Bold In, Bowled Out with Rajarshi: India ready to make their mark on World Cup 2019

This news report provides an update on the severe weather conditions affecting North India, specifically Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. Heavy snowfall has significantly disrupted normal life across the valley, leading to the cancellation of 26 flights at Srinagar airport. The speaker notes that 'Indigo flights have already issued a passenger advisory that given the current weather conditions flights can be disrupted'. Beyond air travel, key highways have been shut down due to icy conditions and thick layers of snow. While the landscape appears picturesque, the report emphasizes the danger to travel and the halting of daily activities for local residents. Snow clearing trucks and machines have been deployed on major roads to restore connectivity. The snowfall, which began overnight and continued into the early hours, has created a challenging situation for transportation and logistics in both Srinagar and portions of Himachal Pradesh.

On this Special Report, the focus is on the legislative developments in the Tamil Nadu Assembly where Chief Minister MK Stalin has moved a resolution against the 'G. Ramji law'. The Tamil Nadu government is urging the Centre to restore the previous funding structure of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA). Chief Minister MK Stalin has alleged discrimination in fund allocation, stating that 'annual allocations must not be lowered'. The resolution highlights concerns over the current 60-40 fund-sharing ratio between the Centre and the State, which the DMK government argues places a significant fiscal burden on the state's finances. Previously, the scheme was entirely funded by the Union government. The programme also notes the political significance of this move coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Chennai, amidst ongoing debates between the DMK and the opposition AIADMK regarding fiscal autonomy and state capital benefits.

On this Special Report from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw outlines India's ambitious roadmap for technological and infrastructural self-reliance. Speaking to India Today, Vaishnaw stated, 'By 2030, we should be doing 7 nanometer chips. By 2032, we should be doing 3 nanometer chips.' He highlighted the rapid expansion of the semiconductor ecosystem, noting that commercial production at ATMP units will begin in 2026. Beyond electronics, the Minister detailed the massive overhaul of the Indian Railways, citing the addition of 35,000 kilometres of tracks and 99.6% electrification over the last 11 years. He emphasized that the transition to new-generation trains like Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat is driving sustainable growth with significantly lower carbon emissions. The discussion also features insights from global analysts on the 'India Moment' and the resilience of the Indian economy amidst global geopolitical shifts and the evolving 'Trumpian era' dynamics.

On this news bulletin, the focus is on a series of bomb threats received by schools in Noida and Ahmedabad. Shiv Nadar School in Noida, along with Saint Kabir and Saint Xavier schools in Ahmedabad, received threatening emails early in the morning, prompting immediate evacuations. The speaker noted, 'The bomb squad, dog squad has been rushed to the Noida school to in fact check for any security concerns.' School administrations quickly informed parents, redirected school buses, and declared a holiday to ensure student safety. While initial searches by the police, fire brigade, and bomb disposal units have not yielded any suspicious items, authorities are tracing the IP addresses to identify the source of the emails. The programme highlights that such threats are often hoaxes intended to disrupt school activities or exams, but protocols are being strictly followed to mitigate any risks.