THE HEADLINES:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with students, teachers and parents in 6th edition of 'Pariksha Pe Charcha programme.

• Prime Minister advises students to observe digital fasting once a week to minimize distractions; Calls upon parents not to put undue pressure on children for the sake of social status.

• India issues notice to Pakistan for modification of Indus Waters Treaty.

• Ace Tennis player Sania Mirza bids adieu to Grand Slam career after finishing runners-up in Mixed Doubles final of Australian Open.

• And, in Women's Cricket, semifinal of Under-19 T20 World Cup between India and New Zealand underway in South Africa.

<><><>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with students, parents and teachers during the sixth edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha programme at Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi today. Lakhs of students from around the world participated in the programme. At the annual event, Prime Minister Modi shared tips with students to overcome exam stress and answered their questions related to education and career.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister advised students to observe digital fasting or cutting screen time, once a week. Expressing concern over the use of gadgets, he encouraged them to create a No Technology Zone at home and use the time to interact with each other. He said, digital fasting would reconnect students with family members.

Mr Modi asked students not to underestimate their capabilities. He also used a cricket analogy to highlight the importance of focus. He guided students on how to distinguish between hard work and smart work by citing 'The Thirsty Crow' story.

The Prime Minister said, time management is important not only for examinations but also in their daily life. He asked students to observe their mothers and learn how to manage time.

Talking about cheating during exams, the Prime Minister said, some students use their creativity for ‘cheating’ in examinations but if those students use their time and creativity in a good way they will achieve heights of success. He said, they should never opt for shortcuts in life and focus on themselves.

While answering several queries of students, Mr Modi said, criticism is important as it helps to enhance and give shape to the future. He said, if someone is hardworking and honest, then they should not care about the criticisms. He asked the students to learn multiple languages as it open new doors of opportunities for them to understand centuries-old culture, civilization and experiences.

The Prime Minister called upon parents not to put undue pressure on children over marks. He said, it is very natural for family members to have a lot of expectations from their children but if the family members are having these expectations due to social status then it is a matter of concern.

The Prime Minister also asked parents not to keep children confined to the house and allow them to do activities they want.

Giving the teaching mantra to teachers, the Prime Minister asked the teachers to develop a strong bond with their students. He said, if a student is asking questions, it means he or she is curious and teachers should always try to promote their curiosity.

Earlier, the Prime Minister interacted with students at an exhibition during the 'Pariksha Pe Charcha' program.

Speaking at the event, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, Pariksha Pe Charcha has become a mass movement. He said, the National Education Policy and the Exam Warriors are preparing the students for the 21st century.

Talking to AIR News, the participating students shared their experiences about the Pariksha Pe Charcha programme.

<><><>

The 30th National Child Science Congress began at Ahmedabad in Gujarat this morning. Secretary of Gujarat's Science and Technology department, Vijay Nahera inaugurated the Congress. The five-day event, which is being organized at Science City, will conclude on 31st January. Nearly 850 students from across the country will present their projects at the Congress.

<><><>

India has issued notice to Pakistan for modification of the Indus Waters Treaty. According to the sources, the notice was conveyed on 25th of this month through respective Commissioners for Indus Waters. India has called on Pakistan to enter into intergovernmental negotiations within 90 days to rectify the material breach of treaty.

Sources said, Pakistan’s actions have adversely impinged on the provisions and their implementation. It forced India to issue an appropriate notice to Pakistan for modification of the Indus Waters Treaty. Sources added, India has always been a steadfast supporter and a responsible partner in implementing the treaty in letter and spirit. Despite repeated efforts by India to find a mutually agreeable way forward, Pakistan refused the dispute settlement mechanism during the five meetings of the Permanent Indus Commission from 2017 to 2022.

<><><>

The G20 Startup20 Engagement Group will hold its first inception meeting in Hyderabad tomorrow. Delegates from G20 member nations and nine special invitees from observer countries, representatives from multilateral organizations, besides, the Indian startup ecosystem will attend the meeting. The two-day meeting is expected to initiate on developing policy recommendations on entrepreneurship and innovation priorities of G20 countries during the coming years.

<><><>

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) festival will begin in Mumbai this evening with the world premiere of Tamil film "Appatha". The film is directed by Padma awardee and National Award winning filmmaker Priyadarshan.

Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur and Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture, Meenakshi Lekhi will grace the opening ceremony. Renowned actor Hema Malini and Director Priyadarshan will also be present on the occasion.

A total of 57 Films from SCO countries will be showcased during the five-day event. While 14 feature films will be screened in the Competition Section, the Non-Competition section will showcase 43 films. The SCO Film Festival is being organized to mark India’s Presidency at SCO.

<><><>

Aadhaar e-KYC transactions have jumped 18.53 percent to 84.8 crore between October to December last year. The Electronics and Information Technology Ministry said, in the last month alone 32.49 crore e-KYC transactions were carried out using Aadhaar which was over 13 percent more in comparison to November 2022. By the end of December 2022, the cumulative number of Aadhaar e-KYC transactions has gone up to more than one thousand 382 crore.

The Ministry said, Aadhaar authentication transactions are also witnessing a growing adoption and usage among residents.

<><><>

On to Sports now:-

In the Australian Open Tennis, the Brazilian duo of Luisa Stefani and Rafael Matos have won the Mixed Doubles title. They defeated the Indian pair of Rohan Bopanna and Sania Mirza, 7-6, 6-2 at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne Park this morning.

With this, Sania bids adieu to her glorious Grand Slam career as the 36-year-old is set to retire from the sport after next month's Dubai Masters. She finished her illustrious career with three mixed doubles Grand Slam titles and three Women's Doubles championships. She won the Women's Doubles of Australian Open with Martina Hingis in 2016 and clinched the Mixed doubles trophy of the Australian Open with Mahesh Bhupathi in 2009.

An emotional Sania during the presentation ceremony after the end of the match said, she started her professional career in Melbourne and she could not think of a better arena to finish her Grand Slam career.

Meanwhile, in the Men's Singles, third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas cruised into the finals after overpowering 18th seed Karen Khachanov 7-6, 6-4, 6-7, 6-3 in the last four encounter today. In the other semi-final, fourth seed Novak Djokovic will take on unseeded Tommy Paul of the United States. Serbian Djokovic is seeking a record-extending 10th Australian Open and a 22nd Grand Slam crown.

In the Women's Singles, 22nd seed Elena Rybakina and fifth seed Aryna Sabalenka will face off in the Summit Clash tomorrow.

<><><>

In Women's Cricket, the semi-final match of the Under-19 T20 World Cup between India and New Zealand is underway at Potchefstroom in South Africa. Put into bat, Kiwis were 55 for 3 in 8.4 overs when reports last came in.

Earlier, India won the toss and opted to bat.

England will take on Australia in the second semifinal this evening. The match will start at 5:15 PM (Indian Time).

<><><>

In Men's Cricket, the first T20 International of the three-match series between India and New Zealand will be played at JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi today. The match will begin at 7 PM (Indian Time).

<><><>

In Badminton, India's campaign in the singles competition of Indonesia Masters ended today after Lakshya Sen went down to fourth seed Jonatan Christie in Jakarta.

The Indian Women’s doubles duo of Tanisha Crasto and Ashwini Ponappa will be in the fray today as they play the Japanese duo of Yuki Fukushima and Sayaka Hirota in a last eight match.

<><><>

In the FIH Hockey World Cup, two semifinal matches will be played at the Kalinga stadium in Bhubaneswar today. Australia will take on Germany in the first semifinals at 4:30 PM Indian Time while Belgium will meet Netherlands in the other match at 7:00 PM. The summit clash will take place on Sunday.

<><><>

THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with students, teachers and parents in 6th edition of 'Pariksha Pe Charcha programme.

• Prime Minister advises students to observe digital fasting once a week to minimize distractions; Calls upon parents not to put undue pressure on children for the sake of social status.

• India issues notice to Pakistan for modification of Indus Waters Treaty.

• Ace Tennis player Sania Mirza bids adieu to Grand Slam career after finishing runners-up in Mixed Doubles final of Australian Open.

• And, in Women's Cricket, semifinal of Under-19 T20 World Cup between India and New Zealand underway in South Africa.

<><><>