THE HEADLINES:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi participates in Somnath Swabhiman Parv in Gujarat; To join the Shaurya Yatra tomorrow morning.
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasizes vital role of law and order in development of any state.
- Enforcement Directorate approaches Supreme Court after Calcutta High Court defers hearing in I-PAC case.
- India’s clean energy sector achieves significant growth in 2025, with non-fossil fuel installed capacity rising to 266.78 gigawatt, says New and Renewable Energy Minister Pralhad Joshi.
- Protest spreads across Iran as Government escalates response; Several international airlines suspend or cancel flights to and from Iran.
- In Women’s Premier League Cricket, Gujarat Giants beat UP Warriorz by 10 runs in Navi Mumbai; Another match underway between Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today participated in the Somnath Swabhiman Parv’ being celebrated at Prabhas Patan in Gujarat, to celebrate India’s resilience. The Prime Minister reached Somnath on a three-day visit to Gujarat this evening and took part in the ‘Omkar Jap’ at the temple premises. Following the prayers, a breathtaking drone show is being held over the skies of Prabhas Patan.
Tomorrow, the Prime Minister is scheduled to join Shorya Yatra and offer prayers to Somnath Mahadev. He will then travel to Rajkot to inaugurate the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference.
More from our correspondent:
“A spectacular drone show and spiritual prayers marked the of the first day of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Somnath. The proceedings began with the Prime Minister participating in the ‘Omkar Jap’ inside the temple premises, joining thousands of Rishikumars. The chanting filled the air with spirituality. The sky above Prabhas Patan was lit by three thousand drones-the largest show of its kind-recounting the majestic history of the Somnath Temple and its restoration. The display depicted the temple’s journey as a tribute to India’s enduring spirit following the invasion of 1026 on somenath temple. On arriving at Somnath, PM Modi received a grand welcome by people. Before PM’s arrival, the cultural corridor from Shankh Circle to Hamirji Circle in Somnath ,remained a center of attraction, with twenty stages featuring diverse art forms. We saw a beautiful blend of ‘Unity in Diversity’ as the classical grace of Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, and Yakshagana met the energetic Maniaro Raas of Gujarat. With Rajesh Bhajgotar, this is Aparna Khunt, Akashvani News, Ahmedabad.“
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Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said that the law and order plays a vital role in the development of any state. He said that states with better law and order always attract greater investor interest. Addressing a constable appointment Ceremony in Jaipur this afternoon, Mr. Shah said that despite several challenges, the Rajasthan government has given special attention to law and order and as a result, the state has now emerged as a preferred destination for investors. He said Rajasthan’s future is bright. The Home Minister said that a state progresses when young people are given jobs without recommendation, without corruption, and through a fully transparent selection system.
Mr. Shah said that the Bhajanlal-led government has freed the youth of Rajasthan from the menace of paper leaks. During the programme, the Home Minister handed over appointment letters to around ten thousand newly recruited constables of the Rajasthan Police. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma said that his government is committed to the modernization of the police force.
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In a social media post today, Prime Minister Modi expressed his eagerness to engage with the nation’s youth at the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue.
The Prime Minister said, the country’s youth power, driven by remarkable enthusiasm and unparalleled zeal, remains firmly committed to the nation’s growth and progress.
The Prime Minister will participate in the concluding session of the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026 on Monday, to commemorate the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda in New Delhi. During the programme, the Prime Minister will interact with three thousand youth from across the country, including international delegates.
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The Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya said that the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders’ Dialogue 2026 is a unique platform which will provide an opportunity to young leaders of the country to present their ideas directly to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In an exclusive interview with the Akashvani News, the minister said the ideas shared by young minds will help shape the future policies of the government, taking the nation closer to the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has approached the Supreme Court in the consultancy firm I-PAC case today. Meanwhile, the West Bengal government has filed a caveat in the apex Court seeking that no order should be passed without hearing it. The ED yesterday approached the Calcutta High Court, seeking a CBI probe against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The High Court adjourned the hearing till January 14.
Earlier on Thursday, the ED conducted searches on the premises of consultancy firm I-PAC and its director Pratik Jain in Kolkata as part of a money laundering probe into an alleged multi-crore rupee coal pilferage scam. The agency alleged that West Bengal Chief Minister entered the raid sites and took away key evidence, including physical documents and electronic devices. Ms. Banerjee has accused the central agency of overreach.
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Amid escalating political tensions over the Special Intensive Revision SIR process, the Election Commission of India, ECI has appointed four additional Special Roll Observers to monitor the voter list update in West Bengal. According to the Commission’s directives, the primary responsibility of these observers is to ensure that no eligible voter is excluded and no ineligible names are added to the list.
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New and Renewable Energy Minister Prahlad Joshi today highlighted that India’s clean energy sector has achieved significant growth in 2025, with non-fossil fuel installed capacity rising to 266.78 gigawatt. In a social media post, the Minister said that the rise represents a 22.6 per cent increase compared to 2024. He mentioned that over 49 gigawatts of new non-fossil capacity was added during the year 2025. He noted that solar power led the expansion, with installed capacity increasing from 97.86 gigawatt to 135.81 gigawatt, registering a growth of 38.8 per cent. Mr Joshi emphasized that wind energy capacity also witnessed steady growth, rising from 48.16 gigawatt to 54.51 gigawatt. The Minister added that the record growth reflects the government’s decisive policy direction, long-term vision and sustained implementation.
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Prime Minister’s flagship platform for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation, PRAGATI, has marked a significant milestone with the successful conduct of its 50th meeting. Since its launch by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015, PRAGATI has transformed governance by enabling real-time monitoring and resolution of key infrastructure projects and public grievances through direct Prime Ministerial review. The platform exemplifies cooperative federalism, bringing together the Centre, States, and Union Ministries on a single digital interface. Over a decade, PRAGATI has helped accelerate decision-making, resolution of issues causing delay in key infrastructure projects, and instilled a strong culture of accountability. Today, in this special series, we take a look at the Ennore-Thiruvallur-Bengaluru-Puducherry-Nagapattinam-Madurai-Tuticorin Natural Gas Pipeline (ETBPNMTPL) project of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
“The ETBPNMTPL Project is one of the most consequential clean-energy logistics assets created in Southern India. This Pipeline project was executed by Indian Oil Corporation Limited to extend natural gas access from coastal import and domestic production points to inland industrial and urban demand centres. The project was sanctioned on 27 May 2016 and designed as an integrated natural gas trunk network of approximately 1,400 km with an authorised capacity of 84.67 Million Metric Standard Cubic Metres per Day. The pipeline traverses Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry to supply anchor industries and to enable the rollout of City Gas Distribution networks across multiple districts. The project was taken up for review under PRAGATI on 29 August 2018, at a stage when physical progress stood at only 17.4 per cent. Following the PRAGATI review meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the project was accorded priority by the concerned State Governments and Central Ministries, with sustained follow-ups. As a direct outcome of this PRAGATI-led governance, the project transitioned from prolonged stagnation to accelerated execution. The entire trunkline was commissioned on 25 September 2023. The project’s success story demonstrates how PRAGATI’s model of proactive governance converts long-pending, multi-jurisdictional infrastructure constraints into time-bound deliverables. With Anand Kumar and Akshit Vedyan, Adarsh, Akashvani News Delhi.”
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Iran has been gripped by increasingly large protests which entered its 14th day. The Iranian army said today that it will safeguard strategic infrastructure and public property, as the government has stepped up efforts to quell the country’s biggest protests in years. The Iranian military statement came after U.S. President Donald Trump issued a new warning to Iran’s leaders. Earlier, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the Islamic Republic would not back down, accusing protesters of acting on behalf of foreign powers and blaming US president Donald Trump for the unrest. More from our west Asia correspondent:
“The Iranian army says it will safeguard strategic infrastructure and public property and has urged citizens to thwart what it calls the enemy’s plots, as authorities step up efforts to contain the country’s biggest wave of protests in years. The statement follows new warnings from US President Donald Trump and remarks by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who expressed support for the brave people of Iran. Protests continued across several cities on despite internet shutdowns and the cutting of international phone lines, with online videos showing demonstrators defying threats of a security crackdown. Protesters appear to be drawing encouragement from repeated statements of support by the US administration and from Iran’s exiled crown prince, who has called on people to overwhelm security forces and seize control of towns and cities. A rights group relying on contacts inside Iran says at least 65 people have been killed since the unrest began in Tehran in late December over economic hardship, with the movement rapidly spreading nationwide.VINOD KUMAR, AKASHVANI NEWS, DUBAI.
Several international airlines have suspended or cancelled flights to and from Iran as nationwide anti-government protests enter third week, compounded by a near-total internet blackout and heightened security concerns.
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In Women’s Premier League Cricket, Mumbai Indians have set a target of 196 runs for Delhi Capitals at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. Delhi Capitals had won the toss and decided to bowl. Earlier, this evening, Gujarat Giants defeated UP Warriorz by 10 runs in Navi Mumbai.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi participates in Somnath Swabhiman Parv in Gujarat; To join the Shaurya Yatra tomorrow morning.
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasizes vital role of law and order in development of any state.
- Enforcement Directorate approaches Supreme Court after Calcutta High Court defers hearing in I-PAC case.
- India’s clean energy sector achieves significant growth in 2025, with non-fossil fuel installed capacity rising to 266.78 gigawatt, says New and Renewable Energy Minister Pralhad Joshi.
- Protest spreads across Iran as Government escalates response; Several international airlines suspend or cancel flights to and from Iran.
- In Women’s Premier League Cricket, Gujarat Giants beat UP Warriorz by 10 runs in Navi Mumbai; Another match underway between Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals.
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