THE HEADLINES:
Nation pays tribute to victims of Pahalgam terror attack on its first anniversary today. President, Vice President and Prime Minister reaffirm country’s strong resolve to fight terrorism in all its forms.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi calls upon civil servants to align every effort with the goal of building a developed India.
All arrangements in place for assembly elections in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal tomorrow.
BJP delegation asks Election Commission to take strict action against Congress President Malllikarjun Kharge over alleged derogatory remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Bombay High Court discharges four accused in 2006 Malegaon blast case and quashes charges against them.
And, in Women’s Cricket, India to take on Hosts South Africa in third T20 International at Johannesburg tonight.
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The Nation is paying tribute to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack on its first anniversary today. On this day last year, 26 innocent people, mostly tourists were killed by terrorists at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir The dastardly act shook the nation and drew condemnation from governments and leaders across the world. In response to the terror attack, Indian Armed forces launched Operation Sindoor on the intervening night of 6th and 7th of May last year, striking nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) and killing over 100 terrorists, their trainers, handlers, and associates.
President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President CP Radhakrishnan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to the Pahalgam attack victims today and reaffirmed the country’s strong resolve to fight terrorism in all its forms.
The President in a social media post, highlighted that the country remain resolute in its determination to defeat terrorism everywhere in all its forms. Mr Radhakrishnan in his message said, the innocent lives lost in that gruesome and dastardly act of terror remain etched in the country’s collective memory. The Prime Minister has said the country will never bow to any form of terror and the heinous designs of terrorists will never succeed.
Several Union Ministers including, Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, Dr S Jaishankar and Ashwini Vaishnaw also paid tributes to the Pahalgam attack victims.
The Indian Army in a social media post has issued a stern warning to the perpetrators of terrorism asserting that when boundaries of humanity are crossed, the response is decisive.
In Jammu and Kashmir, leaders from across the political spectrum paid tribute to the victims of the attack. Meanwhile, security has been tightened across the Union Territory and along the Line of Control and the International Border in view of the first anniversary of the attack. More from our correspondent:
“J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in their separate messages said that the sacrifices of the innocent civilians won’t be forgotten and pledged unwavering commitment and resolute determination to eradicate terrorism from the soil of Jammu & Kashmir. Almost all senior leaders from different political parties have paid tributes to Baisaran Pahalgam martyrs. Meanwhile, a senior BJP leader in South Kashmir Sofi Yousuf led a rally to remember the Pahalgam martyrs expressing solidarity with the bereaved families while paying tributes to all those who lost their lives in the gruesome attack.”
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called upon the civil servants to align their every effort with the goal of building a developed India. In a letter to the civil servants of the country, Mr Modi congratulated them on their enthusiastic participation in the recently concluded Karmayogi Sadhana Saptah. He said, this week-long festival of learning brought together all Civil Servants across the country. We have a report:
“The Prime Minister said that he has experienced that commitment to continuous learning is a source of positive energy. He said that the world is living in an era where keeping oneself updated and upskilled is no longer optional. Mr Modi stated that the pace of change will only increase in future and committing oneself to constant learning is the only way to be ahead of the curve. The Prime Minister added that the 21st century is a time of great challenges as well as opportunities and trends are changing every day, new technologies are emerging and innovations are constantly happening. He said that our citizens and the world have great expectations from our nation. Mr Modi emphasised that the government’s services and work culture are tuned to make the maximum out of this historic era. He urged the civil servants to make learning a lifelong habit through the use of platforms such as the iGOT Karmayogi platform is important in this regard.”
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All arrangements are in place for single-phase polling in Tamil Nadu and for the first phase of voting in West Bengal for assembly elections tomorrow.
In Tamil Nadu, polling will be held for all the 234 constituencies in the state. Addressing the media, Chief Electoral Officer of the state, Archana Patnaik, has said, over five crore 73 lakh voters will exercise their franchise in 75 thousand 64 polling stations established across the state.
In West Bengal, 152 seats across 16 districts will be covered in the first phase. One thousand four hundred seventy-eight candidates are in the fray in this phase. More than forty four thousand three hundred polling booths have been set up for the first phase. Second phase of polling in the state will take place on 29th of this month.
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A BJP delegation comprising senior leaders Nirmala Sitharaman, Kiren Rijiju, Arjun Ram Meghwal and Arun Singh today met the Election Commission over the alleged derogatory remarks of the Congress President and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Malllikarjun Kharge against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The delegation demanded the commission to take strict action and asked the Congress President to apologise to the country. Talking to media after the meeting, Mr Rijiju said, the poll panel has stated it will take appropriate action. Meanwhile, BJP leader Nirmala Sitharaman said, Congress has shown a pattern of repeatedly using abusive language against the Prime Minister.
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The Bombay High Court today discharged four men accused in the 2006 Malegaon blast case and quashed a special court order framing charges against them. The court allowed the appeals filed by the four accused -Rajendra Chaudhary, Dhan Singh, Manohar Ram Singh Narwaria and Lokesh Sharma – against the special court’s order. The four were charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code for murder and criminal conspiracy, as well as under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
On 8th of September in 2006, four bombs exploded in Malegaon town in Nashik district, claiming 31 lives. Last year, a special court framed charges against the four accused, following which they moved the High Court against the order.
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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today highlighted that the relations between India and Germany have gradually become stronger with time. Mr Singh was addressing the Indian Diaspora at Berlin in Germany. The Minister highlighted the contributions of 3.7 lakhs of the Indian diaspora living in Germany in strengthening bilateral ties.
Mr Singh reached Berlin yesterday on a three-day visit to Germany.
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US President Donald Trump has said that he is indefinitely extending the ceasefire with Iran to allow the two countries to continue peace talks aimed at ending the war. The announcement came as the two-week truce expired this morning.
However, President Trump in a social media post stated that US Navy’s blockade of Iran’s ports and shore will continue till Tehran presents a unified proposal.
On the other hand, Iranian state media affiliated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, said Iran had not asked for a ceasefire extension and repeated its threats to break the US blockade by force.
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Military planners from more than 30 countries are meeting in London today for a two-day conference led by the United Kingdom and France to develop a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing West Asia conflict. UK Defence Secretary John Healey said the discussions aim to translate diplomatic efforts into a coordinated plan to safeguard freedom of navigation in the Strait and support a lasting ceasefire, highlighting its importance for global trade and energy security.
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Back Home, Vice President CP Radhakrishnan has called upon society to follow the philosophy of Saint Basaveshwara, who promoted social equality and service to humanity. The Vice President was speaking after inaugurating the Amrit Mahotsava celebrations of Dr. Basavalinga Pattadevaru Mahaswamiji of Hiremath Samsthan at Sri Channabasavashram in Bidar, Karnataka today. He also highlighted the importance of women’s empowerment, saying that Nari Shakti strengthens society as a whole.
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More than 26 lakh households have availed the Self-Enumeration facility so far during the first phase of the Census 2027 in the country. The Registrar General of India stated this marks the growing participation of citizens in the digital initiative of the Census. The first phase of Census began on 1st of this month.
The Self Enumeration facility is currently underway in Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana and Bihar.
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India’s textile sector has registered growth of 2.1 percent in Financial Year 2025-26 which demonstrates its resilience in global markets. The Ministry of Textile said, the performance reflects steady global demand for Indian textile products and the continued competitiveness of the sector across major product categories.
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Earth day is being observed across the globe to demonstrate support for environmental protection. The day was proposed at the UNESCO conference in 1969 and the first Earth Day celebrations took place in 1970.
On the occasion, Vice President C P Radhakrishnan in a social media post urged everyone to reaffirm their commitment to protect and preserve the planet.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today in a social media post stressed that Earth is the mother of all and the welfare of humanity lies in its preservation.
On the occasion of World Earth Day today, Director General of News Services Division, Akashvani, Dhiraj M Kakadia administered the pledge to the officers and officials at Akashvani Bhawan, New Delhi.
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Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav today announced the designation of Uttar Pradesh’s Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary as a Ramsar site. In a social media post, the Minister said that this marks the state’s 12th Ramsar Site and the country’s 99th, bringing India closer to a historic century.
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In Women’s Cricket, India will take on South Africa in third T20 International of the five-match series at the Wanderers Stadium, in Johannesburg tonight. The match will begin at 9:30 PM Indian Time. The Proteas Women have started the series strongly, winning the first two matches. The Women in Blue will be eager to bounce back and keep the series alive by securing a win in the third T20 International.
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In IPL Cricket, Hosts Lucknow Super Giants will face Rajasthan Royals this evening. The match will start at 7:30 PM.
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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued yellow alert for heatwave over the national capital during the next two days. The Met Department has also forecast heatwave conditions over Haryana Chandigarh, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh during the next two days. Similar conditions are also expected over Odisha, Rajasthan and Gangetic West Bengal.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
Nation pays tribute to victims of Pahalgam terror attack on its first anniversary today. President, Vice President and Prime Minister reaffirm country’s strong resolve to fight terrorism in all its forms.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi calls upon civil servants to align every effort with the goal of building a developed India.
All arrangements in place for assembly elections in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal tomorrow.
BJP delegation asks Election Commission to take strict action against Congress President Malllikarjun Kharge over alleged derogatory remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Bombay High Court discharges four accused in 2006 Malegaon blast case and quashes charges against them.
And, in Women’s Cricket, India to take on Hosts South Africa in third T20 International at Johannesburg tonight.
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