Brief Summary
Today's news highlights Prime Minister Modi's development project launches in Bihar and West Bengal, India's successful missile tests, and the commissioning of the INS Nistar. The US has designated the Resistance Front as a terrorist organisation following the Pahelgam attack. Heavy rain in Pakistan's Punjab province has caused numerous casualties, while in sports, Sujit Kalkal won a gold medal in wrestling at a tournament in Hungary.
- PM Modi launches development projects in Bihar and West Bengal.
- India successfully tests Pritwi 2 and Agni 1 missiles.
- INS Nistar, India's first indigenous diving support vessel, is commissioned.
- US designates the Resistance Front as a terrorist organisation.
- Fatalities and injuries reported due to rain in Pakistan's Punjab.
- Sujit Kalkal secures a gold medal in wrestling.
PM Modi's Development Projects in Bihar
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate and lay foundation stones for multiple development projects in Bihar, worth over ₹7,200 crore in Motihari, East Champaran district. These projects span across rail, road, rural development, fisheries, electronics, and IT sectors. The Prime Minister will launch the Amrit Bharat Express train service between Rajendra Nagar, Patna, and New Delhi, along with other Amrit Bharat Express trains connecting major cities in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. Additionally, he will inaugurate software technology parks in Darbhanga and Patna, aimed at boosting IT services, exports, and startups. Financial assistance of over ₹400 crore will be provided to more than 61,000 self-help groups under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission, and ₹160 crore will be dispersed to over 40,000 beneficiaries through direct benefit transfer (DBT).
PM Modi's Development Projects in West Bengal
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for development projects worth over ₹5,000 crore in Durgapur, West Bengal. These include the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited's city gas distribution project in Bankura and Purulia districts. He will dedicate retrofitting pollution control systems and fuel gas desulphurisation of Durgapur Steel Thermal Power Station and Raghunathpur Thermal Power Station of Damodar Valley Corporation to the nation. The doubling of the Purulia-Kotshila rail line, spanning 36 kilometres in Purulia, will also be dedicated, improving rail connectivity between industrial hubs like Jamshedpur, Bokaro, and Dhanbad with Ranchi and Kolkata. Furthermore, two road over bridges constructed under the Setu Bharatam program at Topshia and Pandabeshwar in Paschim Bardhaman will be inaugurated.
India's Missile Tests
India has successfully test-fired nuclear-capable short-range ballistic missiles, Pritvhi-II and Agni-I, from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur off the Odisha coast. The Defence Ministry stated that these tests, conducted by the Strategic Forces Command, validated all operational and technical parameters, demonstrating India's strategic deterrence capability. The Pritvhi-II missile has a range of around 350 kilometres and can carry a payload of up to 500 kg, including both conventional and nuclear warheads. The Agni-I missile has a range of 700 to 900 kilometres and can carry a payload of 1,000 kg. Both missiles are integral to India's nuclear deterrence. Earlier, India successfully test-fired the indigenously developed Akash Prime missile in Ladakh, customised to operate at altitudes above 4,500 metres, enhancing its operational effectiveness.
Commissioning of INS Nistar
The Indian Navy is commissioning its first indigenous diving support vessel, INS Nistar, in Visakhapatnam. Designed and built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited, INS Nistar represents a significant step in India's pursuit of Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence manufacturing. The vessel, displacing over 10,500 tonnes, is nearly 120 metres long and 20 metres wide, with over 80% indigenous content and contributions from 120 MSMEs. Its primary roles include deep-sea diving operations and rescue missions for distressed submarines. INS Nistar features an advanced diving complex and is equipped with remotely operated vehicles, functioning as a mother ship for the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle, enhancing underwater operational capabilities.
Enforcement Directorate Raid and Health Initiatives
The Enforcement Directorate is conducting a raid in Raipur at the premise of Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, in connection with a liquor scam. Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, J.P. Nadda, stated that the government is working with a holistic approach to provide preventive, promotive, and curative healthcare for a healthier India. The government has built 1.77 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, which serve as the first point of contact with a health institution, extending to remote areas and equipped with teleconsultancy facilities.
Jammu and Kashmir Yatra Resumes and US Designates TRF as Terrorist Organisation
The Shri Amarnath Yatra has resumed after being temporarily halted due to bad weather conditions. Authorities allowed the 17th batch of yatris to move from the Bhagwati Nagar Jammu base camp towards the Kashmir region following improvements in weather conditions. The US State Department has designated The Resistance Front (TRF), the group behind the April 22 Pahelgam terror attack, as a terrorist organisation. The TRF, a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the attack that killed several civilians. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stressed the importance of taking an uncompromising stance against terrorism at the SCO foreign ministers' meeting in China.
Rain-Related Incidents in Pakistan and Sports News
In Pakistan, at least 63 people have been killed and 290 injured in rain-related incidents in the Punjab province over the past 48 hours. Most victims were crushed by collapsing buildings, while others drowned or were electrocuted. Authorities in Rawalpindi have asked residents near a swelling river to evacuate, and several expressways have been closed, with flights cancelled or delayed. Punjab's Chief Minister, Mariam Nawaz, has declared an emergency in several areas. In wrestling, India's Sujit Kalkal won a gold medal in the 65 kg men's freestyle category at the Polyak Imre and Varga Janos Memorial tournament in Budapest, Hungary, defeating Azerbaijan's Ali Rahim Zade. Rahul secured a bronze medal in the 57 kg men's freestyle division.
Cricket Updates and Weather Forecast
India's assistant coach, Ryan ten Doeschate, hinted that pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah could play in the upcoming Test match at Manchester, with a final decision to be made closer to the match. There is uncertainty over the fitness of Deepak Chahar, who sustained a suspected hand injury during a training session, and Rishabh Pant, who injured a finger on his left hand. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall over Rajasthan and south interior Karnataka. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is also expected over coastal Karnataka, Kerala, Mahe, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, West Madhya Pradesh, and West Uttar Pradesh. Similar conditions are expected over northeast India, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, East Madhya Pradesh, East Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, gusty winds, and lightning are expected across much of India over the next 7 days.
Newspaper Headlines
Key newspaper headlines include: India dismissing NATO threats and continuing to buy oil from Russia (Financial Express); Ahmedabad named cleanest city in Swachh Survekshan Awards (Hindustan Times); UPSC opening a window for those who don't make the final civil services cut (Indian Express); the US embassy warning that breaking laws could get visas scrapped (The Times of India); pilots dismissing rumours of fuel cut off by AI171 captain (The Pioneer); and Indian artwork gaining traction globally (The Economic Times).
