Category: India

The Aam Aadmi Party has entered the Delhi battleground with its image bruised by corruption allegations and the novelty factor diminished.

Fighting a BJP that is dreaming of capturing power in the capital after a gap of 27 years and a Congress that is seeking to restore its past glory, AAP knows that 2025 is a ‘do or die’ battle and not as easy as it was in 2015 or 2020 when they dusted the opponents to irrelevance. Its campaigner-in-chief Arvind Kejriwal is crisscrossing Delhi, announcing ‘guarantees’, seeking the support of various caste groups, attending campaign rallies and trying to put the BJP on the back foot.

Knowing well that it cannot bank on ‘freebies’ alone, AAP has reached out to new allies – from ‘Sanatan’ practitioners to Sikh Granthis, Jats, Aggarwals, auto-drivers, washer-people, sanitation workers, students, slum-dwellers to RWAs and middle-class – as a dent has appeared in its voter-base.

AAP was in disarray a few months back with its top leaders in jail on corruption charges and doubts lingering in the minds of cadre. Some left for greener pastures while some waited for clouds to clear. In the last four months, it has tried to regain control and stabilise itself, with several manoeuvers.

Kejriwal, who did not vacate his chair while in jail to scuttle the emergence of any other power centre in AAP, quit as chief minister within days of walking free on bail in September, in what was seen as a smart move to deflect any discussion on his continuance.

Atishi was chosen as a “temporary” successor. Minister Kailash Gahlot walked out of AAP accusing Kejriwal of moving away from ideals. One of Kejriwal’s close aides Swati Maliwal fell out of his favour after she warmed up to his opponents following one of his aides allegedly assaulting her.

Unfazed by the setbacks and other leaders found wanting in managing the party’s affairs when he was behind bars, Kejriwal took the command and steered AAP back on track. AAP soon re-energised one lakh office bearers at the grassroots and deployed 5,000-member women squads as a first step.

MLAs were given the task of reaching every voter’s doorstep. AAP became the first to announce candidates after wooing some influential leaders from other parties while benching around two dozen sitting MLAs to minimise anti-incumbency.

As AAP changed gears, its opponents unleashed a campaign centred around ‘Sheesh Mahal’ or lavish spending on refurbishing the chief minister’s official residence and liquor scam.

At the same time, AAP faced a renewed challenge from its I.N.D.I.A. ally Congress with Rahul Gandhi leading the charge to make the Delhi battle a triangular fight. Dalit groups and minorities too have reservations about AAP, which has never shied away from flaunting its Hindutva credentials.

A narrative pushed by the saffron camp that a fresh Kejriwal term would end up as another five years of confrontation with the BJP-led Centre and stagnation of development has also triggered some concerns for the AAP.

At another level, AAP is also sharing its apprehensions about the “manipulation” of electoral devices – it has complained about deletions from electoral rolls and applications for the addition of unprecedented numbers of voters from BJP MPs’ residences.

AAP is leaving no opportunity to attack the BJP – it has picked up Ramesh Bidhuri’s sexist comments, Parvesh Verma’s comments on Punjab registration vehicles, and alleged distribution of cash and articles – while ignoring Congress as an insignificant force in the capital.

With its governance record of 10 years, a slew of new guarantees aimed at Dalits, priests, elderly and youth among others and a carefully crafted victim card, can AAP overcome the BJP’s bid to end its power drought and the Congress’ hope for a resurgence even at the cost of an ally?

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/elections/delhi/delhi-assembly-elections-2025-aap-in-a-do-or-die-battle-3372287

India on Friday said it is opposed to illegal immigration and would be ready to take back Indians staying illegally in the US provided their nationality is verified.

The comments by External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal came as the Trump administration is preparing to implement a mass deportation programme targeting illegal immigrants living in the US.

Jaiswal said at a media briefing that New Delhi would take back Indians who have either overstayed in the US or any other country or are without papers.

He was responding to a question about reports that the US Department of Homeland Security has identified around 18,000 illegal immigrants from India.

India is opposed to illegal immigration because of its links to several forms of organised crime, Jaiswal said.

“We will take them back provided documents are shared with us so that we can verify their nationality, that they are indeed Indians,” he said.

At the same time, he said, it would be “premature” to talk about the number of illegal Indian immigrants staying in the US.

In his campaign speeches for the presidential election, Donald Trump promised a radical shift to tighten Washington’s immigration policy and vowed to carry out the “largest” domestic deportation operation of undocumented immigrants in American history and review the existing refugee programmes.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/opposed-to-illegal-immigration-india-amid-trumps-push-for-deportation-of-undocumented-immigrants-3372000

Stargazers are in or a treat as six planets – Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, and Uranus – are set to align in the night sky today, January 25, offering a spectacular view. The six planets will form an astronomical alignment known as the “planetary parade”. This celestial spectacle has been visible for most of the month, beginning around January 18, and will continue through early February. However, tonight all the six planets will meet up together on the same side of the sun in a wide arc above Earth and most of them will be visible to the naked eye under clear night skies.

According to NASA, such events, especially those involving four or more planets, are noteworthy and do not occur annually. Moreover, what makes this event extraordinary is the number of visible bright planets, including Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Venus, which doesn’t happen every year.

Planetary Parade: What is it? 

According to Space.com, the planets in our solar system orbit the sun essentially along a line across the sky in a plane called the ecliptic. For that reason, planets in our Earthly sky always appear somewhere along a line. These events, while commonplace, are often referred to as planetary alignments.

Astronomers say that while tonight’s event might be overhyped as some type of “rare alignment,” it’s actually a regular occurrence in our night sky. But what could be noteworthy for stargazers is the six planets that will be visible – including four with the naked eye. Such an event is commonly known as a “planet parade,” though NASA noted that the moniker is not a technical astronomical term.

Planetary Parade: When and how to see the alignment 

The best time to catch the event is about 45 minutes after sunset. The four planets – Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn – will be visible to the naked eye just after the sun goes down, but Uranus and Neptune will require a telescope. NASA stated that after dark, Venus and Saturn will be visible in the southwest. Jupiter will shine brightly overhead, and Mars will rise in the east.

The alignment will last for up to three hours, until Venus and Saturn dip below the horizon. Venus will be the most visible and brightest of these planets. Mars will look like a bright lightbulb because of its red colour. Saturn will appear as a tiny dot in the western sky, while Jupiter will also be similar but in the southern sky. Uranus and Neptune can be seen as tiny, bright dots but will not be visible to the naked eye due to their distance from the other planets in the alignment.

Planetary Parade: Visibility in India 

The planetary alignment will be visible across India. Most cities will be able to witness this rare event. Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn are visible to the naked eye. However, you will need a telescope to see Neptune and Uranus, as they are faint.

The Pathani Samant Planetarium in Bhubaneswar has made elaborate arrangements for visitors, PTI quoted an official as saying. Visitors will be able to witness the rare event on all days, except Monday, from 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm.

The Tamil Nadu Science and Technology Centre (TNSTC) is also organising a special night sky observation at Kotturpuram-based Periyar Science and Technology Centre from January 22 to 25.

Moreover, to offer the public an opportunity to witness this remarkable phenomenon, the Gujarat Council on Science and Technology (GUJCOST), under the Department of Science and Technology of Gujarat, has also organised a series of public observation programs.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/science/planetary-parade-2025-how-and-where-to-see-this-rare-celestial-event-in-india-7554825

Pakistan’s notorious spy agency ISI has secretly sent four top members to Dhaka, raising a red flag in New Delhi. Acknowledging the development, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday that India is keeping a very close watch on the developments in its immediate neighbourhood, especially ones that having a bearing on its national security. “Appropriate action” will be taken, if required, the foreign ministry said.

Pakistani spy agency ISI’s Director General of Analysis Maj Gen Shahid Amir Afsar and other senior officials are reportedly visiting Bangladesh at the moment. The visit comes close on the heels of a Bangladeshi military delegation visiting Rawalpindi and meeting the army, air force, and navy chiefs.

“We keep an eye on all activities around the country and in the region, as well as all activities affecting our national security, and the government will take appropriate steps,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in response to a question on fast-growing military engagement between Bangladesh and Pakistan.

ISI OFFICIALS IN DHAKA

According to a report in the Hindustan Times, less than a week after a Bangladeshi military delegation toured Pakistan, meeting all three service chiefs, Rawalpindi has sent four senior officers, including a two-star General of the ISI to Dhaka. The report, which attributes the development to unnamed sources familiar with the matter, states that Major General Shahid Amir Afsar, who is the Director General of Analysis in the ISI, and has served as Pakistan’s defence attache in Beijing, is part of the delegation.

The six-member Bangladeshi delegation which visited Rawalpindi – the town where Pakistan’s military headquarters is based – was led by Lt. Gen. SM Kamrul Hasan, the Principal Staff Officer of the Bangladesh Armed Forces Division. Pakistan Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir reportedly met them for extensive talks. The Bangladeshi delegation stayed in Pakistan between January 13 and January 18.

Just three days later – on January 21, Rawalpindi secretly dispatched a senior delegation to Dhaka. This was the first time in nearly two decades that the ISI officially went to Bangladesh. A senior official from Bangladesh’s Directorate General of Forces Intelligence or DGFI received them at the airport upon their arrival aboard an Emirates Airlines flight routed via Dubai.

The ISI team is being given a detailed tour of several military establishments in Bangladesh and is reportedly being informed about Dhaka’s military capabilities and preparedness.

In the midst of these visits by either side, the Pakistan Army’s media wing – the Inter-Services Public Relations or ISPR released a statement, in which it wrote that the meeting between Lt Gen SM Kamrul Hasan of Bangladesh and Pak Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir “underscored the importance of a stronger defence relationship, emphasising that the enduring partnership between the two brotherly nations must remain resilient against external influences.”

WHEN ISI ACTIVITY WAS STOPPED IN BANGLADESH

When Sheikh Hasina was the prime minister, all activities by Pakistan’s ISI was brought to a grinding halt due to its covert activities and political interference in Bangladesh, as well as its support for extremist elements. Under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership, several people were caught and prosecuted for their involvement and collusion with the ISI during the 1971 Bangladesh War.

Former Bollywood actress Mamta Kulkarni, now known as Yamai Mamta Nandgiri, has been inducted as the Mahamandleshwar of the Kinnar Akhada at the Mahakumbh festival in Prayagraj.

Former Bollywood actress Mamta Kulkarni was formally inducted as the Mahamandleshwar of the Kinnar Akhada at the Mahakumbh festival in Prayagraj on Friday. She has been given the spiritual name Shri Yamai Mamta Nandgiri. Acharya Mahamandleshwar of Kinnar Akhada, Laxmi Narayan, said, “Kinnar Akhada is going to make Mamta Kulkarni (former Bollywood actress) a Mahamandleshwar. She has been named as Shri Yamai Mamta Nandgiri. As I am talking here, all the rituals are underway.”

According to Laxmi Narayan, Kulkarni has been associated with the Kinnar Akhada for the past one and a half years. “She has been in touch with Kinnar Akhada and me for the last one and a half years… She is allowed to perform the character of any devotional figure if she wants as we do not prohibit anyone from performing their art,” he said.
Visuals from the Mahakumbh showed the former actress in saffron attire, participating in spiritual activities, including her ‘Pind Daan’ at Sangam Ghat. Speaking to reporters, Mamta Kulkarni expressed her devotion, saying, “…This was the order of Mahadev, Maha Kaali. This was the order of my Guru. They chose this day. I didn’t do anything.”

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/india/mamta-kulkarni-is-yamai-mamta-nandgiri-former-actress-joins-kinnar-akhada-at-mahakumbh-as-mahamandleshwar-article-117531543

“There are two players involved in this conspiracy to kill Kejriwal ji — the BJP and the Delhi Police. They are both conspiring to end Kejriwal’s life. Attacks have been attempted on him one after the other,” Delhi Chief Minister Atishi claimed.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday accused the BJP-led central government and the Delhi Police of conspiring to “kill” Arvind Kejriwal. The party urged the Election Commission to reinstate his security cover, which was previously provided by the Punjab Police but later withdrawn.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Atishi on Friday accused the Delhi police of being part of a conspiracy to kill the politician.
“There are two players involved in this conspiracy to kill Kejriwal ji — the BJP and the Delhi Police. They are both conspiring to end Kejriwal’s life. Attacks have been attempted on him one after the other,” she told PTI.
“In October (last year), an attack was made on Kejriwal in Vikaspuri. Upon investigation by us, it was found that the attackers were BJP workers, but police took no action,” Atishi alleged.
She further said “Kejriwal was next attacked on November 30 in Malviya Nagar when we went out for a public event. There were attempts to manhandle and assault him.”
“The next attack was on January 18 in the New Delhi assembly constituency, stones were pelted on his car. When we went to investigate on social media (not Delhi Police), it was identified that all attackers belonged to the BJP. Again, a collusion of BJP and Delhi Police came in front, as no investigation was done and no action was taken on the attackers. Yesterday, he was attacked on Hari Nagar but Delhi Police didn’t stop them. In Kali Bari, where he was going for a campaign in his constituency, BJP workers were brought there were lathis and stones to attack him. Sanjay Singh had to go and stop that attack but Delhi Police didn’t come,” she added.
On Thursday, Kejriwal alleged that some cadres of the opposition candidate entered his public meeting in Hari Nagar and attacked his car.
“Today in Hari Nagar, the police allowed the opposition candidate’s men to enter my public meeting and then attacked my car. All this is happening on Amit Shah’s orders. Amit Shah has made the Delhi Police the personal army of the BJP,” Kejriwal said on X.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/india/is-arvind-kejriwal-being-targeted-aaps-atishi-makes-explosive-claim-bjp-delhi-police-two-players-article-117525201

Beijing assured that the dam will not adversely affect downstream nations, including India and Bangladesh.

Arunachal Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Friday raised concerns about China’s plan to construct the largest hydropower dam in eastern Tibet, warning that it could be used by the northern neighbour as a water bomb.

He drew attention towards the Chinese plan to construct the hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo River, near the Indian border, which can generate 60,000 MW of power. The river enters Arunachal Pradesh as Siang and becomes the Brahmaputra in Assam before flowing into Bangladesh.

“If China uses it as a water bomb, it will completely affect the Adi tribe (who reside in the Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh) and millions in Assam and as far as Bangladesh. It’s a matter of big concern,” said Khandu while addressing the reporters on the sidelines of the inaugural function of a seminar titled ‘Environment and Security’ in the state Legislative Assembly complex.

Noting that the project would have a devastating effect on Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, he said that any sudden releases of water from the dam could cause severe flooding downstream in the northeastern states.

He added that it was more worrying since China is not a signatory of global treaties on water.

“The mighty Siang or the Brahmaputra river would dry up during winters disrupting life in the Siang belt and the plains of Assam,” he warned.

“China’s construction of the world’s largest hydropower dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River poses significant risks to the water security, ecology, and livelihoods of millions of people downstream in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Bangladesh. The potential disruption of water flows, flooding, and ecosystem degradation could have far-reaching consequences on us,” he added.

Source: https://www.news18.com/india/chinas-mega-dam-project-sparks-concern-arunachal-cm-issues-water-bomb-warning-9201120.html

A roof collapsed following a blast at an ordnance factory in Maharastra’s Bhandara killing five people.

At least five people died following a blast at an Ordnance factory in Bhandara, Nagpur in Maharashtra on Friday morning. Several people are feared to be trapped after a roof collapsed due to the blast. PRO Defence Nagour said that the rescue and medical teams have been deployed for survivors and rescue is underway.
Collector Bhandara Sanjay Kolte said that after the explosion at the Ordnance Factory Jawahar Nagar Bhandara, firefighters and ambulances were dispatched to the spot. He said that a roof collapsed which is being removed with the help of JCB.
A total of 12 people are reported to be there, out of which 2 people have been rescued, he added.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also expressed pain over the incident. “Deeply saddened to know about the blast at Ordnance Factory at Bhandara, Maharashtra…The rescue teams are deployed at the site. All efforts are being made to provide assistance to those who are affected,” he added.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said there were reports that 13 to 14 workers were trapped after the roof collapsed in the explosion in the ordnance factory in Bhandara district.
“According to the preliminary information received so far, unfortunately, one worker has died. Five workers have been safely evacuated. The District Collector and the Superintendent of Police are at the spot and all kinds of help are being provided,” he added in an X post.
“SDRF and Nagpur Municipal Corporation teams have also been called for rescue operations and they will arrive soon. The district administration is involved in rescue operations in coordination with the defence forces. Teams have also been kept ready for medical assistance. I pay my heartfelt tributes to the one person who has lost his life in the incident,” the Chief Minister added.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/india/bhandara-ordinance-factory-blast-in-maharashtra-roof-collapse-several-feared-trapped-dead-article-117512041

For Raeesa Bi, the latest turn in the four-decade tale of the world’s worst industrial accident conjures up old ghosts. Sitting on a beat-up wooden chair in her small ramshackle home, the 68-year-old victims’ rights activist rattles off the names of all the people she knew who have died since that dreadful December night. It is a long list, and includes fellow activists, neighbors and several members of her own family — all victims, directly or indirectly, of the gas leak in Union Carbide’s pesticides factory in Bhopal, India.

“My anger is with the government. They made all the decisions,” says Raeesa. “We got little compensation, we are still standing in courtrooms for justice and we still don’t get the right medical treatment.”

It doesn’t surprise Raeesa (“Bi” is an honorific; she doesn’t use a surname) that it has taken this long for the government of India’s Madhya Pradesh state, of which Bhopal is the capital, to start clearing some of the toxic waste from the factory site — or that the effort has already been stalled by fresh controversy over the removal process. Along with corporate culpability, residents say governmental apathy and administrative incompetence have attended the tragedy from the very beginning.

Raeesa is resigned about the consequences, especially for victims from poor families. “The people who have died or will die are always like us,” she says.

The state government plans to incinerate 337 metric tons (743,000 pounds) of waste on the outskirts of Pithampur, an industrial town 200 kilometers (124 miles) away from Bhopal. But protests have erupted there among residents who are unconvinced that enough has been done to ensure their safety.

Raeesa can relate to their anxiety. She recalls in grim detail the events of Dec 3, 1984, when a malfunction at the pesticides factory, operated by Union Carbide’s Indian subsidiary, released more than 40 tons of methyl isocyanate gas. While the town slept, the gas began to move downwind, enveloping the slums around it. As people woke up vomiting and coughing, panic broke out. Thousands took to the streets in an attempt to outrun the smoke, inadvertently inhaling more gas.

The next morning, the streets were littered with bodies: More than 3,500 people died, and hundreds of thousands were exposed to the toxic chemicals. “We could not find coffins for our dead. People were transporting the dead in their arms or on beds to the cemeteries,” Raeesa remembers. “There was no one to stand at funerals because so many were dead.”

After the tragedy, more victims would be added to the death toll, many due to inadequate medical treatment. Raeesa would lose two daughters, her husband and her father-in-law over the next four years, even though she spent every rupee she could scrounge up on medicines and daily transportation to hospitals.

In 1989, India’s Supreme Court reached a settlement for $470 million (equivalent to $1.2 billion today) with Union Carbide, and mapped out the distribution of relief based on the level of injury or impairment. The settlement amount was to be spread over a highly conservative estimate of 40,000 cases, including deaths. Raeesa says she received the equivalent of $15,000 in 1990, and a second tranche of $16,500 some 20 years later.

In contrast, DuPont de Nemours Inc. and Chemours Co. agreed to a $4 billion settlement in 2015 to resolve about 3,600 lawsuits for the use of harmful chemicals in the US.

For decades, victims and activists in Bhopal have demanded that they be provided satisfactory monetary compensation, especially for those who developed health issues years after the leak. They also want the plant site cleaned up and the people responsible for the accident held accountable. But the authorities have moved slowly, and often with half-measures.

The clean-up is a good example. Activists say the 337 metric tons of waste slated for incineration is a fraction of the waste in the abandoned factory. It doesn’t include chemicals that, according to a report by India’s government, were dumped in landfills on the site. According to a 2004 Amnesty International study, waste leached into the ground, contaminating the groundwater.

“The government has failed in assessing the magnitude of the disaster and its impact,” says N D Jayaprakash, co-convener of the Coalition for the Support of Bhopal Gas Victims, which advocates on behalf of local residents.

The state government did not respond to Bloomberg’s requests for comment. In a Jan 2 press conference, Madhya Pradesh’s chief minister, Mohan Yadav, defended the disposal plan, saying the waste was “not at all harmful,” and accusing the opposition Congress Party of exaggerating the dangers for political purposes.

Aqeel Ahmed was 4 years old at the time of the leak and lived within the exposure radius. When he was 25, doctors told him one of his kidneys was so shriveled that it wasn’t even showing up on scans; the other was failing. He has been on dialysis since 2006, a cost he can ill afford. “My family and I are financially ruined,” Ahmed says.

Rahilla Khan, 40, lives across the street from the site. She is due to have surgery to remove cysts in her uterus, joining a long list of women born around the time of the leak who have had to undergo the procedure. “The government has done nothing for 40 years,” she says. Officials “come and make speeches on the anniversary of the leak, but they do nothing.” Her family received 25,000 rupees (worth around $1,500 at the time) as compensation.

In 2001, Dow Chemical Co, the largest US chemicals maker, bought Union Carbide for nearly $10 billion and issued a statement that all liabilities had been settled in the Bhopal case.

Responding to Bloomberg’s enquiries, a Dow spokesperson said via email: “It is important to recognize that The Dow Chemical Company never owned or operated the plant; it was owned and operated by Union Carbide India Limited. Union Carbide Corporation (which itself was a separate company from UCIL) did not become a subsidiary of [Dow Chemical] until more than 16 years after the tragedy, and 12 years after the $470 million Bhopal settlement agreement — paid by Union Carbide Corporation and UCIL — was approved by the Indian Supreme Court. The plant site today is under the control of the Madhya Pradesh government.”

In 2010, a Madhya Pradesh court convicted seven employees of Union Carbide’s Indian subsidiary to two years in prison. They appealed to a higher court and were granted bail for the same amount that Khan’s family received as compensation 40 years ago; the convictions continue to be challenged in a higher court.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/madhya-pradesh/survivors-of-bhopals-toxic-gas-leak-await-a-cleanup-40-years-later-3370672

The murder investigation of a 35-year-old Hyderabad woman, whose husband allegedly killed her and boiled her body parts to dump into various locations, has encountered a roadblock as no body part has been recovered by the police yet.

While the police were corroborating technical and scientific evidence, they were yet to find the body parts of the deceased, The Indian Express reported.

“We cannot go by mere claims. We are collecting all technical and scientific pieces of evidence. The case is under investigation,” Commissioner of Police G Sudheer Babu told the publication.

The victim’s husband Gurumurthy, a retired Army jawan from Andhra Pradesh, claimed that he killed his wife, dismembered her body, boiled the parts and disposed of them in a lake at Jillelaguda on the city’s outskirts.

Ever since Gurumurthy’s confession, the Hyderabad Police has corroborated forensic and technical evidence to establish his claims and find out what exactly happened to his wife P Venkata Madhavi.

Despite the confession, no arrest has been recorded in the case as of Thursday evening. However, police took the suspect into custody.

The suspect, who is now working as a security guard, told the police that he committed the murder in a fit of rage, and the investigators believe he did everything possible to avoid getting caught.

“As of now, we don’t have any reasons to believe it was a premeditated crime. It seems like the result of a petty quarrel. We are questioning the suspect and we have not recovered any body parts. We do not have enough clues,” Deputy Commissioner of Police Ch Praveen Kumar told indianexpress.com in the evening.

Meanwhile, the police have recovered a pressure cooker, water heater, and knives.

Husband confesses to horrific details of wife’s murder

During the police interrogation, Gurumurthy revealed that he hit Madhavi against a wall after a heated argument, which led to her immediate death.

He then chopped off her body using kitchen knives and initially boiled the parts to destroy any sign of the murder. The accused claimed to have cooked her body parts in a pressure cooker for five to six hours and used a mortar and pestle to grind the bones.

The publication reported, quoting unnamed sources, that the flesh, along with powdered bones, was then thrown into different localities, including the nearby lake.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/hyderabad-murder-probe-hits-roadblock-as-cops-struggle-to-find-womans-boiled-body-parts-101737682258678.html

2025 Oscar Nominations List:The highly anticipated 2025 Oscar nominations were officially revealed on January 23 at 7 PM IST. Hosted by Bowen Yang, Rachel Sennott, Sian Heder, and Eric Roth, the announcement took place at the Academy’s prestigious Samuel Goldwyn Theater. The event was live-streamed on Disney+ Hotstar, Oscar.com, Oscars.org, and the Academy’s social media platforms, and was also broadcast on ABC’s Good Morning America.

Initially scheduled for January 17, the announcement faced delays due to the LA wildfires, which disrupted the voting schedule. To address these challenges, the Academy extended the voting period and canceled the traditional Oscar Nominees Luncheon, ensuring fairness and prioritizing safety.

Here is the complete list of the 2025 Oscar nominees:

Best Picture

Anora

The Brutalist

A Complete Unknown

Conclave

Dune: Part Two

Emilia Pérez

I’m Still Here

Nickel Boys

The Substance

Wicked

Best Director

Jacques Audiard (Emilia Pérez)

Sean Baker (Anora)

Brady Corbet (The Brutalist)

Refuting perceptions of roadblocks to bring back the remains held in an urn in a Buddhist temple in Renkoji in Japan, widely believed to be that of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, a section of descendants of the national hero claim they have documentary evidence to prove that the temple authorities have always been more than willing to hand over the ‘ashes’ to India.

The demand to bring back the remains and conduct DNA tests to affirm whether they indeed belong to one of the tallest figures of India’s freedom struggle has been an abiding wish of a significant bulk of Netaji admirers who seek closure to one of India’s longest persisting enigma: whether Bose perished in the aftermath of a fatal Japanese military aircraft crash in present-day Taiwan, on August 18, 1945.

Reports of as many as 10 national and international enquiries probing Netaji’s disappearance on that fateful day, now available in the national archives in New Delhi, have confirmed Bose’s death at a hospital in the Japanese military airfield in Taihoku, now Taiwan, as a result of the severe burn injuries he suffered in the crash.

An exception to those committees’ findings was that of the Commission chaired by retired Supreme Court judge Manoj Kumar Mukherjee, the last of the probe panels constituted by the Union government, which submitted its report in November 2005 and concluded that Bose “is dead”, though he “did not die in the plane crash, as alleged”.

“The ashes in the Japanese temple are not of Netaji,” the Commission had further concluded. The Indian government had rejected the findings of the Commission.

The confusion over the alleged “lack of cooperation” from the Renkoji temple priests, some descendants of Netaji maintained, could have arisen from the Mukherjee Commission report which blamed the “Temple authorities’ reticence” in allowing commission-designated experts to physically inspect and collect “potentially less charred bone pieces from the casket lying in their custody” for conducting DNA tests.

Speaking to PTI on the eve of Netaji’s 128th birth anniversary, Chandra Kumar Bose, the leader’s grand nephew, said, “The PMO and the Indian government must respond to the numerous letters sent by Prof Anita Bose Pfaff, Netaji’s daughter and other members of the Bose family regarding arrangements to bring Netaji’s remains to India, which is lying in a foreign country.” “Netaji wanted to return to Independent India, but he could not as he sacrificed his life fighting for India’s freedom. It is an act of sacrilege that his remains continue to lie in Japan. There is conclusive evidence that the remains are of Netaji in 10 enquiry reports.

“However, if the government feels the remains are not of Netaji, then a statement must be issued to this effect. Mere silence is an insult to the memory of this great leader,” he added, drawing attention to the cold and solitary locale of Renkoji where the remains lie preserved for nearly eight decades.

Madhuri Bose, grand-niece of Subhas Bose, maintains that Reverend Mochizuki, head priest of the Renkoji temple as well as successive governments of India and Japan were “at the time entirely supportive of DNA testing on the remains and… certainly took no actions to deny access to the remains.” In her foreword to the recently published book, ‘From Shadows To Light: The Truth of Netaji’s Mortal End’, authored by Bose researcher Sumeru Roy Chaudhury, Ms Madhuri alleged that certain parts of the translation from Japanese of the original letter from the temple authorities which was included in the Mukherjee Commission report were “inexplicably missing”.

The missing part “is a clear reaffirmation of his firm commitment to a DNA testing process, expressed as follows: My father (the first Reverend Mochizuki) used to tell me when he was alive that the remains should be returned to India. I felt that if I accepted the proposal for DNA testing and the remains would eventually be returned to India, my father’s soul and spirit could finally be at rest,” Ms Madhuri wrote.

“Many of us in the family are convinced that Netaji succumbed to his injuries in 1945,” she told PTI, “Those who feel otherwise are free to pursue their theories but they must bring conclusive proof for the same.” Surya Kumar Bose, the eldest son of Netaji’s nephew Amiya Nath Bose, who paid multiple visits to the Renkoji temple and spoke to its current priests, also confirmed the willingness of the authorities to cooperate for scientific tests on the remains.

“In my last visit in 2019, I met the current head priest and the widow of the priest who met Justice Mukherjee. They were consistent in their willingness to hand over the remains for testing,” he said.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/netajis-family-renews-plea-to-bring-back-ashes-in-urn-at-japan-temple-7544207

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs issued notices to cab aggregators Ola and Uber as Centre sought clarification on reports of alleged differential pricing based on the type of mobile device used to book rides.

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs issued notices to cab aggregators Ola and Uber as Centre sought clarification on reports of alleged differential pricing based on the type of mobile device used to book rides.

The action by Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) comes after reports that Ola and Uber appeared to charge different fares for the same service, depending on whether a user was booking on an iPhone or an Android device. The CCPA has asked both the companies to explain their pricing methods and address concerns of potential discrimination and described the practice as “apparent differential pricing”.

In response to the order, Uber said, “We do not set prices based on a rider’s phone manufacturer. We look forward to working with the Central Consumer Protection Authority to clear up any misunderstanding.”

Earlier, a Delhi-based entrepreneur shared on social media platform X that the two ride-hailing apps were charging different prices for cabs after comparing fares across different devices and battery levels. The post gained traction as several users shared the same experience.

Uber denied that pricing is based on the type of phone used and the company said that fare differences can be due to variations in pick-up points, estimated time of arrival (ETA) and drop-off points.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/uber-ola-get-centres-notice-over-differential-pricing-based-on-smartphone-9199096.html

The death toll in the Jalgaon train accident has gone up to 13 with the recovery of a headless body along the railway tracks, police said on Thursday. Passengers of the Mumbai-bound Pushpak Express got off the train after hearing about fire spreading in the train. However, many were run over by the Karnataka Express heading from Bengaluru to Delhi on the adjacent tracks in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon.
Eyewitness, aboard Pushpak Express, recalled that the chaos started after people shouted that there is a fire. One of the injured admitted to the hospital, Hakim Ansari said, “People shouted that there is a fire. After that, everyone started running away. Pushak Express stopped because the chain was pulled. The injuries happened after the Karnataka Express came on the other track…”
Another injured, undergoing treatment at a hospital said, “We got off the train after everyone said that there has been a fire… We stopped the train and started running. Another train came from the other side and the people got it…”

Actor Rajpal Yadav has received death threats from Pakistan, Mumbai Police revealed on Thursday, adding that the sender posed as a member of Lawrence Bishnoi gang. According to the Police, the threat mail sent to Rajpal Yadav had photos of Baba Siddique and Sidhu Moosewala.
Amboli Police Station senior inspector Sadashiv Nikam said that the IP address of the sender has been traced to Pakistan. “Rajpal Yadav has received a threat email originating from Pakistan. The IP address (of the email sender) has been traced to Pakistan’s Punjab province, and we are investing the matter to get more details,” Nikam said.
“The sender of mail has posed as a member of Bishnoi gang. The mail also had photos of Baba Siddiqui and Sidhu Moosewala in attachment,” he added. An FIR has been lodged complaint by Rajpal Yadav and further investigation is underway, he said.

Jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi has been accused of being involved in the murder of both Sidhu Moosewala and Baba Siddique. Singer Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, who was popularly known as Sidhu Moosewala, was shot dead in Punjab’s Mansa district on May 29, 2022.
A court in Punjab has framed charges against Bishnoi and 26 others in connection with Moosewala murder case. Meanwhile, prime accused Satinderjit Singh alias Goldy Brar, is yet to be arrested and charges have not been framed against him.
Former Maharashtra Minister and NCP leader Baba Siddique was shot at and grievously injured on October 12, 2024, near his MLA son Zeeshan Siddique’s office in Nirmal Nagar in Mumbai’s Bandra area. The Congress-turned-NCP leader died some time later in nearby Lilavati Hospital.
According to the chargesheet filed by the Mumbai Crime Branch, Lawrence Bishnoi gang had plotted the plan to kill Siddique. The chargesheet named 26 arrested and 3 wanted accused, including Lawrence’s younger brother Anmol Bishnoi.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/threat-mail-to-rajpal-yadav-had-photos-of-sidhu-moosewala-baba-siddique-cops-reveal-shocking-details-article-117480077

The Madras High Court on Thursday issued notices to the Tamil Nadu Director General of Police, the State government and some private firms on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking guidelines to regulate delivery partners of online aggregators such as Swiggy, Zomato, Zepto etc, and to ensure safety of customers receiving deliveries from such partners.

Justice P Velmurugan directed all respondent parties including the private aggregator firms to respond to the notices within four weeks.

The Court was hearing a PIL filed by one Nithyanantham, claiming that such delivery personnel did not have strict rules mandating the wearing of proper uniforms, displaying their ID cards etc. Thus, miscreants and criminals often take advantage of this and indulge in theft and other offences while posing as delivery partners, it said.

Source : https://www.barandbench.com/news/litigation/pil-in-madras-high-court-claims-delivery-persons-uniforms-being-misused-by-criminals

After Yuzvendra Chahal and Manish Pandey, another indian cricketers marriage life is heading towards divorce. According to a Hindustan Times report, Indian cricket legend Virender Sehwag and his wife, Aarti Ahlawat, who tied the knot in 2004 in a grand ceremony hosted by former finance minister Arun Jaitley and are rumored to be heading for a divorce.

Reports further said that both are living separately and the strain in their relationship has grown due to various recent incidents, including the fact that they have unfollowed each other on Instagram. The couple have two sons, Aryavir, born in 2007, and Vedant, born in 2010

Virender Sehwag’s marriage life in trouble

The speculation intensified when Sehwag posted pictures from his Diwali celebrations which only included his son and mother, with his wife Aarti absent from the picture. Sehwag even shared a visit to Vishwa Nagayakshi Temple in Palakkad on Instagram two weeks ago without mentioning about Aarti. Sehwag is yet to make an official statement

In a horrific incident, a Pitbull brutally attacked a stray dog and severely injured the innocent animal in Maharashtra’s Aurangabad. The incident was caught on camera and the video of the incident is doing rounds on social media. It can be seen in the video that the Pitbull dog is mauling down the stray dog and the female owner of the dog is doing nothing to stop her pet. It seems she is letting her dog to attack and kill the stray dog. It is being claimed that the stray dog is a lactating mother with puppies.

Details About The Incident

The incident reportedly occurred in Chetananagar, Aurangabad and it was brought to light by a social media user on Instagram. The user claimed that a tragic pattern of cruelty toward stray dogs continues to unfold in the area, where a pitbull owned by a negligent pet owner attacked and killed a stray dog. Witnesses report that this is not an isolated incident. Many stray dogs have already lost their lives due to the owner’s irresponsible behaviour and apparent support for these attacks.

The video shows that a pitbull is mauling down a stray dog brutally. It can be seen in the video that the dog has ferociously attacked and severely injured the stray dog in the presence of her owner. The owner is seen standing near the pitbull while it is attacking the innocent animal and the woman did not even tried to stop the pitbull from injuring the lactating mother stray dog.

However, she is seen yelling at a man who tried to save the stray dog by throwing stone at the attacking animal. The woman turns to the man and asks him not to hit her dog with the stone.

Social Media Post

The video of the incident was shared by “@streetdogsofbombay” on Instagram with the caption, “No mercy for Stray life. Justice Needed for Stray Dogs in Chetananagar, Aurangabad. In Chetananagar, Aurangabad, a pitbull has once again attacked innocent stray dogs, all because the owner refuses to take responsibility. This isn’t the first time—many strays have already lost their lives because of this owner’s careless attitude. Despite multiple FIRs in the past, nothing has changed. The owner continues to get away due to political support.”

“How many more lives need to be lost before action is taken? These poor strays deserve love and safety, not fear and pain. This is not just neglect—it’s cruelty. We need your help to spread the word.”

“Please share this post and raise your voice to ensure the owner is held accountable. Let’s work together to stop this cruelty and protect innocent animals. They can’t speak, but we can speak for them.”

The social media post also informed, “One of our volunteers, in coordination with PETA India and the founder of APLA Aurangabad, is currently at the police station working to get an FIR registered.”

It further said, “The stray dog that was attacked is a lactating mother with puppies. She is currently in critical condition and has been admitted to the hospital.”

Repeated Attacks, No Accountability

It is being claimed in the viral post that despite multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) filed against the owner in the past, no concrete action has been taken against her. It is also being claimed that woman has political backing due to which action is not being taken against her.

A Call for Justice

The most recent attack claimed the life of a stray dog on the spot. This is not just a case of negligence, it is outright cruelty. These innocent animals, who already endure a difficult life on the streets, deserve compassion and protection, not fear and suffering.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/aurangabad-pitbull-ferociously-mauls-stray-dog-to-death-in-front-of-owner-repeated-attacks-spark-outrage-video

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was at his quippy best when asked about his prime front-row seat at Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th President of the United States on January 20.

“Special Envoy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is naturally treated very well,” Jaishankar said with a smile during a press conference in Washington DC on Thursday.

The 70-year-old diplomat represented India at the swearing-in ceremony at the invitation of the US government and carried a letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Trump. He described the gesture as a reflection of the Trump administration’s eagerness to bolster India-US ties.

“I would say, one, it was very clear that the Trump administration was keen to have India present at the inaugural itself, and they’re clearly prioritising the bilateral relationship,” Jaishankar said.

During his three-day visit to Washington, Jaishankar engaged in high-level meetings, including bilateral talks with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. He also participated in the first Quad ministerial meeting of the new Trump administration alongside counterparts from Australia, Japan, and the United States.

“Clearly there is an interest in taking the relationship forward,” Jaishankar said. “The Prime Minister had a very early phone call with President Trump, and I had come last month and made the initial contact with the NSA. So, it should give you a direction in which the relationship is going.”

Jaishankar said it was evident that the White House under Trump was willing to build on the foundation established during his first term, and that at present, there is a “very strong degree of trust” and “high level of convergence of interests” between India and the United States.

“Between us and the Trump administration, we approach the world both with a clear sense of our national interest belief,” he noted.

On regional cooperation, Jaishankar underscored the importance of the Quad, the four-nation bloc which got a new lease on life in 2017 when Trump was the US President.

“There’s a very strong sense that the current administration would reciprocate our desire as well to take the Quad further to intensify its activities,” he said.

Jaishankar said he also broached the issue of delays in US visa processing. “Ultimately, those visa delays do impact business, they do affect tourism. They constrain the people-to-people interactions, which is the foundation of our relationship,” he said.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/s-jaishankar-response-front-row-seat-donald-trump-swearing-in-india-us-relations-2668867-2025-01-23

Pratap Sarnaik to News18: “Currently, many motorists don’t invest in parking spaces. Instead, they park on roads, which not only causes traffic snarls, but also creates hurdles for emergency services such as ambulances and fire brigade.”

Pratap Sarnaik, Maharashtra’s transport minister, in an interview with CNN-News18, spoke about the new traffic policy — ‘no parking space, no vehicle registration’ — in the works. According to Sarnaik, the move could help end traffic woes and ensure smoother vehicular movement.

Sarnaik said traffic-related issues, particularly in urban regions such as the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), are on the rise, given the increase in population and surge in vehicle ownership.

“Maharashtra’s roads are under immense pressure due to the increasing population and easy access to vehicles facilitated by readily available loans from sellers and banks,” Sarnaik said. “The result is a traffic crisis across cities, with vehicles occupying streets and creating bottlenecks.”

THE NEW POLICY

The transport department is drafting a policy that would mandate vehicle buyers to provide proof of parking space before purchasing a vehicle.

Sarnaik said this measure aims to tackle indiscipline in parking, especially in congested urban areas. “Currently, many people, particularly those in smaller housing units, don’t invest in parking spaces. Instead, they park on roads, which not only causes traffic snarls, but also creates hurdles for emergency services such as ambulances and fire brigade,” said Sarnaik.

The minister acknowledged the unique challenges faced by residents of smaller homes, such as those living in chawls or one-bedroom apartments. To accommodate their needs, the policy would include provisions to obtain a clearance certificate from local municipal authorities. This certificate would verify that the buyer has access to designated parking zones or municipal parking facilities.

“We’re mindful of the fact that not everyone can afford large homes with dedicated parking spaces. However, we can’t compromise on discipline and public safety. These clearance certificates will ensure that vehicles are parked responsibly without encroaching upon public roads,” Sarnaik emphasised.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/no-parking-space-no-vehicle-maharashtra-transport-minister-on-how-it-is-a-way-out-of-traffic-snarls-for-motorists-9198114.html

External affairs minister S Jaishankar said on Wednesday that India has always been open to the “legitimate return” of undocumented Indian immigrants to their home country, external affairs minister S Jaishankar said on Wednesday, reported news agency PTI.

S Jaishankar also noted that the government was still in the process of verifying those from the US who could be deported to India and added that they had not determined a number yet.

“As a government, we are obviously very much supportive of legal mobility because we do believe in a global workplace. We want Indian talent and Indian skills to have the maximum opportunity at the global level. At the same time, we are also very firmly opposed to illegal mobility and illegal migration,” Jaishankar told reporters.

The minister said India had always maintained, with the US and other countries, that if any Indian citizen was present as an illegal immigrant, they were welcome to come back to their home country through legitimate processes.

He added that illegal immigration can be linked to other illegal activities which are damaging to the reputation of the country.

Earlier, it was reported that India was working with US President Donald Trump’s administration to deport 1,80,000 Indians in the US who are either undocumented, or have overstayed their visas.

“This position is not unique to the United States. I do understand that right now there is a certain debate going on, and a resulting sensitivity which is there, but we have been consistent, we have been very principled about it and that remains our position. I conveyed that clearly to Secretary (of State, Marco) Rubio,” said Jaishankar on the Trump administrations crackdown on immigration.

Jaishankar stated that, during bilateral talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, he mentioned that it was in the mutual interest of both countries to find solutions which would legally aid mobility.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/eam-jaishankar-says-india-open-to-legitimate-return-of-undocumented-indians-amid-trumps-immigration-crackdown-101737599802861.html

A 49-year-old man was shot dead by unidentified assailants on board the Howrah-Gaya Express as it was approaching a station in Bihar’s Lakhisarai district, officials said on Tuesday.

The deceased has been identified as Dharmendra Kumar (49), a resident of Lakhisarai.

“Some miscreants shot dead the passenger when the train was about to stop at Kiul junction in the evening. According to eyewitnesses, they jumped off the train after committing the crime,” Superintendent of Railway Police (Jamalpur) Raman Chaudhary told PTI.

The body has been sent for post-mortem examination and investigation is underway, he said.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/bihar/man-shot-dead-in-moving-train-in-bihars-lakhisarai-3366426

In a high-voltage drama, a young girl caused a major commotion, when she climbed a water tank to protest her family’s refusal to let her marry her sister’s brother-in-law on Tuesday (January 21) in Uttar Pradesh’s Budaun. The incident was caught on camera and the video of the incident is doing rounds on social media.

The woman’s act resembles Dharmendra’s iconic character ‘Veeru’ from ‘Sholay.’ The high-voltage drama attracted a large crowd, creating a scene of panic in the village. The young woman was rescued by the villagers and safely brought down from the water tank.

Details About The Incident

The incident reportedly occurred today afternoon in Sarai Piparia village which falls under the Moosajhag Police Station area in Budaun. The girl who was upset with her family’s decision climbed a water tank built under the Jal Jeevan Mission and threatened to jump off. She was frustrated because her family opposed her relationship with Nitesh, her sister’s brother-in-law, and refused to let her marry him.

Villagers quickly gathered and tried to convince her to come down, but she refused. The situation escalated and someone informed the police and her family.

Rescue Operation

The police team arrived at the scene after getting information about the young woman climbing on the water tank and threatening to commit suicide by jumping off. Despite their attempts to calm her, the girl stayed on the tank, continuing her protest.

The police called two young men from Dataganj to assist. After nearly two hours of effort, with the help of a constable and local villagers, the girl was safely brought down from the water tank.

Girl Brought Down Safely

The people are seen in the video carrying the woman on their shoulders and bringing her down safely from the water tank. Luckily, the girl did not jump off the water tank and committed suicide. She was rescued on time by the villagers and the police.

After being rescued, the girl explained that she loved Nitesh and wanted to marry him, but her family was against it. She said this opposition drove her to climb the water tank and threaten to take her life.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/video-woman-climbs-water-tank-after-family-opposes-marriage-to-sisters-brother-in-law-in-ups-budaun-rescued

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will give tips to the booth-level workers of the Delhi BJP on Wednesday, ahead of the February 5 Assembly polls in the capital, addressing them through video-conferencing under the party’s “Mera Booth Sabse Majboot” programme.

The national coordinator of the NaMo App and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kuljeet Singh Chahal said Modi will interact with the party’s booth-level workers at 1 pm on Wednesday.

Under the “Mera Booth Sabse Majboot” programme, party workers from 13,033 booths across all 256 wards in Delhi will listen to the prime minister’s message via the video call. Some of them will also get an opportunity to engage with Modi in a conversation, Chahal said.

BJP’s election in-charge for Delhi Baijayant Panda, co-incharge Alka Gurjar and Atul Garg, the party’s Delhi unit president Virender Sachdeva as well as all its MPs, MLAs and councillors from the national capital, among others, will attend the programme.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/delhi-assembly-elections-2025-pm-modi-to-interact-with-bjp-booth-workers-under-mera-booth-sabse-majboot-programme-on-jan-22

Protesting against the addition of severe charges including attempt to murder under Section 307 and issuance of arrest warrants against 25 farm leaders by the Punjab police in the case of breach of security during Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2022, farmers on Tuesday held a demonstration in Ferozepur district.

The farmers who staged the protest claiming that the said cases registered against their 25 leaders were “false’’, were associated with various farm unions including Krantikari Kisan Union, Kirti Kisan Union, Bharatiya Kisan Union (Dakaunda) and Qaumi Kisan Union Union.

Raising slogans against the Central and Punjab governments, the protesters demanded immediate withdrawal of these cases.

The farm leaders held that on January 5, 2022, PM Modi’s motorcade was unexpectedly diverted via road due to adverse weather which encountered a protest of farmers who were not aware of PM’s road travel near Ferozepur. The same caused a roadblock for the PM’s motorcade following which the PM convoy returned without reaching the rally in Ferozepur.

The farm leaders further held that as farmers neither intended to nor harmed the PM’s convoy the Punjab police initially registered an FIR under 283 IPC (obstruction in a public way) but later added severe charges including Section 307 (attempt to murder).

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/2022-pm-modi-security-breach-case-farmers-in-punjab-protest-against-adding-severe-charges-arrest-warrants

In a significant operation in Chhattisgarh’s Gariaband district Tuesday, a Maoist leader carrying a Rs 1 crore bounty was among 20 Maoists killed in a fierce encounter with security forces. Union Home Minister Amit Shah hailed the operation as a “major success,” further calling it a “mighty blow to Naxalism.” Jayaram Reddy, known as Chalapati, a senior member of the Maoist central committee, was killed in the gunfight, which took place in the dense forest area near the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border. The operation involved a joint team of security personnel, including the District Reserve Guard (DRG), the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), CoBRA from Chhattisgarh, and the Special Operation Group (SOG) from Odisha.

The operation was initiated based on intelligence reports regarding Maoist presence in the Kularighat reserve forest, located only five kilometers from Odisha’s Nuapada district. A large cache of weapons, ammunition, and IEDs, including a self-loading rifle, were recovered from the encounter site, and a massive search operation continues in the region.
Amit Shah, who has set a target to eliminate Maoism by March 2026, stated, “Our security forces achieved major success towards building a Naxal-free Bharat. The CRPF, SoG Odisha, and Chhattisgarh Police neutralised 14 Naxalites in a joint operation along the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border.” He added, “With our resolve for a Naxal-free India and the joint efforts of our security forces, Naxalism is breathing its last today.”

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai also praised the security forces, noting that under the “double-engine government” (the BJP government at the Centre and the state), the state is on track to rid itself of Maoists by March 2026. He expressed his admiration for the bravery of the forces, writing on X, “This success of the soldiers is commendable. I salute their bravery.”

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/top-maoist-leader-chalapati-with-rs-1-cr-bounty-killed-in-encounter-amit-shah-calls-it-mighty-blow-to-naxalism-article-117428651

PM Modi celebrated 10 years of the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ initiative, highlighting its success in reducing gender biases and improving education and opportunities for girls.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiative has been instrumental in overcoming gender biases and has drawn participation from people across all walks of life.

In a series of X posts, marking 10 years of the initiative, the Prime Minister wrote, “Today we mark 10 years of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao movement. Over the past decade, it has become a transformative, people powered initiative and has drawn participation from people across all walks of life.”

“Beti Bachao Beti Padhao has been instrumental in overcoming gender biases and at the same time it has created the right environment to ensure that the girl child has access to education and opportunities to achieve her dreams,” he wrote.

“Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the people and various community service organisations, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao has achieved remarkable milestones. Districts with historically low child sex ratios have reported significant improvements and awareness campaigns have instilled a deeper sense of the importance of gender equality,” PM Modi’s X post read.

“I compliment all stakeholders who have made this movement vibrant at the grassroots level. Let us continue to protect the rights of our daughters, ensure their education and create a society where they can thrive without any discrimination,” he wrote.

“Together, we can ensure that the coming years bring even greater progress and opportunity for India’s daughters,” the Prime Minister added.

Launched on January 22, 2015, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Haryana’s Panipat, the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiative was created to address the critical issues of gender imbalance and declining child sex ratio.

Over the years, the initiative has driven significant progress.

The national sex ratio at birth improved from 918 in 2014-15 to 930 in 2023-24, and the gross enrolment ratio of girls at the secondary level rose from 75.51 per cent to 78 per cent during the same period.

Institutional deliveries rose from 61 per cent to 97.3 per cent, and first-trimester antenatal care registrations surged from 61 per cent to 80.5 per cent, reflecting the programme’s far-reaching impact.

The scheme has gone beyond numbers to drive cultural and social change.

NATIONWIDE EVENTS TO MARK 10 YEARS OF BETI BACHAO BETI PADHAO

The government will organise weeks-long celebrations to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiative, the Union women and child development ministry said on Tuesday.

Beginning on Wednesday, the celebrations will continue till March 8, observed as International Women’s Day.

The inaugural event in Delhi on Wednesday will feature Union ministers JP Nadda, Annapurna Devi and Savitri Thakur, alongside senior women officers from the armed forces, paramilitary forces and the Delhi Police.

Officials from central ministries, Anganwadi workers, student volunteers and representatives from international organisations such as UNICEF, UN Women and the World Bank will also participate.

The occasion marks the beginning of nationwide celebrations reflecting the scheme’s transformative impact over the past decade, according to a ministry statement.

The celebrations will include events at the state and district levels.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/10-years-of-beti-bachao-beti-padhao-initiative-pm-modi-says-instrumental-in-overcoming-gender-biases-9197265.html

The Jawaharlal Nehru Port, India’s largest shipping facility, has crossed 10 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent unit) container handling capacity, a milestone that signals a leap in the country’s logistics sector, Union shipping minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Tuesday.

This brings cargo traffic at the port, off Mumbai, on par with some of the largest ports globally.

In 2024, the port handled the highest container volume of 7.05 million TEUs, performing at more than 90% capacity, the minister said, adding that higher efficiency is aimed at reducing logistics costs envisaged in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Gati Shakti plan, a multi-modal logistics ramp-up programme.

With the commissioning of the second phase of Bharat Mumbai Container Terminal (BMCT) in January 2025, another 2.4 million TEUs capacity has been added to the port near Mumbai.

A TEU, an industry benchmark, is a measure of volume in units of twenty-foot long containers. Large ships are able to typically transport more than 18,000 TEUs in a single trip.

Sonowal on Monday launched multiple projects worth nearly ₹2,000 crores to expand the capacity at the JNP Port, the statement said.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/jawaharlal-nehru-port-crosses-10-teu-capacity-a-global-benchmark-minister-101737517534772.html

In the bustling national capital, the slum dwellers live with enduring hope, waiting for a day when clean streets, safe drinking water, proper sanitation and permanent housing will no longer feel like distant dreams.

The slum dwellers are hopeful that their issues would be adequately addressed in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections.

Voting for the Delhi Assembly elections will take place on February 5 and the results will be declared on February 8.

“We stand in long queues for hours just to get a bucket of water, but even that water is not safe to drink,” said many slum residents, voicing their frustration at the never-ending struggle for such basic needs.

Narendra, a 60-year-old resident of Kusumpur Pahari, moved to Delhi from Bihar 40 years ago in search of a better life for his family. Yet, decades later, he is still grappling with the most fundamental necessities.

“The lack of water is our biggest challenge, whenever a water tanker arrives, there are constant fights over whose bucket gets filled first. The area is so dirty that living here feels unbearable, but we have no choice,” he said.

Narendra, who used to work as a scrap dealer, shared how the COVID pandemic brought his livelihood to a standstill. With no resources to move elsewhere, he now clings to the hope that the government will notice their plight and bring change by building proper sewers and installing water pipelines.

For Pinky Kapilo, another resident of Kusumpur Pahari, the story is all too familiar. She works as a house help and moved to the slum from Haryana when she was just five. Now, she is a mother to a three-year-old daughter and has seen only minor improvements over the years.

“Earlier, there were no washrooms at all,” she recalled.

“The government did build public toilets, but they are rarely cleaned. We constructed a small washroom in our home, but since there is no proper sewer system, we have dug an open sewer behind our house. It is unhygienic and attracts insects, but we have no choice,” Kapilo said.

A walk through Kusumpur Pahari paints a grim picture. Open sewers line the streets, roads are broken and often muddy due to leaking water tankers, and piles of garbage are scattered across the area.

In Lal Gumbad Camp, Panchsheel Park, Alka, a 70-year-old resident, lamented the constant flooding of roads.

“When the water tanker comes, the entire road becomes a pool of water. People often slip and fall. We are old now, but we want a better life for our children and grandchildren. We just hope the government provides basic facilities so we can live a little more comfortably,” said Alka.

Aman Chauhan, a rickshaw puller and another resident of Lal Gumbad Camp, shared how the small drains beside their homes overflow during the rains, flooding their houses.

“There is no proper sanitation system or sewer connections. The public washrooms are temporary and break down within a year or two. We are forced to live like this,” he said.

The struggle is similar for the residents of Sangam Vihar, where the lack of basic amenities persists.

Ashok Kumar, who lives in the Sangam Vihar slums, works odd jobs in construction and cleaning to feed his family.

“We somehow manage to eat twice a day, but how can we live in a place where there is no clean drinking water, not enough public toilets and the air smells foul due to open sewers?” he asked.

Ashok also recounted how a political leader once visited their area, marking spots for water pipelines and taps.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/elections/delhi/delhi-assembly-elections-2025-governments-come-and-go-struggle-for-basic-necessities-continues-in-slums-3365093

A day after Centre fixed a meeting with protesting farmers over their demands including minimum support price (MSP) for their crops and debt waiver on February 14 and their ailing leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, on fast-unto-death since November 26, also agreed to medical aid, the farmers on Monday deferred their January 21 “Delhi chalo’’ protest march till January 26.

It may be recalled that the farmer unions camping and protesting at Shambhu and Khanauri borders of Punjab and Haryana since the past 11 months, had on January 16 announced that a group of 101 farmers would resume “Delhi chalo’’ protest foot-march from Shambhu border on January 21 to press the Centre to accept the farmers’ demands.

The farmers had earlier made three attempts to take out protest marches on December 6, 8 and 14 last year, though the same were foiled by Haryana police and Central forces by raining teargas shells leaving about 50 farmers injured.

On Saturday, a delegation of the Union agricultural ministry led by joint secretary Priya Ranjan held talks with Dallewal and leaders Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) at Khanauri border protest site and fixed February 16 for talks.

Briefing newspersons about the farmers’ decision, KMM leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said that the farmers, however, also urged the Centre to advance the date of the proposed meeting as February 14 was too far. The farm leaders also appealed to Dallewal to end his fast.

Stating that it was said that the February 14 was fixed for the talks in the wake of the model code of conduct till February 9 in Delhi due to elections there, Pandher asked that if the Centre could announce the 8th Pay Commission then why it could not hold the meeting with the farmers early.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/punjab-farmers-defer-delhi-chalo-protest-to-jan-26-seek-earlier-talks-with-centre

The Sealdah session court rejected demand for the death penalty for the convicted rapist and murderer in the RG Kar case, stating that the crime did not meet the ‘rarest of rare’ nature threshold.

Not ‘an eye for an eye’… but a stark reminder that ‘the measure of a civilised society lies not in its ability to exact revenge, but in its capacity to reform, rehabilitate and ultimately to heal.’ This is what the court said while rejecting the plea for death penalty for the convict in RG Kar case. In the middle of the cacophony of outrage, political crossfire, blame game and chaos that unfolded in Bengal since August, 2024, the state’s chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, and her politics stand vindicated.
With these observations, the Sealdah session court rejected demand for the death penalty for the convicted rapist and murderer in the RG Kar case, stating that the crime did not meet the ‘rarest of rare’ nature threshold, as described by the Indian criminal-justice system. This, despite the brutal assault on the junior doctor – violated while resting on duty in a government hospital – by none other than a personnel, who was employed with the Kolkata Police.

The court’s verdict sentencing Roy to life imprisonment for the gruesome rape and murder of the young doctor inside the state run hospital has bolstered Mamata Banerjee’s government’s image of leading an ‘accurate’ investigation.

Following the verdict, Banerjee issued a statement, “In the RG Kar junior doctor’s rape and murder case, I am really shocked to see that the judgement of the Court today finds that it is not a Rarest of Rare case! I am convinced that it is indeed a rarest of rare case which demands capital punishment. How could the judgement come to the conclusion that it is not a rarest of rare case?”

“We want and insist upon the death penalty in this most sinister and sensitive case. Recently, in the last 3/4 months, we have been able to ensure capital/ maximum punishment for convicts in such crimes. Then, why, in this case, has capital punishment not been awarded? I strongly feel that it is a heinous crime that warrants capital punishment. We will plead for capital punishment of the convict at the High Court now,” she added.

Political optics unfolding

Yet, beneath the optics of this political victory lies a disturbing reality — a chaotic handling of the sensitive situation, marred by systemic failures, unanswered questions, and unresolved issues that enabled the tragedy in the first place.

The convict, Sanjay Roy, was not just a pervert and a predator but a civic police volunteer — a role introduced by Mamata Banerjee’s government to bridge manpower gaps in law enforcement.

Instead of being an asset to handle the law and order situations, this unregulated force has now become a liability, operating outside the rigors of police training and accountability.

Bengal has witnessed numerous instances of these volunteers abusing their unchecked authority and political patronage with this case exposing the fatal flaws in their existence. Despite this, the government still remains silent on regulating or dismantling this flawed structure.

Aparajita Bill – Mamata’s masterstroke

Mamata Banerjee’s political instincts, however, were sharp. As her administration battled a deluge of misinformation, fake news, and relentless attacks from the opposition, media and activists, she positioned herself as a leader taking tough decisions.

The instance of passing Aparajita Women and Child Bill by the Bengal legislative assembly, proposing capital punishment (if the victim dies) for the convicted rapists, fastrack investigation and speedy trial, was a calculated move to project political strength, cover up the initial mishandling and shift focus away from the lapses while dealing with this sensitive case.

While politically astute, the bill, however, does a little to address deeper failures, such as the dysfunctional hospital security system, inaccessible CCTV footage, and glaring inconsistencies in the ways of Kolkata Police dealt with the situation which also includes the vandalisation of the hospital on the night of August 14 following the march.

The Chaos, crossfire and the collateral

The chaos surrounding this case highlighted not just the vulnerabilities in West Bengal’s governance but also the lapses in inter-agency coordination. The CBI’s chargesheet diverged minutely in some points from Kolkata Police’s findings, exposing fissures in the pursuit of justice.

Even though the findings of Kolkata Police including the arrest of the culprit, the nature of the crime and his actions remained almost identical in the CBI report, the central agency came under tremendous pressure to do something different from Kolkata Police. The pressure prompted them to arrest an officer, interrogate several senior police officers, verifying all evidence several times presuming that there was mischief.

Yet, in the midst of this disarray, Mamata Banerjee managed to steer the narrative in her favor finally, emerging as a leader who delivered justice, despite the storm of criticism.

However, societal values, people’s trust and expectation became the collateral damage.

Justice not delayed, but isn’t it denied?

Is justice really served when the foundational questions remain unanswered? Why is the civic police force still unregulated, almost a political tool, despite repeated instances of criminal behavior? Why are Bengal’s hospitals—the essential public spaces — left with inadequate security? And why, amid all the chaos, were these issues either ignored or deliberately sidestepped by the government?

Today’s verdict may bring closure to the government, the investigating agencies, but it surely does not bring so much for the victim’s family. It also reflects the systemic rot that Mamata’s government has failed to address.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/justice-delivered-but-not-denied-brand-mamata-wins-amid-bengals-chaotic-rg-kar-rape-murder-fallout-9195987.html

The caller, identifying himself as a police officer, claimed that the businessman’s son had been arrested in a kidnapping case. He warned of immediate imprisonment if he was not paid promptly

A shocking incident unfolded recently involving a businessman in Rajasthan’s Alwar. The man received an unexpected call from an unknown number and heard his son’s voice filled with panic. ‘Papa, save me!’ he pleaded.

The incident occurred on December 7. The caller, identifying himself as a police officer, claimed that Ramavatar’s son had been arrested in a kidnapping case. The alleged officer demanded Rs 3 lakh to clear the son’s name, threatening imprisonment if the money wasn’t sent immediately.

Ramavatar was shocked and unsure of what to do. He turned to his neighbour, Satya Vijay, another businessman, for help.

Satya Vijay, upon checking the number and seeing the WhatsApp display picture, which was of a policeman, quickly identified it as a potential cyber fraud. He recounted a similar incident involving his nephew who had received threats and demands for money.

Realising it was indeed a scam, Ramavatar told the caller that he was involving the police in the call. The fraudster immediately disconnected.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/papa-save-me-rajasthan-man-gets-strange-call-days-after-sending-son-on-honeymoon-to-kashmir-ws-ab-9195371.html

A wild elephant tried to enter a house in Coimbatore, terrifying residents. It left after stealing rice, with no injuries

In a terrifying turn of events, a wild elephant made a surprise appearance at a house in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, on the night of Saturday, January 18. The residents of the house were left in shock as the elephant attempted to enter their home, sparking fear and confusion. Fortunately, the encounter ended without injury, and the incident was captured on video, quickly going viral on social media.

A midnight intruder

The male wild elephant wandered into the residential area of Therkkupalayam in Coimbatore, creating chaos and anxiety among the locals. The house it approached was occupied by four migrant workers who were cooking at the time. They were taken aback when they noticed the large animal moving around outside. In a bid to avoid attracting the elephant, the workers wisely switched off the gas stove.

A close encounter

As the elephant neared the house, it used its trunk to explore the surroundings, touching various items inside. The workers watched in silent alarm as the elephant’s trunk brushed against the gas cylinder, but fortunately, it was turned off by the workers earlier, preventing a potentially disastrous situation. After a brief inspection, the elephant grabbed a bag of rice and calmly retreated.

In a video shared on his social media, Eric Garcetti expressed his deep connection to India, a country he first visited as a child and later as a student.

Outgoing US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, reflected on his tenure in a farewell message, emphasising the strong ties built between the two nations during his tenure as the 26th US envoy.

In a video shared on his social media, Garcetti expressed his deep connection to India, a country he first visited as a child and later as a student.

He acknowledged the hospitality and warmth shown by the people of India and shared the rich experiences that shaped his time in the country.

“As I bid farewell to India after serving as the 26th U.S. Ambassador to this amazing country, my heart is full. You’ve given me a second home, a family of friends, and memories that will last a lifetime. Today, I leave as more than an ambassador—I leave as a lifelong friend and supporter of #USIndiaFWDfortheFuture,” Garcetti wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

“My dear India: you’re not just incredible–you’re unforgettable. With love, Eric,” he added.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/picture-abhi-baaki-hai-mere-dost-eric-garcetti-bids-farewell-as-us-ambassador-to-india-101737331113819.html

The bird census in three major water bodies was conducted on Saturday by over 200 dedicated participants, including forest staff, ornithologists, researchers, and trained volunteers, officials said.

More than 16.56 lakh birds of over 200 species were sighted during a mid-winter census carried out in three major wetlands – Chilika Lake, Bhitarkanika National Park and Hirakud Reservoir – across Odisha, officials said on Sunday.

The bird census in three major water bodies was conducted on Saturday by over 200 dedicated participants, including forest staff, ornithologists, researchers, and trained volunteers, they said.

Separate teams meticulously surveyed the wetlands using spotting scopes, binoculars and data sheets to ensure the accurate identification and counting of birds, the officials said.

“According to the census report, altogether 11,27, 228 birds were counted in the Chilika Lake. This includes 3,43,226 birds alone at Nalabana, an avian paradise in the lagoon,” an official said.

Of the count, 10,87,226 were migratory birds of 109 species while the number of resident ones was 40,002 of 87 species.

The bird count in 2024 was 11,37,759 of 187 species, another official said.

“This year, there is a decrease of 10,531 winged guests in total, and there is a decline of 4,054 birds in Nalabana,” he said, adding that the highest of 2,01,926 Gadwall species visited the Chilika Lake, followed by Northern Pintail (1,93,394) and Eurasia wigeon (1,54,937).

However, a significant observation of the bird census is that there has been an increase in the number of species as compared to last year.

The number of species this year was 196, and the same was 187 species in 2024, the official said.

“The marginal decrease in bird population is probably due to high water level in the lake, resulting in less availability of mud flats for wader birds,” he said.

However, there has been a slender rise in the number of winged guests in the Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapara district this winter, according to the latest mid-winter census report released by the forest department on Sunday.

The number of visiting avian winter species has risen to 1,51,614 this year while 1,51,421 birds were counted last year in the national park, the official said, adding that there is a decrease in the number of species.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/over-16-56-lakh-birds-flock-to-odisha-wetlands-this-winter-7512115

The AAP shared a video on X from its official handle, showing Kejriwal eating steamed momo amid cheers from supporters.

AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday made a pit stop to savour vegetable momo at a roadside stall while out campaigning.

The AAP shared a video on X from its official handle, showing Kejriwal eating steamed momo amid cheers from supporters.

“The relation between momo and Delhiites is a bit deeper. During campaigning in New Delhi, a momo seller offering Kejriwal momos to eat,” the party said in its post.

Kejriwal, an MLA from the New Delhi constituency since 2013, faces challenge from BJP’s Parvesh Verma and Congress’ Sandeep Dikshit, who have allowed no let up in their attacks on the former chief minister in their jousting for Delhi’s throne.

In the video, the AAP supremo can be heard asking the vendor for one piece of “veg momo”. He then picks one piece from a plate and invites others to share the rest with him.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/arvind-kejriwal-makes-pit-stop-for-vegetable-momo-amid-delhi-elections-campaign-7512120

Any gathering comes with a huge risk of crowd management else there’s always a chance of a stampede that can put lives at risk. And when it is the world’s largest gathering, the preparations for the same are bound to be challenging. Maha Kumbh Mela will see nearly 45 crore people coming to the holy city of Prayagraj. Spread over 10,000 acres, the Maha Kumbh district is seeing more than 20 lakh visitors daily.
To avoid any untoward incident and top notice crowd management, the authorities have put an Integrated Control Command Centre in place to keep a hawk’s eye for continuous monitoring and avoid untoward incidents, a report in PTI said.
Four such Integrated Control Command Centres (ICCC) have been established and 400 people keep a continuous watch on big screens displaying live footage and data from hotspots. They directly alert peronnel on ground on crowd density and pilgrim flow atMaha Kumbh.

Over 3000 Cameras, Underwater Drones And 60K Personnel
For monitoring purposes, more than 3,000 cameras, many linked with Artificial Intelligence technology have been put in. Apart from this, several underwater drones have also been made operations while more than 60,000 personnel are present on the ground. The authorities have ensured proper technology implementation to manage the crowd.

Superintendent of Police Amit Kumar, an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre and the ICCC in-charge, said the data being captured was accurate to ensure there were no more “guesstimates”.
“This is the first time in the world that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being used for crowd management at this scale. We have installed more than 3,000 cameras across the mela area and the city, of which 1,800 are AI-enabled. There is absolute no guess work, everything is based on real-time data being captured extensively,” Kumar told PTI.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/india/what-are-officials-doing-to-avoid-stampede-at-maha-kumbh-mela-prayagraj-inside-tech-savvy-crowd-management-article-117373660

A youth slit a girl’s throat here on Saturday in Dabua Colony for not agreeing to marry him, police said.

Police said Pawan had eloped with Khushnuma alias Karishma last April. Later, police caught them and the girl was handed over to her family and Pawan was jailed, they said.

In September, he came out on bail and had been forcing her to marry him, they added.

According to police, Khushnuma, a resident of E block of Dabua colony, went to a neighbour’s house on Saturday. Pawan, who was already present there, had an argument with her and slit her throat and fled from the spot.

Police were informed who reached the spot and took the body into custody.

On the complaint of the girl’s father, an FIR was registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at Dabua police station.

“Pawan was pressurising my daughter to marry but she continuously refused. Pawan used to threaten to kill her and finally, he did kill my daughter,” said Ansar Khan, the girl’s father, in his complaint.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/haryana/faridabad-youth-slits-minor-girls-throat-for-refusing-to-marry-her-3362280

Soon after the matter came to light, the foetus, a girl’s, was rushed to a hospital but the doctors declared it dead.

In a shocking incident in Gujarat’s Surat, a minor girl, who was impregnated by her 17-year-old social media friend, terminated her pregnancy and and threw the foetus near a drain to get rid of it. This incident is said to have taken place on January 9, according to a report in NDTV.

The foetus was later recovered from near a drain when carrion-eating birds were hovering over it. Lying among garbage, the foetus was spotted by a group of children who then raised an alarm upon realising that there’s a body. Subsequently, the police were called in.

Soon after the matter came to light, the foetus, a girl’s, was rushed to a hospital but the doctors declared it dead.

This prompted police to launch an investigation into the matter. The search led them to the doorstep of a 16-year-old girl.

NDTV, citing Deputy Commissioner of Police Zone 4 Vijay Singh Gurjar, reported that initially the girl’s family denied any wrongdoings. The girl was later taken for medical examination by police where a doctor confirmed that she had been pregnant.

It was learnt that the girl had attended school till January 3.

During probe it was revealed that the girl had met the 17-year-old boy on Instagram and they became friends. The boy, a resident Pandesara area in Surat, had physical relations with the girl due to which the girl became pregnant, NDTV, quoting police, reported.

The police said that upon learning about the minor’s pregnancy, the boy fled to his home in Uttar Pradesh and then to Mumbai, from where he sent her packet of tablets to end the pregnancy.

The girl then consumed two tablets and had a miscarriage at home and later, she threw the foetus away, the girl told the police.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/gujarat-teen-ends-pregnancy-at-home-throws-foetus-near-drain-minor-lover-detained-9193928.html

A viral video has shocked social media, showing a young man risking his life and the lives of others while making a reel. The video shows him riding a motorcycle on a railway bridge over a river, with two other people sitting behind him. One of the pillion riders seems to be a minor in the viral video.

This reckless rider has drawn heavy criticism online. By riding on the railway bridge, he not only endangered his life but also the live of the two passengers with him. If a train had approached during the stunt, it could have caused a major accident. After the video went viral, angry internet users criticised the biker and demanded strict action against the accused.

Dangerous Stunt for Fame

The video was first posted on Instagram by a user named @ll_ravi_thakur_ll76. He captioned it as a scene from a small village in Jharkhand called “Baglata Bridge.” The reel quickly went viral on social media, getting over 1 million views and over 28,000 likes.

However, most comments on the post criticised his dangerous actions. Some users mocked him, saying he was in “Mountain Dew mode,” while others called for his immediate arrest. One user questioned whether the Railway Protection Force (RPF) or the police would take action against him. Another user sarcastically asked if they stay near the bridge only.

Repeated Violations

The man’s reckless behaviour didn’t stop there. In another video shared by @JharkhandRail on platform X, he was seen again riding a bike on the railway tracks. The handle accused him of repeatedly putting passengers’ lives in danger and called for his arrest. They also tagged railway authorities and shared a screenshot of his Instagram profile in another post.

Shortly after Mumbai Police confirmed the nationality of the nabbed attacker in the Saif Ali Khan stabbing case, BJP leader Amit Malviya launched a scathing attack on Congress party and other INDIA alliance parties, seeking an apology from them.

Taking to X on Sunday, Malviya stated, ‘Mumbai Police has confirmed that Mohammad Shariful Islam, who attacked Saif Ali Khan, is an illegal resident from Bangladesh and had assumed a Hindu identity.’

Alleging that INDIA alliance parties were exploiting illegal immigrants, Malviya said, ‘Political parties like the Congress, TMC, and others in the I.N.D.I.A. Alliance that exploit illegal immigrants as vote banks and had sought to communalize this incident to malign Hindus should apologise.’

Malviya’s attack against opposition parties comes after Mumbai Police on Sunday arrested a 30-year-old man from Thane who allegedly stabbed Saif Ali Khan at the actor’s residence in Mumbai’s Bandra.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/saif-ali-khan-stabbed-bjp-demands-apology-from-congress-tmc-after-mumbai-police-confirms-attackers-nationality

People are not here (at the Maha Kumbh Mela) to buy a ticket to heaven. They are not seeking the pleasures of heaven and are here for ‘Mukti’ (liberation), said Sadhguru in conversation with Navika Kumar, Group Editor-in-Chief of Times Now and Times Now Navbharat.
“Pople are not here to buy a ticket to heaven, they are not looking for the pleasures of the heaven, they are here for mukti, for liberation. There is no civilization on the planet which has looked at life this way,” Sadhguru said.
“When I say looked at life this way, see whatever we want in our lives, when you’re in school you want one thing, when you go to college you want another thing, like this it goes on. But human intelligence is such, you don’t have to go through all those things. And sitting in one place you can take yourself through all that,” he added.

“The Mahakumbh or the Kumbh is not something of recent origin, it’s been on for millennia. There are many records of it way, way back, but one clearly written record is probably Huen Tsang, the Chinese traveler who came, he says in those days that’s in third century which is seventeen hundred years ago, he says there are five hundred thousand people for the Mahakumbh at that time. Five hundred thousand people seventeen hundred years ago when probably the country’s population must have been four, five crores, because at the beginning of 1947 we were thirty-three crores, seventeen hundred years ago we could not have been three to four crores people. In that five hundred thousand, half a million people coming for this,” Sadhguru said while speaking on the essence of Maha Kumbh.

“UP government and of course Yogiji has given a massive call to people all over the world to come. But for these thousands of years nobody gave a call. People just saw the calendar and they know this is the time to go and they converged, sending their… spending their last penny,” he added.

A 45-year-old man on Saturday allegedly killed his wife and minor son by administering them a heavy dose of sleeping pills before attempting suicide due to “harassment” by moneylenders, police said.

The man, Vaibhav Hande from Chikhali near Pune city, is being treated in a hospital and police have booked four persons, identified as Santosh Kadam, Surekha Kadam, Santosh Pawar and Javed Khan, in connection with the deaths, the official said.

In his complaint, Vaibhav said he gave several sleeping pills to his wife Shubhangi Hande, 36, and their 9-year-old son Dhanraj in the morning, resulting in their death. Vaibhav then tried to hang himself from a ceiling fan in their flat.

On Friday night, Vaibhav had sent a note on the mobile phone of his 14-year-old son, whom he had sent to his relative’s place in Mumbai, detailing his plan.

The teenager panicked after reading the message in the morning and made frantic calls to their neighbours to check on his family. When the neighbours did not get any response despite repeated knocks on the door, they called the police, the official said.

Police entered the flat and found Vaibhav alive. He was then rushed to a private hospital, the official said.

“The complainant had borrowed Rs 6 lakh and Rs 2 lakh at a monthly interest rate of 10 per cent from accused Santosh Kadam and Surekha, respectively. He had also taken Rs 4 lakh from Javed Khan at high interest,” the official said, quoting Vaibhav’s complaint.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/man-kills-wife-and-son-survives-suicide-bid-blames-moneylenders-for-harassment-7504403

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu will depart for the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, Switzerland on Sunday, where he plans to promote “Brand AP” and present the state as an attractive investment destination to global business leaders and industrialists.

Mr Naidu aims to highlight a slew of employment-driven industrial policies and engage with top executives to secure investments for the state.

A statement on Saturday mentioned that the Chief Minister will use the platform to emphasize the state’s strengths, including its human resources, infrastructure, government subsidies, stable leadership, and efficient business environment, to attract both national and international companies.

Mr Naidu will leave Amaravati for Delhi at 4 pm on Sunday, followed by a flight to Zurich at 1.30 am on Monday.

In Zurich, Mr Naidu will meet India’s ambassador to Switzerland. Later, he will meet industrialists at a local hotel and follow it up with a meeting with Telugu industrialists.

At the “Meet and Greet Telugu Diaspora” event, Mr Naidu will discuss investment opportunities and promote Andhra Pradesh.

After this engagement, the chief minister will embark on a four-hour drive to Davos where he will take part in a dinner meeting with industrialists, followed by a special meeting with ArcelorMittal executive chairman Lakshmi Mittal.

During the four-day World Economic Forum (WEF), Mr Naidu will hold talks on green hydrogen and also meet chief executives and chairpersons of companies such as Coca-Cola, Welspun, LG, Carlsberg, Cisco, Walmart International, Cognizant Technologies and others, among several engagements.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/chandrababu-naidu-to-promote-brand-ap-at-world-economic-forum-in-davos-7507637

A police volunteer has been found guilty of the rape and murder of a junior doctor at a hospital in Kolkata, India, last year.

Sanjay Roy, 33, denies the charges and claims he has been framed. He will be sentenced on Monday, and it ranges from life in prison to the death penalty.

Judge Anirban Das said in court that circumstantial evidence proved the charges and added: “Your guilt is proved. You are being convicted.”

The 31-year-old junior doctor, who cannot be named under Indian law, was found dead in a classroom at the state-run R G Kar Medical College and Hospital on 9 August last year.

According to staff at the hospital, she had gone for a nap after nearly 20 hours into a 36-hour shift when she was attacked.

Officers discovered the bloodied body of the woman, and an autopsy later found the victim had been strangled and sexual assaulted.

The woman’s family have claimed the incident could not have been carried out by one person.

Her father said after the guilty verdict on Friday: “Our daughter could not have met such a horrific end by a single man.

“We will remain in pain and agony until all the culprits are punished.”

Court sources told Reuters the investigation cited 128 witnesses, with 51 examined during the trial that started on 11 November and was fast-tracked to conclude swiftly.

Protests broke out across India over the incident, with hospital services disrupted in several cities as thousands of doctors went on strike to demand better security and justice for the victim.

Dr Smita Malhotra, a paediatrician who attended a protest in Delhi in August, told Sky’s India reporter Neville Lazarus then that the incident was “reflective of the rot in our society”.

Tough laws against rape and sexual assault were introduced following the high-profile case of a gang rape and killing of a 23-year-old student on a New Delhi bus in 2012.

These included fast-track courts for swifter convictions in such cases and strict punishments, but protesters said after the latest incident that the situation for women has not improved.

Source : https://news.sky.com/story/police-volunteer-found-guilty-of-rape-and-murder-of-junior-doctor-at-hospital-in-india-13291226

Uttar Pradesh Police said a Pakistani woman has been booked for allegedly forging documents to secure a job as an assistant teacher in a government primary school, officials said on Friday.

The woman had been employed as a teacher at Government Primary School, Madhopur since 2015, they said. She was terminated from her job last year following a report by the sub-divisional magistrate.

A case was filed against her following a complaint by the Block Education Officer of Fatehganj Paschimi, Additional Superintendent of Police (Northern) Mukesh Chandra Mishra said.

“Shumaila Khan is accused of using forged certificates to obtain the position of an assistant teacher at the Government Primary School in Madhopur,” Mishra said.

“Khan had presented a domicile certificate issued by the SDM of Sadar, Rampur, during her appointment process. However, an investigation by the SDM revealed that the certificate was fabricated, and Shumaila Khan was confirmed to be a Pakistani citizen. The investigation established that she concealed her identity and submitted false documents to secure the job,” he said.

Block Education Officer Bhanu Shankar said Khan was appointed an assistant teacher at Madhopur primary school in 2015 based on documents that later turned out to be forged.

According to the FIR, concerns were raised about the authenticity of these documents during the verification process. The SDM’s report clarified that the domicile certificate was improperly issued based on false information. Consequently, the certificate was revoked.

The Education Department sought clarification from Khan on multiple occasions, but each inquiry reaffirmed the use of forged documents.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/uttar-pradesh/pakistani-woman-booked-for-obtaining-teaching-job-using-forged-documents-in-bareilly-3360537

Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra took to X to complain about an online food ordering and delivery service, saying that an expensive ice cream she ordered arrived “spoilt.”

In a post on X late Thursday night, Moitra tagged Swiggy and said, “Sorry Swiggy, you’ve got to up your game. Unacceptable that I ordered expensive Minus Thirty mini sticks ice cream and it arrives spoilt and inedible. Expecting a refund or replacement asap.” The online delivery platform responded to the TMC MP, saying they would look into the issue.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/mahua-moitra-complains-on-x-about-spoilt-ice-cream-delivery-swiggy-responds-3361069

The Enforcement Directorate Friday said it has attached a mansion worth Rs 486 crore, located on Amrita Shergill Marg — one of Delhi’s costliest neighbourhoods — in an alleged bank fraud-linked money laundering case against the erstwhile Bhushan Power and Steel and its promoters.

The about an acre (4, 840 square yards) size residential dwelling in central Delhi has been provisionally frozen after the agency issued a provisional order under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

It is owned by Aarti Singal, a former director of BPSL and the wife of the main promoter Sanjay Singal, the federal agency said in a statement.

BPSL has undergone insolvency and has now been taken over by JSW Steel. Sanjay Singal was arrested by the ED in November 2019. A trial against him and the other accused in the case is pending.

The agency has earlier too attached assets in this case and with this latest order, the total value of freezed properties in this case stands at Rs 4,938 crore. Out of this, assets of Rs 4,025 crore worth have been restituted to the banks under the PMLA.

The money laundering case against the company and its promoters stems from a CBI FIR alleging that the former owners “cheated” banks to the tune of Rs 47,204 crore.

According to the ED, BPSL and its promoters “diverted” bank funds to private investments in the form of shares and properties.

“The books of accounts were fudged to show fake expenses, purchases, capital assets and bank funds were taken out in the form of cash. Cash was also generated from out-of-book sales and the same was utilised for acquiring assets in the name of family members,” it claimed.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/delhi/ed-attaches-rs-486-cr-delhi-bungalow-in-bank-fraud-case-3361166

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday congratulated space startup Digantara for the success of ‘Mission SCOT’, saying this is an important contribution of the growing Indian space industry towards enhancing space situational awareness.

The firm announced on Thursday that its mission has successfully established contact with its ground station. Solar panel arrays are deployed, power levels are positive, and stabilization is on point, it had said.

It also said, “Our focus now shifts to commissioning the satellite, preparing it for its core mission: precise object tracking and imaging in LEO. Over the coming weeks, our team will meticulously fine-tune SCOT, ensuring it’s mission-ready for this endeavour.

A remarkable start to the year for the entire team!” Reacting to the firm’s post on X, the prime minister said, “Kudos to Indian space startup @Digantarahq at the success of Mission SCOT. This is an important contribution of the growing Indian space industry towards enhancing space situational awareness.”

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/science/space/pm-modi-congratulates-bengaluru-based-space-startup-on-missions-success-3361170

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said future of mobility belongs to India that saw an unprecedented sale of 2.5 crore vehicles a year, and attracted USD 36 billion foreign direct investment in just four years.
Addressing a gathering after inaugurating the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 at Bharat Mandapam here, the prime minister also emphasised that India stands as an outstanding destination for every investor looking to shape one’s future in the mobility sector.
The five-day expo which is being held across three venues — Bharat Mandapam and Yashobhoomi in the national capital and India Expo Center and Mart, Greater Noida — is expected to witness over 100 new launches across automobiles, component products and technologies.

India’s largest auto expo, scheduled from January 17-22, will bring the entire value chain of the mobility ecosystem — from automobile manufacturers to components, electronics parts, tyre and energy storage makers, and automotive software firms and material recyclers — under a single umbrella.

Modi said the automotive industry was driven by innovation and technology and stressed that the future belongs to the East, Asia, and India.
“India is an excellent destination for every investor looking to see their future in mobility,” he said while reassuring everyone that the government is fully supportive and encouraged everyone to continue advancing with the mantra of ‘Make in India, Make for the World’. Modi said the ‘Make in India’ initiative has played an important role in unleashing the growth potential of India’s auto industry.
The performance linked incentive (PLI) schemes, he said, have given new momentum to the ‘Make in India’ campaign, aiding sales of over Rs 2.25 lakh crore and creation of more than 1.5 lakh direct jobs in the sector.
“Driven by the aspirations of the people and energy of the youth, India’s automobile sector is witnessing an unprecedented transformation,” he said, and added that in the past year, the Indian auto industry has grown by nearly 12 per cent and exports rose.
Modi remarked that the number of cars sold annually in India surpasses the population of many countries.
The sale of approximately 2.5 crore cars in a year demonstrates the continuously growing demand in India, Modi said.
India is currently the world’s fifth-largest economy and the third-largest passenger vehicle market.
The prime minister further said as India ascends to become one of the top three economies globally, the country’s auto market will witness unprecedented transformation and expansion.
Several factors drive the future of mobility in India, including the country’s large youth population, the expanding middle class, rapid urbanisation, modern infrastructure development, and affordable vehicles through the ‘Make in India’ initiative, he said.
He pointed out a major customer base is India’s middle class and over the past decade, 25 crore Indians have risen out of poverty, forming a neo-middle class that is purchasing their first vehicles.
Modi said India is building a mobility system that supports both the economy and ecology, reducing the import bill for fossil fuels. The country, he said, is focusing on the development of green technology, EVs, hydrogen fuel and biofuels.
Underlining the comprehensive support provided by the government to the auto sector at every level, Modi remarked that over the past decade, new avenues for FDI, technology transfer, and global partnerships were established in the industry.
He informed that in the last four years alone, the sector has attracted over USD 36 billion in Foreign Direct Investment. He noted that this figure was expected to multiply in the coming years.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to developing a complete ecosystem for auto manufacturing within India.
Modi also talked about the rapid growth of electric mobility in India over the past few years and remarked that the sale of electric vehicles has increased 640 times in the past decade.
He said while only around 2,600 electric vehicles were sold annually ten years ago, over 16.8 lakh electric vehicles were sold in 2024.
The prime minister projected that the number of electric vehicles in India could increase eight-fold by the end of this decade, showcasing the immense potential in this segment.
He also asked the manufacturers to take advantage of the vehicle scrapping policy and suggested that companies could introduce their own incentive schemes to encourage more people to scrap their old vehicles.
The prime minister reminisced Ratan Tata and Osamu Suzuki. He said that the contributions of both the stalwarts were immense into the growth of the Indian auto sector as well as towards fulfilling the dreams of middle-class families of India.
Modi expressed confidence that their legacy will continue to inspire the entire mobility sector of India.
Speaking on the occasion, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said Bharat Mobility 2025 presents the India story to the world and that it will augment investments and boost trade for the country.
Auto industry has emerged as a symbol for Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India and startups are also participating in the event, he said.
The minister informed that India has become the largest manufacturer of three-wheelers and tractors in the world and also holds the top spot as a two-wheeler market in the world.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/bharat-mobility-global-expo-2025-india-an-excelent-destination-future-of-mobility-belongs-to-us-says-pm-modi-article-117329535

People can purchase chargers, power banks, towels, blankets, bedsheets and Triveni Sangam Jal bottles online.

The Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, has drawn millions of pilgrims and tourists and Blinkit has stepped in to cater to their needs with a temporary store. Albinder Dhindsa, CEO of Blinkit, announced the initiative on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Today, we’ve opened a temporary Blinkit store in Maha Kumbh Mela, Prayagraj, to serve pilgrims and tourists.”

The 100 sq ft store is strategically positioned to deliver essentials across key areas such as Arail Tent City, Dome City, ITDC Luxury Camp and Devrakh. The specially curated inventory includes pooja essentials, milk, curd, fruits and vegetables. Visitors can also purchase chargers, power banks, towels, blankets, bedsheets and Triveni Sangam Jal bottles, ensuring convenience during the spiritual gathering.

The tweet read, “Today we’ve opened a temporary Blinkit store in Maha Kumbh Mela, Prayagraj to serve pilgrims and tourists. This one is a 100 sq ft store which will be delivered in Arail Tent City, Dome City, ITDC Luxury Camp, Devrakh, and other key areas of the Maha Kumbh Mela. Our teams are ready to deliver specially curated assortment like pooja needs, milk, curd, fruits & vegetables (for self consumption as well as for daan), chargers, power banks, towels, blankets, bedsheets and more. We’ve also got Triveni Sangam Jal bottles in stock.”

Blinkit’s initiative has struck a chord with the people online.

A user asked, “Wow cool! But how are you going to keep track of inventory?”

Another asked, “What a thoughtful initiative! Pilgrims now have one less thing to worry about with Blinkit delivering all the essentials, right where they need it.”

Echoing a similar sentiment, a person added, “Incredible initiative! Making essentials accessible for pilgrims—Blinkit truly delivers where it matters most.”

Sharing his first-hand experience, another said, “I was there on the 12th and literally searched on Blinkit to see if it’s available there. Crazy stuff you guys have been doing.”

“That is great, hope it works without issues” was the sentiment.

Source : https://www.news18.com/viral/blinkit-opens-temporary-store-at-maha-kumbh-mela-internet-calls-it-an-incredible-initiative-aa-9192632.html

The Sealdah court is expected to announce the RG Kar Hospital rape and murder case verdict on Saturday. The CBI and the parents of the victim have demanded the maximum punishment for the accused.

People are anxiously waiting for the verdict in the RG Kar Hospital rape and murder case in Kolkata, which shook the nation and the medical fraternity of the country. Ahead of the verdict tomorrow (January 18), the father of the victim said he was ready to wait five years more for justice and vowed to fight on.

The gruesome rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor ‘Abhaya’ at Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital on August 9, 2024, sparked widespread protests across the nation, with doctors going on hunger strikes and demanding better security at their workspaces. The CBI took charge of the case and arrested Sanjay Roy, but a final verdict is expected from the Sealdah court on Saturday.

Junior doctors agitating since August have demanded the maximum punishment for Roy. While former RG Kar principal Sandip Ghosh and police officer Abhijit Mondal were initially arrested amid allegations of a larger conspiracy, they got bail as the CBI could not give a charge sheet on them.

“Sanjay Roy is a criminal. He will be punished, and whatever the court feels, that punishment will be given to him. We have gone to the High Court and Supreme Court for justice,” the victim’s father told The Indian Express, asserting that he is ready to wait for five years more, but “will not beg”.

He also said he would “snatch” justice if necessary. “or five months, there has been no proper investigation. The investigation was only for the first three days and then nothing happened. We had never asked for a CBI investigation, but the court had ordered a CBI probe,” he said.

Sanjay Roy, who was a civic volunteer with the Kolkata Police, was charged with committing the crime and was arrested on August 10. The victim’s mother said there was enough evidence to prove Roy guilty, but claimed the investigation was half-done as other suspects allegedly involved were roaming freely.

“Sanjay (Roy) is guilty, and tomorrow’s verdict will be against him. But what about other criminals who are still not caught? I can see them roaming freely. I have seen them loitering in the hospital. So, the investigation is half-done,” she told news agency PTI.

All eyes are on the Sealdah court, where the additional district and sessions judge will announce a verdict in the rape and murder case. In its conclusion on January 9, the CBI sought death for the accused.

Meanwhile, TMC spokesperson Joy Prakash Majumdar told The Indian Express that the “whole matter” has “vindicated the stand” of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the “action of state police.”

“We have seen several courses of public agitation that demanded a CBI probe. In the end, we see they are saying they have no faith in the CBI, and now the parents of the deceased doctor are saying that the CBI did not conduct the investigation properly. It shows that the protest had two main agendas: one asking for the highest punishment that was supported by Mamata Banerjee and the state government, but the second was politically motivated and that has been proved now,” he said.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/kolkata-rg-kar-rape-murder-case-verdict-sealdah-court-father-demands-justice-cbi-sanjay-roy-latest-news-9192475.html

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Friday called the Ayushman Bharat health scheme the “biggest scam” in the country after the Supreme Court stayed a high court order that asked the Delhi government to sign an agreement with the Centre to implement it in the national capital.

“I am happy that the Supreme Court has confirmed that it is a fake scheme. Ayushman Bharat is the biggest scam in the country. When the central government changes and an inquiry is conducted into these scams, people will realise how big a scam Ayushman Bharat truly was,” PTI quoted Kejriwal as saying at a press conference.

What Supreme Court said?

Earlier in the day, a top court bench of Justices BR Gavai and Augustine George Masih stayed an order asking the Delhi government to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Union health ministry by January 5 to implement the PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM).

According to a PTI report, the bench issued notices to the Centre and others seeking their responses on a plea filed by the Delhi government against the December 24, 2024 direction of the Delhi high court.

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the Delhi government, said the court should issue notice on the plea as the AAP government was forced to sign the MoU with the Central government.

“How can the high court force me (Delhi government) on a policy matter to sign an MoU with the Central government?” asked Singhvi.

The Delhi government’s plea was filed through advocate Talha Abdul Rahman, PTI reported.

In its order passed on December 24 last year, the high court referred to the minutes of the meeting held in December 2024 and noted the PM-ABHIM would have to be implemented in its entirety to ensure Delhi residents were not deprived of the funds and facilities under it.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/arvind-kejriwal-calls-ayushman-bharat-biggest-scam-after-sc-stays-delhi-hc-order-101737110198188.html

The leader of a Myanmar-based militant group was among five people who were arrested by the Mizoram Police in what they said was one of the largest arms bust in the northeast state.

The weapons were for trade between the Myanmar-based militant group Chin National Front (CNF) and the United People’s Democratic Front, a militant group active in Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill Tracts.

The police in a statement said the operation highlighted the transnational character of arms smuggling in the region.

“Five accused have been arrested in connection with this arms seizure. Among those detained is a notable leader of the Chin National Front (CNF), an insurgent group based in Myanmar. The arrest of such a high-profile individual is a significant achievement in counter-insurgency operations in the state of Mizoram,” the state police said in the statement.

“This operation highlights the transnational character of illegal arms dealings and emphasises the ongoing threats to regional stability… With this catch, a serious threat to regional peace and stability has been neutralised,” the police said.

The operation was carried out “in partnership with a sister intelligence agency”, the police said. The weapons seized from the outskirts of Saithah village in Mamit district included six AK series assault rifles, over 10,000 rounds and 13 magazines.

A case has been filed.

In September 2022, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) searched two locations in Mizoram’s Aizawl in a case linked to the recovery of 2,400 kg of explosives, including 1,000 detonators and 4,500 metres of fuse wires. During the searches, incriminating material including mobile phones and bank documents were seized from the premises of the suspects.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/myanmar-chin-national-front-militant-leader-arrested-in-mizoram-in-transnational-arms-bust-7488948

A Kolkata-based passenger recently took to social media to express his disappointment with IndiGo airline’s handling of a delayed flight. Sharing a video on LinkedIn of a heated exchange with the cabin crew, Ritham Bhattacharjee slammed the airline over the “unprofessional behaviour” of the crew members while handling a flight that was delayed for five hours. The incident took place on a flight from Kolkata to Chenna on January 6. In the caption of the post, Mr Bhattacharjee revealed that passengers were kept inside the aircraft throughout the delay, with minimal compensation provided – a packet of chips and cookies.

“The CCU-MAA (Chennai to Kolkata) flight was delayed by five hours. To add insult to injury, the compensation offered was a paltry packet of chips and a single cookie. Passengers were forced to remain seated inside the aircraft the entire time, which is simply unacceptable,” Mr Bhattacharjee wrote.

In the following lines, he accused the cabin crew of being “extremely uncooperative and rude”. “The customer attendants and air hostesses on both flights displayed unprofessional behavior. Specifically, the attendees named Eram and team on the return flight were extremely uncooperative and rude,” he said.

Mr Bhattacharjee further expressed shock over this experience and demanded immediate action to resolve the matter. “It seems that IndiGo’s focus on being a low-cost airline has come at the expense of customer satisfaction. I request that you take immediate action to address these issues and provide better training to your staff. I hope that in the future, Indigo will prioritize customer experience and provide services that meet the expectations of its loyal customers,” he remarked.

Once the post gained traction online, IndiGo replied with a standard apology, stating, “This is not the kind of experience we’d like our customers to have. Please allow us some time to connect with you.”

The airline also argued that the crew member provided refreshments and water as compensation. “We understand the inconvenience caused by the flight delay due to adverse weather conditions in Kolkata. As part of our efforts to keep everyone informed, travel advisories were shared, and notifications were sent to the registered contact number. Our crew also ensured that refreshments were provided, and water was served multiple times during the wait,” the airline responded.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/video-indio-passenger-slams-crew-for-unprofessional-behaviour-during-flight-delay-airline-reacts-7492642

Indian-origin NASA astronaut Sunita Williams returned to spacewalking after 12 years, stepping outside the International Space Station (ISS) on Thursday alongside astronaut Nick Hague. Designated as US Spacewalk 91, the mission aims to perform crucial maintenance and upgrades on the orbital laboratory.

This marks Williams’ eighth career spacewalk and Hague’s fourth, with the duo working outside the ISS for approximately six and a half hours. Williams wore an unmarked spacesuit, serving as spacewalk crew member 2, while Hague donned a suit with red stripes as crew member 1.

The astronauts undertook a range of tasks, including:

•    NICER Repairs: Performing upgrades to the Neutron star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) X-ray telescope.
•    Rate Gyro Replacement: Installing a new rate gyro assembly to maintain the ISS’s orientation control.
•    Docking Adapter Maintenance: Replacing a reflector device for navigational data on an international docking adapter.
•    Future Preparations: Examining tools and areas needed for upcoming maintenance on the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer.

NASA described the mission as critical for ensuring the smooth functioning and longevity of the ISS.

NASA announced another spacewalk, slated for January 23, involving Williams and colleague Barry Wilmore. The duo will:

•    Remove a radio frequency group antenna assembly from the ISS truss.
•    Collect material samples from the Destiny lab and Quest airlock to study possible microbial life on the station’s exterior.
•    Prepare a spare elbow joint for the Canadarm2 robotic arm in case future replacements are required.

On a day-to-day basis, bizarre videos go viral on social media, and the internet goes into a frenzy over these posts. One such post is making rounds on social media, where an auto is riding on the road, but in the video, no one can be seen riding the auto. This video, which was shared months ago, has now gone viral, and the internet is calling it a ‘haunted auto,’ while also trying to explain how the auto is moving without a driver.
The video, shared by an Instagram handle delhi_se_sky, was captioned, “Haunted auto.” After the post went viral, many users have joined in to provide their theories about the video. Some have even called the auto a “Tesla auto,” referring to Tesla cars, which are mostly automatic.

In the purported video, it can be seen that an auto is riding on the road, but it appears that no driver is visible. However, according to some users, there is a person hiding in the back seat of the auto.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/viral/haunted-auto-in-indian-streets-netizens-go-frenzy-with-theories-over-mysterious-viral-video-article-117298596

Indian national Sai Varshith Kandula, 20, on Thursday, was sentenced to eight years for an attempted attack on the White House with a rented truck on May 22, 2023.

The attack aimed to overthrow the democratically elected American government in order to replace it with a dictatorship fuelled by Nazi ideology, the Department of Justice said.

Kandula had pleaded guilty on May 13, 2024, to a charge of willful injury or depredation of US property. Born in Chandanagar, India, he was a lawful permanent resident of the US with a green card. In addition to the prison term, District Court Judge Dabney L Friedrich ordered Kandula to serve three years of supervised release.

The Indian national flew on a commercial flight from St Louis, Missouri, to Washington D.C. on the afternoon of May 22, 2023, connecting through another airport on a one-way airline ticket, according to court documents, and arrived at Dulles International Airport about 5:20 pm, wherein he rented a truck at 6:30 pm.

He stopped for food and gas and then drove to Washington, D.C., where he crashed into the barriers protecting the White House and the President’s Park at 9:35 pm at the intersection of H Street, Northwest and 16th Street, Northwest. Kandula drove onto the sidewalk, sending pedestrians running from the scene. After striking the barriers, the truck backed up in reverse, then lurched forward, striking the metal barriers a second time. The second impact disabled the truck which began smoking from the engine compartment and leaking fluids.

Kandula next exited the vehicle and went to the back of the truck. From a backpack, he removed a flag, a three-by-five foot red-and-white banner with a Nazi Swastika in the centre, and brandished it. US Park Police and the US Secret Service officers arrested Kandula at the scene and took him into custody, the Department of Justice said.

According to the plea agreement, at the time Kandula crashed the truck into the White House perimeter, he was attempting to gain access to the White House to seize political power.

“Kandula’s intent was to replace the democratically elected government with a dictatorship fueled by the ideology of Nazi Germany and for himself to be put in charge of the United States. Kandula admitted to investigators that he would have arranged for the killing of the US President and others if necessary to achieve his objective. His actions were calculated to influence or affect the conduct of government by intimidation or coercion,” it said.

According to the Department of Justice, his actions caused USD 4,322 in damage to the National Park Service. This amount included costs for repairing the metal bollard barriers to their original condition and ensuring structural soundness, oil and chemical removal, spill cleanup, and disposal of fluids from the crashed U-Haul.

Kandula planned the attack for several weeks. Prior to renting the truck and crashing it on the White House grounds, he made several attempts to gain access to vehicles or armed security guards. For example, on April 22, 2023, Kandula requested 25 armed guards and an armoured convoy from a security company located in Virginia, federal prosecutors said.

Source : https://www.news18.com/world/indian-origin-man-gets-8-years-of-imprisonment-for-attempted-attack-on-white-house-9191702.html

Boosting Maharashtra’s potential to become India’s startup capital, the Small Industries Development Bank of India announced a Rs 200 crore fund to support innovation and entrepreneurship.

Unveiled on ‘National Startup Day’, the initiative aims to empower startups across Maharashtra with Rs 30 crore allocated to each regional division. The funding underscores the state’s commitment to fostering a vibrant startup ecosystem and spurring economic growth.

“With 26,000 startups, including the highest number of women-led ventures, Maharashtra is not just a participant but a leader in India’s startup revolution,” said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at an event organised by the Maharashtra State Innovation Society at the Jio World Centre in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) on Thursday.

Themed ‘Empowering innovation, elevating Maharashtra’, the event was attended by skill development minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Nykaa CEO Falguni Nayar, and Marico Ltd chairman Harsh Mariwala. More than 1,000 startups representing diverse industries like technology, agriculture, and services showcased the state’s dynamic entrepreneurial spirit.

Fadnavis announced plans for innovation cities across the state to serve as hubs for cutting-edge technology and entrepreneurship. He introduced a draft startup policy, encouraging entrepreneurs to contribute suggestions to make it a national benchmark.

Highlighting regional contributions, he noted Mumbai’s position as a funding powerhouse, Pune’s rise as a technology hub, and the rapid development of Tier 2 and 3 cities like Nashik, Nagpur, and Kolhapur into thriving startup centres.

“Universities and incubators have become the backbone of this vision, enabling rural youth to transition from job seekers to job creators,” he said.

The event spotlighted women entrepreneurs with the Nykaa CEO praising Maharashtra for creating a safe and empowering ecosystem. “The state leads in women-led startups, offering ample opportunities for growth,” Nayar said.

The chief minister further highlighted the state’s distinction in having the highest number of women directors in startups, reaffirming the government’s focus on inclusivity. Additionally, he stressed on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in shaping the state’s startup future, urging entrepreneurs to leverage it to drive innovation and employment.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/national-startup-day-maharashtra-gets-rs-200-crore-boost-to-support-innovation-entrepreneurship-9191537.html

A group of 101 farmers will make a fourth attempt to reach Delhi by crossing the Shambhu (Punjab-Haryana) border on January 21 to press for their demands, including a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) on crops, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said on Thursday.

The “jatha” (group) of 101 farmers, termed as Marjeevdas (those ready to sacrifice their lives), had earlier made three attempts to reach Delhi on foot on December 6, 8 and 14, last year, but their attempts were thwarted by the Haryana Police and paramilitary forces, who used tear gas shells, water cannons and pepper sprays to stop them from entering the state. Nearly 50 farmers were left injured in these attempts.

Unlike the earlier three attempts, this ‘Delhi Chalo’ march has been announced jointly by the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) and Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political).

KMM convener Sarvan Singh Pandher said, “I don’t think the Union government is in any mood to hold talks with us. Our group of 101 Marjeevdas will make another attempt to reach Delhi on January 21. It is now up to the government to either fulfil our demands or kill us.”

Announcing the action plan, Pandher said farmer leaders Manjit Singh Rai and Balwant Singh Behramke would lead the group.

“We have been told, in the past, by BJP leaders that we can reach Delhi on foot (not on tractors). However, we were not allowed to reach Delhi by the Haryana Police and Centre even when we were marching peacefully. I request Prime Minister Narendra Modi to allow peacefully protesting farmers to reach Delhi, and let us continue our demand for a legal guarantee on MSP,” said Pandher.

The fresh move of protesting farmers came a day after a group of 111 farmers began a fast-unto-death on the Haryana side of the border near Khanauri in solidarity with farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, whose fast-unto-death entered its 52nd day on Thursday.

The new ‘jatha’ sat on the Haryana side of the border — Dallewal has been sitting on a hunger strike since November 26 last year at the Khanauri border point on the Punjab side.

Haryana ups security

The Haryana Police has enhanced security on its side of the border near Khanauri. It has already imposed Section 163 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, banning gatherings of five or more people.

The protesting farmers have expressed concern over Dallewal’s “deteriorating” health, saying he risks “multiple organ failure” because of the prolonged fasting.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/farmers-to-make-4th-attempt-to-reach-delhi-from-shambhu-on-january-21-101737052034781.html

In connection with Saif Ali Khan’s attack case, a staff nurse named Aliyama Philip (56) has recorded her statement with the police. She stated that the man who assaulted Saif had initially entered the room where she and another maid were sleeping along with Saif’s younger child, Jehangir aka Jehbaba (4). In her statement, Philip claimed that the accused, who spoke in Hindi and English, wanted the child and demanded a ransom of Rs 1 crore from Saif.

The copy of the statement, which FPJ has accessed, reads that Philip has been Jehangir’s nurse for the past four years and has been taking care of the child.

The statement says, “On January 15, I fed Jehbaba, and around 11 pm, I put him to bed. Later, I and another nurse named Junu, who also takes care of Jeh, went to sleep in the same bedroom. At 2 am, I woke up to some noise. I noticed that the bathroom light was on; however, I thought it must be Kareena madam checking on the baby, so I went back to sleep. Something still didn’t feel right, so I sat up. That’s when I noticed the shadow of a man wearing a cap near the bathroom.”

Philip stated that when she approached the bathroom, she saw the man moving towards Jeh’s bed. “I immediately went to Jeh’s bed, but the man signalled me to keep quiet. Junu also woke up, but he threatened us not to raise an alarm. I picked up Jeh, but the man tried to attack me with a wooden object and a sharp weapon resembling a hacksaw blade, which he was carrying. My fingers were injured during the blade attack. When I asked him what he wanted, he tried moving towards Jehbaba’s bed, he said in English Rs 1 crore.”

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/saif-ali-khan-stabbing-case-56-year-old-staff-nurse-reveals-attacker-demanded-1-crore-ransom-for-actors-son-describes-violent-confrontation

Meerut, an hour’s drive from Delhi and home to a mere couple million people, is what in India’s crowded north is considered a small town. There isn’t a lot to recommend it to visitors, and it doesn’t exactly receive hordes of tourists. And yet, the city’s hotels have been all over the news recently.

The OYO Hotels chain, backed by Softbank Group Corp, announced last week that it would no longer allow unmarried couples to check into its hotels in Meerut and might extend that policy to other towns. Bookings could in theory be cancelled if guests can’t provide proof of their relationship.

Naturally, the policy has set off something of a firestorm. It has also underscored how companies may increasingly struggle to deal with India’s deepening social and political divisions.

OYO said it “respected” individual freedoms and personal liberty, but also felt bound to respond to complaints from what it described as “civil society.” Few have any doubt that, in this case, the term is a euphemism for the socially conservative right-wing groups that have claimed growing political influence under India’s Hindu nationalist government.

Companies everywhere must manage local politics, of course. But corporations that operate nationwide can’t afford to give too much away. Compromises in one part of the country can diminish trust in one’s brand elsewhere. Isn’t branding, at its core, the promise of a uniform experience?

True, OYO has thus far limited the new rules to one city. But activists in the much more prominent tech hub of Bengaluru are now demanding a similar ban there. Will OYO be forced to give in? And will the company expect couples to keep track of when they need to bring their marriage license as they travel from city to city across India?

When OYO launched about a decade ago, its promise was the exact opposite. Checking into a budget hotel in a strange town with one’s partner used to be a tense experience; couples never knew if they’d be the target of harassment or be denied a room. OYO, as one Indian columnist put it, “democratized access to private spaces for a burgeoning young population.” That was the company’s core value and the primary source of its appeal.

OYO isn’t the first firm to be tripped up by India’s internal divisions. Drivers for food-delivery service Zomato Ltd., the first app-based startup to be added to the benchmark BSE Sensex, have sometimes objected to handling pork or beef dishes, on religious grounds. Like OYO, Zomato sometimes tried too hard: It briefly announced a new segregated service for vegetarians last year before a national outcry forced it to backtrack.

Economists and officials sometimes argue that “mass services” — including hospitality chains and delivery services — can provide the jobs and growth that the country’s lackluster manufacturing sector cannot. Many of these companies have scaled up swiftly, are used by tens of millions of people, and include some of India’s fastest-growing employers. And they, in turn, tout the vast size of the potential market to entice investors.

With size comes with diversity, however. And, unlike toy makers or sellers of detergent, service-based companies must deal with customers as people. There’s no point achieving scale at the cost of your brand’s core appeal.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/opinion/oyo-is-making-a-mistake-with-unmarried-couples-policy-3357760

The video shows the club’s amenities, including a DJ and nail artists who offer services to the women who visit. The footage shows a lively atmosphere with snacks, pizza, wine, champagne, beer, and great lighting

Women-only hangouts to socialise with your girlfriends are rare in India. But one club in Bengaluru is experimenting with the concept and has been hailed on social media for being a safe space for women wanting to enjoy a drink and good music.

A video of the club, posted by a user named Deepanshi Singh on Instagram, reveals that this women-only club is located on Bannerghatta Road in Bangalore. What’s more interesting is that the staff at the club is also all-women. The club is called ‘Miss and Mrs’.

In the caption, Deepanshi mentions that the club offers snacks, unlimited beer, and liquor for just Rs 300, but this is only available for the first hour. After that, the price doubles.

The video also shows the club’s amenities, including a DJ and nail artists who offer services to the women who visit. The footage shows a lively atmosphere with snacks, pizza, wine, champagne, beer, and great lighting.

To date, the video has garnered over 82 lakh views, more than 1,93,000 likes, and has been shared over 2,18,000 times. Additionally, the video has received more than 1,500 comments.

In the comments, some users liked the concept, while some viewed it as anti-men.

Source : https://www.news18.com/viral/indias-first-women-only-club-is-in-this-city-watch-ws-ab-9189666.html

An advisor for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has alleged that Meta rigged its algorithm to suppress posts featuring Hindu Sadhus and pilgrims at the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025.

Hours after Meta India on Wednesday apologised for CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s remarks, an official from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting alleged that the social media platform has “rigged” its algorithm to prevent users from posting pictures from the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj.

In an X post, the Ministry’s senior advisor, Kanchan Gupta, wrote, “I’m told Meta has rigged its algo to try and prevent posting of photos of Hindu Sadhus and pilgrims at Mahakumbh 2025.”

“I have reason to believe this is true. US Tech-run Big Platforms are anti-India, anti-Sanatan Dharma. They are racist and propagandists of ‘3 Books’,” she wrote.

Zuckerberg’s remarks during a podcast, that the incumbent government in India lost power in the 2024 elections, snowballed into a controversy in India, with many Union Ministers calling the remarks “factually incorrect”.

Earlier today, Meta India apologised for the CEO’s statement and in an X post, wrote, “Dear Honourable Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Mark’s observation that many incumbent parties were not re-elected in 2024 elections holds true for several countries, BUT not India.”

“We would like to apologise for this inadvertent error. India remains an incredibly important country for Meta and we look forward to being at the heart of its innovative future,” he wrote.

This came as Vaishnaw had debunked Zuckerberg’s remarks as misinformation and made it clear that Meta must uphold facts and credibility.

Later, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Nishikant Dubey, who heads the Parliament’s Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology, had on Tuesday said that the panel will summon the firm following its chairman’s comments that India’s ruling dispensation lost the Lok Sabha election last year.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/mark-zuckerberg-remark-controversy-ministry-of-information-and-broadcasting-alleges-meta-rigged-ai-algorithm-maha-kumbh-mela-photos-posts-9189554.html

The court made the observation while granting bail to a man accused under sections 376 (rape), 504 (intentional insult), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code

The Allahabad High Court recently observed that if a sexually experienced married woman does not offer resistance, her physical relationship with a man cannot necessarily be considered against her will.

The court made the observation while granting bail to a man accused under sections 376 (rape), 504 (intentional insult), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.

The case arose when a widow, aged 30, alleged that her 20-year-old brother-in-law had promised marriage and consistently engaged in sexual relations with her for two years. She further claimed to have become pregnant, only for the accused to pressure her into an abortion. When he subsequently severed contact and threatened her, she filed a complaint.

The court noted that the victim’s claims regarding pregnancy were not supported by medical evidence and pointed out that she had refused an internal medical examination.

The bench of Justice Sanjay Kumar Singh highlighted the woman’s life circumstances, acknowledging her as a mother of three, capable of understanding the moral implications of her actions. The court underscored that an experienced adult’s participation in a relationship without visible resistance indicates consent, barring substantial evidence to the contrary. This observation, coupled with the lack of corroborative evidence on the pregnancy and allegations of coercion, raised doubts about the victim’s narrative.

The accused’s counsel contended that the complaint stemmed from personal grievances after he refused marriage. The counsel emphasised the age disparity between the parties, suggesting that the victim sought to implicate the man maliciously. They also argued that the allegations were unsupported by factual evidence.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/physical-relationship-not-against-will-if-married-woman-offers-no-resistance-allahabad-hc-9189798.html

In line with the government’s vision to transform this year’s Maha Kumbh into a “Digital Kumbh”, a virtual reality (VR) zone was set up at a camp in the Mela area on Wednesday.

Divya Jyoti Jagriti Sansthan inaugurated its camp that houses the VR zone during the day. The camp is located across a sprawling nine-acre area in Sector 9 of the Mahakumbh Nagar.

“Visitors will have the opportunity to experience the Maha Kumbh and mythological stories through advanced 3D and VFX technology,” the organisation’s spokesperson Sadhvi Tapeshwari Bharti said.

The organisation has also planned a series of spiritual and cultural programmes across 33 days, expecting a massive turnout.

“We are expecting more than 20 lakh visitors from India and abroad this time, surpassing the 17 lakh visitors recorded during the last Kumbh,” Tapeshwari Bharti added.

A virtual reality zone is an interactive digital space where users experience computer-generated environments through devices like VR headsets. It immerses visitors in realistic visuals, sounds and sometimes touch, simulating a physical presence.

At the VR zone in the Maha Kumbh, mythological or cultural themes are recreated using 3D and VFX technology. Visitors can virtually explore ancient rituals or significant events, offering an engaging and educational experience.

Prominent personalities, including Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, MP and actor Ravi Kishan, BJP leader Anurag Thakur, and Padma Shri awardee singer Malini Awasthi, are scheduled to participate in these events, she claimed.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/virtual-reality-meets-mythology-at-maha-kumbh-with-unique-vr-zone-7482438

Source : https://www.reuters.com/pictures/scenes-indias-great-pitcher-festival-worlds-largest-gathering-humanity-2025-01-14/

Six shots were fired and punches were thrown at a residential society in Greater Noida during an altercation between a resident and security guards over parking. Gaurav Sisodia, who owns a pub in Greater Noida and lives at Radha Sky Gardens In Sector 16 B of Greater Noida, was allegedly drunk and fired with his licensed gun. Fortunately, none of the guards suffered injuries.

Police said they have arrested Sisodia and action will be taken based on probe findings.

Ashutosh Srivastav, who stays at Radha Sky Gardens, has said some residents and guards had been arguing over a parking dispute for days. He said the two sides exchanged blows and verbal abuses thrice on Monday. “Late at night, a resident opened fire in the name of self-defence. He fired six times. Thankfully, no security guard was injured. Gaurav Sisodia, who lives here and owns Tathastu pub in Greater Noida West, had a drunken brawl with the guards and opened fire,” he said in a video message.

Viral videos show Sisodia arguing with a guard and daring him to slap him. “Why should I slap you? You are harassing poor guards,” the guard says. “I am harassing poor people? You are misbehaving,” Sisodia is heard saying in Hindi. Then he adds, “Come on, just touch me once.”

In another video, Sisodia is seen threatening to hit the guards as some people, including women, try to hold him back. He abuses the guards and accuses them of molesting women. “I will shoot you,” he says, before grabbing a man by the collar as others try to pull them apart.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/delhi/drunk-pub-owner-fires-gunshots-at-security-guards-over-parking-dispute-in-greater-noida

On the occasion of the 77th Army Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended the Army’s pivotal role in the nation’s journey towards achieving a “Viksit Bharat” by 2047, emphasising their dedication and valour.

He extended his greetings to the Indian Army, ex-servicemen, Veeranganas, and their families on Tuesday.

Army Day, observed annually on January 15, marks the founding of the Indian Army and celebrates India’s military independence. The day commemorates the historic transition of power in 1949 when General Sir Francis Butcher, the last British Army Chief of India, handed over command to Field Marshal Kodandera Madappa Cariappa, the first Indian Chief Commander of the Legion of Merit.

The theme for the 77th Army Day is “Samarth Bharat, Saksham Sena.”

In a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), PM Modi expressed the nation’s pride in the Indian Army’s “indomitable courage, sacrifice, and incomparable dedication.”

He highlighted the Army’s professional excellence in addressing diverse challenges and its high standards of service.

“Our Army has a glorious history of dealing with the country’s inaccessible borders, disaster situations, and internal challenges. As an organised, disciplined, and strong force, the Indian Army has established a unique identity on the global stage,” the PMO statement read.

The Prime Minister acknowledged the transformative strides made by the Indian Army in recent years, particularly in adapting to modern demands.

“With changing times, the Indian Army is moving on the path of change. Unprecedented steps have been taken in the last decade to further strengthen the military forces, enhance the strategic capability of the country, and achieve self-sufficiency in defence production,” the statement noted.

“The determination and strong willpower of our armed forces will play a major role in building an ‘Atmanirbhar’ and ‘Viksit Bharat’,” the statement read.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/indian-army-day-pm-modi-says-our-armed-forces-will-play-major-role-in-building-atmanirbhar-viksit-bharat-7476353

With her daring act, the Indian woman invited global attention to Maha Kumbh 2025.

One of the world’s largest religious gatherings, the Maha Kumbh, is currently underway in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, with over 35 crore pilgrims expected to gather at the Sangam – the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers. As thousands flock to the holy city, a viral video has surfaced featuring a daring act by a woman from Uttar Pradesh. In the video, shared on Instagram, Anamika is seen holding the Maha Kumbh flag before boarding an aircraft in Bangkok, Thailand. Moments later, she jumps out of the plane and unfolds the flag mid-air, leaving viewers in awe. “Prayagraj girl skydiving with Maha Kumbh flag,” read the line accompanying the video.

The caption on the post read, “Inviting people all over the globe for the world’s largest human gathering—Maha Kumbh 2025.”

The video went viral in no time recording more than eight million views on Instagram. Reacting to the post, one person commented, “Congratulations for such a brave act.” Another Instagram user described it as a “Proud feat.” This person felt that it was an “Emotional moment” for him. A user responded, by referring to the video as, “Heart-touching.”

Recently, a young man named Abhay Singh aka Masani Gorakh, spotted at the Maha Kumbh Mela took the Internet by storm. Also known as IITian Baba, Singh caught the attention of social media after revealing that he had studied aerospace engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay. Later, he decided to leave the field of science and became a monk.

Around 3.5 crore devotees took the Amrit Snan on Makar Sankranti on Tuesday. Today, the event entered its third day. Celebrated at the Triveni Sangam, Maha Kumbh takes place once in every twelve years. It celebrates the meeting of the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati – the three sacred rivers.

Source : https://www.news18.com/viral/watch-woman-skydives-to-unfurl-maha-kumbh-flag-at-13000-feet-aa-9189124.html

The Union Home Ministry on Tuesday night granted approval to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to prosecute the Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia in the liquor excise policy case. The development came days ahead of the Delhi Assembly Elections 2025. In December last year, Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena gave his nod to prosecute the AAP Chief in the case.

In November 2024, the Supreme Court had directed the ED to take prior permission to prosecute public servants. After this, the ED wrote to Saxena for his approval alleging that Kejriwal is the “kingpin” of the alleged scam.

Last year, Kejriwal moved the Delhi High Court against the trial court’s decision to take cognizance of the ED’s chargesheet in the alleged excise policy scam as there was no specific sanction under the PMLA.

The case is related to the now scrapped liquor excise policy implemented by the AAP government in November 2021. As per the policy, the Delhi government proposed an increase in the annual liquor vending license fee from Rs 8 lakh to Rs 75 lakh. It was scrapped in 2022 after Saxena ordered a CBI probe into alleged irregularities and corruption in the policy.

Notably, the then deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia was heading the excise department when the policy liquor excise policy was introduced in Delhi. The report highlighted that Sisodia ignored recommendations by the expert panel over the policy. A Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report, released earlier this month, pointed out several “lapses” in the policy. The CAG report claimed that Rs 2,026 crore loss was incurred to the exchequer due to the implementation of the now scrapped Delhi liquor policy.

AAP bigwigs including the former Delhi CM, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, Sisodia and former Delhi minister Satyendra Jain were arrested in connection with the case. They all are now out on bail, but the probe is still underway.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/trouble-for-arvind-kejriwal-ahead-of-delhi-polls-ed-gets-home-ministrys-mod-to-prosecute-former-cm-in-liquor-policy-case

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will commission three major naval combatants, INS Surat, INS Nilgiri and INS Vaghsheer at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai on Wednesday, marking a pivotal moment in India’s defence and maritime capabilities.

PM Modi is also scheduled to meet the Mahayuti MLAs at INS Angre in the afternoon. He will inaugurate the Sri Sri Radha Madanmohanji Temple, an ISKCON project in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, later in the day.

At 4 PM: PM Modi inaugurates Sri Sri Radha Madanmohanji Temple at ISKCON

Rocket scientist V Narayanan will take over the mantle from current Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chief S Somanath on January 14. His elevation was announced by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.

• Mr Narayanan completed his M Tech in Cryogenic Engineering and PhD in Aerospace Engineering from IIT, Kharagpur, where he was awarded a Silver Medal for achieving the first rank in the M Tech programme.
• The rocket and spacecraft propulsion expert joined ISRO in 1984 and rose through the ranks.
• He had earlier worked in the Solid Propulsion area of Sounding Rockets and Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV) and Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC).
• Mr Narayanan played a key role in India’s development of the cryogenic engine, a technology that was denied to the country.
• He further contributed to the process planning, process control and realisation of Ablative nozzle systems, composite motor cases and composite Igniter cases.
• Among his recent successes was when he headed the Failure Analysis Commitee for Chandrayaan 2, the mission in which the Vikram Lander crash landed. After he found a solution, Chandrayaan 3 became a glorious success when India Vikram safely landed at Shiv Shakti Point.
• Mr Narayanan is the head of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) in Kerala’s Valiamala since 2018. The centre is engaged in the development of liquid, semi cryogenic and cryogenic propulsion stages for launch vehicles, chemical and electric propulsion systems for satellites, control systems for launch vehicles, and transducers development for space systems health monitoring.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/people/v-narayanan-iit-graduate-and-cryogenic-engine-developer-to-lead-isro-7424436#pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

A massive fire broke out at the laddu distribution counter at the Lord Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh on Monday afternoon. The temple administration took swift action and vacated the area as the flames spread.
The incident took place at the counter number 47 and is said to have been trigerred by a short circuit in the uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system associated with the computer setup.

Notably, the incident occurred during the ongoing 10-day Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam.

In her detailed post, Sonica Muraleedharan expressed disappointment over how Subrahmanyan’s words had been taken out of context and misinterpreted.

Larsen & Toubro (L&T)’s head of HR for domestic operations- Sonica Muraleedharan- took to LinkedIn to address the controversy sparked by the remarks made by company’s chairman and managing director SN Subrahmanyan (SNS). In her detailed post, Sonica Muraleedharan expressed disappointment over how Subrahmanyan’s words had been taken out of context and misinterpreted as she said that the comments were made during an internal discussion but the company’s never mandated or even suggested a 90-hour work week.

What Sonica Muraleedharan said on Subrahmanyan’s remarks

The comments were casual in nature and not intended to impose any such directive, she said, “SNS is, without question, a leader who genuinely cares for his team’s well-being. He consistently demonstrates an exceptional ability to balance his demanding professional commitments while creating a nurturing and empowering environment for his team. Working under his leadership has been more than just a job – it has been a transformative experience, akin to participating in a living masterclass on leadership, where every interaction imparts valuable life lessons.”

She added, “Leaders like SNS inspire positive change and growth, and it’s vital to recognize their efforts rather than misinterpret them. Instead of focusing on controversy, let’s celebrate and support leaders who empower, motivate, and elevate their teams, leaving a lasting, positive impact on the organization as a whole.”

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/lt-hr-head-on-chairmans-90-hour-work-week-casual-remarks-disappointed-to-see-9187859.html

The grand Maha Kumbh 2025 has officially begun today, January 13, in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj. Millions of devotees took a holy dip in river Ganga on the auspicious occasion of Paush Purnima. Notable personalities from across the country and the world, Saints and spiritual leaders, are arriving in Prayagraj to participate in the major religious event. A video of a beautiful Sadhvi identified as Harsha Richhariya has captured the attention of internet users on social media amid this spiritual gathering. Netizens are left mesmerised by her beauty and they are eager to know more about this beautiful Sadhvi.

Viral Video of the Sadhvi

It can be seen in the video that the stunning Sadhvi sitting in a chariot while a YouTuber or a reported is asking her questions about her beauty and the reason behind her choosing this life. She was asked why did she choose to become a Sadhvi despite her being so beautiful. Her graceful response to this question has gone viral on social media.

When asked about her background, the she revealed, “I am from Uttarakhand and a disciple of Acharya Mahamandaleshwar.” Responding to the question about her beauty, she said, “I left behind what I needed to and embraced this path. I chose the life of a Sadhvi for inner peace.” She further shared that she is 30 years old and has been living as a Sadhvi for the past two years.

She further said, “When you achieve so much in life—acting, anchoring, traveling the world—you realize that none of it brings true peace. You may have fame and recognition, but no solace. When devotion starts to draw you in, you turn away from worldly connections and immerse yourself in prayer, hymns, and devotion to God.” She also confirmed in the interview that she had been an actress in the past.

Who Is Harsha Richhariya?

Harsha Richhariya is an actor, anchor and has also travelled around the world, as mentioned by her in the interview. Her Instagram stories show that she is still hosting wedding functions despite choosing to live the life of a Sadhvi. Her latest Instagram posts show her promoting the Maha Kumbh 2025 event. She has over 690k followers on Instagram with over 2,500 posts.

Her previous stories which dates back to November 2024, shows her hosting a destination wedding in Bangkok’s Hua Hin City. She has also shared stories which shows that she hosted another destination wedding in Myanmar’s Mandalay City after the event in Bangkok.

Netizens React

Many internet users are highlighting her previous life as an actor, anchor and fitness influencer and slamming her after her video from Maha Kumbh 2025 went viral on social media. One of the users shared her pics and said, “Let me tell you the whole truth about the woman who is being described as a divine Sadhvi in ​​Maha Kumbh… She is or has been an anchor, blogger, fitness trainer and he is being respected like a Mahatma Whereas she herself told that I am a disciple of Acharya Mahamandaleshwar and have come from Uttarakhand Do all the disciples of Acharya ji get such respect? For more information about them, you can take the help of Google and Instagram. Without facts, I cannot write much even if I want to.”

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/viral/who-is-harsha-richharya-the-beautiful-sadhvi-viral-for-her-past-and-present-looks-at-maha-kumbh-2025

The festivals of Lohri and Pongal were celebrated with great enthusiasm on Monday. On this occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the Lohri celebrations held at Naraina Vihar in the national capital. The PM also attended the Pongal celebrations at the residence of Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy.

Local residents expressed their happiness and shared their reactions. Artists who performed at the Pongal and Sankranti celebrations at the residence of Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy, where PM Narendra Modi was present, shared their views. An artist says, “We felt very proud when he came and spoke about the culture of India and the Sankranti festival”.

Several others said, “Today, PM Modi came to celebrate Lohri with us.” They added, “We felt really good that the PM came among us; it felt like a family member had come to visit us.” One person said, “I don’t have words to express my joy.” Another shared, “We are proud to be Hindus, and it felt wonderful that the PM came here. Despite his busy schedule, he took the time to be with us, and it made us feel really happy.”

Earlier, in a post, the Prime Minister wrote, that Lohri has a special significance for several people, particularly those from Northern India. It symbolises renewal and hope. It is also linked with agriculture and our hardworking farmers. This evening, I had the opportunity to mark Lohri at a programme in Naraina in Delhi.

People from different walks of life, particularly youngsters and women, took part in the celebrations. Wishing everyone a happy Lohri!” In the pictures, PM Modi can be seen affectionately interacting with a young child and taking a selfie with another child. During the Pongal celebration at G. Kishan Reddy’s residence, PM Modi engaged with the artists present and greeted them with folded hands.

He shared pictures on social media platform X, writing, “Attended Sankranti and Pongal celebrations at the residence of my ministerial colleague, Shri G. Kishan Reddy Garu. Also witnessed an excellent cultural programme. People across India celebrate Sankranti and Pongal with great fervour. It is a celebration of gratitude, abundance and renewal, deeply rooted in the agricultural traditions of our culture. My best wishes for Sankranti and Pongal. Wishing everyone happiness, good health and a prosperous harvest season ahead.”

During the Pongal celebrations, PM Modi also lit the Bhogi Agni (the ritual fire). “Truly Honoured to host Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji on this auspicious day of Bhogi and for the Sankranti and Pongal celebrations at my official residence in New Delhi, today. A special pooja was performed by Hon’ble PM to mark the significance of this sacred festival. May this festival season bring happiness, prosperity, peace, and good health to the people of India”.

”Sincere thanks to Hon’ble Speaker of Lok Sabha Shri Om Birla ji, Hon’ble Governor of Haryana Shri Dattatreya Garu, Actor and Padma Awardee Shri Chiranjeevi Garu, Badminton star and Padma Awardee Smt PV Sindhu, Hon’ble Union Ministers, Hon’ble MPs, officials of various ministries, cine artists and other dignitaries for taking part in the event,” Kishan Reddy wrote on X. Lohri is a major festival for the Sikh community, particularly celebrated in Punjab and Haryana.

It marks the harvesting of Rabi crops and the end of winter. On this day, prayers are offered to Lohri Mata. In the evening, friends, relatives, and families gather around a bonfire, circling it while offering jaggery, peanuts, rewari, gajak, and popcorn as part of the ritual. Pongal, on the other hand, is dedicated to the Sun God.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/prime-minister-narendra-modi-attends-lohri-sankranti-pongal-celebrations-extends-warm-wishes-to-the-nation-video

Ace singers Kailash Kher, Shankar Mahadevan, Kavita Krishnamurthy and several other top artistes are scheduled to perform in the holy city of Prayagraj during the course of the Maha Kumbh that begins from Monday.

The Culture Ministry has set up a vibrant cultural space — ‘Kalagram’ — in the Kumbh Mela area to celebrate the confluence of art, culture and heritage of India.

Spanning an area of 4,000 hectares, it represents a harmonious blend of India’s rich cultural traditions and advanced organisational capabilities, the ministry said on Sunday.

The vibrant space, which also has seven ‘Sanskriti Aangans’ representing India’s diverse craft traditions, was inaugurated by Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in the holy city on Sunday, a day ahead of the beginning of the Maha Kumbh 2025.

Expected to host over 40 crore devotees from across the globe, this 45-day mega festival, from January 13 to February 26, is also expected to draw a large number of tourists and cultural aficionados aiming to explore what is billed as one of the largest religious gatherings on earth.

The Culture Ministry, in a statement on Sunday, shared names of some of the most celebrated singers who, it said are scheduled to perform in the holy city. The line-up includes names of Shankar Mahadevan, Mohit Chauhan, Kailash Kher, Hans Raj Hans, Hariharan, Kavita Krishnamurthy and Maithili Thakur.

The vibrant Kalagram will host a magnificent 10,000-capacity Ganga Pandal, alongside three additional stages in Areil, Jhunsi, and Triveni areas, accommodating 2,000 to 4,000 spectators each, the ministry said.

Visitors will be greeted by a magnificent 35-ft wide and 54-ft high grand entrance, adorned with intricate depictions of the 12 Jyotirlingas and the mythological tale of Lord Shiva consuming ‘halahal’ (poison), setting a majestic tone for the journey within, it said.

A breathtaking 104-ft wide and 72-ft deep main stage, adorned with a stunning backdrop of the Char Dhaam, will serve as the heart of this celebration.

The ‘Kalagram’ will showcase a 360-degree visual and sound experience depicting the celestial descent of Ganga Avtaran, thus creating a spiritual and sensory marvel, at Anubhuti Mandapam, the statment said.

At Aviral Shashvat Kumbh Exhibition Zone, curated by institutions such as the Archaeological Survey of India, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), and the Allahabad Museum, the rich history and significance of the Kumbh Mela will be showcased through artifacts, digital display, and poster exhibitions, the ministry said.

This grand event will bring together nearly 15,000 artistes, including prestigious Padma awardees and Sangeet Natak Akademi honorees, performing across multiple stages set up in the historic city of Prayagraj, it said.

The audiences will also be treated to special week-long productions by the National School of Drama and Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra, staged at the grand ‘Kalagram’ stage.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/uttar-pradesh/maha-kumbh-shankar-mahadevan-kailash-kher-others-to-perform-at-prayagraj-3352109

Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and BJP leader K Annamalai on Sunday greeted top Tamil star Ajith Kumar for his racing team having won third place in the Dubai 24H 2025 race on Sunday.

Held annually at the Dubai Autodrome, the racing event features high-performance GT and touring cars competing in a gruelling 24-hour format that tests speed, strategy and endurance.

“I am thrilled to hear that Ajith Kumar Sir and his team have secured third place in the 991 category at the 24H Dubai 2025. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to #AjithKumar Sir and his team for this remarkable achievement,” Udhayanidhi said in a post on ‘X’.

Annamalai termed the win a moment of pride for the country.

“Moment of pride for India as Shri Ajith Kumar avl secured 3rd place in the 991 category and Spirit of the Race in the GT4 category in the Dubai 24H Series.” “Shri Ajith Kumar avl is remarkable, excelling with distinction in every role he takes on and inspiring countless others with his passion and dedication,” he said in a social media post.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/tamil-nadu/udhayanidhi-annamalai-laud-actor-ajith-for-racing-achievement-3352149 

As Maha Kumbh began in the holy city of Prayagraj on Monday, Prime MinisterNarendra Modi described it as a very special day for those who cherish Indian values and culture, saying the massive religious event embodies India’s timeless spiritual heritage.

“A very special day for crores of people who cherish Bharatiya values and culture! Maha Kumbh 2025 commences in Prayagraj, bringing together countless people in a sacred confluence of faith, devotion and culture. The Maha Kumbh embodies India’s timeless spiritual heritage and celebrates faith and harmony,” he said on X.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/uttar-pradesh/maha-kumbh-2025-very-special-day-for-those-who-cherish-bharatiya-values-says-pm-modi-3352423 

Dhanashree Verma, wife of Indian cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal, shares a photo with her mother amid buzz around her marriage.

Dhanashree Verma, currently surrounded by rumours of a divorce from cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal, recently shared heartfelt photos with her mother on social media, fueling further speculation about her personal life. Fans are now wondering whether Dhanashree has returned to her family home amid the ongoing buzz about her marriage.

On Sunday, she took to Instagram to post the pictures, where she is seen leaning on her mother’s shoulder with her eyes closed, her expression appearing calm yet reflective. The photos have left fans speculating about the state of her relationship with Yuzvendra Chahal. Some are even wondering if the photos hint at a move back to her parents’ home, adding fuel to the rumours about their relationship status. As caption, she just dropped a heart.

Dhanashree recently addressed the rumours surrounding her marriage in a strongly worded Instagram story, calling them baseless and devoid of fact. Expressing her anguish, she revealed that the past few days have been very challenging for her and her family.

Slamming the speculative chatter around her marriage with Chahal, Dhanashree said that her character had been assassinated through false narratives. She further said that the truth will always prevail and refused to offer any justification.

Source : https://www.news18.com/movies/dhanashree-verma-shares-photo-with-mom-amid-yuzvendra-chahal-divorce-rumours-fans-suspect-shes-left-home-9186587.html

A windowpane of a train headed from Surat to Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh was damaged after a stone or stones struck its laminated glass surface while it was passing through Jalgaon in Maharashtra, showed a video, sparking fear among devotees.

The incident was reported from the B6 coach – which carried 13 people – women, children and devotees – of the Prayagraj Tapti Ganga Express.

“Today we have left for Prayagraj from Surat Udhna. Today is 12th January. All the passengers are with us. At least 3 km ahead of Jalgaon, a stone was thrown by some anti-social elements. We request the Railway Minister to provide security to us,” said Rajendfra Gupta, a passenger in the affected coach, showing the damaged window.

The video of the incident is steadily going viral on social media.

Around 45 per cent of the people in the train are going to Prayagraj for Maha Kumbh.

The Central Railway and police have launched an investigation into the matter.

“A stone was thrown on this train, coming from Surat Udhna, near Jalgaon. In this case, immediate action was taken by the Railway Protection Force and four teams were deployed on the train. A complaint has also been lodged,” said Swapnil Neela, Chief Public Relations Officer of Central Railway.

The train will reach Prayagraj in the morning.

The CCTV footage is being examined by the Railway Police.

This edition of Maha Kumbh, from January 13 to February 26, is expected to be a mega draw, as it is set to coincide with a special alignment of the planets.

The festival is rooted in Hindu mythology, a battle between deities and demons for control of a pitcher, or kumbh, containing the nectar of immortality, and is held at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Sarasvati rivers.

During the battle, a cosmic fight called “Samudra Manthan”, or the “churning of the ocean”, four drops of nectar were spilt. One landed at Prayagraj, where the Kumbh is held every 12 years. The other drops fell in Nashik, Ujjain and Haridwar, cities where smaller Kumbh festivals are held in intervening years.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/stones-thrown-at-train-headed-to-prayagraj-in-up-for-maha-kumbh-7458597

A delivery agent of a quick commerce platform has been arrested for allegedly delivering cigarettes to underaged coaching students in Kota’s Landmark City area, police said on Sunday.

Satyaprakash Koli (48) was nabbed while he was supplying cigarettes to coaching students on Saturday evening, SP Kota city Amrita Duhan said.

The arrest was made during a crackdown against sale and supply of cigarettes by quick commerce platforms to underaged coaching students, the police said.

The accused, who works for Blinkit, has been booked under section 77 of Juvenile Justice (JJ) Act and under section 9/11 of Rajasthan Prohibition of Smoking and Non-smoker’s Health Protection Act, the SP said.

The city police had already written to representatives of Blinkit company at its office in Landmark City asking not to sell and supply cigarettes to minor students, but despite the instruction, the company was found to be selling them to the coaching students, she said.

Investigation is underway to find out other personnel of the company involved in sale and supply of prohibited material to the minors, she added.

The police will also file a chargesheet against the company, Kunhadi Circle Inspector Arvind Bhardwaj said.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/blinkit-delivery-agent-supplies-cigarettes-to-minor-students-in-kota-arrested-7458926

A saint belonging to the Juna Akhara, residing in Shanti Bhavan located in the Kankhal police station area of Haridwar, was found dead, said the police on Sunday.

Manoj Nautiyal, Police Station Head, Kankhal Police Station while providing information about the incident, said that the police received information about the incident from Shanti Bhavan’s apartment in Haridwar.

“The saint around 70 years old identified as Sureshanand was found hanging from the flat in Shanti Bhavan’s apartment in Haridwar. He had been living in rent at the flat for the past 5-6 months,” said the official.

The official said that upon receiving the information, the police reached the spot, cut open the outer gate, recovered the body and sent it to the district hospital for a post-mortem examination.

“When we reached the spot, the gate was locked from inside. The fire service team and the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team were called. Upon cutting open the door, we found a baba, approximately 70 years old and he was found hanging from a fan,” said the official.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/juna-akhara-saint-found-hanging-in-haridwar-flat-probe-on-police-7459068

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Jammu and Kashmir on Monday to inaugurate the strategically important Z-Morh or Sonamarg tunnel in Ganderbal district, for which elaborate security arrangements have been put in place, with PM’s security team having taken over the venue of the event.

PM Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit the Sonamarg Tunnel at around 11:45 on Monday and inaugurate it. PM Modi is also likely to deliver an address from there.

Jammu and Kashmir Police, paramilitary forces and the Army are part of the security apparatus for Monday’s inauguration, officials cited in a news agency PTI report said, adding that extensive area domination exercises, searches and patrols were being conducted for the smooth conduct of the event.

The sharpshooters have been deployed at vulnerable points while aerial and technical surveillance, including through drones, is also being undertaken. The area is being monitored round-the-clock, the officials said.

“Security has been tightened near the Z-Morh tunnel. Multi-layered security arrangements have been put in place and the PM’s security team, comprising the SPG personnel, has taken over the venue,” they added.

The Special Protection Group (SPG) is an agency of the Government of India that protects the Prime Minister of India and their immediate family members.

The authorities closed the Srinagar-Leh national highway from Saturday to Monday citing “icy road conditions caused by inclement weather and to facilitate maintenance work by road maintenance agencies”. However, the PTI report said it is widely perceived that the arterial road link between Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has been shut for the prime minister’s visit.

Z-Morh tunnel

Built at a cost of ₹2,400 crore on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway, the strategic 6.5-km Z-Morh tunnel is expected to make the Ladakh region more accessible by road throughout the year.

The work on the project began in May 2015 and was completed last year, with its soft opening done in February 2024.

The tunnel is vital in terms of the defence needs of the country in the Ladakh region, close to China border, and also connecting the youngest Union Territory to the rest of the country.

Z-Morh tunnel features

• The Z-Morh or Sonamarg tunnel is situated at an altitude of 8,650 feet and is 12-kilometre long.
• It comprises of the Sonamarg main tunnel of 6.4 km length, an egress tunnel and approach roads.
• Z-Morh tunnel is a two-lane road tunnel equipped with a parallel 7.5-metre-wide escape passage for emergencies.
• It is expected to enhance all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Sonamarg enroute to Leh, bypassing landslide and avalanche routes and ensuring safer and uninterrupted access to the strategically critical Ladakh region.
• The road to Sonamarg was rendered impassable during snowfall and severe winters due to the construction of the Z-morh tunnel in an avalanche-prone location. Because Sonamarg used to be closed during periods of severe snowfall, the tunnel is key to the region’s tourism industry.
• Along with the under-construction Zojila tunnel, the Z-Morh tunnel will ensure uninterrupted connectivity to Baltal and Ladakh regions for military traffic as well apart from civilians.
• The tunnel is also expected to promote tourism by transforming Sonamarg into a year-round destination, boosting winter tourism, adventure sports, and local livelihoods.

‘Engineering marvel’

The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), which oversees the project, has called the project an “engineering marvel” which is a game changer for the region.

Taking to microblogging platform X, NHIDCL said, “The Sonamarg Tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir is a game-changer for the region, offering more than just a connection between Gagangir and Sonamarg. This engineering marvel is poised to unlock the full potential of the region’s trade and tourism sectors.”

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/zmorh-tunnel-inauguration-sonmarg-security-upped-kashmir-pm-modi-srinagar-visit-ladakh-101736733070813.html

On Sunday, the Congress party announced the “Yuva Udaan Yojana,” a scheme to provide financial assistance to educated but unemployed youth in Delhi. Under the initiative, the party promises Rs 8,500 monthly for one year to eligible beneficiaries if voted to power in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections.
Addressing a press conference, Congress leader and former Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot clarified that the scheme encourages skill development and employment. “This is not a scheme where one will get money while sitting at home,” Pilot said.
He elaborated that beneficiaries would receive the financial aid through companies, factories, or organisations where they showcase their skills. “We want to ensure that people are absorbed in fields they are trained in, allowing them to enhance their skill sets,” Pilot added.

The Congress has unveiled multiple schemes ahead of the February 5 polling for the 70-member Delhi Assembly. On January 6, it announced the “Pyari Didi Yojana,” promising ₹2,500 per month for women.

On January 8, the party introduced the Jeevan Raksha Yojana, which offers free health insurance coverage for up to Rs 25 lakh.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/elections/delhi-assembly-election-congress-announces-rs-8500-monthly-to-educated-unemployed-youth-if-voted-to-power-in-delhi-article-117173050

Starting today, the world will witness the largest gathering taking place on Earth in the ‘Sangam Nagri’ of Prayagraj. Settled at the confluence of holy rivers of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati, Prayagraj is a city with religious significance like no other. And it is hosting the grandest religious festival celebrated ever- the MahaKumbh Mela 2025.
The 45-day event will see more than 400 million people thronging the town to be a part of once in a lifetime event. The Uttar Pradesh government has made an elaborate arrangement to cater to the tourists and the city has been decorated in a way to fill anyone with spiritual lightning the moment one arrives here. The Akharas are already here, along with those who will observe Kalpvas and live without any worldly affairs and strictly following the rituals.

The MahaKumbh 2025 will begin with Paush Purnima snan, one of the six ‘shahi-snans’ and will start the Kalpvas period that people observe for a shorter period to as long as one month.

Terrorism continues in Jammu and Kashmir, but recent intelligence reports suggest that local recruitment levels have fallen dramatically. Of the 140 terrorists active in J&K, about 80 percent are Pakistanis.
While this is a clear sign that fewer people in Kashmir are supporting terrorism and violence, and a huge plus, politically, the trend also helps security forces. For, terrorists will have fewer guides to go across the line of control to bring them over from launch pads, they will have less logistics support once they cross over and will get fewer intelligence inputs. To compensate for that, the terror handlers — mostly the ISI, Pakistan’s military intelligence agency— will need to train them more thoroughly and provide them with more resources, including ammunition, maps and medicines.
Of the 140 terrorists currently in J&K, about 80 are north of the Pir Panjal range and the rest in the Jammu area. Heavy snow— and this year has been particularly severe— has reduced infiltration in north Kashmir to a trickle.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/terrorism-declines-in-jk-80-of-terrorists-in-jk-are-pakistani-local-recruitment-plummets-article-117179123

In an horrific incident in Kerala, an 18-year-old girl was allegedly raped by nearly 60 people over a period of five years. The incident came to light during counselling that was conducted by child welfare committee. As many as 28 people, including minors, were arrested in connection with the case. A special investigation team has been formed to conduct a comprehensive probe into the incident.
Ten more FIRs have been filed in the case in two police stations in Pathanamthitta district based on the statements of the girl, a release issued by Pathanamthitta District Police Chief said.
Per the police, the girl was exploited by her sports trainers, fellow athletes and classmates.

Several of the accused met the girl at the private bus stand in Pathanamthitta, from where she was then taken to various locations in vehicles and subjected to abuse, police said.

The probe also found that the girl while she was studying Plus-Two class last year was taken by a youth who was acquainted with her through Instagram to a rubber plantation in Ranni and raped her along with three others, reported news agency PTI.
Police investigations have revealed that the girl was gang raped at Pathanamthitta general hospital in January 2024.
Police are also focusing on gathering scientific evidence and examining mobile phones and other items as part of the probe.
A detailed investigation is ongoing, the District Police Chief stated.

The girl, who is now 18 years old, has alleged in her complaint that she was sexually abused by 62 individuals since the age of 13.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will fly to Spain for a diplomatic visit between January 13 and 14. This will be his first visit to the country as Indian foreign minister. The Ministry of External Affairs made announcement about this on Sunday (January 12).

During his Spain visit, Jaishankar with meet Spanish leadership and hold talks with Spain’s Foreign Minister Manuel Albares. The two leaders are likely to hold discussions on whole spectrum of bilateral relation. Talks are likely to touch upon global matters of concern as well.

The External Affairs Minister will also meet Indian community in Spain and address 9th Annual Conference of Spanish Ambassadors.

Pedro Sanchez, the Spanish President, was in India in October last year at the invitation of Indian PM Narendra Modi. This was his first visit to India and a first by Spanish president in 18 years.

During Sanchez’s visit, he and PM Modi noted renewal of bilateral relationship and fresh momentum Sanchez’s visit had provided to it.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/jaishankar-to-mark-his-first-official-visit-to-spain-on-january-13-14