THE HEADLINES:-
- India and the US achieve breakthrough on Civil Nuclear Deal; Also decide to deepen Defence co-operation.
- President Pranab Mukherjee says, India and the US should fight terrorism collectively.
- Nation celebrates 66th Republic Day today; US President Barack Obama to be the Chief Guest at the parade at Rajpath.
- Gallantry awards announced; Ashok Chakra to be posthumously conferred to Naik Neeraj Kumar Singh and Major Mukund Varadarajan.
- Anti-austerity Syriza party wins Greece's general elections.
- India take on Australia in the must-win game of tri-nation ODI series at Sydney in a short while from now.
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India and the United States have reached a breakthrough on the Civil Nuclear deal. The breakthrough was achieved during a one-on-one meeting between the visiting US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi yesterday. Mr Modi said in his media statement that the civil nuclear agreement is the centre-piece of the transformed INDO-US relationship.
"The civil nuclear agreement was the centrepiece of our transformed relationship, which demonstrated new trust. It also created new economic opportunities and expanded our option for clean energy. In the course of the past four months, we have worked with a sense of purpose to move it forward."
The Prime Minister said, India and the US have renewed their ten-year Defence Framework Agreement to deepen cooperation in maritime security. The two countries agreed in-principle to pursue co-development and co-production of specific advanced defence projects which will help upgrade India's domestic defence industry and expand its manufacturing sector. Mr Modi said, the two countries will also explore cooperation in other areas of advanced defence technologies.
The Prime Minister also said that Mr Obama has assured of strong US efforts in support of India's full membership of the four multilateral export control regimes at the earliest.
US President Barack Obama said, deepening of ties with India will remain a top foreign policy priority for his administration. He welcomed the reforms that Prime Minister Modi is pursuing to make it easier to do business in India.
"From the last few years trade between our two countries has increased by some 60 percent towards the record 100 billion $. We want to trade even more, so we welcome the reforms, that the Prime Minister is pursuing to make it easier to do business here in India".
Both the countries also agreed to set up a hot line between the two leaders and their National Security Advisors.
A joint statement issued after the talks said that India and the US have stressed the need for joint and concerted efforts to disrupt terror entities such as Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e- Mohammad, D-Company and the Haqqani Network.
After the talks, both countries also released a 'Declaration of Friendship'. The declaration,'Chalein Saath Saath' said that India and US have decided to further elevate their long-standing strategic partnership by enhancing cooperation in crucial areas including defence, trade and commerce, technology transfer, counter-terrorism and climate change.
In the evening, the US President met President Pranab Mukherjee. Mr Mukherjee said that India and the United States should fight terrorism together as no country is safe from the menace. He said, relations between India and the United States are not only good for the two countries but also good for South Asia as well as larger Asia-Pacific region and the world.
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The nation is celebrating the 66th Republic Day today. The main function will be held at Rajpath in the national capital where President Pranab Mukherjee will unfurl the tri-colour and take salute of the parade. US President Barack Obama will be the the Chief Guest at the parade.
The parade will start at 9:50 AM from Vijay Chowk and will terminate at Red the Fort. Our correspondent reports that the parade will showcase to the world India's Military right and cultural diversity.
"India's defence establishment is ready to showcase the best of the nation's military assets to the visiting dignitaries. Be it land, air, water or even space, a host of modern weapons and communications systems will be on display as they roll down at Rajpath after an hour. India will display glimpses of long-range maritime surveillance and anti-submarine P-8I aircraft and the long-range advanced MiG-29K fighter plane. Indian Army's laser-guided missile capable T-90 Bheeshma tank, infantry combat vehicle BMP-II and T-72 with Trawl will be the main draw in the mechanised columns. An Indian Air Force tableau with the theme 50 years of 1965 War will also be part of the parade. The Indian Air Force will display aircrafts which have proved their prowess in the 1965 Indo-Pak war. The Navy's tableau will display a few of its frontline assets in all four dimensions of maritime warfare. A new indigenously built stealth destroyer INS Kolkata will also be on the showcase in the parade. A medium-range surface-to-air missile 'Akash' multi barrel rocket launcher the 'Pinaka' will be the part of this republic parade.Sanjeev AIR News Delhi."
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During this period, traffic will remain diverted. No traffic will be allowed from Vijay Chowk to India Gate on Rajpath till 12:30 PM.
The entire city has been turned into a fortress ahead of the celebrations. Around 15,000 security cameras have been put up in the city. Six metro stations in the vicinity of Rajpath will be shut down for a few hours as part of security arrangements.
The direct relay of the Republic Day Parade and Cultural Pageant and the Amar Jawan Jyoti function will be broadcast from 9:20 AM onwards. The commentary in Hindi will be available on Indraprastha Channel, FM Gold, DTH Channel and additional frequencies and in English on Rajdhani Channel, FM Rainbow and additional frequencies.
As a result, the announcements at 09:20 a.m. News bulletin in Hindi at 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. and News bulletin in English at 10:05 a.m. would stand cancelled.
In case, the commentary exceeds 12 noon, News bulletin in English at 12 noon and in Hindi at 12:05 p.m. would also stand cancelled.
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Gallantry awards have been announced on the occasion of Republic Day. 13 awards have been announced for Army personnel. These include one Ashok Chakra, three Kirti Chakras and nine Shaurya Chakras. In addition, award of Ashok Chakra posthumously to Major Mukund Varadarajan, which was announced in August last year, will be conferred by the President today. Naik Neeraj Kumar Singh will also be conferred Ashok Chakra posthumously. Late Subedar Ajay Vardhan of 14 Garhwal Rifles will be given the Kriti Chakra.
The country's largest paramilitary force, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has bagged the maximum number of gallantry medals at 36 this Republic Day with eight of these bravery awards being accorded posthumously to its personnel.
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Padma awards have also been announced. Former Deputy Prime Minister and BJP veteran LK Advani, film stars Amitabh Bachchan and Dilip Kumar and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal are among the nine personalities who have been selected for Padma Vibhushan this year. Twenty personalities including former Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami and Microsoft Chief Bill Gates and his wife Melinda will be conferred with Padma Bhushan. Film maker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, writer Prasoon Joshi, badminton player PV Sindhu and woman cricketer Mithali Raj are among the 75 personalities who have been selected for Padma Shri.
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President Mr Pranab Mukherjee addressed the nation yesterday on the eve of Republic Day. Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, the President said that religion is a force for unity and one should not make it a cause of conflict. He said, hysteria created by political discourse against any religion is to be abhorred.
"We have always reposed our trust in faith equality where every faith is equal before the law and every culture blends in to another to create a positive dynamic. Wisdom of India teaches us unity strength. dominance is weakness."
Mr Mukherjee said that enacting laws without discussion impacts the lawmaking role of Parliament and is neither good for the democracy, nor for the policies relating to legislations. He said this in an apparent remark on the recently promulgated Ordinances, including one on Land Acquisition.
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Mr Modi and Mr Obama will jointly address the nation in the next edition of "Mann Ki Baat" on All India Radio. The programme will be broadcast tomorrow at 8 PM on FM Gold and Rajdhani Channel. The regional channels will broadcast the programme at 9 AM on Wednesday.
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The News Services Division of All India Radio, in its weekly bilingual live phone-in programme, 'PUBLIC SPEAK' will bring you a discussion tonight on '66 Years of Indian Republic - A Journey'. This can be heard on FM Gold Channel and additional frequencies from 9.30 PM.
Listeners can ask questions to the experts in our Studio on telephone number: 011-2331-4444 (Repeat 011-2331-4444).
You can also post your questions on our Twitter handle @airnews alerts by #tag Ask AIR.
This programme is also available on Doordarshan DTH.
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In Greece, anti-austerity Syriza party has won the general elections, putting the country on a possible collision course with the European Union over its massive bailout. With nearly 75 per cent of the votes counted, Syriza is projected to win 149 seats, just two short of an absolute majority, though that number could change.
Left wing party leader Alexis Tsipras, who wants to renegotiate Greece's debt, said the Greeks wrote history.
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In Assam, two low intensity blasts have been reported from Digboi in Tinsukia district this morning. Police said, no damage or injury has been reported so far. Police are investigating the matter.
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In Manipur as well two bomb blasts took place at two different places in the state capital Imphal this morning. No one was injured in the blasts. Further details are awaited.
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The Election Commission has initiated a plan to synchronise the Aadhaar database with that of the Electoral Photo ID Card. This will help minimise complaints of duplication or forgery of the electoral rolls. Chief Election Commissioner HS Brahma said this while addressing the National Voter's day in New Delhi yesterday.
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India will take on Australia in a short while from now in a must-win game of the tri-nation ODI series at Sydney. The match will begin at 8:50 AM Indian Time. India have failed to win a single match in this series so far, while the hosts have already made it to the Final with a victory in every game they have played.
All India Radio will broadcast live commentary on the match. It will be available after the commentary on the Republic Day function.
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NEWSPAPER HEADLINES
- The breakthrough in the stalled Indo-US civil nuclear deal as talks between President Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi got underway gets top billing in the papers today. "Modi and Barack find the Nuclear key" writes the Hindustan Times.
- In an interesting sidelight, the Hindustan Times writes "PM is a style icon, I'd like to wear a Modi kurta, says Obama at dinner".
- The Times of India carries a picture of Wing Commander Pooja Thakur leading President Obama for the inspection of the Guard of Honour at the Rashtrapati Bhawan under the caption "IAF officer marches into history".
- President Pranab Mukherjee's address to the nation on the eve of Republic day is widely noticed. The Indian Express quotes him as saying "Ordinances breach people's trust". The Times of Indiaquotes the President as saying "Functioning legislature prerequisite for governance".
- The Padma awards are prominently noticed in the press with most papers carrying pictures of actors Amitabh Bachchan and Dilip Kumar and senior BJP leader L K Advani who have been awarded the Padma Vibhushan.
- The Statesman and the Hindustan Times highlight the Sikh Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee's plans to set up its own 'censor board' to vet films and books on religion.
- The killing of a Japanese captive by IS militants is widely noticed on the interantional pages. "Japan outraged, asks ISIS to free second hostage".
- And finally...on the question of is there or isnt there life on Mars, the Mail Today writes of images taken by a NASA investigation camera which show a human-shaped shadow of what appears to be a male figure looming over the Mars Curiosity Rover. So extra terrestrial life no longer science fiction...keep guessing.
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