THE HEADLINES:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao movement helped in overcoming gender biases and paved way for Girls' Education and Empowerment.
- Campaigning picks up momentum for Delhi Assembly Elections with senior leaders joining the canvassing.
- National Khadi Exhibition at the Mahakumbh showcasing country's rich heritage attracting thousands of visitors.
- Death toll rises to 76 in Turkiye fire incident.
- In Cricket, the first T20 International of five match series between India and England to be played at Eden Gardens in Kolkata today.
- And in Badminton, PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen to open their singles campaign at Indonesia Masters Super 500 in Jakarta this evening.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao movement has become a transformative, people-powered initiative and drawn participation from people across all walks of life. On completing 10 years of the movement, the Prime Minister said in a social media post, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao movement has been instrumental in overcoming gender biases and created the right environment to ensure that the girl child has access to education and opportunities to achieve her dreams. The Prime Minister highlighted that districts with historically low child-sex ratios have reported significant improvements. He thanked the dedicated efforts of the people and various community service organisations for achieving remarkable milestones. Prime Minister urged everyone to continue to protect the rights of the daughters, ensure their education and create a society where they can thrive without discrimination.
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Campaigning for 70 member Delhi Assembly polls has picked up with Prime Minister and senior BJP leader Narendra Modi, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal set to join the campaign trail in different parts of the city today.
Interacting with the BJP's booth-level workers through the NaMo App this afternoon under the Mera Booth Sabse Majboot programme, Mr. Modi attacked Aam Aadmi Party alleging that the ruling party in Delhi is making all kinds of promises on a daily basis sensing its defeat in the polls. Mr. Modi urged BJP workers to expose the AAP and popularise the BJP's promises among the people. He asked them to ensure record polling and target winning over 50 per cent votes in every booth in the national capital.
Mr. Modi accused AAP and Congress of betraying the people of Delhi. He alleged that tanker Mafias are flourishing in Delhi. He came down heavily on AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal referring to reported lavish spending on his residence as the Chief Minister. The Prime Minister also questioned the AAP government for not implementing the Ayushman Bharat scheme in the city.
In his interaction, Mr Modi highlighted the pollution in the Yamuna River and reminded AAP of its promises related to it. He also mentioned benefits of various welfare schemes of the Central government.
Congress leader, Rahul Gandhi will address a public meeting in the Inderlok area of Sadar Bazar Assembly constituency in the evening. While former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is going to hold three rallies while another Aam Aadmi Party leader and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann will hold roadshows in the city today. Our correspondent has filed this report:-
"As less than two weeks are left for campaigning for the assembly polls in the city, star campaigners of political parties are hitting the ground to seek support in favour of their candidates. Leaders and candidates are mainly focussing on door-to-door campaigns, roadshows and public meetings to propagate their issues and agendas in front of the people. Trying hard to retain power, for the 4th term ruling Aam Aadmi Party while highlighting their works in health, electricity, water, education and other sectors is making all kinds of tall promises in this poll to attract voters, on the other hand highlighting alleged misgovernance, unfulfilled promises and alleged irregularities,s particularly liquor scam, BJP is leaving no stone unturned in its effort to dethrone the Aam Aadmi Party. Battling a survival fight in Delhi's politics, Congress in its campaign is mainly trying to remind people of the works done by Sheila Dikshit's government and the alleged failure of the incumbent government. With Diwaker, Bhanu Pratap Singh, Akashvani News, Delhi."
Meanwhile, the BJP today accused the Aam Aadmi Party of using vehicles of the Punjab government in a poll campaign in the city. Party MP Praveen Khandelwal alleged that Mr Kejriwal is violating poll norms by doing so.
On the other hand, Mr Kejriwal today demanded that there should be special provision for the middle class in the Union Budget. He claimed that his party-led Delhi government always worked towards uplifting the middle class.
Congress has also stepped up its attack on the Aam Aadmi Party with senior party leader Ajay Maken accusing it of stalling the tabling of CAG reports related to the Delhi Government. Briefing the media, Mr Maken also alleged that several projects related to hospitals have been delayed in the city.
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The Supreme Court today extended the interim stay on the order of the Allahabad High Court for the inspection of the Shahi Eidgah Mosque in Mathura by a court-appointed commissioner in connection with the Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah Masjid dispute.
The bench of CJI Sanjiv Khanna, Justices Sanjay Kumar and KV Viswanathan was considering the appeals led by the Mosque Committee challenging the Allahabad High Court's order.
The petitions are led against the Allahabad High Court's order whereby it transferred to itself the suits from the Mathura court and the High Court allowing the appointment of a court commissioner to inspect the Shahi Eidgah mosque.
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The Mahakumbh is underway at Paryagraj in Uttar Pradesh. Our correspondent covering the mega event, reports that the National-level Khadi Exhibition at the Mahakumbh is attracting thousands of visitors.
"The Khadi India Pavilion showcases India’s rich heritage in local crafts, textiles, and indigenous industries, with a focus on Khadi. The pavilion highlights the integration of tradition, sustainability, and craftsmanship, offering an in-depth view of Khadi's role in fostering unity and preserving cultural values. Set against the historic backdrop of the Maha Kumbh Mela, it underscores India's commitment to promoting local industries and sustainable practices. Khadi, which became a symbol of Swadeshi during freedom struggle has now become the identity of a self-reliant India. With Anand Kumar from Prayagraj, Anupam Mishra, Akashvani News."
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A special Cabinet meeting of the Uttar Pradesh Government is underway in Prayagraj under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. All 54 ministers of the state government have been invited to attend the meeting which is being held at Triveni Sankul in the Arail area. Our correspondent reports, important decisions are expected to be taken for the public welfare and progress of the State. Earlier the meeting was planned at the auditorium of Mela Authority but the venue was changed to avoid inconvenience to the devotees and pilgrims visiting Mahakumbh to take a holy dip in Sangam. Later, the Chief Minister and the members of the Council of Ministers will perform rituals and take the holy dip at Triveni Sangam.
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At least ten people have been killed and 16 injured in a road accident in Yellapur taluk of Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka today. The accident occured when a truck loaded with vegetables and fruits fell into a roadside gorge leading to the death of nine people on the spot while one died at the hospital. The accident occurred early this morning. The truck was transporting goods from Savanur in Haveri district to the weekly vegetable market in Kumta. All the dead were from Savanur. The injured have been shifted to Karnataka Medical College in Hubballi.
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In Jammu and Kashmir, the Badhaal village in Rajouri district where 17 mysterious deaths occurred in the last 45 days, has been declared a containment zone with all gatherings being prohibited in the area. Our Correspondent reports that the District Magistrate has imposed Section 163 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) sealing the affected families' homes. The area is divided into three zones, with all public and private gatherings banned. Designated officials will monitor meals provided to families in the containment zones.
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In Jharkhand, an encounter is underway between police and naxals near forest areas close to Bansi village in Nawadih block of Bokaro district. Two police jawans have been injured in the incident while two Naxals were found dead. The search operation has been taking place since early in the morning.
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Death toll has risen to 76 in the fire incident that occured at a ski resort hotel in Bolu province of Türkiye. Another 51 people have been injured in the blaze that broke out at around 3:30 on Tuesday morning in the restaurant of the 12-storey Grand Kartal Hotel in the mountain-top resort of Kartalkaya.
Around 230 guests were evacuated from the hotel. It was reported that other nearby hotels were evacuated as a precaution. Turkish Justice Minister, Yilmaz Tunc has appointed six prosecutors to lead an investigation into the fire.
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Food Processing Industries Minister Chirag Paswan has said that beverage company AB InBev has announced an investment of 250 million dollars in various parts of India which will be completed in two to three years. Mr Paswan held a meeting with the company on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos.He said it is another historic step in India's food processing industry and will write a new chapter on job creation and economic progress. The Minister said it symbolises growing opportunities and the confidence of global companies in India.
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Union Railways Minister Ashiwini Vaishnaw today met Swiss Federal Railways delegation in Davos.
During the meeting they had a detailed discussion on safety technologies and maintenance practices.
Mr Vaishnaw also visited rail coach manufacturing plant of Stadler Rail at St. Margrethen, Switzerland.
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Union Health and Family Welfare Secretary, Punya Salila Srivastava has highlighted the need to address the rising cases of strokes in the country. She informed that nearly 500 stroke units are currently operational across the country and the network will be expanded to ensure wider access to specialised care. The Secretary was addressing the National Stroke Summit organised in New Delhi today.
Ms. Srivastava said, 66 per cent of deaths in the country are caused by non-communicable diseases. She emphasised that stroke is preventable with timely intervention.
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India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast dense to very dense fog conditions in East Uttar Pradesh today. Cold wave conditions are also predicted in isolated pockets of Jammu-Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit, Baltistan, Muzaffarabad and Himachal Pradesh tomorrow.
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In Cricket, the first of the five match T20I series between India and England will be played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata this evening. The match will start at 7 pm IST.
The other matches of the series will be held in Chennai, Rajkot, Pune, and Mumbai. The final T20I match will take place in Mumbai on February 2nd.
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In the Indonesia Masters Super 500 badminton, Ace Indian shuttler PV Sindhu is set to face T.L. Nguyen of Vietnam in the women's singles opening round in Jakarta, today. Lakshya Sen will face Japan's Takuma Obayashi in the round 32 event. The match will begin at 7:10 PM.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao movement helped in overcoming gender biases and paved way for Girls' Education and Empowerment.
- Campaigning picks up momentum for Delhi Assembly Elections with senior leaders joining the canvassing.
- National Khadi Exhibition at the Mahakumbh showcasing country's rich heritage attracting thousands of visitors.
- Death toll rises to 76 in Turkiye fire incident.
- In Cricket, the first T20 International of five match series between India and England to be played at Eden Gardens in Kolkata today.
- And in Badminton, PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen to open their singles campaign at Indonesia Masters Super 500 in Jakarta this evening.
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