THE HEADLINES:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates and lays foundation stone of various projects of Shrimad Rajchandra Mission at Dharampur in Valsad district of Gujarat; Says people who have devoted their lives to the empowerment of women, tribal, and deprived segments are keeping conscience of the country alive.

• DRDO successfully test fires indigenously developed laser-guided Anti-Tank Guided Missiles from Main Battle Tank Arjun.

• Indian Navy's all women crew creates history by completing first independent maritime surveillance mission over Arabian Sea.

• ISRO to launch its smallest rocket on Sunday to unfurl Tricolour in Space.

• RBI to announce its bi-monthly monetary policy today.

• Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut's wife Varsha Raut summoned by ED in Patra Chawl scam.

• US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi meets Japanese Prime Minister  Fumio Kishida in Tokyo amid heightened tension between America and China.

• Sudhir wins India's first Gold medal in Para-Powerlifting at Commonwealth Games; Murali Sreeshankar becomes first Indian to win Silver medal in Men's Long Jump at Commonwealth Games.

• India to take on Bangladesh in final of SAFF Under-20 Football Championship in Bhubaneshwar this evening.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually has inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of various projects of the Shrimad Rajchandra Mission worth more than 300 crore rupees at Dharampur in Gujarat. Addressing the gathering yesterday, the Prime Minister said, the initiatives by the Shrimad Rajchandra Mission in the field of rural healthcare have strengthened the Vision of a ‘Healthy India’. He said, the modern healthcare facilities started by the Mission will benefit the rural, poor and the tribal people of South Gujarat.

On the occasion, Mr Modi also recalled the spiritual association of Mahatma Gandhi with Rajchandra Ji. He appealed to the citizens to take the COVID-19 booster dose being given free across the country as a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

While laying the foundation stone of Shrimad Rajchandra Centre of Excellence for Women, the Prime Minister said, Shrimad, Rajchandra ji was very much insistent on the empowerment of daughters through education and skills. Mr. Modi emphasised that it is the responsibility of all of us to bring women's power in the country to the fore in the form of national power in the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

The Prime Minister said that such people who have devoted their lives to the empowerment of women, tribal people and deprived segments are keeping the consciousness of the country alive.

The Prime Minister remarked that the Central Government is trying to remove every obstacle that is being faced by our sisters and daughters, which prevents them from progressing.

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The indigenously developed Laser-Guided Anti-Tank Guided Missiles were successfully test-fired from Main Battle Tank Arjun by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Army at KK Ranges with support of Armoured Corps Centre and School Ahmednagar in Maharashtra yesterday. The missiles hit with precision and successfully destroyed the targets at two different ranges. Telemetry systems recorded the satisfactory flight performance of the missiles.

The Anti-Tank Guided Missile has been developed with multi-platform launch capability. It is currently undergoing technical evaluation trials from 120 mm rifled gun of Main Battle Tank Arjun.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has complimented the DRDO and the Indian Army for successful performance of the Laser Guided Anti-Tank Guided Missiles.

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Indian Navy’s women officers have created history after they completed the first-ever all-women independent maritime reconnaissance and surveillance mission in the North Arabian Sea onboard a Dornier 228 aircraft. The mission was carried out by five officers of the Indian Navy Air Squadron 314 based at the Naval Air Enclave at Gujarat’s Porbandar. The aircraft was captained by the Mission Commander, Lieutenant Commander Aanchal Sharma, who had pilots, Lieutenant Shivangi and Lieutenant Apurva Gite, and Tactical and Sensor Officers, Lieutenant Pooja Panda and Sub Lieutenant Pooja Shekhawat in her team. The INAS 314 is a frontline Naval Air Squadron based at Porbandar, Gujarat. This “first-of-its-kind military flying mission” is expected to pave the way for women officers in the aviation cadre to assume greater responsibility and aspire for more challenging roles.

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The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch its smallest commercial rocket on Sunday to unfurl the Tricolour in space. The launch will take place from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 9:18 am. ISRO chairman S Somanath has called the new satellite a “game changer” that will drive India’s dreams of breaking into the lucrative and booming small satellite launch market.

On August 15, 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had made an announcement that the Tricolour will be unfurled in space during India’s 75th year of Independence. 

To mark country’s celebrations of ‘Azaadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, the SSLV will have a co-passenger satellite called ‘AzaadiSAT’ comprising 75 payloads built by 750 young girl students from 75 rural government schools across India. This project was specially conceptualised for the 75th Independence Day year celebrations to encourage a scientific temper and create opportunities for young girls to choose space research as their career.

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Har Ghar Tiranga Campaign is gaining momentum in Maharashtra as the preparations are underway to make the citizens aware about this campaign. Our correspondent reports that various programmes are being organised in the state in this regard.

"The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC has decided to distribute the national flag in each and every house of Mumbai. The BMC has placed an order of 35 lakh national flags and accordingly 10 lakh flags have been received. A special car rally was organised by Solapur RTO office and driving school association where the cars were seen carrying banners of Har Ghar Tiranga Campaign to create awareness about it. In Nandurbar district, District collector Manisha Khatri launched a special campaign to paste stickers of patriotic messages on Auto Rickshaws in the district. Shailesh Patil, Air News, Mumbai".

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur and Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr. L. Murugan will launch the serial Swaraj - Bharat Ke Swatantrata Sangram ki Samagra Gatha in New Delhi today. 

On 15th of last month, Mr Thakur had launched the promo of the serial. It will be telecast on Doordarshan from 14th of this month. The 75 episode serial will highlight the contribution of the freedom fighters and the unsung heroes of the freedom struggle. This serial will also be broadcast on All India Radio.

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Today is the third anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370. It is on this day in August, 2019, when provisions of Article 370, which gave special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir,  was abrogated by the Union Government. The State was further divided into two Union Territories- Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

Earlier, Jammu and Kashmir was the only state in the country with its separate constitution as per the provisions mentioned in Article 370, a 'temporary provision' that grants special autonomous status to the State.

After the revocation of Article 370, all Central laws and various welfare schemes are applicable there and the decision has also paved way for attracting investment in the region which in turn has brought in development.

In a tweet, Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy said, thanks to Narendra Modi Government’s transformational initiatives like Abrogation of Article 370, Tourism in Jammu and Kashmir gets a Big Boost. He said, there has been a record footfall of tourists at airports and tourist places in Jammu and Kashmir and over 79 lakh Tourists visited there between October 2021 and March 2022.

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The News Services Division of All India Radio will bring you a special programme entitled "Jammu and Kashmir - Ek Nayi Subah; Naya Daur, Nayi Umang, Nayi Ummede" in the programme 'Spotlight' tonight.

This can be heard on FM Gold Channel and additional frequencies from 09.15 p.m. onwards. This will also be available on our website NEWS ON AIR DOT GOV DOT IN and on our YouTube Channel NEWS ON AIR OFFICIAL.

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India will complete 75 years of its Independence on 15th of this month. This year, the Independence Day will take place amidst the ongoing Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations.

In the run-up to the Independence Day celebration, All India Radio News is running a special series from today India@75. Today, the theme is India's vibrant Democracy. 

"India is a robust and vibrant democracy. The Indian Constitution enshrines the fundamental rights of citizens irrespective of caste, creed and religion. A remarkable Constitution, well-developed democratic institutions and true participation by the people in social governance are the hallmarks of this democracy.

Addressing the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly, UNGA last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that India is a shining example of vibrant democracy. He said, it is a country that has dozens of languages, hundreds of dialects, different lifestyles and cuisines. The Prime Minister said, he represents a country which is proud to be known as the mother of democracy and cited his own rise from a tea seller at a railway station to that as prime minister to underscore the strength of India's democracy.

We Indians feel proud of our democracy wherever we live and every Indian can say with pride that India is the mother of democracy. India's diversity is the identity of it strong democracy. India as the world's largest democracy and perhaps the most vibrant one is indeed exceptional. With DIPENDRA, ANUPAM MISHRA, AIR NEWS, DELHI."

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The Reserve Bank of India will announce its bi-monthly Monetary Policy today. Experts believe that the RBI is likely to increase the repo rate by 25 to 50 basis points to check retail inflation. Repo rate refers to the rate at which commercial banks borrow money from the Reserve Bank. If the central bank increases repo rate, the cost of borrowing for retail and other loans by the banks, also goes up. Banks will pass on the rising cost to the borrowers by hiking the interest rates of loans. The RBI has raised repo rates twice since May this year to 90 basis points.

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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned the wife of arrested Shiv Sena leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut for her statement in the Patra Chawl case. The central probe agency, said summons have been issued after transactions done on Varsha Raut’s account came to light. The development comes after a special court extended till Monday the ED custody of Sanjay Raut. The ED had arrested him on Sunday midnight in connection with over one thousand crore Patra chawl land scam.

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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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In Nepal, general elections will be held in a single phase on November 20 this year. The decision to this effect was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba yesterday.

The Himalayan nation will hold the elections of the members of the House of Representatives and Provincial Assembly on November 20.

There are a total of 275 seats in the House of Representatives, out of which 165 members are directly elected, while the remaining 110 are elected through the proportional representation.

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US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has met with Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo this morning. The meeting between the two leaders comes amid heightened tensions between China and the United States. She arrived in Japan on the final leg of her trip to Asia.

Ms Pelosi and a US congressional delegation visited Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, and South Korea earlier this week. She began the key tour from Singapore on Monday after that, she arrived in Taiwan for a less than 24-hour stay, which flared up tensions with China.

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The United States has declared monkeypox a public health emergency, as the country's outbreak has grown into the largest in the world. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said they are prepared to take their response to the next level in addressing this virus.

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In the Commonwealth Games, Para-powerlifter Sudhir has clinched Gold medal in the Men's Heavyweight final with the best weight of 212kg. Sudhir won India's first gold in Para-Powerlifting at Commonwealth Games last night. He defeated Nigeria's Ikechukwu Obichukwu by 0.9 points as his final score read a Games record 134.5 points for the gold.

Murali Sreeshankar clinched a historic silver medal for India with a best jump of 8.08 meter in the men's long jump. This is the first long jump silver won by an Indian male player in the history of Commonwealth Games.

India's Rohit Tokas stormed into the semifinals of the Welterweight boxing category with an emphatic 5-0 win over Niue's Xavier Mata'afa-Ikinofo. With this victory, Tokas confirmed India's seventh medal in boxing.

Earlier in the day, Super Heavyweight boxer Sagar Ahlawat also ensured a medal for the nation after winning his 92kg quarter-final.

In men's hockey with the help of Hat-trick by Harmanpreet, India defeated Wales by 4-1 and entered in semifinal.

So far, India have won 20 medals, which include 6 Gold, 7 Silver and 7 Bronze.

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President Droupadi Murmu has congratulated Sudhir for his historic feat in winning gold in para-powerlifting in Commonwealth Games. In a tweet, Ms Murmu said, his spirited performance and dedication has brought him the medal and glory for India.

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Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur has congratulated Sudhir on winning Gold Medal in Para Powerlifting at the Commonwealth Games. In a tweet, Mr Thakur said, Sudhir, yet another athlete from Haryana makes a mark on the world stage. 

Congratulating M Sreeshankar on winning Silver medal at the Commonwealth Games, Mr Thakur said, a medal in long jump won after four decades, it is indeed a historic day for sports in India.

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Favourite India will take on Bangladesh in the final of the SAFF under-20 football Championship at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar today. The summit clash will start at 7 this evening. Bangladesh and India finished first and second respectively after their round robin league engagements.

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As heavy rains continue unabated in most parts of Kerala, the spillway of the Mullaperiyar Dam is likely to be opened this morning. Tamil Nadu Government has informed the Idukki district administration that it will open the spillway at 10 in the morning. With the water level in the dam touching 136 feet yesterday,  authorities sounded the first warning.

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TODAY'S NEWSPAPERS HEADLINE:

All the dailies have mentioned on Beijing's 'unprecedented' response after US speaker's Taipei visit. "China conducts missile strikes over Taiwan strait day after Pelosi's visit" reports The Pioneer.

 Hindustan Times says " CJI Ramana recommends UU Lalit as his successor." The Indian Express adds " Elevated from bar, Justice Lalit was on bench in key cases like Triple Talaq and POCSO."

The Economic Times notes "Government looks to table Data Bill soon, Draft at advanced stage."

Another headline in Hindustan Times refers to "Centre holding expert meet on Monkey pox plan."

The Times of India carries an inspiring story under the headline "City gurudwara home away from home for Afghanistan sikhs seeking refuge."

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates and lays foundation stone of various projects of Shrimad Rajchandra Mission at Dharampur in Valsad district of Gujarat; Says people who have devoted their lives to the empowerment of women, tribal, and deprived segments are keeping conscience of the country alive.

• DRDO successfully test fires indigenously developed laser-guided Anti-Tank Guided Missiles from Main Battle Tank Arjun.

• Indian Navy's all women crew creates history by completing first independent maritime surveillance mission over Arabian Sea.

• ISRO to launch its smallest rocket on Sunday to unfurl Tricolour in Space.

• RBI to announce its bi-monthly monetary policy today.

• Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut's wife Varsha Raut summoned by ED in Patra Chawl scam.

• US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi meets Japanese Prime Minister  Fumio Kishida in Tokyo amid heightened tension between America and China.

• Sudhir wins India's first Gold medal in Para-Powerlifting at Commonwealth Games; Murali Sreeshankar becomes first Indian to win Silver medal in Men's Long Jump at Commonwealth Games.

• And, India to take on Bangladesh in final of SAFF Under-20 Football Championship in Bhubaneshwar this evening.

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