THE HEADLINES:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s initiatives changed development scenario of the country; Inaugurates Rashtra Prerna Sthal in Lucknow to mark 101st birth anniversary of the former Prime Minister.
- Mr Modi says, his government working for last 11 years to benefit every citizen without any discrimination.
- Top Maoist Leader Ganesh Uike, carrying a reward of 1.10 Crore rupees killed in an encounter in Kandhamal district of Odisha.
- Railways rationalise passenger fare structure from tomorrow; No increase in suburban and monthly season tickets.
- Festival of Christmas being celebrated across the globe with devotional fervour.
- Pope Leo urges Ukraine and Russia to hold direct talks to end war.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said, for the last 11 years his government has been working hard for the betterment of each and every citizen of the society and giving them benefits of all the schemes without discrimination. He called it true governance and true secularism. The Prime Minister said this while addressing a public rally in Lucknow after inaugurating Rashtra Prerna Sthal on the occasion of the 101st Birth Anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and to honour the legacy of luminaries of independent India.
Prime Minister Modi said, saturation of government schemes is the motto of his government and now crores of poor citizen are gaining benefit from them.
The Prime Minister said Bharat Ratn Atal Bihari Vajpayee took many initiatives which changed the development scenario of the country. He especially mentioned the initiative of Pradhanmantri Gram Sadak Yojana.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other senior ministers of the state cabinet were present on the occasion.
Our Lucknow correspondent tells us more about the Rashtra Prerna Sthal:
“The Rashtra Prerna Sthal inaugurated by prime Minister today houses a state-of-the-art museum designed in the form of a lotus-shaped structure, spread over approximately 98,000 square feet. The complex features 65-feet-high bronze statues of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, and Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The museum showcases India’s national journey and the contributions of these visionary leaders. Constructed at an approximate cost of rupees 230 crore, The complex is envisioned as a permanent national asset dedicated to fostering leadership values, cultural consciousness and public inspiration. Sushil Tiwari, Akashvani News, Lucknow”
President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President C P Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid floral tributes to the former Prime Minister at his samadhi Sadaiv Atal in the National Capital. A prayer meeting was organised at his Samadhi in Delhi this morning.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Union Minister Manohar Lal inaugurated the ‘Atal Canteen’ in the national capital, on the occasion of the 101st birth anniversary of the former Prime Minister.
To mark the occasion, Abhyudaya Madhya Pradesh Growth Summit was organised in Gwalior. Union Home Minister Amit Shah laid foundation stones and inaugurated development projects worth over two lakh crore rupees. Mr. Shah remembered the contributions of late Atal Bihari Vajpayee to the nation.
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan along with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu unveiled the statue of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Amaravati on the occasion of Good Governance Day. They later planted saplings at the Vajpayee Memorial Park.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tributes to Bharat Ratna Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya on his birth anniversary. He said, Mahamana played a crucial role in awakening national consciousness along with social reforms to break the chains of slavery.
Mr Shah also paid tribute to Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya. Mr Shah said through the establishment of the Banaras Hindu University, Mahamana inspired the youth towards modern education rooted in Indian cultural values.
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Vice President C P Radhakrishnan today released the second and final series of Mahamana Vangmay: The Collected Works of Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya in New Delhi. Speaking on the occasion, the Vice President remarked the collection is not just ink on paper but the very DNA of India’s freedom struggle and the blueprint of the country’s cultural renaissance. He highlighted that during colonial rule, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya firmly believed that education was the most powerful tool to awaken the nation.
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The Railways has rationalised its passenger fare structure with effect from tomorrow, with the objective of balancing affordability for passengers and sustainability of operations. Under the revised fare structure, there is no change in fares for suburban services and Season Tickets, including both suburban and non-suburban routes. The revised fares are applicable only on tickets booked on or after tomorrow.
For Ordinary Non-AC (Non-Suburban) services, fares have been rationalised in a graded manner across Second Class Ordinary, Sleeper Class Ordinary, and First-Class Ordinary.
In Second Class Ordinary, there is no increase in fare for journeys up to 215 kilometres to ensure that short-distance and daily commuters are not impacted.
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A top Maoist leader, Ganesh Uike has been killed in a joint security operation in Kandhamal district of Odisha this morning. The top Maoist was carrying a reward of 1.10 Crore rupees on his head. More from our correspondent:
“The killing of a top Maoist leader Ganesh Uike by security forces in Odisha is considered to be a big blow to the Maoist cadre in the state. Ganesh Uike was a Central Committee member and Odisha in-charge of the banned CPI (Maoist). He was wanted in connection with several major Maoist attacks in different parts of the country. The encounter took place in the Chakapad police station area of Kandhamal district and the Rambha forest range along the Kandhamal-Ganjam border in the early hours of today.The operation was launched following specific intelligence inputs. Five other Maoists were also reportedly killed in the encounter. Search and combing operations are continuing in the surrounding forest areas. Meanwhile, Director General of Odisha Police, Y. B. Khurania, said the state police has set a target to end Maoist activities in Odisha by March next year. Prakash Dash, Akashvani News, Bhubaneswar.”
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Christmas is being celebrated across the globe with devotional fervour today. Christians all over the world celebrate Christmas to mark the birth of Jesus Christ. They decorate their houses with Christmas tree, illuminated paper star, Holly wreaths and exchange gifts. Churches of all denominations are organising special Christmas services and events.
President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have extended greetings to people on the occasion.
In the National Capital Delhi, the festival is being celebrated with religious fervour and frolic. The jolly festivities have been in motion since last evening with churches holding the Christmas Eve mass. More in this report…
“The birth of Jesus Christ was celebrated with enthusiasm at midnight in various churches in parts of the National Capital. People added to festival’s fervour by singing carols and sharing plum cakes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also attended the Christmas morning service at the Cathedral Church of the Redemption. Other Churches including, Sacred Heart Church, St Stephen’s Church, St Martin’s Church among others showcased their lights of the festive spirit. Delhiites illuminated their homes with lights and decorated it with wreaths and Christmas trees. Children also donned costumes of Santa Claus, distributing sweets and Christmas cards in the streets. Bhanu Pratap Singh, Akashvani News, Delhi”
Our Mumbai correspondent reports, the Christmas is being celebrated across Maharashtra with festive cheer and religious fervour. Churches in Mumbai including Mount Mary, St. Peter’s, and St. Michael’s have been beautifully decorated, with special prayers and masses underway.
In West Bengal, Christmas is being celebrated with enthusiasm and grandeur. From the heart of Kolkata to the suburban pockets, the state has transformed into a hub of festive joy, drawing people of all ages into the celebrations.
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In his first Christmas sermon today, Pope Leo urged Ukraine and Russia to find the courage to hold direct talks to end the war. Speaking at St Peter’s square, the first U.S. pope, expressed hope that the fighting would stop and that all sides, with support of international community, find the courage to engage in sincere, direct and respectful dialogue. His plea comes as US-led negotiations on a deal to end the fighting continues.
Earlier, during the sermon, Pope Leo decried conditions for Palestinians in Gaza. Leo, who was elected in May this year, said that Jesus was born in a stable to show that God chose to live among people in a weak and temporary place. He said this should make us think about the tents in Gaza, where people are suffering in bad weather.
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The Indian Army has issued an internal letter on use of social media applications by its personnel, with an emphasis on operational security and responsible online behaviour. Sources in the Indian Army said, Army personnel have been allowed to access Instagram only for the purposes of viewing and monitoring. They clarified that no comments or views are to be communicated on the platform.
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India Meteorological Department has issued an orange colour warning for dense to very dense fog over Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya and Sikkim till Sunday. Dense fog conditions will prevail over parts of North East, Chhattisgarh, East Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, entire north west and Sub Himalayan region for next two days. The weather department also predicted cold to Severe Cold Day conditions in Haryana, Jharkhand, West Rajasthan and East Uttar Pradesh for next few days.
Meanwhile, the air quality in Delhi-NCR has been registered in the poor category. The average AQI of the National Capital was recorded at 238 as of 7 PM today.
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In Women’s Cricket, the third T20 International between India and Sri Lanka will be played at Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram tomorrow. The match is scheduled to begin at 7 pm local time. The hosts have taken 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s initiatives changed development scenario of the country; Inaugurates Rashtra Prerna Sthal in Lucknow to mark 101st birth anniversary of the former Prime Minister.
- Mr Modi says, his government working for last 11 years to benefit every citizen without any discrimination.
- Top Maoist Leader Ganesh Uike, carrying a reward of 1.10 Crore rupees killed in an encounter in Kandhamal district of Odisha.
- Railways rationalise passenger fare structure from tomorrow; No increase in suburban and monthly season tickets.
- Festival of Christmas being celebrated across the globe with devotional fervour.
- Pope Leo urges Ukraine and Russia to hold direct talks to end war.
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