THE HEADLINES:-
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi to launch multiple development projects worth over 5,500 crore rupees at Gandhinagar in Gujarat today.
- President Droupadi Murmu to present Padma Awards at Rashtrapati Bhavan this evening.
- Election Commission announces schedule for biennial elections to eight Rajya Sabha seats from Tamil Nadu and Assam.
- External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar says, Pakistani military and government supported terrorist organizations are openly operating from Pakistani cities.
- And, Mahendra Gurjar creates new world record in Men’s Javelin throw at Nottwil World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Switzerland.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for a slew of development projects worth 5,536 crore rupees at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, Gujarat today. The projects cover key sectors including Urban Development, infrastructure, water resource management, healthcare, and revenue services. The Prime Minister will also participate in a special event to commemorate 20 years of Gujarat Urban Growth Story in Gandhinagar.
A series of urban development projects across cities like Jamnagar, Surat, Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and Junagadh will be launched today. A major highlight will be the groundbreaking of Phase 3 of the Sabarmati Riverfront project in Ahmedabad, worth ₹1,000 crore. The PM will also inaugurate over 22,000 homes built under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, costing ₹1,006 crore. In the health sector, the PM will inaugurate the U.N. Mehta Cardiology Institute in Gandhinagar and lay the foundation for a ₹588 crore IPD facility in Ahmedabad. He will distribute development cheques of ₹2,731 crore to 17 municipal corporations and ₹569 crore to 149 municipalities. Marking 20 years of the launch of the Urban Development Year in 2005 as a former CM of Gujarat, the PM will now launch Urban Development Year 2025 along with Gujarat’s Clean Air Programme in Gandhinagar. APARNA KHUNT AKASHVANI NEWS, GUJARAT.
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President Droupadi Murmu will present the Padma Awards at the second Civil Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan today. Padma Awards – one of the highest civilian awards of the country, are conferred in three categories – Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. The awards are given in various disciplines and fields of activities including art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, and civil service.
This year the Government had announced 139 Padma Awards which comprises seven Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri Awards. During the first Investiture ceremony, the President conferred Padma Awards to 71 eminent personalities for the year 2025. In the second Investiture ceremony, a total of 68 eminent personalities will be honoured with Padma Awards. Among them, Former Chief Justice of India Jagdish singh khehar and Kumudni Rajnikant Lakhia will be awarded Padma Vibhushan for contribution in the field of Public affairs and Arts, respectively. Those who will be presented padma bhushan includes Jatin goswami, Kailash nath dixit, Sadhvi Ritambhara while renowned economist Bibek Debroy will be honoured Posthumously. Among those who will be conferred Padma Shri include Manda Krishna Madiga, Dr. Neerja Bhatla, Sant Ram Deswal and Syed Ainul Hasan. WITH AMAN YADAV,PRIYA MONDAL, AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI.
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The Election Commission has announced the schedule for the biennial elections for the eight Rajya Sabha seats including six seats from Tamil Nadu and two seats from Assam. According to the Commission, the notification will be issued on the second of next month and polling will be held on 19th of June. Counting of votes will take place on the same day.
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External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has pointed out that terrorist organizations are openly operating from the cities and towns of Pakistan. He said, terrorism is an open business in Pakistan that is supported, financed, and used by the Pakistani military and state. In an interview to a German Newspaper, Dr. Jaishankar said, India has sent a clear signal to the terrorists that price has to be paid by them for carrying out terrorist attacks.
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India continued to expose Pakistan’s support to terrorism globally with multi party delegations visiting various countries and spreading New Delhi’s message of zero tolerance against the terrorism.
BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad, who is leading the all-party delegation to France, said that India is united in its fight against terrorism and wants to show the world this message. During an interaction with the Indian diaspora in Paris, Mr Prasad said, their visit is part of a larger effort, with seven delegations travelling worldwide to raise awareness about India’s stand against terrorism.
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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 Major Shaitan Singh who made the supreme sacrifice during the Sino-Indian war in 1962.
“Born in December 1924 in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, Major Shaitan Singh enrolled in Kumaon Regiment in 1949. During the Sino-Indian war in 1962, Major Shaitan Singh led C company of 13 kumaon regiment held a strategic position at Rezang La at an altitude of 5 thousand meters. Defended by five platoons, the position came under a massive Chinese assault at dawn on November 18. As waves of enemy soldiers advanced through mountain nullahs, Indian troops opened devastating fire, causing heavy casualties. Despite freezing conditions and overwhelming numbers, the Kumaonis, especially No. 7, 8, and 9 Platoons, fought with unmatched courage, engaging in hand-to-hand combat and holding ground till the last man. Surrounded and under relentless attack, they refused to retreat. Major Shaitan Singh, the Company Commander, displayed exemplary leadership and courage in the battle of Rezang La. He led his troops most admirably. Unmindful of his personal safety he moved from one platoon post to another. He continued to fight along with his men. While he was being evacuated by two Other Ranks, the Chinese brought heavy machine gun fire on them. Major Shaitan Singh sensing danger to their lives ordered them to leave him. The Other Ranks placed him behind a boulder on the slopes of a hill where he breathed his last. Major Shaitan Singh posthumously awarded Param Vir Chakra for his supreme courage, leadership and devotion to duty. Saklen Akhtar for Akashvani News, Delhi. “
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasized the transformative journey of India’s honey industry over the past decade. In the latest edition of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat on Akashvani on Sunday, Mr Modi noted a remarkable 60 per cent increase in honey production in the country. He also spoke about World Bee Day and the Honey Mission, citing the example of Korea district in Chhattisgarh as a success story in beekeeping. The Prime Minister noted that over the past 11 years, India has witnessed a sweet revolution in the field of beekeeping, significantly boosting honey production and rural livelihoods.
In Chhattisgarh’s Korea district, tribal farmers are making pure organic honey called Sonhani. Korea district’s Collector Chandan Tripathi said that the Sonhani project has been started in the forests of Sonhat from the District Mineral Fund.
Sonhani of Korea district is a proof of what the Prime Minister said in Mann Ki Baat program that every drop of locally produced honey is not only full of taste but also the hard work and hopes of India. Vikalp Shukla, Akashvani News, Raipur,
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Now, let’s take a look at the top stories in sports.
Indian para athlete Mahendra Gurjar scripted history by setting a new world record in the Men’s F42 javelin category with a throw of 61.17 meters at the Nottwil World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Switzerland yesterday.
The 27-year-old Mahendra Gurjar broke the previous record of 59.19 meters set by Brazil’s Roberto Floriani Edenilson in 2022. After throwing 56.11m first and 55.51m second attempt. His remaining throws measured 58.54m, 57.25m, and 58.07m. The F42 category is for athletes with moderate movement impairment in one leg.
Moving on to Atheletics, The Asian Athletics Championships 2025 kicked off today at Gumi in South Korea, with a 60-member Indian contingent participating in the mega event.
In Badminton, India’s top players, including PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, and the men’s doubles duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, will compete at the Singapore Open 2025 starting today.
In IPL T20 Cricket, Punjab Kings secured a top-two finish and a spot in Qualifier 1 after defeating Mumbai Indians in a crucial match in Jaipur last night. Chasing a target of 185, Punjab Kings overhauled the score, posting 187 for the loss of three wickets in 18.3 overs. Today, Lucknow Super Giants will take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. The match will begin at 7.30 PM. AISHWARYA RAI NIGAM for Akashvani News, Delhi.
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India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for heavy rain and thunderstorms in 9 districts of Maharashtra including Mumbai. The state government has appealed to citizens to adhere to weather advisories and avoid venturing out unless necessary.
“On the first day of the monsoon’s onset in Mumbai yesterday, the city recorded its highest rainfall in hundred and seven years. Residents faced difficulties due to heavy waterlogging, traffic congestion, and disruptions in the suburban train services. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has issued orders for immediate surveys and damage assessments in the affected areas. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visited the emergency control room of the municipal corporation and reviewed the various measures and emergency management efforts. He directed the state administration to remain on high alert and ensure timely relief and rescue operations. Bhavana akashVani news Mumbai “
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The Southwest Monsoon entered Telangana yesterday, almost two weeks ahead of its usual schedule. Making the announcement, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said, the monsoon has touched parts of seven districts, including Mahbubnagar, and is likely to spread across the entire state within a day or two if current weather conditions persist.
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TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS HEADLINES:-
- Most newspapers today open with pictures of Prime Minister Modi in Gujarat; “Modi exhorts people of Pakistan to come forward…, end terrorism,” is the lead in The Asian Age.
- “Modi pauses his motorcade, greets Col Sofiya’s family during roadshow,” is the headline in The Times of India.
- Supreme Court collegium recommends elevation of 3 High Court judges, is a front page item in the Hindustan Times.
- In a bid towards deeper connectivity, Aizawl becomes fourth North East state capital with rail link, trial run successful, writes The Indian Express.
- Under the caption, ‘Monsoon Mayhem,’ The Hindu Business Line carries a picture of vehicles stranded on a water-logged road in Mumbai. “Monsoon hits Mumbai early with record rain; city’s infra buckles.”
- The Business Standard leads with the uptick in Foreign Portfolio Investments. “FPI inflows so far in May highest in 8 months.”
- And finally, The Daily Tribune, in its city edition page, has a sprawling picture of a majestic white tiger taking a nap on a hot summer day at the Delhi Zoo.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:-
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi to launch multiple development projects worth over 5,500 crore rupees at Gandhinagar in Gujarat today.
- President Droupadi Murmu to present Padma Awards at Rashtrapati Bhavan this evening.
- Election Commission announces schedule for biennial elections to eight Rajya Sabha seats from Tamil Nadu and Assam.
- External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar says, Pakistani military and government supported terrorist organizations are openly operating from Pakistani cities.
- And, Mahendra Gurjar creates new world record in Men’s Javelin throw at Nottwil World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Switzerland.
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