THE HEADLINES:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi to launch multiple development projects worth around 24 thousand crore rupees in Dahod, Gujarat today.

• All-party delegations tell world leaders that India now has a new approach in combating cross-border terrorism and anyone involved in such crimes will not go unpunished.

• 2nd India-Maldives High Level Core Group meeting to be held today in New Delhi.

• First cherry cargo train set to roll from Jammu and Kashmir to Mumbai next month.

• IMD forecasts heavy rain in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry today.

• World champion D Gukesh to take on Magnus Carlsen in opening round of Norway Chess tournament beginning today at Stavanger.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a two-day visit to Gujarat today to launch various developmental works worth over 82 thousand crore rupees in the state. On the first day of his visit, the PM will dedicate a Locomotive manufacturing plant to the nation and also flag off an electric locomotive in Dahod. He will also lay the foundation stone and inaugurate multiple development projects worth around 24,000 crore rupees in Dahod. Apart from this, the PM is also scheduled to inaugurate various other rail projects and development projects of the Government of Gujarat. These include, Vande Bharat Express between Veraval and Ahmedabad & Express train between Valsad and Dahod stations.

Later in the day, the PM will travel to Bhuj to inaugurate multiple development projects worth over 53,400 crore rupees. Our correspondent reports that on reaching Gujarat, Mr. Modi is also scheduled to hold massive roadshow in Vadodara and Bhuj today.

“The Locomotive Manufacturing plant in Dahod, which was set up with an investment of 20 thousand 000 crore rupees, is set to manufacture one thousand 200 engines over the next 10 years. A key feature of these engines is their ability to carry cargo weighing up to 4 thousand 600 tonnes. For the first time, the engines will be equipped with air conditioning and a toilet facility for the driver and an advanced cover system to enhance safety and prevent accidents. The Dahod factory is currently producing four engines, all of which will proudly bear the label “Manufactured In Dahod.” The ambitious project is expected to create around 10 thousand direct indirect Jobs and boost the local economy in the region. In the year, 2022 PM Narendra Modi had laid the foundation stone of this ambitious project under Make In India, Make for the World initiative. APARNA KHUNT, AKASHVANI NEWS, AHMEDABAD.”

Talking to Akashvani News, Western Railway Chief Public Relations Officer, Vineet Abhishek said the manufacturing plant will meet the locomotive needs of not just India but the world with many engines set to be exported to different African and European countries.

The locomotives produced at the Dahod Manufacturing Plant will help in increasing freight loading capacity of Indian Railways.

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Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has said that India now has a new approach in combating cross-border terrorism from Pakistan and anyone involved in such crimes will not go unpunished. He said no one sitting in Pakistan is going to be allowed to believe that they can just walk across the border and kill our citizens with impunity. There will be a price to pay, and that price has been going up systematically, Mr Tharoor said. He made the remarks at a community event in New York, US. The interaction was hosted by the Consulate General of India in New York with a select group of prominent members of the Indian-American community and individuals from leading media and think tanks.

Mr Tharoor and other members of the delegation visited the 9/11 Memorial in New York in a spirit of solidarity. Dr Tharoor led delegation also met Vice-President of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo. After meeting Mr. Tharoor said the Vice President has showed a tremendous amount of understanding for India’s position on the current events with Pakistan. External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar lauded the efforts put in by the all-party delegations. In a social media post, Dr Jaishankar said, India stands together in declaring zero tolerance for terrorism. 

In Bahrain, all-party delegation led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda briefed Bahrain’s Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa about the challenge of cross-border terrorism facing India and New Delhi’s firm resolve to combat it. Meanwhile, the all-party delegation led by DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi reached Slovenia for “Taking Bharat’s message to the world.”

In his Mann ki Baat programme yesterday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Operation Sindoor is not just a military mission, but the face of a changing India that reflects the country’s resolve, courage, and growing strength on the global stage.

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As we celebrate the success of Operation Sindoor, the Nation salutes the valour of the Indian soldiers. As a tribute to the Armed Forces, Akashvani News is presenting a special series. Today we remember Param Vir Chakra awardee  Company Quarter Master Havildar Abdul Hamid who made the supreme sacrifice during the India -Pakistan War in 1965.

“During the 1965 Indo-Pak war, the 4 Grenadiers occupied a vital position near the village of Chima on the Khem Karan-Bhikhiwind road. Holding this ground was crucial to the overall defence strategy. On the night of September 8, Pakistani forces launched several probing attacks on the Grenadiers’ positions, all of which were repelled. The situation escalated on the morning of September 10 when a regiment of Pakistani Patton tanks launched a major offensive, preceded by intense artillery shelling that heavily damaged the battalion’s area. By 9 AM, enemy tanks had breached the forward positions. At this critical moment, Company Quartermaster Havildar Abdul Hamid, commanding a recoilless gun detachment, took swift action. Mounting his gun on a jeep, he moved to a flank under heavy fire. With remarkable accuracy, he destroyed the lead tank and then shifted position to take out another. Despite being targeted by concentrated machine gun and shell fire, he continued engaging the enemy until he was fatally wounded by a high explosive shell while attempting to destroy another tank. CQMH Abdul Hamid’s fearless actions and steadfast courage inspired his comrades and were instrumental in halting the enemy advance. For his extraordinary bravery and sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra. SAKLEN AKHTAR FOR AKASHVANI NEWS DELHI.”

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Maldives Foreign Minister Dr. Abdulla Khaleel arrived in New Delhi yesterday on a three-day visit to India. This will be Foreign Minister Dr. Khaleel’s third visit to India this year, following earlier visits in January and March. The visit is in continuation of intensified high level political exchanges between India and Maldives. Today, Dr. Khaleel will lead Maldives at the 2nd India-Maldives High Level Core Group meeting to oversee progress in the implementation of the India-Maldives Vision Document on Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership.

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The first cherry cargo train is set to roll from Jammu and Kashmir to Mumbai next month. In a first-of-its-kind initiative to transport perishable produce outside Jammu and Kashmir, Jammu railway division has gotten its first VP indent (a request for the allocation of a full parcel van for the shipment of goods) from Katra railway station to Bandra in Mumbai for June 3. The move, undertaken after extensive consultations with the Horticulture Department and fruit grower associations, will enable perishable goods like cherries reach its intended markets with minimal damage or deterioration in quality.

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Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar is going to Madhya Pradesh on a one-day visit today. Mr. Dhankhar will inaugurate the three-day Krishi Udyog Samagam 2025 in Narsinghpur.

“Governor Mangubhai Patel, Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, several ministers of the state government and officials of farmers’ organizations will be present at the Krishi Udyog Samagam. The Samagam will run till May 28. The objective of ‘Krishi Udyog Samagam’ is to open new doors of investment, innovation and jobs by connecting the agriculture-based economy of the state with processing and value addition. Under the Agri-Horti Expo at the Samagam venue, modern agricultural machinery, drones, AI-based equipment, polyhouses, organic and nano fertilizers, milk and other products. More than 90 stalls based on agricultural innovations will also be set up by eight departments at the Samagam. SANJEEV SHARMA, AKASHVANI NEWS, BHOPAL.”

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Moving on to the world of sports, in Chess, world champion D Gukesh will take on Magnus Carlsen in opening round of the prestigious Norway Chess tournament starting today at Stavanger.

“The event features six elite players each in the men’s and women’s sections and follows a double round-robin format. Gukesh is set to open his campaign with a highly anticipated match against world No.1 Magnus Carlsen, while debutant Erigaisi will take on China’s Wei Yi. This is the first time India has two male players in the tournament, boosting hopes for a historic title. In the women’s section, Koneru Humpy will face fellow Indian R Vaishali in the opening round. In Boxing Indian player Pawan Bartwal advanced to the quarterfinals of the men’s 55kg category at the 4th Thailand Open International Boxing Tournament with a dominant 5-0 win over Cambodia’s Sao Rangsey in Bangkok yesterday. In IPL T20 Cricket, Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Kolkata Knight Riders by 110 runs at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi last night. Earlier in another match, Chennai Super Kings defeated the Gujarat Titans by 83 runs. Opting to bat first Chennai Super Kings scored 230 for 5 in stipulated 20 overs. In response Gujarat Titans were all out for 147 in 18.3 overs. Today, Punjab Kings will take on Mumbai Indians at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur. The match will begin at 7.30 PM. DEEPMALA KAUSHIK, SPORTS DESK .”

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India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall in coastal and south interior Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry today. Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Konkan, Goa, and Maharashtra can also witness rainfall today.

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In Kerala, the Met Department has issued red alert in 11 districts in the state today indicating the possibility of extremely heavy rain fall. Orange alert, which indicates isolated heavy to very heavy rainall  is in place in the remaining three districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Alappuzha. The district authorities have declared holiday for all schools and other educational institutions including professional colleges in ten districts of the state.

TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS –

• Prime Minister Modi chairing key meet of NDA states and pushing for ‘sushasan’ covers the front page story in all the dailies today.

• PM Modi hails success of indigenous weapons in his first ‘Mann ki Baat’ after strikes. Quoting the Prime Minister, The Tribune writes, “Operation Sindoor not just a military mission, but reflection of changing India.”

• In a landmark development poised to transform the global standing, The Pioneer notes, “India, WHO to mainstream Ayush globally, boosting traditional medicines.”

• For first time, “Japan makes it to top five markets for India-made cars”, cites The Economic Times.

• “India now fourth largest economy, will overtake Germany soon”, Hindustan Times quotes Niti Aayog CEO.

• The Indian Express writes about a major breakthrough in solar energy technology. The headline says, “New solar cell tech by IIT Bombay sharply cut costs, enhance efficiency.”
  

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN ::

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi to launch multiple development projects worth around 24 thousand crore rupees in Dahod, Gujarat today.

• All-party delegations tell world leaders that India now has a new approach in combating cross-border terrorism and anyone involved in such crimes will not go unpunished.

• 2nd India-Maldives High Level Core Group meeting to be held today in New Delhi.

• First cherry cargo train set to roll from Jammu and Kashmir to Mumbai next month.
  
• IMD forecasts heavy rain in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry today.

• World champion D Gukesh to take on Magnus Carlsen in opening round of Norway Chess tournament beginning today at Stavanger.

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