THE HEADLINES:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates Swami Vivekananda Cultural Youth Centre in Mysuru; Credits Indian youth for progress in science, technology and sports.
- Prime Minister launches development projects worth 18,000 crore rupees in Andhra Pradesh.
- Centre approves advance release of over 2 thousand crore rupees as assistance to flood-affected States.
- India and China resume cross-border trade through Nathu La pass in Sikkim.
- Flood fury continues in Odisha; Six people killed in Kerala as incessant rain causes widespread havoc.
- In Commonwealth Games, boxers Jaismine Lamboria and Preeti Pawar win gold medals, Para athlete Soman Rana bags Gold in Men’s Shot Put F57.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has credited Indian youth for achieving progress in the area of science, technology and sports and called upon them to contribute in the areas of cleanliness drive, conservation of water and natural resources and gift Indian artifacts. He was speaking after inaugurating the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Youth Centre Viveka Smaraka in Mysuru today. The Prime Minister emphasised that Swamy Vivekananda’s vision was to mentor our youth and empower them to work for nation building.
Mr Modi further said, the capabilities of our youth has transformed India into the second largest mobile phone market, new strides are being made in semiconductor manufacturing, innovations and in private sector space missions.
Moreover, Mr Modi underscored the progress achieved in the last 12 years in the field of education by establishing new universities and colleges including ITIs, IIMs, IITs, AIIMS and increasing Medical seats as well.
Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot and the President of Ramakrishna Math Srimat Swami Gautamanandaji Maharaj were present on the occasion.
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Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi launched development projects worth about 18 thousand crore rupees, including airport, road and energy infrastructure at Vizianagaram in Andhra Pradesh. Addressing a public meeting, the Prime Minister said Andhra Pradesh is moving ahead at a rapid pace and the Centre is fully committed to realising the vision of Swarna Andhra and Viksit Bharat through large-scale infrastructure and industrial development.
Prime Minister Modi also inaugurated the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram and said it is a launch pad for the aspirations of the State’s youth. He announced that the airport has been named after freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju, which will inspire future generations with the spirit of patriotism and public service.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan tomorrow through video conferencing. The launch will mark the beginning of a 100-week nationwide Jan Bhagidari campaign against substance abuse. Youth across the country from over 10 thousand locations will participate in the programme.
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Union Home Minister Amit Shah has approved the advance release of 2 thousand 117.85 crore rupees from the Central share of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to support the States affected by floods during the on-going southwest monsoon. We have a report:
“The assistance approved for the affected States includes 44.55 crore rupees to Arunachal Pradesh as advance release of the first instalment for the financial year 2026-27. For Assam 379.35 crore rupees has been sanctioned as first instalment, while Gujarat has been approved 5 hundred crore rupees. Himachal Pradesh, which had already received the first instalment, has been sanctioned 193.95 crore rupees as advance release of the second instalment, while Odisha has been sanctioned the second instalment of 5 hundred crore rupees. Further, Maharashtra has been approved 5 hundred crore as advance release of the first instalment.
The Home Ministry noted that since the onset of the monsoon, the Government has been continuously monitoring the flood situation in close coordination with the State Governments. It added that the Government has also extended all possible assistance, including pre-deployment of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and logistical support from the Ministry of Defence, wherever required. Inter-Ministerial Central Teams (IMCTs) have already been deputed to Arunachal Pradesh and Assam to assess the damages. It added that on the request of the Government of Nagaland, an IMCT is also being constituted for the State.
The Home Ministry further underlined that this approval aims to strengthen the on-going relief and response measures of the flood-affected States. Priya Mondal, Akashvani News, Delhi.”
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The flood situation in Odisha continues to remain grim with the Mahanadi and its tributaries in spate, posing a fresh threat to low-lying areas of Cuttack, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara and Khordha districts. Ten downstream districts remain on high alert as Hirakud Dam continues releasing flood water through 22 gates. More than eight lakh people have been affected, while over two lakh sixty-nine thousand people have been evacuated to safer places. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi today conducted an aerial survey. Meanwhile, IMD has forecast more rainfall over parts of the state, keeping the flood threat alive.
In Keralam, incessant heavy rain has caused widespread havoc, triggering landslides and severe waterlogging across the state. Six rain-related deaths have been reported today from Kottayam, Idukki, and Malappuram districts while six people remain missing. More from our Correspondent:
“Amid the possibility of extreme heavy rainfall, the India Meteorological Department has issued a Red Alert for nine districts and an Orange Alert for five districts in Keralam today. More than 1,400 people have been shifted to 65 relief camps opened in the affected areas. The State Disaster Management Authority has informed that 17 houses were completely destroyed, while 127 houses were partially damaged in rain-related incidents today. Widespread damage to agricultural crops has also been reported from several districts. Sabarimala pilgrims have been advised to avoid visiting the temple on August 2nd and 3rd in view of the heavy rainfall and the rising water level in the Pamba River. As water levels in several rivers and dams continue to rise, authorities have issued alerts to people living in nearby areas. Fishing activities have been banned along the Keralam, Karnataka, and Lakshadweep coasts until tomorrow. Anila Balakrishnan, Akashvani News Thiruvananthapura.”
In Maharashtra, continuous rainfall has led to a sharp rise in the water levels of rivers, streams, and lakes, with water entering homes in several low-lying areas due to flooding. Jalgaon district has been among the worst affected, where four people have lost their lives due to the heavy rains till now.
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Cross-border trade between India and China through Nathu La pass in Sikkim resumed today, ending a suspension of more than six years. A report:
“Nathula, located at an altitude of over 14,000 feet in East Sikkim, served for centuries as a vital trade route along the ancient Silk Route connecting India with Tibet. Border trade was formally revived in 2006 after remaining closed since the 1962 India-China conflict and continued uninterrupted until it was suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The resumption marks a positive sign in bilateral engagement between India and China. Border trade will operate Monday to Thursday, with the gate opening at 7:30 am IST, and each registered trader will be allowed to conduct trade worth up to Rs 2 lakh per day. Officials confirmed that the existing list of approved import and export items and the standard operating procedures remain unchanged. Mainak Chaterjee, Akashvani news, Gangtok.”
In Himachal Pradeshh, the cross-border trade between India and China also resumed through Shipki-La in Kinnaur today after a gap of around six years. State Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi inaugurated the Chhupan Trade Mart at Namgya, a border panchayat in Pooh subdivision of Kinnaur district, and flagged off a group of 17 traders to commence cross-border trade.
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National Security Advisor Ajit Doval was conferred the Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2026 at a function held at Pune today. The award instituted by the Lokmanya Tilak Smarak Trust was presented by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the occasion of the 106th death anniversary of Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
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The Delhi BJP today lodged a complaint against Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Independent MP Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav, SP MP Awadhesh Prasad and other concerned individuals for allegedly hurting religious sentiments in the Parliament complex yesterday. The BJP delegation, led by New Delhi MP Bansuri Swaraj, demanded registration of an FIR against the opposition leaders.
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In view of the closure of Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) between Jammu and Srinagar, the Railways has decided to operate a special train between Budgam and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to facilitate stranded passengers and manage the heavy rush at railway stations.
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At the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Indian boxers Jaismine Lamboria and Preeti Pawar won gold medals in their respective finals, while Para athlete Soman Rana also bagged a gold in Men’s Shot Put F57 event. More from our Sports Desk:
“India climbed to sixth place today after its medal tally rose to 30, including eight gold, 15 silver and seven bronze medals. Indian boxers Jaismine Lamboria and Preeti Pawar delivered dominant victories in their respective finals to win gold medals. Preeti claimed the women’s 54-kilogram boxing title with a commanding 5-NIL victory over Canada’s Scarlett Delgado. Jaismine, secured another 5- NIL win in the women’s 57-kilogram final, defeating Michaela Walsh of Northern Ireland.
India also celebrated a historic achievement in para athletics, with Soman Rana winning gold and Shubham Juyal taking silver in the men’s shot put F57 event. The result marked India’s first-ever Commonwealth Games gold medal in the men’s shot put F57 event and the nation’s first double podium finish in the category.
In athletics, triple jumper Praveen Chitravel won silver, while Selva Prabhu earned bronze.
President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President C P Radhakrishnan and Union Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya congratulated the medal winners. WITH VIKAS, CHIRAG JHA FROM SPORTS DESK.”
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates Swami Vivekananda Cultural Youth Centre in Mysuru; Credits Indian youth for progress in science, technology and sports.
- Prime Minister launches development projects worth 18,000 crore rupees in Andhra Pradesh.
- Centre approves advance release of over 2 thousand crore rupees as assistance to flood-affected States.
- India and China resume cross-border trade through Nathu La pass in Sikkim.
- Flood fury continues in Odisha; Six people killed in Kerala as incessant rain causes widespread havoc.
- In Commonwealth Games, boxers Jaismine Lamboria and Preeti Pawar win gold medals, Para athlete Soman Rana bags Gold in Men’s Shot Put F57.
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