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THE HEADLINES
India formally assumes the Presidency of G-20 grouping, for one year; Prime Minister Narendra Modi says India’s G20 presidency will work to promote this universal sense of oneness.
Polling is underway for the first phase of Assembly elections in Gujarat, 34.32 percent voter turnout recorded till 1 PM.
Reserve Bank of India launches retail central bank digital currency on pilot basis.
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar to inaugurate the 23rd edition of Hornbill Festival of Nagaland this evening.
And in FIFA World Cup 2022, Croatia will face Belgium while Canada will lock horns with Morocco today.
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India formally assumes the Presidency of G-20 grouping, for one year starting 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.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India’s G20 agenda will be inclusive, ambitious, action-oriented and decisive. In his op-ed, in several newspapers today, Mr Modi said that 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. The Prime Minister said this is not just a slogan but it takes into account recent changes in human circumstances, which we have collectively failed to appreciate.
India’s start of the presidency is marked by several people-centric activities. As many as 100 monuments will light up across the country with the G20 logo.
Speaking at the University Connect Programme in New Delhi, External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar said that India's G20 Presidency is taking place at a very critical moment in international affairs. He highlighted that India must become the voice of the Global South expressing their concerns on fuel, food and fertilizers.
G 20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant and Former Union Minister and Vice Chairman of Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti Vijay Goel today unveiled the display of G-20 Logo at Mandi House Chowk in New Delhi. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Kant termed it a historic moment saying that it is a big responsibility for India as G20 accounts for 85 per cent of global GDP and two-thirds of the world population.
Vijay Goel said that taking over the G 20 Presidency by India is not only an occasion to celebrate but also to present the country's tradition , culture and rich heritage of almost five thousand years before the world.
With the assumption of the G 20 presidentship by India today, Bangladesh also became an invited nation to take part in the meetings including the summit meeting of G20. Our Dhaka correspondent reports, Bangladesh has expressed its gratitude for being included among the invited countries of G-20 as several issues of the G 20 agenda have an important bearing on Bangladesh.
In Gujarat, polling is underway peacefully for the first phase of assembly polls today. Around 34.32 percent voter turnout has been recorded till 1 PM in 89 assembly constituencies of Saurashtra, Kutch and South Gujarat. Voting, which began at 8 this morning, will end at 5 in the evening.
The much awaited 23rd edition of Hornbill Festival of Nagaland will start from today at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama. Our correspondent reports, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar will grace the inaugural programme.
"As India assumes G20 President today which also coincides with the Nagaland statehood day and commencement of hornbill festival, co-branding activities are being carried out such as G20 Logo being displayed at Naga heritage village. Organized by Government of Nagaland, the Hornbill Festival showcases Nagaland’s deep rooted traditions and its rich cultural heritage in all its ethnicity, diversity, and grandeur. The festival is also a tribute to the great Hornbill, which is an admired and revered bird for the Naga people, for its qualities of alertness and grandeur. AIR News Asonuo from Kohima"
President Droupadi Murmu has extended her greetings to Nagaland on its 60th statehood day. She said that Nagaland is a state with diverse tribal culture and a rich heritage. President Murmu said she was touched by the warmth of the people during her recent visit to the state.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended his wishes to the people of Nagaland. He said that India takes great pride in the culture of Nagaland, which emphasises on courage, hard work and living in harmony with nature.
Nagaland was formally recognised as a separate state on 1st December, 1963, with Kohima being declared as its capital.
The RBI today launched the retail digital rupee on a pilot basis. The central bank has identified eight banks for phase-wise participation in this trial. The retail digital rupee will be in the form of a digital token that represents legal tender. Our Mumbai correspondent reports, the RBI will issue digital currency in the same denominations that paper currency and coins are issued.
"Retail digital rupee transactions can be carried out through a digital wallet on mobile phones and other devices. Only those digital wallets offered by banks participating in the RBI's digital rupee programme can transact in digital currency. The retail digital currency will be distributed through banks. Payments to merchants can be made using QR or the Quick Response codes displayed at merchant locations. The first phase will begin with four banks i.e.State Bank of India, ICICI Bank, Yes Bank, and IDFC First Bank in four cities including Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru and Bhubaneswar. KUNAL SHINDE, AIR NEWS, MUMBAI "
Civil Aviation Minister Jyotraditya M. Scindia today inaugurated the Digi Yatra facility at IGI Airport in New Delhi. This facility has been started at three airports of the country including Delhi, Bangalore and Varanasi. Digi Yatra provides facility of contactless processing of air passengers on the basis of face recognition technology at various check points of airports.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation said, India has set a new global benchmark for a seamless, hassle free and health risk free process at airports with the launch of Digi Yatra facility. It said, Digi Yatra facility is presently being launched for domestic flights passengers.
Our correspondent reports that to use this facility one time registration on Digi Yatra app is required using Aadhar based validation and a self-image capture. There will be no central storage of Personally Identifiable Information and passenger’s ID and travel credentials will be stored in a secure wallet in the passenger’s smartphone itself.
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) will look into the anti-profiteering measures under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) from today. The CCI has replaced the National Anti-profiteering Authority (NAA). Earlier, the Directorate General of Anti-profiteering was investigating all consumer complaints of companies not passing on GST rate cut benefits and submitting its report to the NAA. The NAA then used to give a final ruling. Since, the tenure of NAA ended last month, its functions have now been taken over by the CCI. The Finance Ministry said that the decision was taken on the recommendations of the GST Council.
In FIFA World Cup 2022 today, Croatia will take on Belgium while Canada will lock horns with Morocco in Group F at 8:30 pm india time. Our correspondent reports, Even though both Croatia and Belgium advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, neither of the teams have a guaranteed spot in Qatar's round of 16 going at this moment. Thus, this match is going to be critical for both of them.
"The Croatia vs Belgium match will mark the third match for these two teams. Croatia are sitting comfortably on top with four points. Belgium, the no. 2 team as per FIFA rankings, had a narrow 1-0 victory over Canada while they lost 0-2 to Morocco. Belgium and Croatia, long-time rivals, have played eight times against each other. The record is staggeringly similar for each of them. Each of them have won three and lost three while settling for a draw on two occasions. Canada have already been eliminated from the FIFA World Cup 2022 while Morocco are holding the second position in Group F at this moment. A win in this match will confirm Morocco’s entry to the next round for the first time since 1986 whereas the Canadian team, who showed great resilience against Belgium, will play for pride. Ryena AIR News"
Rashtrapati Bhavan is now open for public viewing from today for five days in a week. The tour is available from Wednesday to Sunday in different time slots betweeen 10 AM and 4 PM. Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum Complex wii also remain open for six days except on Mondays. However, the gardens will remain closed until Udyanotsav, annually held between February and March. The visitors will have to pay a 50 rupees registration charge. Children below 8 years old will be exempted from it.
THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN