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HEADLINES
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President Droupadi Murmu inaugurates two-day Conference of Governors at Rashtrapati Bhavan; Asks Governors to suggest ways for inclusive development of people of Scheduled and Tribal areas.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi urges Governors to play role of effective bridge between Centre and State.
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Centre approves 8 important National High-Speed Road Corridor Projects to improve logistics efficiency and enhance connectivity across the country.
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More than six thousand stranded pilgrims devotees rescued in Uttarakhand so far; Relief and search operations in full swing in landslide hit areas of Himachal Pradesh and Kerala.
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Air India announces suspension of all Flights To and From Tel Aviv until August 8 due to tensions in West Asia region.
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In Paris Olympics, Manu Bhaker qualifies for 25m air pistol final; Indian Men’s Hockey team beats Australia in its last group-stage match.
- In Cricket, Sri Lanka set a target of 231 runs for India in first ODI of three-match series in Colombo.
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President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the two day conference of Governors at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi today. The conference will cover a wide range of issues that play a critical role in not only shaping the centre-state relations but also promoting welfare schemes for common people.
In her opening remarks, the President said, the agenda for this conference included carefully chosen issues that are crucial in achieving the national goals. She said that the deliberations of this conference would be an enriching experience for all participants and help them in their functioning. The President said that with the implementation of three new laws related to criminal justice, a new era of the justice system had begun in the country. President Murmu also said that for the smooth functioning of democracy, it was crucial that the various central agencies work with better coordination across all the states. She advised the Governors to think about how they, as the constitutional heads of the respective states, can promote this coordination. We have a report:
“The President said that the National Education Policy emphasised upon improving the Accreditation and Assessment system of educational institutions. She urged the Governors to contribute to this reform process in their capacity as the chancellors of state universities. The President also said that the Government had been giving utmost priority to the development of the poor, the border areas, the deprived sections and areas, and people left behind in the development journey. She pointed out that a large section of tribal population lives in the Scheduled and Tribal areas, and urged the Governors to suggest ways to achieve inclusive development of the people of these areas.
Addressing the conference, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar referred to the oath of the Governors and urged them to discharge their constitutional responsibility of making people aware of social welfare schemes and incredible development that have taken place during the last decade.
In his address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the Governors to play the role of an effective bridge between the Centre and the State and interact with people and social organisations in a manner to co-opt those who are underprivileged. He said that the post of the Governor was an important institution which could play a crucial role in the welfare of people of the State within the framework of the Constitution, particularly with reference to tribal areas. SHEFALI SINGH/Akashvani News /SPORTS DESK .
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Union Cabinet has approved 8 important National High-Speed Road Corridor Projects of length nine hundred 36 kilometres at a total cost of 50 thousand 655 Crore rupees to improve logistics efficiency, reduce congestion and enhance connectivity across the country. Union Information Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnav today informed about the cabinet decisions.
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In Uttarakhand, relief and rescue operations continued for the second day today to evacuate the pilgrims stranded at Kedarnath Dham and Yatra route. Our correspondent reports that more than six thousand devotees have been rescued so far.
“Indian Army’s Chinook and MI-17 helicopters were deployed to rescue the pilgrims stranded at Kedarnath Dham. Due to bad weather, the helicopters could not fly back after bringing the stranded people once in the morning. However, with the help of NDRF, SDRF and police, the rescue operation on foot continued. There is information about more than five hundred devotees stranded and all are said to be safe. In the rescue operation conducted today, about one thousand five hundred pilgrims were taken to safe places through walking routes and about six hundred devotees were rescued safely from the Yatra route with the help of four helicopters. Due to rain and landslides, the Kedarnath Yatra has been suspended till further orders. Meanwhile, the Met Department has issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rains at some places in Chamoli and Bageshwar districts tomorrow. Along with this, light to moderate rains are also expected in other parts of the state. Sakshi Singh, Akashvani News, Dehradun.”
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Relief and rescue operations are continuing on a war footing to search for missing people due to heavy rain and landslide related incidents in Himachal Pradesh during the last two days. Six bodies have been recovered in Kullu, Mandi and Shimla districts, while 47 people are still missing. More from our correspondent:
“Rescue operations are going on in full swing to search for people missing in cloudburst incidents in Mandi, Kullu and Shimla districts of the state. Teams of NDRF, SDRF, Army, Air Force and district administration are engaged in the rescue operation. Bodies of 2 children have been recovered today in Ramban of Mandi district and a total of 6 people have died in these incidents so far. 65 houses have also been damaged due to this disaster. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu today visited the Samej, near Rampur in Shimla district and took stock of the affected area. The Chief Minister met the families of the missing people and consoled them and assured them of all possible assistance from the government. Ritesh Kapoor, Akashvani News Shimla“.
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In Kerala, search operations were held in the landslide hit Wayanad by dividing the affected area into six zones, where 40 teams were deployed. Rescue workers today fanned out to different affected areas. We have a report from Kochi Correspondent:
” Rescue workers retrieved a few more bodies today from the debris. They also conducted search over a vast area along the banks of Chaliyar river in Malappuram district, where more bodies were found after they were washed away in the landslide. Over 300 persons have reportedly lost their lives in the tragedy so far. Meanwhile, army and rescue workers are continuing the search for a possible survivor in Mundakkai area , after a ground penetrating radar detected breath signals from beneath the debris. An earth moving equipment has been deployed in the area and the debris is being removed with great care.” With Arun Vincent in Wayanad, Raj Mohan, Akashvani News, Kochi.”
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The Rajya Sabha today took up discussion on a private member resolution moved by DMK member M. Mohamed Abdulla urging the government to repeal NEET and NTA and revert to medical admissions based on the criteria of State Governments. Intervening in the discussion, Leader of the House and Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda said that the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test-NEET provides a robust and very systematic system for admissions in various disciplines of medical education. He appealed to the members not to undermine this system as NEET is a very good medium through which students from village and remote areas can get admissions in MBBS and BDS. Mr Nadda said that previously, medical education had become an open business.The Health Minister added that the exam is now conducted in 13 languages, and students from government schools have also benefited from this.
Earlier speaking on the resolution , DMK member M. Mohamed Abdulla alleged that NEET examination is directly against the principal of social justice.
Other members including Shaktisinh Gohil of Congress, Jawhar Sircar of AITC, Raghav Chadha of AAP and Dr John Brittas of CPI(M) also participated in the discussion. However, the discussion remained inconclusive. Later the House was adjourned for the day.
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The Lok Sabha today took up discussion on demands for grants related to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for 2024-25. Initiating the discussion in the House, Tariq Anwar of Congress alleged that sufficient budgetary allocation was not made in this years’ budget to improve basic health facilities in the rural areas.
Dr Sanjay Jaiswal of BJP said, the government is paying special attention towards the education and health sector. He said, in 2014, there were only 387 medical colleges in the country which now increased to 706. Mr Jaiswal said that there were only around 51 thousand medical seats in 2014 which have now increased to more than one lakh.
Lalji Verma of Samajwadi Party said, health budget was decreased as compared to financial year 2023-24.
Ramprit Mandal of JD(U) hailed the budgetary allocation of 90 thousand 659 crore rupees for health sector in the Union Budget.
Daggumalla Prasada Rao of TDP urged the Union Health Minister to consider to set up a comprehensive Cancer hospital in Andhra Pradesh.
Other members also participated in the discussion. After that House took up the matters of urgent public importance in which members raised several issues. After completing it, the Chair adjourned the House for the day.
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Air India has announced the immediate suspension of all flights to and from Tel Aviv until August 8, 2024, citing safety concerns due to the ongoing situation in parts of the West Asia. The carrier emphasized that the safety of passengers and crew is their top priority. Affected travelers with confirmed bookings during this period will be offered a one-time waiver on rescheduling and cancellation charges. Air India stated they are continuously monitoring the situation and will provide updates as necessary. This move comes as tensions in the region continue to escalate, potentially impacting air travel safety in the area.
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President Droupadi Murmu will be on a three nation visit to Fiji, New Zealand and Timor-Leste from 5th to 10th of August. Briefing media in Delhi this afternoon, Secretary (East) Jaideep Mazumdar said this would be the first ever visit by the President of India to Fiji and Timor Leste.
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Former senior officer of Indian Information Service Kamalkant Pant died after a prolonged illness in Gurugram today. 64 years old Mr. pant retired from Central Bureau of Communication in the year 2020. Prior to this he served in many units of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting including Akashvani News.
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In Paris Olympics, Manu Bhaker has qualified for 25m air pistol final while Indian Men’s Hockey team defeated Australia 3-2 in its last group-stage match today. Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker finished second in women’s 25 pistol qualification shooting a total of 590 (294 in precision, 296 in rapid) out of a possible 600 and reached her third final of the tournament. Archers Ankita Bhakat and Dhiraj Bommadevara lost to the USA in the bronze medal match.
Details from our correspondent who is covering Paris Olympics.
India has had a commendable day so far at the Paris Olympics. The archery mixed team, comprising Dhiraj Bommadevara and Ankita Bhakat came oh so close to the first ever archery medal, only to go down 6-2 in the bronze medal playoff. First Indian archers to reach this stage at the Olympics. The hockey team were brilliant in despatching the mighty Australians 3-2 in a closely contested group game to finish second in their group. This is India’s first win over the Aussies at the Olympics since 1972 as skipper Harmanpreet Singh netted a brace. There was success from the shooting range at Chateauroux as well As Manu Bhaker, already the proud claimant of two medals at this year’s Games, is on course to win three that will cement her legacy as a legendary Indian Olympian. She has made it to the final of the 25m sports pistol event in joint second and seems to be in great form and on course for a medal. All eyes will be on Lakshya Sen as he tackles his men’s singles quarterfinal as he faces Chinese Taipei’s Chou Tien Chen and Tejinder Pal Singh Toor in the men’s shot put later in the day. SAVIO/AKASHVANI/PARIS
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Chasing the target of 231 runs set by hosts Sri Lanka, India were 183 for 5 in 38 overs in the first One Day International of three-match series in Colombo, when reports last came in.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN: –
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President Droupadi Murmu inaugurates two-day Conference of Governors at Rashtrapati Bhavan; Asks Governors to suggest ways for inclusive development of people of Scheduled and Tribal areas.
-
Prime Minister Narendra Modi urges Governors to play role of effective bridge between Centre and State.
-
Centre approves 8 important National High-Speed Road Corridor Projects to improve logistics efficiency and enhance connectivity across the country.
-
In Paris Olympics, Manu Bhaker qualifies for 25m air pistol final; Indian Men’s Hockey team beats Australia in its last group-stage match.