THE HEADLINES,
- NIA arrests four people including alleged main recruiter in connection with Burdwan blast case.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi asks NCC cadets to spread message of cleanliness through Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
- Army pays tributes to this year's gallantry award winner Colonel MN Rai who was killed in yesterday's encounter in Jammu and Kashmir; UP government announces an ex-gratia of 30 lakh rupees.
- Sensex rules flat in volatile afternoon trade.
- And in Australian Open, Sania Mirza with her partner storm into Mixed Doubles semifinals.
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In West Bengal, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested four persons in connection with October 2014 Burdwan blast from three districts of the state. The NIA SP Mr. Bikram Kharate told AIR that the accused persons were involved in terrorist activities and they were arrested from Murshidabad, Birbhum and Nadia districts last night. The arrested persons will be produced before the court today.
Earlier this month, the NIA arrested an alleged operative of banned Jamaat-ul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) terror outfit Rezaul Karim, believed to be in charge of transporting explosives to various places in Burdwan in West Bengal. Karim, on whom a cash reward of five lakh rupees had been announced by the NIA, was arrested from Jharkhand where he was hiding since the blast took place in Burdwan on October 2.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said it was a matter of encouragement to see large participation of the girl cadets of National Cadet Corps in the republic day parade. Addressing the cadets during the culmination parade of this year's NCC Republic Day Camp in New Delhi, Mr Modi said, it is matter of pride for every cadet to be part of NCC. Terming it as mini-India, the Prime Minister said, diverse culture is the strength of India and it keeps inspiring people of the country.
"ये जो राष्ट्र रक्षा की अनुभूति होती है, उसके साथ जो एकात्मता का भाव आता है, हमारीजिन्दगी की एक बहुत बड़ी ताकत बन जाता है। मुझे विश्वास है आपके माध्यम से पूरे राष्ट्र कीयुवा शक्ति इस बात की अनुभूति करे, गौरव करे, एहसास करे कि हम किस उंचाईयों को पारकर सकते हैं।"
Reminiscing his days of NCC, Mr Modi said, he has fond memories of his association with NCC as it taught a lot to him. He also asked the cadets to spread message of cleanliness through Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
"एक तरफ तो हम स्वच्छता के लिए जरूर काम करें, लेकिन साथ साथ जिस स्कूल में हों,कॉलेज में हों, गांव में हों, परिवार में हों, समाज में हों हर पल स्वच्छता एक स्वभाव कैसे बने,हम स्वच्छता के सम्बन्ध में कितने जागरूक हों, गलती से भी गन्दगी न करें। आप देखियेभारत, जिसके पास इतनी महान विरासत है, अगर उसमें एक बार स्वच्छता जुड़ जायेगी तो पूरेविश्व में भारत की तरफ देखने का नजरिया बदल जायेगा।"
Cadets from all three wings of the armed forces, including the Army, Navy and Air Force presented the Guard of Honour to the Prime Minister followed by a march past by contingents from different states. Popularly known as the 'Prime Minister's rally', the parade marks the culmination of the month long camp which is held every year.
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The Army today paid glowing tributes to Colonel MN Rai who died fighting militants in Tral area of Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir. Cololnel Rai was awarded a gallantry medal this Republic Day. At a function held at Army’s Badami Bagh Cantonment, General Officer Commanding (GoC) 15 Corps, Lt. Gen. Subrata Saha laid a wreath.
Our Correspondent reports that Col. Rai, who was the Commanding Officer of 42 Rashtriya Rifles, and head constable Sanjeev Kumar Singh, Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police were killed during the encounter in Tral in Pulawama district yesterday, in which two militants were also gunned down.
The Uttar Pradesh government has announced an ex gratia of Rupees thirty lakh to the kin of the martyred army officer Colonel Rai hailing from the state. Principal Secretary information Navneet Sehgal informed this.
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In yet another incident of ceasefire violation, Pakistani troops, last night, resorted to firing in RS Pura Sector of Jammu and Kashmir along the international border. BSF sources said, Pakistani troops started unprovoked firing on Indian forward posts around 9.30 PM. BSF retaliated to the Pak firing and the exchange of fire lasted for about two hours. There is no report of any casualty or injury to the Indian side.
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In Chhattisgarh, polling is in progress for the first phase of panchayat polls amid tight security.Our correspondent reports that more than 40 thousand security personnel have been deployed to ensure peaceful polling. Maoists have attacked 6 polling booths situated in different parts of Bastar region and looted the election material. Polling is progressing peacefully in other areas. Patrolling has been intensified in the remote areas of tribal Bastar region. Helicopters are being used to ferry polling staff to some hyper-sensitive stations.
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In Assam, security forces have arrested 6 militants of two different outfits in Karbi Anglong district during the last 24 hours. Karbi Anglong SP said that the self styled Defence Secretary of Karbi Peoples Liberation Tigers, (KPLT) Bordili Hangjang along with another top militant was arrested yesterday from Dokmoka. Arms were seized from them. Police also said 4 militants of KPLT and United Peoples Liberation Army have been apprehended in Karbi Anglong district today.
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Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari today said, there is need to improve the quality of construction, capacity building and to lower the cost of construction. Mr Gadkari was speaking at the launch of the logo of National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) in New Delhi. He said the company's main focus is to develop infrastructure in North Eastern regions,hilly and Border areas. The logo has been selected from the entries received in response to an open competition. A report:
"NHIDCL is a company under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways which aims to promote, survey, establish, design, build, operate, maintain and upgrade national highways and other infrastructure. Mr.Gadkari also unveiled the vision document of NHIDCL making the company to be an instrument for creation and management of infrastructure of the highest standard with focus on North East and Border areas. Besides, the Minister also released NHIDCL's website, <<www.nhidcl.com>>.SNIGDHAA RITESH FOR AIR NEWS, DELHI."
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Textiles Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar today said world class products will be manufactured in India by skilled workforce with zero defect under Make in India initiative. The Minister said this while inaugurating the Tex-Trends India Fair in New Delhi. He said skilling India has been upscaled and steps have been planned and taken to improve business confidence. Mr Gangwar said his ministry is keen to provide an enabling atmosphere of speedy and empowered decision making , at the centre and states, for industrial growth.
Our correspondent reports that Tex-Trends India is an initiative by Ministry of Textiles to showcase uniqueness and strengths of the Indian textiles industry.
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Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore today said, creativity and ingenuity assume importance over knowledge of computers for tapping potential in the sphere of animation-gaming. In a series of tweets, Rathore said, animation and gaming offer immense potential to tap cultural skill from villages and tribal areas. He was interacting with experts in the field of animation and gaming.
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The Delhi High Court today has sought response by the Centre on the plea of Greenpeace activist, Priya Pillai against her offloading from a London-bound flight at Delhi airport. Justice Rajiv Shakdher also issued a notice to Intelligence Bureau and Immigration Department, seeking their response in the matter.
Ms. Pillai had termed the act as illegal and a violation of her basic right to personal liberty and freedom of speech. The court notices have been issued on the activist's pleas.
Ms. Pillai was on her way to London on the 11th of this month to make a presentation before British MPs regarding alleged human rights violation at Mahan in Madhya Pradesh.
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Rajasthan Governor Mr Kalyan Singh assumed the additional charge of Himachal Pradesh Governor today. The Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court Mansoor Ahmad Mir administered him the oath of office at Shimla Raj Bhavan. Mr Singh replaced Urmila Singh, who completed her term as Governor on January 25th.
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In Madhya Pradesh, the state cabinet has given approval to Analogue Semiconductor Fabrication Investment Policy-2015. Our Bhopal correspondent reports that Madhya Pradesh is the first state in the country to frame this policy.
"Under the policy, free land and 75 per cent of building construction cost will be provided to the unit investing minimum 3,000 crore rupees. Facilities like uninterrupted water and power supply will be given to such units. The policy will help in tapping immense potential in semiconductor fab sector. Electronic system designing and manufacturing sector will also develop speedily with establishment of industries in this sector. Each unit established with 5,000 crore rupees investment will provide jobs directly to about 1,000 skilled persons and 10,000 persons indirectly. SHARIQ NOOR, AIR NEWS, BHOPAL."
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The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to install one kilo watt solar power plant in primary schools of the state. Besides, a submersible pump will also be installed at every school which will get power from the solar panels. Principal secretary Jeevesh Nandan said that water will be made available in toilets and potable water supply trough RO system will be connected from the overhead tanks built in the schools. Our Lucknow correspondent reports, this is an endeavour of the government to make primary schools self relying in matters of power and water.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has paid tributes to freedom fighter Lala Lajpat Rai on his birth anniversary. Mr Modi said, Punjab Kesari Lala Lajpat Rai was a unique personality who was ahead of his time.
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After a weak opening, the Sensex at the Bombay Stock Exchange recovered for a while, before turning volatile, and after moving between losses and gains, had climbed just 2 points, to 29,574 in afternoon trade, a short while ago. Earlier in the morning, the Sensex had declined 59 points as investors booked profits.
Similarly, the Nifty at the National Stock Exchange had gained 9 points, to 8,919 a short while ago.
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President Pranab Mukherjee has extended his greetings and felicitations to the King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on his accession to the throne. In a message, the President said, relations between India and Saudi Arabia have historically been close, characterized by extensive people-to-people contacts and deep mutual respect.
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Israel has carried out air strikes targeting Syrian army artillery positions along the border in Golan Heights early today. Israeli military said that the air strikes are in retaliation for rockets launched at the Israel-occupied Golan Heights yesterday.
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Sania Mirza and Brazil's Bruno Soares have progressed to the semi-finals in the Australian Open. The Sania-Soares duo had an easy outing against the unseeded Australian pair of Casey Dellacqua and John Peers, beating them 6-2, 6-2 in the quarterfinals.
Sania and Soares had won the US Open title last year. Sania is eyeing her fourth Grand Slam mixed doubles title and the second one at Melbourne.
In the women's singles, top-seed Serena Williams got the better of Dominika Cibulkova 6-2, 6-2 to advance to the semifinals. Serena now meets unseeded US teenager Madison Keys. Keys had defeated the other Williams Sister - Venus, in the quarter-finals.
Serena Williams has reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open on five previous occasions and has won the title each time.
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The apex body of international cricket, the International Cricket Council Board meeting is underway at its headquarters in Dubai . The meetings is being chaired by the ICC Chairman, N. Srinivasan who has been sidelined at the BCCI by a supreme court order.
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