Monday, December 29, 2025

Government unveils draft UDAN scheme for International destinations

By
Tehelka Web Desk
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The government unveiled a draft scheme for extending the affordable air travel program UDAN (‘Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) to international circuits, with state governments identifying the routes for operation.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has prepared a draft scheme document for “UDAN International” and invited comments from stakeholders till September 4.

The draft International Air Connectivity scheme envisages increasing the international ticketing to 20 crore by 2027.

Government has identified seven foreign destinations to roll out the international version of UDAN to enable people to fly abroad for cheaper options.

“The scheme is to be made operational only for states, which demonstrate their commitment to implement and provide the requisite support for promoting operations under the scheme,” the Ministry of Civil Aviation draft reads.

As per the draft, state will identify international routes for which the Airports Authority of India will determine a subsidy amount per seat and invite bids from domestic carriers. This will be followed by airlines submitting their proposals, which will include the routes they wish to connect as well as the subsidy needed by them.

Under the scheme Assam has proposed to offer Rs 100 crore per year for flights to Kathmandu, Dhaka, Singapore, Bangkok, Yangon and Kuala Lumpur. Andhra Pradesh has also expressed its keenness to the Civil Aviation Ministry to encourage tourism.

4 Budget-Friendly Surprises For Your Sister This Raksha Bandhan

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Tehelka Web Desk
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This Raksha Bandhan, show your sister how much she means to you with gifts that are affordable but pack a punch. You can shop for a gift that your sister is sure to love, without throwing your budget off kilter from the Bajaj Finserv EMI Network. You can browse through high-end products, be it electronics or clothing, and pay for them affordably when you choose to shop from the EMI Network.

This is because you can pay via No Cost EMIs by swiping your EMI Network Card or avail instant financing in-store. Moreover, you can shop both online and offline and choose from more than 60,000 retailers. Enjoy exciting offers and promotions on your purchase, and make shopping for your sister a joyous experience with additional discounts on MRP and cashback.

Take a look at a few gift options that will impress your sister but don’t cost a fortune.

Choose The Right Laptop

You can find a laptop that suits your sister’s needs and fits your budget from the Bajaj Finserv EMI Network. For an affordable option, consider the CompBook iBall Marvel-6 v3.0 Pro 14. Weighing just 1.1kg, it is ideal for everyday usage. You can pay EMIs starting from Rs.2,222 to buy this sleek, functional laptop for your sister.

Buy A Snazzy Smartphone

Nokia is making a re-appearance in the market with its range of excellent smartphones. You can consider the Nokia 8 as it comes with all the modern-day features that your sister would want along with super-fast performance. Equipped with a fingerprint scanner, an added security feature that keeps her data safe, this phone is offers quality at a competitive price. EMIs for the Nokia 8 on the EMI Network start at Rs.2,083.

 Gift The Latest Fashion Wear

If your sister is always complaining about not having the right clothes for the right occasion, help her out this festive season. Choose from a variety of salwar-kameez sets, sarees, and bottom wear from reputed brands such as Seema’s, City Silks, Sunny Silks, Shopper’s Stop, Pantaloons and more. You can shop without breaking the bank as EMIs start at just Rs.1,667. Simply browse through the collection and add the items to your cart. Without making a down payment or completing tedious processing, you can gift your sister a new wardrobe!

 Send Your Sister On A Holiday

Travelling sets the soul free, and gives you a chance to rejuvenate. So, if your sister is always juggling several tasks at once, gift her a relaxing holiday to Kerala, or a trip to a quaint hill station of her choice. When you book from SOTC, a Bajaj Finserv EMI Network partner, you can finance a holiday via EMIs starting at just Rs.1,667.

Without any further delay, visit the Bajaj Finserv EMI Network partner store closest to you and shop for gifts for your sibling with ease. Get started here.

With Bajaj Finserv, you also get customised pre-approved offers on financial products such as home loans, personal loans, EMI finance, and more. These offers help simplify the process of availing a loan. You can check your pre-approved offers by adding some basic details.

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Arun Jaitley returns after 3 month break, resumes charge of Finance Ministry

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Tehelka Web Desk
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Union Minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday resumed his work after a three-month break from surgery.

According to the officials, “President Ram Nath Kovind on 23rd August, directed to assign the portfolios of the Minister of Finance and Minister of Corporate Affairs to Union Minister Arun Jaitley.”

Jaitely, who stopped attending the office in April had undergone a renal transplant operation in May 2018.

In his absence, the charge of ministry was given to Railways Minister Piyush Goyal on an interim basis.

Earlier this month,  Jaitley had attended parliament to participate in the vote for the Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha.

During his long break, Jaitley was active on social media, held video conferences with officials, wrote blogs on various economic and non-economic issues and addressed events remotely.

Veteran Journalist Kuldeep Nayar dies at 95

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Tehelka Web Desk
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Senior journalist and former Rajya Sabha member Kuldeep Nayar died around 1 am on August 23 at Escorts hospital in New Delhi. He was 95.

Elder son Sudhir Nayar said that he was suffering from pneumonia and was admitted to the hospital five days back.

His cremation will take place at Lodhi Road crematorium at 1 pm. Eminent journalist is survived by his wife and two sons.

Nayar fought for civil rights and press freedom, he worked in several newspapers, including as the editor of Statesman.

He had also served as the Indian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom in the 1990s and was nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 1997.

In 2015, Nayar was honoured with ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ at the eighth edition of the Ramnath Goenka Excellence awards for his contribution to the field of journalism.

While sending condolences Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “Kuldip Nayar was an intellectual giant of our times. Frank and fearless in his views, his work spanned across many decades. His strong stand against the Emergency, public service and commitment to a better India will always be remembered. Saddened by his demise. My condolences.”

President Ram Nath Kovind said: “Sad to hear of the passing of Kuldip Nayar, veteran editor and writer, diplomat and parliamentarian, and a determined champion of democracy during the Emergency. His readers will miss him. Condolences to his family and associates.”

PM Modi on one day visit to Gujarat today, to launch several projects

By
Tehelka Web Desk
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Gujarat on Thursday to inaugurate several projects and participate in various programmes.

Modi will first attend an event in Jujwa village of Valsad district, where he will witness the collective e-Gruhpravesh of beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (Gramin).

According to the reports, more than one lakh houses have been completed in the State and the beneficiaries of these houses will celebrate collective Gruh-Pravesh across 26 districts.

Modi will also distribute certificates and employment letters to select beneficiaries under various development schemes, including Deen Dayal Upadhyay Grameen Kaushal Vikas Yojana, Mukhya Mantri Gramodaya Yojana and National Rural Livelihood Mission.

This apart, Modi will visit Junagadh to inaugurate several development projects which includes, 13 projects of Junagadh Municipal Corporation, Government Civil Hospital and a milk processing plant at Khokharda.

Later, Prime Minister will visit Gandhinagar and deliver the Convocation Address of the Gujarat Forensic Sciences University.

India politely turns down international financial assistance for flood-hit Kerala

By
Tehelka Web Desk
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In view of the whole world coming together and offering financial aid for the Kerala flood victims, the Indian Government directed all its respective envoys to all Indian missions abroad to politely turn down the financial assistance from the foreign countries saying that the government has decided to “rely solely on domestic efforts” to combat the challenges.

“Early indications point towards requirements that are within the capacity of the people and Government of India to meet,” the envoys have been asked to convey.

The government has decided to stick to its long standing policy of not accepting monetary help from foreign countries.

The UAE and Maldives government have offered financial assistance to India.

“As you know, as a general policy in case of rescue and relief operations we have followed the practice that we have adequate ability to respond to emergency requirements. And, for a variety of reasons we have not in the past too, unless there are specific circumstances, been able to accept offers of assistance for rescue and relief,” Syed Akbaruddin, the then Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson clarified.

Anil Ambani sends cease and desist notice to Congress National spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill

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Tehelka Web Desk
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Reliance group chairman Anil Ambani on Wednesday, sent a cease and desist notice to Congress National spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill for restraining him from speaking on the Rafale deal involving the group.

The Reliance Group had also warned Shergill of legal consequences if he spreads any unverified and defamatory statements on the deal.

The notice also alleged that Congress leaders including Randeep Surjewala, Ashok Chavan, Sanjay Nirupam, Anugrah Narayan Singh, Oommen Chandy and Shaktisinh Gohil had made incorrect, false, frivolous statements on the deal.

Jaiveer Shergill took to his official Twitter handle and said that such legal notices do not scare him, “Received ‘Cease & Desist’ Notice from Sh Anil Ambani threatening me with legal consequences if I speak on # Rafale Deal; My reply-I’m a Congress Soldier, a Proud Punjabi who doesn’t get scared with such notices-Tax Payer of this country deserves to know why they paid extra 42000 Cr”, he tweeted.

Reliance Group Chairman Anil Ambani on August 20 while clarifying the role of his company in Rafale fighter jet deal wrote to Congress President Rahul Gandhi saying that the party had been “misled, misinformed and misdirected by malicious vested interests and corporate rivals on the offsets related to the Rafale deal.”

Capt. Amarinder writes to Sushma Swaraj to get Kartarpur corridor open

By
Tehelka Web Desk
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Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has sought the personal intervention of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in seeking access from the Pakistan government to enable devotees to visit the historic Gurudwara Sahib in Kartapur on the 550th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji.

In a letter to the Union Minister, the Chief Minister has urged Sushma to take up the matter with her counterpart for having the corridor from the International Border to Kartarpur opened for the duration of the celebrations. “This will allow the faithful to pay their respects at the Gurudwara Sahib in Kartarpur,” said Captain Amarinder, pointing out that Kartarpur is located across the river Ravi at a distance of around 4 kms from the International Border near Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district.

The Chief Minister noted that the 550th Birth anniversary of the first Guru, who breathed his last in Kartarpur, is being observed in November 2019. He pointed out that one of the historical demands of the Sikh community has been to have access to the revered Gurudwara Sahib in Kartarpur. “The Government of Punjab has been requesting Government of India time and again for taking up the matter with the Government of Pakistan for a corridor from the International Border to Kartarpur,” he added.

Captain Amarinder further observed that in pursuance of the long-standing demand, former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh had made an announcement to this effect at Amritsar on 1st September 2004 on the occasion of the 400th Anniversary of Prakash Utsav of Guru Guru Granth Sahib ji. He had reiterated the same during his subsequent visits to the State in 2005 and 2006. However, despite best efforts this has not materialized, said the Chief Minister, urging Sushma to make personal efforts in the matter.

Asian Games 2018: Rahi Sarnobat wins Gold in 25m pistol

By
Tehelka Web Desk
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India’s Rahi Sarnobat on Wednesday won the gold medal in the finals of the 25m pistol competition at the Asian Games in Jakarta.

The 27-year-old became the first Indian woman shooter to win an Asian Games gold medal.

Naphaswan Yangpaiboon of Thailand came second to bag silver medal after being beaten in the shoot off.

Both Rahi Sarnobat and Yangpaiboon Naphaswan  had finished with a score of 34.

In the first shoot off, both Rahi and Yangpaiboon shot four out of five shots, in the second shoot-off the Indian triumphed over her opponent by missing one less.

India now have won four gold medals.

BJP to organize ‘asthi kalash yatras’ to immerse Vajpayee’s ashes in 100 rivers across country

By
Tehelka Web Desk
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At an event organized on August 22 Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah handed over urns wrapped in plain red cloth with former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s ashes to state party chiefs.

Former PM Vajpayee’s foster daughter Namita Kaul Bhattacharya along with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj was present on stage as the urns were handed over.

The BJP will be organising ‘asthi kalash yatras’ in different districts to immerse the ashes in 100 rivers across the country with top leadership participating in a ritual. The BJP leaders will organize yatras or processions, and condolence meets, as the urns are taken to rivers.

The processions will begin from state capitals and will continue through all blocks.

While addressing the event Minister of State (MoS) Railways Manoj Sinha said, “Vajpayee played a pivotal role in the development of this country. His appeal to the people of Gazipur during the 1999 election, helped me to win.”

Three-time prime minister Vajpayee passed away at the age of 93 on August 16 at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi.

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