Akashvani , National news, All India Radio News

THE HEADLINES:-

• India formally assumes the Presidency of G-20 for one year; Government says, the key element will be to make it a people's Group.

• Polling concludes peacefully for first phase of Gujarat Assembly Elections; Over 60 per cent voting recorded.

• Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurates Hornbill Festival in Nagaland; Says, India is proud of its tribes and culture.

• Centre advises FM radio channels not to broadcast content glorifying alcohol, drugs, weaponry, gangster and gun culture.

• In FIFA World Cup, match underway between Croatia and Belgium; Canada lock horns with Morocco.

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India today formally assumed the Presidency of G-20 grouping for the period of one year. 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. India’s start of the presidency is marked by several people-centric activities. 100 monuments will be lit up across the country with the G-20 logo.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said India’s G-20 agenda will be inclusive, ambitious, action-oriented and decisive. In an op-ed, published in several newspapers today, the Prime Minister said, India’s G-20 presidency will work to promote this universal sense of oneness and hence India's theme is One Earth, One Family, One Future. He said, this is not just a slogan but it takes into account recent changes in human circumstances, which we have collectively failed to appreciate. 

The Ministry of External Affairs has said during the Presidency, the focus will be laid on ensuring citizen participation in the events to be organized. Briefing media in New Delhi today, Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, a key element of country's presidency will be taking the G-20 closer to the public and trying to make it a people's Group.

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On the occasion, students and the faculty of the University of Ladakh  participated virtually in the University Connect, Engaging Young Minds programme.

Speaking to All India Radio, University Vice Chancellor Prof. SK Mehta said, climate change and biodiversity are among the key subjects that G 20 discusses.

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The internationally acclaimed sand artist Sudarshan Pattnaik has  made a sand art displaying the magnificent G-20 logo near the famous sun temple Konark in Odisha. The Konark temple has also been illuminated on the occasion. A report:

"The beautifully crafted sand art , apart from carrying the G-20 logo, also spreads the message for One World, One Family, One Future. The sand art by Mr. Pattnaik bears a special significance among about 35 sand arts now on display on the Chandrabhaga beach on the first day of the 5 days long annual sand art festival. The symbolic sand art has been wowing both doemstic as well as foreign on-lookers on the beach. Girish Chandra Dash AIR News Bhubaneswar."

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In Gujarat, polling has been completed peacefully for the first phase of Assembly elections. Over 60 per cent voting was recorded. Polling was held for 89 constituencies spread over 19 districts of Saurashtra, Kutch and South Gujarat. A total of 788 candidates are in the fray in this phase.

Our correspondent has filed this report from Jamnagar:

"Long queues were seen from morning at the polling booths. Barring few sporadic incidents voting was peaceful in first phase. This phase has decided the political fate of 788 candidates including 14 ministers. Former Gujarat minister Parshottam Solanki, six-time MLA Kunwarji Bavaliya, Gujarat home minister Harsh Sanghavi, Morbi 'hero' Kantilal Amrutiya, Rivaba Jadeja, senior Congress leader and former leader of opposition Arjun modwadiya, Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) chief ministerial face Isudan Gadhvi are also among the prominent candidates in the fray. WITH APARNA KHUNT, SUSHIL TIWARI, AIR NEWS, JAMNAGAR."

Our correspondent Manas Pratim Sarma gives us a glimpse of polling in Surat:

"Several prominent candidates from the ruling BJP, Congress and Aam Admi Party are in the fray in the first phase at Surat and Narmada districts. Known for tourism , textiles and diamond industries both the districts have registered good turn out today.  All the seats are likely to have triangular fight. However in few seats, the independent candidates may also impact the polls result. Among others ,political fate of BJP's Vinu Moradiya , Mukesh Patel and Kumar Kanani , Congress leader Praful Togadia and Nilesh Kumbhani have been sealed today. Manas Pratim Sarma, AIR News, Surat."

Meanwhile, campaigning has intensified for the second phase in the state as it comes to close on Saturday. Senior leaders from all political parties are engaged in high voltage campaigning. In the second phase, voting will be held for 93 seats spread over 14 districts on Monday. More in this report:

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading the State’s biggest ever 50 kilometer long roadshow which started from Naroda Gam will culminate at Sabarmati touching 13 assembly constituencies.  During the roadshow, Mr. Modi is paying floral tributes to the national leaders  Sardar Patel, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay , Shyama Prasad Mukherjee among others. Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed to poll rallies in Vijapur and Kalol and held a massive road in Sanand. Congress party also intensified its poll campaign today. Senior Party leaders addressed rallies at various places in North and Central Gujarat today. AAM Aadmi  party leaders  held roadshows at various places in the state. Aparna Khunt/AIR  News/Ahmedabad."

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In Uttar Pradesh, Congress has suspended Nawab Kazim Ali Khan from the party for six years for supporting the BJP candidate in the upcoming Rampur assembly by-election. He served as an MLA for four straight terms from 1996 to 2017. He hails from the royal family of Rampur. 

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The Election Commission of India has sought explanation from SSP Mainpuri and Etawah districts of Uttar Pradesh for violation of its instructions and provisions of Model Code of Conduct on transfer and posting of police personel. ECI has directed SSP Mainpuri to relieve 6 Police Officers immediately. The Commission has directed the Chief Electoral Officer of UP to ensure that force deployment relating to ongoing by-election for Mainpuri Parliamentary Constituency is done strictly and randomization of local police force to be ensured.

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The much awaited 23rd edition of Hornbill Festival of Nagaland began today. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio officially opened the Festival by beating the Gong.

Addressing the gathering, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar  noted the day as a historic as India assumed the Presidency of G20. He said India is a land of culture, and  it is proud of its tribes and culture. 

Describing Nagaland’s natural beauty as enchanting, Mr Dhankhar said, Nagaland is the focal centre of Look East, Act East policy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Vice President aso congratulated the people of Nagaland on their statehood day. He released a postage stamp to commemorate the festival.

The Hornbill Festival is a cultural extravaganza to revive, protect and preserve the richness and uniqueness of  Naga heritage.

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Nagaland celebrated its 60th statehood day today. It was formally recognised as a separate state on 1st December, 1963. President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have extended greetings to the state.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has paid tributes to Pramukh Swami Maharaj on his Jayanti. In a message, Mr Modi said that he considers himself blessed that he had the opportunity to interact with  Pramukh Swami Maharaj on multiple occasions and also got a lot of affection from him.

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The Centre has asked FM radio channels not to play songs or broadcast content glorifying alcohol, drugs, weaponry, gangster and gun culture. Information and Broadcasting Ministry said in an advisory that broadcast of such songs or content is in violation of the AIR Programme Code. It said Grant of Permission Agreement, GOPA provides that the permission holder shall follow the same Programme and Advertisement codes as followed by All India Radio. The Advisory stated that any violation shall entail penal action in accordance with the terms and condition laid down in the GOPA.It said such content affects children of impressionable age and gives rise to a culture of gangsters.

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India will assume the chairmanship of Wassenaar arrangement on 1st of next month. External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in a briefing today, Wassenaar arrangement is a multilateral export control regime wherein member states exchange information on various issues like transfer of conventional arms. India was inducted to the Wassenaar Arrangement on 7 th December 2017 as the 42nd member.​ India's entry into the export control regime would enhance its credentials in the field of non-proliferation despite not being a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Mr. Bagchi also informed that India has also assumed the presidency of the United Nations Security Council today.

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World AIDS Day is being observed today. The National AIDS Control Organization NACO, has said, India's annual rate of HIV infection has declined by 46 per cent between 2010 and 2021 against global average of 32 per cent. It said, AIDS related mortalities have also declined by 76 per cent against the global average of 52 per cent during the period. Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar said in a video message released on the occasion, that people must adopt an inclusive and multi-sectoral attitude to eliminate AIDS.

Several dignitaries from the WHO and Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS were present during the event.

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The gross Goods and Services Tax, GST revenue collection in the last month was over one lakh 45 thousand crore rupees, which is more than one lakh 40 thousand crore rupees, for the straight ninth month. The Finance Ministry said, GST revenue collection in the month of November registered a growth of 11 percent in comparison to corresponding month of the last year. 

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Indian Met Department has said, below normal minimum temperatures are most likely over many parts of peninsular India, some parts of central India and isolated parts of northwest India. However, it predicted normal to above normal minimum temperatures are most likely over many parts of northwest India and most parts of northeast India. Meanwhile, temperature in the national capital continues to be a couple of degrees below normal.

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In FIFA World Cup 2022 today, two Group F matches are underway between Croatia and Belgium at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium and Canada and Morocco at Al Thumama Stadium.

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:-

• India formally assumes the Presidency of G-20 for one year; Government says, the key element will be to make it a people's Group.

• Polling concludes peacefully for first phase of Gujarat Assembly Elections; Over 60 per cent voting recorded.

• Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurates Hornbill Festival in Nagaland; Says, India is proud of its tribes and culture.

• Centre advises FM radio channels not to broadcast content glorifying alcohol, drugs, weaponry, gangster and gun culture.

• In FIFA World Cup, match underway between Croatia and Belgium; Canada lock horns with Morocco.

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GOOD NIGHT.