THE HEADLINES :-
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reach Nice tonight on first leg of two-nation visit to France and Slovakia; To hold bilateral talks with French President Emmanuel Macron and jointly inaugurate ‘Bharat Innovates’ tomorrow.
- Five Indian Air Force personnel killed in AN-32 aircraft crash at Jorhat in Assam.
- Five-day BRICS Agriculture Conference ends with unanimous adoption of Indore Declaration focusing on food security and smart technology in farming.
- Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth appointed as country’s next Army Chief.
- In Cricket, Afghanistan set a target of 195 runs for India in rain-marred first ODI of three match series in Dharamshala.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reach the French city of Nice tonight, marking the beginning of his six-day visit to France and Slovakia. The visit to the two European countries aims to further deepen bilateral ties and reaffirm India’s commitment towards advancing its broader strategic partnership with the European Union.
During his stay in Nice, Prime Minister Modi will hold bilateral talks with French President Emmanuel Macron tomorrow. Both leaders will also jointly inaugurate the ‘Bharat Innovates’ event which brings together top innovation startups and Venture Capital funds from across the world. Our Correspondent covering the Prime Minister’s visit to Nice has filed this report:
“France occupies a special place in India’s strategic vision. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Nice tonight at 10:30pm IST, attention is focused on a series of high-level engagements aimed at deepening cooperation across innovation, technology and strategic sectors. Tomorrow, at 2:30 pm, Prime Minister Modi and President Macron will jointly inaugurate Bharat Innovates, India’s flagship deep-tech showcase in Europe. More than 120 Indian startups, along with global investors, CEOs and technology leaders, will participate in the event. Prime Minister Modi will also hold bilateral talks with President Macron. Discussions are expected to cover defence, artificial intelligence, space, trade, education and other global challenges. Here in Nice, expectations are high that the visit will inject fresh momentum into one of India’s most trusted strategic partnerships. Shailesh Menon, Akashvani News, Nice, France.”
On the second leg of his two-nation tour, Mr Modi will travel to Slovakia tomorrow. During his two-day visit, Mr Modi will meet Slovakian President Peter Pelligrini. He will also hold talks with his Slovakian counterpart Robert Fico in Bratislava.
Slovak President in a social media post today said that Prime Minister Modi’s historic visit will open new opportunities for Slovakia-India cooperation. President Pelligrini stated that he is looking forward to welcome Mr. Modi in Bratislava.
The Indian community in Bratislava is preparing a unique welcome for Prime Minister Modi during his maiden visit to Slovakia. More from our correspondent covering the Prime Minister’s Slovakia visit:
“As Slovakia prepares to host an Indian Prime Minister for the first time, members of the Indian community are making special arrangements to accord a grand welcome. Paintings, cultural programmes and dance programmes are being planned to mark the historic visit. Indian Ambassador to Slovakia, Apoorva Srivastava, says the excitement is clearly visible among the Indian diaspora. Preparations are underway across the community, and the national flags of India and Slovakia can be seen in the capital city, Bratislava. The enthusiasm has been further boosted by the significant increase in travel and exchanges between the two countries over the past five years. Bratislava’s strategic location in Central Europe is also expected to help strengthen tourism links with India. Smithy M. Palluruthy, for Akashvani News, Bratislava.”
After concluding his Solvakia visit, Prime Minister Modi will return to France to take part in the G7 Summit in the eastern part of the country in Evian on the 16th and 17th of this month.
The White House today said, US President Donald Trump will meet Prime Minister Modi on Wednesday during the G7 Summit. A senior administration official said, discussions are expected to focus on economic growth, supply chains, Artificial Intelligence, investment partnerships and a range of global security challenges.
On the final leg, Prime Minister Modi will travel to Paris on the 18th of this month to attend Europe’s largest technology and startup event, VivaTech Summit. Mr Modi is also expected to address the members of the Indian community in Paris.
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The Five-day BRICS Agriculture Conference concluded at Indore in Madhya Pradesh today. At the end of the conference, the ‘Indore Declaration’ was adopted unanimously. The declaration outlines key decisions on food security, farmers’ welfare, climate-friendly farming, agricultural trade and use of smart technology in farming.
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that BRICS nations represent nearly half the world’s population and contribute around 42 percent of global agricultural output. He said, Indore Declaration is not just a document of agreement but a symbol of the collective will and shared responsibility of BRICS nations. We have a report:
“Four new institutional initiatives were announced at the conference. Under the first initiative, a Network of Centres of Excellence will be set up for joint research on natural and regenerative farming, with the Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research playing a key role. The second initiative involves setting up a BRICS Digital Agriculture Network to bring Artificial Intelligence and digital technology into farming, which will be coordinated by IIT Delhi. The third initiative will establish a Global Forum to protect farmers’ rights related to seeds and to preserve traditional seed varieties. The fourth initiative will set up the BRICS AgriN Network for sharing agricultural inputs and genetic resources among member countries. With ABHINAV GOEL’S REPORT PRASHANT KUMAR SINHA FOR AKASHVANI NEWS.”
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Union Home Minister Amit Shah today directed the high-level committee on demographic change to study the shift in population structure in border districts. Chairing the meeting of the committee, Mr Shah also asked the panel to visit border areas, metro cities and industrial towns for an assessment of changes because of illegal migration and other unnatural causes.
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An AN-32 transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed at the Jorhat Air Force station in Assam this morning during a routine sortie, claiming the lives of five Air Warriors. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has expressed grief at the the loss of lives. In a social media post, IAF said, Squadron Leader Prashant Singh, Flight Lieutenant Shubham Kumar, Sergeant Jitendra Sharma, Agniveervayu Khemaram Kumawat and Agniveervayu Danish Alam made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. The IAF said that a court of inquiry is being constituted, to ascertain the cause of the accident.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has also expressed grief at the loss of five Air Warriors. In a social media post, Mr Singh said their courage and service to the nation will always be remembered with pride and gratitude. He also conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and said the nation stands firmly with them in this hour of grief.
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The Government has appointed Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth as the next Chief of the Army Staff with effect from the 30th of this month. He is presently serving as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff. The present Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi is retiring from service the same day.
The Defence Ministry said in a statement that Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth was commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986 and has an extensive experience across the operational, strategic, capability development and institutional domains, contributing significantly to the Indian Army’s combat effectiveness and long-term transformation, over a distinguished military career spanning nearly four decades.
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India has undergone a remarkable transformation, driven by the principles of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the last 12 years. During this period, the Narendra Modi government carried out many flagship initiatives for the welfare and empowerment of the poor, farmers, women and youth. Akashvani News brings you a special feature 12 Saal–Vishwas Ke, Vikas ke, Jankalyan ke. Today, we focus on the steps taken by the government to strengthen and celebrate the nation’s cultural legacy.
“Over the last 12 years, India’s cultural journey has flourished. Government has undertaken numerous initiatives, both nationally and internationally, that have instilled a deep sense of pride in the country’s cultural heritage among its people. The making of Kashi Vishwanath corridor, Mahakal Lok Project, re-development of Maa Kamakhya Temple, Reconstruction of Juna Somnath Temple and establishment of Ram Temple in Ayodhya are the major highlights of the Modi Government. Under the Museum Grant Scheme, the nation’s cultural infrastructure has been upgraded by establishing 21 new museums and modernizing 23 existing ones. Over the years, the scheme has emerged as a key support system in Nagaland. Talking to Akashvani News, Mr. Talitemjen, Guide Lecturer with the Nagaland’s Department of Art and Culture highlighted the benefits of the scheme in the state.
The Cultural Function and Production Grant have also emerged as one of the cultural ministry’s key instruments for supporting cultural activities across the country. The Manipur Dramatic Union (MDU), the oldest proscenium theatre organization in Manipur, is gearing up to launch a series of new theatrical productions. Talking to Akashvani News, Secretary of Dramatic Union Sorokhaibam Saratchandra expressed gratitude to the Government for sustaining regional arts through robust financial frameworks.
India has taken big steps to protect its culture and share it with the world. Today, India’s rich culture is not only shining at home, but also spreading light across the world. Aman Yadav, Akashvani News, Delhi.”
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Union Home Minister Amit Shah today said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has nurtured a new culture of education, skills, innovation, and startups across the country over the past 12 years. In a social media post, Mr Shah said, India has the world’s second-largest higher education network due to various policy initiatives undertaken by the Prime Minister.
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Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri today said that tensions arising from the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel have increased challenges in the global petroleum sector, leading to a rise in crude oil prices. Speaking to the media at Ludhiana in Punjab, Mr. Puri asserted that the Centre has however taken measures to ensure that Indian citizens are not adversely affected by the increase in fuel prices.
Mr. Puri described the 12-year tenure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as people-centric and development-oriented. He said India has witnessed significant progress across sectors during this period.
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Manipur Police notified that certain individuals and groups are creating, sharing, and circulating unverified and provocative content on various social media platforms. In a social media post, Manipur Police strongly advised the public not to believe, share, or forward rumours or unverified content and to exercise caution while engaging with information circulating on social media.
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In Men’s Cricket, Afghanistan have set a target of 195 runs for India in the rain affected first One Day International (ODI) of the three match series in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. The match has been reduced to 25 overs-per-side after relentless rains delayed the start.
In reply, India were 91 for one in 10.3 overs when reports last came in.
Earlier, put into bat, Afghanistan were bowled out for 194 in 24.5 overs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz smashed a brilliant century, scoring 102 off 51 balls. India, debutant Harsh Dubey clinched three wickets. India won the toss and elected to field first.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN :-
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reach Nice tonight on first leg of two-nation visit to France and Slovakia; To hold bilateral talks with French President Emmanuel Macron and jointly inaugurate ‘Bharat Innovates’ tomorrow.
- Five Indian Air Force personnel killed in AN-32 aircraft crash at Jorhat in Assam.
- Five-day BRICS Agriculture Conference ends with unanimous adoption of Indore Declaration focusing on food security and smart technology in farming.
- Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth appointed as country’s next Army Chief.
- In Cricket, Afghanistan set a target of 195 runs for India in rain-marred first ODI of three match series in Dharamshala.
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