THE HEADLINES:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi releases another installment of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi of over eighteen thousand crore rupees to nine crore farmers; Asserts, India is on the path to becoming global hub of natural farming.
- NDA leader Nitish Kumar stakes claim to form a new government in Bihar; To take oath tomorrow.
- India launches first indigenous CRISPR based gene therapy, BIRSA 101, for Sickle Cell Disease.
- Delhi court sends Gangster Anmol Bishnoi to 11-day NIA custody over involvement in terror-syndicate after deportation from the US.
- Goa is all set to host the 56th International Film Festival of India from tomorrow at Panaji.
- In Shooting, pair of Abhinav Deshwal and Pranjali Prashant Dhumal clinch gold in the 10-meter Air Pistol mixed event at 25th Deaflympics in Tokyo.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the 21st installment of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi of more than eighteen thousand crore rupees at Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu this afternoon. The amount will support nine crore farmers across the country. Mr Modi also inaugurated the South India Natural Farming Summit on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said, the agriculture sector has witnessed transformative reforms in the past 11 years. He said, the country is on the path to becoming a global hub in natural farming.
Mr Modi said, farmers received a benefit of 10 lakh crore rupees through Kisan Credit Cards this year.
The Prime Minister gave a clarion call to the farmers to adopt Natural farming practice in 'one acre land in one season' and witness the amazing results.
Prime Minister Modi also felicitated five distinguished natural farming specialists on the occasion. Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr. L.Murugan also attended the event.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi participated, in the Centenary Celebrations of Sri Sathya Sai Baba at Puttaparthi in Andhra Pradesh.
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Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar submitted his resignation to the Governor this evening and staked claim to form the new NDA government.
Earlier in the day, Janata Dal (United) chief Nitish Kumar was elected as the leader of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) legislature party in the state. The decision was taken during a joint meeting of Newly-elected MLAs of the five constituent parties of the coalition in Patna.
Samrat Choudhary was named the Bihar BJP legislature party leader while Vijay Kumar Sinha was chosen as the deputy leader during a meeting of the newly elected MLAs of the party in Patna.
Talking to media State BJP chief Dilip Jaiswal said, Mr Nitish Kumar's resignation has been accepted. Mr Jaiswal said, the JD(U) leader has been appointed as the caretaker Chief minister till the oath-taking ceremony to be held tomorrow.
NDA had achieved a landslide victory in the recently concluded state Assembly elections, returning to power by clinching 202 seats in the 243-member House.
JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar will take oath as the Chief Minister of Bihar for the 10th time tomorrow. The swearing-in ceremony will be held at the historic Gandhi Maidan in Patna. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and many other dignitaries will attend the event.
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Science and Technology Minister, Dr. Jitendra Singh today launched the country’s first indigenous CRISPR based gene therapy for Sickle Cell Disease, which primarily affects the country's tribal population. The therapy, named BIRSA 101, is dedicated to legendary tribal leader Bhagwan Birsa Munda, whose 150th anniversary was observed on the 15th of this month. Addressing the gathering, the Minister said, the country has formally begun its decisive journey towards becoming a Sickle Cell Disease-free nation, marking a historic turning point in the country’s public health and genomic medicine landscape. He emphasized that the breakthrough has demonstrated the country’s capability to produce path breaking therapies at a fraction of global costs, potentially replacing treatments priced at 20-25 crore rupees overseas.
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A Delhi court today sent gangster Anmol Bishnoi to 11 days of custody of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) following his deportation from the United States. The agency produced the gangster in Patiala House Court in the National Capital amid tight security this evening after his arrest upon his deportation from the US over his involvement in the terror-syndicate led by his jailed brother and close aide Lawrence Bishnoi. The NIA had sought custodial interrogation of the accused for 15 days. The agency said, Anmol Bishnoi had been absconding since 2022.
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A high-level Afghan delegation led by Minister of Industry and Commerce, Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi visited the India International Trade Fair today. The visit of the Afghan Minister is aimed at strengthening bilateral trade and investment ties. Mr. Azizi interacted with Afghan traders in India to discuss market access and expansion prospects. This visit is the first by an Afghan Minister to India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) since 2021, set against escalating Afghanistan-Pakistan tensions, including border closures disrupting exports. This has prompted Afghanistan to diversify trade with India.
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External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar today inaugurated Consulates General of India in Yekaterinburg and Kazan, alongside Russia's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrey Rudenko. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Jaishankar expressed confidence that the establishment of the new Consulates will boost trade and tourism between India and Russia.
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In Ukraine, a total of 25 people were killed in a Russian drones and missile attacks on western part of the country, hitting two apartment blocks in Ternopil. Ukrainian rescue officials said, 73 people were wounded in one of the deadliest strikes since Russia launched its special military operation in 2022, Meanwhile, Russia said, debris from intercepted Ukrainian missiles struck civilian sites in Voronezh.
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Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal today underscored the country's remarkable progress in sanitation and hygiene under the Swachh Bharat Mission, saying that 11 crore toilets have been built across the country. Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the three day World Toilet Summit on the occasion of World Toilet Day in New Delhi, the Minister said, construction of toilets is a major milestone that has transformed public health and dignity in rural and urban India. He said that all villages, districts and states were declared Open Defecation Free (ODF) in 2019.
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Goa is all set to host the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) from tomorrow at Panaji. The nine-day festival will begin with a vibrant parade celebrating the country's rich cultural legacy. Japan is the focus country this year along with Spain as partner country and Australia as spotlight country. Our Correspondent reports that the event will bring together guests and filmmakers from more than 80 countries and over the 270 films from India and abroad.
"The parade will start tomorrow evening, featuring vibrant floats, cultural performances and a spectacular procession. The street carnival has replaced the traditional indoor opening ceremony. The cultural centre, from where the tableaus will proceed to the street, is buzzing with preparation; with the procession finally culminating at Kala Academy, one of the five venues of IFFI 2025. Brazilian film - The Blue Trail by Gabriel Mascaro will be the opening film this year and will be screened at all five venues. The festival will also feature 13 world premieres and 46 asian premieres. The best film of the festival will be bestowed with the Golden Peacock award, and a handsome cash prize of 40 lakh rupees. Apart from celebrating cinema, IFFI will also be the home to WAVES Bazaar, musical showcase IFFIESTA and a dedicated section to AI film festival. The film festival will be held till the 28th of this month. With Saira, Adarsh for Akashvani News, Panaji."
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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast severe cold wave conditions in parts of West Madhya Pradesh tomorrow. IMD has also said that there will be a gradual rise in minimum temperature by 2 to 4 degree Celsius in Central India during the next five days. The air quality in Delhi-NCR continues to be in the very poor category. The Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 395 at 8 PM today.
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Benchmark domestic equity indices, the Sensex and the Nifty, ended over half a per cent higher today. We have a report:
"The Sensex surged 513 points, to close at 85 thousand 186, while the Nifty advanced 143 points, to settle at 26 thousand and 53. Sensex closed over 85,000 mark for the first time this year. Meanwhile, the broader market indices at the Bombay Stock Exchange closed mixed. The Mid-Cap index advanced over 0.3 per cent, while the Small-Cap index declined 0.4 per cent. In the forex market, the rupee today appreciated by three paise to close at 88 rupees and 58 paise against the US dollar. Lalima Aneja Dang for Akashvani News."
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Indian shooters continued their impressive performance, securing more medals at the 25th Deaflympics in Tokyo, Japan today. The duo of Abhinav Deshwal and Pranjali Prashant Dhumal clinched gold in the 10m Air Pistol mixed event by defeating Ya-Ju Kao and Ming-Jui Hsu of Chinese Taipei, 16-6 in the final. Meanwhile, Kushagra Singh Rajawat won the bronze in the 50 metre Rifle Prone competition.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi releases another installment of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi of over eighteen thousand crore rupees to nine crore farmers; Asserts, India is on the path to becoming global hub of natural farming.
- NDA leader Nitish Kumar stakes claim to form a new government in Bihar; To take oath tomorrow.
- India launches first indigenous CRISPR based gene therapy, BIRSA 101, for Sickle Cell Disease.
- Delhi court sends Gangster Anmol Bishnoi to 11-day NIA custody over involvement in terror-syndicate after deportation from the US.
- Goa is all set to host the 56th International Film Festival of India from tomorrow at Panaji.
- In Shooting, pair of Abhinav Deshwal and Pranjali Prashant Dhumal clinch gold in the 10 meter Air Pistol mixed event at 25th Deaflympics in Tokyo.
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