THE HEADLINES:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate world’s highest railway arch bridge – Chenab bridge and India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge – Anji bridge in Jammu and Kashmir today.
- Prime Minister to also flag off two Vande Bharat Express trains between Katra and Srinagar.
- Karnataka government suspends Bengaluru Police Commissioner and several other senior police officials in connection with Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede.
- All party delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor meets US Vice President JD Vance in Washington DC.
- RBI to announce its bi-monthly monetary policy review today.
- World Champion D Gukesh beat Wei Yi of China in thrilling Round 9 encounter of Norway Chess tournament in Stavanger.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Jammu and Kashmir today and will lay the foundation stone, inaugurate and dedicate to the nation multiple development projects worth over 46 thousand crore rupees at Katra. He will dedicate the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) to the nation, built at a cost of ₹44,000 crore. The fully electrified USBRL includes 36 tunnels, 943 bridges, the world’s highest railway arch bridge-Chenab Bridge-and India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge-Anji Khad. The Prime Minister will also flag off two Vande Bharat Express trains between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar, with regular services starting on Saturday.
“The Rail link project establishes all-weather, seamless rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country aiming to transform regional mobility and driving socio-economic integration. These Vande Bharat trains to be introduced between Katra to Srinagar have been designed with special technical features to facilitate smooth travel in the challenging climatic conditions of the Kashmir valley. The Vande Bharat is equipped with silicone heating pads and heating plumbing pipeline which prevents water from freezing even at temperature below zero degree. With the introduction of this train service, the travel time between Katra to Srinagar will be significantly reduced by nearly three hours. Anand Kumar for Akashvani News Delhi.”
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Army has launched Operation Shiva, in Jammu and Kashmir, a comprehensive security initiative to provide fool proof security to 38-day long Amarnath Yatra, slated to commence on July 3. This annual pilgrimage draws thousands of devotees to the sacred Amarnath Cave shrine in J&K, located at an altitude of 3,888 meters.
“In the light of recent security challenges, including the terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, the Army, in coordination with Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), J&K Police, and Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), has deployed robust measures to ensure the safety of the pilgrims. The “Operation Shiva” involves over 42 thousand security personnel, stationed across strategic locations along the two primary yatra routes-Pahalgam and Baltal. The Amarnath Shrine Board has also introduced mandatory Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) cards for pilgrims to enhance safety and tracking. This is N. Gulshan Raina For Akashvani from Jammu.”
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India has undergone a decade of remarkable transformation, driven by the principles of Seva, Sushasan, and Garib Kalyan. Akashvani News brings you a special feature on the Government’s efforts over the last 11 years across key sectors. Today, we focus on Cultural Heritage Preservation – a key to reviving India’s civilizational pride.
“Over the past 11 years, India’s cultural journey has flourished like a rangoli: colorful, rooted in tradition and open to the world. From the timeless temples of Hampi to the living traditions of classical music and dance, the government has given new energy to both tangible and intangible heritage.
The Ram Mandir in Ayodhya stands as a symbol of faith and national unity, fulfilling a historic aspiration. The Kashi Vishwanath Dham Corridor project in Varanasi has transformed the pilgrim experience by directly connecting the iconic Kashi Vishwanath Temple with the Ganga River. In Ujjain, the Mahakaal Lok Project was launched to provide world-class amenities and spiritual ambience, enriching the pilgrim experience at the revered Mahakaleshwar temple. While in the Himalayas, the redevelopment of Kedarnath and Badrinath Dham has strengthened infrastructure and safety for pilgrims visiting these sacred shrines.
The Swadesh Darshan scheme has further boosted travel infrastructure, with more that 5,000 crore rupees sanctioned for 76 projects across identified thematic circuits. Complementing these efforts, the HRIDAY (Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana) scheme has focused on developing 12 heritage cities. Together, these initiatives are preserving India’s spiritual and cultural heritage while driving a surge in tourism across the country. Efforts extend beyond temples to include inclusive heritage development-restoring Sikh gurdwaras, Buddhist viharas, Jain temples, Sufi dargahs, and tribal sacred sites.
India has also successfully repatriated over 350 idols and artefacts from abroad, restoring priceless heritage. Pilgrimage connectivity has been enhanced under the PM Gati Shakti and Bharatmala initiatives, with better roads, ropeways, and rail links improving access to holy sites. This cultural renaissance is about preserving history, strengthening faith, and fostering unity for generations to come. VISHNU PS AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI.”
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Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has suspended Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda and several other senior police officials in connection with the stampede outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium in the state capital that killed 11 people. He also ordered the arrest of representatives of the RCB team, event management firm DNA Entertainment, and Karnataka State Cricket Association. An FIR has been registered against them under various charges, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder. The Chief Minister also announced a one-man judicial probe, headed by Justice Michael D’Cunha, a retired High Court judge of Karnataka, into the tragic incident. The commission will submit its report within 30 days.
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The all party delegation led by Congress MP Dr. Shashi Tharoor met US Vice President JD Vance in Washington DC last night. They had comprehensive discussions covering a wide array of critical issues, from counter-terrorism efforts to enhancing technological cooperation. In a social media post, Mr Tharoor termed the discussions as constructive and productive for strengthening India-US strategic partnership.
The delegation also met prominent members of the Indian diaspora in the US and spoke about India’s resolute and united stand against terrorism and the new normal created by India through Operation Sindoor.Dr. Tharoor also spoke with Ambassador Ken Juster at Council on Foreign Relations on India’s fight against terrorism. He said there is no equivalence between terrorists and their victims.
In Brussels, the all-party delegation led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad met President of the Chamber of Deputies of the Federal Parliament of Belgium, Peter De Roover. Talking to media, Mr Prasad expressed gratitude to Mr de Roover for expressing solidarity in the wake of Pahalgam terror attack.
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Reserve Bank of India will announce its bi-monthly monetary policy review today. Chaired by RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra, Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee began its 3-day meeting on Wednesday to decide on the repo rate cut. According to economists and industry experts, the Central Bank is likely to go for a third 25 basis point cut in the repo rate to 5.75 percent. A new SBI report has even projected a mega 50-basis point rate cut in today’s policy review.
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The National Cadet Corps Mount Everest Expedition Team was warmly received at the DG NCC Camp in New Delhi yesterday, after successfully summiting the world’s highest peak on the 18th of last month. The Expedition Team, with an average age of just 19, achieved a 100 percent summit success rate despite harsh weather and difficult terrain. The Expedition team comprising five boys and five girls, was flagged off by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on 3rd April.
Talking to Akashvani News, NCC Cadet Kritika Sharma said the rigorous training that the team went through over the past two years helped the team realize this grand vision.
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Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will be on a d-day long visit to Uttarakhand today. He will participate in a Kisan Chaupal organized in Paav Wala Sauda village of Dehradun district, where he will interact with farmers. More from our Dehradun Correspondent:
“In this program, the Union Agriculture Minister will have a direct dialogue with farmers and will listen to their problems and suggestions. In the afternoon, the Union Agriculture Minister will participate in a program at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie. After that, he will address farmers under the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan in Garhi Cantt, Dehradun. It is noteworthy that under the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan in Uttarakhand, agricultural scientists and officials will engage with farmers in 95 development blocks, 670 Nyaya Panchayats and over 11,000 villages across the state. Sakshi Singh, Akashvani News, Dehradun”.
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External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar will host the Foreign Ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan for the 4th meeting of the India-Central Asia Dialogue in New Delhi today. The Ministers will discuss further strengthening of relations between India and Central Asian countries with particular focus on trade, connectivity, technology, and development cooperation.
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In Chess, Gukesh continues to etch his name into the history, securing his fourth classical victory at the 2025 Norway Chess tournament.
“In a thrilling Round 9 encounter, the youngest-ever Chess World Champion defeated China’s Wei Yi, climbing to 14.5 points. With nine rounds completed, and just one more to go, a win for Gukesh in the final round could crown the young Indian prodigy with his first Norway Chess title. In the women’s section, Ukraine’s Anna Muzychuk is at the top with 15.5 points, and India’s Koneru Humpy is second with 13.5 points.
In Indonesia Open Badminton, Indian pair of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy will take on the Malaysian pair of Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun in the men’s doubles quarter-finals in Jakarta today.
In French Open Tennis, Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori of Italy swept to a 1-nil victory over Americans Taylor Townsend and Evan King to claim the French Open mixed doubles crown in Paris, France yesterday.In Women’s Singles final, World Number two Coco Gauff of America has entered the Women’s Singles final after beating Lois Boisson 2- Nil. In the men’s singles semifinals, Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic and Lorenzo Musetti will be in action today.SANYUKTA YADAV,AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI.”
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TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS HEADLINE,
- “CM suspends top cop, orders judicial probe; police book RCB, state cricket association” is the lead headline in The Indian Express.
- The stage being set for a monumental event in India’s infrastructure history, “PM to open world’s tallest arch bridge in J and K”, writes The Pioneer.
- With India pushing for the elimination of tariffs on labour-intensive goods, The Business Standard reports “India to US: Drop 10% universal tariff in trade deal”.
- And finally, under the caption ” Geese at ease” , the Delhi Tribune carries a picture of flock of geese at Lodi Garden in New Delhi.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN,
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate world’s highest railway arch bridge – Chenab bridge and India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge – Anji bridge in Jammu and Kashmir today.
- Prime Minister to also flag off two Vande Bharat Express trains between Katra and Srinagar.
- Karnataka government suspends Bengaluru Police Commissioner and several other senior police officials in connection with Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede.
- All party delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor meets US Vice President JD Vance in Washington DC.
- RBI to announce its bi-monthly monetary policy review today.
- World Champion D Gukesh beat Wei Yi of China in thrilling Round 9 encounter of Norway Chess tournament in Stavanger.
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