THE HEADLINES::
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi to embark on a two nation visit to Japan and China this evening.
- Indian Air Force launches extensive relief and rescue operations in Jammu region and northern Punjab following floods triggered by heavy rains.
- UIDAI asks schools across the country to complete Aadhaar biometric updates of children aged 5 to 15 years without delay.
- Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana completes 11 years today.
- Union Cabinet approves submission of bid for 2030 Commonwealth Games.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a visit to Japan this evening to participate in the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit. This will be Prime Minister Modi’s eighth visit to Japan, and the first Summit with his counterpart Shigeru Ishiba. External Affairs Ministry said in a statement that during the visit, the two Prime Ministers will review the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between India and Japan, including defense and security, trade and economy, technology and innovation, and people to people exchange. They will also discuss issues of regional and global importance. The visit will reaffirm the longstanding special bond of friendship between the two countries.
Indian Ambassador to Japan, Sibi George told Akashvani News that Prime Minister’s visit to Japan will open fresh avenues of cooperation between the two countries. He said, the high-level engagement will drive the agenda of the India Japan special strategic and global partnership.
“Ambassador of India to Japan Sibi George said that special strategic and global partnership is very important and India-Japan have no history of conflict. He said that both countries relationship has bilateral and plural both aspect in it.
Ambassador of India to Japan highlighted that India is in the middle of Amratkal journey and this journey is to make India a developed country in which there will be world class infrastructure. He said that Japan has been working with India on infrastructure projects. Japan has been working with India to make country a manufacturing hub.
In India’s Amritkal journey Japan will continue to be a major, reliable partner. Just like automobile sector, there are other manufacturing sectors seeing progress. Om Awasthi, Akashvani News, Tokyo.”
In the second leg of his visit, The Prime Minister will travel to China from 31st August to 1st September to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in Tianjin at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping. On the sidelines of the Summit, The Prime Minister is expected to hold bilateral meetings with several leaders attending the Summit.
India has been a member of SCO since 2017. It held the presidency of the Council of Heads of State of SCO during 2022-23.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephonic conversation with President of Finland Alexander Stubb yesterday. In a social media post, Mr Modi said Finland is a valued partner in the European Union. Both leaders discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in key sectors such as trade, technology and sustainability. They exchanged perspectives on the ongoing efforts for peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine.
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The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has asked schools across the country to ensure timely Aadhaar Mandatory Biometric Updates for Children in the age group of 5 to 15 years. In a statement, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology said UIDAI CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar has also written to all the Chief Secretaries of states and union territories apprising them of the initiative and requesting them to support in conducting targeted Mandatory biometric update camps. The Ministry said that UIDAI and the Ministry of Education has also collaborated to facilitate pending biometric updates in Aadhaar on Unified District Information System for Education Plus platform for Nearly 17 Crore Children.
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The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana completes 11 years today. It is one of the biggest financial inclusion initiatives in the world which was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 15th August 2014 from the ramparts of the Red Fort. While launching the programme on 28th August 2014, the Prime Minister had described the occasion as a festival to celebrate the liberation of the poor from a vicious cycle.
“Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana is a National Mission on Financial Inclusion which has an integrated approach to bring about comprehensive financial inclusion and provide banking services to all households in the country. The scheme ensures access to a range of financial services like availability of basic savings bank account, access to need based credit, remittances facility, insurance and pension. Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana provides a platform for universal access to banking facilities with at least one basic banking account for every household, financial literacy and access to credit, insurance and pension facility. It covers both urban and rural areas and those who open account would get indigenous Debit Card (RuPay card). Account can be opened in any bank branch or Business Correspondent (Bank Mitra) outlet at zero balance. Every bank account is on Core Banking System of banks. Mobile banking using USSD facility available on even basic feature phones is also being supported. With Anupam Mishra, Aman Yadav, Akashvani News, Delhi.”
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In Chhattisgarh, 30 Maoists surrendered in Bijapur district yesterday. Twenty of them were carrying cash reward of 81 lakh rupees. Police said, surrendered Maoists were involved in various incidents. Bijapur SP, Jitendra Yadav said, they were given an incentive of fifty thousand rupees each, under the state government’s rehabilitation policy.
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The Indian Air Force has launched extensive relief and rescue missions in response to the rising water levels and devastating floods caused in Jammu region and northern Punjab. The Defence Ministry in a statement said, Indian Air Force has deployed Helicopter Fleet, Transport Aircraft and other IAF assets for the support of the affected. It also pointed out about the Rescue Missions done in Akhnoor Area of Jammu, Pathankot and Dera Baba Nanak area of Punjab to safeguard the life of armed personnel. The Ministry said, the IAF stands ready to undertake further missions as the situation evolves.
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The flood fury in Punjab is continuing unabated. Several villages and hundreds of acres of agricultural land are inundated in Gurdaspur, Ferozpur, Fazilka, Kapurthala, Amritsar, Hoshiarpur and Tarn Taran districts.
“As Beas and Satluj Rivers both are in spate due to heavy rain in higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh, the reservoirs of all three dams,- Ranjit Sagar, Pong and Bhakra Dams – are full to the brim, requiring the authorities to make controlled release of water to save dams. Choppers of Indian Air Force and Boats of NDRF and BSF have jointly evacuated thousands of people including Army, CRPF, BSF personnel and 400 students and teachers from Gurdaspur school besides Pathankot, Ferozepur and some other areas. Rajesh Bali/Akashvani News/Jalandhar.”
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In Himachal Pradesh, efforts are underway to bring life back on track after the recent heavy rainfall. Due to landslides and floods, two national highways and 582 roads are closed for traffic.
The spell of monsoon rains continues intermittently in Himachal Pradesh. The Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for heavy rainfall in Una, Hamirpur, Mandi, Shimla, and Sirmaur. Thousands of devotees on the Manimahesh Yatra in Chamba district are stranded at various places the administration has accommodated them in safe shelters. 310 people have lost their lives so far this monsoon season while 38 are still missing. Heavy rains have damaged more than 3,500 houses across the state. Prabha Sharma, Akashvani News, Shimla.
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In Telangana, extremely heavy rain battered Kamareddy, Medak, and Nirmal districts while many other areas across the state received heavy rainfall.
“The National and State Disaster Response Teams have rescued thousands of people who were stuck in flood waters yesterday. The situation in towns in Medak and Nirmal is still grim as residential areas have been flooded and hundreds of people have been moved to safety. Streams and rivulets are flowing to their brim and at some places, water flowing over bridges disconnecting dozens of villages with the rest of the world. South Central Railway cancelled and rescheduled about 30 trains passing through the rain affected areas. The state Government has appointed special officers to monitor rescue and relief measures. Lakshmi, Akashvani news, Hyderabad.”
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Ganesh Chaturthi, Maharashtra’s biggest festival, was transformed from a private ritual into a public celebration by freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak during India’s Independence movement. His vision turned devotion into a unifying force against British rule and resulted in the festival’s modern grandeur.
“The credit for giving Ganeshotsav a public form goes to Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak. In 1893, in Pune, he initiated the celebration in this manner with the primary aim of instilling a spirit of unity and nationalism among Indians under the oppressive rule of the British. Since then, this festival has been celebrated on a grand scale across Maharashtra. this year onwards, the Government of Maharashtra has officially declared Ganeshotsav as a “State Festival.” People from all walks of life and of every age group participate enthusiastically in the celebrations. The grand processions, decorative tableaux, vibrant illuminations, and festive decorations create a joyous and magnificent atmosphere. Madhav Jaybhaye, Akashvani,Pune.”
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News from the world of sports:
“The Union Cabinet has approved India’s bid to host the Commonwealth Games 2030 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The Narendra Modi Stadium, having successfully hosted the 2023 Cricket World Cup Final, will be a key venue. The Games are expected to boost tourism, create employment across multiple sectors, and inspire widespread sporting participation nationwide.
In badminton, India made a strong showing at the BWF World Championships 2025 in Paris. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty advanced to the Round of 16 after defeating Chinese Taipei’s Liu and Yang. PV Sindhu overcame a tough challenge from Malaysia’s Letshanaa, while Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto cruised past their Irish opponents. H.S. Prannoy and the mixed pair Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Shivani Gadde are set to play today.
In Under-17 Women’s SAFF Championship in Thimpu, India continued their dominance defeating hosts Bhutan 5-0. Anushka Kumari starred again with two goals and an assist, taking India’s goal tally to 22 without conceding any goal.
And at the US Open tennis tournament, Novak Djokovic defeated American Zachary Svajda in straight sets. In women’s singles, Naomi Osaka and Mira Andreeva also progressed with straight-set victories. With Mayur Jain, Jigyasa Pandey, Sports Desk.”
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In the US, two children were killed and 17 injured in an attack on a Catholic church in Minneapolis yesterday. Police said, the shooter fired through chapel windows during a student Mass before taking his own life. Of the 17 injured, 14 are children.
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TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS HEADLINE,
- Quoting a top Trump administration official Hindustan Times writes ” US, India will eventually unite on issues”, as additional 50 percent US tariff comes into force, the paper cites about communication channels still being open.
- A headline in Financial Express notes “Textile exporters may move abroad to cater to US market; Bangladesh Srilanka, Egypt and Jordan may serve as conduits.”
- The Indian Express reports “Soon, apply for a marriage certificate or driver’s licence on What’s App.”
- “India projected to become world’s second largest economy in purchasing power parity terms by 2038″ according to a report writes The Statesman.
- The Times of India writes “Delhi’s per capita income close to five lakh rupees, currently number two among states.”
- And Finally, The Pioneer states “Cabinet clears 2030 CWG bid; India also aiming for the 2036 Olympic Games calling Ahmedabad as a front-runner host city for both events.”
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi to embark on a two nation visit to Japan and China this evening.
- Indian Air Force launches extensive relief and rescue operations in Jammu region and northern Punjab following floods triggered by heavy rains.
- UIDAI asks schools across the country to complete Aadhaar biometric updates of children aged 5 to 15 years without delay.
- Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana completes 11 years today.
- Union Cabinet approves submission of bid for 2030 Commonwealth Games.
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