THE HEADLINES:

• Political parties go all out to woo voters for first phase of Gujarat assembly elections; Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address three rallies.

• Prime Minister to share his thoughts in Mann Ki Baat programme at 11 this morning.

• Centre working to improve connectivity and infrastructure in Northeast region, says External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

• In Cricket, rain interrupts second ODI between India and New Zealand in Hamilton.

• And, in FIFA World Cup, France defeat Denmark, 2-1 to become first team to qualify for knockout stage; Argentina beat Mexico 2-Nil in group-stage fixture.

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In Gujarat, campaigning continues in full swing for the first phase of assembly election. Political parties are going all out to woo the voters. Senior BJP leader and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address rallies at Netrang and Kheda today. Mr. Modi will also address a public meeting in Surat after holding a road show. Home Minister Amit Shah will hold election meetings at various places. Union Minister Anurag Thakur will address a press conference in Ahmedabad. Apart from this, senior party leaders and Union Ministers Smriti Irani and Parshottam Rupala will hold public meetings and road shows at various places. On the other hand, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge will address meetings in Dediapada and Bapunagar today. Senior party leader and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot will also campaign in the state. National Convenor of Aam Aadmi Party Arvind Kejriwal will address a press conference in Surat and lead a road show for party candidates.

Polling in the first phase in Gujarat will be held on 1st of December while voting in the second phase will take place on 5th of next month. Counting of votes will be held on 8th of December

Our correspondent reports that eco-friendly polling booths will be set up in the state to spread the message about the conservation of environment.

The Election Commission has set up 180 eco-friendly polling booths in 33 districts during the assembly elections. It has been ensured that the material used in these polling booths does not contain the banned plastic material. The Election commission has also instructed all political parties not to use single-use plastic and materials that adversely affect the environment during election campaigns. Due to this order, political parties are using more publicity materials made by cloth and paper instead of plastic. Even single use plastic items are rarely being seen at the offices of the party candidates. With Aparna Khunt from Ahmedabad,  Jitendra Dwivedi,  AIR News, Junagadh.

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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 All India Radio at 11 AM today. It will be the 95th episode of the monthly radio programme.

The programme will be broadcast on the entire network of All India Radio 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. AIR will broadcast the programme in regional languages immediately after the Hindi broadcast.

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Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said, that the Rabi area coverage in the country so far has increased by over 24 lakh hectares over last year. He said, the wheat coverage has increased by over 14 lakh hectares as compared to the corresponding period of last year which is the highest ever since last four years.

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The Government has invited ideas and suggestions from people for the Union Budget 2023-24. To foster the spirit of Jan Bhagidari, the Finance Ministry invites suggestions from citizens every year to make the Budget making process participative and inclusive. It urged people to share their ideas and suggestions that can help transform India into a global economic powerhouse with inclusive growth. The last date for submissions is 10th of next month. 

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Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said that Bengaluru will host a meeting of G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors in February next year during India’s tenure as the President of the G20 grouping. The Minister was speaking at the Vananam Startup Inclusivity Summit in Bengaluru yesterday. Mr Sitharaman has asked the Start ups to utilise this event to showcase their profile to the visiting international guests.

Speaking about other issues, the Minister said, rapid growth in digital transactions has ushered in transparency and empowered customers.

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Prasar Bharati, India’s Public Service Broadcaster, is hosting the 59th Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union General Assembly 2022. The conference began in New Delhi on 25th of November and will continue till 30th of this month. The theme of this year’s assembly is Serving the People: Media’s Role in Times of Crisis. The event coincides with Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to mark the 75th year of the India’s Independence. 

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In Telangana, in a major push for maternal and child care, 56 Targeted Imaging For Foetal Anomalies ultrasound machines have been set up in 40 government hospitals across the state. The machines enable doctors to monitor the foetal growth and detect congenital anomalies at a very early stage so that a right treatment call can be taken. The machines have higher precision than ultrasound examinations and can help detect birth defects in the unborn child in the womb itself.

The new machines have been procured with a cost of 20 crore rupees and will provide scanning services to 20,000 pregnant women in a month.

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External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has said that the central government is working to improve connectivity and infrastructure in the Northeast region. The Minister was speaking at an interactive session on Indian Foreigh Policy organised by Manipur University in Imphal yesterday. Stressing the importance of improving connectivity in the Northeast, Dr Jaishankar said, it would open up a gateway to the wider world and expand its access to global markets and workplace. He spoke about the intensity of the globalised world and it’s impact on their lives and also shared views on how the world perceives India today and the global significance of country's achievements. The Minister reached Imphal yesterday on a three-day visit to Manipur.

Dr Jaishankar also interacted with the business community in Imphal. In a tweet, the Minister said, Modi Government is giving utmost priority to the development of the North East, including Manipur. He said, it is visible in both resources and attention.

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Three movies, starring veteran actor Asha Parekh are being screened at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa as part of the retrospective section. These films are ‘Teesri Manzil’, ‘Do Badan’ and ‘Kati Patang’, which were suggested by Asha Parekh herself as her three favourite movies. The 80-year old Dadasaheb Phalke awardee attended the screening of her film ‘Kati Patang’ at IFFI last night.

Asha Parekh is one of the most decorated actors in the country. She began her career as a child artist under the screen name 'Baby Asha Parekh'. She made her debut in films as the female lead in 'Dil Deke Dekho' in 1959 alongside Shammi Kapoor. She was only 16 at the time. After that, she worked in many hit films like 'Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai', 'Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon', 'Teesri Manzil', 'Baharon Ke Sapne', 'Pyar Ka Mausam', and 'Caravan', to name a few. Asha Parekh used to be called the 'Hit Girl' for giving a series of hit films. She also acted in a few Gujarati films, out of which, 'Akhand Saubhagyavati' was a huge hit. Ashok Shukla, AIR News, Goa.

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In FIFA World Cup Football, France defeated Denmark 2-1 in their Group D encounter, becoming the first team to seal a spot in the Round of 16 in Qatar last night. In the other fixture, Argentina thrashed Mexico 2-0 in their Group C clash. Here is a report in detail on the two fixtures.

Before the match,Argentina's coach Scaloni had said his team would leave everything in the pitch and the players were ready break their backs for a win. And, yes Argentina did. Lionel Messi broke the deadlock with a beautiful finish outside the box. He received Di Maria's pass and slotted his effort past Ochoa and opened the scoring before Enzo Fernandez added another as Argentina defeated Mexico 2-0 in a Group C match to stay alive in the tournament. On the other hand Mexico frustrated them for the majority of the match, before Messi produced a moment of brilliance to turn the tide at the Lusail Stadium. With the goal, the 35-year-old  Messi took his goal tally to eight, going level with the two-time World Cup winner Maradona and Cristiano Ronaldo, who also got to that feat. Mexico now need to win at all costs - and likely by several goals - against Saudi Arabia in the group finale to have a chance of advancing. Messi’s quest to win the World Cup is renewed thanks to the victory over Mexico. In another match, Kylian Mbappe who in in a sublime form in this edition, scored twice as France became the first team to enter the Round of 16 of the World Cup with a 2-1 victory over Denmark. With Pratyush Ghosh's report, this is Swati Rakheja from Sports Desk.

Australia and Poland registered victories in their respective games to move to the next stage.

Australia beat Tunisia 1-0 in a Group D match while in another fixture, Poland overcame a resolute Saudi Arabia to secure a 2-nil win, to top the Group C.

Today, in the first match of the day, Japan will take on Costa Rica in Group E clash at 3:30 PM. In Group F fixtures, Belgium will meet Morocco at 6:30 PM while Croatia will lock horns with Canada at 9:30 PM.

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In Cricket, New Zealand won the toss and opted to field against India in the second One Day International of three-match series at Seddon Park in Hamilton this morning. However, even before the first five overs could be completed, rain forced umpires to call for covers. India were 22 for no loss in 4.5 overs when rain stopped the play. 

The hosts took a 1-nil lead in three match series registering a comfortable victory against India in the first ODI by seven wickets at Auckland on Friday. The third match will be played on Wednesday at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

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Indian boxers Vishwanath Suresh, Vanshaj and Devika Ghorpade registered 5-0 wins in their respective finals to clinch three gold medals at the IBA Youth Men's and Women's World Boxing Championships in La Nucia, Spain yesterday.

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The National Cadet Corps (NCC) is celebrating 74th anniversary of its Raising Day today. This largest uniformed youth organisation in the world was raised in 1948. The day is being celebrated all over the country with cadets participating in march past, cultural activities and social development programmes.

The multifaceted activities and varied curriculum of the NCC, provides unique opportunities to the youth for self-development. Many cadets have made the Nation and the organisation proud through their remarkable achievements in the field of sports and adventure. The NCC has also been a platform for harnessing international relations for over four decades by sending its cadets as ambassadors of peace and unity to over 25 nations.

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AND NOW, AN OVERVIEW OF TODAY'S NEWSPAPERS,

• On the Constitition Day the Prime Minister calls on citizens to give priority to fundamental duties. Quoting the PM, Hindustan Times writes "Constitution is India's biggest strength."

• "Birth certificate to be made mandatory for jobs, driving licence, passport, voting right" cites The Hindu.

• All the dailies have mentioned about  the 40 point manifesto of BJP for the upcoming assembly elections promising "UCC, anti-radicalisation cell, 20 lakh jobs in Gujarat" writes The Times of India.

• An Economic Times headline says "Festive season not over for EV companies as sales hit top gear."

• "US scientists develop mRNA-based vaccine against all types of influenza" reports The Sunday Pioneer.

• And Finally, A principal of Shimla school offers incentives to students to do well in their upcoming exams. The Tribune writes " Principal offers free air, rail travel to toppers."

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AND NOW BEFORE WE END THE BULLETIN, THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN.

• Political parties go all out to woo voters for first phase of Gujarat assembly elections; Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address three rallies.

• Prime Minister to share his thoughts in Mann Ki Baat programme at 11 this morning.

• Centre working to improve connectivity and infrastructure in Northeast region, says External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

• In Cricket, rain interrupts second ODI between India and New Zealand in Hamilton.

• And, in FIFA World Cup, France defeat Denmark, 2-1 to become first team to qualify for knockout stage; Argentina beat Mexico 2-Nil in group-stage fixture.

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