THE HEADLINES:-
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi to distribute over 51 thousand appointment letters to new recruits in various government departments today.
- RBI approves record surplus transfer of 2.86 lakh crore rupees to Central Government for Financial Year 2025-26.
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives in Kolkata on his maiden 4-day visit to India; To call on Prime Minister Modi in New Delhi this afternoon.
- IMD issues red alert for severe heat wave over East Madhya Pradesh, East Uttar Pradesh and Vidarbha today.
- Indian Army officer Major Abhilasha Barak honoured with prestigious UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award 2025.
- In IPL Cricket, hosts Sunrisers Hyderabad beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru by 55 runs.
<><><>
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will distribute more than 51 thousand appointment letters to newly recruited youth in various government departments and organisations at the 19th Rozgar Mela through video conferencing today. Mr Modi will also address the gathering on the occasion. Our Correspondent reports that the Rozgar Mela is a key initiative reflecting the Prime Minister’s commitment to giving top priority to employment generation and turning this vision into reality.
“Rozgar Mela is a step towards fulfillment of the Prime Minister’s commitment to accord highest priority to employment generation. The Rozgar Mela is playing a significant role in providing meaningful opportunities to the youth for their empowerment and participation in nation building. Since its inception, around 12 lakh recruitment letters have been issued through 18 Rozgar Melas organised across the country. The 19th Rozgar Mela will be held at 47 locations across the country. The newly recruited candidates, selected from across the country, will be joining various Ministries and Departments including Ministries of Railways, Home Affairs, Health and Family Welfare and Department of Higher Education among others. With Dipendra Kumar, RISHU JAISWAL, Akashvani News Delhi.”
<><><>
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved a transfer of record 2.86 lakh crore rupees as surplus to the Central Government for the financial year 2025-26, marking one of the highest dividend payouts by the central bank. The decision was taken during the 623rd meeting of the Central Board of Directors of the RBI, chaired by Governor Sanjay Malhotra in Mumbai yesterday.
The RBI in its release said its gross income increased by 26.42 per cent during Financial Year 2025-26 compared to the previous year, while expenditure before risk provisions rose 27.60 per cent.
<><><>
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Kolkata today on a four-day visit to India. This is his maiden visit to India, marking an important step in strengthening bilateral ties between Washington and New Delhi. The visit is expected to focus on expanding cooperation in trade, defence, energy security, technology and Indo-Pacific strategy.
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor received Mr Rubio at the airport. The US Department of State said, during his stay in Kolkata, Mr Rubio will visit Mother House, the headquarters of Saint Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity and the Children’s Home in the city.
Mr Gor in a social media post said, later in the day, US Secretary of State will travel to New Delhi and call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to the US ambassador, the upcoming engagements will primarily focus on strengthening cooperation in key strategic sectors, including defence partnerships, advanced technologies, trade ties and collaboration under the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) framework.
<><><>
President Droupadi Murmu has said there is tremendous potential for cooperation between India and Cyprus in new and emerging sectors such as semiconductors, space and Artificial Intelligence. The President was speaking after hosting a banquet in honour of her Cyprus counterpart Nikos Christodoulides and his delegation at Rashtrapati Bhavan yesterday. She said technology and innovation have emerged as key forward-looking areas of the bilateral relationship.
President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides also highlighted the friendship with India.
<><><>
Indian Army officer Major Abhilasha Barak, serving with the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, has been honoured with the prestigious United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award for 2025. We have a report:
“Major Barak is currently serving with the Indian Battalion as Commander of the Female Engagement Team in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). She is also the first woman combat helicopter pilot of the Indian Army. The recipient is selected annually from nominations submitted by Force Commanders and Heads of Mission across UN peacekeeping operations worldwide.
With this recognition, Major Barak becomes the third Indian peacekeeper to receive the honour. Earlier, Major Suman Gawani was awarded in 2019 for her service with the UN Mission in South Sudan, while Major Radhika Sen received the award in 2023 for her work with the UN Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
India remains one of the largest contributors of troops and police personnel to UN peacekeeping missions across the world. SWATI RAKHEJA, AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI.”
<><><>
The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has successfully completed its first-ever all-women international mountaineering expedition to Mount Everest, marking a historic milestone in the Force’s mountaineering achievements. We have a report:
“A 14-member team of ITBP, comprising 11 women climbers and three technical and support staff, summited the world’s highest peak on 21st of this month through the South Col route from the Nepal side. The expedition was flagged off from ITBP headquarters on 19th April. As part of its “Clean Himalaya-Save Glacier” campaign, the team also carried out environmental awareness activities and collected non-biodegradable waste from the Everest region.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated the team for unfurling the national flag atop Mount Everest. Mr Shah said that by achieving this remarkable feat in extreme terrain and harsh climatic conditions, the team has upheld the ITBP’s motto of “Nation Before Self.”
Meanwhile, with this achievement, ITBP has now completed 232 mountaineering expeditions, including five successful Everest summits. The Force has also scaled six of the world’s 8,000-metre-plus peaks, including Everest, Mount Kanchenjunga, Mount Makalu, Mount Lhotse, Mount Dhaulagiri and Mount Manaslu. JIGYASA PANDEY, AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI.“
<><><>
As part of our series ‘People’s Padma on Akashvani’, in our upcoming episode we speak to N. Rajam, a renowned violinist. She will be honoured with the prestigious Padma Vibhushan.
To listen to the conversation, tune in to 100.1 Akashvani Gold today at 9:10 AM. You can also listen to it this conversation on NEWSONAIR App and NEWSONAIROFFICIAL YouTube channel.
<><><>
Petrol and diesel prices were increased by up to 91 paise per litre today, marking the third hike in less than 10 days. In Delhi, petrol price has been increased by 87 paise to 99 rupees 51 paise per litre, while diesel has gone up by 91 paise to 92 rupees 49 paise per litre.
The increase comes amid a sharp surge in global crude oil prices following the Iran conflict and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has said that India has adequate availability of petrol and diesel, and supplies across the country remain stable. In a social media post, the Ministry advised citizens to avoid panic buying and to purchase fuel only as per actual requirement. The Ministry further stated that responsible consumption and public cooperation will help ensure smooth fuel availability for all during the ongoing high-demand period.
<><><>
The Madhya Pradesh government has taken an important step towards Uniform Civil Code (UCC). Chief Minister Mohan Yadav launched the website ucc.mp.gov.in at the Secretariat yesterday. Through this portal, citizens, political parties and social organisations can share their views and suggestions on the proposed UCC. The last date for submitting feedback is 15th of June this year.
<><><>
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red colour warning for severe heat wave conditions over East Madhya Pradesh, East Uttar Pradesh, and Vidarbha today. IMD has also issued orange colour warning for heat wave conditions over Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Odisha during the next five days.
Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh continues to reel under intense heatwave conditions. We have a report from our Correspondent:
“The Meteorological Department has issued heatwave warnings in 42 districts today. Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur and Panna are the worst affected. All three are under red alert. Gwalior and 20 other districts are under orange alert for severe heatwave. Bhopal, Indore and 16 other districts are under yellow alert. Yesterday, the temperature crossed 44 degrees Celsius in 10 cities. Naugaon in Chhatarpur district was the hottest place in the state. The mercury touched 46.8 degrees there. The biggest worry is that Nautapa has not even begun yet. Nautapa starts on May 25 and lasts for 9 days. The Met Department says the heat will remain at its peak till May 31st. Abhinav Goel, Akashvani, Bhopal.”
<><><>
In IPL cricket, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) defeated Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by 55 runs in Hyderabad last night. Chasing a massive target of 256 runs set by SRH, the RCB could manage to score 200 runs for 4 wickets in 20 overs. Rajat Patidar was the top scorer with 56 runs. For Hyderabad, Eshan Malinga claimed 2 wickets. Earlier, opting to bat first, SRH posted 255 for 4 in their stipulated 20 overs. Ishan Kishan was the top-scorer with unbeaten 79 runs and so, he was named Player of the Match.
Today, Lucknow Super Giants will take on Punjab Kings in Lucknow at 7:30 this evening.
<><><>
TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS,
- The Asian Age leads with the headline, “India, Cyprus ink 6 pacts; boost trade, security ties.”
- The Reserve Bank of India central board has approved a record surplus transfer of 2.86 lakh crore rupees to the government for financial year 26, reports The Economic Times.
- In its editorial piece titled, “Xi-Putin meet: A new axis in the making?” The Pioneer argues that the recent summit between Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin signals a deepening China-Russia alignment with potentially major consequences for the global order. The piece suggests that Beijing and Moscow are moving beyond symbolism toward a more coordinated challenge to American influence. It concludes that the emergence of such an axis may become one of the defining geopolitical developments of our time.
- And finally, in a bold push to boost biodiversity and climate resilience, the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department has launched preparations to produce 25 million seed balls in June, during monsoon season, writes The Statesman.
<><><>
THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:-
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi to distribute over 51 thousand appointment letters to new recruits in various government departments today.
- RBI approves record surplus transfer of 2.86 lakh crore rupees to Central Government for Financial Year 2025-26.
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives in Kolkata on his maiden 4-day visit to India; To call on Prime Minister Modi in New Delhi this afternoon.
- IMD issues red alert for severe heat wave over East Madhya Pradesh, East Uttar Pradesh and Vidarbha today.
- Indian Army officer Major Abhilasha Barak honoured with prestigious UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award 2025.
- In IPL Cricket, hosts Sunrisers Hyderabad beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru by 55 runs.
<><><>