THE HEADLINES:

• Polling begins for first phase of assembly elections in Gujarat.

• India to assume Presidency of G-20 grouping today; 100 monuments to be lit up in G20 logo.

• India and Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement to come into force on 29th December.

• RBI to launch first pilot for retail digital Rupee today.

• Hornbill Festival begins at Naga Heritage village Kisama in Nagaland today.

• In FIFA World Cup at Qatar; Argentina, Poland, Australia and France enter the Round of 16.

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Polling has begun for the first phase of Assembly elections in Gujarat. Voting, which began at 8 this morning, will continue till 5.30 in the evening. 89 seats spread over 19 districts of Saurashtra, Kutch and South Gujarat regions are going to polls in this phase.

A total 788 candidates are in the fray in this phase.

Chief Election Commissioner Rajeev Kumar has appealed the people in Gujarat to exercise their franchise in large numbers.

Now, we go over Live to our correspondent Sushil Chandra Tiwari who is in Saurashtra region of the state. 

Question 1 : Sushil, where are you right now in Saurashtra region and how is the polling progressing at your booth?

Question 2:  Sushil, what is the political scenario at the Saurashtra Kutch region?

Thank you Sushil for that update.

Now we go over Live to our correspondent Manas Pratim Sarma, who is in Surat.

Question 1: Manas, what is the latest update you have for our listeners on the voting going on there?

Thank you Manas for that update.

Meanwhile, campaigning has intensified for the second phase of assembly elections in Gujarat. Our Ahmedabad correspondent reports that Political parties are engaged in high voltage campaigning to woo the voters.

"As only three days are left for the campaigning to end for the second phase, all the political parties have shifted their focus to central and North Gujarat that will go for polls in this phase. BJP leader and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address three poll rallies at Kalol, Bodeli and Himmatnagar today. Union Home minister Amit Shah will hold a road show in Sanand and address two public meets at Visnagar and Kalol. Congress State president Jagdish Thakor and other party leaders will campaign in favor of the party candidates. From the Aam Aadmi Party, National Convener Arvind Kejariwal, Punjab CM Bhagwant Maan and cricketer Harbhajan Singh will lead a roadshow in Ahmedabad. APARNA KHUNT, AIR NEWS, AHMEDABAD."

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India will formally assume the Presidency of G-20 grouping, for one year from today. The Group of 20 is a premier forum comprising world’s advanced and developing economies, as well as the European Union, which meets every year to discuss global issues.

The Presidency was symbolically handed over to Prime Minister Modi by Indonesian President Joko Widodo at the closing session of the G20 Summit in Bali last month.

Speaking at the Summit, Mr Modi had said, India is taking charge of the G20 at a time when the world is grappling with geopolitical tensions, economic slowdown, rising food and energy prices and the long-term ill-effects of the COVID pandemic. He assured the world leaders that India's presidency of G20 will be inclusive, ambitious, decisive and action-oriented.

India’s start of the presidency will be marked by several people-centric activities. It includes “University Connect” programme where External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will address students from 75 universities across the country virtually. The function will be held at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan in New Delhi. As many as 100 monuments will be illuminated up across the country with the G20 logo.

"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. TANVI KHURANA , NEWS DESK."

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said India’s G20 presidency will work to promote this universal sense of oneness and hence India's theme is One Earth, One Family, One Future. Mr Modi said, this is not just a slogan but it takes into account recent changes in human circumstances, which we have collectively failed to appreciate. In his op-ed, in several newspapers today, the Prime Minister also urged the citizens to join together to make India’s G20 presidency a presidency of healing, harmony and hope. The Prime Minister said that during G20 Presidency India will encourage an honest conversation among the most powerful countries on mitigating risks posed by weapons of mass destruction and enhancing global security.

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President of Sri Lanka India society, Kishore Reddy has said the Indian Presidency of G20 is a great opportunity for the countries not represented in the forum. Talking to AIR News, Mr. Reddy expressed confidence that India will safeguard interests of countries like Sri Lanka also at the forum.

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India and Australia have exchanged written notifications regarding their Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA). The agreement will come into force on 29th of December. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said it is the dawn of a whole new era for businesses and people of both nations.

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The Reserve Bank of India will launch retail central bank digital currency (CBDC) on pilot basis today. The digital rupee would be in the form of a digital token that represents legal tender. It will be issued in the same denominations that paper currency and coins are currently issued and will be distributed through intermediaries and banks.

Eight banks have been identified for phase-wise participation in this pilot.

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In Nagaland, 10-day long Hornbill Festival will begin at Naga heritage village Kisama today. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar will grace the inaugural function as the Chief Guest.

 "This Festival will be held at the heritage village of Kisama, about 12 km from Kohima. In ten day festival, a visitor gets the opportunity to catch a ring side view of all the Naga tribes, their culture and distinctiveness at one place. A total of 132 stalls will be set up in Kisama wherein, 100 stalls will be taken up by the Micro Small & Medium Enterprises and 32 temporary stalls. FOR AIR NEWS /ASONUO/KOHIMA."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today also extended his wishes to the people of Nagaland on their Statehood day.

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Border Security Personnel (BSF) is celebrating its raising day today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has greeted the Border Security Personnel and their families. In a tweet Mr Modi said, this is a force with an outstanding track record of protecting India and serving the nation with utmost diligence.

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In the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Argentina stormed into the Round of 16 after 2-0 win over Poland in their final Group C fixture in Doha. Alexis Mac Allister scored in the 46th-minute to give Argentina a lead, followed by Julian Alvarez making it 2-0 in the 67th-minute.

Despite the defeat, Poland qualified for the Round of 16 with a better goal difference than Mexico, who defeated Saudi Arabia 2-1 in their last Group C encounter. Henry Martin and Luis Chavez scored for Mexico. Meanwhile, Salem Aldawsari scored the consolation goal for Saudi Arabia.

From the Group D, Australia joined table-topper France in the Round of 16 with a 1-0 win over Denmark. Mathew Leckie scored a stunning solo goal in the 60th-minute to hand Australia the crucial win. In the other Group D clash, Tunisia registered a historic 1-0 victory over defending champions France 1-0.  Wahbi Khazri scored the solitary goal of the game in 58th minute for Tunisia, but it was not enough to qualify for last 16.

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TODAY'S NEWSPAPERS HEADLINE:

All the newspapers have focussed on the mother of Democracy India taking the G20 reins today. The Pioneer editorial covers Prime Minister Modi's vision of India's learning and models as possible templates to tackle challenges.

"Remittances to India set to hit record hundred billion dollar this year, 25 percent higher than FDI flows" reports The Times of India.

"RBI's new digital lending norms apply from today" notes The Tribune.

"Indices hit fresh highs on strong liquidity flows" reports The Economic Times.

And finally, The Statesman quoting the Navy Chief Admiral Hari Kumar writes "Women sailors are being inducted in Indian Navy" with all remaining branches being opened for women in the coming year.

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:

• Polling begins for first phase of assembly elections in Gujarat.

• India to assume Presidency of G-20 grouping today; 100 monuments to be lit up in G20 logo.

• India and Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement to come into force on 29th December.

• RBI to launch first pilot for retail digital Rupee today.

• Hornbill Festival begins at Naga Heritage village Kisama in Nagaland today.

• And, in FIFA World Cup at Qatar; Argentina, Poland, Australia and France enter the Round of 16.

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