THE HEADLINES:-
- Hectic campainging for first phase of Lok sabha polls continues with top leaders of ruling and opposition alliances leaving no effort to woo voters.
- BJP to release its Election manifesto this morning; Congress releases another list of 16 candidates for Lok Sabha elections.
- Nation pays homage to Chief Architect of the Indian Constitution Dr BR Ambedkar on his birth anniversary today.
- Iran launches drone attack on Israel, also captures a cargo ship with seventeen Indian crew on board.
- And in IPL Cricket, Rajasthan Royals defeat Punjab Kings by three wickets at Mohali last night.
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Hectic Campaigning for the first phase of Lok Sabha Elections has intensified with leaders of political parties seeking the support for their candidates.
In the first phase, 102 Lok Sabha seats in 17 States and four Union Territories along with 32 Assembly constituencies in Sikkim and 60 assembly seats in Arunachal Pradesh will go to polls on the 19th of April.
Senior BJP leader and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a one-day visit to Karnataka today. The Prime Minister will address a public rally in Mysuru in the afternoon and later hold a road show in the coastal city of Mangaluru. His public address in Mysuru will be attended by the party workers from Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Mandya and Hassan Lok Sabha constituencies. The roadshow in Mangaluru is organised from Sri Narayana Guru Circle to Navabharath Circle in the evening.
Mr Modi will arrive in Kochi tonight to address two public meetings in support of his party candidates. Tomorrow morning, he will address a public meeting at Cheruvattani near Kunnamkulam which falls under the Alathur Reserved constituency, in support of NDA candidate, Dr TN Sarasu. Later, he will leave for Attingal, where he will address another meeting at the Christian College ground at Kattakada, where the BJP has fielded Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan as the party candidate.
Mr Modi will also address a public meeting today in the Narmadapuram Lok Sabha constituency of Madhya Pradesh .
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“Senior BJP leader and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a public meeting in Pipariya of Narmadapuram parliamentary constituency today. The Prime Minister is arriving in Madhya Pradesh for the third time for an election campaign. Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan and other senior leaders of the BJP will also campaign at different places. Information & Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur
While talking to the media in Chhindwara parliamentary constituency yesterday, termed the Opposition alliance as a collation of without policy, leader and principles. From the Congress, State Congress President Jitu Patwari, former Union Minister Arun Yadav and Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Tankha will campaign in Narsinghpur, Shahdol and Seoni districts. Samajwadi Party State President Dr Manoj Yadav also addressed workers in Khajuraho yesterday. Sanjeev Sharma, Akashvani News, Bhopal.”
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The BJP will today release its manifesto named ‘Sankalp Patra’ for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections. The manifesto will be released in the presence of Senior Party leader and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Party headquarters in New Delhi. Other Senior Party leaders will also attend the function.
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The Congress released another list of 16 candidates for the Lok Sabah elections yesterday. The list includes the names of four candidates for Gujarat, two for Himachal Pradesh, one for Chandigarh and nine candidates for Odisha. Congress MP Manish Tewari will contest from Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat while Himachal Pradesh Minister Vikramaditya Singh will contest from Mandi seat where BJP has fielded Kangana Ranaut. Former Union Minister Srikant Jena will fight from Balasore seat in Odisha. Names of the candidates were approved by the Party’s Central Election Committee. The Congress also released the names of four candidates for the ensuing bye-elections to the Legislative Assembly in Gujarat.
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Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party Chief Jagan Mohan Reddy suffered an injury above his left eyebrow after being hit by a stone in Vijayawada yesterday. The incident took place during his election campaign in Vijayawada late last evening. It happened when he was greeting people during his “Memantha Siddham” bus yatra. MLA Vellampalli Srinivas, who was standing next to Jagan, also sustained an injury in his left eye. Doctors immediately provided first aid to Jagan Mohan Reddy on the bus. Mr. Reddy subsequently continued his bus yatra after receiving the first aid.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a social media post, conveyed his wishes for the speedy recovery and good health for Andhra Pradesh’s Chief Minister.
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All India Majlis Ithehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) President Asaduddin Owaisi has said that his party will not have alliance with any party in Telangana. Mr Owaisi said his party will continue to oppose the BJP-led Union Government over implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA).
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Out of the 14 Lok sabha constituencies of Assam, Karimganj and Silchar are situated in Barak Valley, the predominantly Bengali-speaking area of the State. The majority of the voters of Karimganj belong to the minority community.
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“Kripanath Mala, the sitting MP and BJP candidate from the constituency secured 44.62 per cent votes to defeat AIUDF’s Radheshyam Biswas by 38,389 votes in the last election. This year, 24 candidates are contesting for the Karimganj Loksabha seat. Sitting MP and BJP candidate Kripanath Mallah is trying to reach minority voters, promising them an equal share in development initiatives. The INC candidate advocate Hafez Rashid Chowdhury is focusing on religious polarisation around the Citizenship Amendment Act. The AIUDF candidate Sahabul Islam Chowdhury is focusing on the security of Rohingya migrants, which has drawn sharp criticism from both INC and BJP. The election scenario in Karimganj, thus, has already begun heating up. Saswati Bhattacharjee, reporting from RNU, Akashvani, Silchar. Saswati Bhattacharjee, reporting from RNU, Akashvani, Silchar.”
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The nation today is paying homage to the Chief Architect of the Indian Constitution Dr B R Ambedkar on his 134th birth anniversary. Several functions will be organised throughout the country to mark the occasion. The main function will be held at the Parliament House Lawn where floral tributes will be paid to him at his Statue. President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar greeted the people on the eve of the birth anniversary of Dr B.R. Ambedkar. In a message, the President said, Babasaheb Ambedkar, a pioneer of social change and a versatile personality, made exceptional contributions to the country and society as a jurist, educationist, economist, social reformer and a political leader.
In his message, the Vice President said, Dr. Ambedkar, a great son of Bharat, was not only the architect of the Indian Constitution but also a champion of social justice. He added that his relentless efforts towards eradicating social inequalities and discrimination continue to inspire generations.
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The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) flagged several human rights violations in the Sandeshkhali case in its spot enquiry report in West Bengal. The Commission in its report revealed several instances of atrocities inflicted upon the victims, which demonstrate, prima facie, that there was a violation of human rights due to negligence in the prevention of such incidents. It also observed that pervasive fear of reprisal, coupled with the power dynamics at play, acted as a formidable barrier, preventing these individuals from voicing their grievances.
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In Israel, air raid sirens sounded across the country early this morning after Iran launched hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. The attack marked the first time Iran has launched a direct military assault on Israel, despite decades of enmity dating back to the country’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.
The Israeli military’s spokesman, said Iran fired scores of drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles with the vast majority intercepted outside Israel’s borders. He said warplanes intercepted over 10 cruise missiles alone, also outside Israeli airspace. He said a handful of missiles managed to land in Israel. Rescuers said one strike critically injured a 10-year-old girl in a Bedouin Arab town in southern Israel, while another missile struck an army base, causing light damage but no injuries. US forces downed some of the Iran-launched drones flying toward Israel, according to US defence officials.
Many countries and the United Nations chiefs have condemned the attack. Meanwhile, Iran seized a commercial ship with links to Israel as it passed through the Strait of Hormuz yesterday. The MSC Aries was boarded by Iranian special forces about 80 km off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, a statement from the vessel’s operator MSC said. The Portuguese-flagged ship is linked to Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer. Out of 25 members on the ship seized by Iran, 17 are Indian.
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Vishu, the Malayalam New Year, a vibrant and cherished festival is being celebrated with great zeal in Kerala and abroad. Observed on the first day of the Malayalam month of Medam, Vishu marks the beginning of a new year according to the traditional Malayalam calendar. It is a time of joy, anticipation, and renewed hope for an abundant harvest season.
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“Vishu, the festival of harvest and prosperity is the astronomical New Year of Kerala. Lord Krishna is worshipped on this auspicious day, which symbolises abundance in every sense. The day begins with “Vishukkani” the first thing to be seen on this day, in which lord Krishna is adored with kani konna flowers, fruits, vegetables, gold, coins etc..In major temples like Guruvayur, Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple, Sabarimala etc vishu kani and special rituals are being held today, where large number of devotees are flocking from early morning today. The day is marked with, Vishu kaineettam, special sadya,lights,family get together filling the atmosphere with joy and hope for a great year ahead. Mayusha for Akashvani News from Thiruvananthapuram.”
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In IPL Cricket, Rajasthan Royals beat Punjab Kings by three wickets at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh yesterday. Put into bat first, Punjab Kings scored 147 for eight in 20 overs.
In reply, Rajasthan Royals overhauled the target for the loss of seven wickets in 19.5 overs.
Today, Kolkata Knight Riders will lock horns with Lucknow Super Giants at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The match will begin at 3:30 in the afternoon.
Another match will be played between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The match will start at 7:30 in the evening.
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Indian wrestler Radhika won the silver medal in the women’s 68kg category at the Asian Wrestling Championships 2024 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on Saturday.
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NOW, FOR A LOOK AT TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS,
- The Indian Express states a long pending plan of the Army to raise a new division under Northern Command. The headline writes “Eye on eastern Ladakh, New Army division likely to be raised this year.’
- “Israel-Iran tensions may send fares of Europe flights soaring” reports The Times of India.
- Flying time to get longer as “Flights skip Iran airspace amid tension in West asia” reports The Asian Age.
- “Bournvita, other brands to lose ‘Health Drink’ status” states The Economic Times referring to the Commerce Ministry directing e-commerce platforms to scrap the segment.
- According to an Asian Development Bank report ” Pakistan has highest living cost in all of Asia with a 25 percent inflation rate” cites The Sunday Pioneer.,
- And Finally, Delhi’s first electronic waste eco-park to collect, process and recycle e-waste to be set up soon. Hindustan Times writes “Industries department finalises plan for 21 acre facility for e-waste.”
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN.
- Hectic campainging for first phase of Lok sabha polls continues with top leaders of ruling and opposition alliances leaving no effort to woo voters.
- BJP to release its Election manifesto this morning; Congress releases another list of 16 candidates for Lok Sabha elections.
- Nation pays homage to Chief Architect of the Indian Constitution Dr BR Ambedkar on his birth anniversary today.
- Iran launches drone attack on Israel, also captures a cargo ship with seventeen Indian crew on board.
- And in IPL Cricket, Rajasthan Royals defeat Punjab Kings by three wickets at Mohali last night.
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