THE HEADLINES ::
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth over sixty thousand crore rupees from Odisha’s Jharsuguda.
- Prime Minister to commission over 97,500 mobile 4G towers built with indigenous technology.
- Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri announces discovery of natural gas in Andaman Sea; Says the findings open up an ocean of energy opportunities for the country.
- External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar calls upon BRICS to reinforce message of peacebuilding and diplomacy in turbulent world.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slams Western countries at UNGA for recognising Palestinian statehood.
- In Asia Cup Cricket, India beat Sri Lanka in dramatic Super Over in Dubai to reach the final unbeaten.
- 12th World Para Athletics Championship to begin in New Delhi today.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a day-long visit to Odisha today. During his visit, the Prime Minister will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth over sixty thousand crore rupees from Jharsuguda.These projects span across various sectors including telecommunications, railways, higher education, healthcare, skill development, rural housing sectors, among others. Mr Modi will also address a public gathering on the occasion.
In the field of telecom connectivity, Mr Modi will commission more than 97,500 mobile 4G towers built at a cost of around 37,000 crore rupees with swadeshi technology. Our correspondent has filed this report:
“During the visit to the western Odisha industrial town, Mr Modi will lay the foundation stone and launch three railway projects worth over 1 thousand 7 hundred crore rupees to enhance railway infrastructure and connectivity across the state. The Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for the rail flyover between Sambalpur City and Sarla at a cost of 2 hundred 73 crore rupees. He will also announce the expansion of eight IITs, grant super-speciality status to Berhampur MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur, as well as to VIMSAR hospital in Burla-Sambalpur. In addition, Mr. Modi will distribute sanction orders to 50 thousand beneficiaries under the Antyodaya Gruha Yojana. Jharsuguda visit will be the Prime Minister’s sixth visit to Odisha in 15 months since the BJP came to power in the state in June 2024. Alok Chandra Barik for Akashvani News Jharsuguda.”
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In a significant development, Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has announced that natural gas has been discovered in the Andaman basin, confirming the long-held belief that the Andaman Sea is rich in natural gas. In a social media post last night, the Minister said, an ocean of energy opportunities has opened up in the Andaman Sea. Expressing happiness, Mr Puri informed about the occurrence of natural gas in the Sri Vijayapuram 2 well at a distance of 9.20 Nautical mile from the shoreline on the east coast of the Andaman Islands at a water depth of 295 metres and target depth of 2,650 metres.
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The GST Bachat Utsav announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which commenced on the 22nd of this month, is benefiting all sections of society. The next-generation GST reforms represent a significant step towards simplifying India’s indirect tax system. These reforms are providing substantial relief to citizens by reducing the tax rates on various goods and services. We have a report:
“Under the new GST reforms, the Government has announced significant tax cuts aimed at making tourism and public transport more affordable, while also driving investment and job creation across key sectors. The GST on hotel rooms priced below 7,500 per night has been reduced from 12 per cent to 5 per cent. It is a move set to benefit middle class and budget travellers, boost domestic tourism, and enhance India’s appeal to international visitors. Talking to Akashvani News, Vaishnavi, a student has hailed the governments’ decision of reduction in gst rate and expressed her gratitude.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 21st of this month also urged the citizens to buy swadeshi products, supporting domestic industries, small manufacturers, local artisans and MSMEs. With Shivang Misra, Ishani Yadav, Akashvani News, Delhi.”
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Guided by the mantra of Seva and Sushasan, that is, Public Service and Good Governance, the Government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been working tirelessly to bring transformation and progress. Akashvani News brings for our listeners a Special Series- “Seva Parv”. In today’s episode, we take a look at how the Narendra Modi government has revived India’s cultural pride by bringing back stolen idols and antiquities from across the world.
Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India’s cultural journey has been vibrant, rooted in tradition and open to the world. From repatriating stolen idols and sacred relics from abroad to restoring antiquities that had long been lost, this has been a story of cultural revival, of bringing back what was once lost.
642 stolen antiquities have been traced since 2014 and are at various stages of being brought back, compared to just 13 before 2013. Many of these artefacts, once smuggled abroad, are now being reclaimed through diplomatic channels, legal action, and cultural cooperation.
One of the most celebrated returns this year was the Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha, dating back to the 3rd century BCE. PM Modi called the event “a joyous day for Indian heritage”.
Other antiquities which have been retrieved include stone sculpture of Brahma and Brahmani from U.K., Stone image of Durga from USA, sandstone image of Nataraja in dancing posture from USA, seated Buddha from Australia, Parrot Lady from Canada, metal image of Bahubali from USA. Some such objects were also returned to PM Modi during his visits abroad.
In every idol retrieved, in every monument revived, lies the heartbeat of a nation reconnecting with its roots. As Prime Minister Modi said, Heritage is not just history, it is a shared consciousness of humanity.
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External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar has said that the BRICS has stood firm as a strong voice of reason and constructive change at a time when multilateralism is under stress. He stated this while hosting a meeting of the BRICS Foreign Ministers in New York on the sidelines of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. The Minister said that in a turbulent world, BRICS must reinforce the message of peacebuilding, dialogue, diplomacy and adherence to international law. He said that the grouping must amplify its collective call for a comprehensive reform of the principal organs of the United Nations, especially the UN Security Council.
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Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ruled out a two-state solution that would create an independent Palestinian state, calling it suicidal for his country. During his speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York last night, Mr Netanyahu called the Western nations, including France, Canada, and Britain, naive for recognising the Palestine state. He warned that Israel will finish the job of eliminating Palestinian armed group Hamas in Gaza unless it laid down arms and released the remaining hostages taken during terrorist attack on Israel in 2023.
Earlier, scores of delegates walked out in protest ahead of Israel’s Prime Minister’s speech at the UN General Assembly. As he was escorted to the podium, several countries walked out of the Assembly hall, while others who stayed on cheered him.
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After six decades of service as a legendary fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force, the MiG-21 was given a final farewell yesterday. The farewell ceremony, held at Chandigarh Air Base, was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Air Force Chief Air Marshal AP Singh, and other dignitaries. The MiG-21’s operations were bid farewell with a ceremonial flypast. On this occasion, Mr Singh said that there have been many occasions when the MiG-21 has proven its decisive capability.
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The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has attached the immovable properties of a Hizbul Mujahideen terror operative involved in the supply of arms and ammunition to active militants of the banned outfit for promoting terrorist activities in the Kashmir Valley. On the orders of the NIA Special Court in Jammu, the agency has attached the immovable properties of Tariq Ahmad Mir, a chargesheeted accused who was arrested in April this year.
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On to sports, The 12th World Para Athletics Championship 2025 will begin at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi today. The nine-day championship will feature a total of 186 medal events. These include 101 for men, 84 for women, and one mixed event, covering sprint finishes to endurance races. Our correspondent reports that the Championship will culminate on the 5th of next month.
“More than a thousand athletes from over a hundred nations will participate in the 12th World Para Athletics Championship 2025. This is not only India’s debut as host but also one of the largest para-sport gatherings ever held in the country. This year, a total of seventy athletes are representing India at the Championship. Athletes, including Sumit Antil, Navdeep Singh, Preeti Pal, Praveen Kumar and Dharambir, will compete in a wide range of events such as sprints, relays, long-distance races, jumps, throws, and various other athletic disciplines. To ensure that every competitor has the platform to excel, the Stadium has been upgraded with a new MONDO track and athlete-friendly facilities. ISHANI YADAV, AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI”
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In Asia Cup Cricket, India defeated Sri Lanka in the last clash of the Super fours stage in Dubai after a dramatic and intense Super Over to reach the final of the tournament unbeaten. With the win, Men in Blue have extended their winning streak to six matches. In the Super Over, left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh took two wickets, restricting Sri Lanka to 2 runs. India, needing 3 to win the game, pulled off a win on the first ball itself. Earlier, put in to bat, India posted a total of 202 runs for the loss of five wickets in stipulated 20 overs. In reply, Pathum Nissanka scored a magnificent century, helping Sri Lanka tie India’s total of 202 runs in 20 overs. Pathum Nissanka was declared The Player of the Match. India will face Pakistan in the Summit Clash in Dubai tomorrow. The match will begin at 8 PM Indian Standard Time.
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Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has directed the collectors of 17 districts to take proactive measures to prevent possible flooding, where heavy rainfall is likely to take place today. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast extremely heavy rainfall in Koraput, Malkangiri, and Kalahandi districts today.
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TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS,
- A top front page headline in Hindustan Times writes “Trump slaps 100 percent pharma tariff: India spared for now as generics spared.”
- To evade Indian surveillance and and possible strikes “Lashkar-e-Tayyaba like other UN-designated terrorist organisations shifting training base near Afghan border” writes The Asian Age.
- With its order banning crackers in Delhi -NCR openly breached during Diwali last year, The Times of India quotes the Supreme Court asking the Centre to “make mechanism to ensure sale of green crackers.”
- Finally, A Business Standard headline says “Final Face-off: India-Pak clash on Sunday sends ad rates soaring.”
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth over sixty thousand crore rupees from Odisha’s Jharsuguda.
- Prime Minister to commission over 97,500 mobile 4G towers built with indigenous technology.
- Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri announces discovery of natural gas in Andaman Sea; Says the findings open up an ocean of energy opportunities for the country.
- External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar calls upon BRICS to reinforce message of peacebuilding and diplomacy in turbulent world.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slams Western countries at UNGA for recognising Palestinian statehood.
- In Asia Cup Cricket, India beat Sri Lanka in dramatic Super Over in Dubai to reach the final unbeaten.
- 12th World Para Athletics Championship to begin in New Delhi today.
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