THE HEADLINES :

• Government took a series of measures to reduce dependency on Chinese goods and increase manufacturing capacity of domestic industries, says Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal.

• India asks Pakistan to take immediate measures to bring the persecutors of minority groups to justice.

• BJP to form new government in Gujarat on Monday; Newly elected Congress MLAs in Himachal Pradesh to elect their leader today.

• President Droupadi Murmu calls for implementation of the measures to deal with the issues related to climate change.

• IMD issues warning for cyclonic storm Mandous over Bay of Bengal from today to early hours of tomorrow.

• In Women's cricket, the first T20 International between India and Australia to be played this evening in Navi Mumbai.

• And in FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar,  Brazil takes on Croatia in the first quarter-final.

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The Government has said that it has taken a series of measures to reduce dependency on Chinese goods and increase the manufacturing capacity of domestic industries and its competitiveness. Replying to supplementaries on India-China trade relationship in the Rajya Sabha today, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said, the government has laid focus on the Make in India initiative and made efforts by providing production linked incentives to the domestic industries to increase their manufacturing capacities.

Mr. Goyal questioned the previous UPA government for the rise in trade deficit with China. He said that the trade deficit which was one billion US dollars with China in 2003-04 had risen to 36 billion US dollars over the 10 years. The Minister said that  India had become a large market place inviting sub-standard goods into the country in these 10 years and import from China increased from four billion US dollars in 2003-04 to 51 billion US dollars in 2013-14.

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India has asked Pakistan to take immediate measures to expeditiously bring the persecutors  of minority groups in that country to justice.  There have been reports of instances of vandalism and desecration of places of religious worship belonging to the minority communities in Pakistan. These include vandalism of Gurudwara Nankana Sahib and Gurudwara Shri Guru in Sindh, statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in Lahore, Shiv Mandir in Mirpur Mathelo and Shir Mata Mandir in Karachi and theft of gold idol in Sant Baba Jairamdas Samadhi Ashram in Sindh. In a written reply in the Lok Sabha today, Minister of State for External Affairs, V Muraleedharan said, India has raised all such cases with Pakistan and called upon it to take steps to protect and promote the safety, security and well being of its minority communities and their places of worship.

He also informed that New Delhi has secured the release and repatriation of more than two thousand 700 Indian prisoners from Pakistan custody since 2014. The country has also sought early consular access and release and repatriation of the remaining Indian in Pakistan custody.  Mr. Muraleedharan said  the government attaches  high importance  to the issue of Indian prisoners held in Pakistan custody and  all possible assistance is extended to the fishermen for their early release.

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The Government is working with a holistic approach to strengthen the health sector and taking several steps to create better infrastructure and provide quality medical education in the country. Replying to supplementaries during the Question Hour in the Lok Sabha today, Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya said the Centre has increased the number of MBBS seats from 14 thousand in 2014 to 96 thousand while PG seats have been increased to 64 thousand. On lack of faculties in medical colleges, he said it is the responsibility of the state government and private sector to ensure adequate numbers of faculties and urged them to ensure it.

He asserted that the Centre is committed to providing quality medical education in the country. Dr. Mandaviya said one should not run medical colleges if they do not have proper faculty and infrastructure and the government is taking strict action in this direction.

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In Gujarat, the ruling BJP will form a new government on Monday. State BJP Chief CR Patil has said that the Chief Minister will take oath at 2 in the afternoon. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are among a host of dignitaries who will attend the swearing-in ceremony.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has recorded landslide victory in Gujarat assembly elections, to retain power for a record seventh straight term. It has bagged a record 156 seats in the 182-member Assembly, while the Congress has won 17 seats. Five seats went to new entrant Aam Aadmi Party and Samajwadi Party won one seat. Independent candidates recorded victories in three constituencies.   In, Himachal Pradesh, the Congress has wrested power from the BJP, winning 40 seats in the 68-member Assembly. The BJP has won 25 seats, while Independent candidates have bagged three seats.

The newly elected Congress MLAs will meet today in Shimla. The meeting is likely to pass a resolution authorising the Congress President to elect the leader of the Congress Legislature Party.

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President Droupadi Murmu has stressed on implementation of the measures taken by the government to deal with the issues related to climate change. Addressing the valedictory function of the 97th Common Foundation Course at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand today, she said, the whole world is grappling with global warming. The President said, the officers should take decisions keeping in mind the deprived sections of society. She hoped that the officer trainees will shoulder the responsibility of taking the country forward with a collective spirit.

The President said in the next 25 years, the officers will play an important role in policy making and its implementation.

President Murmu will grace the annual convocation of Doon University at Dehradun in the afternoon. She will also interact with women achievers of Uttarakhand, Self Help Groups and Girl Students at the Doon University. The President will also inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of various development works in the state.

The President arrived in Dehradun on a two-day visit to Uttarakhand last evening. She also virtually inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for various projects related to healthcare, power generation and supply, technical education and transport.

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A recent study has revealed that climate change is likely to increase rough wave days in the Indian Ocean, northern sector of Arabian Sea and central Bay of Bengal in near future. The Science and Technology Ministry said that extreme wave events can have a tremendous impact on the livelihoods of the coastal population, infrastructure, and ocean-related activities.

The study was conducted by a team of scientists from National Institute of Technology Delhi; Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur; and Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, Hyderabad.

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The Regional Met department has said that Cyclone Mandaus has turned from Severe Cyclonic category today. Presently Cyclone Mandaus is at 260 km south south east of Chennai and 180 km east north east of Karaikal. It is likely to move nearly north westwards and cross the coast with a sustained wind speed of 65 to 75 kms perhour gusting upto 85 km perhour during midnight.

NDRF inspector Mohanarangan said nine teams have been stationed in various areas on the path of the cyclone.

More from our correspondent:-

Coastal areas in and around Chennai have been receiving intermittent rains since yesterday. The beautiful Marina remains boisterous and the public have been cordoned off near beaches. Fishing villages  in coastal districts have experienced minimal flooding due to high seas.More than ten villages in coastal Thiruvallur district have been inundated due to high seas at Ennore.  People living in low lying areas have been shifted to safer shelters by district administrations. State disaster control authorities have been sounding alert messages periodically for people to stay safe. District control rooms have been set up to monitor the reservoirs and release surplus water to prevent any eventuality. Defence PRO Chennai Ponniyin Selvan said that steps have been taken by the Coast Guard Security Group has  been alerted in view of the cyclone to protect coastal areas and look out for rescue in seas .

We spoke to Director General of IMD Dr. Mrutyunjay Mahapatra on the Cyclone Mandaus.

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As the cyclonic storm Mandous moves northwestwards, the Sri Lankan Department of Meteorology has issued red alert for the Northern Province in the island nation. An advisory issued by the Met department said that showers or thundershowers will occur at times with heavy rain in the Northern Province. Meanwhile, the advisory maintained red alert with regard to strong gutsy wind of over 60-70 kmph across major parts of the island.

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The month-long Kashi Tamil Sangamam is going on in Varanasi. Our correspondent reports, a number of events are being held to celebrate the rich culture and traditions of Tamilnadu and Kashi.

The cultural exchange programme which began on 17th last month has witnessed nine groups of various professions like students, spiritual leaders, artisans and craftsmen, businessmen and professionals visiting the Kashi. They are given a traditional welcome on their arrival at the railway station. Each group consists of around 200 people who visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple through the newly built corridor after taking a dip in the holy river Ganga. The group is also taken to Prayagraj and Ayodhya. In Varanasi, a host of events are being held in the Campus of Banaras Hindu University. A number of Union and State government ministers have graced the Sangamam during the last month. Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Anurag Singh Thakur is also scheduled to visit the Kashi Tamil Sangamam on Sunday. Aditya Shukla, AIR NEWS, Lucknow.

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In Women's cricket, the first T20 International of the five-match series between India and Australia will be played at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai today. The Match will start at 7 PM.

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In FIFA World Cup 2022, quarter-final matches kick off today with Brazil taking on Croatia at the Education City Stadium in Qatar. The match will start at 8:30 PM Indian Time.

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN

• Government took a series of measures to reduce dependency on Chinese goods and increase manufacturing capacity of domestic industries, says Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal.

• India asks Pakistan to take immediate measures to bring the persecutors of minority groups to justice.

• BJP to form new government in Gujarat on Monday; Newly elected Congress MLAs in Himachal Pradesh to elect their leader today.

• President Droupadi Murmu calls for implementation of the measures to deal with the issues related to climate change.

• IMD issues warning for cyclonic storm Mandous over Bay of Bengal from today to early hours of tomorrow.

• In Women's cricket, the first T20 International between India and Australia to be played this evening in Navi Mumbai.

• And in In FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar,  Brazil takes on Croatia in the first quarter-final.

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