Akashvani , National news, All India Radio News

THE HEADLINES:

• India to formally take over the G-20 Presidency tomorrow; Several events to be held across the country; 100 monuments to be illuminated with G-20 logo.

• Voting for first phase of Gujarat Assembly Elections tomorrow; Eighty nine seats spread over 19 districts going to polls.

• President Droupadi Murmu gives away National Sports and Adventure Awards at Rashtrapati Bhawan.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, along with strengthening the culture, festivals and fairs also give impetus to the economy.

• In Cricket, third ODI between India and New Zealand washed out at Christchurch; Hosts clinch the three-match series 1-0.

• And in FIFA World Cup, matches underway between, Tunisia and France and Australia and Denmark.

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India will formally take over the G-20 presidency tomorrow. On the occasion, several events will be held across the country including the lighting of 100 monuments with the G-20 logo. The logo draws inspiration from the vibrant colours of India’s national flag. It juxtaposes planet Earth with India’s national flower Lotus, that reflects growth amid challenges. The Earth reflects India’s pro-planet approach to life, one in perfect harmony with nature. Below the G20 logo is written Bharat, in the Devanagari script. More in this report:

The theme of India’s G20 Presidency is Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam or One Earth One Family One Future. The theme affirms the value of all life - human, animal, plant, and microorganisms and their interconnectedness on the planet Earth and in the wider universe. It will be a big opportunity for India as the country will get a global center stage. During the course of its Presidency, India will be holding about 200 meetings in 32 different sectors in multiple locations across the country. TRIPTI SRIVASTAVA News DESK.

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The G-20 Sherpa meeting will be held at Rajasthan's Udaipur from December 5 to 7. India's Sherpa Amitabh Kant along with senior officials of the Ministry of External Affairs reviewed the arrangements related to the event in Udaipur recently. In a meeting with senior officials, he said that G-20 Sherpa meeting will help in projecting Udaipur as an international tourist destination.

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The Stage is all set for voting tomorrow in Gujarat for the first phase of assembly Elections. Voting will begin from 8 am in the morning for 89 seats spread across 19 districts of Saurashtra, Kutch and South Gujarat.

More than 2 crore 39 lakh voters will decide the fate of 788 candidates who are in the fray for the first phase of the polls. The Election commission has made all the necessary arrangements for the smooth conduct of polls.

Elaborate security arrangements have been made in view of the polls at the polling station. Along with State Police and BSF nearly 70 thousand personnel of paramilitary forces have been deployed to ensure no untoward incident happens during the elections. For the first time, there will be live webcasting in fifty percent of the polling booths to ensure free and fair elections.

Our correspondent informs tomorrow's polls will cover all 15 seats in Surat district. More in this report:

The diamond and textile hub of  Gujarat  also plays an important role in the state politics. 16 seats are at the stake, top leaders of the contesting parties tried to woo the voters. In the last assembly polls, the ruling BJP snatched 15 seats . This time, all the seats have straight or triangular fights among the BJP, Congress and Aam Admi Party. With a massive 34 independent candidates, the Limbayat assembly seat has already hogged the limelight. Among others ,political fate of BJP's Vinu Moradiya , Mukesh Patel and Kumar Kanani , Congress leader Praful Togadia and Nilesh Kumbhani along will be decided tomorrow. Manas Pratim Sarma, AIR News, Surat.

Our correspondent present in Rajkot has filed this report on district's profile:

The most keenly watched election of Politically significant Saurashtra is that of Rajkot (West) which has a legacy of sorts. In 2001, the seat was vacated by MLA Vajubhai Vala for then CM of Gujarat, Narendra Modi to contest his maiden election.  Vijay Rupani the former CM of state was also sent to the assembly by people of Rajkot West in 2017. BJP has fielded Deputy Mayor of Rajkot Darshita Shah this time from the seat .The district has 8 seats out of which BJP won 6 and Congress bagged two seats in last elections. WITH APARNA KHUNT, SUSHIL TIWARI/AIR NEWS/RAJKOT.  

Meanwhile, poll campaigning for the second phase of assembly elections is going on in full swing. Senior leaders from all the political parties are campaigning in Central and North Gujarat which will go to polls on the 5th of December.

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The Election Commission today said that the massive seizure of drugs in Gujarat reflects tight expenditure vigil in Assembly Elections. The EC said, 143 kilograms of drugs valuing around 478 crore rupees were seized by anti terrorist squad in Vadodara. The Commission said, meticulous planning, exhaustive reviews and expenditure monitoring through a host of enforcement agencies by it has produced stellar results leading to record seizures.

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A Congress delegation met the Election Commission in New Delhi this afternoon and alleged that some channels are putting out opinion polls almost 48 hours before the first phase of Gujarat polls. Addressing media later, party leader Surpiya Shrinate accused that this is a blatant and a brazen attempt to influence the voting pattern. She said the EC has assured that they will look into the matter.

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Delhi State Election Commission is taking all possible steps to ensure free and fair MCD polls in the national capital. Talking exclusively to AIR, State Election Commissioner Vijay Dev elaborated on the measures being taken to increase voter participation in the city.

Voting for 250 wards of Delhi MCD is scheduled to take place on the 4th of next month and counting will take place on the 7th December.

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President Droupadi Murmu today gave away the National Sports Awards 2022 and National Adventure Awards 2021 at Rashtrapati Bhawan. She presented the Dronacharya award to wrestling coach Raj Singh and boxing coach Mohammad Ali Qamar at the ceremony. Para shooting coach Suma Siddharth Shirur and wrestling coach Sujeet Maan also received the Dronacharya award. Badminton players Lakshya Sen and Prannoy HS were presented the Arjuna award. Chess player R Praggnanandhaa and boxer Nikhat Zareen also received the Arjuna award.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has wished the people of Manipur on the occasion of Sangai Festival. In a video message, Mr Modi said Manipur is known for its vibrant culture. He saluted the spirit of the people of Manipur and also praised the state government for its vision in celebrating the festival in such a grand manner. Mr Modi said, such festivals give impetus to economy as they also attract investors.

The Prime Minister said, India is moving forward with the thought of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Barat and the Sangai festival is an occasion to celebrate the country's diversity. He said, Manipur is filled with diverse beauty and lauded Sangai festival for inspiring a sustainable lifestyle.

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The 23rd Edition of the Hornbill Festival 2022  is set to begin at Naga Heritage Village Kisama from December 1 to 10.  Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar will grace the inaugural function of the festival as the Chief Guest.

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The Rashtrapati Bhavan will be open for public viewing from tomorrow for five days in a week. The tour will be available on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It will remain closed on Gazetted Holidays. However, the Museum Complex of the House will be open for six days in a week from Tuesday to Sunday, except on Gazetted Holidays. The Change of Guard Ceremony can also be witnessed at the Forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan every Saturday from 8 AM to 9 AM. Visitors can book their slots online at the website rashtrapati sachivalaya.gov.in/rb tour.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited students, their parents and teachers to take part in interesting activities relating to Pariksha Pe Charcha 2023. In his message, he emphasised the need to collectively work towards creating a stress-free environment for students.

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India and Australia have exchanged written notifications regarding the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement, ECTA. The ECTA will enter into force on 29th of next month. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said in a tweet that it is the dawn of a whole new era for businesses and people of both the nations. Under the agreement, duties on 100 per cent tariff lines are to be eliminated by Australia. The total bilateral trade will cross 45 to 50 billion dollars in five years from existing 31 billion dollars.

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India and South Korea today signed the arrangement regarding Economic Development Cooperation Fund loan of over 245 billion Korean Won. The agreement has been signed for the establishment of Intelligent Transport System on Nagpur-Mumbai Super Communication Expressway Project in Delhi. The project aims to enhance the efficiency in traffic management through establishment of the Intelligent Traffic Management System. It will also improve efficiency in toll management.

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Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued Guidelines for platform services offered by multi-system operators. These Guidelines provide the definition for the ‘platform services’ PS and lay down the norms for the multi-system operators, MSOs in running the platform services. According to them, there will be simple online registration process for Platform Services channels by MSOs at a nominal fee of one thousand rupees per PS channel. Only entities registered as Companies will be allowed to provide local news and current affairs.

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Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has started consultation to put in place a mechanism to display the name of the caller on mobile phones to check pesky and fraud calls. It has released a consultation paper on Introduction of Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) facility in telecommunication network and sought inputs from the stakeholders. Currently, mobile apps  including truecaller and Bharat Caller ID provide such facility.

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Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said that ten million additional jobs can be created in the electronics and BPO sector in the coming two years. He said that the start-up sector is making great strides in the country. Mr Vaishnaw said this while inaugurating the national level Start-up Initiative in New Delhi today. He elaborated that the electronics sector alone could create additional jobs between 2.5 to 3 million. The IT minister said, the BPO sector could make 8 million jobs available in the coming two years.

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Tourism and Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy has said that the upcoming 25 years would be Amrit Kaal for the youths. He appealed that during this period every citizen should rise above issues like politics, religion and language and fulfill their duties towards the nation. Speaking at the Spiritual Leaders Conference in New Delhi today, Mr Reddy said everyone should progress towards making India a Vishwaguru by 2047 while maintaining the spiritual nature of the country.

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In the FIFA World Cup, two matches are underway. While Tunisia play France at the Education City Stadium, Australia is taking on Denmark at Al-Janoub Stadium.

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The third and final one-day international between India and New Zealand has been called off due to relentless rain at the Hagley Oval, in Christchurch today. Chasing a target of 220 runs, New Zealand were 104 for one after 18 overs when the match was stopped due to rain. The hosts have won the three-match series 1-0 as they won the first match and the other two matches were washed out.

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In Hockey, Indian men's team beat Australia in the 3rd Test at the Mate Stadium, Adelaide today. India won an absolute thriller against the hosts as in the last 2 minutes both teams scored 3 goal in topsy turvy encounter. India finally won the match by 4-3 and now the 5 game series is poised in favour of Australia by 2-1. The 4th match of the series will be played on Saturday.  

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AND NOW BEFORE WE END THE BULLETIN,

THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN.

• India to formally take over the G-20 Presidency tomorrow; Several events to be held across the country; 100 monuments to be illuminated with G-20 logo.

• Voting for first phase of Gujarat Assembly Elections tomorrow; Eighty nine seats spread over 19 districts going to polls.

• President Droupadi Murmu gives away National Sports and Adventure Awards at Rashtrapati Bhawan.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, along with strengthening the culture, festivals and fairs also give impetus to the economy.

• In Cricket, third ODI between India and New Zealand washed out at Christchurch; Hosts clinch the three-match series 1-0.

• And in FIFA World Cup, matches underway between, Tunisia and France and Australia and Denmark.

For details of these stories and more, log on to our website  www.newsonair.gov.in and News On Air App.

THAT IS ALL IN THE NEWS AT NINE

GOOD NIGHT.

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