THE HEADLINES,

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi calls for cooperation between India and Central Asian nations.

• Prime Minister to address NCC PM Rally in New Delhi today.

• 95 percent of India's eligible adult population administered first dose of Covid vaccine.

• Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to interact with Health Ministers of southern states to review Corona situation today.

• Tamil Nadu eases Covid restrictions; Sunday lockdown and Night curfew  lifted.

• Exports of electronic goods register 49 percent surge between April and December 2021.

• South Korea to take on Japan in Women’s Asia Cup Hockey final at Muscat in Oman today.

• And, Men's Singles semi-final matches to be played today at Australian Open Tennis in Melbourne.

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As the number of COVID-19 cases is rising fast in several parts of the country, we appeal to our listeners to be vigilant and to get fully vaccinated and help others including children between 15 and 18 years get vaccinated.

With the new Omicron variant of corona virus causing concern, Please continue to follow these three simple steps to stay safe:-

• Wear a face mask.

• Maintain Do Gaz Ki Doori for social distancing.

• Focus on hand and face hygiene.

For any COVID-related information and guidance contact National helpline numbers -- 011-23978046 and 1075.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said, Central Asia is central to India's vision of an integrated and stable extended neighbourhood. In his opening remarks at the first India-Central Asia Summit held virtually yesterday, Mr Modi stated that they have similar concerns for regional security and are concerned about the developments in Afghanistan. He stressed that this mutual cooperation has become more important in this context for regional security and stability.

The Prime Minister highlighted three main objectives of the Summit. Mr Modi said, diplomatic relations between India and Central Asian nations have completed 30 fruitful years. He said, this cooperation has received many successes over the past three decades and that it is time to define an ambitious vision for the coming years as well. Presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan participated in the Summit.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the National Cadet Corps PM Rally at Cariappa Ground in Delhi today. The Rally is the culmination of NCC Republic Day Camp and is held on 28th January every year. At the event, the Prime Minister will inspect the Guard of Honour, review March Past by NCC contingents and also witness the NCC cadets displaying their skills in army action, slithering, microlight flying, parasailing as well as cultural programmes. The best cadets will receive medal and baton from the Prime Minister.

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Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has said that 95 per cent of India's eligible adult population has been administered the first dose of the COVID vaccine. In a tweet, Mr Mandaviya has congratulated the nation for the remarkable achievement. He said, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, hard work of health workers and public participation, the country was continuously moving forward in its vaccine campaign.

Mr Mandaviya will chair a high-level virtual meeting with the health ministers of southern states and union territories today to review the COVID-19 situation. He will also review public health preparedness as well as response measures being taken in the context of Omicron variant. The health ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, Lakshadweep, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andaman and Nicobar Islands will attend the meeting. The meeting will also be attended by senior health officials.

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The Home Ministry has asked all states and UTs to issue necessary directions to the concerned authorities for effective management of COVID in wake of rising cases. Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla has written to chief secretaries of all States and UTs, saying all States and UTs must observe precautions and not let their guard down. Due to the current COVID wave led by the new variant, Omicron, there has been a rise in number of cases across the country and the active cases have increased to over 22 lakh. The letter stated that though the majority of active cases are recovering fast and a low percentage of cases are in hospitals, it is still a matter of concern that 407 districts in 34 states and UTs are reporting a positivity rate of more than ten per cent. It said there is  therefore a need to exercise caution and vigilance.

The Union Home Secretary also emphasised that there should be continued focus on the five fold strategy of Test-Track-Treat-Vaccination and adherence to COVID appropriate behaviour. The state enforcement machinery has been asked to strictly enforce the norms of COVid appropriate behaviour like wearing masks, and maintaining safe social distancing in all public areas and gatherings.

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India’s Covid vaccination coverage has crossed 164 crore 35 lakh mark. Union Health Ministry said, more than 49 lakh 69 thousand vaccine doses were administered yesterday. It said, more than one crore precautionary doses have been administered to the eligible beneficiaries so far. Health Ministry said that over 93 crore 50 lakh vaccine doses have been administered as first dose and more than 69 crore 82 lakh vaccine doses given as second doses.

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Tamil Nadu government has eased Covid restrictions in the states as daily cases decline. The State government announced that the night curfew will be lifted from today. Sunday lockdown have also been lifted. The government has decided to reopen physical classes for students of Classes 1 to 12 from February 1st. However, ban on cultural festivals and political meetings will continue. Hotels and restaurants have been allowed to operate with 50 per cent capacity. Only 100 people will now be allowed at marriage functions, while funerals will be allowed with 50 people. As per the new order, beauty parlours, salons, multiplexes, gyms and clubs are allowed to operate with 50 per cent of the occupancy.

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BJP has released third list of three candidates for Punjab assembly elections. Dr Jagmohan Singh Raju will contest as BJP candidate against Punjab Congress Chief Navjot Sidhu and SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia in Amritsar East assembly seat. Earlier yesterday, the party announced a list of 27 candidates for Punjab. Former Union Minister, Vijay Sampla will contest from Phagwara assembly seat. National Commission for Minorities Chairman Iqbal Singh Lalpura will be the BJP candidate from Rupnagar assembly seat. Meanwhile, Congress has fielded Ranjit Rane from Poriem assembly seat in Goa replacing former Chief Minister Pratapsingh Rane.

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In Uttar Pradesh, a total of 623 candidates are in fray for the First Phase of the Assembly elections. 58 constituencies spread across 11 districts of Western UP will go to polls in this phase on 10th of February. Filing nominations for the Second Phase will end today. The Second Phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh will be conducted on 14th February in 55 Assembly Constituencies from nine districts. Nomination process for the Third Phase of polling on 20th of February is also underway.

The process of filing of nominations for the Fourth Phase began yesterday. A total of 14 nominations were filed on the first day. The last date of filing nominations for this phase is 3rd of February. Scrutiny will be held on 4th February and the last date of withdrawal of the candidature is 7th of February. The Fourth Phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh will be held on 23rd February in 59 Assembly Constituencies spread over nine districts including 16 ACs reserved for the Scheduled Castes.

In addition, Single-Phase polling in the two states of Goa and Uttarakhand will be held simultaneously. Forty seats in Goa and 70 seats in Uttarakhand will go to polls together in this phase. For this phase, nominations can be filed till today and scrutiny will be undertaken on 29th January. Last date for withdrawal of name will be 31st January.

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The BJP has criticized former Vice-President, Hamid Ansari for his remarks on cultural nationalism. Talking to media in New Delhi, senior party leader and Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi condemned his remarks. Mr Naqvi said, it is unfortunate that when the country was celebrating Republic Day, a person who once occupied important constitutional position was addressing an event organised by a platform that works against India. The minister said the event was organised by a group that had a link with SIMI and ISI. Mr Naqvi said, it would have been better if Mr Ansari would have spoken about the kind of abuse the minorities face in the country which sponsors Indian American Muslim Council.

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Commerce and Industry Ministry said that electronic goods export has registered a tremendous growth of 49 per cent between April to December 2021. During the same period in the year 2020, 7.4 billion US dollar worth of electronic goods were exported while in 2021, electronic items worth of 11 billion dollar were exported. Maximum 18 per cent of electronic goods items were exported to USA followed by UAE.

The Ministry said, electronic goods exports touched 1.67 billion US dollar in December last year registering a growth of 33.99 per cent over 1.25 billion US dollar logged in December 2020. Mobile phones constitute a major chunk of export. Other items likelaptops, tablets, TV, Industrial electronics, Auto electronics, Electronic components, LED Lighting, Strategic electronics, wearables and hearables, and telecom equipment were also exported.

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The Union Budget 2022-23 will be presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on 1st of next month in a paperless form. The Budget would also be available on the Mobile App after the completion of Budget presentation process. A Union Budget Mobile App was also launched for hassle-free access of budget documents by Members of Parliament and the public. The mobile App allows complete access to 14 Union Budget documents, including the Budget Speech, Annual Financial Statement commonly known as Budget and Demand for Grants. The mobile app is available on both Android and iOS platforms. The App can also be downloaded from the Union Budget Web Portal www.indiabudget.gov.in. The budget documents will also be available for download by the general public on Union Budget Web Portal www.indiabudget.gov.in. In a historic move, the Union Budget of 2021-22 was delivered in paperless form for the first time.

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Air India has been officially handed over to Tata Sons Limited. The Tata Group takes over the management and control of the airline. The transaction covers three entities, Air India, Air India Express and AI SATS. 

Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said, it is indeed noteworthy that the disinvestment process of Air India has been brought to a successful conclusion in a time-bound manner. He said, this proves the Government's ability and resolve to carry out disinvestment effectively in non-strategic sectors in the future.

Department of Investment and Public Asset Management Secretary Tuhin Kant Pandey said that the strategic disinvestment transaction of Air India successfully concluded with transfer of 100 per cent shares of Air India to Talace Private Limited along with management control. He said a new Board, led by the Strategic Partner, took charge of Air India.

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Power Minister RK Singh has stressed on the need to establish energy storage systems on a wide scale in the country. He said that Energy Storage System shall be an integral part of the power system under the Electricity Act and setting up of standalone storage system should be made as a delicensed activity. The minister said this while interacting with renewable energy developers, industry leaders and various government representatives to discuss the elements of the draft Policy on Energy Storage system to promote the creation of storage systems. The policy aims at creation of technology-agnostic storage system across the value chain of the electricity sector.

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And now, let's listen to our special programme, 'Azadi ka Safar' highlighting the importance of the day during the freedom struggle. 

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Best wishes to all consumers for Azaadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. Hallmark ensures purity of Gold. Always purchase Hallmarked Gold Jewellery. For any consumer related complaints, please contact National Consumer Helpline's Toll free no 14404. Issued in Public Interest by Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India. Jago Grahak Jago.

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In Assam, two militants outfit Tiwa Liberation Army and United Gorkha People’s Organization laid down arms in front of Chief Minister Himanata Biswa Sarma. A total of 77 members of Tiwa Liberation Army from various districts of Assam surrendered yesterday. On the other hand, 169 cadres of the United Gorkha People’s Organization laid down arms.

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In Kerala, four wagons of a goods train derailed near Aluva Railway station last night disrupting rail traffic. One of the two tracks was restored for traffic early this morning. Efforts are on to restore rail traffic on the second line. The train was carrying 42 wagons of cement from Yerraguntala in Andhra Pradesh to Kollam in Kerala.

Five trains including the Guruvayoor-Thiruvananthapuram Intercity and the Ernakulam-Kannur Intercity were cancelled following the derailment. The Ernakulam-Pune Express has been rescheduled to begin its journey at 8.15 this morning and will be running three hours late.

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Russia has said it was clear the United States was not willing to address its main security concerns in their standoff over Ukraine, but kept the door open for further dialogue. The United States and NATO submitted a written response yesterday to the demands Russia has made for a redrawing of post-Cold War security arrangements in Europe since it massed troops near Ukraine, prompting Western fears of an invasion.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow needed time to review the response and would not rush to conclusions, but that US and NATO statements describing Russia's main demands as unacceptable did not leave much room for optimism. The nuanced Kremlin reaction made clear that Russia was not rejecting the US and NATO responses out of hand or closing the door to diplomacy.

US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland has said the United States hoped Russia would study what Washington had offered and come back to the table. The Russian foreign ministry said the best way to reduce tensions was for NATO to withdraw forces from eastern Europe, but also sought to quash fears of an invasion.

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South Korea will take on Japan in the final of Women’s Asia Cup Hockey at Muscat in Oman today. South Korea entered the final beating defending champions India 3-2, while Japan defeated China 2-1 to enter the final. India will play China in the third-fourth place play-off match today.

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In Australian Open Tennis, second seed Daniil Medvedev will take on fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas while world number seven Matteo Berrettini will lock horns with 20-time Grand Slam Champion Rafael Nadal in Men's Singles semi-finals in Melbourne today. 

In women's singles final, top seed Ashleigh Barty will take on Danielle Collins tomorrow. Yesterday, Barty defeated Madison Keys 6-1, 6-3 while Danielle Collins stunned Poland's Iga Swiatek with 6-4, 6-1 victory. Barty is the first Australian woman to reach the singles final of her home Grand Slam tournament since Wendy Turnbull in 1980. 

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Take a look at the weather forecast for today.

Srinagar will have partly cloudy sky. Temperature will hover between minus one and 11 degree Celsius.

Jammu will have mainly Clear sky. The minimum temperature was 6 degree Celsius while the maximum will be around 19 degrees.

Leh is likely to witness generally cloudy sky. The minimum and maximum temperature will hover between minus 14 and minus two degree Celsius.

Gilgit will have partly cloudy sky. The temperature will hover between three and 13 degree Celsius.

Muzaffarabad will have partly cloudy sky becoming generally cloudy towards afternoon or evening or night. The minimum temperature was four degree Celsius and maximum will be around 17 degrees.

The National Capital Delhi is likely to have shallow fog. The temperature will vary between six and 19 degree Celsius.

Mumbai will have mainly clear sky. The minimum temperature was 19 degree Celsius while the maximum is expected to be around 30 degrees.

Chennai is likely to generally cloudy sky with light rain. The temperature will vary between 23 and 31 degree Celsius.

Kolkata will have mainly clear sky. The city observed minimum temperature of 12 degree Celsius and a maximum of around 21 degrees. 

Bengaluru will have fog/mist in the morning and partly cloudy sky later. The minimum temperature was 18 degree Celsius and maximum will be around 28 degrees.

Hyderabad had fog/mist in the morning and mainly clear sky later. Temperature will hover between 16 and 28 degree Celsius. 

Imphal will have generally cloudy sky with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers. The city observed minimum temperature of five degree celsius and a maximum of around 21 degrees.

Shillong will have fog/mist in the morning and mainly clear sky later. The temperature will hover between six and 16 degree Celsius.

Itanagar will have generally cloudy sky with light rain. Temperature will hover between nine and 24 degree Celsius. 

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NEWSPAPERS HEADLINE:

• All the dailies have referred the homecoming of AirIndia to the Tata hangar. The Indian Express says "Its handover complete, Air india returns to Tata home after 69 years."

• "At Central asia meet, PM talks of 30 year plan on trade, connectivity" writes The Tribune.

• Hindustan Times headline cites "Government considers direct welfare transfer, job guarantee scheme for urban poor in budget."

• The Economic Times reports "Pay hikes may go back to pre-covid levels" spurred by the great resignation wave.

• As the Covid cases are plateauing "Delhi lifts Covid curbs on markets; Cinemas, eateries can run at 50 percent" reports The Pioneer. The paper adds "Night curfew to continue, call on reopening schools in next meeting."

• "As a homage to freedom fighters and to instill Deshbhakti "115 feet high Tricolours come up at 75 spots" in the national capital, writes The Times of India.

• And Finally, The Hindu mentions about the Captain of India's 1964 Tokyo Olympics gold medal-winning hockey team passing away at the age of 92 under the headline "Hockey legend Charanjit Singh passes away."

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