will be held accountable. The Operation lasted 25 minutes and nine terrorist sites in Pakistan and PoK were destroyed in this retaliatory action. With Anand Kumar, Suparna Saikia, Akashvani News, Delhi.”
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Union Home Minister Amit Shah has asked the Lieutenant Governors and Chief Ministers of border states adjoining Pakistan and Nepal to keep strict vigil on anti-national propaganda by unwanted elements in social and other media platforms. Mr Shah, while chairing a security review meeting in New Delhi, also directed them to take prompt action in coordination with state governments and central agencies. The Home Minister said that every effort should be made to maintain seamless communication and the security of vulnerable points should also be further strengthened. He asked the states to stop spreading unnecessary fear among the public and take steps to spread awareness among the people against rumours. Mr Shah said that coordination between the local administration, army and paramilitary forces should be further enhanced.
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Talking to Akashvani News, Lt Gen Rajeev Chopra has said that Indian Forces have given a befitting reply to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.
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The Indian Army effectively responded to firing by Pakistan military along Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir last night. Defence sources said, the Pakistan Army resorted to unprovoked small‑arms fire across the Line of Control opposite the Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, and Akhnoor areas of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the Indian Army responded promptly and proportionately.
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In Ladakh, the stranded tourists, whose outbound flights have been cancelled due to closure of Leh airport following Operation Sindoor, are being offered free accommodation during their unplanned stay in the region. Tourists who have checked out from the hotels or guest houses and are stranded in Leh can avail this relief gesture from the hospitality industry.
“All the travel trades have come together to ease the difficult situations for the thousands of stranded tourists due to the cancellation of operation of all the scheduled flights to Leh Sector following closure of Leh airport after Sindoor Operation.
The stakeholders of Ladakh under the banner of All Ladakh Hotel and Guest House Association have announced their unified decision taken yesterday to express the support and care to the tourists during the unseen situations.
Meanwhile, UT Administration has opened Nimoo-Padum-Darcha Road, one of the three axis to connect Ladakh with the rest of the country. Leh Hill Council Chief Executive Councillor Tashi Gyalsion in a press conference has said efforts are going on to reopen the Leh-Manali National Highway in next five days to keep all the three axis to Ladakh remain open. Leh-Srinagar National Highway is already open for traffic. Yangchan Dolma, Akashvani News, Leh Ladakh.”
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Film and sports personalities have hailed Indian armed forces for Operation Sindoor against Pakistan. Actors Akshay Kumar, Kangana Ranaut, Allu Arjun, and Suniel Shetty praised Indian armed forces for carrying out missile strikes in retaliation against the barbaric terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians.
” In a social media post, Akshay Kumar captioned Jai Hind, Jai Mahakaal. BJP MP Kangana Ranaut reiterated the government’s zero tolerance stance on terrorism. Allu Arjun said, may justice be served, Jai Hind. Suniel Shetty said, terror has no place in the world. Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur said India’s response to the terror attack in Pahalgam shows the world “how responsible and confident it is in itself.
Prominent sportspersons Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina, Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Devendra Jhajharia also hailed the Indian Army’s swift and calibrated counterstrike. In a social media post, Sachin Tendulkar said, there is no room for terrorism in this world. Bajrang Punia, whose brother was killed in the Pahalgam attack, said Army has honoured the sacrifice of his brother with courage and precision. Punia added that, on national security, India must speak in one voice. Rajya Sabha MP and former cricketer Harbhajan Singh said, Operation Sindoor is Bharat’s response to the brutal killing of our innocent brothers in Pahalgam. Jhulan Goswami described the strike with poetic brevity: Precision. Purpose.
Power- That’s how India answers. Shikhar Dhawan shared a short clip captioned: Jo kaha tha, woh karke dikhaya, Justice is served, Bharat Mata Ki Jai. Mohammad Shami added Indian Armed Forces turned adversity into a powerful Fateh moment, Jai Hind. Olympic boxer Vijender Singh kept it stirring and short: Bharat Mata ki Jai. Aishwarya Rai Nigam, Akashvani News, Delhi.“
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Culture Ministry has successfully secured the postponement of the auction of the sacred Piprahwa Buddhist relics by Sotheby’s Hong Kong, which was scheduled for yesterday. The Piprahwa Relics were excavated in 1898 by William Claxton Peppé. These comprise bone fragments of the Historical Buddha, along with soapstone and crystal caskets, a sandstone coffer, and offerings such as gold ornaments and gemstones. An inscription in Brahmi script on one of the caskets confirms these as relics of the Buddha, deposited by the Sakya clan. The majority of these relics were transferred to the Indian Museum, Kolkata, in 1899 and are classified as ‘AA’ antiquities under Indian law, prohibiting their removal or sale. A portion of the bone relics was gifted to the King of Siam, while a selection of funerary gems retained by W.C. Peppé’s great-grandson, Chris Peppé, was listed for auction.
A high-level delegation led by Culture Secretary held discussions with Sotheby’s representatives on Tuesday. The delegation highlighted that the relics were not ordinary artifacts but held sacred significance for millions of Buddhists worldwide.
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Moving on to the world of sports, Senior India Women’s Cricket Team booked their place in the Tri-Nation Series final with a spirited 23-run win over South Africa Women in Colombo yesterday. We have a detailed report from Sports Desk:
“The women in blue crushed the South African bowling attack by making 337 for 8 in 50 overs, using a fluent 123 by Jemimah Rodrigues, who was also adjudged Player of the Match and a solid 93 from Deepti Sharma. In response, South Africa Women managed to score 314 for 7, ensuring a 23-run win for India. India will now look to carry their momentum into the title clash against hosts Sri Lanka on Sunday.
Moving further, seasoned Indian batsman Rohit Sharma has announced retirement from Test cricket. The 38-year-old cricketer will continue to represent India in ODIs.
In IPL Cricket, Chennai Super Kings defeated hosts Kolkata Knight Riders by two wickets in a last-over thriller at Eden Gardens last night. Today, hosts Punjab Kings will face Delhi Capitals at Dharamsala from 07:30 PM.
In Badminton, Indian shuttlers made a strong start to their campaigns at the Taipei Open Super 300, with several players advancing to the second round across categories. In men’s singles, Kidambi Srikanth defeated his fellow Indian Sankar Subramanian, Tharun Mannepalli overcame Japan’s Shogo Ogawa, while in women’s singles, Unnati Hooda beat fellow Indian Anupama Upadhyaya to move into the second round. WITH MAYUR JAIN, CHIRAG JHA, SPORTS DESK.”
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In Khelo India Youth Games, Maharashtra continues to dominate in medal tally with haul of 35 medals including 13 Gold. On the fourth day yesterday, Maharashtra players added several medals to the kitty with brilliant performances in archery, shooting and swimming. Rajasthan which has clinched 16 medals with 9 gold, three silver and four bronze, is at the second position followed by Karnataka. Karnataka has 19 medals bagged by its players which include six Gold, 10 silver and three bronze. Our Patna correspondent reports that a large number of medals will be up for grab at the Khelo India Youth Games today.
“In Khelo India Youth Games a large number of medals will be at the stake today in swimming in categories of Backstroke, Free Style and Relay.
Besides clashing for a medal in Sepak Takraw, Table Tennis and Shooting, youngsters of the participant state will give tough fights to each other in the events of Hockey, Rugby, Kabaddi and Kho Kho.
In Martial Arts Gatka Games, Punjab won 7 medals including 2 gold out of 21 medals decided yesterday.
Through the events of Gatka, Bihar has bettered its position in medal tally by winning 9 bronze and 1 silver in this category. Dharmendra Kumar Rai, Akashvani News, Patna.”
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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light to moderate rainfall over East, West, Central and Northeast regions of the country during the next 4-5 days. IMD said, light to moderate rainfall is expected in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh till 11th May.
The weather agency also forecast heavy rainfall in Gujarat, and hailstorm over Uttarakhand today. IMD said that heat wave conditions are very likely in some parts of Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, Gangetic West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar and Jharkhand during the next 5 days.
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TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS HEADLINE,
- All the dailies today are full of headlines on India carrying out precision strikes on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir under Operation Sindoor. Hindustan Times writes, “Sindoor serves Justice.” While The Tribune writes, “Pahalgam avenged.” The paper adds, “Jaish Chief’s 10 family members, 4 associates wiped out in strikes.” The Pioneer quotes India saying, “Thank you PM Modi! “
- India’s Nari Shakti taking centrestage at press briefing also gets noticed by the dailies today. The operation name and 2 women send a powerful message.
- “H-1B holders see a glimmer of hope in UK’s Social Security payouts deal” cites The Economic Times.
- “Cabinet approves sixty thousand crore scheme for upgrading ITIs, setting up 5 skilling centres” notes The Indian Express.
- And finally, In a first for country and rare even abroad, “Cat having poor heart rate gets pacemaker” reports The Times of India.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
- Government convenes all party meeting in New Delhi today in wake of Operation Sindoor.
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah asks Lieutenant Governors and Chief Ministers to maintain strict vigil against anti-national propaganda on social media.
- Film and sports personalities hail Indian armed forces for Operation Sindoor against Pakistan.
- Ladakh hotels offer free stays to stranded tourists following cancellation of flights from Leh airport.
- Sotheby’s Hong Kong postpones auction of Piprahwa Buddhist Relics following intervention by government of India.
- In Cricket, India beat South Africa by 23 runs to set up a title clash with Sri Lanka in Women’s Tri-Nation ODI series.
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