0815 HRS
26th January , 2013

THE HEADLINES:

• Nation celebrates 64th Republic Day today. Long range Agni-V missile and a mini version of INS Vikramaditya are highlights of this year's parade.

• President says India's hand of friendship should not be taken for granted; Underlying the need for gender equality, Mr. Pranab Mukheerjee calls for chanelising anxiety and restlessness of youth towards change.

• 108 eminent persons get Padma Awards; Scientists Yash Pal and Roddam Narasimha get Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan to late Rajesh Khanna, Sharmila Tagore, Rahul Dravid and Mary Kom and Padma Shree to Sridevi and Nana Patekar.

• Gallantry Awards for armed Forces and 875 Police Medals also announced.

• World Number One Victoria Azarenka of Belarus to meet Na Li of Chinain Women’s Singles title clash at Melbourne today.

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A strong and resurgent India is celebrating its 64th Republic Day today. This year’s parade will highlight the nation’s achievements in various fields, the military prowess, scintillating display of air power as also the country’s rich and diverse cultural heritage.

The highlights of the Parade will be the above 5,000 kilometre range Agni-Five missile, advanced Long Range Surface-to-Surface Ballistic Missile capable of being launched from anywhere in any direction and within a few minutes from a self-contained Road Mobile Launcher, a mini version of INS Vikramaditya which will join the Naval fleet by the end of this year, Main Battle Tank Arjun, Super Sonic Cruise Missile Brahmos Weapon System, Pinaka Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher System and Chemical, Biological and Radiological Nuclear Recce Vehicle.

Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh will lead the nation in paying homage to the martyrs by laying a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate.

The parade will begin with President Pranab Mukherjee taking the salute. King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk will be the Chief Guest at the parade.

Tableaux from 19 states and Central Ministries and Departments will present the country’s progress in different fields as well as historical and cultural heritage.

Twenty-one of the 22 children selected for the National Bravery Award-2012 will also participate in the parade. One child has got the award posthumously. The grand finale of the parade will be a spectacular flypast by the Indian Air Force.

All India Radio will broadcast a running commentary on the parade and cultural pageant in Hindi and English from 9.20 a.m. onwoards. All AIR stations including local Radio Stations and FM channels will relay the commentary. News bulletins in Hindi at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. and English at 10.05 a.m. will stand cancelled. The news bulletins in English at 12 noon will also be cancelled if the commentary goes beyond 12 noon. In case the commentary exceeds 12.05 p.m.the Hindi news bulletin at 12.05 p.m. will also be cancelled. A special Newsreel will be broadcast today from 8.15 p.m. to 8.42 p.m.

Eloborate security arrangements have been put in place to keep a tight vigil.

The services of Delhi Metro are partially curtailed today. Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Udyog Bhawan, Khan Market, Race Course, Barakhamba Road, Mandi House and Pragati Maidan Metro stations will remain closed from 06.00 AM up to 12.30 PM. However, passengers can use the interchange facility at Rajiv Chowk and Central Secretariat.

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The President Mr. Pranab Mukherjee says India's offer of friendship should not be taken for granted. Addressing the nation on the eve of the 64th Republic Day, Mr. Mukherjee referred to the serious atrocities committed on Indian troops on the Line of Control.

"Sponsorship of terrorism through non-state actors is a matter of deep concern to the entire nation. We believe in peace on the border and are always ready to offer a hand in the hope of friendship. But, this hand should not be taken for granted."

On the recent gang rape and murder of a young woman in Delhi, the President said, it is time for the nation to reset its moral compass and to ensure gender equality for every Indian woman.

Describing the youth as the vanguard of change, the President called for chanelising their anxiety and restlessness towards change with speed, dignity and order.

"The youth of India, spread across villages and towns, are in the vanguard of change. The future belongs to them. Elected representatives must win back the confidence of the people. The young cannot dream on an empty stomach. They must have jobs capable of serving their own, as well as the nation's ambitions."

On economic reforms, the President pitched for inclusive growth and said the high growth figures have no meaning unless they benefit all sections of society. Calling upon legislatures to reflect the emerging India, he said elected representatives must win back the confidence of the people.

Describing education as a mantra, he said it can transform economic fortunes and eliminate inequality from the society. The President promised that India will change more in the next ten years than the previous sixty years.

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Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf have extended Republic Day greetings to their Indian counterparts. In their messages they said, they look forward to developing friendly and cooperative relations withIndia.

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108 eminent persons get Padma Awards this year. These include four Padma Vibhushan, 24 Padma Bhushan and 80 Padma Shri. Scientists Prof. Yash Pal and Roddam Narasimha, noted architect and sculptor, Raghunath Mohapatra, and Artist Haider Raza have been selected for Padma Vibhushan. Late Rajesh Khanna, Late Jaspal Bhatti, Sharmila Tagore,Cricketer Rahul Dravid, Boxer Mary Kom are among the Padma Bhushan awardees. Wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, Shooter Subedar Major Vijay Kumar, actress Sridevi and actor Nana Patekar are among those chosen for Padam shri.

Gallantry Awards and other Defence decorations have also been announced for armed forces personnel on the occasion of 64th Republic Day. These include 1 Kirti Chakra, 11 Shaurya Chakra, 28 Param Vishisht Seva Medal and 44 Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and 116 Vishisht Seva Medal. Besides, 875 Police Medals and 37 Correctional Service Medals have also been announced on the occasion.

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In Karnataka, the crisis within the BJP Government deepens as Governor H.R. Bhardwaj indicates that the government will have to face floor test when the Budget Session begins on the 4th of next month. Speaking to media persons in Bengalore, the Governor said that the Government seems to have lost majority and he had written to the Chief Minister to seek confidence vote immediately after his address to the joint session on the 4th of next month.

However, the Chief Minister told mediapersons that the issue of seeking confidence vote was not discussed when he met the Governor yesterday. He also claimed that his government enjoys majority.

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Now a round up of sports news:

World Number One Victoria Azarenka of Belarus will today lock horns with Na Li of China in the Women’s Singles title clash of the Australian Open Tennis tournament at Melbourne. In the semi-finals, defending champion Azarenka had defeated Sloane Stephens of the United States, 6-1, 6-4; while sixth seed Li had stunned World Number Two Maria Sharapova of Russia with a straight set, 6-2, 6-2 victory.

In the Men’s Singles semi-final yesterday, Britain’s Andy Murray defeated World Number Two Roger Federer of Switzerland in a thrilling five set game, 6-4, 6-7, 6-3, 6-7, 6-2. Murray will now face defending champion and World Number One Novak Djokovic of Serbia for the Men’s Singles title tomorrow.

IN THE CRICKET: the final match of the Ranji Trophy between Mumbai and Saurashtra will be played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai from today.

IN HOCKEY, Uttar Pradesh Wizards will take on Ranchi Rhinos and DelhiWaveriders will meet Mumbai Magicians in the round-robin matches of the Hockey India League today.

SAVVY HASAN KHAN FOR AIR NEWS.

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NEWSPAPERS HEADLINES

Most newspapers today give extensive coverage to the celebration of the 64th republic day. Pictures show the security beefed up in the capital, the charming Bhutanese royals, as the Bhutan King is the chief guest for the function, and the Padma awardees. 'Artists rule this year's Padma list, no one wins the Bharat Ratna' writes Mail Today.

The David Headley sentence makes front page news. 'David Headley sentence disappoints India, U.S defends jail term' is the Tribune headline. The Hindu puts it as ' In a Chicago courtroom, justice tinged with betrayal'. 'Congress, BJP rap u.s double standard' writes the Pioneer, adding that Headley deserves death penalty.

The political crisis in Karnataka figures in the Statesman and the Pioneer. Govt accepts ministers resignations - 'Shettar says he has the numbers' reports the Statesman. The Pioneer also reports that the Chief Minister is confident of proving his majority on the floor of the house.

The Hindustan Times and the Hindu report of the fire at Kumbh in which some tents were gutted and 19 people injured.

Kamal Haasan's controversial film Vishwaroopam also figures in many papers. 'Hasan film screened only in Kerala's writes The Asian Age. The Pioneer says the film's screening was stopped amid protests inHyderabad and Bangalore.

The Times of India writes on its front page that 'Air India is world's 3rd least safe airline, finds a survey'.

Mail Today reports of the Thai queen's offer of donating 100 kg gold, to build a dome, atop the Buddha temple at Bodh Gaya. 'Bihargovernment worried over security and keeps Thais on hold for 5 months' writes the paper.

And finally, Aamir Khan's strong pitch for generic medicines may bear fruit. The Times of India writes that the Medical council of India has directed doctors and hospitals to prescribe generic medicines, as opposed to branded ones, which are more expensive.