THE HEADLINES:
- Countdown progressing smoothly for the afternoon launch of South Asia Satellite for augmenting communication infrastructure in six SAARC countries.
- Supreme Court to deliver its verdict in the 2012 Delhi Nirbhaya gangrape and murder case.
- Rajasthan High Court directs State Government to install scanners at highway toll plazas immediately to check cattle smuggling.
- In United States, the House of Representatives approves a new Health Care bill to repeal and replace Obamacare.
- And in IPL Cricket; with Rishabh Pant's brilliant 97-run knock off 43 balls Delhi Daredevils beat Gujarat Lions by 7 wickets.
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The South Asia Satellite will be launched by the Indian Space Research organization, ISRO this evening. It will lift off from the second launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikotta at 4.57 pm. The countdown is progressing smoothly for the launch.
Six of India’s neighbours, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and the Maldives are participating in the space-based regional communication project.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his recent “Mann Ki Baat” programme had said, the South Asia Satellite is India’s gift to the region and it will go a long way in addressing the economic and development priorities of the nations. The satellite weighing 2,230 kilograms during lift off and carrying 12 Ku-Band transponders has been developed at a cost of about 235-crore rupees. The total cost of the project, including the launch, is about 450-crore rupees. Our correspondent reports that the intended operational life of the satellite is more than 12 years.
"South Asia Satellite, also known as the GSAT-9, is a geosynchronous satellite that can be used for telecommunication, broadcasting, telemedicine, disaster management and a host of other development purposes. It involves space diplomacy for regional cooperation and serves as an example for application of space technology for collective development goals. The national space agency ISRO uses the indigenous Cryogenic Upper Stage in this flight of the GSLV for the fourth time. In total, it would be the 11th flight of the GSLV. In short, as envisaged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it is a satellite sans frontiers, for complementing the efforts of the nations to grow together. JAYASINGH, AIR NEWS, CHENNAI."
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The Supreme Court will today deliver its verdict in the 16th December, 2012 Nirbhaya gangrape and murder case. The fate of four convicts' -- Mukesh, Akshay, Pawan and Vinay will be decided for gang-raping and murdering the medical student in Delhi. The Police has sought death penalty for them.
During the trial, one accused, Ram Singh allegedly committed suicide and one juvenile was sentenced to a remand home. We have a report:
"A bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra, R Banumathi and Ashok Bhushan would deliver the judgment in the case that shook the conscience of entire nation. The apex court on March 27, reserved its verdict against the conviction and death penalty awarded to them by the High Court on March 13, 2014. The 23-year-old paramedic was brutally assaulted and raped by six persons on a moving bus in south Delhi and thrown out of the vehicle with her male friend on the night of December 16, 2012. She died in a Singapore hospital on December 29 the same year. Delhi Police had sought capital punishment for the convicts as the test of being a 'rarest of rare' case was satisfied, whereas the defence counsel had said that they deserved leniency considering their poor family background and young age. SANJEEV JASROTIA, NEWS DESK, AIR DELHI.
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The Supreme Court revoked the suspension of eight students of the Banaras Hindu University yesterday. They had been allegedly suspended following a hunger-strike demanding that the cyber library in the campus be opened round-the-clock, especially during examination time.
A bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra directed the varsity administration to conduct special examinations for students till 30th July, which they had missed due to the suspension.
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Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu will today review the implementation of Centrally sponsored urban schemes in Uttar Pradesh. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will attend the review meeting in Lucknow. This is the first such review of urban sector programmes since the formation of the new Government in the state. Urban Development Ministry, in a release said, 62 cities and towns have been included in the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation for Uttar Pradesh. Our correspondent reports that the Centre has also approved a total investment of over Nine thousand crore rupees with a Central assistance of five thousand crores for the development of basic urban infrastructure in the state.
"Sri Naidu is slated to review the stage of development of welfare schemes like Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation-AMRUT, Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana-HRIDAY, Swachh Bharat Mission -SBM, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yoajana under House for All, Deendayal Upadhya Yojana- National Urban Livelihood Mission. Minister will take the stock of information on Smart cities . Under urban transport system, he will review the presentation for Metro rail projects for Varanasi, Lucknow, Kanpur,Noida and Greater NOIDA and other NCR region. The minister will also review the working of central media units including AIR and Doordarshan. MS YADAV, AIR NEWS, LUCKNOW."
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Indore city of Madhya Pradesh has bagged the first position in the top ten clean cities of the country under the Swachh Survekshan. A report:
"Residents in Indore responded with zeal to the Swachh Bharat campaign. Indore was ranked 25th in last year’s survey. It responded with a massive clean-up campaign that was innovative and battle-like. “Dabba gangs” kids would go around with tins, drums and canisters and make a racket on seeing someone relieving themselves in the open or littering the streets.The first glimmer of the crown came when Indore got an open-defecation-free -ODF tag from the PMO in January. IMC also launched mass awareness drives. SUNIL KUMAR TIWARI AIR NEWS, INDORE ."
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said Swachh Survekshan 2017 offers an extensive picture on where Indian cities stand on cleanliness and the roadmap ahead. Responding to comments in favour of it on Twitter yesterday, he said the credit goes to 125 crore Indians who make the Swachh Bharat initiative successful and have pledged to build clean India.
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In Rajasthan, the High Court has directed the State Government to immediately install scanners at highway toll plazas to check cattle smuggling. The court gave the direction yesterday. It was hearing a petition filed by Gau Raksha Dal which sought a check on the illegal transportation of cattle in the state. A division bench of Rajasthan High Court asked the State Government to submit a compliance report in this regard in two weeks.
The bench observed that smuggling of cattle has seen a spurt and it needs to be stopped at any cost. It observed that this process will also control illegal transportation of other objectionable goods.
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In Haryana, the Legislative Assembly passed a resolution yesterday to request Parliament to effect an appropriate amendment in the Punjab Re-organisation Act, 1966 to provide for the creation of a separate High Court for the state in Chandigarh. It was unanimously passed in a special session of the Assembly.
The resolution states Haryana has no separate High Court even after 50 years of its formation.
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In Madhya Pradesh, three ministers of the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government submitted a memorandum to the CBI in Bhopal yesterday demanding a criminal case against senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh and two whistle blowers of the Vyapam scam. Home Minister Bhupendra Singh, Irrigation Minister Narottam Mishra and Cooperative Minister said, Digvijay Singh, Prashant Pandey and Anand Rai tried to malign the Chief Minister's image by demanding that he be made an accused in the scam. Our correspondent has the details:
"The ministers said that Digvijay Singh, Anand Rai and Prashant Pandy had given a pen drive with an affidavit to CBI. These people alleged that evidences related to the Vyapam case were tempered with to save the chief minister. According to some media reports, the CBI said in the Supreme Court recently that the pen drive was not tempered with. Now these ministers have demanded action against Digvijay Singh and others. On the other hand, Digvijay Singh in a tweet said that he will continue his fight against corruption and for all those who have been duped by Shivraj Singh Chouhan, BJP leaders and brokers. SHARIQ NOOR, AIR NEWS, BHOPAL."
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The Leh-Srinagar highway is being re-opened today for traffic. Our correspondent reports that the route remained closed for last five months due to heavy snowfall.
"The road usually opens around 15th May but this year, timely planning and sincere efforts have led to opening of the road on 5th May itself. The opening will facilitate movement of the people and also more importantly, restocking of commodities of daily use as the stocks have depleted over five months of closure from December last year. KUSH NAHAR WITH YANGCHAN DOLMA FROM AIR LEH."
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India’s human rights record came up for review under the Universal Periodic Review Process at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva yesterday. Attorney General of India, Mukul Rohatgi presented India's endeavours on the observance of human rights supported by a rights-oriented constitutional framework, secular policy, independent judiciary and free and vibrant Media.
Speaking on the occasion Mr Rohatgi said India believes that the goal of achieving human rights calls for constant dialogue, engagement and coordination among various stakeholders.
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In the United States, the House of Representatives has passed a bill to repeal and replace Obamacare. The passing of the American Health Care Act hands down a major victory to President Donald Trump who has been a strong critic of his predecessor, Barack Obama's signature healthcare bill.
The latest legislation was narrowly approved mostly along partisan lines, 217-213. President Trump said that it is going to be an unbelievable victory, when it gets through the Senate.
The American Health Care Act repeals the core elements of Obamacare, including its subsidies to help people get coverage. The bill will cut taxes for the wealthy. People buying insurance on their own will get tax credits based on their age rather than their income. Obamacare’s tax credits were based primarily on income.
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In IPL Cricket, Delhi Daredevils defeated Gujarat Lions by a comfortable margin of 7 wickets in a match at Feroze Shah Kotla Ground last night. With this win, Delhi Daredevils have kept their play-off hopes alive in the tournament.
Chasing 209 runs, Delhi overhauled the target by scoring 214 for 3 in 17.3 overs. Man of the Match Rishabh Pant produced a sensational 97-run knock off 43 balls for the winners.
Earlier, Gujarat Lions score 208 for 7 in 20 overs. Gujarat are out of the play-off reckoning along side Royal Challengers Bangalore. In today's match, Royal Challengers Bangalore will clash with Kings XI Punjab. The match will begin at 8 this evening in Bangalore.
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India’s first “Village of Books” has been opened for public reading at Bhilar village in Satara district of Maharashtra. Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said it is a proud moment as a village which until recently was famous for its strawberries will now be recognised as a “Village of Books” across the country.
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NEWSPAPERS HEADLINES:
- The Army's combing operation in Shopian district is on the front pages of all dailies. The Statesman reports that the crackdown follows "2 videos showing terrorist being trained in the apple orchards of south Kashmir went viral." " Operation flush out: 3000 soldiers comb 30 villages in Shopian," is the DNA headline. "Ultras strike in Op Cleanup; Civilian killed, 2 soldiers hurt," notes The Tribune. Meanwhile, "Army chief hints at action against Pakistan for beheadings," headlines The Asian Age.
- The DNA reports, "High Court upholds life for 11 in Bilkis Bano case; convicts five cops and two doctors for tampering with evidence."
- "Justice Karnan refuses medical test," notes The Hindustan Times. "I am medically fit, sends back medical team," The Pioneer quotes the Calcutta High Court judge.
- "Congress brings more changes in leadership of its state units," is a front page story in Hindustan Times. "New Punjab, Uttarakhand PCC chiefs," says The Asian Age.
- "Nifty climbs to record close," states The Financial Express. "Bank cleanup-push triggers a Nifty rally on Dalal street," reports The Economic Times.
- "Supreme court raps government for making Aadhar mandatory," notes the DNA. "Aadhar and PAN: Order reserved," says The Times of India.
- "New Delhi slips on Swachh Bharat test to seventh position, according to the 2017 Swachh Sarvekshan Survey," reports DNA.
- And finally, The Statesman reports a heart warming story of IAS officer Yunus and his IPS wife Anjum Ara adopting the 12-year-old daughter of Naib Subedar Paramjit singh, killed and mutilated in the Pakistani raid across the LOC.
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