THE HEADLINES:-
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauds India’s first green hydrogen plant in port sector at Kandla.
- Philippines President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to arrive today on a five-day state visit to India.
- First-ever BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival to be held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi this evening.
- Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra suspended from both Baltal and Pahalgam routes in Jammu and Kashmir.
- Reserve Bank of India’s Monetary Policy Committee to begin its 3-day meeting today on the repo rate cut.
- In cricket, fifth Test of Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy between India and England enters thrilling phase at Oval in London.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hailed a landmark step towards sustainability with the commissioning of India’s first Make-in-India Green Hydrogen Plant in the port sector at Kandla in Gujarat. In a social media post, Mr Modi said, this is a commendable effort, championing sustainability and powering our Net-Zero vision. With this, Kandla becomes the first Indian port to house a megawatt-scale indigenous green hydrogen facility, underlining Gujarat’s growing role in renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure. We have a report from our correspondent:
Inaugurated by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, this project highlights India’s progress in green port infrastructure. Built in just four months, this plant is the first module of a larger 10 Megawatt Green Hydrogen project announced by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May 2025. With an annual production capacity of 140 metric tonnes of green hydrogen, the facility marks a key milestone in India’s Net Zero journey. Deendayal Port becomes the first Indian port to operationalize a megawatt-scale green hydrogen plant. Developed entirely by Indian engineers, this plant sets a benchmark for Aatma-Nirbhar Bharat in the clean energy sector. Aparna Khunt Akashvani News Ahmedabad.
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President of Philippines Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr will arrive in New Delhi this afternoon on a five day State Visit to India. He will be accompanied by First Lady Louise Araneta Marcos and a high level delegation including several Cabinet Ministers, other dignitaries and senior officials, in addition to business representatives. This will be the first visit of President Marcos to India, since assumption of office of the President of the Philippines. During the visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Marcos are scheduled to hold bilateral discussions tomorrow. A report:
Diplomatic relations between India and the Philippines were established in November 1949. Both countries have since developed a strong partnership across a wide spectrum of areas, including trade and investment, defence and security, agriculture, healthcare, pharmaceuticals and digital technologies. The two countries also engage closely at regional level, including through India’s Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN. India’s relations with the Philippines are an integral pillar of the Act East Policy, Vision MAHASAGAR and the vision of the Indo-Pacific. The State Visit of President Marcos coincides with the 75th anniversary of India-Philippines diplomatic relations. Akshit Vedyan, Akashvani News, Delhi.
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The first-ever BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival will be held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi this evening. External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar will inaugurate the event.The event is free and open to all, welcoming audience from all walks of life to enjoy this extraordinary evening of cultural connections.
Artists from India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand will perform at the musical evening. Organised by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), the festival called ‘SaptaSur: Seven Nations, One Melody’, will witness celebration of distinct musical traditions of the seven BIMSTEC countries. This inaugural edition marks a significant cultural milestone in BIMSTEC cooperation. The genesis of this cultural initiative can be traced to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s affirmation at the BIMSTEC Summit in Thailand in April this year of India’s commitment to strengthening regional cultural ties through music by hosting the first BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival in India. DEEPMALA KAUSHIK, Akashvani News, Delhi.
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The Election Commission has asked RJD leader and former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadav to furnish details about the Voter ID displayed by him at a press conference amid allegation of possessing two electors’ photo identity cards (EPICs).
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The BJP has alleged that Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav has committed a crime by keeping two voter IDs, noting that his EPIC number he cited at a press conference was different from the one he officially carries. Briefing media in New Delhi, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra asked whether Mr Yadav has presented wrong facts to the Election Commission.
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Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra has been suspended from both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes in Jammu and Kashmir. In a statement, Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri said that due to the recent heavy rains, critical repair and maintenance works are required on both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes. He said it has been observed that due to continued deployment of men and machinery on the tracks, the Administration would not be able to resume Yatra. More than 4.14 lakh yatris paid obeisance at the Holy Cave of Shri Amarnathji this year, since the commencement of Yatra on 3rd of last month.
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On the fourth and last Monday of Shravani Mela, the doors of the Baba Baidyanath Temple located in Deoghar district of Jharkhand were opened at 4:10 am in the morning. Kanwariyas and devotees started queuing up since then to offer Jal to Baba Baidyanath on the last Monday of holy Shravan month. More from our Correspondent:
Tight security arrangements have been made at Baba Baidyanath Dham Temple in Deoghar ahead of the huge crowd of devotees and Kanwariyas coming for the last Monday of holy month of Shravan. All the main entrances, sanctum sanctorum, Mata Parvati temple and other temples including Baba temple have been decorated attractively with flowers. More than three lakh devotees are expected to arrive on the last Monday to offer Jal. The special tradition of Belpatra Puja will also be performed on Monday night. A large number of people have also flocked the Basukinath temple in Dumka on this day. Shilpi, Akashvani News, Ranchi.
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Reserve Bank of India’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will begin its 3-day meeting today on the repo rate cut. Chaired by RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra, the committee’s decision will be announced on Wednesday. According to a report by State Bank of India, RBI may announce a 25 basis points repo rate cut in its monetary policy review to boost credit growth ahead of Diwali. The SBI report said that a front-loaded rate cut on Wednesday can bring an “early Diwali” by boosting credit growth.
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The monsoon rains continue intermittently across most parts of Himachal Pradesh, including the state capital Shimla. Continuous rainfall has disrupted normal life. So far, the state has reported 28 cloudbursts, 53 flash floods, and 47 landslides. Meteorological Department has issued both orange and yellow alerts for heavy to very heavy rainfall in several districts of the state today. The department has also predicted inclement weather in the state until August 9. More from our correspondent:
Normal life in Himachal Pradesh has been affected due to continuous rainfall. In Lahaul-Spiti district, the Gramphu-Batal National Highway-505 near Chhatru has been blocked due to landslides, while 296 other connectivity roads have also been rendered inaccessible in the state. Additionally, 134 power transformers and 266 drinking water supply schemes are currently non-functional. The Meteorological Centre Shimla has issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in Una, Bilaspur, and Hamirpur districts while a yellow alert for heavy rainfall in Kangra, Mandi, Solan, and Sirmaur districts today. Ritesh Kapoor, Akashvani News, Shimla.
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In Uttarakhand, due to ongoing rainfall since last evening in various parts of the state, the water levels of major rivers have risen, while mountain streams are in full spate.
The Met Department has issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in Nainital, Champawat, and Bageshwar districts today. A yellow alert has also been declared for the rest of the state, indicating the possibility of heavy rain.
Meanwhile, in view of continuous rainfall in Rudraprayag district, the Kedarnath Yatra has been temporarily suspended for safety reasons.
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In Uttar Pradesh, continuous rainfall has caused several rivers to rise above the danger mark, triggering floods in 17 districts. Authorities are on high alert, with rescue and relief operations underway in affected areas. Here is a report:
In Uttar Pradesh, floods have impacted 37 tehsils and 402 villages, affecting more than 84 thousand people. Relief Commissioner Bhanu Chandra Goswami informed that currently, 17 districts-Kanpur Nagar, Lakhimpur Kheri, Agra, Auraiya, Chitrakoot, Ballia, Banda, Ghazipur, Mirzapur, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Chandauli, Jalaun, Kanpur Dehat, Hamirpur, Etawah, and Fatehpur-are facing the impact of flooding. Relief and rescue operations are underway in full swing, with continuous patrolling by NDRF, SDRF, and PAC personnel. A total of 905 flood shelters are currently operational. 757 health teams are conducting medical check-ups, while 1,193 flood posts have been set up to monitor the evolving situation. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is closely monitoring the flood situation in the state issuing timely directives to ensure effective relief efforts. Om Awasthi, Akashvani News, Lucknow.
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In Cricket, the fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy has entered a thrilling final day at the Oval, with hosts England set to resume their second innings at 339 for 6 against India. England needs just 35 more runs to win, while India must take the remaining four wickets to claim victory and level the series. More details from our Sports Desk:
Chasing the target of 374, England’s charge was led by brilliant centuries from Harry Brook and Joe Root.
Brook scored a fluent 111, while Root added a composed 105, putting the hosts in a strong position.
However, India fought back late in the day with a stunning bowling performance.
The visitors took three quick wickets for just 36 runs, reigniting hopes of a dramatic comeback.
Prasidh Krishna has been the pick of the Indian bowlers, claiming three wickets, while Mohammed Siraj has contributed with two.
India posted an impressive 396 in their second innings, with the help of a brilliant 118 from Yashasvi Jaiswal, along with key half-centuries from Akash Deep, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar.
Josh Tongue led England’s bowling attack with a five-wicket haul, while Gus Atkinson picked up three wickets.
In the first innings, England were bowled out for 247 in reply to India’s 224. India currently trails the five-match series 1-2.
Moving on, in the men’s triple jump at the Qosanov Memorial 2025, Indian athlete and former Asian champion Abdulla Aboobacker claimed the title at the athletics meet in Almaty, Kazakhstan, last night.
He edged out his closest competitors by just one centimetre.
With Sudhir Singh Yadav’s Report, AISHWARYA RAI NIGAM, Akashvani News, Delhi.
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India’s smartphone exports hit a record high in the first quarter of the financial year 2025-26, with shipments reaching 7.72 billion dollars, a 58 per cent increase from 4.9 billion dollars in the same period last year. According to reports, Apple Inc. led the surge, exporting 6 billion dollars worth of iPhones through its contract manufacturers.
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NOW, FOR A LOOK AT TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS,
- “Government to push key bills amid opposition protest on SIR in Parliament” leads The Asian Age.
- “Government mulls using GST, UPI data for GDP calculation” reports The Hindu Businessline.
- “Cabinet reshuffle on cards: Prime Minister, Amit Shah meets President” states The Pioneer.
- “Amid curbs on HIB and student visas, more Indian are lining up for US investment visas” informs The Indian Express.
- “Government plans to introduce key sports bill in Lok Sabha” reports The Statesman.
- “Soon, mega shipbuilding component unit in Thoothukudi” says Business Standard.
- And finally, “On his 100th birth anniversary, Guru Dutt’s classics return in 4K to theatres” writes The Times of India.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauds India’s first green hydrogen plant in port sector at Kandla.
- Philippines President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to arrive today on a five-day state visit to India.
- First-ever BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival to be held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi this evening.
- Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra suspended from both Baltal and Pahalgam routes in Jammu and Kashmir.
- Reserve Bank of India’s Monetary Policy Committee to begin its 3-day meeting today on the repo rate cut.
- In cricket, fifth Test of Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy between India and England enters thrilling phase at Oval in London.
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