THE HEADLINES:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi to share his thoughts in ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme of Akashvani on 30th of this month.
- Second meeting of initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies between India and US to begin today in New Delhi.
- BJP central team arrives in Kolkata to take stock of situation following post-poll violence in West Bengal.
- Evacuation of 1,200 stranded tourists likely to begin today in Sikkim.
- India’s textile exports grow by 9.59 percent in May this year despite unfavourable economic conditions in major markets.
- Festival of Eid-ul-Azha or Baqrid is being celebrated today.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will share his thoughts with the people of the country and abroad in the ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme on Akashwani on the 30th of this month. It will be the 111th episode of the monthly radio programme and the first to be aired after Mr Modi’s re-election as the Prime Minister for the third consecutive term.
People can submit their ideas and suggestions for the upcoming programme through the toll free number 1800-11-7800. People can also share their input online via the Narendra Modi App or the MyGov Open Forum. All suggestion for the upcoming episode will be accepted till the 28th of this month.
The Mann Ki Baat programme will be broadcast on the entire network of Akashwani and Doordarshan, AIR News website and newsonair mobile app. It will also be live streamed on the YouTube channels of the AIR News, DD News, PMO and Information and Broadcasting Ministry. Akashwani will broadcast the programme in regional languages immediately after the Hindi broadcast.
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The second annual meeting of initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) between India and the US will begin today in New Delhi. During the two-day meeting, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and his US counterpart Jake Sullivan will review the entire spectrum of Indo-US strategic ties. Sources said, the main focus of the iCET meeting will be a comprehensive review of all projects discussed during the Washington meeting on January 31, 2023. This includes transfer of technology related to GE-414 jet engines for Tejas Mark II fighters. Mr Doval and Mr Sullivan are also likely to discuss a new bilateral Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap. This roadmap aims to accelerate joint development and production of jet engines, loitering amunition, and other critical systems. India and the US are also likely to explore joint ventures to build a resilient semiconductor supply chain within India.
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A four-member central team of the BJP, including senior leaders Ravi Shankar Prasad and Biplab Kumar Deb, arrived in Kolkata yesterday evening to take stock of the situation after violence against the party workers in West Bengal following the Lok Sabha elections. The team met some victims of post-poll violence, who have been provided shelter by the BJP at a house near its state headquarters in Kolkata. Stating that he came to West Bengal during the panchayat polls and also the assembly elections in 2021, Ravi Shankar Prasad said that then also violence had occurred in the state and that the same is being repeated after the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections.
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Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said, the Narendra Modi government is committed to set an example by cracking down on terrorists through innovative means. Chairing a high level meeting in New Delhi yesterday to review the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, he directed all security agencies to work in mission mode and ensure quick response in a coordinated manner. He highlighted that the fight against terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir is in its decisive phase.
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Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi yesterday. General Pande called on Mr Shah after attending two meetings convened by Mr. Shah to review the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir and the preparations for the Amarnath pilgrimage. General Pande will retire from service on June 30.
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Online booking of helicopter service for this year’s Amarnath Yatra has begun. Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) has started the facility for both Baltal and Pahalgam yatra routes for this year’s 52-day long Shri Amarnath Yatra. A statement by SASB said that the annual pilgrimage of Amarnath is starting on June 29 and will conclude on August 19 on the day of Raksha Bandhan coinciding with Shravan Purnima festival. Officials said that for the north Kashmir Baltal route, helicopter service is being provided on Neelgrath-Panjtarni-Neelgrath, and for Pahalgam route, it will be available on Pahalgam-Panjtarni-Pahalgam route. However, officials added that online booking of the helicopter service can be availed by visiting the official website JKSASB.nic.in.
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In Sikkim, the evacuation of more than 1,200 tourists stranded in Mangan district might begin today if the weather permits, as it could not take place during the day due to unfavourable conditions. Talking to Akashvani News, District Magistrate of Mangan Hem Kumar Chettri said that the evacuation process will take place either by air or road if the weather permits. Mr Chettri said, all stranded tourists are safe and district administration is taking care of the lodging by getting them accommodated at various hotels in Lachung town where they were provided food at a nominal rate.
Roads & Bridges Department Minister N B Dahal reached Lachung and interacted with the tourists and heard their grievances and assured a safe evacuation at the earliest. More than 1,200 tourists, including 15 foreigners, have been stranded in Lachung town due to the landslides.
The incessant rains and landslides in Sikkim, stranded above 1,200 tourists in Mangan District. Meanwhile, the Border Roads Organization is addressing the infrastructure crisis in North Sikkim caused by the recent heavy rains. These rains have triggered multiple landslides and breaches, severely disrupting connectivity. The situation worsened with the collapse of a newly constructed suspension bridge at Sanklang, which was a critical link for the Dzongu region and North Sikkim. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, BRO has undertaken urgent restoration efforts to re-establish connectivity. Heavy machinery and personnel continue to work tirelessly on critical routes, aiming to restore normalcy as swiftly as possible. Dilli Ram Dulal, Akashvani news, Gangtok.
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India’s textile exports grew by 9.59 percent in May this year compared to the previous year despite unfavourable economic conditions in major markets such as the European Union (EU), the US, and West Asian nations. In a report, Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) said, India’s apparel exports also saw a growth of 9.84 percent during the same period. The cumulative exports of textiles and apparel during May 2024 registered a growth of 9.70 percent over May last year. The country’s overall exports for May 2024 surged to 68.29 billion US Dollars.
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The 18th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) for documentary, short fiction, and animation films is underway in Mumbai. Today, several films including From The Shadows, Dipped In Black, Sunday Morning, House Of Existence, Ours, Sibuk, Flowering Man, Letter To A Pig, The Box will be screened in the MIFF.
On the sidelines of the festival, panel discussions on ‘Unlocking the force: Channeling Documentary films to drive social change’ and ‘Unveiling her story: Exploring women’s narratives through Documentary Film making’ have been scheduled in the morning sessions.
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The festival of sacrifice, Eid-ul-Azha or Baqrid is being celebrated today. The faithfuls will offer Eid namaaz or prayers in Eidgahs and mosques. In Delhi, main Eid prayer congregations will be held at Jama Masjid, Fatehpuri mosque and Shahi Eidgah.
President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar have extended greetings to the people of the nation on the occasion of Id-Ul-Azha.
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In Uttar Pradesh, Eid-ul-Adha is being celebrated with religious fervour across the state. The Administration has made elaborate arrangements and taken precautions for the smooth celebration of Bakrid today.
“People across the state are getting ready to reach the Mosques nearer to them to offer the prayers of Bakarid a festival which symbolises the ultimate devotion and submission to God. In lucknow ‘ famous Teele wali Maszid prayer will be offered at 9 am and at aishbagh maszid it will be at 10 am. Ritual of Qurbani will take place after namaz. State government has already issued an advisory directing all district police chiefs to ensure thar no new tradition should start and no sacrifice of restricted animal should take place. Place for sacrifice on Bakrid should be decided in advance. Apart from this, sacrifice should not be done anywhere else ot at disputed or sensitive places. Clerics and religious leaders have advised people to follow the instructions of government. Police is keeping extra vigil at sensitive areas in cities like Kanpur, Moradabad, Rampur, meerut and Mau.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has extended greetings to the people of the state on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha. Sushil Chandra Tiwari, Aakashwani news, Lucknow.”
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In our bilingual live phone-in programme “Public Speak” today at 9.30 pm, we will bring an insightful discussion on “Yoga for Health and Wellness with Dr Surakshit Goswami, Yog Expert & Dr. Ishwar N. Acharya, Programme Officer, Yoga Therapy at Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga.
During the programme, listeners will have the opportunity to pose questions to our guests regarding various aspects of yoga such as its importance and benefits.
To participate, simply dial the telephone numbers 011 – 23421050 and 011 – 23314444, 9:30 PM onwards today.
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TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS HEADLINE:
- ‘1st Modi 3.0 budget to eye job creation by expanding Production Linked Incentive scheme and focus on MSMEs’ headlines The Times of India. The Indian Express writes, “Government looks at tax rate cut to boost demand, trigger private investment”.
- India refuses to endorse Ukraine meet statement, reads the headline in The Hindu. Only proposals acceptable to both Russia and Ukraine can lead to peace, says New Delhi.
- Hindustan Times has highlighted in its front page the heatwave red alert in Delhi. The paper also quotes a study that reveals that the snowfall level in the Hindu Kush mountains has dipped and that could hurt rivers downstream.
- The Pioneer carries a photograph of the world’s highest steel arch rail bridge, which is near completion in Jammu & Kashmir. It is 35 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower, writes the paper.
- And finally, the Smritivan Earth quake Memorial in Bhuj has been listed as of one of the world’s seven most beautiful museums by UNESCO, reports The Statesman.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi to share his thoughts in ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme of Akashvani on 30th of this month.
- Second meeting of initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies between India and US to begin today in New Delhi.
- BJP central team arrives in Kolkata to take stock of situation following post-poll violence in West Bengal.
- Evacuation of 1,200 stranded tourists likely to begin today in Sikkim.
- India’s textile exports grow by 9.59 percent in May this year despite unfavourable economic conditions in major markets.
- Festival of Eid-ul-Azha or Baqrid is being celebrated today.
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