Haridwar Horror: Four Drunk Men In Delhi-Registered WagonR Harass Women On Highway, Police Act
In one of the horrific incident, four men travelling in a white Delhi-registered WagonR were detained by police after allegedly harassing a group of women on a highway in Haridwar's Bahadrabad area. The men were accused of stopping vehicles, abusing passersby
Milestone move: Union Minister Bhupender Yadav releases two rare Great Indian Bustards in Jaisalmer
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 4 (IANS) Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav released two male Great Indian Bustards in Sam Desert National Park in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer on Sunday. After releasing the bustards, Minister Yadav posted on X: In a milestone move, released two male Great Indian Bustards in Sam, Desert National Park, Jaisalmer, today morning. This landmark success has been made possible by the nearly decade-long unwavering dedication of our scientists, researchers and ground staff who have spent years to ensure GIB reclaims the deserts of Rajasthan. The Union Minister also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his guidance, encouragement and constant support. I thank PM Shri @narendramodi ji for his continued guidance, encouragement and constant support in ensuring our scientific community can work for the conservation of all our species, including the GIB. Earlier on Saturday, Minister Yadav visited the breeding facility at Ramdevra and lauded the efforts of young researchers and scientists working for the conservation of the iconic species. He highlighted the dedication and perseverance of the researchers involved in the conservation programme and said the project had been pursued with passion for years. A day before we begin the rewilding of the Great Indian Bustard in Sam, Desert National Park, Jaisalmer, visited the breeding facility at Ramdevra. I was immensely impressed by the perseverance of our young researchers and scientists, who have pursued this project with passion for years, demonstrating exceptional dedication to the conservation of this iconic species, Yadav posted on X. The Great Indian Bustard, one of India's most iconic and critically endangered bird species, has been the focus of a dedicated conservation programme involving government agencies, scientists, forest officials and local communities. The release of captive-bred GIBs represents the next critical step in the species recovery programme and will provide important scientific learnings for progressively developing and refining protocols for reintroduction of captive-bred birds into their natural habitat, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change said in a press release. The programme has involved captive breeding and conservation efforts aimed at improving the prospects of the GIB and eventually returning captive-bred birds to the wild.
Police say the complaint against ACP Vivek Bhagat is being verified and CCTV footage examined; journalists plan to gather outside the Parliament Street police station at 11 a.m.
Air Force Marathon 2026 Unites Participants in Delhi, Mumbai, and Jodhpur
The Air Force Marathon 2026 saw widespread participation across Delhi, Mumbai, and Jodhpur, promoting unity and fitness among citizens. Air Force Marathon 2026 Unites Participants in Delhi, Mumbai, and Jodhpur
MPC meet: Economists expect RBI to begin rate-hiking cycle
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 4 (IANS) As the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) gears up for its monetary policy committee (MPC) meeting next week, economists now expect the Central Bank to begin a rate-hiking cycle, bringing forward their earlier call for a December hike. A 25 bps hike in October, rather than December as previously forecast, is possible amid higher energy prices, food inflation and wider price pressures which strengthen the case for tighter policy, according to Bank of America (BofA). After almost two years of monetary accommodation, the RBI appears set to take early steps to start withdrawing the policy support in October MPC. As such, we now believe that the RBI will go ahead with a rate hike of 25bp in October MPC, said BofA. The balance of risks has tilted decisively towards a 25-bps rate hike by the RBI at this juncture, as a combination of broadening inflationary pressures, worsening global macros, evolving liquidity conditions and a renewed global repricing of risks is making the case for pre-emptive action stronger, SBI Research said in its report. The RBI's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is scheduled to meet from October 5-7, to decide on the benchmark repo rate. The SBI report said that with geopolitical tensions, crude-price risks and global repricing of risks, it would be prudent for us to rather act pre-emptively than being behind the curve. Inflation is becoming increasingly broad-based. CPI inflation rose to 4.82 per cent in August from 4.45 per cent in July. Strong El Nino conditions and below-normal October rainfall could pose further risks to Rabi output. Rising crude oil prices, inflation and higher bond yields globally has narrowed Reserve Bank of Indias room to hold rates unchanged. Another report from BNP Paribas India said Indias macrooutlook has weakened in recent weeks as Brent crude rose above $100 per barrel and US 10year Treasury yields climbed toward 5 per cent. The RBI is likely to limit its interest rate increases to 25-50 basis points in the current cycle with markets pricing in a more aggressive tightening path than warranted, according to analysts at global brokerage Nomura. They assigned an 80 per cent probability to a limited recalibration cycle rather than a broader tightening cycle involving more than 75 basis points of rate hikes.
Coast Guard evacuates critically ill patient from Agatti to Kochi amid challenging weather
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 4 (IANS) The Indian Coast Guard (ICG), in coordination with the Union Territory of Lakshadweep Administration and Coast Guard District Headquarters at Kochi and Kavaratti, successfully carried out a critical medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) from Agatti to Kochi amid challenging weather conditions, ensuring timely medical assistance for a critically ill patient. According to the Indian Coast Guard, the operation involved the urgent airlift of a 66-year-old patient who required specialised neurosurgical care. The patient was transported from Agatti to Kochi aboard an ICG Dornier aircraft operated from Coast Guard Air Enclave (CGAE), Kochi. The patient required continuous oxygen support during the evacuation, making the operation particularly critical. The Coast Guard personnel carried out the mission despite formidable operational challenges posed by the prevailing weather conditions, ensuring that the patient could be transferred to a facility capable of providing the required neurosurgical treatment. The Indian Coast Guard shared details of the operation on X, highlighting the coordination between its units and the Lakshadweep Administration in executing the medical evacuation. In a high-stakes operation amidst challenging weather, @IndiaCoastGuard, in coordination with the UTL Administration and Coast Guard District Headquarters Kochi and Kavaratti, successfully executed a critical MEDEVAC from Agatti to Kochi. An ICG Dornier ex-CGAE Kochi airlifted a 66-year-old critically ill patient requiring urgent neurosurgical care with continuous oxygen support, the ICG posted. Undeterred by formidable operational challenges, the ICG stands true to its motto: We Protect, it added. The latest operation is part of the Coast Guard's wider commitment to providing assistance and responding to emergencies at sea and coastal areas, besides its primary responsibility to safeguard India's maritime interests. Earlier, the ICG Station Okha, in collaboration with Asha Blood Bank, Porbandar, conducted a voluntary blood donation camp on October 1 to mark National Blood Donation Day. A total of 23 personnel of ICGS Okha and members of the Coast Guard Welfare & Wellness Association (CGWWA) participated in the blood donation drive. The camp was conducted under medical supervision, with the Asha Blood Bank team ensuring safe collection and handling of the donated blood. The Coast Guard said the initiative reflected its commitment not only to safeguarding India's maritime interests but also to the welfare of the communities it serves. The contribution of the donors will help sustain critical medical care and save lives, reflecting commitment to serve and save lives, the ICG said. Earlier on Thursday, the Coast Guard had also highlighted another major rescue operation after the fishing vessel Sant Anton-I went adrift off New Mangaluru. The ICG launched a coordinated sea-air operation amid adverse weather conditions and successfully brought all 31 fishermen safely back to shore. The Coast Guard said the rescue was part of its legacy of saving more than 11,897 lives, reiterating its continued commitment to protecting people and ensuring safety across India's maritime domain.
Great Indian Bustard rewilding to begin in Jaisalmer, Bhupender Yadav visits breeding facility
New Delhi A day before the rewilding of the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) is set to begin at Sam in The post Great Indian Bustard rewilding to begin in Jaisalmer, Bhupender Yadav visits breeding facility appeared first on Bilkul Online .
AISA members alleged that a male police officer manhandled Neha Bora during the police action and that another Delhi Police officer abused her
Heavy rain likely in south, several parts of India; Delhi to stay dry
The IMD has forecast heavy rain in parts of southern India, with thunderstorms and showers likely across several other regions, while Delhi is expected to stay dry
Global experts to discuss AI, robotics in agri at SKUAST-K
Srinagar, Oct 3: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) will host the 60th Annual Diamond Jubilee Convention of the Indian Society of Agricultural Engineers (ISAE), alongside an international symposium on Smart Farming and Gen-Z Agriculture, from October 5 to 7, 2026, at its Shalimar campus. Jointly organised by SKUAST-K and ISAE, New Delhi, the three-day international event will focus on the convention theme, Women-Led Engineering Innovations in Smart Farming, and the symposium theme, AI & Robotics for Gen-Z Farming. It will bring together scientists, innovators, policymakers and technocrats from India and abroad to deliberate on emerging technologies and innovations in agricultural engineering. The selection of SKUAST-K as the venue highlights the universitys growing focus on digital and precision agriculture. Ranked the third-best State Agricultural University in India, SKUAST-K has introduced several technology-driven initiatives, including Indias first dedicated Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Agriculture, the countrys first BTech programme in AI in Agriculture in collaboration with IIT Mandi, a state-of-the-art FabLab, a 20,000-square-foot Design and Manufacturing Centre, and a 95-hectare IoT-based automated fertigation network. Speaking ahead of the convention, Vice Chancellor SKUAST-K, Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, underscored the role of emerging technologies in transforming agriculture. The integration of frontier technologies, from artificial intelligence and autonomous robotics to high-throughput phenotyping, is no longer a theoretical exercise; it is an urgent imperative for climate-resilient and sustainable food production, Prof. Ganai said. Hosting the Diamond Jubilee Convention of ISAE at SKUAST-K is a testament to our universitys transformation into an epicentre of digital and precision farming. Our objective is to bridge global technological breakthroughs with grassroots farming realities, demonstrating how empowered youth and women can lead this change to build a sustainable, technology-driven bio-economy for Jammu and Kashmir and the country, he added. Highlighting the technical scope and collaborative objectives of the event, Prof. Rohitashw Kumar, Associate Dean, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology (CoAET), SKUAST-K, and Event Convener, said the convention would provide a platform for meaningful exchange between researchers, industry representatives and students. By bringing together over six decades of ISAEs legacy with cutting-edge domains like drone swarms, digital twins, and sensor-based quality evaluation, we are fostering direct dialogue between global researchers, industry leaders, and our students, he said. Dr Mudasir Ali, Head, Division of Renewable Energy Engineering, SKUAST-K, and Organising Secretary, said the event would help develop practical approaches to emerging challenges in agriculture. We are fully prepared to deliver an intellectually rigorous convention that outlines actionable roadmaps for Gen-Z agriculture, he said. The event is being organised under the guidance of a national and international advisory panel comprising experts from India, the United States, Canada and Australia. The programme will include keynote lectures, technical sessions, industry exhibitions, academic presentations and visits showcasing the agro-ecological diversity of the Kashmir Valley.
SKUAST-K gears up for global agriculture convention
SRINAGAR: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) will host the 60th Annual Diamond Jubilee Convention of the Indian Society of Agricultural Engineers (ISAE), alongside an international symposium on Smart Farming and Gen-Z Agriculture, from October 5 to 7, 2026, at its Shalimar campus. Jointly organised by SKUAST-K and ISAE, New Delhi, []
India, Cyprus hold first Joint Maritime Committee meeting
Marking a significant milestone in bilateral relations, India and Cyprus held the first meeting of their Joint Maritime Committee (JMC) in Limassol, which was co-chaired by Venkatesapathy S, Joint Secretary (International Cooperation) in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, alongside Theodoulos Mesimeris, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Shipping Deputy Ministry of Cyprus, as announced by the High Commission of India in Nicosia on Saturday. The first India-Cyprus Joint Maritime Committee (JMC) met under the 2017 bilateral Agreement on Merchant Shipping, the High Commission stated on X, calling it a new chapter in India-Cyprus maritime cooperation. The meeting was held on September 29. The diplomatic delegation from New Delhi, which featured India's High Commissioner to Cyprus, Manish, alongside officials from the Nicosia mission and Deependra Singh Bisena, Deputy Director General in the Directorate General of Maritime Administration, engaged extensively with Cypriot author...
Protests in Delhi, Mumbai demanding CEC
NEW DELHI/MUMBAI: It was a day of protests on Gandhi Jayanti demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar as opposition parties and student organisations took to the streets in Delhi while hundreds of people gathered at Mumbais Shivaji Park at the call of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) with more than 700 protesters []
2029 Lok Sabha polls will be a different story: Salman Khurshid
Mamata Banerjee sidesteps Rahul Gandhi PM face poser NEW DELHI: The burgeoning protests against chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar seem to have put a spring in the step of the national Opposition. The INDIA bloc is coming together in a remarkable manner following Wednesdays meeting in New Delhi and the 2029 Lok Sabha polls will []
Neha Bora, Yogendra Yadav, Prashant Bhushan among 150 detained in Delhi protest
Activist Yogendra Yadav and senior advocate Prashant Bhushan were among those detained; AISA was also joined by senior advocates Kapil Sibal, Nitya Ramakrishnan, Pallav Sisodia
Now, Centre wants Air Force Golf Course land on Delhi's LKM back
Delhi Police personnel misbehaved with women protesters: Rahul Gandhi
New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday, October 3, demanded answers from Union Home Minister Amit Shah on allegations of misconduct with women by Delhi Police personnel during a protest at Jantar Mantar. In an X post in Hindi, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha said that since Delhi Police comes under Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Traffic Advisory Issued for Sekhon Indian Air Force Marathon 2026 in Delhi
New Delhi traffic police have issued a traffic advisory for the Sekhon Indian Air Force Marathon 2026, scheduled for October 4, affecting several routes. Traffic Advisory Issued for Sekhon Indian Air Force Marathon 2026 in Delhi
When cow dung was used to create a homegrown astro-turf
'Divorce, Rs 30 lakh hospital bill': What led to techie's fatal jump from Supernova
Sambhav Jain, a 28-year-old software engineer, died by suicide after jumping from a 41st-floor balcony. He had been staying alone in an Airbnb and expressed feelings of depression before the incident. Police are investigating personal difficulties and financial issues stemming from a recent divorce and medical expenses. Jain's father had suggested he return home to resolve a monetary dispute. The authorities are examining evidence, including CCTV footage and WhatsApp messages.
Abhijeet Dipke calls CJP an 'accident' that gave hope to millions
Rahul Gandhi accuses Delhi Police of misconduct with female journalist
The News Mill
INDIA bloc parties to hold Save Democracy march
Jammu, Oct 3: Congress, National Conference (NC), PDP and NPPI leaders on Saturday announced a joint Save Democracy march in Jammu on October 7 as part of the INDIA blocs nationwide campaign. The announcement was made at a joint press conference at PCC headquarters in Jammu following a meeting of senior leaders of the alliance parties to finalise the schedule of protests. The parties said similar marches would be held in different districts between October 4 and 8 as part of their Vote BachaoDesh Bachao campaign. The leaders accused the BJP of manipulating the electoral system and demanded the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. They also called for reforms to ensure what they described as an independent and impartial electoral process. The parties cited allegations concerning voter deletions and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, with the claims forming part of the oppositions campaign. The leaders also announced that opposition MPs would march to the Election Commission office in Delhi on October 6 and seek an appointment with the President. They reiterated their demand for restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
Delhi Police personnel misbehaved with women protesters, Amit Shah must answer: Rahul Gandhi
He alleged that women and students across Delhi, who are gripped by fear for their safety, are staging satyagraha, but the police responsible for protecting them are raising hands against them instead
Chairing the meeting on India-Russia relations, Mr. Jaishankar also apprised members of New Delhi's stance on the Ukraine conflict and its recent diplomatic efforts to contribute toward a peaceful settlement
Three FIRs registered against protesters
SIR protest: 150 detained near Jantar Mantar on 2nd day
Delhi LG interacts with AIIMS students, doctors over safety concerns
IYC moves HC against denial of permission for Jantar Mantar protest
AUD students allege restrictions on entry, food during protest
JNU teachers body questions honorary title conferred on retired professor
NDMCs Monthly Camp Addresses 91 Public Complaints in New Delhi
The New Delhi Municipal Councils monthly camp resolves 91 complaints, enhancing citizen engagement and service delivery. NDMCs Monthly Camp Addresses 91 Public Complaints in New Delhi
CaRWAN protests unlawful arrests of Noida workers, activists near Jantar Mantar, 70 detained
Delhi Police file 3 FIRs over protest on SIR row; hundreds detained on Day 2
Tin roofs, illegal power lines: Furniture markets in Ghaziabad are major fire risks
Israeli PM Netanyahu invites 'true hero' Captain Smit, PM Modi to light Independence Day flame
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 4 (IANS) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has invited FlyDubai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to light a celebratory flame at Israel's next Independence Day ceremony, describing the Indian pilot who foiled a mid-air attack as a hero of India, Israel and the entire world, during a telephone conversation with him on Sunday. Captain, I want to invite you and my dear friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to light a celebratory flame on our next Independence Day. You are a true hero of the brave peoples of India and Israel, and you're a hero of the entire world, Netanyahu told the Captain. I wish you a very speedy and complete recovery, he added. The Israeli Prime Minister said the honour was usually reserved for his country's own citizens. It's our highest honour that we give on our Independence Day. It's usually reserved for Israeli citizens. But I think here in this case, all the citizens of Israel will embrace you. They do now and they will then too, he said. Netanyahu, who was told by the pilot how the attack unfolded in the cockpit, said he was amazed by his conduct. I'm amazed at your courage, at your coolness of judgment under impossible conditions, the Israeli Prime Minister said, adding that what the Captain did was remarkable and that it bordered on the miraculous. He said the pilot had saved more than the lives of those on board. You saved so many souls. I think you saved something bigger. You saved the spirit of the world to realise that a brave pilot and brave passengers can overcome this evil, however threatening, however violent. It's something that is being justly hailed around the world, Netanyahu said. You're a hero of Israel. You're a hero of India. You're a hero of the entire world, he added. Netanyahu also sent his family's wishes to the pilot's family. Please also pass the best regards from me and my wife to your wife. I know you have a family and know that you're part of the family of nations. You're part of the family of nations and a heroic part. Please get well as soon as you can, he said. Inviting the Captain again towards the end of the conversation, Netanyahu said: So we hope to see you very soon in Israel. I look forward to seeing you here again. But under the circumstances, I think this will be a memorable and historic visit. Thank you for everything you did, the Israeli Prime Minister told the pilot.
RBI chief says the next financial crisis may start with a cyberattack
The next financial crisis may not start in a bank at all, Indias central bank governor has warned. Sanjay Malhotra said it could come from a war, a cyberattack or a tech failure, asBloombergreported. He spoke at the Kautilya Economic Conclave in New Delhi on Saturday. It may begin with a geopolitical event, or cyber [] This story continues at The Next Web
Son elopes with village teen, mother dies by suicide in Ghaziabad
Techie books Airbnb at Supernova, jumps 41 floors to death
Ghaziabad rolls out month-long drive to curb dengue, malaria
Asian Games: HI Prez Dilip Tirkey hails historic hockey double, promises full support for LA 2028
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 4 (IANS) Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey hailed the historic Asian Games campaign after both the Indian mens and womens teams won gold medals and secured direct qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, saying the achievement reflected the hard work of the players, coaches and support staff. The mens team retained its Asian Games title with a commanding 5-1 victory over Malaysia in the final at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium on Saturday, a day after the womens team defeated defending champions and Paris Olympics silver medallists China 1-0 to reclaim the gold medal. Both teams had the same aim: to win the Asian Games and then qualify for LA. Both teams have done it. It is a very proud moment for us, Tirkey told IANS after the mens final. The double gold also created history for Indian hockey, with the mens and womens teams winning the Asian Games title at the same edition for the first time. Tirkey also pointed out the striking similarity between Indias last two mens Asian Games final victories. India had defeated Japan 5-1 in the Hangzhou final and repeated the same scoreline against Malaysia in Kakamigahara. Both teams have performed very well. The womens team played a very good game against China, who are a tough team, Olympic silver medallists and the last Asian Games champions. We beat them 1-0, and today we beat Malaysia 5-1, he said. Tirkey praised the entire mens squad and coaching staff, with special mention for captain Harmanpreet Singh, Abhishek, Dilpreet Singh and Manpreet Singh. The chief coach, supporting staff, captain Harman, Abhishek, Dilpreet, Manpreet and all the players performed very well. From the beginning, everyone played together, and everyone had the same aim, he said. With both teams now assured of Olympic qualification, Tirkey promised Hockey India would provide all necessary support in the build-up to Los Angeles. The coach is very experienced, and everything happens according to his plan and programme. Whatever the team needs in the future, we will try to provide everything. Whether it is an exposure tour, a tournament in Europe or a coaching programme, Hockey India will try to provide all the facilities, he said. Hockey India has also announced a cash reward of Rs 11 lakh each for the players of both gold-winning teams, while members of the respective support staff will receive Rs 5.5 lakh each. Tirkey stressed that Olympic selection would ultimately depend on performance and fitness, while urging players from Odisha and other states to continue working hard as competition for places increases. Those who play well will come into the team. Maintaining fitness and their game is the responsibility of the players. Olympic Games are the Olympics, and the competition in modern hockey has increased a lot, he said. He also highlighted Hockey Indias grassroots efforts in Odisha, particularly in Sundargarh, where turf facilities, academies and hostels have been developed across blocks. Every block in Sundargarh has a turf, academies and hostels. We are also organising grassroots programmes, and the government is doing a lot in other districts. But proper training programmes need to be organised on these grounds, Tirkey said. Tirkey said that greater emphasis is needed on fitness, technical skills, drag-flickers and goalkeepers to strengthen Indias hockey pipeline. Now we have to make this performance even better. We have to prepare the team in terms of confidence, fitness and future events, Tirkey said.
Delhi Court seeks police report on FIR plea over CM Rekha Guptas Hanuman remarks
Premium Scotch May Get 10-15% Cheaper In Delhi Soon. Here's Why
Delhi's excise officials said the department is studying the provisions of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, or CETA. They are also examining how the lower customs duty should be reflected in prices in the capital.
Delhi Police seize 2,101 kg of banned firecrackers; three arrested
Army reviews operational preparedness along LoC in J&Ks Poonch district
Digital Desk | Jammu, Oct 3 (IANS) General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Armys Nagrota-headquartered White Knight Corps, Lt General Mohit Seth, on Saturday visited the line of control (LoC) in J&Ks Poonch district to review the operational preparedness of the formation. In a post on X, White Knight Corps said, FRONTLINE OPERATIONS: GOC #WhiteKnightCorps along with #GOC #AceOfSpadesDivision visited forward posts along the Line of Control in Poonch and Krishna Ghati Sectors to review the operational preparedness of the formation. The #CorpsCommander was briefed on the prevailing security environment, counter-infiltration measures, surveillance architecture and ongoing initiatives to further enhance operational effectiveness. Commending the troops for their unwavering commitment and operational excellence, the #GOC impressed upon all ranks to maintain highest standards of Vigilance, readiness and responsiveness. We Serve We Protect! Lieutenant General Mohit Seth took over command of the Nagrota-based White Knight Corps on Thursday from Lieutenant General PK Mishra. Lt-Gen Seth, an Infantry officer, served as Commandant of the Indian Military Training Team (IMTRAT) in Bhutan before taking over command of the 16 Corps. On assuming command, the new Corps Commander exhorted all ranks to uphold the highest standards of operational readiness, professional excellence and team spirit, while continuing to foster peace, security and stability in the region. Prepared For Today, Ready For Tomorrow. We Serve, We Protect, White Knight Corps said in a post on X. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and the National Defence College, New Delhi, Lt Gen Seth was commissioned into the Third Battalion of the Madras Regiment in 1991. Earlier, he commanded Counter-Insurgency Force Kilo, the Rashtriya Rifles (RR) formation responsible for anti-terrorist operations in Kashmir. The XVI Corps, or the White Knight Corps, is an army corps of the Indian Army raised on June 1, 1972, with Lieutenant General J F R Jacob as its first General Officer Commanding (GOC). It has its headquarters at Nagrota Cantonment (Jammu district), Jammu and Kashmir. In 2005, IX Corps was raised in the southern part of the XVI Corps' area, taking over two of its divisions.
Dwarka road shut for 15 days for civic work, residents flag traffic woes
Yamuna to be surveyed for rejuvenation works
Rs 30-lakh robbery claim turns out to be staged; 2 held
Mid-session language relief leaves schools with fresh questions
217 lakh MT waste cleared from 3 landfill sites, says CM
Couple in 70s hit by SUV, driver held after fleeing spot
Court seeks police report on FIR plea against CM over Hanuman remarks
FIR against CJP organisers in Mumbai, 150 detained in Delhi
Mumbai police registered an FIR against the Cockroach Janta Party for their protest at Shivaji Park. The protest demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over electoral roll irregularities. In Delhi, protesters continued to march towards Jantar Mantar for the same cause, despite police restrictions.
Ukraine is weighing four peace proposals from India, Turkiye, Egypt and the US, with Kyiv calling New Delhi's plan the most comprehensive.
Delhi-based burglars arrested; stolen property worth Rs 18 lakh recovered
AISA, Other Protesters Return to Jantar Mantar, Nearly 200 Detained
The protesters, including members of student organisations and civil society groups, attempted to gather at Jantar Mantar despite prohibitory orders imposed in the New Delhi district.
Nearly 200 detained as AISA, other protesters return to Jantar Mantar
Nearly 200 protesters were detained in connection with Saturday's demonstrations at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, with Delhi Police registering cases under provisions dealing with disobedience of orders and obstruction and assault of public servants for Friday's protest, officials said. The protesters, including members of student organisations and civil society groups, attempted to gather at Jantar Mantar despite prohibitory orders imposed in the New Delhi district. Among those detained were AISA national president Neha Bora, civil society activist Yogendra Yadav and senior advocate Prashant Bhushan. The AISA said senior advocates Kapil Sibal, Nitya Ramakrishnan and Pallav Sisodia also joined the protest. Police invoked Sections 223(a), 221, 132 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in connection with Friday's protests. The provisions relate to disobedience of a lawful order promulgated by a public servant, obstructin
Delhi woman jumps from balcony, sister-in-law into shaft after quarrel over video
Russia to take 70K Indian skilled workers this year: Govt tells Parl panel
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday briefed a parliamentary consultative committee on India's multifaceted engagement with Russia, highlighting shared ambitions to expand bilateral trade, investment, and energy cooperation. Chairing the meeting on India-Russia relations, Jaishankar also apprised members of New Delhi's stance on the Ukraine conflict and its recent diplomatic efforts to contribute toward a peaceful settlement. The external affairs minister further informed the panel that Russia has agreed to take around 70,000 Indian skilled workers this year, especially in the fields of construction and logistics, people familiar with the meeting said. While discussing the trade and investment ties between the two countries, Jaishankar mentioned that there is a shared ambition to expand bilateral trade in a balanced manner, including through greater Indian exports to Russia in seven areas -- auto, pharma, food, marine products, engineering goods, chemicals and ...
AAP Student Wing Volunteers Detained at Jantar Mantar, Allege Being Driven Around Delhi
According to the AAP student wing, the volunteers were taken around different parts of Delhi in a bus for several hours after being detained during the protest.
No PUC, No fuel: Haryana govt directs fuel pumps in its NCR districts
In view of the stringent measures being implemented to control air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region, the Haryana transport department has directed all petrol pump operators and retail outlets in the NCR districts of the state to ensure mandatory verification of a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) before refuelling vehicles. The directions have been issued in accordance with the directions of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), under which the No PUC, No Fuel rule came into effect across Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) from October 1, according to an official statement. As part of the measures being undertaken by the government of Haryana to curb vehicular pollution, including the deployment and implementation of automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) camera systems at petrol pumps across the NCR districts, strict enforcement of emission norms has been prioritised. Under the directions, petrol, diesel and CNG stations are required to den
Sarthak Ranjan Returns To Delhi's Ranji Trophy Squad For Season Opener Against Bengal
Opener Sarthak Ranjan: Opener Sarthak Ranjan has earned a recall to the Delhi Ranji Trophy squad after eight years as the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) named a 16-member contingent for their Elite Group C opening game against Bengal. The selection committee met at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday to finalise the squad for the season opener, set to be played on October 11 in Kalyani. The meeting was attended by selectors K. Bhaskar Pillai, Manu Nayar, and Praveen Gupta, alongside head coach Vijay Dahiya, Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) chairman Sarandeep Singh, and DDCA secretary Ashok Sharma. Batting all-rounder Ayush Badoni continues at the helm as captain, with former India U-19 World Cup-winning skipper Yash Dhull named as his deputy. The headline inclusion, though, is Sarthak, son of politician Pappu Yadav and Ranjeet Ranjan, who returns to Delhi's red-ball setup for the first time since 2018, when he last featured in two Ranji Trophy matches. Sarthak's recall follows him having a stint with Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL earlier this year. Delhi's pace attack will be led by fast bowler Navdeep Saini, with Simarjeet Singh, Money Grewal, and Divij Mehra as other options. Off-spinner Hrithik Shokeen and left-arm spinner Sumit Mathur will anchor the spin-bowling department, alongside Badonis off-spin. The squad features three wicketkeeping options in Anuj Rawat, Pranav Rajvanshi, and Tejasvi Dahiya. Sanat Sangwan, whos playing the Irani Cup clash for Rest of India against Jammu & Kashmir in Srinagar, along with Ayush Doseja, Dev Lakra, and Dhruv Kaushik round off the rest of the squad members. All selected players have been instructed to report to head coach Dahiya for a practice session at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday before their departure for Kalyani. Delhi last won the Ranji Trophy in 2007/08 and under new head coach Dahiya, they will be aiming to get into the knockouts, something which hasnt happened in the last two seasons. The squad features three wicketkeeping options in Anuj Rawat, Pranav Rajvanshi, and Tejasvi Dahiya. Sanat Sangwan, whos playing the Irani Cup clash for Rest of India against Jammu & Kashmir in Srinagar, along with Ayush Doseja, Dev Lakra, and Dhruv Kaushik round off the rest of the squad members. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Apple removes Bitchat from India App Store after IT ministry ask
New Delhi: Apple has officially removed the offline messaging application, Bitchat, from its India App Store after a demand from the countrys IT ministry, Jack Dorsey said in an X post on Saturday, October 3. Government of India officially removes Bitchat from the App Store, the apps developer and Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey wrote in Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Navpreet Singh needs to be taken to 4 states for probe: Delhi Police tells Rouse Avenue Court
The accused Navpreet Singh has to be taken to Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab for investigation, Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Akhand Pratap Singh for Delhi Police submitted before a Special NDPS Judge at Rouse Avenue Court. After hearing the submissions, the court granted 10-day custody of Navpreet Singh to Delhi Police. The Rouse Avenue court on Saturday remanded alleged Narco Network Kingpin Navpreet Singh to 10 days of police custody. He was deported from Turkey on Saturday. He was wanted in an NDPS case of 2022. Special Judge (NDPS) Anuradha Shukla granted 10 days of police custody to Navpreet Singh after hearing the submissions of Delhi police and counsel for Delhi Police. Delhi Police Special Cell produced Navpreet Singh before the court and sought 10 days' custody to investigate the case. The court asked why 10 days' police custody is required. The court asked what evidence is against the accused. SPP submitted that there are three charge-sheeted accused...
Woman driver hits elderly couple in west Delhi, held
Girl Appears To Stop Police Van During CJP Protest In Delhi
A video of a girl appearing to stop a police van with her hand during the CJP protest in Delhi has gone viral on social media. The moment has drawn comparisons with the earlier viral Rhia Ahir video.
Rekha Gupta Reviews Okhla Landfill Cleanup
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta inspected the Okhla landfill site and directed officials to maintain the pace of waste disposal and meet set timelines.
Prompt Delhi Police response saves two women in coordinated rescue operation
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 3 (IANS) A prompt response by the Delhi Police, supported by the PCR and Fire Brigade teams, helped rescue two women in distress during a coordinated operation in Jaitpur Extension Part-II, Khadda Colony, under Kalindi Kunj Police Station in Southeast Delhi. The incident took place on October 2 after a PCR call was received regarding a woman who had allegedly locked herself inside a room. A police team, led by the SHO of Police Station Kalindi Kunj, immediately reached the spot. On arrival, police found a woman, aged around 25, who had allegedly jumped from the first-floor balcony towards the street and sustained injuries. She was provided immediate assistance and shifted to Feliz Hospital for medical treatment. Meanwhile, a Fire Brigade team led by Station Officer Rakesh Singh, along with four officials, reached the location. Another woman, aged around 24, had locked herself inside a room. With the assistance of the Fire Brigade personnel, the door was opened. The woman was subsequently found to have allegedly jumped into a shaft inside the house. Police and Fire Brigade personnel launched a coordinated rescue operation and successfully brought the woman out of the shaft. During preliminary inquiry, police found that the two women were related as sister-in-law and daughter-in-law. Both were reportedly present at the house when an altercation broke out over a video allegedly recorded by one of them and sent to another person. Following the incident, both women were shifted for medical treatment. One was taken to the AIIMS Trauma Centre through PCR Van Kite-22, while the second, who was initially taken to Feliz Hospital, was also shifted to the AIIMS Trauma Centre through a PCR vehicle for better medical care. Police said the timely response and coordination between the police, PCR and Fire Brigade teams ensured the safe rescue of both women and enabled them to receive immediate medical attention.
Bora, Bhushan, Yadav detained at Delhi protest
Bora alleged that a woman constable assaulted her with her elbow and nails and tried to pull her bra, while a male officer manhandled her: Reports
Delhi recalls Sarthak to Ranji squad
Visegrad-4 reset could refresh India's relationship with Europe's Central Eastern flank
Digital Desk | New Delhi: The meeting between Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and the foreign ministers of Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on September 21 has been described as a historic occasion. In some way, it is: the Visegrad-4, the group of these four countries, has agreed to hold annual foreign minister-level meetings. It has also agreed to establish an annual business forum to deepen cooperation in technology, defence, space, and connectivity. Slovakias Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar said that all four V4 countries agree that India should have a permanent seat in the UN Security Council. It is a general consensus amongst policy planners, scholars and journalists that while most of the UNGA side meetings are part of routine diplomacy and function as a stocktaking of the relationship, some of them become historic, so a closer reading always provides a fresh perspective and that too at a time when the V4 is trying to work as a regional grouping after a great rupture and India is working out a different kind of relationship with Europes Central Eastern flank. Talking about the history, Indias ties with this part of Europe are older than the Visegrad grouping and even before Indias independence. During the Second World War, the Maharaja of Nawanagar sheltered hundreds of Polish children at Balachadi near Jamnagar, and a larger Polish settlement emerged at Valivade near Kolhapur, a story that Warsaw still remembers with gratitude. Rabindranath Tagore travelled to Hungary in 1926, and Amrita Sher-Gil was born to a Hungarian mother. Her Hungarian husband lived and died on the outskirts of Eastern Uttar Pradesh. In the Cold War years, when all four were in the Soviet bloc, the relationship took a more practical shape, as Czechoslovak industry and Polish shipyards and aircraft factories supplied the Indian armed forces with everything from armoured vehicles to Iskra jet trainers and landing ships. When EAM Jaishankar mentioned in New York that India has a very strong defence history with every V4 country, he was alluding to these historical facts. This strong trade and defence relations with India to these countries, which changed after the fall of the Iron Curtain, as these states looked more Westward for their economic expansion, and V4 was the result of the same, formed at Visegrad, Hungary in 1991 with a simple purpose, to help these post-communist states return to Europe. This purpose was fulfilled when all four joined, first NATO and then the European Union in 2004. The grouping served as a regional pragmatic minilateral among the EU, NATO, and the UN but took a different avatar after the 2015 migration crisis. The populist zeitgeist already taken shape in this part of the world, the V4 became known in Brussels as the bloc that said no to refugee quotas, to what it saw as interference on the rule of law, and to a more federal Europe, with Viktor Orban's Hungary and the PiS government in Poland setting the tone. For almost a decade, the V4 was read, fairly or not, as the capital of European populism. Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 broke that alignment. Warsaw saw Moscow as an existential threat while Budapest kept its lines to the Kremlin open, and the grouping more or less stopped functioning. The reset in the V4 grouping came this year as Peter Magyar won a landslide election in April, ending Orban's 16-year tenure, and in June the four Prime Ministers met at Godollo, where they agreed to coordinate in EU forums, including resuming regular consultations ahead of European Council meetings. The reset must not be read just from ideological point of view because while Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Magyar belong to the same centre-right European Peoples Party, the other two heads of state, namely Andrej Babis of Czechia and Robert Fico of Slovakia, are sovereigntist populists who would have been at home in the old V4. While their ideas may or may not collide, they come together to preserve their interests within the wider EU framework. At the next EU budget scheduled for December, they signalled a joint challenge to EU policies that are increasing energy prices. Till now, the V4 states used the grouping very pragmatically as a pressure group when required, but when interests diverged while being part of the group, they have kept individual state preferences at the forefront. The groups Indian engagement is important for it, as it will elevate the groups standing as a regional stakeholder post-rupture. This is where Russias question becomes an important part of Indias European puzzle. India's engagement with Europe currently moves on two tracks. With France, Germany and the Nordic countries, the relationship is largely about trade, technology and investment. With the frontline states, Russia is the existential fact of their politics. The sequence of the last month shows how India is handling this second track. EAM Jaishankar was in Moscow on August 23 and 24, where he co-chaired the intergovernmental commission and met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin. Within 10 days, he was in Warsaw and Kyiv, his first standalone mission to Ukraine since the war began in February 2022. Putin then came to New Delhi for the BRICS summit, and a week later, EAM Jaishankar was with the V4 Foreign Ministers in New York. India has always kept its relations with Russia and the rest of Europe in a very compartmentalised manner. As recently as January, when Radoslaw Sikorski was in New Delhi, the exchange was sharp, with EAM Jaishankar telling him that Poland should not help fuel terrorist infrastructure in India's neighbourhood and that singling out India over Ukraine was unfair and unjustified. Eight months later, Poland is part of a collective V4 endorsement of India's Security Council bid, and preparations are underway for Tusk's expected visit to India. There is a gradual de-hyphenation of India-Russia for Poland, which was a thorny issue in India-Polands relations. It must also be noted that the V4 is not a single actor on Russia. All four share the geography of the eastern flank, but not the threat perception. Poland and, to a lesser extent, the Czech Republic see Moscow as the main danger, while Fico's Slovakia holds views closer to New Delhi's than to Warsaw's, and Hungary under Magyar is still recalibrating. Oddly, this works in India's favour, because India can deal with a grouping whose members read Russia differently precisely because it does not ask any of them to choose. EAM Jaishankar seemed aware of this when he said that how the V4 come together is for them to decide, a careful line that protects India if the grouping fractures again. Poland, by its size and security role, is the pivot of this engagement rather than its typical member. But while the Polish media finds Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'endless war to end of war remark as an anchor to reimagine the relationship, Slovakias which is still dependent on Russian gas, echoed energy security as a common point of interaction. This tells that differences in the groupings understanding of India vary depending upon their policy choices and constraints, but all of them want to make the arrangement work. Japan and South Korea have had V4 Plus formats for years and their companies are already embedded in the region's automotive and battery supply chains. The defence relationship can be refreshed through co-production under 'Make in India', drawing on old familiarity with platforms and industries. The business forum can make Central Europe an entry point into the wider EU market, and EAM Jaishankar himself linked the V4 initiatives to India's deepening relationship with the European Union. Politically, regular dialogue with four EU members on the central-eastern flank gives India a hearing in a region that, until recently, saw it mainly through the lens of its ties with Russia. The risks are equally clear. The revival is only a few months old, differences over Ukraine and other contested political issues among the four have not gone away, and the grouping could stall again. Thus, the meeting in New York must be read as a stepping stone toward a working mechanism for dialogue with the region. If the annual meetings take place and Tusk's visit goes ahead, the frontline track may prove to be the more durable part of India's European story, though that will depend as much on whether the V4 stays together as on anything New Delhi does. (The writer is a doctoral at the Centre for European Studies, School of International Studies, JNU. Views expressed are personal) /as
FSSAI cracks down on 'unsafe' Nestle product at The Lalit; hotel chain responds (Lead)
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 3 (IANS) The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Saturday said that it ordered immediate action against the sale of a Nestle dairy product after a laboratory analysis determined that a sample of Nestle Low Fat Dairy Whitener obtained from Bharat Hotels Ltd (The Lalit) was unsafe. The regulator subsequently issued a notice to Bharat Hotels Ltd and directed the hotel operator to prohibit the sale of the identified product pending further proceedings. Responding to the development, Vivek Shukla, CEO of The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group, said the dairy whitener was a packaged product procured from Nestl India and that the hotel had acted promptly after receiving communication from the regulator. The product was collected by FSSAI from The LaLiT New Delhi around three months ago. Upon receiving the communication, we immediately contacted Nestl India and also discontinued its use, removing all packets from our operations, Shukla said. He maintained that the issue concerning the product's regulatory compliance was between FSSAI and Nestl India and not with the hotel operator. He added that The Lalit remains committed to maintaining the highest food safety standards and complying with all applicable regulations. Meanwhile, Nestl India asserted that the product is safe for consumption and meets all regulatory requirements. According to a report by NDTV Profit, the company said its Low Fat Dairy Whitener complies with prescribed food safety norms. Moreover, the FMCG firm argued that phosphorus is naturally present in milk and milk-based products and that the laboratory findings cited by the regulator measured total phosphorus without distinguishing between naturally occurring phosphorus and phosphorus added as a food additive. According to the company, the product remains within the prescribed limits for added phosphorus under Food Safety and Standards Regulations, including on an as consumed basis. Notably, the FSSAI said the hotel operator had also been given an opportunity to challenge the findings and file an appeal against the Food Analyst's report within the prescribed period under the provisions of the food safety law. Pending any further proceedings, the regulator directed the FBO to immediately prohibit the sale of the identified product.
Citing Supreme Court directives and Delhi Police Standing Order No. 51, Rajya Sabha MP Sandosh Kumar says identification is essential for accountability when police use coercive powers against citizens
Students and Influencers Explore Nammo Bharat Railway System at Reform Festival
Students and social media influencers engage with the Nammo Bharat railway system during a government outreach program in New Delhi. Students and Influencers Explore Nammo Bharat Railway System at Reform Festival
Section 163 remains in force in New Delhi, no permission for protest today: Delhi Police
Addressing the gathering, CJP founder Abhijit Dipke criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, CEC Gyanesh Kumar and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. He said the movement would continue under the 'Jail Bharo' call and described peaceful assembly in support of voting rights
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday expressed concern over slogans raised during recent women's safety protests in Delhi, asking why women and girls had been forced to raise such slogans amid concerns over their safety. Reacting to viral videos from the protests, Chouhan referred to the chant, Ek kachori-do samosa, in mardo ka kya bharosa, and said the situation warranted serious consideration. Why has the situation come to this, that our daughters have to chant slogans like 'One kachori, two samosas'? We must think seriously about this, he said in a post on X, sharing a video of himself at an event. Urging a collective commitment towards women's safety and dignity, Chouhan added, We must take a resolve
India weather (October 4): Rain, thunderstorms forecast in several parts; check IMD's forecast
India weather news: The IMD predicts widespread rain and thunderstorms in regions such as Kerala, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh. Delhi and Uttar Pradesh are expected to remain dry over the weekend without significant weather activity. Rainfall is forecasted to return to parts of northwest India from October 5 to 7. Meanwhile, southern India may continue to experience thunderstorms and isolated heavy rainfall.
Gyanesh Kumar protest: Neha Bora detained again as anti-CEC stir continues in Delhi
Protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar continued in Delhi on October 3, a day after mass detentions around Jantar Mantar. AISA president Neha Bora was detained for the second consecutive day, along with activist Yogendra Yadav, senior advocate Prashant Bhushan and others.
Gyanesh Kumar protest: Neha Bora detained again as anti-CEC stir continues in Delhi
Protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar continued in Delhi on October 3, a day after mass detentions around Jantar Mantar. AISA president Neha Bora was detained for the second consecutive day, along with activist Yogendra Yadav, senior advocate Prashant Bhushan and others.
CITU urges workers to join Chalo Parliament protests in Delhi
CITU urges workers to join Chalo Parliament protests in Delhi
Delhi to witness massive mobilisation of young Indians on Oct 10: CJPs Abhijeet Dipke
Global economists hail Indias growth trajectory, reforms
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 3 (IANS) Global economists on Saturday hailed India's economic trajectory and underscored the importance of sustained growth, education, free trade and income-based taxation in supporting the country's rise as a major global economic force. Speaking to IANS on the sidelines of the 5th Kautilya Economic Conclave here, Swedish economist Daniel Waldenstrm said India has made impressive progress through growth-oriented policies and is well-positioned to translate economic expansion into broader social gains. India is on a good path in terms of increasing its economy at a fast pace. The focus on growth has been very positive and will help expand education, infrastructure and overall living standards, he said. Waldenstrm argued that policymakers should focus more on income inequality than wealth inequality, saying income levels provide a clearer picture of poverty and economic opportunities. He noted that rising wealth among entrepreneurs can often reflect a growing and globally competitive economy. On taxation, he advocated taxing capital income, including corporate profits, dividends and interest earnings, instead of relying on wealth or inheritance taxes, which many OECD countries have gradually moved away from. According to former European Central Bank President and former Bank of France Governor Jean-Claude Trichet, the country is transforming very impressively in the direction which is the natural direction of India, which is one of the most important countries in the world. Certainly one of the two major emerging countries, but one leader in the international community. So I would encourage India to continue to go in the same direction and with great success, he adds. Meanwhile, French economist Jean-Pierre Landau praised the growing India-France partnership and described India as a key actor in addressing global challenges. Despite geopolitical tensions and rising protectionism, he said trade and investment across Asia remain robust. We are facing a challenging global environment, but India is a major, if not the major, player in trying to solve the world's problems right now, Landau told IANS. Similarly, Zhang Liqing, Professor of Economics, China, said that Indian economy is quite dynamic and quite strong. I think now it's become one of the highlights of the world economic growth. So I look forward to India's economy being sustainable and making a great contribution to the world economy, says Zhang.
The rhetoric vs reality of Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif's UN speech (IANS Analysis)
Digital Desk | New York, Oct 3 (IANS) It has become predictable for the leaders of Pakistan to sell a concocted narrative that hardly has any buyers. The saying that best describes this commonplace practice of the country's ruling elite from different parties is the more things change, the more they stay the same. As domestic politics remains gravely polarised and the economy is in shambles, the ruling alliance has been trying its best to utilise international platforms for its unsubstantiated polemics, which are unlikely to have any impact. No foreign visits to peddle a specific narrative can obscure the ruling alliance's domestic political instability, economic collapse, and skyrocketing inflation. The grim situation at home makes it exceedingly difficult for this hybrid regime as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's government is labelled by some to convince international commentators and global actors to buy into its rhetoric. Sharifs address at the United Nations (UN) followed this exact, predictable trajectory. In his speech to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Sharif maintained his strategy of placating and courting the countrys powerful military establishment. This pattern originally took root during the fallout between then-Prime Minister Imran Khan and the military. The alliance was cemented when the military ensured that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) took power through a coalition, while successfully keeping Imran Khans Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) sidelined. Furthermore, Prime Minister Sharif has not even attempted to conceal the imbalance within this nexus. Whatever the military decides, the civilian government ensures it is implemented. This subservience is evident in the introduction of the radical and sweeping 26th and 27th Amendments, which undermined judicial independence and further consolidated the military's authority. Ultimately, the role of the civilian administration has been reduced to overseeing execution and laundering the policy narratives dictated by the military establishment. Critics frequently question which world leaders would praise the countrys military at an international forum meant to address global challenges and project national integrity for such narrow domestic purposes. Yet, civilian leaders in Pakistan find themselves compelled to do exactly that. They know it well that if the true masters are displeased, no civilian leader can expect to remain in power. While Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif may have attempted to downplay the stark imbalance in Pakistan's military-dominated power structure, this submission became glaringly obvious during his UNGA address. Referring to the May 2025 border clashes which erupted after India launched a military riposte to a heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 civilians Sharif deliberately highlighted the military's supremacy. Even on this global platform, he went out of his way to praise the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), stating, Our brave and valiant armed forces, under the courageous leadership of Field Marshal Asim Munir, responded with precision and professionalism. In May, on the occasion of Eid, the Premier had personally called Field Marshal Asim Munir to greet him. Far from being an aberration, this subservience has been a defining feature of the Sharif administration: maintaining power by capitulating to the military's dictates and systematically validating its supremacy on the global stage. Furthermore, Sharifs declaration at the UN warning that any attempt to stop, impede or divert Pakistans share of the waters will be treated as an act of war is riddled with such glaring contradictions that it has lost all credibility on the global stage. Consider the most obvious dissonance: first, India has never threatened to weaponise water as a punitive measure regarding cross-border terrorism. Second, the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) has merely been placed in abeyance, not abandoned or formally terminated. Third, and most critically, 16 months have elapsed since New Delhi suspended the treaty in April 2025. Throughout this extended period, Islamabad has continuously claimed that it would consider weaponisation of water as an act of war; yet, no tangible retaliatory action in the sixteen months exposes its claim that India was weaponising water. Ultimately, the world is left to question what should be taken seriously: Pakistans claim that India is weaponising water, or its warning that it will wage war over the issue? As it turns out, neither narrative holds weight, and global observers treat them accordingly. Had India actually begun weaponising water a move Pakistan has repeatedly labelled a definitive red line Islamabad would have actively gathered empirical evidence to mobilise international opinion, even if it abstained from military conflict. It has failed to do so because its claims lack substantiation. Furthermore, if India had crossed this supposed red line and Pakistan still hesitated to take kinetic action, it merely implies that its military leadership understands it cannot match Indiaa perfectly logical conclusion. This stark contradiction highlights the deep irony within the regimes dual messaging: issuing severe ultimatums while simultaneously attempting to project an aura of peace and a preference for diplomacy. Siding with the Prime Minister, an editorial in a prominent Pakistani daily, The Express Tribune, argued that the PM's insistence that dialogue must retain primacy is both prudent and consistent with Pakistan's own interests. Yet, this external plea for prudent dialogue stands in stark contrast to the ruling alliance's domestic behaviour. At home, the regime rejects the very concept of negotiation, preferring instead to ruthlessly suppress its political opponents, dismantle democratic checks, and deploy state machinery to crush any dissentproving that its international calls for peaceful dialogue are merely a theatrical performance for global consumption. This domestic repression is perfectly illustrated by the targeting of Pakistans most popular political leader, Imran Khan, who remains incarcerated under a 14-year prison sentence on what independent monitors widely condemn as fabricated charges. Simultaneously, the federal government is engineering an aggressive campaign to impose Governor's Rule or a state of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the only province outside the ruling alliance's grip. While the federal regime disingenuously points to a surge in regional militancy to justify this overreach, its actions expose a massive institutional contradiction: the military has spent years conducting high-profile operations and claiming it completely eradicated these terrorist networks. By training the spotlight exclusively on the provincial administration, doesnt that imply that an attempt is being made to shield the military establishment from scrutiny? Ultimately, empty proclamations cannot absolve the Shehbaz Sharif government from the reality that it has been thoroughly incapacitated by the military establishment. The military has adroitly leveraged a triad of crisesImran Khans surging popularity, a deteriorating security architecture, and the civilian administration's failure to steer the economyto instil existential fear within traditional political entities like the PML-N and PPP. Convinced that their survival depended entirely on capitulation, these parties entered a Faustian bargain to secure power, only to find themselves completely toothless. By transforming elected representatives into obedient functionaries, the military has systematically insulated itself against any semblance of accountability. Consequently, Pakistan's current political landscape and strategic policies reflect the institutional mindset of the GHQ, entirely divorced from the will of civilian leaders or the aspirations of the common people.
INDIA bloc meeting held in Jammu to chalk out action plan against CEC Gyanesh Kumar
Digital Desk | Jammu, Oct 3 (IANS) An INDIA bloc meeting was convened in Jammu and Kashmir's Jammu on Saturday to deliberate on the Opposition alliance's proposed course of action over its allegations concerning the functioning of the Election Commission of India (ECI) and its demand for action against the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The meeting was presided over by senior Congress leader and former Minister Raman Bhalla, with the participants discussing the alliance's action plan in connection with the ongoing campaign on electoral issues and the functioning of the poll panel. The INDIA bloc has alleged that the Election Commission has come under what it describes as institutional capture and has called for the removal, prosecution and arrest of CEC Gyanesh Kumar. These are demands being raised by the Opposition alliance as part of its wider campaign concerning electoral transparency and accountability. The meeting comes amid a series of protests and political programmes by the Congress and opposition parties in Jammu and Kashmir over allegations relating to the electoral process. The Congress had also held demonstrations across Jammu and Kashmir on September 28, with Bhalla calling for transparency and accountability in the functioning of the Election Commission. The participants discussed the further course of action and mobilisation under the INDIA bloc's campaign on electoral and democratic issues. The INDIA bloc has united in a campaign demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and accused the Election Commission of alleged electoral malpractices and vote theft linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Opposition leaders have accused CEC Gyanesh Kumar of failing to answer serious questions regarding massive voter deletions (more than 13 crore names dropped during SIR) and have moved to submit an impeachment notice against him. The bloc launched a pan-India campaign from October 2 to October 8 featuring district-level Save Democracy rallies and public demonstrations. Opposition MPs announced a planned march to the Election Commission office in Delhi on October 6. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and other alliance leaders have called for returning to paper ballot voting instead of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), alongside a demand to use pre-SIR electoral rolls for future elections.
Delhi Speaker inaugurates Seva Setu Camp in Rohini
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 3 (IANS) Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta said on Saturday that good governance is ultimately measured by how easily a citizen can access a public service. Schemes acquire real meaning only when information, guidance and assistance reach people without unnecessary barriers, said the Speaker, who is a legislator from Rohini. He inaugurated a Seva Setu Camp at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Sector 8, Rohini, organised under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan on the occasion of the birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said an official statement. District Magistrate, North-West Delhi, Soumya Saurabh, was also present on the occasion. The Seva Setu Camp has been designed as a single-point facilitation platform where citizens can obtain information, guidance and necessary assistance relating to various services and public welfare schemes of the Delhi government, said the statement. During the visit, Gupta interacted with officials deployed at the camp, reviewed the arrangements put in place for citizens and sought details about the nature of assistance being provided. He said that effective public service delivery requires not merely the announcement of schemes but also clear communication, accessible systems and timely support so that intended beneficiaries are able to make use of them. A wide range of departments and public agencies participated in the camp, including the Health Department; BSES and TPDDL; Food and Supplies Department; Revenue Department; Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC); Department of Women and Child Development; Social Welfare Department; Delhi Police; Education Department; Labour Department; DDB; Delhi Jal Board (DJB); SC & ST Department; and Delhi Development Authority (DDA). Gupta also interacted with citizens visiting the camp and noted their inputs on their experience in accessing the services available there. He said that bringing multiple public agencies together at the neighbourhood level can reduce the need for citizens to navigate different offices and help make government services more accessible, coordinated and responsive.
Asian Games: President Murmu congratulates Aman, Deepak on wrestling medals
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 3 (IANS) President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday congratulated Aman Sehrawat and Deepak Punia on their medal-winning performances in wrestling at the Asian Games 2026, praising their achievements for inspiring the next generation of Indian wrestlers. Congratulating Aman on his gold medal in the mens freestyle 57 kg category. The president said the Indian wrestler had fought your way to the top and claimed the highest honour in his category. Heartiest congratulations to you, Aman Sehrawat, on winning the Gold Medal in the Mens Freestyle 57 kg category in Wrestling at the Asian Games 2026. You have fought your way to the top and claimed the highest honour in your category. Your golden performance will inspire many young wrestlers across the country to pursue excellence, President Murmu posted on X. Aman defeated reigning world champion Han Chong-song of North Korea 11-7 in a thrilling final to become the first Indian to win an Asian Games gold in the mens 57 kg freestyle category. The 23-year-old had earlier produced a strong comeback in the semifinal, recovering from a 2-6 deficit against Tajikistans Aiaal Belolyubskii to win 14-8. He had begun his campaign with a 20-9 technical superiority victory over Japans Yamato Ogawa before beating Kazakhstans Nurdanat Aitanov 12-1 in the quarterfinals. President Murmu also congratulated Deepak Punia after the Indian wrestler secured bronze in the mens freestyle 97 kg category. Congratulations to Deepak Punia on securing the Bronze Medal in the Mens 97 kg Freestyle Wrestling event at the Asian Games 2026. Your spectacular performance has brought India a medal in this weight category after six decades. May this historic achievement inspire a new generation of wrestlers to dream big and strive for excellence, she posted. Deepak defeated Mongolias Gankhuyag Ganbaatar in the bronze-medal bout after suffering a narrow 8-9 defeat to Uzbekistans Sherzod Poyonov in the semifinal. He had earlier beaten Chinas Zhou Junpeng 12-2 before advancing to the quarterfinals via forfeit. The bronze is Deepaks second Asian Games medal after he won silver in the mens 86 kg category at the 2023 Hangzhou Games. His medal also ended a six-decade wait for India in the mens freestyle 97 kg category. Maruti Mane had won gold in the category at the 1962 Asian Games, while Ganpat Andalkar won silver in the same edition. Bishwanath Singh and Bhim Singh later won silver and bronze, respectively, in 1966.
