Category: India

The Hamirpur MP made the statement while addressing students at a PM Shri School in Una during the National Space Day celebrations on Saturday

BJP leader and former Union minister Anurag Thakur told students that Lord Hanuman could be regarded as the “first one to travel in space,” urging them to look beyond school textbooks and draw inspiration from India’s ancient traditions.

The Hamirpur MP made the statement while addressing students at a PM Shri School in Una during the National Space Day celebrations on Saturday.

He later shared a video clip of the interaction on X, writing: “Pawansut Hanuman Ji… the first astronaut.”

During his talk, Thakur posed a question to the students: “Antriksh main yatra karne wala pehla kaun tha? (Who was the first space traveller?).”

The students, responding together, answered: “Neil Armstrong.”

Smiling, Thakur gave his own reply: “Mujhe toh lagta hai Hanuman ji the (I think it was Lord Hanuman).”

The five-term parliamentarian explained that India’s civilizational knowledge often remains ignored. “We still see ourselves in the now. As long as we do not know our thousands of years’ old tradition, knowledge, culture, we will remain the same as the British have shown us,” he said.

Appealing to both teachers and students, Thakur added: “I would like to request the principal and all of you to think out of the textbooks and take a look at our nation, our traditions, our knowledge. If you look at it from that direction, you will find a lot of things to see.”

His comments came against the backdrop of India’s renewed momentum in space exploration.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/hanuman-ji-was-first-astronaut-anurag-thakur-urges-students-to-think-beyond-textbooks-watch-9525785.html

Ports in Gujarat account for nearly 65 per cent of the total value of drug seizures made by enforcement agencies between 2020 and 2024.

Gujarat has emerged as India’s top entry point for narcotics, with ports in the state accounting for nearly 65 per cent of the total value of drug seizures made by enforcement agencies between 2020 and 2024, according to data of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

The data revealed that Gujarat’s ports, including Adani Mundra, Pipavav, Gandhidham and other Container Freight Stations (CFS), witnessed seizures valued at over Rs 7,345 crore. In terms of sheer quantity, Gujarat’s share stood at an overwhelming 99 per cent, dominated by the interception of 9.42 million tramadol tablets and injections at Mundra in 2024. In fact, the biggest seizure which was earlier accounted as Rs 21,000 crore was around Rs 6,000 crore as per the Ministry.

Maharashtra is the second-largest contributor, with ports such as JNPA Mumbai and Raigarh CFS recording seizures worth Rs 2,367 crore, around 21 per cent of the national total. Tamil Nadu’s Tuticorin port accounted for Rs 1,515 crore, or about 13 per cent of the value, largely due to a single cocaine haul of 303 kg in 2021.

India has over 200 ports out of which 12 are major ports and others are minor ports.

Enforcement Successes and Shifts in Smuggling Patterns

The data highlights how 2021 was the peak year for heroin seizures, with 3,307 kg valued at Rs 6,614 crore intercepted across different ports, including a record seizure of 2,988 kg at Mundra. In 2022, heroin seizures dropped sharply to 852 kg, though enforcement agencies continued to intercept cocaine shipments.

By 2024, there was a clear shift in trafficking patterns. Instead of heroin or cocaine, seizures were dominated by synthetic pharmaceutical opioids like tramadol, with two major consignments of 68.7 lakh and 25.4 lakh tablets detected at Mundra CFS, and smaller volumes of injections seized at Kolkata.

Legal Action and Status of Cases

While enforcement agencies have successfully intercepted large consignments, the legal process remains lengthy.

In the most cases are still under trial or investigation. Several key cases, including the record Mundra heroin seizure, remain pending before courts. In Kolkata, “the proprietor of import firm is absconding and non-bailable arrest warrant has been issued against him by the Session Court.”

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/drug-hauls-worth-rs-7345-crore-gujarat-ports-top-seizures-in-five-years-followed-by-maharashtra-ws-l-9526053.html

Bapu Komkar and Kamini died after their surgery at Sahyadri Hospital in Pune, prompting Maharashtra health department to issue notice to the hospital.

In a tragic incident, a woman who donated a part of her liver to her husband died following his death after the transplant surgery in Pune. The deaths have prompted the Maharashtra health department to issue a notice to Sahyadri Hospital in the city, news agency PTI reported.

The deceased have been identified as Bapu Komkar and his wife Kamini. The couple underwent transplant procedures on August 15.

It is learnt that Bapu’s condition worsened post-surgery, and he breathed his last on August 17. The report suggests Kamini initially recovered but developed an infection on August 21 and passed away during treatment.

The state’s Deputy Director of Health Services, Dr. Nagnath Yempalle, confirmed that a notice was sent to the hospital.

“We have issued a notice to the hospital and sought details of the recipient and the donor, their video recordings, and the line of treatment. The hospital has been asked to furnish all the details by 10 am on Monday,” PTI quoted him as saying.

The family members of the deceased have alleged medical negligence and demanded a thorough investigation into the deaths.

Sahyadri Hospital has acknowledged the notice and stated it is cooperating fully with authorities. In an official statement, the hospital said both surgeries were conducted as per standard medical protocols.

“We are fully cooperating in the investigation. We are committed to providing all necessary information and support to ensure a thorough review of this matter,” the hospital said in a statement, PTI reported.

The hospital stated the patient (Bapu Komkar) was a high-risk individual with many complications.

“We deeply sympathise with the Komkar family in this time of immense loss. A living donor liver transplant is one of the most complex procedures, and in this case, the patient was a high-risk person with many complications,” it said.

The hospital added that Kamini had initially recovered but later suffered septic shock and multi-organ failure, which proved deadly.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/wife-donates-liver-to-husband-both-die-after-surgery-in-pune-family-alleges-negligence-ws-l-9526070.html

The project, valued at Rs 10 crore and expected to be completed within 12 months, also includes carrying out quality and safety studies to meet regulatory standards

India’s premier biotechnology research institute has invited drug-makers to partner in developing a new monoclonal antibody (mAb) drug—a type of lab-made protein often described as a “smart medicine” because it can precisely target harmful cells in the body.

The project, undertaken by the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council – Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (BRIC-THSTI), aims to take the experimental therapy from research to GMP manufacturing, paving the way for clinical trials.

According to the Expression of Interest (EOI) document seen by News18, the selected agency will be responsible for creating a master cell bank, establishing a scalable manufacturing process, and supplying the drug for pre-clinical and Phase-I clinical trials.

The project valued at Rs 10 crore also includes carrying out quality and safety studies to meet regulatory standards and is expected to be completed within 12 months.

BRIC-THSTI, Faridabad, is an institute under the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology. According to EOI, it has developed “a novel human monoclonal antibody (mAb) with the potential to function as a therapeutic drug against pathogenic organisms of interest”.

The mAb, the document said, has been developed to the Research Cell Bank (RCB) stage and is now ready for progression into GMP-compliant manufacturing for Investigational New Drug (IND).

In biologics, Research Cell Bank (RCB) is the early stock of cells that produce the monoclonal antibody. It’s created during the discovery stage and serves as the starting source. From this, a Master Cell Bank is later developed, which is fully tested and used for large-scale, regulatory-approved drug manufacturing.

The institute has already developed the antibody up to the research stage and is now seeking industry collaboration to advance it further for Investigational New Drug (IND) filing in India and abroad.

Interested firms have been asked to submit their bids by September 10, 2025.

What are Monoclonal Antibodies?

Sagar Tudu, a YouTuber, was filming videos for his channel at Dduma Waterfall in Koraput when he was swept away by a strong current.

A 22-year-old YouTuber from Berhampur, identified as Sagar Tudu, went missing on Saturday after being swept away by a strong current at the Duduma waterfall in Odisha’s Koraput district.

According to reports, Sagar had travelled to Koraput along with his friend Abhijit Behera from Cuttack to shoot videos of prominent tourist spots for his YouTube channel. The incident occurred in the afternoon while Sagar was recording reels using a drone camera at the waterfall.

A video from the scene shows Sagar Tudu standing in the middle of the waterfall while others try to rescue him using ropes. However, they fail as a strong current sweeps him away.

Authorities of the Machakunda dam had released approximately 2,000 cusecs of water due to heavy rainfall in the Lamtaput area, following an alert issued to residents downstream. The sudden surge in water flow left Sagar stranded on a rock midstream.

Despite frantic rescue attempts by locals and tourists at the site, the youth was swept away by the gushing waters. On receiving information, personnel from the Machkunda police station and the Fire Services Department rushed to the scene and launched a search operation.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/video-youtuber-swept-away-while-filming-reels-at-waterfall-in-odisha-2776148-2025-08-24

According to information, the deceased who died on Sunday were identified as Manjit Singh, 60, Vijay, 17, Aradhna, 30 and Jaswinder Kaur, 65, all residents of village Mandiala. They were admitted to a private hospital in critical condition with about 90% burns in Hoshiarpur.

The toll in the LPG tanker fire mishap which took place near Punjab’s Hoshiarpur district Friday night, swelled to seven as four more succumbed to burns on Sunday.

It may be recalled that two persons had died and 21 persons were injured when an LPG tanker caught fire after hitting a pickup vehicle on Hoshiarpur-Jalandhar road late on Friday night; One more person succumbed to burns on Saturday.

According to information, the deceased who died on Sunday were identified as Manjit Singh, 60, Vijay, 17, Aradhna, 30 and Jaswinder Kaur, 65, all residents of village Mandiala. They were admitted to a private hospital in critical condition with about 90% burns in Hoshiarpur.

It may be recalled that an LPG tanker had collided with a pickup vehicle near Mandiala village on Hoshiarpur-Jaladhar road around 10 pm on Friday, after which the tanker caught fire and its blasé engulfing the entire area in its proximity gutting at least 15 shops and four house and the pickup vehicle.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/toll-in-punjab-lpg-tanker-fire-mishap-swells-to-7-video

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was referring to the 2011 killing of Osama bin Laden, who orchestrated the 9/11 terror attacks, and said the military that Trump is trusting now was the one who sheltered the dreaded terrorist deep inside their house.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday took a jibe at the US and Pakistan, referring to the growing closeness between the two countries, and while reminding Washington that 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden’s hideout was in Abbottabad, said they have a history, and a history of “overlooking” that history.

“They have a history with each other. And they have a history of overlooking their history. It is the same military that went into Abbottabad (in Pakistan) and found who (Bin Laden) there?” Jaishankar said in reply to a question about the growing cosiness between the US and Pakistan after the latter’s recent military conflict with India.

Jaishankar was referring to the 2011 killing of Al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden, who orchestrated the September 11, 2001 terror attacks on the US, and said the military that Trump is trusting now was the one who sheltered the terrorist deep inside their house.

Last month, Pakistan’s Field Marshal General Asim Munir was invited to Washington for a meeting with Trump.

It marked a rare instance where a country’s military chief was exclusively invited by a sitting US President. This was the first such meeting between a high-ranking Pakistani military chief and a sitting US President since India’s Operation Sindoor.

The US gesture to the top-ranked Pakistani military official came after Pakistan’s call for Donald Trump to be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, as Munir credited the US president with preventing what could have spiralled into a nuclear war between India and Pakistan during their brief military standoff in May.

“The issue is, when countries are very focussed on doing the politics of convenience, they keep trying to do such things. Obviously, I respond to the situation or the challenge of the day, but I also do so, always keeping in mind the larger structural strengths of the relationship, the confidence that comes from it. So, I take it in that spirit,” Jaishankar added.

Trump sought to warm Pakistan’s back after India denied any mediation by any world leader in reaching a ceasefire agreement with Pakistan in the Operation Sindoor aftermath, despite the Republican leader’s repeatedly claiming credit for it.

America’s ties with India have taken a downturn in recent months also because of the ongoing tariff war between the two nations.

At the same event, Jaishankar criticised the US for singling out India over its energy relations with Russia, asking why the same standards were not applied to China or the European Union, which rank among the biggest importers of Russian crude oil and LNG, respectively.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/s-jaishankar-slams-us-for-getting-closer-to-pakistan-reminds-it-of-ladens-hideout-in-abbottabad-2775835-2025-08-23

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said PM Narendra Modi had rejected granting any special protection to the prime minister in the newly introduced bill that sought the removal of ministers if they are arrested for 30 days.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had rejected any proposal to keep the PM’s post out of a controversial new law that seeks removal of ministers if they are under arrest for 30 days.

Speaking on the recently introduced bills that allow for automatic removal of the Prime Minister, chief ministers, or ministers held in custody for 30 consecutive days, Rijiju said, “PM Modi told the cabinet that the recommendation is to keep the prime minister out of this bill, but he did not agree. PM Modi refused to give an exception to the prime minister. The PM is also a citizen, and he should not have special protection.”

Rijiju added that the law should apply equally to all, regardless of party or position. “Most of the Chief Ministers are from our party. If they do something wrong, they have to leave their position. Ethics should also mean something. The Opposition would have welcomed this bill had they kept ethics at the centre,” he said.

The Union Minister also defended the government amid the uproar in Parliament when the bills were introduced. He blamed the ruckus on the Opposition, particularly the Trinamool Congress (TMC).

“Everyone had agreed after prior discussion to maintain the order of the House… As soon as the House began, TMC MPs jumped into the well, started throwing papers. Congress’s Venugopal also started tearing papers. What happened to the understanding? I don’t want to blame the Congress MPs. They have to work as their leaders ask them to. TMC’s Mamata Banerjee orders her MPs from Kolkata, then they are compelled here… the ruckus begins,” he alleged.

His remark follows after the recently concluded Parliament session witnessed pandemonium on the day before session concluded.

The uproar was over three draft legislations — the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, the Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, and the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill — introduced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah earlier this week.

Under the proposals, if the Prime Minister, a chief minister, or any minister is arrested and detained for 30 days on charges carrying a minimum punishment of five years, they will automatically lose office on the 31st day. They could, however, be reappointed if released.

The government has described the move as a major anti-corruption step. Shah defended the bills, saying, “We cannot be so shameless as to occupy constitutional positions while facing charges.”

The Opposition, however, has strongly opposed the measures, branding them “draconian” and “unconstitutional.” Parties warned that the provisions could be weaponised by central agencies to target and topple non-BJP governments.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/kiren-rijiju-recalls-modi-stand-arrested-leaders-removal-bill-2775830-2025-08-23

The victim’s sister, married into the same family, alleged that on Thursday night, Nikki was beaten unconscious by her husband Vipin and then set on fire using an inflammable substance.

A woman died after she was set on fire by her husband and in-laws over dowry in Greater Noida. Her husband, Vipin, has been arrested as the prime accused in the case.

Police have registered a case against four family members, including the woman’s husband, mother-in-law, father-in-law and brother-in-law.

The incident came to light on Thursday night when the victim, identified as Nikki, married to Vipin of Sirsa since 2016, was brought to Greater Noida’s Fortis Hospital in a critical condition with severe burn injuries.

She was later referred to Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi for better treatment but died on the way. Her body was handed over to the family after post-mortem.

According to the complaint lodged by Nikki’s elder sister, Kanchan, the victim was beaten unconscious by her husband, Vipin, and later set on fire with an inflammable substance on Thursday night.

Kanchan alleged that despite their family giving a branded SUV and valuables at the time of marriage, Nikki’s in-laws kept demanding more dowry.

“After marriage, they demanded Rs 35 lakh. We even gave them another car, but their demands and harassment continued unabated,” Kanchan said.

Kanchan claimed she was present at the spot but could not save her sister. Both sisters were married in 2016 to the same family. Neighbours helped take Nikki to the hospital, where she succumbed during treatment.

In a disturbing turn, a video of Nikki’s young child has surfaced on social media, where the boy is heard saying, “Papa killed Mummy by burning her with a lighter”. The clip has gone viral, intensifying public outrage.

Raj Singh, uncle of the victim, said repeated complaints and compromises were made earlier through panchayat meetings, but the accused continued the harassment. “Both sisters were subjected to regular beatings. No amount of compromise worked,” he said.

Following the complaint, police registered a case against Vipin (husband), Rohit (brother-in-law), Daya (mother-in-law), and Satveer (father-in-law).

ADCP Greater Noida Sudhir Kumar confirmed the arrest of Vipin. “On the night of August 21, a memo was received from Fortis Hospital that a woman had been admitted with burn injuries. She was later referred to Safdarjung but died on the way. Based on her sister’s complaint, a case has been registered against four family members. The husband has been arrested and teams have been formed to nab the others,” he said.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/greater-noida-woman-nikki-set-ablaze-by-husband-vipin-and-in-laws-over-dowry-dies-2775798-2025-08-23

In another important announcement, PM Modi revealed that India’s first domestically made semiconductor chip will be available by year-end.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Saturday that India is going to export electric vehicles to 100 countries across the world. He made the announcement while speaking at The Economic Times World Leaders Forum.

PM Modi added that a “very big program” related to this will be conducted on Tuesday, August 26. However, he did not give much detail about the program.

“I want to tell you about another achievement of India. India is now going to export electric vehicles to 100 countries of the world. A very big program related to this is also being held after two days on 26th August,” he said.

1st ‘Made in India’ chip by year-end

PM Modi made several announcements during the summit, one of the biggest ones of which was that by the end of the year, India’s first domestically manufactured semiconductor chip will be available in the market.

He said that semiconductor-related factories have started coming up in India and that decades ago, the country had missed the chance to enter semiconductor manufacturing, however, the situation has now changed.

“We all know that semiconductor manufacturing could have started in India 50–60 years ago, but India missed that too, and the same thing continued for many years to come. Today we have changed this situation. Semiconductor-related factories have started coming up in India,” he said.

“By the end of this year, the first Made in India chip will come in the market,” he added.

Shoutout to Shubhanshu Shukla

The Prime Minister also highlighted India’s achievements in the space sector, particularly in the last decade. He said that in the last 11 years, India has completed over 60 space missions and there are many more missions lined up.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-to-export-electric-vehicles-evs-to-100-countries-pm-modi-101755978223857.html

PM Modi highlighted tax reforms, strong banks, record forex, job growth and India’s vision for global leadership.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday hailed the progress of the Indian economy, saying that it is one of the fastest-growing major economies in the world.

While addressing the ET World Leaders Forum 2025, he emphasised that India follows the mantra of Reform, Perform, Transform, and asserted that the country is in a position to take the world out of slow growth rate.

“We are not the people who sit on the banks of stagnant water and throw pebbles. We are the people who can turn the fast-flowing stream…” he said.

He also highlighted the government’s reform push, saying a new Income Tax Bill has been introduced after 60 years and written in simple language to benefit the common man.

PM Modi said that despite many disruptions created by the opposition during the Monsoon Session of the Parliament, the government engaged in reform with full commitment.

“In this monsoon session, Jan Vishwas Bill 2.0 has been passed. This is a major reform related to trust-based governance and pro-people governance. In this session, the income tax law has also been reformed. This law, which has been in existence for 60 years, has been made more simple now,” he said.

He announced that GST reforms will be completed by this Diwali, making the tax regime simpler, boosting manufacturing and demand, and improving ease of living and doing business.

“A big reform is also being done in GST. This process will be completed by this Diwali. This will make GST even easier and prices will also come down…” he said.

The Prime Minister further said that, as per the experts, India’s contribution to global growth will account for 20%.

“Today our banks are much stronger than before. Our banks are stronger than before, inflation is low, interest rates are less and CDA is under control as well as forex are strong. The inflation is low, interest rates are low, today’s CAD low and forex reserves are strong. Every month, several domestic investors are investing heavily through SIPs,” he said.

PM Modi emphasised that in June, over 24 lakh formal jobs were added in the EPFO.

“India’s retail inflation after 2017 is at its lowest. Forex reserves are at a record high. India’s resilience and the strength is now world’s hope. When eco fundamentals are strong, the foundation is strong, the impact is also strong,” he said.

He also referred to his Independence Day speech, saying, “On August 15, I’ve discussed this extensively. In the past week, everything that has happened is a befitting testament to India’s growth story. By year-end, the first Made-in-India chip will be out in the market.”

He also spoke about preparing India to emerge as a thriving sports economy and reiterated that the foundation of the Viksit Bharat 2047 dream lies in the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. “India is ready for aatmanirbharta as a Viksit Bharat,” he said.

He further stressed the need to infuse urgency in research and development, saying India has significantly amplified its R&D ecosystem in recent years but must go further to achieve the vision of a Viksit Bharat.

He urged industry and private companies to step forward in emerging fields such as quantum technology, biotechnology, clean energy and battery storage, noting that private sector participation would be key to accelerating innovation.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/india-wont-miss-the-bus-will-take-front-seat-pm-modi-vows-diwali-gst-gift-reforms-push-ws-l-9524181.html

Not just Turkey, Indian tourists have also shunned Azerbaijan after Operation Sindoor. Indian tourists going to Azerbaijan in June this year fell by two-thirds compared to the same month last year, official tourism figures show.

The Azerbaijan tourism website even depicts a truncated map of Jammu and Kashmir, showing PoK and Aksai Chin as not part of India, News18 found.

Big dip in numbers

The tourism figures for the month of June show that only 9,934 Indian tourists visited Azerbaijan in June, compared to 28,315 Indian tourists going to Baku in the same month last year. That is an almost 66% drop in tourism numbers in June after Operation Sindoor and Azerbaijan’s open support for Pakistan during it.

May and June are the top tourism months for Indians to go to Azerbaijan, and as many as 23,326 Indian tourists had gone to the country this May, before the sharp drop in June. Apart from Turkey, Azerbaijan is the other country which openly supported Pakistan at global forums, and Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir paid a visit to Azerbaijan in May to thank the country for its support. A trilateral meeting with Turkey and Azerbaijan happened.

Till May, Azerbaijan described India as one of the key target markets for its tourism sector. “The number of guests, overnight stays, and expenditures is growing, and India is among the top three countries visiting Azerbaijan. In 2024, Indian arrivals reached 243,589—a 108% increase compared to 117,302 in 2023,” says the Azerbaijan Tourism Department.

Turkey at receiving end too

News18 reported on Saturday how Indian tourism to Turkey has halved in the last three months, after the role of Ankara in arming and backing Pakistan became clear during Operation Sindoor.

Latest figures accessed by News18 showed only 16,244 Indian tourists went to Turkey in July this year, compared to 31,659 in May. That is a nearly 50 per cent drop. Even comparing the year-on-year figures, the massive drop is clear. Against 16,244 Indian tourists landing up in Turkey this July, 28,875 went there in the same month last year. That is a 44% drop.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/not-just-turkey-indian-tourists-shun-azerbaijan-too-numbers-drop-66-exclusive-ws-e-9524344.html

Approximately 70% of the planned launches are small satellites, which are well-suited for development by private firms

India is charting a new and ambitious course in its space journey, with a goal to launch over 100 satellites by 2040, according to Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh. Speaking on National Space Day, the minister unveiled a comprehensive 15-year roadmap for the space sector, which marks a significant shift toward greater collaboration between government and private entities.

This initiative is a strategic move to leverage space technology for crucial national objectives. The minister stressed that these satellites will serve to enhance food and water security, bolster disaster resilience, and promote environmental sustainability and inclusive growth. By integrating space-based applications into everyday governance, India aims to improve its public welfare and developmental programmes, from infrastructure monitoring to smart city planning and land ownership mapping using drones.

The roadmap reflects the government’s commitment to empowering the private sector. Singh noted that the space sector is no longer confined to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) but has become a dynamic ecosystem with hundreds of startups and private companies. These private players, with their innovative and agile approaches, are now key partners in missions, a model that will be crucial for achieving the 100+ satellite target. Approximately 70% of the planned launches are small satellites, which are well-suited for development by private firms.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/india-to-launch-over-100-satellites-by-2040-says-science-technology-minister-jitendra-singh-9524373.html

Nikki was killed for dowry in Greater Noida, allegedly set on fire by husband Vipin Bhati and his family. Police arrested Vipin as crowds demanded justice.

A haunting video shows a woman engulfed in flames limping down a staircase just hours before she died on her way to a Delhi hospital on Thursday. Her young son witnessed the horror when she was tortured and set on fire by his father and his grandmother.

“They first put something on mumma. Then they slapped her before setting her on fire using a lighter,” said the boy, fighting back tears.

He nodded when someone asked him if his father killed her.

The deceased, identified as Nikki, was killed for dowry, nine years after she married Vipin Bhati, a resident of Greater Noida’s Sirsa.

Her elder sister, Kanchan — also married into the same family — alleged that Nikki was set ablaze before her eyes after failing to meet a demand of Rs 36 lakh in dowry. She further said she too was assaulted by her in-laws over dowry.

“We were being tortured, our in-laws would tell us they did not get this or that during the wedding. They asked us to get Rs 36 lakh from our home. I was also assaulted between 1.30 am and 4 am on Thursday. They told me, ‘We have got dowry for one, what about the other? You are better off dead. We will marry again,” NDTV quoted Kanchan as saying.

She said that she tried to save Nikki but could not. “I want them to suffer the way they made my sister suffer,” she said.

One video shows the woman’s husband and mother-in-law dragging her by the hair and beating her, while another captures her sitting on the floor with grievous burn injuries.

She was taken to Fortis Hospital with the help of her neighbours. She was referred to Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi. But she died on the way.

Source :https://www.news18.com/india/they-slapped-mumma-then-set-her-on-fire-noida-boy-describes-mothers-dowry-death-ws-l-9524278.html

A Syrian man was arrested in Gujarat for allegedly raising fake Gaza relief funds to support a lavish lifestyle, while three accomplices remain on the run. Police are probing how the group used mosques to collect donations and tracking the flow of money.

Police in Gujarat have arrested a Syrian national accused of raising money in the name of Gaza victims and using it for personal luxury. Three of his associates remain at large. The accused, identified as Ali Meghat Al-Azhar, 23, of Damascus, was nabbed from a hotel in Ahmedabad’s Ellis Bridge area, said Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Sharad Singhal. Authorities recovered $3,600 and Rs 25,000 in cash from him.
The three absconding suspects were identified as Zakaria Haitham Alzar, Ahmed Alhabash and Yousef Al-Zahar, all Syrian nationals who had been staying in the same hotel.
Police have issued lookout notices to prevent them from leaving India.

According to investigators, the men entered India on tourist visas, landing in Kolkata on July 22 before travelling to Ahmedabad on August 2. They allegedly visited mosques in the city, showing videos of starving families in Gaza to solicit donations, but police said no evidence was found that the money ever reached Gaza.

“It is a matter of investigation why they first went to Kolkata and then came here, and if they are really into fund-raising or doing a recce for some other purpose. Recovery of US dollars and some digital transactions also raise suspicion. We are now scanning CCTV footage of the area to know more about their movements and links,” Singhal said.
“Prima facie, it appears they were here to do a recce and were in touch with suspicious people,” he added, as quoted by PTI. Officials added that the cash, foreign currency and digital transactions recovered raised further doubts about their activities.
The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad and National Investigation Agency have joined the probe to determine the group’s intent and track where the collected funds were sent. CCTV footage from the area is also being reviewed.
A police statement said the arrested man admitted the funds were used to support the group’s “lavish lifestyle”, in violation of their visa conditions. Authorities have begun proceedings to blacklist and deport him.

India’s continued focus on undersea dominance, including the expansion of its nuclear-powered and AIP-equipped submarine fleets, suggests that Pakistan’s submarine power may be limited.

Pakistan is modernising its submarine fleet with the Hangor-class, aiming to enhance its naval capabilities and project power in the Indian Ocean. China recently handed over three of eight new Hangor-class submarines to Pakistan, bolstering Islamabad’s naval strength as Beijing aims to try and expand its footprint in the Indian Ocean, a region that is India’s strategic backyard.
The submarine was launched in Wuhan. The second vessel was delivered in March. Pakistan has also received four modern Chinese frigates in recent years, alongside Beijing’s development of the Gwadar port on the Arabian Sea.
Chinese experts describe the Hangor-class as a stealthy platform with long endurance, high mobility, and powerful underwater combat capabilities. The Hangor-class submarines, an export variant of the People’s Liberation Army-Navy’s (PLA-N) Type 039B Yuan-class submarines, are a product of the agreement signed during President Xi Jinping’s visit to Islamabad in April 2015.

The Hangor-class submarines, while modernising Pakistan’s fleet, face significant challenges navigating to and from operational areas in the northern Arabian Sea due to India’s established Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) capabilities, particularly near Karachi Harbour and Ormara Naval Base in Balochistan. These areas represent potential “choke points” where Indian forces, including the INS Arnala, are positioned to detect and potentially neutralise Pakistani submarines.

The coastal waters near Karachi and Ormara are strategically important naval bases for Pakistan. But the shallow waters present challenges for submarines attempting to transit undetected. The route between Karachi and Ormara is relatively close to the coastline, making the submarines more vulnerable to detection by surface ships and aircraft equipped with ASW capabilities.
The northern Arabian Sea, particularly along the Makran coast, has shallow waters, which can restrict the depth at which the submarines can operate and manoeuvre, potentially limiting their ability to evade detection. The presence of islands along the route can create natural chokepoints and areas where submarines might be forced to transit at predictable depths, making them more susceptible to attack.
Moreover, India’s deployment of assets like the INS Arnala, the Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Shallow Water Craft (SWC), and its focus on littoral ASW operations pose a significant challenge to Pakistani submarines attempting to navigate these coastal waters.
India’s ASW arsenal also includes the Kamorta-class anti-submarine warfare corvettes currently in service with the Indian Navy, the P-8Is, a long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft, along with the MH-60R sophisticated multi-mission naval helicopter renowned for its anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-surface warfare (ASuW) capabilities.
While the Hangor-class submarines offer enhanced capabilities, their ability to operate effectively in the northern Arabian Sea is compromised by India’s superior ASW capabilities. This means that the Hangor fleet submarines could be tracked and destroyed within hours of leaving harbour, forcing them into slow-speed, low-risk transits that limit operational reach and deterrent value. Each of these factors blunts the strategic impact of Pakistan’s submarine arm, even if all eight Hangors arrive on schedule.
Moreover, Hangor’s propulsion remains untested. And the geography leaves little room for stealth. In this environment, the Arabian Sea is less a hunting ground for Pakistan’s new subs and more a fortress where India controls the gates. For the Hangors, the real challenge may be surviving the journey from Karachi’s jetties to the open ocean – because in these waters, they are hunted before they sail.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/silent-hunters-how-indias-p-8i-mh-60r-and-arnala-fleet-corner-pakistans-hangors-article-152512430

Torrential rains have disrupted normal life in several parts of Rajasthan, with Kota, Bundi, Sawai Madhopur, and Tonk facing a flood-like situation.

A massive portion of the wall, located in front of the Jwala Mata Temple, of the historic Amer Fort in Rajasthan’s Jaipur, collapsed on Saturday amid heavy rain. Amer Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Jaipur’s most popular tourist attractions, receives thousands of visitors daily.
Confirming the development, Amer Palace Superintendent Dr. Rakesh Chholak said, “Due to heavy rains in Amer today on 23.08.2025, the wall of Rambagh in front of Jwala Mata Temple has collapsed. Keeping in mind the well-being of elephants and tourists, the elephant ride in Amer Palace is closed till further orders.”

A video shared by news agency PTI shows a massive section of the Amer Fort wall has collapsed amid heavy rainfall.

Notably, torrential rains have disrupted normal life in several parts of Rajasthan, with Kota, Bundi, Sawai Madhopur, and Tonk facing a flood-like situation.

Low-lying areas have been inundated, disrupting road and rail connectivity in eastern Rajasthan, which has received most rain, and several villages have been cut off due to waterlogging.
Several districts, including Bundi, Kota, Sawai Madhopur, Karauli, and Jaipur, recorded over 10 cm of rainfall till Saturday morning, leading to widespread waterlogging.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/amer-fort-wall-collapse-video-200-foot-wall-of-jaipurs-historic-amer-fort-collapses-amid-heavy-rains-in-rajasthan-flood-like-situation-article-152512040

“PM Modi refused to give an exception to the prime minister. The PM is also a citizen, and he should not have special protection. Most of the CMs are from our party. If they do something wrong, they have to leave their position. Ethics should also mean something. The Opposition would have welcomed this bill had they kept ethics at the centre,” Rijiju said.

With the monsoon session of Parliament having witnessed continuous disruptions by opposition over their demands, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Saturday that he made constant efforts to urge and convince Congress and other opposition parties to allow discussion in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, but to no avail “Mera gala bhi baith gaya dekho. Opposition ko chilla chilla ke mai anurodh karta hoon ki behas hone dijiye. (My throat got sore, I repeatedly urged opposition to allow discussion.” he said.

In an interview with ANI, Rijiju noted that in a parliamentary democracy, the Parliament belongs to the Opposition as they can seek answers from the government.

Minister Kiren Rijiju’s Statements

“The government is liable to answer. The Opposition has to ask questions. What would the government do if the ones who are supposed to ask questions ran away? We have been asking them not to cause a disturbance. My throat got sore because I had to shout and ask the Opposition not to create a ruckus,” he said.

Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha faced continuous disruptions during the monsoon session over the opposition’s demand for a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision of the electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar.

With both the Houses witnessing repeated adjournments due to disruptions throughout the session, which concluded on Thursday, the productivity of Lok Sabha was about 31% and that of Rajya Sabha was about 39%. In the Lok Sabha, discussions could happen for only 37 hours out of the total available 120 hours and in the Rajya Sabha, discussions took place for 41 hours and 15 minutes. A total of 15 bills were passed by Parliament during the session.

Answering queries, Rijiju said the session was “successful from the nation’s point of view and a failure from the Opposition’s point of view”.

Rijiju also said the people in the country are welcoming the provisions of the Constitution Amendment Bill introduced in Lok Sabha and the opposition parties would have welcomed it too if they “had kept ethics at the centre.” The bill provides for the removal of the Prime Minister, Chief Minister or any other Minister in the central or a state government, if he is arrested and detained in custody on account of serious criminal offences. Two more bills to apply similar provisions in Puducherry, and Jammu and Kashmir were also introduced in Lok Sahba. The three bills will be examined by a Joint Parliamentary Committee.

Rijiju said Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the cabinet that the recommendation is to keep the Prime Minister out of this constitution amendment bill, but he did not agree.

“PM Modi refused to give an exception to the prime minister. The PM is also a citizen, and he should not have special protection. Most of the CMs are from our party. If they do something wrong, they have to leave their position. Ethics should also mean something. The Opposition would have welcomed this bill had they kept ethics at the centre,” Rijiju said.

“The monsoon session of the Parliament was successful from the nation’s point of view and a failure from the Opposition’s point of view. The government also thinks that it was a success. However, it was not well, as far as discussions are concerned, because important bills were passed. Any government brings bills… PM Modi is a prime minister who went against the recommendation and put the PM in the category that even if the prime minister commits any corruption, then he has to go to jail and leave his position. Any position, whether CM, PM or Union Ministers, cannot be above the law. What objection does the Opposition have? The nation is welcoming this revolutionary bill,” he added.

Amid disruptions and adjournments, Rijiju had made continuous appeals to opposition members in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha not to resort to sloganeering and disruptions and allow normal functioning of Parliament Rijiju alleged that Congress does not have any interest in parliamentary discussions. He said many Congress MPs and parliamentarians of other parties came to him and said they were not able to raise issues concerning their constituencies with the two Houses getting repeatedly adjourned, .

“They don’t believe in debate and discussion in the Parliament. Many MPs of the Congress and other parties came to me and said that because the Parliament is not running, they are able to present the concerns of their constituencies. If the Parliament does not run, the loss is for the Opposition. The government will pass the bills in the national interest. But it is not good if the bills are passed without discussion. We believe in discussion… The loss is for those who have to ask questions,” the Union Minister said.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/pm-modi-refused-to-give-exception-to-prime-minister-kiren-rijiju-on-bill-to-sack-ministers

The vibrant colours lit up the monument on Saturday evening as the country celebrates its National Day or Independence Day 2025. This symbolises solidarity with Ukraine on its National Day.

On the occasion of Ukraine’s Independence Day 2025, Delhi’s historic Qutub Minar was illuminated in yellow and blue which are the colours of the Ukrainian national flag. The vibrant colours lit up the monument on Saturday evening as the country celebrates its National Day or Independence Day 2025. This symbolises solidarity with Ukraine on its National Day.

When Is Ukraine’s Independence Day?

Ukraine National Day, also known as Independence Day, is celebrated every year on August 24. It marks the country’s declaration of independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The day is one of the most important national holidays in Ukraine, symbolising freedom, unity and the resilience of its people.

Celebrations usually include parades, cultural programs, concerts and patriotic displays, while citizens proudly showcase their national flag and traditional attire.

Russian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took to his official X account and said, “We remember the longing for freedom that Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian people demonstrated with the Baltic Way. We honor the unity these nations showed in defending their right to freedom and independence.”

He further stated, “And today we highly appreciate the genuine solidarity of the Baltic states, in the face of dumb Russian imperialism. Just as you have, we are defending the right of our state and our people to independent life, and against the Russian attempt to subjugate us. Together we will return durable peace and uphold human dignity on the European continent.”

Independence Day Popularity

Earlier in 2013, the Independence Day holiday was not considered to be very famous among the Ukrainians. It was reportedly the least popular holidays in the country. However, its popularity and importance have increased in the recent past after the Russian invasion.

India developed its entire 5G stack domestically and the country is now rapidly working on a made-in-India 6G technology, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that guided by the mantra of reform, perform, and transform, India is in a position to help lift the world out of slow growth.

Addressing a media event in Delhi, the Prime Minister said India will soon become the world’s third-largest major economy, and is on the way to becoming a developed nation by 2047.

Observing that reform is a matter of commitment and conviction for his government, PM Modi said the next-generation GST reform process, which seeks to make the law simpler, will be completed before Diwali and bring down prices.

The Prime Minister also asked the private sector to increase investment in research and development in sectors like clean energy, quantum technology, battery storage, advanced materials and biotechnology. This will strengthen the resolve of a developed India.

“It is not in my nature to be satisfied with what has already been achieved. The same approach guides our reforms,” he said.

“For us, reforms are neither a compulsion nor crisis-driven, but a matter of commitment and conviction.”

The Prime Minister said the government is going to bring a comprehensive new set of reforms.

“With this arsenal of next-generation reforms, manufacturing in India will increase, market demand will rise, the industry will receive a new boost, new employment opportunities will be created, and both Ease of Living and Ease of Doing Business will improve,” he pointed out.

The government continued to carry out reforms during the just concluded monsoon session of Parliament despite disruptions by Opposition parties, he said.

“Guided by the mantra of Reform, Perform, Transform, India today is in a position to help lift the world out of slow growth,” PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister said that in the global context, one can realise the strength of India’s economy.

“Today, India is the world’s fastest-growing major economy. We are going to become the world’s third-largest economy very soon. Experts are saying that India’s contribution to world growth is going to be around 20 per cent very soon,” he added.

He said this growth and resilience in the economy are due to the macroeconomic stability that India has achieved in the last decade. Today, the fiscal deficit is expected to come down to 4.4 per cent.

Regarding the fundamentals of the economy, PM Modi said Indian companies are raising record funds from the capital markets, banks are stronger than ever before, inflation is very low, and interest rates are also low.

The current account deficit is under control, forex reserves are also robust, and every month lakhs of domestic investors are investing thousands of crores of rupees in the market through SIPs.

“You also know that when the fundamentals of the economy are strong, its foundation is strong, then its effect is also seen everywhere,” he said.

The Prime Minister said India is working with full force toward its goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047, and the basis of a developed India is a self-reliant India.

He also pointed out that the country needs to focus on three parameters for a self-reliant India – speed, scale, and scope.

Referring to a commonly used phrase – ‘Missing the Bus’ – to illustrate how opportunities, if not seized, can pass by, PM Modi said that previous governments in India missed several such buses of opportunity in the fields of technology and industry.

But post-2014, PM Modi said, India changed its approach and resolved not to miss any more buses, but instead to take the driving seat and move forward.

He said India developed its entire 5G stack domestically.

The country is now rapidly working on Made-in-India 6G technology, he added.

The Prime Minister said that until 2014, India’s automobile exports stood at approximately Rs 50,000 crore annually. Today, India exports automobiles worth Rs 1.2 lakh crore a year.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/india-developed-5g-domestically-working-on-made-in-india-6g-says-pm-modi-2775861-2025-08-24

Pigeon feeding is a humane and necessary tradition of cultural and religious significance, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India wrote to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Pigeon feeding is a humane and necessary tradition of cultural and religious significance, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India wrote to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.

The animal welfare organisation also issued a factsheet dismissing the claims of health risks caused by pigeons and claimed that harmful substances may be found in air conditioners, humidifiers as well as contaminated food and not only bird droppings or feathers.

BMC Invites Suggestions Amid Kabutarkhana Debate

Amid the ongoing row of heated debates and demonstrations over feeding of pigeons at Mumbai’s iconic kabutar khanas, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has invited suggestions and objections from citizens on this issue.

On Wednesday, PETA India wrote to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and welcomed his statement that “abruptly shutting shelters is not a solution” and a practical way forward on the issue of pigeon feeding is necessary. It also lauded his assurance that controlled feeding will continue under the supervision of BMC.

Scientific Evidence Shows Minimal Health Risks

The NGO also issued a factsheet claiming that six decades of scientific evidence confirms that the risk of disease transmission from pigeons to humans is very low. While it cited a German study which claims that homing pigeons can be a minor concern for human health, it also cited University of Edinburgh that claims that pigeons are unlikely to carry bird flu virus.

It also said that an RTI response from Mumbai’s three biggest civic-run hospitals shows that only 0.3% of respiratory illness cases in 2024 were linked to pigeon exposure.

Alternative Causes of Respiratory Illnesses Highlighted

PETA India claimed that medical literature on ‘hypersensitivity pneumonitis’ shows it can occur from repeatedly breathing in bacteria, mold, or chemicals in the environment, and harmful substances may be found in multiple sources like air conditioners, humidifiers, contaminated foods, metalwork fluids, hardwood dusts, hay or grain as well as hot tubs and not just bird droppings or feathers.

PETA Suggests Three-Step Plan for Controlled Feeding

PETA India suggested a three-step plan to satisfy public health concerns while maintaining tradition and bird welfare. It has urged to designate specific feeding hubs at existing kabutar khanas, clearly posting reasonable feeding hours, requiring only pigeon-friendly food and bans on littering, bread and plastic.

Secondly, it has requested that sanitation workers should perform regular wash-downs and sweeps of each site, and nutrient-rich droppings could be routed to municipal composting facilities, turning waste into valuable fertiliser at virtually no cost.

It also added that a multilingual public-education push can help citizens understand that the true risk of catching a disease from pigeons is virtually nil, thereby encouraging harmony between human and bird Mumbaikars.

Global Humane Population Control Models Proposed

It has also suggested that integrating a globally recognised humane population control method Pigeon Control Advisory Service (PiCAS) model, which has shown measurable success across European cities, can be integrated into the proposed plan.

Under this model, artificial nesting and roosting houses are constructed near designated feeding areas to attract pigeons away from sensitive sites and enable monitoring. It has also suggested egg removal by replacing them with dummy eggs to control pigeons’ population.

It has also recommended pigeon-proofing key public and private buildings through the use of non-lethal deterrents such as reflective bird repellent tape.

PETA Calls Pigeon Feeding Spiritually Significant

Atharva Deshmukh, campaigns coordinator at PETA India, said, “Pigeon feeding is a humane tradition of cultural and religious significance and potential health risks caused by pigeons are hugely overblown. Mumbai’s kabutar khanas are century-old and provide countless citizens the comfort and spiritual fulfilment from offering a handful of grain to these gentle birds each day. Moreover, pigeons that have been fed at kabutar khanas for generations will starve to death without their known, reliable food source.”

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-kabutarkhana-row-acs-humidifiers-and-dust-more-concerning-than-pigeon-droppings-peta-india-writes-to-cm-devendra-fadnavis

In 2020, India banned TikTok and 58 other Chinese-owned apps, citing data security concerns.

The government on Friday refuted reports that the ban on Chinese short video-making aggregator TikTok, online shopping platform AliExpress, and women’s clothing e-commerce platform Shein was lifted.

Earlier, reports claimed that these Chinese apps, which had a huge following in India, were back five years after they were banned following strains in bilateral ties between the two South Asian neighbours in 2020.

Claims on social media suggested that some users were able to access the websites of TikTok, but with no access further than the homepage. They also said that no shopping was allowed on AliExpress or Shein.

MANY CHINESE APPS RETURNED IN FEBRUARY

A GST Council meeting on September 3-4 in New Delhi will discuss proposed tax reforms, including rate rationalization and insurance premium exemptions.

A two-day meeting of the Goods and Services Council will be held on September 3-4 in New Delhi to discuss the three-pillar GST reforms proposed by the centre, including ratonalisation of tax rates by eliminating 12% and 28% slabs while retaining the other two — 5% and 18%, people in the know said.

The secretariat of the council on Friday notified the dates of the meeting that will follow the officers’ meeting on September 2. Officers will prepare backgrounds and details for the two-day GST Council deliberations, including the proposed three-pillar reforms. The other two pillars of the GST 2.0 are structural reforms and ease of living.

Although the GST secretariat is yet to make the meetings’ agenda public, the council is also expected to discuss matters related to the compensation cess, which, according to the law, will cease to exist after March 31, 2026. The council’s agenda may also include exemption of GST on individuals’ health and life insurance premiums, which is currently 18%.

Tax rate rationalisation and elimination of GST on insurance premiums, if accepted by the council, are expected to reduce tax burden on many goods and services and bring cheers to the people ahead of Diwali. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15 underscored the importance of the next generation of reforms under GST that would bring relief to the common man, the middle class, farmers and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

After deliberations on Wednesday and Thursday, the group of ministers (GoM) on rate rationalisation approved, in principle, the Union government’s proposal to reduce the number of GST slabs from four to two in order to substantially reduce tax burden on the consumer, although some of the ministers expressed concerns over the revenue implication of the move and sought ways in which the states could be compensated. The Centre proposed to eliminate two tax slabs of 12% and 28% and retain the 5% and 18% tax rates with a special slab of 40% for so-called luxury and sin goods.

Another GoM on insurance also supported elimination of GST for individual policyholders. The centre has proposed exempting individual life and health insurance premiums from the 18% GST, a move that received positive response from a panel.

While the GoM on restructuring of compensation cess is headed by Union minister of states for finance Pankaj Chaudhary, Bihar’s deputy chief minister Samrat Choudhary heads GoMs on rate rationalisation, and life and health insurance. Final decisions on all matters pertaining to GST are taken by the GST Council as GoMs are only recommendatory bodies.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/gst-council-to-discuss-rationalisation-of-12-18slabs-101755890431601.html

Sri Mallikarjun Nagar Youth Welfare Association in Uppuguda unveils Operation Sindoor-themed Lord Ganesha idol for Ganesha Chaturthi, honoring India’s military.

The nation is gearing up to welcome Lord Ganesha on the occasion of Ganesha Chaturthi, which falls on August 27, with unique themes, celebrations, and idols for millions of street pandals that are organised every year.

With the festival falling in the same month as Independence Day, going with the fervour of patriotism and to honour the valour and resilience of India’s Armed Forces, a mandal from Hyderabad’s Uppuguda has decided to adopt the theme of ‘Operation Sindoor’ for this year’s festivity.

The Sri Mallikarjun Nagar Youth Welfare Association is set to unveil a unique Operation Sindoor-themed Lord Ganesha idol, which features elements such as BrahMos missiles, S-400 rifles, and an army model theme, symbolising India’s military strength, news agency ANI reported.

The idol is crafted by local artists at a cost of around Rs 6 lakh.

As per the details revealed by the mandal, the idol will be accompanied by posters highlighting key events in India’s military history, including the First Indo-Pak War (1947), Second Indo-Pak War (1965), Bangladesh Liberation War (1971), Kargil War (1999), Uri Attack (2016), Pulwama Attack (2019), and the recently done Operation Sindoor (2025). The display aims to instil a sense of patriotism and national pride among devotees.

“We are from Mallikarjuna Nagar of Uppuguda and our youth, Mallikarjuna Swamy Nagar Youth Association. We have chosen Sindoor to show female power to the whole world. Only two women were ready to go and finish Pakistan in just half an hour to 45 minutes. Whatever had to be done, we did it…We all get inspired by seeing all this. Our Ganesh ji is like an Air Force officer,” Srikanth, one of the organisers, told the news agency.

He said that the artists took 50-55 days to complete the idol, with at least 10 people working from morning till 2-3 am in the night to complete making the idol. He further said that the youth committee and local residents prepared the Sudarshan vehicle accompanying the idol.

“…In the temple, key events of India’s military history, which happened from first to last, were printed in the form of AI so that the public can understand them quickly. And within 9-10 days of Navratri, a 20-minute short video is being made, like a film, that, from first to last, shows what the Indian Army, Modi, and the terrorists do, all in the form of AI. It will be shown to the people in the temple for 9 days,” Srikanth added.

Srikanth said the association, which has been organising Ganesh celebrations for the last 49 years, had the theme of Chandrayaan in 2023.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/from-brahmos-to-s-400-operation-sindoor-inspired-ganesha-pandal-in-hyderabad-ws-l-9522315.html

From August 22, 2025, electric cars in Mumbai will enjoy toll-free passage on Atal Setu, as Maharashtra expands EV incentives under its 2025 policy.

The Atal Setu in Mumbai is an important link for the city. However, using it costs more than a dime, and users have often raised their concerns across social media platforms about the toll rates levied. Under the new EV Policy 2025, the Maharashtra government has now announced a major relief. The electric vehicles will be exempted from toll on the Atal Setu.

Starting August 22, 2025, all electric four-wheelers will be exempted from paying toll-free on this bridge. The exemption, confirmed through a government notification by the Urban Development Department (No. MRD-3325/C.R.123/UD-7), covers electric four-wheelers (category M1) and electric buses (categories M3 and M4), whether operated by State Transport Undertakings (STUs) or non-STU operators. However, electric goods carriers are not included in this scheme.

The toll waiver applies specifically at collection centres in Shivaji Nagar and Gavan along the Atal Setu corridor. This development expands upon an earlier resolution from January 31, 2025, which had set toll charges for all vehicles using the bridge until December 31, 2025. Now, EVs get a clear exemption, aligning with Maharashtra’s push to encourage cleaner mobility.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/auto/zero-toll-tax-for-electric-vehicles-on-atal-setu-maharashtra-extends-exemption-9139424?pfrom=movies-topstories

Tejashwi Yadav had shared a cartoon on his social media account, calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Gaya rally a “shop of rhetoric”.

A First Information Report (FIR) was filed against Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli for allegedly sharing an ‘objectionable’ social media post targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Gadchiroli police registered the FIR against the former Bihar deputy chief minister on the complaint of local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Milind Narote.

According to a PTI report, the FIR against Yadav was registered under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 196 (promoting enmity between different groups), 356 (defamation), 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of peace) and 353 (statements that cause public mischief).

What was the ‘objectionable’ post against PM Narendra Modi that Tejashwi Yadav shared?

Tejashwi Yadav had shared a cartoon on his social media account, calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Gaya rally a “shop of rhetoric”.

The post, shared on X ahead of the rally, showed a cartoon of PM Modi as a shopkeeper. The signboard of the satirical shop read “famous shop of Rhetoric.” In an accompanying post, Tejashwi Yadav asked Modi to give an account of his 11-year rule along with the NDA’s 20 years in Bihar.

“Today, a shop of lies and rhetoric will be set up in Gaya! Prime Minister ji, in Gaya, with a boneless tongue, you will build a Himalaya of lies and rhetoric today, but the justice-loving people of Bihar, like Dashrath Manjhi, will break down these massive mountains of your lies and rhetoric. Give an account of your 11 years and the 20 years of the NDA government’s rule?” the post in Hindi read.

PM Modi targets RJD, Congress in Bihar

PM Narendra Modi on Friday raked up a past remark by a Congress chief minister against migrants from Bihar, accusing the Congress and its allies of harbouring contempt for the state’s people and treating them merely as a “vote bank”.

Taking a swipe at the Rastriya Janata Dal and its partners at a rally in Bihar’s Bodh Gaya, PM Narendra Modi said, “For them, the people of Bihar are only a vote bank; they have no concern for the struggles of the poor. You may recall how a Congress CM once said from a stage that Biharis would not be allowed to enter their state. Such is the Congress’s hatred towards the people of Bihar. Our effort is to ensure that Bihar’s sons and daughters find employment and live a life of dignity here itself.”

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/rjd-leader-tejaswhi-yadav-makes-objectionable-post-on-pm-modi-maharashtra-police-files-fir-what-was-the-post-101755909602106.html

A GST Council meeting on September 3-4 in New Delhi will discuss proposed tax reforms, including rate rationalization and insurance premium exemptions.

A two-day meeting of the Goods and Services Council will be held on September 3-4 in New Delhi to discuss the three-pillar GST reforms proposed by the centre, including ratonalisation of tax rates by eliminating 12% and 28% slabs while retaining the other two — 5% and 18%, people in the know said.

The secretariat of the council on Friday notified the dates of the meeting that will follow the officers’ meeting on September 2. Officers will prepare backgrounds and details for the two-day GST Council deliberations, including the proposed three-pillar reforms. The other two pillars of the GST 2.0 are structural reforms and ease of living.

Although the GST secretariat is yet to make the meetings’ agenda public, the council is also expected to discuss matters related to the compensation cess, which, according to the law, will cease to exist after March 31, 2026. The council’s agenda may also include exemption of GST on individuals’ health and life insurance premiums, which is currently 18%.

Tax rate rationalisation and elimination of GST on insurance premiums, if accepted by the council, are expected to reduce tax burden on many goods and services and bring cheers to the people ahead of Diwali. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15 underscored the importance of the next generation of reforms under GST that would bring relief to the common man, the middle class, farmers and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

After deliberations on Wednesday and Thursday, the group of ministers (GoM) on rate rationalisation approved, in principle, the Union government’s proposal to reduce the number of GST slabs from four to two in order to substantially reduce tax burden on the consumer, although some of the ministers expressed concerns over the revenue implication of the move and sought ways in which the states could be compensated. The Centre proposed to eliminate two tax slabs of 12% and 28% and retain the 5% and 18% tax rates with a special slab of 40% for so-called luxury and sin goods.

Another GoM on insurance also supported elimination of GST for individual policyholders. The centre has proposed exempting individual life and health insurance premiums from the 18% GST, a move that received positive response from a panel.

While the GoM on restructuring of compensation cess is headed by Union minister of states for finance Pankaj Chaudhary, Bihar’s deputy chief minister Samrat Choudhary heads GoMs on rate rationalisation, and life and health insurance. Final decisions on all matters pertaining to GST are taken by the GST Council as GoMs are only recommendatory bodies.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/gst-council-to-discuss-rationalisation-of-12-18slabs-101755890431601.html

Sri Mallikarjun Nagar Youth Welfare Association in Uppuguda unveils Operation Sindoor-themed Lord Ganesha idol for Ganesha Chaturthi, honoring India’s military.

The nation is gearing up to welcome Lord Ganesha on the occasion of Ganesha Chaturthi, which falls on August 27, with unique themes, celebrations, and idols for millions of street pandals that are organised every year.

With the festival falling in the same month as Independence Day, going with the fervour of patriotism and to honour the valour and resilience of India’s Armed Forces, a mandal from Hyderabad’s Uppuguda has decided to adopt the theme of ‘Operation Sindoor’ for this year’s festivity.

The Sri Mallikarjun Nagar Youth Welfare Association is set to unveil a unique Operation Sindoor-themed Lord Ganesha idol, which features elements such as BrahMos missiles, S-400 rifles, and an army model theme, symbolising India’s military strength, news agency ANI reported.

The idol is crafted by local artists at a cost of around Rs 6 lakh.

As per the details revealed by the mandal, the idol will be accompanied by posters highlighting key events in India’s military history, including the First Indo-Pak War (1947), Second Indo-Pak War (1965), Bangladesh Liberation War (1971), Kargil War (1999), Uri Attack (2016), Pulwama Attack (2019), and the recently done Operation Sindoor (2025). The display aims to instil a sense of patriotism and national pride among devotees.

“We are from Mallikarjuna Nagar of Uppuguda and our youth, Mallikarjuna Swamy Nagar Youth Association. We have chosen Sindoor to show female power to the whole world. Only two women were ready to go and finish Pakistan in just half an hour to 45 minutes. Whatever had to be done, we did it…We all get inspired by seeing all this. Our Ganesh ji is like an Air Force officer,” Srikanth, one of the organisers, told the news agency.

He said that the artists took 50-55 days to complete the idol, with at least 10 people working from morning till 2-3 am in the night to complete making the idol. He further said that the youth committee and local residents prepared the Sudarshan vehicle accompanying the idol.

“…In the temple, key events of India’s military history, which happened from first to last, were printed in the form of AI so that the public can understand them quickly. And within 9-10 days of Navratri, a 20-minute short video is being made, like a film, that, from first to last, shows what the Indian Army, Modi, and the terrorists do, all in the form of AI. It will be shown to the people in the temple for 9 days,” Srikanth added.

Srikanth said the association, which has been organising Ganesh celebrations for the last 49 years, had the theme of Chandrayaan in 2023.

Operation Sindoor

In one of the biggest attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, Lashkar-linked terrorists opened fire on a group of tourists in Pahalgam on Tuesday, April 22, killing at least 26 people, including foreign tourists, and injuring many others. The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar offshoot, claimed responsibility for the attack.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/from-brahmos-to-s-400-operation-sindoor-inspired-ganesha-pandal-in-hyderabad-ws-l-9522315.html

Though they face questions from family, they believe ‘having a baby just to meet their expectations would be selfish’.

A recent study has found that registered births in Karnataka have declined by 17 per cent since 2012. The reasons are varied — from falling fertility rates to limiting the number of children per family and a decline in marriages. But therapists and sociologists point to another reason — increasingly couples are choosing not to have children.

Avinash K and his wife Naina have been married for 10 years. After giving it serious thought early in their marriage, they decided against having children. “I thought about a realistic scenario — juggling my business and the responsibilities of being a parent. It did not appeal to me,” says Avinash, 40. The Lavelle Road-based couple has two dogs. When the dogs fall sick, Avinash finds it extremely stressful. “I cannot imagine what my stress levels would have been if I had kids,” he reasons. The duo also leads a very busy life due to their work and travel. “We do not want to compromise on that,” he adds.

Prakriti V was clear on her position even before marriage. “My husband and I shared the same perspective. We eventually told our families. Although some family members occasionally ask when we will start a family, we respond vaguely. I do not think we are obliged to justify our decision to anyone,” says the 37-year-old media professional.

The high cost of living in a tier-1 city, particularly steep school fees, was a significant factor in their decision. They are also concerned about bringing a child into a world facing severe climate change and uncertainty.

Zero restrictions

For others, like engineer Ankur M, the decision to be child-free was simply because he did not feel the need for a child to complete his family. “Earlier, my wife and I would cite the climate crisis, rising crimes against children, overpopulation, and the polarising times we live in as reasons. While all that still matters, the real reason is simple — we are happy and fulfilled as we are,” he shares.

Ankur’s wife, Samantha adds that they enjoy being outdoors and travelling. They rarely plan in advance. “But for parents, especially with young children, their free time usually revolves around the child’s needs and activities,” she says.

Though they face questions from family, they believe “having a baby just to meet their expectations would be selfish”. They do not worry about their future, but sometimes wonder if they would have to work longer to support themselves, when their peers retire.

Ayesha Khan, a 28-year-old ed-tech professional, took the decision because she does not want to face the physical and psychological toll of childbirth. “I helped raise my two younger siblings, so I do not think I will be missing out on parenthood,” she explains.

Lack of support

Sociologist Avatthi Ramaiah notes that in cities, it is becoming increasingly difficult to have children. With families becoming nuclear, parents lack a strong support system. The financial burden is a major deterrent. “A lot of couples are also delaying having children,” he says. As a result, he sees old age homes becoming the norm in the future.

Relationship therapist Sunil John has noticed an increasing number of his clients opting to be child-free. “In the last month, I had two new clients who have chosen to not have children,” he reveals.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/bengaluru/high-cost-hectic-lifestyle-more-bengaluru-couples-choosing-to-be-child-free-3691730

Shubhanshu Shukla shared a stunning timelapse of India from the International Space Station, showing lightning-lit monsoon clouds, the Himalayas, and a glowing sunrise.

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla has shared a breathtaking timelapse video of India as seen from the International Space Station (ISS).

The video, shot from the ISS cupola window, captures the station’s journey from the Indian Ocean along the east coast of India.

Lightning flashes from thunderstorms light up the monsoon clouds, followed by a dark stretch marking the Himalayas. As the station crosses over, the view transforms into a spectacular sunrise, with stars visible in the backdrop.

Sharing the video, Shukla said he wanted viewers to feel as if they were “sitting in the cupola and witnessing it yourself.”

He described the sight as a “mesmerising dance of natural elements,” noting that though much of the country was covered in clouds during the monsoon, he managed to capture glimpses of Bharat from orbit.

“Unfortunately I was up there during the monsoon season and it was mostly cloudy, yet I managed to steal a few shots of Bharat, one of which you are seeing,” the astronaut wrote in the X post.

A day before, Shubhanshu Shukla shared detailed insights about the experience and its significance for India’s ambitions in human spaceflight, emphasising the invaluable knowledge gained from being in space itself.

Speaking at a press conference, he underscored the pride and profound perspective gained by viewing Earth from orbit.

He explained that the true benefit of executing a human space mission goes far beyond rigorous training, referencing India’s upcoming space endeavour Gaganyaan.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/shubhanshu-shukla-international-space-station-iss-timelapse-video-bharat-from-space-himalayas-sunrise-monsoon-9520702.html

A man was killed by Naxalites after hoisting the Tricolour on Independence Day. As per the police sources, Naxalites were unhappy with the man for hoisting the flag.

In a brutal case of Naxalite violence, a man in Chhattisgarh was killed after he hoisted the Tricolour on Independence Day in a remote village in Chhattisgarh’s Kanker district. As per the officials, the Naxalites held a ‘jan adalat’ and killed him after claiming that the victim was a police informer.

The victim, identified as Manish Nureti, is from Binagunda village under Chhotebetiya police station limits. As per the police, a group of armed Naxalites arrived at the village on Monday and took Nureti and two others.

At the ‘jan adalat’, a poster claiming Nureti to be a police informer was installed. “They held a ‘jan adalat’ where Nureti was killed, while the other two were released after a thrashing. The Maoist ultras put up a poster claiming Nureti was a police informer, which is untrue,” the official was quoted by PTI as saying.

The two others were thrashed and left, while Nureti was murdered.

Kanker district Superintendent of Police IK Elesela said Nureti’s body was yet to be recovered, adding that his family were being contacted.

“Naxalites frequently visit Binagunda village. In the last one-and-a-half years, Naxalites have killed four to five people after accusing them of being police informers. However, none of the deceased had any connection with the police,” Elesela told PTI.

Bastar Range Inspector General of Police of Sundarraj P, confirmed the incident, and said, “A short video has also surfaced in which Manish Nureti is seen participating in Independence Day celebrations.” A probe is underway into the killing, and strict action will be taken against those involved, the IG added.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/chhattisgarh-man-who-hoisted-flag-on-independence-day-killed-by-naxals-in-jan-adalat-ws-bl-9520772.html

Veteran Punjabi actor-comedian Jaswinder Bhalla died on August 22 in Mohali. The cremation will take place on August 23.

Popular Punjabi actor-comedian Jaswinder Bhalla, 65, died on Friday morning at Fortis Hospital in Mohali. The funeral will be held on August 23 at 12 noon at the Balongi cremation ground in Mohali. A large number of fans and artists are expected to gather to pay their last respects.

According to media reports, he had been unwell for the past few months. News of his death has left the Punjabi film industry and his fans in deep shock.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/jaswinder-bhalla-punjabi-actor-comedian-dies-65-carry-on-jatta-2775018-2025-08-22

A major gas leak accident took place at Medley Pharmaceutical Company in Maharashtra’s Palghar. As per reports, 4 workers have died while two more are in critical condition.

At least four people have died after a gas leak incident took place at a pharmaceutical company in Maharashtra’s Palghar on Thursday.
The gas leak was reported at Medley Pharma Company located at Tarapur-Boisar industrial area in Palghar. While four people were declared dead, condition of two more is said to be critical.
The gas leak occurred in Medley Pharmaceuticals located at Plot No. 13, Boisar Industrial Colony, between 2:30 and 3:00 pm on August 21.

The accident occurred due to gas leakage in the nitrogen reaction tank present in the factory, in which a total of 6 workers were affected.

In a display of velvet diplomacy, China’s ambassador Xu Feihong extended a hand to Delhi, calling India and China the “double engines of economic growth in Asia”, while taking a subtle dig at “bully” US President Donald Trump.

In a striking display of velvet diplomacy, China’s ambassador to India Xu Feihong sought to reset ties with New Delhi, invoking the language of intimacy and power. “We are the double engines of economic growth in Asia,” he said, adding that India and China must be “like relatives” who visit each other freely.

Rapper Montero Lamar Hill, aka Lil Nas X, shocked fans after a viral video showed him half-naked in Los Angeles, wearing only underwear and cowboy boots. Police said he charged at officers before being taken into custody and hospitalised for a possible overdose. He faces suspicion of misdemeanour battery on a police officer. His condition remains unknown.

Rapper Montero Lamar Hill, popularly known as Lil Nas X, shocked fans after a video posted by TMZ of him went viral on Thursday. He was seen half-naked, wearing only underwear and cowboy boots, walking around the streets of Ventura Boulevard in Studio City, Los Angeles, around midnight.

Lil Nas X Spotted Nearly-Naked In LA

The viral video showed the Old Town Road singer wandering down the street. At one point, he pointed at a passing car that was recording him, muttered about going to a party, and even placed an orange traffic cone on his head.

Shortly after, a man noticed him and informed the police, reporting a ‘nude man walking in the street.’

According to police, when officers arrived at the scene, the suspect charged at them and was subsequently taken into custody. According to TMZ, Lil Nas X was transported to the hospital after officers shared that he might have suffered a possible overdose.

Lil Nas X Arrested After Clash With Police

He was arrested for battery on a police officer, along with misconduct, including public obscenity and was subsequently transferred to a hospital. While the rapper remains hospitalised, he is expected to be booked later on suspicion of misdemeanor battery on a police officer.

His condition remains unknown.

Before the shocking incident, Lil Nas X had been posting a bizarre series of 11 photos on Instagram, as reported by Page Six. The images showed his house in a state of disarray, with scattered pieces of art and furniture.

In the caption of one of his selfies, he wrote, “OH NO sHES GONE MAD! CRAZY I TELL U!”

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/rapper-lil-nas-x-spotted-nearly-naked-suspected-drug-overdose-leads-to-arrest-hospitalisation-in-la-video-goes-viral

Surprisingly, the restaurant served food at 1962 prices before its demolition. A massive crowd was drawn at the restaurant to take advantage of the scheme.

An advertisement surfaced on the television with the tag line “Aapke zamaane me baap ke zamaane k daam” (Your era, your father’s era prices.) became a reality at a famous restaurant in Mumbai’s Goregaon. Surprisingly, the restaurant served food at 1962 prices before its demolition. A massive crowd was drawn at the restaurant to take advantage of the scheme.

The offer was introduced at Udipi Vihar restaurant in Goregaon East only for a single day due to which a large crowd lined up outside the hotel despite heavy rain. The old restaurant which is set to be demolished to make way for a new building decided to give its customers a taste and feeling of the paste. The restaurant served the cheap meal only on Monday (August 18).

As a farewell gesture, the restaurant served all its popular dishes at the same prices at which it used to sell in the year 1962. The visitors were thrilled as they were going to get a full lunch at an unbelievable rate of 50 paise, while other items like jalebi, wada and idli were being served to the customers at only 12 paise.

Videos surfaced on social media which showed that the nostalgic move drew food lovers and everyone was excited to be a part of the restaurant’s final day to make it memorable.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/lunch-50-paise-idli-20-paise-udipi-vihar-restaurant-serves-food-at-1962-prices-in-mumbais-goregaon-video

Each unanswered helpline call is not just silence, it is a life teetering on the edge, left alone in its darkest hour. India’s rising suicide numbers demand more than token helplines; they demand a system that listens, cares, and responds.

Suicide is an untimely, avoidable death. And yet, every day, countless lives are lost because support either arrives too late or not at all. Most suicide helplines operate like offices: Monday to Friday, 10 am to 5 pm. But mental health doesn’t follow office hours. When the day ends, distractions fade and the world falls asleep, the flames of the battle inside rage again. Loneliness, memories, and unspoken fears resurface with a force that suffocates.

Here’s the stark reality. I called one such helpline (just to check) past midnight, the very hour when despair peaks and you still cling to a flicker of hope that tomorrow might be better, if only you survive the night. But when nobody picks up, when that one “lifeline” you trusted goes unanswered, the silence feels like the world crashing in on you.

That missed call can become a missed life.

Frustrated by a widow’s repeated demands for marriage, a former village pradhan and his nephew murdered her in Jhansi’s Kishorpura village, chopped the body into seven pieces, stuffed them into sacks, and dumped them in a well and near a bridge.

A woman’s dismembered body was found dumped in a well in Uttar Pradesh’s Jhansi district. Police have arrested two men in connection with the murder — a former village head, identified as the victim’s lover, and his nephew. A third accomplice, who helped execute the murder, remains at large, said police.

Pressured and frustrated by the woman’s constant urges to get married, the former village pradhan, Sanjay Patel, along with his nephew, Sandeep Patel murdered the woman in Jhansi’s Kishorpura village, cut her body into seven pieces and stuffed them into sacks, subsequently dumping them into a well and near a bridge.

The case came to light on August 13 when a farmer inspecting his fields noticed a foul smell emanating from a well. Upon inspection, two sacks were found floating in the water, containing body parts of a woman. The discovery sent shockwaves through the community and posed a significant challenge for local authorities.

Following the incident, the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Jhansi, formed eight investigative teams to crack the case. On August 17, police recovered the victim’s hands from the drained well. However, the head and legs were missing, complicating identification. A post-mortem was conducted, and cremation took place on August 18.

Police investigations revealed the murder was premeditated due to the victim’s persistent marriage demands on the former pradhan. In response, Patel conspired with his associates to eliminate her, resulting in her brutal murder. Intense investigations included questioning over 100 villagers and examining footage from more than 200 CCTV cameras.

Thousands of posters were distributed, eventually leading to the victim’s identification as Rachna Yadav, a widow from Tikamgarh, two hours from Jhansi.

The breakthrough came when Rachna’s brother recognised her after seeing one of the posters. She had been entangled in a legal dispute supported by the former village pradhan, during which they developed an intimate relationship.

According to police, on August 8, the accused strangled Rachna and transported her body to a well, where it was dismembered to conceal evidence. The crime scene was carefully analysed, with bricks and soil samples matching local materials.

“Two sacks containing parts of a woman’s body were recovered from a well in Kishorpura village under Todifatehpur police station. Eight teams were formed to investigate the case. Today, the woman’s head was recovered from the Lakheri river,” the SSP told India Today TV on Thursday.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/jhansi-woman-murder-former-pradhan-nephew-arrested-search-accomplice-2774994-2025-08-22

TCS layoffs: The IT firm announced its decision to layoff around 12,000 employees in July this year.

TCS layoffs: The Union of IT & ITES Employees (UNITE) staged a protest in Chennai on Tuesday against the layoffs of 12,000 employees at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). The layoffs will impact mid and senior-level employees.

TCS layoffs: 30,000 employees to be fired?

“Union of IT and ITES Employees protested today in Chennai against the announced TCS layoff of 12,000 employees and the government inaction,” UNITE said on X (formerly Twitter).

The video quickly went viral, prompting the Forest Department to take suo motu cognizance of the incident.

A YouTuber from Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district has been arrested for allegedly cooking the meat of a protected and rare species of monitor lizard and posting the video on social media platforms.

The accused, identified as Rupa Nayak, a resident of Asanbani village, reportedly came across a dead monitor lizard on the roadside near the Banta area while returning from his wife’s maternal home in Bhadrak. He took the carcass home, cooked its meat, and recorded a video of the entire process, which he later uploaded to Facebook and YouTube.

The video quickly went viral, prompting the Forest Department to take suo motu cognizance of the incident. A probe was launched, and Nayak was taken into custody. During interrogation, he admitted to the act.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/odisha-man-cooks-rare-monitor-lizard-posts-online-forest-officials-take-action-9127885

Probe is underway to ascertain motive of accused and whether he was under the influence of alcohol or any other substance at the time of the incident

A senior doctor at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) had a narrow escape after the driver of a car allegedly tried to mow him down inside the hospital campus, the police said on Wednesday.

The incident occurred on August 18, around 4:00 pm, near Gate Number 1 of AIIMS, when the victim was passing through the campus and noticed a traffic jam being caused by the car.

The complainant informed the police that the car was blocking traffic. When he signalled to the driver to reverse so that other vehicles could pass, the driver, instead of complying, allegedly accelerated and struck him, a senior police officer stated.

“The driver did not stop after the first collision. He struck me two more times and dragged me along with the car before I managed to save my life,” the complaint told the police.

Based on the complaint, an FIR under Section 110 (attempt to commit culpable homicide) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita was registered at the Hauz Khas Police Station.

The officer noted that CCTV footage from the cameras installed on the campus has been seized, and eyewitnesses are being identified.

“We are taking the matter seriously, and multiple teams are working to identify and nab the accused. The vehicle number has been noted, and technical surveillance is being used to track the suspect,” the officer said.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/doctor-narrowly-escapes-after-car-driver-attempts-to-mow-him-down-at-aiims-9127764

According to the police, during the protest, some employees stole tables and chairs from vendors and used them as barricades to block a pedestrian bridge.

Police arrested 18 people at the Microsoft Campus on various charges. The Redmond Police Department, in an X post, wrote that the incident occurred on August 20.

“18 arrested for various charges during a protest at Microsoft Campus. Redmond police are at the scene of a demonstration at the Microsoft campus. On Aug 20, around 12:15 p.m., Redmond officers were dispatched to a large gathering of protestors in the Microsoft courtyard,” the department wrote.

The police tweeted that when officers initially attempted to trespass the protestors, they resisted and became aggressive. “A few protesters had poured paint over the Microsoft sign and on the ground.”

Amid the chaos, some protesters blocked a pedestrian bridge using stolen tables and chairs from vendors, as per the police. They used the furniture as barricades.

“Officers took 18 into custody for multiple charges, including trespassing, malicious mischief, resisting arrest, and obstruction. No injuries were reported,” the department added.

Redmond Police Department shared three pictures, one showing red paint scattered across a Microsoft sign.

“Today, the group returned and engaged in vandalism and property damage,” Microsoft said in a statement, reported Bloomberg. “They also disrupted, harassed, and took tables and tents from local small businesses at a lunchtime farmer’s market for employees.”

“Microsoft deeply appreciates and supports the actions of local law enforcement officers and the Redmond Police Department,” the company said in its statement.

Why did the employees protest?

As per Bloomberg, the employees were protesting about the software company’s business ties with Israel. The outlet reported that the group behind the protest, No Azure for Apartheid, wants the company to stop selling their products to Israel, claiming that the technology is contributing to deaths in Gaza.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/us/18-employees-arrested-at-microsoft-campus-charged-with-trespassing-malicious-mischief-after-red-paint-incident-101755743292047.html

Himachal Pradesh braces for fresh spells with IMD issuing Orange and Yellow alerts. The death toll has reached 276 and around 366 roads are blocked.

Himachal Pradesh monsoon is all set to hit the state yet again. IMD predicted fresh spells of rain over next three days and issued Orange and Yellow alerts across several districts. As per the official data, 276 people lost their lives in the state during monsoon.

The IMD weather forecast predicts intense rainfall over Solan, Shimla, Mandi, Kangra, Una, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, and Sirmaur districts. A yellow alert has been issued for remaining districts of the state.

Chamba District Collector Mukesh Repaswal told IANS, “Over the next five days, according to the IMD forecast, yellow and orange alerts have been issued, and rainfall is expected across the entire district…”

Himachal Monsoon death toll rises to 276

Himachal Pradesh’s cumulative monsoon death toll since June 20 has climbed to 276, of which 143 people have died in rain-related incidents such as landslides, flash floods, and house collapses, while 133 lost their lives in road accidents, according to the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA).

Alongside this, heavy monsoon rains have crippled large parts of Himachal Pradesh, blocking 366 roads, snapping power in 929 areas, and disrupting 139 water supply schemes in the past 24 hours, added HPSDMA.

National Highway-305 in Kullu and NH-154 in Mandi remained blocked due to road sinking and landslides. In contrast, dozens of key link roads were rendered impassable in districts including Mandi, Kullu, Kangra, Sirmaur and Chamba.

Dharamshala Ropeway Operations Temporarily Suspended

The man cooked the monitor lizard, recorded the act and posted on Facebook and YouTube.

A TouTuber from Odisha was arrested for allegedly cooking the meat of a protected and rare species of monitor lizard in Mayurbhanj, according to a report.

The incident came to light after he posted the video of the incident on social media, prompting the authorities to take him into custody.

The man was identified as Rupa Nayak, who hailed from Asanbani village. He came across a dead monitor lizard on the road near the Banta area on his way back from his wife’s maternal home in Bhadrak, NDTV reported.

Nayak took the lizard home and recorded the video while he cooked its meat and put it on Facebook and YouTube.

The video went viral after which the Forest Department took suo motu cognisance of the matter and launched a probe. The man was arrested and interrogated. He confessed to being involved in the act, the report said.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/odisha-youtuber-cooks-protected-rare-species-of-lizard-arrested-after-video-goes-viral-ws-e-9518240.html

Gestapo in the making, or a step towards justice? Here’s what the 130th Constitution Amendment Bill really proposes.

Parliament’s Monsoon Session witnessed high drama on Wednesday as Opposition MPs accused the government of pushing India towards a “Gestapo-style” police state with the introduction of the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025.
As Union Home Minister Amit Shah faced a barrage of protests from the Opposition leaders – some of whom tore and threw copies of the Bills at him – AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi rose up from the Opposition benches to launch a blistering attack on the proposed legislation.

“Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile ‘Agni 5’ was successfully test-fired from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur in Odisha,” the Defence Ministry said.

India on Wednesday carried out a successful test of its Agni-5 ballistic missile from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur in Odisha, the Defence Ministry said, calling the launch a validation of the country’s strategic capabilities.
The missile was fired under the command of the Strategic Forces Command, which oversees India’s nuclear arsenal. “Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile ‘Agni 5’ was successfully test-fired from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur in Odisha on August 20, 2025. The launch validated all operational and technical parameters. It was carried out under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command,” the ministry said in a statement.
The Agni-5, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), was first tested in April 2012. With a range of more than 5,000 kilometres, it places most of Asia, including China, within reach. The missile is also capable of carrying nuclear warheads, making it a key component of India’s deterrence strategy.

The Agni-5 can carry up to three nuclear warheads, and work is underway on newer variants expected to extend its range to about 7,500 kilometers. Future versions are also being designed with bunker-busting capability, giving the missile the ability to strike heavily fortified targets.
Wednesday’s launch comes amid growing attention to India’s expanding arsenal, which includes both land-based and submarine-launched missiles.
The test has drawn concern from across the border. The Strategic Vision Institute, a think tank in Islamabad, warned Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir that India’s missile program poses “serious risks” to regional stability. It argued that India’s progress accelerated after joining the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) in 2016, giving it access to advanced missile systems, as per a report by The Times of India.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/agni-5-ballistic-missile-successful-test-boosts-indias-strategic-edge-heres-why-islamabad-is-worried-article-152497779

Russia on Wednesday said the S-400 air defence system’s performance in Operation Sindoor was proof of the deep defence cooperation between Moscow and New Delhi, with envoy Roman Babushkin stressing that both countries were ready to work together as they have for decades.

The S-400 air defence system, which played a crucial role in the four-day Operation Sindoor between India and Pakistan, was yet another example of the close defence cooperation between Moscow and New Delhi, Roman Babushkin, Charge d’Affaires of the Russian Embassy, said on Tuesday.
Speaking to Times Now, Babushkin stressed that India and Russia were ready to continue working together as they have for decades. He pointed out that the S-400 system — credited with bringing down a Swedish-built Pakistan Air Force (PAF) airborne early warning and control (AEW) aircraft, as confirmed earlier by Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh — had performed strongly during the crisis. The IAF currently has three S-400 units, with two more on the way.
Babushkin recalled that Russian President Vladimir Putin had strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack, which triggered Operation Sindoor. He added that Moscow would be open to contributing technology to India’s Sudarshan Chakra nationwide air defence system, targeted for 2035 as announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day address.

Given the proven success of the S-400, Russian weapons were a natural choice, Babushkin said. He underlined that Russia had supported “Make in India” long before it became an official slogan, citing joint work on jet engines and the fact that India-made components are already part of Sukhoi-30MKI fighter engines.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/s-400-proved-its-worth-in-operation-sindoor-russia-hails-defence-ties-with-india-article-152496125

On August 21, Kerala will script history as Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan declares it India’s first fully digitally literate state, a milestone born from Pullampara’s pioneering journey and Kudumbashree’s grassroots training.

Kerala is set to script history on August 21, with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expected to officially declare it as the first fully digitally literate state in India. The milestone is more than a statistic, it is a story of resilience, curiosity and an entire community learning to tap into the digital world.

The inspiration for this achievement lies in Pullampara, a gram panchayat tucked away in rural Thiruvananthapuram district. In 2022, Pullampara became the first panchayat in the country to achieve full digital literacy, a feat that has since ignited a movement across Kerala.

When India Today TV met 103-year-old Karunakaran in Pullampara, he was seated with his 73-year-old son Rajan, the two of them watching videos on YouTube. Karunakaran, whose eyesight and memory are fading with age, still lights up when making video calls to his grandchildren.

Rajan, who once depended on a keypad phone, now navigates smartphones with ease. “When the panchayat came to teach, I only had a keypad phone. My son bought me a smartphone after I learned how to use it. I consider myself lucky to live in this digital world and see the world through this phone. I mainly use YouTube, Facebook and news channels,” he said with pride.

Not far away, 58-year-old Shyamala returned home from work, chatting with her children on WhatsApp. The calls, once unimaginable for her, now feel second nature. “They are covering me on the news for using these apps,” she told her daughter excitedly.

Behind these small but transformative stories stand the women of Kudumbashree, Kerala’s celebrated self-help group, who trained lakhs of people across the state. Their modules began with the basics, switching on smartphones, sending a message, installing apps, and stretched to teaching online payments, gas booking and awareness about digital scams. Learners were certified digitally literate only after clearing six of the fifteen modules.

“It was difficult initially,” recalls Preetha, a Kudumbashree trainer. “Most would say their children already had phones, so why should they? We explained that one day they might need it to talk to their children far away. Slowly, people began joining. Some homemakers learned YouTube to watch cooking videos, others learned GPay to manage pension money. The biggest happiness was when senior citizens, even those above 60, started using Google Pay. They were so proud of themselves.”

Pullampara’s journey was not without hurdles. Aswathy, the panchayat’s Vice President, called it a “dream project” born out of the isolation of the Covid-19 pandemic. “At first, only a few were interested. We had to visit them personally and convince them. The oldest learner was 98-year-old Karunakaran, and the youngest was seven-year-old Keshu. Two wards had no network, so MP John Brittas helped us get mobile towers. After that, the project took off. We worked tirelessly for a year to finish it,” she said.

The ripple effect is now visible across the state. In Ernakulam, 105-year-old MA Abdullah Maulavi Bafaqi went digital under the state’s “Digi Kerala” initiative. Local Self Government Minister MB Rajesh called him “the hero of this real Kerala story” and presented him with a smartphone to celebrate the achievement.

The scale of Kerala’s digital literacy drive is staggering. A survey covering more than 83 lakh families identified over 21.8 lakh people as learners. Of them, 99.98 per cent completed their training and passed the assessment, including more than 1.35 lakh people aged between 76 and 90, and even 15,223 above the age of 90. The modules themselves were aligned with international standards, including those laid down by Unesco.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/kerala/story/kerala-to-achieve-milestone-as-indias-first-fully-digitally-literate-state-august-21-2774021-2025-08-20

The all-risk insurance package has been provided by New India Assurance and covers gold, silver and precious stones, personal accident insurance, fire and earthquake risks, and public liability.

Mumbai’s wealthiest Ganesh mandal, the GSB Seva Mandal at King’s Circle, has secured a record insurance cover worth Rs 474.46 crore for this year’s festival, significantly higher than last year’s Rs 400 crore policy. The increase is attributed to a higher valuation of gold and silver ornaments adorning the deity, along with the inclusion of more volunteers and priests under the policy.

The all-risk insurance package has been provided by New India Assurance and covers gold, silver and precious stones, personal accident insurance, fire and earthquake risks, and public liability.

Of the total amount, the largest component is personal accident insurance worth Rs 375 crore, extending coverage to volunteers, priests, cooks, attendants and security staff.

Public liability insurance worth Rs 30 crore covers pandals, stadiums and devotees, while standard fire and special risk cover for the venue premises stands at Rs 43 lakh. Fire and earthquake coverage has been retained at Rs 2 crore, unchanged from previous years.

This year’s policy also reflects a sharp rise in insurance premiums. The all-risk policy for ornaments alone is valued at Rs 67 crore, compared to Rs 43 crore in 2024 and Rs 38 crore in 2023. GSB Seva Mandal president Amit Pai said, “The increase is largely due to the rise in valuation of gold and silver. Volunteers and priests have also been included in the coverage.”

The soaring price of gold has added to the jump in coverage. During Ganeshotsav 2024, 24-carat gold was priced at Rs 77,000 per 10 grams, whereas it currently stands at Rs 1,02,000. The GSB deity will be adorned with 66 kilograms of gold ornaments and 336 kilograms of silver.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/mumbais-richest-ganesh-mandal-secures-record-rs-474-crore-insurance-cover-2774444-2025-08-21

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta was attacked during a public hearing at her residence by Rajesh Bhai Sakariya, who has been sent to 5-day police remand. Doctors confirmed she is stable, and Gupta vowed to continue her Jan Sunwai sessions.

A Delhi court on Wednesday sent Delhi Chief Minister’s alleged attacker, Rajesh Bhai Khimji Bhai Sakariya, to five days of police remand. Police produced the 41-year-old Rajkot resident before the Duty Metropolitan Magistrate at midnight.

During the remand period, Delhi Police may take Sakariya to Rajkot. Cops may recreate the crime scene at the Chief Minister’s residence. Investigators will probe who he met and spoke to after arriving in Delhi. Police have also sent his mobile phone for forensic examination and will examine whether there is a larger conspiracy behind the attack.

The attack took place during a Jan Sunwai (public hearing) at Gupta’s Civil Lines residence earlier in the day. Officials said the man first handed over some papers to the Chief Minister before shouting, yelling, and striking her. He was immediately overpowered and later arrested.

According to police sources, one of Sakariya’s relatives is in jail, and he had come with a petition seeking their release, a matter currently pending in court. His family has also shed light on his background. Witnesses claimed that others at the event thrashed him before police detained him.

Earlier reports suggested that Gupta had been slapped. However, Delhi BJP chief Virendraa Sachdeva denied those claims, clarifying that the attacker tried to pull the Chief Minister by the hand, leading to a scuffle in which “her head may have hit a corner.”

Doctors confirmed that Gupta is stable but in shock. “She remains determined to continue her daily work and Jan Sunwai sessions,” Sachdeva said, calling her a “strong woman with a clear commitment to Delhi.”

In her first response after the incident, Gupta said the assault was an attack on her resolve to serve the people. “The attack on me during this morning’s public hearing was not just an attack on me, but a cowardly attempt on our resolve to serve Delhi and work for the welfare of the people,” she posted on X.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/law-news/story/delhi-chief-minister-rekha-gupta-attack-court-sends-accused-rajesh-bhai-khimji-police-remand-recreate-crime-scene-2774448-2025-08-21

These bills are the Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill 2025; the Constitution (One Hundred And Thirtieth Amendment) Bill 2025; and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill 2025.

The government is planning to introduce three bills in Parliament on Wednesday for the removal of a prime minister, a Union minister, a chief minister or a minister of a state or Union Territory when arrested or detained on serious criminal charges.

Constitutional Amendment Bills

These bills are the Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill 2025; the Constitution (One Hundred And Thirtieth Amendment) Bill 2025; and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill 2025.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will also move a motion in the Lok Sabha to refer these three bills to a joint committee of Parliament.

According to the statement of objects and reasons of the Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill 2025, there is no provision under the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963 (20 of 1963) for the removal of the chief minister or a minister arrested and detained in custody on account of serious criminal charges.

Hence, there is a need to amend section 45 of the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963, to provide a legal framework for the removal of a chief minister or a minister in such cases. The Bill seeks to achieve the above objectives.

The objectives of the Constitution (One Hundred And Thirtieth Amendment) Bill, 2025, say there is no provision under the Constitution for the removal of a minister who is arrested and detained in custody on account of serious criminal charges.

Hence, there is a need to amend Articles 75, 164 and 239AA of the Constitution, for providing a legal framework for the removal of the prime minister or a minister in the Union Council of Ministers and the chief minister or a minister in the Council of Ministers of States and the National Capital Territory of Delhi in such cases. The Bill seeks to achieve the above objectives.

Source: https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/centre-to-introduce-bills-in-parliament-for-removal-of-pm-cms-and-ministers-facing-serious-criminal-charges

In the past 10 days, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has repeatedly targeted India for its energy trade with Russia.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has once again taken aim at India’s Russian oil purchases, accusing New Delhi of profiteering at the cost of the West’s sanctions regime. In an interview with CNBC, Bessent described India’s practice of buying discounted crude from Moscow and reselling refined products as an “unacceptable” arbitrage – the latest in a string of remarks where Washington has singled out India for its energy trade with Russia.

“This… Indian arbitrage — buying cheap Russian oil, reselling it as product – has just sprung during the war, which is unacceptable,” Bessent told CNBC’s Squawk Box. “They are just profiteering. They are reselling.”

The sharp criticism comes even as India has consistently defended its energy trade as a matter of national interest, arguing that affordable Russian oil has been vital for meeting its growing energy needs and shielding consumers from global price shocks.

DELHI IN WASHINGTON’S CROSSHAIRS
This is not the first time the Treasury Secretary has taken aim at India over its Russian oil purchases. In an interview with Bloomberg TV last week, Bessent had warned that the US could impose further secondary tariffs on India if President Donald Trump’s talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska failed to yield results.

“We’ve put secondary tariffs on Indians for buying Russian oil. And I could see, if things don’t go well, then sanctions or secondary tariffs could go up,” Bessent had said a day before the August summit.

He also pressed America’s European allies to match US penalties. In an interview with Fox News, Bessent accused Europe of hypocrisy, pointing out that European nations were still buying refined products from Indian refineries processing Russian crude. “It is time for our European counterparts to put up or shut up,” he said. “If we want a unified front, President Trump needs maximum leverage, and that means Europe doing its part.”

TRUMP’S TARIFF THREAT AND INDIA’S RESPONSE
President Trump has already announced an additional 25 per cent duty on Indian exports to the US, on top of the earlier 25 per cent levy, effectively doubling tariffs to 50 per cent. He has threatened more penalties, specifically targeting Russian oil buyers like India.

Defending the measures, Trump argued earlier this month that the tariffs were instrumental in pressuring Moscow into talks. “When you lose your second-largest customer [India] and you’re probably going to lose your first largest customer, I think that probably has a role,” he said.

India, however, has strongly rejected the US position, calling the tariffs “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable,” while maintaining that its energy imports are a matter of national security and economic stability.

US’S DOUBLE STANDARDS

While Washington has aggressively penalised India, it has stopped short of imposing similar measures on China – despite Beijing continuing to import large volumes of Russian crude. When asked about the difference, Bessent argued that China had been a major buyer even before the Ukraine war, implying its case was less egregious.

This uneven approach has sparked accusations of double standards. Critics say New Delhi is being punished while Beijing escapes secondary sanctions, despite US officials – including Secretary of State Marco Rubio – openly acknowledging that India’s Russian oil purchases remain a “point of irritation” in ties with Washington.

INDIA’S RUSSIAN OIL BET
India turned to discounted Russian crude after Western sanctions were imposed on Moscow in 2022. With a price cap of USD 60 per barrel, the purchases have dramatically reshaped India’s energy basket.

Russia’s share in India’s crude imports has soared from just 1.7 per cent in FY20 to over 35 per cent in FY25, according to official trade data. Out of 245 million metric tonnes of oil imported last fiscal year, 88 MMT came from Russia alone, making it India’s largest supplier.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/india-profiteering-from-russian-crude-us-treasury-secretary-scott-bessent-renews-attack-2773699-2025-08-19

The monorail services in Mumbai were disrupted between Chembur and Bhakti Park due to a technical snag amid heavy rain. Passengers dialled the civic body helpline number, following which fire officials arrived at the scene and rescued them.

All 582 passengers who were stuck inside the Mumbai monorail that was stalled between two stations due to a technical snag amid torrential rain in the city were rescued after nearly four hours, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). The rescue operation was carried out by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and the fire brigade on Tuesday evening.

The incident occurred around 6:15 pm when the monorail, which was fully packed with passengers, came to a sudden halt on its elevated track following a power supply issue. The passengers were stranded inside the rake and sky ladders were pressed into action to rescue them.

The rake was stuck between Bhakti Park and the Chembur station near the Mysore Colony. Twelve passengers who complained of suffocation and breathlessness during the ordeal have been hospitalised. Their conditions are reported to be stable and would soon be discharged from the hospital, officials said.

“I was on the train from 5:30 pm. The rescue operation started after one hour. There were at least 500 passengers on the train. This train arrived after a gap of 30 minutes, so the entire train was overloaded with passengers,” a passenger who was rescued told news agency ANI.

During the rescue operations, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that he was in contact with the concerned officials and has ordered an enquiry into the incident. He also urged the passengers not to panic.

In a tweet, Fadnavis had assured that all passengers would be safely evacuated and requested everyone to remain patient.

“Due to some technical reason, a monorail is stuck between Chembur and Bhakti Park. MMRDA, the fire brigade, and the municipal corporation, all agencies have reached the spot. The highest priority is being given to the safety of all passengers. Therefore, no one should worry or panic. All passengers will be safely evacuated. I request everyone to remain patient,” tweeted Fadnavis.

“I am in contact with the MMRDA Commissioner, the Municipal Commissioner, the police, and all relevant agencies. An inquiry will also be conducted into why this incident occurred,” he further added.

Elaborating on the incident, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that many people took the monorail since the Harbour Line was closed due to heavy rain, leading to overcrowding inside the train and a subsequent power breakdown.

“Due to the closure of the Harbour Line, several passengers started travelling on the monorail. This led to overcrowding on the train, and a power breakdown occurred. Due to the power breakdown, emergency brakes were applied and the train stopped,” said Shinde.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/mumbai-monorail-breaks-down-amid-heavy-rain-passengers-stuck-inside-train-being-evacuated-2773692-2025-08-19

The IAS fraternity expressed solidarity with CEC Gyanesh Kumar after his public spat with Rahul Gandhi and opposition parties over allegations of vote theft in Bihar.

The IAS fraternity has strongly condemned abuse and personal remarks against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and his family, following a tense confrontation between the Election Commission and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who has accused the poll body of stealing votes to benefit the BJP.

“We strongly condemn unwarranted abuse and personal attacks against Hon’ble Chief Election Commissioner Shri Gyanesh Kumar and his family. We urge everyone to maintain respect and decorum, acknowledging his dedicated service and significant contributions towards the nation,” read a post by IAS Fraternity on X.

The confrontation between two Constitutional position holders—the CEC and the LoP – began after Rahul Gandhi alleged “vote theft” and irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls in the state. The Election Commission has repeatedly denied these “baseless” accusations and called on Gandhi to sign an affidavit or apologise.

In a departure from norms, the Chief Election Commissioner held a press conference to address Gandhi’s ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’, where he stressed that the Bihar SIR is aimed at removing all shortcomings in voter lists, while slamming political parties for spreading misinformation.

In a tersely-worded speech, Kumar rejected as “baseless” the allegations of double voting and “vote theft”, saying it was an insult to the Constitution. He also called on Rahul Gandhi to either sign an affidavit or apologise to the country for his claims of vote theft.

Meanwhile, the opposition parties, led by the Congress, said the Election Commission is not acting like an unbiased entity and is in the hands of officers who are taking sides. The parties also accused CEC Gyanesh Kumar of acting like a BJP spokesperson, saying he failed to answer their questions on the SIR exercise.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/ias-officers-slam-personal-attacks-on-cec-gyanesh-kumars-family-after-spat-with-rahul-gandhi-ws-l-9515571.html

While the multi-billion-dollar gaming industry is understandably dismayed by this proposal, there is a strong sentiment within the government that such a move is essential

The Indian government is moving to strictly regulate the online gaming industry, with a particular focus on apps that involve money transactions. The union cabinet on Tuesday approved the Online Gaming Bill, which aims to monitor the sector and curb illegal betting. The bill and a related note indicate a clear intent to protect vulnerable users and ensure these platforms are not exploited for money laundering or as a threat to national security. The proposed legislation seeks to create a stringent framework that targets the financial aspects of online gaming.

According to the accessed note, the government’s approach is to prohibit any involvement in “the offering of online money game and online gaming service”. This ban extends beyond the operators, explicitly targeting any form of promotion. The bill states that “no person shall make, cause to be made, aid, abet in any media or a communication which promotes any person to play an online money game or indulge in online money app”. This effectively includes a complete ban on endorsements by celebrities and social media influencers, a measure intended to curb the appeal of these platforms to a wider, often impressionable, audience.

The penalties proposed for non-compliance are severe. Anyone found offering an online money gaming service could face up to five years of imprisonment. For those involved in endorsements, the punishment includes imprisonment of up to two years and a hefty fine ranging from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore. Government sources have clarified that these regulations will not affect gaming apps used purely for entertainment with no money involved.

While the multi-billion-dollar gaming industry is understandably dismayed by this proposal, there is a strong sentiment within the government that such a move is essential. Officials believe the unchecked exponential growth of money-based gaming has led to significant mental health issues among the young generation, stemming from the addictive nature of these games and the financial risks involved. The government is careful to distinguish between this sector and e-sports, which it sees as a legitimate sport that could even be included in the Olympics.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/govt-playbook-on-online-gaming-new-bill-aims-to-create-stringent-framework-curb-illegal-betting-9515210.html

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday quoted from a News18 report on the Parliament archives to slam Nehru’s approach in signing the IWT

Should I bring a truckful of papers to the Parliament? This is how then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru dismissed the demands of parliamentarians, including senior members from his own party, who questioned him in 1960 on why he did not consult Parliament before signing the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday quoted from a News18 report on the Parliament archives to slam Nehru’s approach in signing the IWT. A perusal of the archives shows Nehru was completely dismissive of the idea of consulting Parliament on it.

“All those numerous papers will probably fill a cart. You can imagine ten years’ papers and if you have to bring them and present them to Parliament you require a truck-huge number of correspondences, this debate, that engineer’s estimate, etc, running to hundreds of pages. It is a mountain of papers; it is not a few letters exchanged, for a period of twelve years,” Nehru told Parliament.

In this debate on November 30, 1960, Nehru went on to say that such “complicated agreements” cannot be brought to Parliament. “I do not think it is possible for any kind of these complicated agreements to be dealt with, when we have to refer to Parliament. There must have been, I suppose, in this particular matter, dozens of approaches, dozens of plans, discussed, ultimately rejected and something happened. Are we to come at every step and ask Parliament?” Nehru told the MPs.

Parliamentarians, including those from the Congress, were aghast that while the Parliament was in session till September 9, 1960, the treaty was signed on September 19 in Karachi without Parliament being aware. “You cannot carry on any kind of negotiation, even relatively simple ones and certainly not this very difficult one (with Parliament being consulted). Therefore, very wisely, the Constitution and convention lay down that in such agreements, Government has to stake its own judgment, its future, on it. There is no other way. One takes a risk; maybe that Government may go wrong. But there is no other way to deal with it,” Nehru insisted.

In the end, as per the BJP now and the general wisdom of the parliamentarians then, the Nehru government did go wrong on the Indus Waters Treaty. Nehru had then accused his fellow MPs of acting in “narrow-minded spirit” while opposing the treaty and requesting “a little more friendly treatment by this House”. He said Congress MPs using words like a “second partition” for IWT was loose language and a “perversion of the facts”.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/should-i-bring-truckful-of-papers-to-parliament-how-nehru-dismissed-mps-concerns-over-indus-treaty-9514973.html#google_vignette

The top court was hearing a batch of pleas seeking guidelines to prevent misuse of POCSO Act in cases where minors engage in consensual relationships.

“Love is not penal, and it cannot become one,” the Supreme Court asserted on Tuesday, underlining that young couples, even those just short of attaining majority, must be “left alone” if they have entered into genuine romantic relationships.

The Supreme Court bench noted that there is a distinction between exploitative criminal conduct and “romantic bonds” between teenagers. (HT Photo)
The Supreme Court bench noted that there is a distinction between exploitative criminal conduct and “romantic bonds” between teenagers. (HT Photo)
A bench of justices BV Nagarathna and R Mahadevan made the remarks while hearing a batch of petitions that sought guidelines to prevent misuse of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in cases where minors engage in consensual relationships.

During the proceedings, the court also dismissed petitions by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and the National Commission for Women (NCW) challenging Punjab and Haryana high court orders that recognised the validity of marriages of Muslim girls after attaining puberty.

The bench said the commissions had “no locus standi” in such matters, remarking: “It is strange that NCPCR, which is for protecting children, has challenged an order protecting two children…Leave these couples alone.”

Personal laws in Islam allow a Muslim girl to enter into a contract of marriage after attaining puberty whereas a set of common civil and criminal laws in India proscribes the marriage of girls under 18 and further makes sexual intercourse with minors a penal offence.

With the dismissal, a January 2023 order of the top court that the high court ruling should not be treated as precedent also came to an end.

During the Tuesday hearing, the bench noted that while POCSO remains a vital tool to protect children against sexual abuse, there is a distinction between exploitative criminal conduct and “romantic bonds” between teenagers. “Can you say it is criminal to love?” Justice Nagarathna asked, cautioning that prosecuting adolescents for consensual relationships inflicted lasting trauma.

Appearing for petitioner NGO Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA), senior advocate HS Phoolka pressed for safeguards to ensure that leniency in such cases is not abused, suggesting for instance that the age gap between minors in relationships be capped at three years. Phoolka also assailed a 2022 circular by the Tamil Nadu director general of Police directing the police officials to not show haste in effecting an arrest of the accused in consensual relationships, saying such mandates were prone to be misused and minors getting trafficked.

But the bench was emphatic that investigators can look into the facts of each case. “It has to be examined on a case-by-case basis. Why do you want to prosecute everyone? Every case is different, and police have to investigate, apply their mind, and segregate genuine cases from those that should be prosecuted,” the court said.

The bench highlighted the misuse of POCSO provisions by parents who file cases when daughters elope, often citing “honour” as the pretext. “Many such cases are filed by the girls’ parents to so-called protect their honour. There will be honour killings if we start treating all such cases as crimes,” it warned.

“Look at the trauma when a boy has to be lodged in jail or face prosecution despite having a consensual relationship with a girl who is on the verge of attaining majority…We have to keep the realities of society in mind,” said the court.

The bench also reflected on the social realities of adolescent life: “Girls and boys study together, spend time together. They can develop feelings for each other and have romantic relationships. Where there are genuine romantic relationships; where they want to get married or want to be together…why should they be stopped?”

The same bench also refused to entertain different petitions filed by NCPCR and the National Commission for Women (NCW), which had challenged separate high court orders on the issue.

In one case, the bodies had assailed a Punjab and Haryana high court judgment, which held that Muslim girls are legally old enough to marry once they reach puberty at the age of 15; in another, the high court had handed custody of a minor girl to her adult husband following a habeas corpus plea.

The bench said that NCPCR or NCW had no locus (legal standing) to interfere in these personal matters.

“NCPCR has no locus standi to challenge such orders,” the bench held. It further remarked: “It is strange that the NCPCR, which is for protecting the children, has challenged an order protecting two children. How can we set aside protection orders of a high court? Leave these couples alone.”

With the NCPCR’s petitions getting disposed of on Tuesday, a January 2023 order by a previous bench of the Supreme Court that the Punjab and Haryana high court judgment shall not be treated as a legal precedent also ends.

The court’s observations come against the backdrop of multiple pending pleas, including those filed by BBA and NCPCR, that grapple with whether the statutory age of consent at 18 under POCSO should be revisited. Senior advocate Rajshekhar Rao assisted the court as amicus curiae.

In separate proceedings, the Union government last month adduced its submissions in the top court, opposing any move to lower the age of consent under POCSO or introduce exceptions for adolescent relationships. As reported first by HT on July 24, the government told the court that such dilution, “even in the name of reform or adolescent autonomy,” would dismantle the statutory shield meant to safeguard minors and risk opening the door to child abuse. It added that the current threshold of 18 years must remain “strictly and uniformly enforced” to maintain the integrity of child protection laws and uphold the best interests of minors.

HT’s analysis of government data, presented as part of its written submissions, revealed a stark disparity between the number of juveniles and young adults charged under rape and child sexual abuse laws and the relatively small proportion who are eventually convicted, throwing focus on the ongoing debate over the age of consent and its unintended consequences.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/love-is-not-penal-sc-on-minors-relationships-101755631827376.html

On July 20, 1858, 20,656 bigha and 19 marla of Rohnat’s private and panchayat land were auctioned for Rs 8,100, leaving villagers with almost no land

Rohnat village in Haryana’s Bhiwani district carries a painful legacy from the 1857 freedom struggle. When villagers revolted against British rule, they faced brutal reprisals. Many were killed, and their lands were confiscated and sold to outsiders. The trauma ran so deep that for decades, the tricolour was not hoisted here on Independence Day or Republic Day, as the villagers continued to demand the return of their seized land.

In 2018, then Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar visited Rohnat and hoisted the tricolour, promising to address the villagers’ demands. Since then, the flag has been raised, but many reports indicate that the community is still waiting for their land and other commitments to be fulfilled.

While the tricolour is now officially hoisted, the village continues to mark national festivals with restraint, reflecting its long struggle to reclaim its lost identity.

Rohnat’s Brave Legacy

The FASTag annual pass, introduced nationwide on August 15, allows private vehicle owners to make a one-time payment of Rs 3,000 for one year’s validity or up to 200 toll plaza crossings.

The newly launched FASTag annual pass has crossed the five lakh mark in just four days, reflecting strong demand from highway users, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) said Monday.
The pass, introduced nationwide on August 15, allows private vehicle owners to make a one-time payment of Rs 3,000 for one year’s validity or up to 200 toll plaza crossings. It is valid at about 1,150 toll booths on national highways and expressways and can be activated within two hours of purchase through the Rajmargyatra mobile app or the NHAI website.
Officials said the response has been overwhelming across the country, with Tamil Nadu recording the highest number of annual pass purchases so far, followed by Karnataka and Haryana. The highest number of transactions have been logged at toll plazas in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

On the first day of the rollout, more than 1.2 lakh users purchased and activated the annual pass, while nearly 1.24 lakh transactions were recorded at toll booths, according to NHAI data.
The government has promoted the scheme as a move to enhance “ease of living” and provide a seamless, economical option for highway commuters. By eliminating the need for frequent FASTag recharges, the annual pass is expected to reduce delays at toll plazas and make long-distance travel more convenient/
NHAI said the facility is available only for non-commercial vehicles with a valid FASTag. It is part of a broader push to promote technology-driven solutions on highways and to build on the success of the electronic toll collection system.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/india/5-lakh-users-in-4-days-what-makes-nhai-fastag-annual-pass-so-popular-article-152484330

The move aims to correct a widespread data gap that may unfairly blame stray dogs for all bite incidents, despite cases involving pets.

Dog bite cases across India are often indiscriminately attributed to street dogs, but the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) wants to change that narrative.

Challenging the assumption that only stray dogs are responsible for attacks on children and the elderly, the AWBI has once again urged the government to start maintaining separate records for dog bite incidents, distinguishing between bites from street dogs and pet dogs. The move aims to correct a widespread data gap that may unfairly blame stray dogs for all bite incidents, despite cases involving pets.

ANIMAL WELFARE BOARD URGES HEALTH MINISTRY TO ACT
In a letter addressed to the Director General of Health Services (DGHS), Animal Husbandry Commissioner Abhijit Mitra of the AWBI has requested that all medical institutions be directed to categorise dog bite cases based on the type of dog involved.

“Separate records for street and pet dog bites must be maintained,” Mitra emphasised. “There are additional subcategories, as mentioned in earlier communications, which should also be referred to for proper classification.”

This is not the first appeal of its kind. A similar letter was sent in June 2023, yet little has changed on the ground. Dog bite data continues to be lumped together without specifying the source of the bite.

STREET DOGS GETTING A BAD NAME?
In a conversation with India Today’s sister channel Kisan Tak, Mitra pointed out that the lack of categorisation means all dog bite cases are currently being recorded as attacks by street dogs. For example, Delhi recorded over 1.27 lakh dog bite cases between 2018 and early 2023, while Mumbai saw 3.53 lakh cases between 2018 and 2022.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/keep-separate-records-for-pet-and-street-dog-bites-animal-board-urges-government-2773174-2025-08-19

Kapil Singh’s father, Krishan Pal, has demanded strict action against the perpetrators, while his brother, Pradeep, alleged that around 10-12 people were involved in the assault.

A disturbing incident unfolded at the Bhuni Toll Plaza in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, where Indian Army soldier Kapil Singh was brutally assaulted by toll staff on August 17.

Kapil Singh, who was returning to his duty in Srinagar after completing his leave, requested the toll staff to let him pass quickly as he had a flight to catch. However, this request led to an argument, and the toll staff allegedly tied him to a pole and beat him with rods.

Kapil Singh’s father, Krishan Pal, has demanded strict action against the perpetrators, while his brother, Pradeep, alleged that around 10-12 people were involved in the assault.

Speaking to ANI, Kapil Singh’s father, Krishan Pal, said, “He had completed his leave and we were on our way to drop him at the Delhi Airport. When we reached the Bhuni Toll Plaza, he requested them to let him pass, as he had to catch his flight…They threw away his army card…They tied him to a pole and started beating him…Strict action should be taken.”

Kapil Singh’s brother, Pradeep, added that the assault involved 10-12 people who used rods to beat the jawan.

“As we reached the Bhuni toll plaza, there was a fight going on, and my brother requested to be let through as he had to catch a flight. They snatched his ID card, tied his hands to a pole, and beat him up… They beat my brother with rods… 10-12 people beat him up,” he told ANI.

Six toll plaza employees have been arrested so far, and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has imposed a penalty of Rs 20 lakh on the toll collecting agency, Dharam Singh. The agency’s contract is also being terminated, and they will be debarred from future participation in toll plaza bids.

The Indian Army’s Central Command strongly condemned the incident, stating that it will pursue the case to its logical conclusion. The Uttar Pradesh Police have registered an FIR under sections for attempt to murder, unlawful assembly, and robbery.

In a post on X, they said, “Indian Army strongly condemns such an incident against a serving soldier. The highest authorities of Uttar Pradesh Police have been approached to bring the guilty to book. FIR has since been lodged under BNS for attempt to Murder, unlawful assembly and Robbery. Six arrests have been made by the Police so far. A protest has also been registered with NHAI regarding the incident, seeking departmental action against the culprits and measures to prevent any recurrence. Indian Army remains committed to ensuring justice and will pursue the case to its logical conclusion”.

The police are investigating the incident, and further arrests are expected based on video evidence. The NHAI has also taken swift action, condemning the behaviour of the toll plaza staff and ensuring safe and seamless travel on national highways.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/indian-army-jawan-kapil-singhs-father-on-up-meerut-toll-plaza-assault-9112475

The government noted that in order to create a scientific health map of the Ganga, several decisive steps are being undertaken in the new project.

The Uttar Pradesh government announced on Monday that, in a historic initiative to chart a course for the Ganga River’s future through its past, the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) had launched a major project led by IIT Kanpur.

Researchers at the institute have combined rare images captured in 1965 by the American spy satellite series ‘Corona’ with advanced satellite imagery from 2018-19 to record major changes in the river’s morphology, flow, and land use over the last five decades.

“This study is being hailed as a milestone in developing a data-driven and concrete blueprint for Ganga’s conservation and restoration. The project would form part of the Ganga Knowledge Centre, which is a repository of research, portals, and datasets related to Ganga and would facilitate scientific and research-based decision-making for the river’s rejuvenation,” the government said in a statement.

“The Corona images capture the Ganga in an almost untouched form, while the 2019 images reveal the changing reality, where barrages, embankments, and urban sprawl have restricted the river’s meandering pace. This comparative study now offers fresh hope. Scientists now have concrete maps that indicate areas where restoration could help the Ganga regain its old rhythm and where improved land use could enhance its health,” it added.

According to the government, this major NMCG project is not only creating a scientific record of changes in the river’s geomorphology but is also highlighting, through a comparative study of Land Use and Land Cover (LULC), how encroachment, rapid urban expansion, and agricultural growth are impacting the river’s natural balance.

Based on these findings, an advanced Web-GIS library is being developed, which will be directly used in future policies, river management strategies, and restoration plans.

“As a step forward, the NMCG would be hosting the Corona and LULC data on an interactive user interface and the Google Earth Engine application, allowing both analysis and planning to be done on the same platform,” the government mentioned.

The project will also prepare special digital displays for nine major windows — Haridwar, Bijnor, Narora, Kanpur, Allahabad, Varanasi, Patna, Bhagalpur, and Farakka — which will play a vital role in decision-making from local to national levels.

The government noted that in order to create a scientific health map of the Ganga, several decisive steps are being undertaken in the new project.

It explained that first, the entire Ganga basin’s boundaries will be delineated and accurately mapped using the Corona imagery.

Comparing images from 1965-75 to the present-day landscape will provide a clear visualisation of land use and geomorphic changes.

All data will be organised into a Web-GIS module with an advanced query system, enabling researchers and planners to access the specific data they need instantly.

A system for public dissemination of data would facilitate its use in future research on the Ganga across the diverse stakeholders.

IIT Kanpur scientists believe this achievement marks the beginning of a new era of “data-driven” planning in Ganga conservation, according to the statement.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/old-us-spy-satellite-images-to-guide-new-blueprint-for-ganga-revival-9111357

Shubhanshu Shukla conveyed the exhilaration and challenges of his groundbreaking journey, which saw an Indian astronaut actively participate in long-duration space operations.

A momentous meeting took place in the capital today as Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, India’s pioneering astronaut and Indian Air Force test pilot, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official residence.

In a gesture laden with patriotic pride, Shukla presented the prime minister with the Indian national flag he personally carried to the International Space Station during his historic Ax-4 mission, symbolising the nation’s leap into a new era of human spaceflight.

During the meeting, Shukla conveyed the exhilaration and challenges of his groundbreaking journey, which saw an Indian astronaut actively participate in long-duration space operations aboard the ISS as part of an international crew.

The scientific experiments executed on board, ranging from studies on human physiology in microgravity to new technologies for space agriculture have direct implications for India’s own Gaganyaan human spaceflight ambitions.

Prime Minister Modi, deeply moved by the symbolic gift, lauded Shukla not just for his technical achievements, but for inspiring a generation to dream beyond Earth.

Parliament on Monday paid glowing tribute to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla for his historic Ax-4 mission to the International Space Station.

Union Minister of State for Science & Technology, Jitendra Singh, led the commemoration by lauding Shukla’s achievements and their significance for India’s aspirations in space.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/pm-modi-meets-shubhanshu-shukla-first-indian-astronaut-to-visit-space-station-in-delhi-2773037-2025-08-18

The health department in Kerala’s Kozhikode district has issued safety guidelines after a nine-year-old girl died and two others fell critically ill from amoebic meningoencephalitis.

The health department in Kerala’s Kozhikode district issued a warning after three cases, including a death, were reported due to amoebic meningoencephalitis or ‘brain eating amoeba’. A nine-year-old girl died from the infection, while two others are currently undergoing treatment at Kozhikode Medical College. Health department sources confirmed that one of the patients is on a ventilator.

District Medical Officer Dr KK Rajaram emphasised that residents must follow the instructions provided by the health department to prevent further cases.

Amoebic meningoencephalitis occurs when pathogens belonging to the amoeba family, which live freely in water, affect the brain. The disease typically affects individuals who dive or swim in stagnant water. The amoeba can enter the brain either through pores in the thin layer separating the nose and brain or through pores in the eardrum.

The infection has a high mortality rate and is not transmitted from human to human. Symptoms usually appear within five to ten days after exposure and include severe headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, and difficulty turning the neck or looking at light. Children may show additional signs such as loss of appetite, reluctance to play, lying still, memory loss, seizures, or fainting. The health department advised that anyone with a fever who has recently bathed or swum in stagnant water should inform a doctor immediately.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/kerala/story/kerala-kozhikode-amoebic-meningoencephalitis-outbreak-health-department-issues-warning-2773022-2025-08-18

CJI Gavai made the comment while hearing a petition from the NHAI over the collection of tolls on National Highway 544 in the Thrissur district of Kerala. The Kerala High Court has suspended toll collection on the highway due to its poor condition.

Chief Justice of India, Justice BR Gavai, while hearing a petition of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) regarding the condition of a National Highway in Kerala and the collection of toll tax, said that the entire national capital gets paralysed if it rains for two hours.

CJI Gavai made the comment while hearing a petition from the NHAI over the collection of tolls on National Highway 544 in the Thrissur district of Kerala. The Kerala High Court has suspended toll collection on the highway due to its poor condition.

The decision of the Kerala High Court was challenged by the NHAI. Following the hearing, the Supreme Court reserved its decision on the petition.

While hearing the petition, the Supreme Court also raised questions about the 12-hour jam on a highway in Kerala, saying that if a person takes 12 hours to reach from one end of the road to another, then why should he pay the toll.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/chief-justice-br-gavai-questions-the-payment-of-toll-by-commuters-if-delhi-gets-paralysed-in-two-hours-of-rain-2773013-2025-08-18

The Central Government has submitted a detailed affidavit defending the autonomy and plenary nature of the role of the President and Governors. The matter will be heard by a five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai on Tuesday.

A day ahead of a crucial Supreme Court hearing on the Presidential reference concerning the powers of Governors and the President in granting assent to state legislation, the Central Government has submitted a detailed affidavit defending the autonomy and plenary nature of these constitutional roles.

The matter will be heard by a five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai on Tuesday. The bench, which includes Justices Surya Kant, Vikram Nath, PS Narasimha, and AS Chandurkar, will consider 14 constitutional questions referred by the President under Article 143. These questions stem from an earlier Supreme Court ruling in April related to delays by the Tamil Nadu Governor in acting on state bills.

In its written submission to the court, filed through Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, the Union Government argues that any attempt by the judiciary to impose timelines on constitutional authorities such as the Governor and the President would “disturb the delicate separation of powers” and trigger “constitutional chaos.”

The Centre emphasised that:

• The Indian Constitution recognises co-equality of the legislature, executive, and judiciary, maintained through a system of checks and balances.
• Articles 200 and 201, which govern the powers of Governors with respect to bills, do not prescribe any time limits, a deliberate choice by the Constitution’s framers.
• The Governor’s power under Article 200 is plenary and beyond judicial review.
• Courts cannot use Article 142 to override explicit constitutional provisions or alter the structure created by the Constitution.

The affidavit firmly states that any such judicial intervention would result in one organ “usurping powers not vested in it,” going beyond its jurisdiction.

Kseniya Alexandrova, a Russian model and a contestant of Miss Universe 2017, died on August 12, due to a freak accident in Tver Oblast, Russia. Kseniya and her husband were on their way to Rzhev on July 5 when an elk darted at them suddenly on the road. The husband shared that the 30-year-old model was “covered in blood”.

Kseniya Alexandrova, a Russian model and a contestant of Miss Universe 2017, died on August 12 after her husband and she met with a freak accident in Tver Oblast, Russia. Their car reportedly collied with an elk which ran in the middle of the road, and the 30-year-old model succumbed to her injuries days after being in the hospital.

According to a report in the New York Post, the incident took place on July 5 when Kseniya and her husband were driving home from Rzhev. An elk suddenly darted onto the road and their car collided with it, resulting into a major mishap. Kseniya, who was in the passenger seat, suffered the maximum blow, while her husband, who was driving, also sustained injuries.

Kseniya was rendered unconscious after the accident. In an official statement to Russian media outlet, Rossiyskaya Gazeta, her husband said, “From the moment it jumped out to the impact, a split second passed. I didn’t have time to do anything. The elk flew into the car. The blow hit Ksyusha in the head. She was unconscious, her head was broken, everything was covered in blood.”

The scheme was uncovered when the intended recipient reported a suspicious parcel to the police. Inside was a 2-kg IED designed to detonate upon plugging in.

A 20-year-old electrician from Chhattisgarh attempted to murder a woman’s husband by sending an explosive device hidden in a music speaker as a gift. The accused Vinay Verma was allegedly obsessed with the woman since their college days, and hatched the plan to eliminate her husband after her recent marriage.
The conspiracy came to light when a suspicious parcel, neatly gift-wrapped and bearing a fake India Post logo, was delivered to a shop in Manpur village under the Gandai police station limits. The parcel was addressed to village resident Afsar Khan, the intended target. Finding it suspicious, Khan promptly alerted the police.
A bomb disposal team then examined the package and found a 2-kg IED concealed inside a brand-new speaker. Technical analysis showed the IED was designed to detonate upon being plugged into a power source. The current would reach a detonator connected to the speaker’s wiring, triggering the explosion.

An Indian vlogger’s video from Japan’s Nagoro village — known for having dolls instead of real residents — has gone viral. The eerie clip shows life-sized figures posed as if going to school, working, or socialising, making the village feel like a “ghost town.” Netizens reacted with a mix of fascination and unease, calling the place both ”weird and creepy.”

An Indian travel vlogger visited what he described as Japan’s “weirdest and scariest” village — a place with “no real people.” The village, known as the famous Nagoro, has gained attention as a “weird” destination where everything appears real but isn’t. Instead of people, life-sized dolls occupy the village, positioned to act like humans. While many travellers have shared their experiences of visiting Nagoro, this Indian vlogger’s video documenting his visit has now gone viral on social media.
The video was posted on Instagram by an account identified as On Road Indian. In it, the vlogger explores the village, showing that there are no actual residents — only dolls. The dolls are placed to look as if they are going to school, talking to each other, playing, fishing, sleeping, and performing everyday human activities, which the vlogger found extremely eerie. He shared that the atmosphere felt like being in a “ghost village.” He even filmed himself waking up at 3 a.m. to explore the area again, describing the experience as even scarier at night.

In the video, he says: “Japan ka scariest and most weird village. No real people are here, school ma koi bacche nahi padte, gharon ma koi insaan nahi rehta bas hai toh kewal darawane putle. Yeh school hai, yaha fake chaple hain bahar jo aisa dikhaya hai kee koi utaar ke gaya hai unko andar. Aur fir andar jaakar har cheez ke putle hai, bacche unke parents wo saare putle hain. Main keh raha hun raat ma inme se ek bhi putla jag gaya toh mereko heart attack aa jayega. Nobody is here, bhoot ka sheher hai yeh toh.” (“Japan’s scariest and most weird village. There are no real people here — no children studying in schools, no humans living in houses, only creepy dolls. This is a school; outside there are fake slippers placed to make it look like someone took them off before going inside. But once you enter, everything is just dolls — children, their parents, everyone is a doll. I’m telling you, if even one of these dolls came to life at night, I would get a heart attack. Nobody is here, it’s a ghost town.”)

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/viral/bhoot-ka-sheher-indian-vloggers-weird-experience-in-japans-no-real-people-village-goes-viral-video-article-152480309

The Delhi govt warned that the Yamuna River’s water level could rise above the danger mark due to incessant rain. Precautionary measures are being taken as flooding risks increase.

The Delhi government on Sunday issued an advisory warning that the Yamuna River’s water level could rise above the danger mark in the next two days.

According to the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, the river is expected to cross the 206-metre danger level by 2 am on August 19, and the situation is being closely monitored.

Officials said the situation is being closely monitored, with all relevant agencies instructed to take precautionary measures as rising water levels could trigger a flood-like situation.

Officials said the situation is being closely monitored, with departments directed to take safety measures as the rising water level may lead to a flood-like situation.

Incessant rain over the past few days has caused the river to swell.

All 18 gates of the Hathnikund barrage were opened for the first time in this monsoon season, and 1.16 lakh cusecs of water were discharged from the barrage, Money Control cited an official of the irrigation department as saying.

The released water typically takes 48 to 50 hours to reach Delhi.

Meanwhile, the Som River in Haryana swelled on Sunday after heavy rainfall in Yamunanagar and adjoining Himachal Pradesh over the past few days.

The danger of flooding is looming in many villages, such as Paniwala, after a breach in a river embankment on Sunday.

Source: https://www.news18.com/india/yamuna-nears-danger-mark-delhi-govt-issues-flood-alert-after-haryana-releases-water-ws-l-9510856.html

A UK teenager was convicted of killing an Indian-origin student’s newborn boy in a car crash. He was given a jail term of 13 years for the crime.

The man who hit an Indian-origin pregnant student and killed her newborn baby in the UK has been sentenced to 13 years of imprisonment, according to local media reports.

The victim woman was identified as Renju Joseph, 31, who was five months pregnant when she was rammed into by a speeding car driven by 20-year-old man Ashir Shahid, as she was crossing a zebra crossing on Station Road in Bamber Bridge, Lancashire, in September last year, BBC reported.

Shahid, who hailed from Windsor Road in Walton-le-Dale, pleaded guilty to his crime in June and admitted to causing death by dangerous driving. His brother, Sam Shahid, was also sent to a 3-year jail term by Preston Crown Court for assisting an offender.

What Did The Court Say?

The convict was driving the Toyota Prius at an estimated speed between 58mph and 71mph (114kmh) in a zone where 30mph was allowed in dark and wet conditions, the court was told.

Sentencing them, the judge said that Ashir Shahid’s acceleration moments before the crash was “akin to what you may see on a Formula 1 race track”.

“Olive’s life lasted five hours and 38 minutes. He did not live to see dawn. His mother never saw him alive. His life was snubbed out before it really began,” BBC quoted the judge as saying.

The court slammed the defendants and said, “You seemingly have no moral compass. Throughout these proceedings, you have sat with your heads down as if in shame. You have no shame,” Metro reported.

The judge described how the two convicts “disappeared into the night like cowards” after the crash and then acted with “breathtaking coolness” shortly after it, as they attempted to cover up the crime.

He told them that the duo had “not shown a care in the world for anyone and anything around you”, as they drove rashly through residential streets.

“Your arrogant, selfish and shameless actions put multiple people at risk, including yourselves. Neither of you has a shred of remorse for your involvement that evening,” Metro quoted the judge as saying.

Prosecutor Emma Keogh told the court, “An emergency C-section had to be carried out in an attempt to save the unborn child’s life. The placenta had ruptured and Joseph had bled quite heavily. Her child was born that evening but sadly he only survived for a few hours before passing away.”

How Were Accused Persons Convicted?

The Indian-origin woman was rushed to the hospital from the scene in the evening of September 29, 2024, and an emergency C-section was performed in an attempt to save the life of her son, Olive.

According to a motorist who was travelling in the opposite direction at the accident site, Shahid seemed to increase the speed of his vehicle around 15 metres away from the crossing where he hit the woman, after which she was “thrown into the air for quite some distance”. She tumbled and rolled into his car, a witness said.

Source: https://www.news18.com/nri/indian-origin-woman-pregnant-unborn-baby-killed-uk-driver-jailed-ws-e-9510523.html#google_vignette

The latest threat comes against the backdrop of a spate of similar incidents in the national capital in recent months.

Several schools in the national capital received bomb threats on Monday morning, prompting immediate evacuations and large-scale security checks.

According to officials, Delhi Public School (DPS) Dwarka, Modern Convent School and ShreeRam World School in Sector 10, Dwarka were among the institutions that received the threat via email. Police, bomb disposal squads, and the Delhi Fire Service quickly reached the spots and began thorough searches of the premises.

“All students and staff have been evacuated as a precautionary measure. Search operations are underway,” a Delhi Police officer said.

The latest threat comes against the backdrop of a spate of similar incidents in the national capital in recent months. On July 18, over 50 schools across Delhi reported receiving bomb threat emails on a single morning, leading to panic and large-scale evacuations. Those included prominent institutions such as St Xavier’s in Civil Lines, Richmond Global School in Paschim Vihar, Abhinav Public School in Rohini, and The Sovereign School in Rohini.

Earlier in July, threats were also reported at St Stephen’s College and St Thomas School in Dwarka, a day after three other schools in the city had received similar hoax emails. At least seven schools were targeted on July 17, the third consecutive day of such threats.

Police later traced one of the hoax emails to a 12-year-old boy in south Delhi, who was found to have sent the message as a prank. He was questioned, counselled, and sent home.

While all previous threats turned out to be hoaxes, the repeated incidents have raised concerns among parents and school authorities. Former Delhi chief minister and AAP leader Atishi had criticised the Centre and the BJP-led civic administration last month, saying: “Think of the trauma that children, parents and teachers would be going through. BJP controls all four engines of governance in Delhi, and is yet not able to provide any safety or security to our children! Shocking!”

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/delhi-school-dps-dwarka-receives-bomb-threat-search-on-101755484589097.html

The incident happened on Saturday evening when a Safari vehicle (canter) broke down in Rajasthan’s Ranthambore National Park.

Twenty tourists were stranded in the Ranthambore National Park after their safari vehicle broke down, and the guide abandoned them mid-route in the forest to retrieve another vehicle and never returned.

The incident happened on Saturday evening when a Safari vehicle (canter) broke down in Rajasthan’s Ranthambore National Park. At 6 pm, the canter carrying tourists, including children, broke down, and according to the tourist, the guide left saying that he would fetch another vehicle, NDTV reported. The tourists also claimed that the guide misbehaved with them and never returned, leaving them stranded in the forest from 6 pm to 7:30 pm before they were finally rescued.

The matter came to light after reportedly a video surfaced showing tourists in the middle of the forest. The video caught the park administration’s attention, which initiated a probe and took action. Three Canter drivers and the guide have been barred from entering the park till the probe is completed, Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) Pramod Dhakad told PTI.

DCF Dhakad also said that Assistant Conservator of Forests Ashwini Pratap has been assigned to conduct a detailed inquiry. “Those restricted include canter drivers Kanhaiya, Shehzad Choudhary, and Liaqat Ali, along with guide Mukesh Kumar Bairwa,” Dhakad said further.

The incident took place in Zone 6 of the park. The vehicle carrying 20 people broke down, and the guide left. With darkness falling, heated exchanges broke out between tourists and the guide, parts of which were recorded in the video.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/20-tourists-stranded-in-ranthambore-after-guide-leaves-mid-route-report-101755486457388.html

Chandrashekhar, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, worked as a labourer in Jaipur.

A 35-year-old man was killed after an SUV ran him over during a road rage incident in Jaipur on Saturday.

Chandrashekhar, a resident of Uttar Pradesh who worked as a labourer in Jaipur, was caught in the middle of a clash between two groups after a Mahindra Scorpio collided with a Maruti Suzuki Brezza, senior police officer Alok Singhal said.

Following the collision, occupants of the Scorpio got into a fight with the driver of the Haryana-registered Brezza. They also allegedly smashed the windows and windshield of the car with sticks.

Locals then gathered and confronted them.

In a video that has since gone viral, Chandrashekhar was seen falling on the road during the argument. The accused, surrounded by the crowd, then sped away in the SUV and ran over him.

In a separate incident in Jaipur on Friday, a retired soldier was killed after he was run over by a speeding car.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/jaipur-news/jaipur-hit-and-run-accident-man-run-over-by-scorpio-he-was-in-crowd-after-road-rage-incident-9100440

Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla returned to Delhi after NASA’s Axiom-4 mission. Greeted by leaders and family, his ISS journey marks a proud step for India’s space ambitions and future Gaganyaan mission.

India’s space ambitions touched home ground on Sunday, August 17, after astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla arrived in Delhi after successfully completing NASA’s Axiom-4 (AX-4) mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

His return was marked by an emotional family reunion and a warm welcome from political leaders, who hailed his achievement as a milestone for the country’s growing role in global space exploration.

At Civil Hospital in Thane, 11-year-old Siddhu Suhas Munda was admitted with chest injuries.

Seventeen Govindas, including seven minors aged between 5 and 17, sustained injuries during the Dahi Handi celebrations in Thane.

At Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital in Kalwa, the injured included Chandan Jaiswar (23) with a waist injury, Akshay Sharma (26) with a right-hand injury, Ajay Nargade (15) with a left-hand injury, Sarvesh Chavan (27) with chest injuries, Shankar Patil (27) with a left leg injury, Sahil Bhoir (19) with a waist injury, and Anup Yadav (36) with a back injury.

Source: https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/thane-dahi-handi-17-govindas-including-7-minors-injured-during-celebrations

The Court directed Delhi Police to ensure safety of a couple that had eloped and married against family wishes.

The Delhi High Court recently ordered the Delhi police to extend protection to a couple who claimed that they were facing threats after they eloped and married against the wishes of the woman’s family [Prince Tyagi And Anr Vs State of NCT of Delhi And Ors].

Justice Sanjeev Narula observed that family disapproval cannot curtail the rights of two consenting adults to to choose each other as life partners, which is protected under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.

“The right of two consenting adults to choose each other as life partners and to live together in peace is a facet of their personal liberty, privacy, and dignity protected under Article 21. Family disapproval cannot curtail that autonomy. The Supreme Court has repeatedly affirmed this position and directed the police to safeguard such couples from intimidation or harm,” the Court stated.

The married couple had approached the Court after the woman’s family members allegedly sent life threats through messages, phone calls and video calls.

A missing person complaint had also been filed by the woman’s family members. The police conducted a preliminary enquiry by which it got to know that she had voluntary left her parents’ house and got married.

After considering their submissions, the Court directed the Delhi police to ensure adequate protection to the couple by designating beat officers to check on their safety.

“As regards the Petitioners’ apprehension of threats, Respondent No. 1 (Delhi police/ State of Delhi) shall ensure adequate protection. The SHO of the concerned police station shall designate a beat officer, sensitise him/her to the present order, and furnish to the Petitioners, the mobile numbers of the beat officer and the station’s 24×7 contact. Upon any complaint of threat, the police shall promptly enter a DD entry and extend immediate assistance. For coordination, counsel for the Petitioners shall share the Petitioners’ current place of residence and contact details with the Investigating Officer, today itself,” the Court stated in its August 5 order.

Advocates Anjaneya Mishra, Nidish Gupta, Sahil and Abhishek Shukla appeared for the couple.

Source: https://www.barandbench.com/news/family-disapproval-cant-curb-freedom-of-two-adults-to-choose-each-other-as-life-partners-delhi-high-court

Several houses were buried under rubble and floodwaters in the Ghati area, officials said. Damage was also reported on the Jammu–Pathankot National Highway. Rescue teams are at the spot.

At least seven people were killed and five injured after two separate incidents of cloudburst and landslide in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district, days after a similar incident in Kishtwar left over 60 dead earlier this week.

Several houses were buried under rubble and floodwaters in the Jodh Ghati area, officials said. Damage was also reported on the Jammu–Pathankot National Highway. Rescue teams are at the spot.

While five persons lost their lives in Jodh Ghati which was hit by the cloudburst, snapping access to the village and causing damage to some houses, two persons lost their lives in landslide triggered by rains at Janglote area, the officials said.

In another visual accessed by India Today TV, a police station in Kathua has been completely submerged. A railway track has also been damaged, officials added.

The incident happened during the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday, snapping access to the village and causing some damage to land and property.

A joint team of police and SDRF have been rushed to the village and further details are awaited, officials told news agency PTI.

They said landslides also hit Bagard and Changda villages under the jurisdiction of Kathua police station and Dilwan-Hutli in Lakhanpur police station area but there was no major report of damage.

The heavy rains have led to a sharp increase in the level in most of the water bodies with the Ujh river flowing near the danger mark, the officials said.

The district administration is closely watching the situation and have requested people to stay away from water bodies for their safety, the officials said.

Shortly after the incident, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah assured all necessary assistance for those affected.

“Chief Minister has expressed grief over the tragic loss of lives and damage caused by landslides in several parts of District Kathua, including Jodh Khad and Juthana, which claimed 4 lives and left many injured. He conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured, and assured all necessary assistance,” an official statement from CMO read.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/cloudburst-kills-4-injures-6-in-jammu-kashmirs-kathua-houses-buried-roads-cut-off-rescue-ops-on-2772286-2025-08-17

Commuters can now zip between Noida and Delhi Airport in just 20 minutes as PM Modi inaugurates the UER-II and Dwarka Expressway. The new corridors will ease traffic and connect seven key cities across Delhi-NCR.

Travelling from Noida to Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport has just become far smoother and faster. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated two landmark infrastructure projects today from Rohini, the Urban Extension Road-II (UER-II) and the Delhi section of the Dwarka Expressway, that promise to slash travel time to the airport to just 20 minutes.
Major boost to Delhi-NCR connectivity
The 76-kilometre UER-II, described as Delhi’s new “outer ring road”, runs from Alipur to Mahipalpur near the airport. Built at a cost of about Rs 7,716 crore, the six-lane corridor connects key areas such as Mundka, Bakkarwala, Najafgarh and Dwarka, while linking to major highways including Delhi–Chandigarh, Delhi–Rohtak and Sonipat.
Alongside, the 29-kilometre Delhi stretch of the Dwarka Expressway was also opened. Extending from the Kherki Daula toll plaza to Shiv Murti at Mahipalpur, this section will now seamlessly join the Gurugram stretch inaugurated in March 2024. Together, the two corridors are expected to ease pressure on Delhi’s arterial roads, offering uninterrupted access to the airport, Gurugram and Jaipur.

Flash floods triggered by torrential rains have killed over 280 people in India and Pakistan and left scores of others missing, officials said Friday, as rescuers brought to safety some 1,600 people from two mountainous districts in the neighboring countries.

Flooding began a day earlier in Indian-controlled Kashmir and spread to the north and northwest in Pakistan, triggered by sudden, intense downpours over small areas. The floods and subsequent landslides injured dozens of people and forced the evacuation and rescue of thousands of others, particularly in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Such cloudbursts are increasingly common in India’s Himalayan regions and Pakistan’s northern areas, and experts have said climate change is a contributing factor.

Leaders in both countries offered their condolences to the victims’ families and assured them of swift relief.

Dozens missing in remote Himalayan village

In Indian-controlled Kashmir, rescuers searched for missing people in the remote Himalayan village of Chositi after flash floods a day earlier left at least 60 people dead and at least 80 missing, officials said.

At least 300 people were rescued Thursday following a powerful cloudburst that triggered floods and landslides, but the operation was halted overnight. Officials said many missing people were believed to have been washed away, and the number of missing could increase.

Resident Harvinder Singh said he joined the rescue efforts immediately after the disaster and helped retrieve 33 bodies from the mud.

At least 50 seriously injured people were treated at hospitals, many of them rescued from a stream filled with mud and debris.

Chositi, in Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, is the last village accessible to motor vehicles on the route of an annual Hindu pilgrimage to a mountainous shrine at an altitude of 3,000 meters (9,500 feet). Officials said the pilgrimage, which began July 25 and was scheduled to end Sept. 5, was suspended.

The devastating floods swept away the main community kitchen for pilgrims, as well as dozens of vehicles and motorbikes. More than 200 pilgrims were in the kitchen at the time of the flood, which also damaged or washed away many of the homes clustered together in the foothills, officials said.

Sneha, who gave only one name, said her husband and a daughter were swept away. The two were having meals at the community kitchen while she and her son were nearby. The family had come for the pilgrimage, she said.

Authorities erected makeshift bridges Friday to help stranded pilgrims cross a muddy water channel and used dozens of earthmovers to shift boulders, uprooted trees, electricity poles and other debris. Nearly 4,000 pilgrims were evacuated, officials said.

Photos and videos on social media showed household goods strewn next to damaged vehicles and homes in the village.

Kishtwar district is home to multiple hydroelectric power projects, which experts have long warned pose a threat to the region’s fragile ecosystem.

More heavy rain and floods were forecast for the area.

Hundreds of tourists trap

ped by floods in Pakistan

In northern and northwestern Pakistan, flash floods killed at least 243 people, including 157 who died Friday in the Buner district in northwest Pakistan.

Mohammad Suhail told The Associated Press that dozens of people were still missing, and rescue operations were underway.

He said 78 bodies were recovered by midday Friday, and another 79 were pulled from the rubble of collapsed homes and flooded villages later.

“The death toll may rise as we are still looking for dozens of missing people,” Suhail said.

Dozens were injured as the deluge destroyed homes in villages in Buner, where authorities declared a state of emergency on Friday. Rescuers backed by boats and helicopters worked to reach stranded residents. Ambulances transported more than 100 bodies to hospitals, according to a government statement.

Bilal Faizi, a provincial emergency service spokesman in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, said rescuers worked for hours to save 2,000 tourists trapped by flash flooding and landslides in the Siran Valley in Mansehra district and elsewhere on Thursday.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, at an emergency meeting, ordered the disaster-management authority to ensure the evacuation of tourists and all those hit by the floods.

A helicopter carrying relief supplies to the northwestern Bajaur region crashed due to bad weather, killing all five people on board, including two pilots, a government statement said.

The latest fatalities bring the total number of rain-related deaths to 556 since June 26, according to the National Disaster Management Authority.

Region hit by multiple floods in recent weeks

Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region has been hit by multiple floods since July, triggering landslides along the Karakoram Highway, a key trade and travel route linking Pakistan and China that tourists use to travel to the scenic north. The region is home to scenic glaciers that provide 75% of Pakistan’s stored water supply.

During the summer, when schools are closed for more than two months, hundreds of thousands of people travel to scenic destinations in northern and northwestern Pakistan. This year, despite repeated government warnings about landslides and flash floods, many still visited popular resorts in flood-hit areas.

Source : https://apnews.com/article/kashmir-india-cloudburst-flash-floods-rain-rescue-92bd23be264cc145d6cf6c23250bf501

The heavy overnight rainfall resulted in waterlogging across several low-lying stretches, particularly in suburbs prone to flooding. Waterlogging was reported in Sion-Kings Circle, Bandra, Andheri, Vashi and Vasai-Virar. Local train tracks can be seen submerged at Sion station amid heavy downpours. Vehicles can be seen wading through waterlogged roads in Bandra and Andheri.

Mumbai woke up to a wet and gloomy Saturday as heavy to very heavy showers lashed several parts of the city since early morning. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded a red alert for Mumbai for today, warning of intense rain at isolated spots. In neighbouring Raigad, a red alert has been issued for August 16 with the possibility of extremely heavy showers, while Palghar is likely to witness a fresh spell of heavy rain starting Sunday and continuing until August 19.

Waterlogging In Several Areas

The heavy overnight rainfall resulted in waterlogging across several low-lying stretches, particularly in suburbs prone to flooding. Waterlogging was reported in Sion-King Circle, Bandra, Vile Parle, Andheri, Vashi and Vasai-Virar. Local train tracks can be seen submerged at Sion station amid heavy downpours. Vehicles can be seen wading through waterlogged roads in Bandra and Andheri. Pedestrians were seen walking on waterlogged streets in Vashi.

Yet, unlike previous years when such showers brought the city to a standstill, Saturday’s rains caused minimal disruption as of now. Suburban train services, Mumbai’s lifeline, continued to run with only slight delays while major arterial roads reported no severe traffic snarls at the time of reporting. Civic officials attributed the relatively smooth functioning to improved drainage management and pre-monsoon preparedness.

The latest weather system has kept Mumbai on its toes through the week, with August 15 already recording heavy downpour across multiple areas. As per IMD data, the cumulative rainfall recorded since the beginning of this monsoon has touched 1,119.2 mm at Colaba observatory and 1,435.7 mm at Santacruz observatory, indicating that the city is already well on course to surpass its seasonal averages.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-rains-heavy-showers-lash-city-orange-alert-issued-waterlogging-reported-in-sion-bandra-andheri-check-local-train-traffic-status 

Senior lawyers INDIA TODAY spoke to opined that with the previous bench, of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan, not hearing the other side, the principle of natural justice had not been served

In what is being viewed as a rarity, a case of suo motu cognisance of a matter has been taken away from a court bench that had just 48 hours ago delivered its order. That is how the contentious August 11 ruling on relocation of stray dogs from Delhi has unfolded, with Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai shifting the case from the two-judge Supreme Court bench, of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan, to a three-judge bench.

The new bench, headed by Justice Vikram Nath and comprising Justices Sandeep Mehta and N.V. Anjaria, on August 14, reserved its order on an interim plea seeking a stay on the earlier directive that stray dogs in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) be shifted out en masse to shelters on city outskirts.

The August 11 ruling has outraged animal lovers, experts and commoners at large. Among those who have questioned its rationale and emphasised on alternative solutions are several politicians and personalities, including animal rights activist and former Union minister Maneka Gandhi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Trinamool Congress MP Sushmita Dev, actor John Abraham and stand-up comedian Vir Das.

Concerns have also been raised that stray dogs were being rounded up in localities even before the Supreme Court order had been uploaded. No one can tell if it is the public outcry that moved the CJI to intervene or the nature of the judgment itself.

The recording of the August 11 court proceedings, now viral, shows Justice Pardiwala rejecting any attempt by counsels representing animal lovers to intervene. “All requests for interventions are rejected,” he is seen as saying.

Senior lawyers INDIA TODAY spoke to were of the view that with the two-judge bench not hearing the other side, the principle of natural justice had not been served—audi alteram partem, which means let the other side be heard. “The refusal to entertain intervention by animalwelfare groups strikes at the fundamental right to be heard—a breach of procedural fairness (audi alteram partem),” said a senior lawyer, who did not wish to be named.

The order, said another lawyer, flies in the face of a tenet of universal law of not punishing the innocent. “Sterilised and vaccinated dogs—often the most peaceful—would be rounded up alongside more dangerous strays. This collective punishment betrays the idea that liability must be personal,” she said.

What has riled up animal lovers as well as a section of the legal community is also the two-judge bench’s comments on rules established under laws. Justice Pardiwala apparently called “absurd” the Animal Birth Control Rules, which stipulate that a community dog is to be returned to the community it was taken from after vaccination and immunisation. “rule which says that if you pick up a dog, a stray dog from one part [of the locality] to sterilise that dog and put him [back] at the same locality that’s absolutely absurd; doesn’t make any sense at all,” Justice Pardiwala is seen in the video remarking. “Why should that stray dog come back to that locality? For what? What’s the idea behind it?” the judge asked.

Following the video getting shared like wildfire among animal welfare groups, there has been widespread conversations on why such a rule exists. According to the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), relocating or removing street dogs is counterproductive and often worsens the stray animal problem.

The Animal Birth Control Module of 2025 says that when dogs are taken away, their territories become vacant, quickly attracting other dogs from neighbouring areas. Those that escape capture continue to breed, meaning the area is soon repopulated. The resulting influx of new animals leads to more dog fights—both over territory and for mating—which raises the risk of passers-by being bitten. In such unstable conditions, rabies transmission remains a threat, especially since the incoming dogs are often unvaccinated.

Another issue that the Animal Birth Control Module points out is that large-scale removals tend to target the friendlier and already sterilised dogs first, leaving behind the more aggressive, unsterilised ones. This unintended selection can change the overall temperament of the street dog population, making it harder to manage. In effect, displacement creates a volatile, fast-growing, and potentially rabies-carrying dog population, increasing man-dog conflict rather than reducing it.

In support, the AWBI quotes the World Health Organization (WHO). “Mass dog vaccination has repeatedly been shown to be effective in controlling canine rabies. On the other hand, there is no evidence that removal of dogs has a significant impact on the dog population density or the spread of rabies,” a WHO report said in 2013.

In fact, WHO has been spreading this message for long. Back in 2005, the UN health body said in a report after its coordinated projects in Ecuador, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Tunisia and other ecological studies in South America and Asia: “There is no evidence that removal of dogs alone has ever had a significant impact on dog population densities or the spread of rabies.”

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/why-cji-br-gavai-shifted-delhi-stray-dogs-case-to-a-new-supreme-court-bench-2771346-2025-08-15

“Popularity cannot be a shield for impunity… Celebrities serve as social role models – accountability is greater, not lesser,” SC warns in Darshan bail case judgment

The Supreme Court, by cancelling Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa’s bail in the Renukaswamy murder case, has sent a strong message that celebrity status cannot be used to sway the law.

“No individual – however wealthy, influential, or famous – can claim exemption from the rigours of law. A celebrity status does not elevate an accused above the law, nor entitle him to preferential treatment in matters like grant of bail. Popularity cannot be a shield for impunity,” the Supreme Court cautioned.

A Bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan observed that influence, resources and social status cannot form a basis for granting bail where there was a genuine risk of prejudice to the investigation or trial.

Justice Mahadevan, who authored the scathing judgment, wrote the Karnataka High Court failed to consider “vital aspects” raised by the State government concerning Darshan’s social and political clout.

The State, represented by senior advocate Siddharth Luthra laid bare details of Darshan actively mobilising widespread media support and shaping the public narrative in his favour, thereby creating an atmosphere capable of prejudicing the ongoing investigation and undermining the fairness of the trial.

“He was not a passive onlooker but an active conspirator who played a pivotal role in the planning and executing the crime,” Mr. Luthra had submitted.

The crime was not the result of a sudden provocation or emotional outburst. It was cold, calculated. The accused actor was involved in the systematic destruction of evidence, including deleting CCTV footage, bribing co-accused to falsely surrender, and using police and local influence to derail the investigation.

Though the High Court’s grant of bail was primarily based on medical grounds raised by Darshan, a bare perusal of the health records showed the plea was “misleading, vague, and grossly exaggerated”.

This fact was further confirmed when Darshan made “multiple public appearances, including participation in high-profile social events, was seen in fine health and mobility, and did not undergo any surgery or serious medical procedure post-release. This establishes that he abused the liberty of bail, which was obtained on a false and misleading premise”.

The Supreme Court crit—cised the bail order, saying the gravity of the offence and its impact on society should have weighed heavily with the court, which ought to have considered the plea for bail with greater care and circumspection.

“Celebrities serve as social role models — accountability is greater, not lesser. They, by virtue of their fame and public presence, wield substantial influence on public behaviour and social values. Granting leniency to such persons despite grave charges of conspiracy and murder, sends a wrong message to society and undermines public confidence in the justice system… In a democracy governed by the rule of law, no individual is exempt from legal accountability by virtue of status or social capital. Article 14 of the Constitution mandates that all persons — regardless of their popularity, power, or privilege — are equally subject to the law,” the Supreme Court emphasised.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/renukaswamy-murder-case-celebrities-cannot-use-their-popularity-to-influence-the-law-cautions-supreme-court/article69936199.ece

Among the deceased, 21 have been identified by officials with the help of their Aadhaar cards or mobile phones.

Following the incident of a suspected cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district on Thursday (August 14) which resulted in the deaths of at least five dozen people, authorities are struggling to locate the bodies buried under mounds of heavy boulders, uprooted trees and mud which came crashing down like a giant wave and swept away parts of the Chishoti village, the site of the tragedy.

The death toll in the climate tragedy which struck the ecologically fragile Himalayan region on Thursday touched 60 with 22 more bodies recovered from the debris so far. An official in Kishtwar deputy commissioner’s office told The Wire that the search and rescue operation, which was put on hold last night, resumed early this morning.

‘We are facing an unprecedented situation’
Among the deceased, 21 have been identified by officials with the help of their Aadhaar cards or mobile phones. Of them, at least ten are from Jammu and Kashmir while one has been identified as a resident of New Delhi. So far, 80 people looking for missing persons have approached the helplines and officials in charge of rescue operations

“We are facing an unprecedented situation,” the official said, wishing to remain anonymous, “For now, our priority is the welfare of survivors and those who are looking for their loved ones. It is nature’s wrath and humans are helpless before it”.

Witnesses and officials said that intermittent rain continued throughout the night in some parts of Kishtwar, hampering operations to locate survivors and bodies in the hilly village which serves as a base camp for the Machail Mata pilgrimage that takes place in Padder sub-division.

Officials said that around two hundred thousand devotees had performed the pilgrimage, of whom around 500-800 – most of them from other parts of the country, including the national capital, Delhi – were present at the base camp in Chishoti, a poor village of 336 people per Census 2011.

Senior Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) leader Sunil Sharma said that around 1,200 people were present at the time of the incident. Officials released a list of 80 people on Friday (August 15) who were injured and rescued.

Some survivors recalled hearing a “scary” sound emanating from the forest – a giant wave of sludge and debris gaining mass and momentum as it came hurtling down and altered the geography of the village.

“The noise seemed to be coming closer. I screamed at everyone that we should run away,” a middle-aged woman, who escaped with an injury in the arm, told reporters at a hospital in Kishtwar where she is undergoing treatment. The Wire could not identify her immediately.

The climate tragedy, which is believed to have been triggered by a cloudburst in the higher reaches of Kishtwar, has left a trail of death and destruction in the village where at least six residential houses have been swept away or partially damaged while some local residents are also searching for their loved ones.

Kishtwar is an eco-fragile district located in Seismic Zone IV along the Reasi fault line of J&K’s Chenab valley which has witnessed haphazard infrastructure development without adequate geological or environmental assessment in recent years.

Widespread mountain cutting and excavation for projects have destabilised Himalayan slopes
According to environmental experts, widespread mountain cutting and excavation for roads and several hydro power projects that have come up in Kishtwar in recent years earning it the nickname of north India’s power hub have destabilised the slopes of the young Himalayan mountains while worsening the impact of flash floods and mudslides triggered by cloud bursts.

R.K. Ganjoo, former professor of geology at the University of Jammu, said that the climate change has triggered a trend of accumulation of clouds and heavy precipitation in higher areas (3000-4000 metres above sea level) across the world than lower areas which is accompanied by changes in wind patterns also.

Ganjoo, whose work focuses on climate change and glaciology in the Himalayas, said that the narrow river valleys across the Himalayan region from Uttarakhand to Jammu and Kashmir are being occupied by human settlements with most of these settlements coming up on the riverside.

“A big cluster of human population turns these valleys into tiny heat islands which leads to cloud accumulation and cloudburst. Development and power generation is necessary but when you undertake mega projects, there are peripheral developments like roads, blasting, introduction of heavy machinery, etc. which act as a catalyst in changing the ecosystem. It may not happen overnight but it will definitely happen,” said Ganjoo.

Source: https://thewire.in/environment/jk-kishtwar-tragedy-death-toll-touches-60-admin-fears-that-hundreds-of-bodies-buried-under-debris

The officials informed that 11 people have been rescued from the site and have been admitted to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.

Six people, including three women and three men, were killed after a portion of a wall collapsed inside the Dargah Sharif Patte Shah, located near Humayun’s Tomb complex in Delhi’s Nizamuddin area on Friday afternoon. Seven people are still feared trapped under debris.

Officials informed that 11 people have been rescued from the site and have been admitted to various hospitals in Delhi for medical treatment. As per initial reports, the Delhi Fire Service and other emergency teams rushed to the location after receiving a call about the incident at approximately 3:51 pm, following which rescue operations were launched immediately.

Nine injured were rushed to the AIIMS trauma centre, where five of them were pronounced dead. The deceased include two men aged 79 and 35 years, while two of the three women were aged 40 years. The other woman was reported to be 42 years old.

The condition of another injured man, who has been admitted to Lok Nayak hospital, is critical. The rest of the injured are in stable condition.

The DVR of the mosque has been seized and brought to PS H Nizamuddin and the caretakers of the mosque are being examined. Further investigation is underway, and civic agencies are being informed of the incident for further n/a at their end.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/7-people-feared-trapped-after-portion-of-the-wall-inside-humayun-tomb-collapses-in-delhi-2771791-2025-08-15

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday marked his 12th consecutive Independence Day address from the Red Fort ramparts, breaking former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s record of 11 straight speeches.

On the 79th Independence Day, he unveiled a series of initiatives aimed at making India self-reliant, technologically advanced, and economically stronger — with the clear goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.

Mission Sudarshan Chakra

Announcing an ambitious plan to strengthen India’s defence capabilities, PM Modi launched “Mission Sudarshan Chakra”, inspired by the weapon of Lord Shri Krishna.

The mission aims to create an indigenous air defence system similar to Israel’s Iron Dome to protect critical sites, including civilian areas, from terrorist attacks.

The Prime Minister set a 2035 target for expanding and modernising this “national security shield” entirely through domestic research, development, and manufacturing.

PM Modi confirmed that India’s first domestically produced semiconductor chips will hit the market by the end of 2025. Highlighting decades of lost opportunity, he said the country’s early semiconductor ambitions were stalled “50-60 years ago,” while other nations surged ahead.

The launch, he said, will be a turning point for India’s electronics, automotive, and defence sectors.

Warning of demographic changes in border areas, the Prime Minister alleged that infiltrators were threatening livelihoods, targeting women, and misleading tribal communities to seize land.

The Prime Minister officially rolled out the Rs 1 lakh crore “PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana”, aimed at creating 3.5 crore jobs.

Under the scheme, youth entering their first private sector job will receive Rs 15,000 from the government, while employers hiring them will get financial incentives.

Calling it a “double Diwali” for citizens, PM Modi announced that the government will soon implement next-generation GST reforms to drastically cut taxes on essential goods.

He said the changes are “the need of the hour” to ease the financial burden on ordinary people.

The prime minister revealed plans for a National Deep Water Exploration Mission, dubbed “Samudra Manthan”, to explore oil and gas reserves in the ocean.

Source : https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/independence-day-made-in-india-fighter-jets-to-rs-1-lakh-crore-youth-employment-push-10-major-announcements-by-pm-modi/articleshow/123317688.cms

The revision comes after a massive pushback from customers and days after one of the largest banks in the country raised the MAB requirement from Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000 for new customers in urban areas

ICICI Bank has partially reversed its minimum average balance (MAB) requirements from Rs 50,000 to Rs 15,000 for new customers in urban areas.

The revision comes after a massive pushback from customers and days after the second-largest bank in the country raised the MAB requirement from Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000 for new customers in urban areas.

The revised MAB requirement is still Rs 5,000 more than the earlier one.

The minimum balance that new ICICI Bank customers in semi-urban areas must maintain has also been reduced to Rs 7,500 from Rs 25,000.

The MAB remains at Rs 5,000 for old customers in rural and semi-urban areas.

ICICI Bank’s announcement on Saturday that it had raised the MAB to Rs 50,000 was in contrast to other banks that have rationalised their penalties.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/icici-reduces-minimum-balance-for-new-savings-accounts-after-outrage-9079244

Social media went on over-drive after the news of Arjun Tendulkar taking a major step in his personal life surfaced.

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar’s son Arjun Tendulkar got engaged to Saaniya Chandok in a private ceremony, sources confirmed to NDTV on Wednesday. Social media went on over-drive after the news of the young cricketer taking a major step in his personal life surfaced. However, no official statement has been released by Arjun Tendulkar and Saaniya Chandok’s families yet.

According to a report by India Today, Saaniya is the granddaughter of promiment Mumbai entrepreneur Ravi Ghai. The Ghai family is famous for its services in hospitality and food industries. They are the owners of the InterContinental hotel and Brooklyn Creamery. The report also claimed Arjun and Saaniya got engaged privately, and hence only close friends and families from the two sides attended the ceremony.

Bro Arjun Tendulkar has just got engaged. He is just 25.

— Aditya Saha (@Adityakrsaha) August 13, 2025

Notably, Arjun is a left-arm pacer, who could also add valauble contributions with the bat. The bowler piles his trade for Goa in domestic cricket. In 17 First-Class games, he has picked 37 wickets while also scoring 532 runs.

Arjun has played 24 T20s, scalping 27 wickets and scoring 119 runs. He has featured in 18 one-dayers (List A), picking 25 wickets and scoring 102 runs.

The fast bowler has also played for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League. He made his IPL debut in 2023, playing four matches in the season. He picked three wickets in it. In the next season, Arjun could play just one game and remained wicketless in it.

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/arjun-tendulkar-engaged-to-saaniya-chandok-social-media-on-over-drive-amid-reports-big-claim-9080039

The Court passed the order on a plea filed by the Nitish Katara murder case convict, Sukhdev Pehalwan.

The Supreme Court recently ordered State governments and Union Territories (UTs) across the country to release all convicts who are still in jail despite completing their sentences [Sukhdev Yadav @ Pehalwan v. State of NCT of Delhi].

In a judgment delivered on July 29, a Bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and KV Viswanathan ordered the authorities to ascertain whether any convict is continuing in jail beyond the period of sentence. If such people are found, they must be released, the Court directed.

“Copy of this order should be circulated by the Registry of the Court to the home Secretaries of all states and UTs to ascertain whether any accused or convict has remained in jail beyond the period of sentence. If so, issue directions for release of such convicts if not wanted in any other cases,” the Court ordered.

It also directed the supply of the judgment to the legal services authorities at the national, state, UT and district levels for proper implementation.

The Court passed the directions while dealing with a plea filed by Sukhdev Pehalwan, a convict in the Nitish Katara murder case, seeking release from jail.

Katara, a business executive, was kidnapped and murdered in 2002, in what the trial court described as a case of “honour killing”. Vikas Yadav, the son of a former Member of Parliament, had opposed his sister’s alleged relationship with Katara.

Vikas Yadav and two other co-accused, Vishal Yadav and Sukhdev Pehalwan, were convicted for the crime and awarded life imprisonment by the trial court in 2008.

After this jail term was upheld by the Delhi High Court, the matter reached the Supreme Court as well. In October 2016, the Supreme Court upheld the sentence, adding that Vikas and Vishal Yadav would serve 25 years of rigorous imprisonment and Pehalwan would serve 20 years in prison, without remission.

Pehalwan completed 20 years in jail in March this year.

Since his furlough application was pending, he was not released in March.

He was granted furlough on June 25 and was out of prison since then.

The Court ordered on July 29 that he should have been released since March itself.

It added that the sentence review board cannot sit in judgment over orders already judicially determined by the courts.

Source: https://www.barandbench.com/news/bihar-electoral-roll-revision-case-in-supreme-court-live-updates

“Earlier, one used to use cars for 40-50 years. Now still vintage cars are there…” the Bench remarked orally.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed that no coercive action be taken against owners of diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years in Delhi [MC Mehta vs. Union of India].

A Bench of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justices K Vinod Chandran and NV Anjaria passed the order.

“Issue notice returnable in 4 weeks. In the meantime no coercive steps to be taken against the owners of cars on the ground that they are 10 years old in respect to diesel vehicles and 15 years old with respect to petrol vehicles,” the Court stated in its order.

The matter will be heard again after four weeks.

“Earlier, one used to use cars for 40-50 years. Now still vintage cars are there…” the Bench remarked orally.

The order was passed in an application file by the Delhi government seeking a review of the apex court’s 2018 order which banned 10-year-old diesel and 15-year-old petrol vehicles in the National Capital Region (NCR) as a pollution control measure.

In an application filed as part of the MC Mehta v. Union of India case, the Delhi government submitted that the 2018 directive was not based on any scientific study or environmental impact assessment.

The application explained that there are now stricter pollution control measures in place, such as the enhanced coverage of the Pollution-Under-Control (PUC) certificate system and implementation of Bharat Stage-VI standards (BS-VI Standards).

Adherence to BS-VI pollution control norms was made mandatory in 2020, after the Court’s 2018 order, the application pointed out.

“Bharat Stage VI engines are significantly less polluting … if the order of this Hon’ble Court dated 29.10.2018 continues to operate, it will result in road worthy, non-polluting BS-VI vehicles also going off the roads in a matter of a few years without a scientific basis for the same,” the plea said.

It also noted that at present, there are cleaner forms of fuel available and that the use of electric vehicles has also been promoted to reduce pollution, among various other measures.

The Delhi government further highlighted that the 2018 ban has caused practical hardships to a large number of people in Delhi who are the owners of vehicles that are otherwise compliant with pollution norms.

These vehicles, it noted, often clock far fewer kilometers each year and contribute very little to the overall pollution.

The application also flagged the harm caused to the second-hand car market, which remains the only viable option for many poor and lower-middle-income families looking to own a four-wheeler.

Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, appearing for the government, pointed out the difficulties due to the ban.

“I have a vehicle. I use it for going from court to home and back to court. After 10 years it will be 2000km. Somebody uses it for taxi, in 2 years it will be 1 lakh km. So my vehicle I have to sell because 10 years have passed but that 1 lakh km run vehicle will continue running. There has to be no coercive steps because the police is under an obligation to seize the vehicles,” he said.

After hearing the SG, the Court directed that no action be taken against owners of end of life vehicles.

Source: https://www.barandbench.com/news/supreme-court-orders-no-action-against-owners-of-10-year-old-diesel-vehicles-15-year-old-petrol-vehicles-in-delhi