THE HEADLINES:
- More than 64 per cent voter turnout recorded in first phase of Bihar Assembly Elections in 121 constituencies.
- Campaigning intensifies for second phase in the state. Polling for 122 seats to be held on Tuesday.
- Indian Navy commissions indigenously-built new survey vessel, Ikshak in Kochi.
- Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman calls for developing world-class banks in the country; Says, banks must expand credit flow to productive sectors to promote growth.
- Women's World Cup-winning Indian Cricket team calls on President Droupadi Murmu in New Delhi. President Murmu says, they have become role models for the younger generation.
- In Men's Cricket, India beat Australia by 48 runs in fourth T20 International in Carrara; Take 2-1 lead in five-match series.
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Polling concluded peacefully for the first phase of assembly elections in Bihar today. Voting was held in 121 constituencies spread over 18 districts. According to Chief Electoral Officer, 64.46 percent voter turnout was recorded in the first phase.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar today congratulated the electors of Bihar for the historic voter turnout in Phase I of Assembly Elections. The Commissioner thanked the electors for expressing their faith in the Election Commission and turning out to vote in such large numbers with fervor and enthusiasm. Mr Kumar has also thanked the entire election machinery for working with full transparency and dedication.
The electoral fate of a total of the 1,314 candidates has now been sealed in the Electronic Voting Machines. Our correspondent has the details:
"Among the 18 districts, voter turnout was good in sixteen districts, except for Patna and Sheikhpura. In rural areas of various districts, voters showed great enthusiasm for casting their votes. Today the electoral fate of 57 Janata Dal (United) candidates from the NDA has been sealed in the EVMs. The fate of 48 BJP and 14 Lok Janshakti Party R candidates has also been locked by the voters. From the Mahagathbandhan, 73 Rashtriya Janata Dal candidates and 24 Congress candidates were in the fray. Among the seven-party Mahagathbandhan, CPI (ML) had fielded its candidates on 14 seats. In the 2020 Assembly elections out of 121 seats 23 were won by Janata Dal (United) and 32 by BJP, Lok Janshakti Party had one seat. On the other hand the Rashtriya Janata Dal had won 42 seats, while its ally Congress had secured four seats. The Vikassheel Insaan Party had also won four seats. In today’s polling, the key figures were BJP candidates and Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha. From the Mahagathbandhan, Chief Ministerial candidate Tejashwi Prasad Yadav is contesting from Raghopur. The electoral fate of a total of 16 ministers of the NDA government was sealed today in the EVMs. Dharmendra Kumar, Rai Akashvani News, Patna."
Elaborate security arrangements were made to ensure free, fair, and peaceful polling in the first phase. Barring a few sporadic incidents, polling was by and large peaceful. In Lakhisarai district, some miscreants attacked the convoy of Deputy Chief Minister and BJP candidate Vijay Kumar Sinha near a polling booth. The Election Commission has taken the incident seriously and directed the DGP, Vinay Kumar, to take strict action against those involved.
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Meanwhile, Campaigning has intensified for the second phase of assembly polls in Bihar. Leaders of NDA and Mahagathbandhan held back to back rallies and roadshows in support of their candidates. Senior BJP leader and Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed public meetings in Bhagalpur and Araria. He accused the RJD of lawlessness and lack of development in Bihar during its tenure. Mr Modi alleged that RJD is a symbol of Jungle Raj and corruption.
Senior BJP leader and Union minister Amit Shah addressed rallies in East Champaran and West Champaran, while Union Minister Rajnath Singh addressed three election rallies in East Champaran and Sitamarhi.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi held public meetings at Araria and Purnea in support of Mahagathbandhan candidates. Mr Gandhi said, Bihar needs to progress again adding that the world's best universities and hospitals should be established in the state. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi also addressed three public meetings in Govindganj, Reega and Benipatti. RJD leader and Chief Ministerial candidate of the Mahagathbandhan Tejashwi Prasad Yadav held rallies in Madhubani, Supaul, Kishanganj, Katihar and Purnia district.
In the second phase, 122 assembly constituencies across 20 districts will go to the polls on the 11th of this month. Counting of votes will take place on 14th November.
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Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman has advocated for developing world-class banks in India, adding that discussions are ongoing in this regard. The Minister was addressing the 12th SBI Banking and Economics Conclave in Mumbai this afternoon. She urged the banking sector to support growth by expanding credit availability. She added that banks must deepen and widen credit flow to productive sectors to promote growth, asserting that the Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate cuts will spur demand and investment. The Minister said, the government has taken countless path-breaking reform measures to improve ease of doing business since 2014.
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Union Civil Aviation Minister, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu today said, the Centre is working on a strong and robust policy to establish India as a global leader in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production. Addressing the India-SAF Summit in New Delhi, Mr Naidu said, India carries an edge over its peers due to its feedstock availability and production facilities. He expressed optimism that India can not just satisfy its needs but also export it to other nations, meeting global demands.
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The Indian Navy today enhanced its indigenous capabilities with the formal commissioning of the new survey vessel, ‘Ikshak. The ship, the third in the Survey Vessel (Large) class, was inducted into service at a ceremony held at the Naval Base in Kochi. Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, presided over the event. Speaking on the occasion, the Navy Chief called INS Ikshak a symbol of India’s maritime confidence and technological self-reliance.
Named after the Sanskrit word for 'Guide,' the ship is equipped with advanced hydrographic and oceanographic tools, including multi-beam sonars and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles. Its main role will be to conduct full-scale coastal and deep-water surveys to ensure safe navigation for all maritime traffic.
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President Droupadi Murmu will embark on a six day visit to Angola and Botswana from the 8th of this month. This will be the first visit of any Indian Head of state to these countries. During a media briefing in New Delhi, Secretary (ER) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Sudhakar Dalela said, on the first leg of her tour, President Murmu will be visiting Angola from the 8th to the 11th of November. During her visit, the President will hold bilateral talks with President of Angola, Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the year-long commemoration of 150 years of the national song 'Vande Mataram' in New Delhi tomorrow. The Prime Minister will also release a Commemorative Stamp and Coin on the occasion. The event marks the formal launch of year-long nationwide commemoration to celebrate 150 years of the timeless composition, which inspired India’s freedom movement and continues to evoke national pride and unity.
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Members of the Indian Women Cricket team, winner of the ICC Women’s ODI Cricket World Cup 2025 called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi today. President Murmu congratulated the team and said that they have created history and have become role models for the younger generation.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted the champions of the Women's World Cup at his residence at Lok Kalyan Marg.
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In Men's Cricket, India defeated Hosts Australia by 48 runs in the fourth T20 International at Carrara Oval in Queensland today. With the win, Team India has taken a lead of 2-1 in the five-match series.
Put in to bat, the visitors posted 167 for the loss of eight wickets in the stipulated 20 overs. Shubman Gill, with 46 runs, was the top scorer for India. In reply, chasing the target of 168 runs, Australia were bundled out for 119 in 18.2 overs. Skipper Mitchell Marsh with 30 runs was the top scorer for Australia. Washington Sundar took three wickets while Shivam Dube and Axar Patel claimed two wickets each for the visitors.
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The National Commission for Women (NCW) conducted consultation sessions across the country on cyber crimes against women and sent its recommendations to the government. Talking exclusively to Akashvani News, NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar said that in these consultation sessions, the commission received feedback to curb cyber bullying and other crimes against women. The NCW Chairperson urged women to raise the issue if they encounter any such incidents and register complaints without any hesitation.
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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall at isolated places over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the air quality in the Delhi-NCR region continues to be in the very poor category. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 312 was recorded at 7 this evening.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
- More than 64 per cent voter turnout recorded in first phase of Bihar Assembly Elections in 121 constituencies.
- Campaigning intensifies for second phase in the state. Polling for 122 seats to be held on Tuesday.
- Indian Navy commissions indigenously-built new survey vessel, Ikshak in Kochi.
- Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman calls for developing world-class banks in the country; Says, banks must expand credit flow to productive sectors to promote growth.
- Women's World Cup-winning Indian Cricket team calls on President Droupadi Murmu in New Delhi. President Murmu says, they have become role models for the younger generation.
- In Men's Cricket, India beat Australia by 48 runs in fourth T20 International in Carrara; Take 2-1 lead in five-match series.
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