Fire breaks out in godown in west Delhi after suspected e-rickshaw battery blast
A suspected e-rickshaw battery blast caused a massive fire in a west Delhi godown. The blaze erupted early Monday morning, engulfing domestic articles stored on the first floor. Two individuals sustained burn injuries and were declared dead at the hospital. Firefighters quickly responded and brought the flames under control. Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident.
Two killed after e-rickshaw battery blast triggers fire in Delhi godown
Two people suffered burn injuries in the incident and were rushed to Guru Gobind Singh Hospital in Raghubir Nagar; the victims have been identified as Sufaid, 17, and Mohd. Samid, 38.
August 18 Panchang: Worship Hanuman for Relief from Troubles, Amrit Kaal from 9:18 PM to 11:01 PM
New Delhi, August 17: The Panchang holds significant importance in Hinduism. It is consulted before any auspicious event, journey, investment, or worship. The Panchang is based on the positions of the sun, moon, and other celestial bodies. On August 18, 2026 (Tuesday), the Shukla Pakshas Shashthi Tithi will last until 5:50 PM, after which the ... Read more August 18 Panchang: Worship Hanuman for Relief from Troubles, Amrit Kaal from 9:18 PM to 11:01 PM
Pleasant Weather Expected in Delhi-NCR for the Coming Week
New Delhi, August 17: The weather in Delhi-NCR is expected to remain pleasant over the next week. According to the local forecast from the Meteorological Department, cloud cover will persist from August 17 to 22, with light to moderate rainfall anticipated on various days. Notably, the maximum temperature is projected to hover around 33 to ... Read more Pleasant Weather Expected in Delhi-NCR for the Coming Week
School Holiday Today, August 17, 2026: Schools in parts of India will remain closed today due to compensatory leave following Independence Day celebrations and adverse weather conditions. Students and parents in Himachal Pradesh, Odisha and parts of Punjab should check the
E-rickshaw battery blast sparks fire in Delhi godown, kills 2
Devdutt Padikkals Century Puts Pressure on Sai Sudharsan, Says Aakash Chopra
New Delhi, August 17: The first Test match between India and Sri Lanka is currently taking place at the Galle International Cricket Stadium. On the second day of the Test, Devdutt Padikkal delivered an outstanding performance, scoring a century. Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra discussed how Padikkals innings has increased the selection dilemma for the ... Read more Devdutt Padikkals Century Puts Pressure on Sai Sudharsan, Says Aakash Chopra
Gold and silver prices today, 17 August: Check the latest 24K, 22K gold and 999 silver retail rates across Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and other major Indian cities, along with MCX market updates.
DDA sells hundreds of flats under Karmajeevi Awaas Yojana: Scheme explained
The Karmajeevi Awaas Yojana 2026 launched by the Delhi Development Authority has sparked tremendous enthusiasm from potential homeowners. On the very first day, all one-bedroom flats were snapped up by eager applicants. This program, designed to provide affordable ready-to-move homes in Narela, primarily targets both government staff and qualified professionals. Interested parties can submit their bookings until October 2026, or until all units are sold out.
Leaders Extend Greetings on Nag Panchami Festival
New Delhi, August 17: On the auspicious occasion of Nag Panchami, several leaders, including Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, have extended their greetings and best wishes. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh took to the social media platform X to share his message, stating, Indias cultural tradition has always embodied reverence for nature, compassion for all living beings, ... Read more Leaders Extend Greetings on Nag Panchami Festival
Delhi likely to get light rain; monsoon remains active across India
IMD has forecast isolated extremely heavy rain over West Bengal and Odisha, with heavy to very heavy showers likely across several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Uttarakhand
Amit Shah asked me to move to Delhi, take up responsibility for 3 years: K Annamalai
Trent Rockets Crowned Womens The Hundred Champions After Dominating Sunrise Leeds
New Delhi, August 17: Trent Rockets have clinched their first Womens The Hundred title. In a commanding final match, they defeated Sunrise Leeds by 8 wickets. Chasing a target of 92 runs set by Sunrise Leeds, Trent Rockets started strong. The opening pair of Sophia Dunkley and Beth Mooney showcased excellent form, combining for a ... Read more Trent Rockets Crowned Womens The Hundred Champions After Dominating Sunrise Leeds
Tributes Paid to Revolutionary Madan Lal Dhingra on His Martyrdom Day
New Delhi, August 17: On the martyrdom day of the great revolutionary Madan Lal Dhingra, who avenged the atrocities of British rule by assassinating British officer Curzon Wylie in London, BJP leaders, including central ministers, paid their respects. They emphasized that Dhingras heroic saga continues to inspire all Indians today. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh stated ... Read more Tributes Paid to Revolutionary Madan Lal Dhingra on His Martyrdom Day
Delhi-based entrepreneur Kanika Jain shared how a candidate accepted a lower CTC without negotiating after being unemployed for seven months. When Jain encouraged him to negotiate, he revealed that his rent was due and his mother kept asking about his job search. The conversation made Jain realise he was not under-confident, but tired and seeking stability. She revised the offer, saying it was about respect, not sympathy.
PM Modi Shares Inspirational Quote on Unity and Collective Resolve
New Delhi, August 17: Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to the social media platform X on Monday to share an inspirational quote. He stated, Only through collective resolve and the power of unity can a nation progress. This spirit forms the strong foundation of Indias growth and prosperity. The Prime Minister also shared a verse: ... Read more PM Modi Shares Inspirational Quote on Unity and Collective Resolve
Delhi's India Gate has a litter problem. This man's video is a reality check
Delhis India Gate has a litter problem This mans video is a reality check
Delhi auto, taxi drivers to protest at Jantar Mantar over welfare board, fitness fees
Celebrating Nag Panchami: Greetings from Chief Ministers Across India
New Delhi, August 17: On the auspicious occasion of Nag Panchami, several Chief Ministers, including Uttar Pradeshs Yogi Adityanath, extended their heartfelt greetings and wishes. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath shared a message on social media platform X, stating, Warm wishes to the people of the state on the sacred festival of Nag Panchami, which conveys ... Read more Celebrating Nag Panchami: Greetings from Chief Ministers Across India
Chandrasekaran, Noel Tata separately briefed govt on rift, concerns before chairman's exit
Tata leaders recently updated government officials on internal conflicts and strategic rifts within the conglomerate. Issues concerning business initiatives, appointments, and Air Indias financial woes were highlighted. Following Noel Tata's visit to Delhi, speculation about leadership succession and his role at Trent emerged. The government's historical ties with the Tata group emphasize the ongoing need for effective governance solutions moving forward.
Farmers Urge Modi, Haryana Govt to Allow Peaceful Delhi March
A group of farmers marching towards Delhi in protest laid out their bedding on the road and prepared to spend the night at the Khanauri border between Punjab and Haryana
Manchester Super Giants Claim First Title in The Hundred, Defeating Trent Rockets by 5 Wickets
New Delhi, August 17: Manchester Super Giants showcased an impressive performance to win The Hundred title for the first time. In the final match, they defeated Trent Rockets by 5 wickets. Chasing a target of 159 runs set by Trent Rockets, Manchester Super Giants had a strong start. The opening pair of Tim Seifert and ... Read more Manchester Super Giants Claim First Title in The Hundred, Defeating Trent Rockets by 5 Wickets
Donald Trump welcomes Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan defence agreement, terms it as 'big, bold' step
Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan have signed a joint defense agreement. US President Donald Trump called this pact a significant first step. The agreement was signed by leaders of the three nations on August 7. India is now assessing the implications of this new regional pact. New Delhi will take necessary measures to safeguard its national interests.
Illegal floors, substandard material led to Saket building collapse: Police
Criminals have no fear: AAP targets BJP over Delhi sanitation worker's murder
Criminals have no fear AAP targets BJP over Delhi sanitation workers murder
CISF Personnel Suspended Over Alleged Misconduct with Female Passenger
In a post on X, the CISF Delhi Metro said that a detailed inquiry has been ordered
17 years on, from Hyderabad to New Delhi: How India became a badminton powerhouse
Gold Rate Today: What Are 24K And 22K Prices In Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata Today?
Silver 999 fine was at Rs 2,37,270 per kg at India level. Silver 925 sterling was at Rs 2,19,475 per kg. Notably, Silver prices have rallied 106.3% over the last one year.
Formal child adoption remains low in J&K; CARA records 42 cases in 2025-26
Jammu and Kashmir recorded 42 children adopted through the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) during 2025-26, a figure substantially lower than adoption numbers reported by several major States, according to data presented by the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development in the Rajya Sabha. The State/UT-wise data, furnished in response to a parliamentary question answered on August 12, shows that Maharashtra recorded the highest number of CARA-facilitated adoptions during the financial year, with 792 cases. Gujarat followed with 547, while Tamil Nadu recorded 501 adoptions. Karnataka accounted for 377 cases, followed by Odisha with 308 and Telangana with 307. Jammu and Kashmirs 42 adoptions were also lower than the figures reported by several northern and neighbouring States. Rajasthan recorded 172 adoptions, while Punjab reported 49, only seven more than J&K. Uttar Pradesh registered 231 cases, Haryana 68, Uttarakhand 30, Himachal Pradesh 14 and Delhi 109. Among other States, Assam recorded 186 adoptions, Kerala 170, Andhra Pradesh 140, Bihar 125 and Chhattisgarh 114. West Bengal reported 237 cases, Madhya Pradesh 221 and Jharkhand 60. The data also showed considerable variation among the northeastern States. Meghalaya and Nagaland reported 13 adoptions each, Mizoram 78, Tripura seven, Arunachal Pradesh five and Manipur four. Sikkim recorded 28 cases. Smaller Union Territories and States also reported relatively modest numbers. Goa recorded 25 adoptions, Chandigarh 18, Puducherry 15 and Andaman and Nicobar Islands 11. Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu reported five cases. No adoption through CARA was recorded in Ladakh or Lakshadweep during 2025-26. Across the 36 States and Union Territories listed in the annexure, the reported number of CARA-facilitated adoptions stood at 5,022 during the financial year. J&Ks 42 cases therefore accounted for less than one per cent of the reported national total. The Ministry, however, has clarified that adoption figures should be viewed in the context of the availability of children who have been declared legally free for adoption. The waiting period for prospective adoptive parents depends not only on the number of applicants but also on the availability of legally free children and the age group preferred by prospective parents. The government is seeking to strengthen the adoption infrastructure through Mission Vatsalya. States and UTs have been advised to establish at least one Specialised Adoption Agency (SAA) in every district under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 and the Adoption Regulations, 2022. As of July 29, 2026, 795 SAAs had been approved across the country under Mission Vatsalya. These agencies support the formal adoption process and provide residential care to adoptable children below six years of age. The adoption system has also been substantially digitised. All SAAs are required to operate through the integrated CARINGS-Mission Vatsalya platform, which facilitates digital processing of cases from referral and matching to documentation. The system also allows authorities to monitor compliance through real-time dashboards at the Central and State levels. The Ministry said District Magistrates have been empowered to issue adoption orders under the Juvenile Justice Act and Adoption Regulations. Prescribed timelines have been laid down for different stakeholders, while CARA undertakes regular monitoring and follow-up with States and UT administrations to reduce delays. The Centre is also using Mission Vatsalya for awareness campaigns promoting legal adoption and foster care. Nationwide and local outreach programmes, workshops, seminars and orientation sessions are being conducted, while CARA uses print, electronic and social media platforms to spread information on legal adoption procedures.
'Employees flag poor implementation of well-being policy at workplaces'
New Delhi, Aug 16: A large number of employees across sectors see poor implementation of well-being policies at the workplace as key to rising stress level, pointing to a widespread gap between having a formal policy and real-life experiences, said a report released on Sunday. The report, 'Beyond the Policy: Lived Experience and Micro-Rituals in Employee Wellbeing', said that 42 per cent of employees find their employers, despite having a policy for workers' well-being, fail in effective execution. The report by workforce solutions and HR services provider Genius HRTech and market research firm DigiPoll is based on inputs from 1,884 employees across sectors, including information technology, manufacturing, finance and BFSI (banking, financial services and insurance), hospitality, FMCG, among others, in an online survey during July 1 and August 3, 2026. While 21 per cent of respondents said well-being is embedded in their everyday work culture, 42 per cent felt good policies exist, but execution varies, indicating that implementation remains a key challenge for organisations, the report said. It also found that pressure created by always-on-work culture is a major stressor, with 42 per cent of respondents identifying constant availability demands as their biggest source of workplace stress. This is followed by unrealistic deadlines and expectations, cited by 21 per cent, it stated. At the same time, 52 per cent said feeling trusted and empowered contributes most to their sense of well-being at work, suggesting that while intrusive culture, micro-management and demeaning behaviour from managerial levels create problems, autonomy and trust can play a significant role in countering workplace stress, said the report. Managerial behaviour has emerged as one of the strongest influences on employees' well-being, with 47 per cent of respondents saying more empathetic managers would make them more comfortable discussing burnout or stress at work, highlighting the importance of leadership behaviour in creating psychologically supportive workplaces, the finding said. Recognition has also emerged as a powerful workplace well-being driver, with 37 per cent identifying recognition of contributions and employee feedback as the managerial action with the strongest positive impact. Employee well-being cannot be treated as just a policy document or an annual initiative. It is experienced through everyday interactions, how managers communicate, whether employees feel trusted, how contributions are recognised and whether people feel safe speaking about challenges. The findings reinforce that organisations need to move from having well-being policies to creating workplace cultures where those policies are lived, Genius HRTech chairman R P Yadav told PTI. Further, the report found that 36 per cent of respondents considered fair workload distribution the most important aspect of a healthy workplace culture, followed by mutual trust and respect at 24 per cent. Well-being has also emerged as a key consideration for employees when evaluating their jobs, with 42 per cent identifying it as a top priority, added the report.
From Lolab to Makkah: Kashmiri youth embarks on bicycle journey for Umrah
A young man from Lolab in north Kashmirs Kupwara district has embarked on a bicycle journey to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah, travelling across several countries on a journey expected to take around six months. Parvaiz Ahmed, a resident of Devar village in Lolab, passed through Ramban and Banihal along National Highway-44 on Saturday evening while heading towards Jammu. Speaking about his journey, Parvaiz said he first plans to reach Delhi and then travel through Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Iran and the United Arab Emirates before reaching Saudi Arabia. He said he began his journey from his native village on August 10. After reaching Srinagar, he stayed there for a day to get his bicycle repaired before resuming the long journey. Parvaiz said he was undertaking the journey with the hope of reaching Saudi Arabia safely and performing Umrah. He appealed to people to pray for the safe and successful completion of his journey. He also expressed the hope that Allah would bless the country with peace, harmony and prosperity. His unique journey along NH-44 attracted the attention of locals and travellers, many of whom wished him a safe journey and success in reaching Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage.
Leh , Aug 16: Chief Principal Census Officer for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh Amit Sharma said the second phase of Census 2027, Population Enumeration, will begin in Ladakh and Snow-Bound non-synchronous areas of Jammu and Kashmir from September 1, following the successful completion of the house-listing operation. Addressing a press conference, Amit Sharma, Chief Principal Census Officer (CPCO) and Director Census Operations (DCO), Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh UTs, disclosed that the Directorate has completed key preparations for Population Enumeration (Phase-II) of Census 2027 in the Union Territory of Ladakh and the notified snow-bound areas of Jammu & Kashmir. He stated that while the entire Union Territory of Ladakh will be enumerated during September 2026, Population Enumeration in the snow-bound areas of Jammu & Kashmir will also be undertaken during the same period. The exercise assumes particular significance as Ladakh will be the first Union Territory to be completely enumerated during the second phase, providing the first comprehensive Census-based demographic picture of Ladakh in its present administrative configuration, with 00:00 hours of October 1, 2026 as the reference date for population data. Sharma mentioned that on the 15th August, the 80th Independence Day, the Prime Minister, while addressing the citizens from the rampart of Red Fort, Delhi, specially appealed to the public of the nation to participate in self-enumeration for upcoming Population Enumeration phase of Census 2027 in a big way by sharing accurate data which shall indeed lay a strong foundation towards making India, a developed nation by 2047. CPCO Amit Sharma shared that, as the entire Union Territory of Ladakh is snow-bound during the winter months, so Ladakh will emerge as the first one amongst all states/UTs in the nation to complete Census 2027 exercise by the end of September itself. Emphasising the digital nature of Census 2027, Amit Sharma said that the Census is being conducted through a digital mode, marking a significant transformation in the conduct of the decennial Census. He further informed that Self-Enumeration (SE) for Phase-II will be available from 17 August to 31 August 2026, which shall be limited to the geo-fenced snow-bound areas only and it shall be available on the weblink se-snowbound.census.gov.in for the public residing in these areas. Sharma said, an estimated 637 Enumeration Blocks (EBs) will be created for complete coverage of Ladakh during September 2026. The exercise will be preceded by Self-Enumeration from August 17 to 31, 2026, followed by field Population Enumeration from September 1 to 30, 2026. The field exercise will build upon the digital framework created during Phase-I, when 579 House Listing Blocks across 17 Charges were covered in Ladakh through digital means. He shared that in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, the second phase will cover the snow-bound areas spread across 16 districts and 95 Charges, for which an estimated 4,146 Enumeration Blocks are being formed. The districts covered are Poonch, Kathua, Doda, Ramban, Kishtwar, Udhampur, Reasi, Kupwara, Budgam, Baramulla, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Pulwama, Shopian, Anantnag and Kulgam. These Enumeration Blocks will build upon the 3,769 House Listing Blocks covered across these 95 Charges during Phase-I, providing the operational framework for the forthcoming individual-level enumeration. CPCO Amit Sharma said that the decision to undertake Population Enumeration in these areas during September 2026 has been guided by the geographical and climatic conditions of the region. The timing has been planned to ensure that snow-bound and difficult-to-access areas can be reached effectively before the onset of harsher winter conditions. In Ladakh, where settlements are widely dispersed and terrain presents unique operational challenges, special attention is being given to Enumeration Block demarcation, field logistics and deployment of trained personnel so that geographical difficulty does not become a barrier to complete and accurate enumeration. CPCO Amit Sharma expressed confidence on the preparations for Ladakh and the snow-bound areas of Jammu & Kashmir also include arrangements for special charges, including establishments of military and paramilitary forces. Coordination is being undertaken with the concerned authorities to ensure that all eligible population groups and establishments falling within the Census framework are appropriately covered. This forms part of the Directorate's broader objective of ensuring that difficult geography, institutional location or mobility does not result in any eligible population being left outside the Census coverage. Sharma told that second phase follows the successful completion of the House Listing Operations from June 1 to June 30, 2026, across both Union Territories. The first phase achieved 100 per cent digital data collection without major technical difficulties. In Jammu & Kashmir, 24,071 House Listing Blocks were created across 295 Charges, while Ladakh covered 579 House Listing Blocks across 17 Charges. More than 27,000 Census kits were dispatched to Charges in Jammu & Kashmir, while more than 800 kits were distributed in Ladakh, with additional stock maintained as reserve. Amit Sharma stated that Population Enumeration will generate detailed information relating to population distribution, household characteristics, demographic composition, education, economic activity, migration, disability, language, fertility and other population characteristics. For Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, such information will be particularly valuable in understanding demographic patterns across remote, rural, urban, border, tribal and high-altitude areas and in strengthening the evidence base for future planning and policy formulation. Emphasising the importance of public cooperation, Amit Sharma urged all residents of Ladakh and the snow-bound areas of Jammu & Kashmir to actively participate in the forthcoming Population Enumeration and provide complete and accurate information to Census Enumerators and Supervisors. He stressed that the success of the second phase will depend on close coordination between the administration, Census functionaries and residents, particularly in areas where terrain and weather make field operations more challenging. Sharma expressed confidence that the extensive preparations, structured training, digital systems and field-level coordination put in place by the Directorate would ensure the complete, accurate and timely conduct of Population Enumeration in Ladakh and the snow-bound areas of Jammu & Kashmir, marking another significant milestone in the implementation of Census 2027 through digital means. He appealed to all residents of Ladakh UT and residents of snow-bound areas falling in sixteen districts of J&K UT to actively participate in the Self-Enumeration process and contribute to this important nation-building exercise. He urged public to make use of the digital Self-Enumeration facility residing in these areas and ensure that their information is accurately recorded.
Bangladesh asks India to create conducive environment for Bangladesh PM visit to India
Dhaka, Aug 16: Bangladesh has asked India to create a conducive environment for a possible visit by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to New Delhi, even as Dhaka pressed for the extradition of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and other fugitives, The Daily Star reported on Sunday. Bangladesh Foreign Ministry spokesperson Shahidul Karim said Dhaka had made its position clear to India regarding Rahmans proposed visit. We have made our position clear on this matter. We are of the view that an appropriate environment needs to be created for this visit, Karim said during a media briefing, according to The Daily Star. He said Bangladesh had requested Indian authorities to expeditiously act on its demand for the extradition of Sheikh Hasina and others. According to the newspaper, Bangladesh and India have remained in contact for several weeks over the possibility of Rahman undertaking a bilateral visit to India. Diplomatic sources have indicated that the Bangladeshi Prime Minister could visit India between August 20 and 25, although the specific dates are still under discussion. The proposed visit comes amid uncertainty over Rahmans possible travel to New Delhi in connection with the BRICS summit scheduled for September 12-13. The Bangladesh spokesperson reiterated Dhakas balance-first policy in conducting relations with other countries, including its neighbours. He said Bangladeshs foreign policy would be guided by sovereignty, equality, national dignity, non-interference in each others internal affairs and mutual benefit. Rahman met Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi last week and, according to reports, raised the issue of Sheikh Hasinas extradition. Trivedi subsequently held a one-to-one meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on August 11, a day after his meeting with Rahman in Dhaka. The developments come as Bangladesh seeks to recalibrate its ties with India following major political changes in Dhaka.
Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth to visit Nepal from August 17 to 19
New Delhi, Aug 16: Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth will undertake an official visit to Nepal from August 17 to 19 to further strengthen defence cooperation and military-to-military ties between the two neighbouring countries, the Army said on Sunday. During his three-day visit, General Seth will hold meetings with senior Nepalese military and civilian officials and discuss issues of mutual interest. On August 17, the Army Chief will lay a wreath at the Army Pavilion in Tundikhel and receive a Guard of Honour at the Nepali Army Headquarters. He will also meet the Chief of the Army Staff of the Nepali Army and receive a briefing from the Director General Military Operations of the Nepali Army. General Seth will later attend an investiture ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan, where Nepal President Ram Chandra Paudel will confer on him the Honorary Rank of General of the Nepali Army. The conferment of the honorary rank is part of the unique tradition between the Indian and Nepali armies, under which the army chiefs of the two countries are accorded honorary general ranks by the other country. On August 18, General Seth will address student officers undergoing the Army Command and Staff Course at Shivapuri. He will also interact with instructors and foreign student officers and meet senior dignitaries to discuss matters of mutual interest. The Army Chief will travel to Pokhara on August 19, where he will attend an ex-servicemen rally, felicitate Veer Naris and gallantry awardees, and interact with Indian Army veterans before returning to India later that day. The Army said the visit highlights the deep-rooted historical, cultural and military ties between India and Nepal and will provide an opportunity to explore new avenues of cooperation between the two armies. India and Nepal share close historical, social and cultural ties, often described as the Roti Beti Ka Rishta. The Janakpur-Ayodhya and Lumbini-Bodhgaya links further underline the close people-to-people connections between the two countries. The two countries also share a commitment to democratic values and regional peace and stability, the Army said, adding that these shared interests form the basis of their close and enduring partnership.
Farmers seek Delhi march as Haryana blocks route at Khanauri
Farmers protesting the India-US trade deal are camped at the Khanauri border. Bharatiya Kisan Union Ekta Sidhupur chief Jagjit Singh Dallewal appealed for passage to Delhi. He requested the Prime Minister and Haryana government allow a peaceful march on foot. Farmers seek a legal MSP guarantee, farm loan waivers, and Swaminathan report implementation. They also asked courts to take cognizance and pave a way forward.
Proud to be 'dimagi Naxal': Cong's P Chidambaram hits back at PM
New Delhi, Aug 16:Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Sunday took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his 'dimagi naxal' remark, and said, I am proud to be a dimagi naxal. Chidambaram's dig at the PM came a day after Modi warned the country about the 'dimagi naxals' who have allegedly entrenched themselves in the system and continue to pose a threat to society by manipulating policies. Modi urged the citizens to identify and isolate them. Speaking from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the occasion of the 80th Independence Day, the prime minister said the country had succeeded in removing armed Naxalism from the forests but warned that its ideological supporters were seeking opportunities to promote violence and anarchy.
New Delhi, Aug 16: Israel has intensified its military operations in southern Lebanon, killing at least 11 people in what Al Jazeera described as the deadliest attacks since a US-brokered ceasefire framework was agreed in June, while tensions between Iran and the United States remain high over the Strait of Hormuz and the future of negotiations. Israeli forces continued to bombard southern Lebanon on Saturday, with explosions reported near Ali al-Taher Heights following a series of attacks that left at least 11 people dead. In an overnight Israeli strike hit a family home in Ansar in southern Lebanon, killing at least seven people, including children, according to Al Jazeera. The latest attacks have raised fresh concerns about the durability of the US-brokered ceasefire framework reached between Israel and Lebanon in June. Lebanese and Iranian authorities have condemned the strikes, while the Arab League described the escalation as a serious threat to efforts to resolve the conflict. An Arab League spokesperson said the attacks could undermine attempts to end the fighting and accused Israel of seeking to prolong the confrontation and impose a new reality on the ground. The Arab League also called on the international community, particularly Washington, to restrain Israel and ensure compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 1701. Adopted in 2006, the resolution calls for an end to hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah and requires the cessation of attacks by Hezbollah and offensive military operations by Israel. The US State Department, however, told Al Jazeera that Hezbollah bears responsibility for the continued presence of Israeli forces on Lebanese territory. The US official described Hezbollah as the principal obstacle to Lebanon's economic recovery and said a proposed pilot zone arrangement remained the most viable route towards peace. Under the arrangement, Israeli forces would withdraw from certain areas while Lebanese troops would move into them. The latest violence comes amid continuing uncertainty over whether the June ceasefire framework can hold as Israel maintains military positions and carries out strikes in parts of southern Lebanon. The escalation also comes against a wider regional backdrop, with Yemen's Houthis launching another ballistic missile towards the government-held city of Marib, according to local officials, while Syrian civil defence teams dealt with a fire reportedly caused by Israeli forces firing flares in the town of al-Rafid. Meanwhile, Hamas political bureau chief Khalil al-Hayya is expected to travel to Cairo for talks aimed at consolidating the Gaza ceasefire. Iran-US standoff deepens as Tehran links Hormuz reopening to US actions On the Iran-US front, the immediate focus remains on the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, where Tehran says it is continuing discussions with Oman on possible new shipping routes. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran and Muscat could reach an agreement soon on a new route through the waterway. But he stressed that reaching an agreement on shipping routes and reopening the Strait of Hormuz were two separate issues, according to Al Jazeera. Araghchi said reopening the waterway would depend on Washington fulfilling conditions under a memorandum of understanding signed in June. Among Tehran's demands are an end to US sanctions and the release of Iranian assets, he said. Irans foreign minister said that Tehran and Oman may reach an outcome soon on a new route in the Strait of Hormuz, Al Jazeera reported. However, Araghchi made clear that any decision to reopen the waterway would depend on the fulfilment of wider conditions by the United States. The comments underline the distance that remains between Tehran and Washington despite diplomatic messages being exchanged through intermediaries. Araghchi said on Friday that no decision had been taken on returning to direct talks with the United States. Qatar and Pakistan, meanwhile, have been exchanging messages between the two sides in an effort to keep diplomatic channels open. The standoff has been further complicated by US President Donald Trump's comments on the Strait of Hormuz. Trump has said that after what he described as defeating Iran, he would declare the strategic waterway US territory. Tehran responded sharply, saying on X that the Strait of Hormuz has been Iranian, is Iranian, and will remain Iranian. US officials, meanwhile, have indicated that Washington could maintain its naval blockade of Iranian ports indefinitely and impose additional economic measures on Tehran. The Trump administration has increasingly signalled that it would prefer economic pressure to launching another major military offensive. For Iran, however, the reopening of the Strait remains tied to broader political and economic demands. The waterway is crucial to global energy supplies, making the dispute over its status and shipping routes a major international concern. The developments also highlight the fragile nature of the wider regional situation. While diplomatic efforts involving Oman and other intermediaries continue, the continuing violence in Lebanon and the unresolved confrontation between Iran and the US leave the region facing the risk of another escalation.
There is a peculiar question that follows children into school almost as soon as they are old enough to speak: What are they learning? We ask it of parents, teachers and, increasingly, of the children themselves. Are they recognising letters? Can they count? Can they write their names? Can they identify colours and shapes? Are they school ready? These questions are not unreasonable. But when asked too early, and too narrowly, they can obscure a more fundamental question: What does learning actually look like in the early years? For a three-year-old, learning is rarely a neat progression from instruction to answer. It is more likely to appear as an elaborate pretend game, a child watching another child before joining in, a block being transformed into a building, or a conversation that begins with Spider-Man and somehow arrives at ideas about good and evil. The difficulty is that much of this learning is difficult to display on a worksheet. And perhaps that is precisely why we underestimate it. Early childhood education has historically occupied an uncomfortable position within formal schooling. We recognise childhood as a period of rapid development, yet we repeatedly attempt to organise it through the logic of later schooling. The pressure begins early: children are expected to demonstrate literacy, numeracy, writing and other recognisable academic competencies, at the cost of the less visible capacities that make later learning possible. The irony is that developmental research and educational thought have repeatedly told us that young children learn through experience, interaction, exploration, play and language. Yet educational practice can still treat these as preliminary activities, something children do before the real learning begins. The foundational years demand a broader conception of learning precisely because children at this stage are constructing the foundations upon which later academic learning will depend. Their capacity to communicate, collaborate, regulate emotions, represent ideas in different forms such as through plasticine or drawings, ask questions and make connections is not separate from academic development. It is part of the ecology in which academic development becomes possible. John Deweys understanding of education as rooted in experience reminds us that learning is not simply the transmission of information from teacher to child. Experience becomes educational when it contributes to growth and opens possibilities for further experience. For young children, this makes play particularly significant. Play is not merely an interval between lessons; in fact, it is one of the principal ways in which children encounter, test and reinterpret their surroundings. A child building something, pretending, sorting, experimenting or negotiating is actively making sense of experience. Lev Vygotskys work takes this argument further by placing social interaction at the centre of cognitive development. Children do not develop their capacities in isolation. Their thinking is mediated through language, relationships, cultural tools and interactions with others. A childs negotiation over a toy, therefore, can be a significant learning moment, not just a simple pause in what they are doing. It can become an encounter with turn-taking, perspective, language, social rules and cooperation. When children attempt to resolve a disagreement, they are not simply learning how to behave; they are learning how to live with other people. The question, then, is not whether such encounters constitute learning. The more important question is whether our educational systems are prepared to recognise them as learning. Indian educational ideas remind us that early childhood should not be treated as a miniature version of formal schooling. Gijubhai Badhekas work challenged rigid and authoritarian approaches to childrens education and placed importance on freedom, affection, stories, play and the childs experience. Tarabai Modaks experiments in early childhood education similarly demonstrated the value of developing pedagogical practices that emerged from childrens surroundings and lived realities rather than simply imposing formal school structures upon them. Their work invites us to consider what early education might look like if the child were treated not as an incomplete student waiting to become school-ready, but as an individual already capable of curiosity, interpretation and meaning-making. These ideas are not relics of an earlier educational imagination. They remain remarkably relevant to India today. The National Curriculum Framework for the Foundational Stage, developed within the framework of the National Education Policy 2020, places play, activity, exploration, interaction and childrens experiences at the centre of foundational learning. It recognises that young children learn through multiple modes and that the foundational stage cannot simply reproduce the pedagogical methods of later schooling. The policy direction is therefore encouraging. The challenge is to ensure that the philosophy travels from policy documents into the everyday life of classrooms. That requires us to imagine what those classrooms should actually become. An ideal early childhood classroom should not be designed primarily around the question of how much content can be delivered. It should be designed around the question of how much meaningful thought, interaction, movement, exploration and expression it can invite. It should be a space in which children can encounter materials without being told that there is only one correct way to use them. A block should be allowed to become a house, a bridge, a vehicle, a person or something that has no name at all. Paper should be available not only for reproducing what an adult has demonstrated but for drawing, experimenting and representing ideas. Stories should invite questions rather than merely test recall. Spaces should allow children to move, pause, work together and sometimes work alone. The physical environment itself can become part of pedagogy. Classrooms for young children should ideally invite children to see themselves as participants in the space rather than visitors within an adult-designed room. Materials should be accessible. Childrens work should be visible. There should be opportunities for drawing, construction, dramatic play, reading, movement and quiet observation. Where possible, children should have access to natural light, outdoor spaces and views of the natural world. A classroom that allows children to notice a tree, observe changing light, hear birds or watch the weather is already connecting the indoor world of schooling with the world children are trying to understand. A child who can reach for a material, choose between possibilities, return to an unfinished construction and decide how to use a space is being given repeated opportunities to exercise judgement. Over time, such experiences can foster independence and a sense of responsibility for ones own learning environment. Children think through movement, drawing, construction, dramatic play, gesture, sound, objects and conversation. Malaguzzis idea of the hundred languages of children remains powerful because it asks education to expand its understanding of what counts as expression. Indian classrooms can ask the same fundamental question: How many ways are we allowing children to think? A classroom designed around this question could foster creativity, confidence, communication, collaboration, curiosity and the ability to approach uncertainty without immediately demanding an answer. It could give children repeated experiences of forming an idea, testing it, changing it and trying again. These are dispositions that become increasingly important as children move through formal education. There is another misconception that deserves attention: the idea that free play means the absence of pedagogy. It does not. The distinction is between an environment in which children are merely left alone and one in which they have meaningful opportunities to explore while attentive adults observe, listen and intervene thoughtfully. The latter requires considerable pedagogical judgement. A teacher must know when to step in and when to wait, when to resolve a conflict and when to allow children to negotiate, when to answer a question and when to return it to the group, and when a behaviour requires an immediate boundary and when it requires closer observation. This is not less teaching. It is a different kind of teaching. Indeed, it may demand more from the teacher than conventional instruction. In a highly structured lesson, the teacher often knows what children are expected to do and what a successful response should look like. In an exploratory environment, the teacher has to observe what children are actually doing and make pedagogical decisions in response. Consider childrens questions. Young children ask questions that adults can easily dismiss because they appear disconnected from the formal curriculum. A child may ask whether birds have different names and different sounds just as humans do, and then wonder how people can produce different sounds while having the same body parts. On the surface, this may sound like a passing curiosity. In fact, the question contains several layers of conceptual thinking: comparison, classification, observation, language, identity and causation. The most educational response may not be to provide a complete answer. It may be to protect the question. A teacher can ask children to investigate, speak to adults at home, observe something in their surroundings and return with what they have discovered. In doing so, the question moves beyond the classroom. The child begins to experience knowledge not as something that exists only in the teachers possession, but as something that can be pursued. That distinction is crucial for the development of inquiry. The teacher does not lose authority by saying, I dont know; lets find out. Instead, the teacher models intellectual curiosity. The classroom becomes a community in which uncertainty is not treated as failure but as the beginning of investigation. This is where the curriculum becomes genuinely responsive. Planned learning should remain open to the questions, interests and experiences children bring into it. This connects with the idea of an emergent curriculum: curriculum that develops through attentive observation of childrens interests and responses rather than being determined exclusively in advance. Such a curriculum can also foster a different relationship between teachers and children. Instead of asking only whether children have reached predetermined outcomes, teachers begin to ask what children are noticing, what they are trying to understand and what experiences might help them move their thinking forward. But there is a tension here that educators should not ignore. Children need freedom, but they also need structure. They need opportunities to choose, but they also need adults who establish boundaries. They need to express anger, but they also need to learn that hurting another person is unacceptable. This becomes particularly important when considering conflict. A young child who grabs a toy, refuses to share or hits another child is not necessarily displaying a fixed behavioural trait. Young children are still developing emotional regulation, language and social understanding. They may experience strong emotions before they possess the vocabulary necessary to communicate them. They need adults who can help transform an impulse into language. Dont hit is necessary, but it cannot be the entire pedagogy. The child also needs to learn how to say, I want a turn, I am angry, Can I play? or I dont like that. In this sense, early childhood education is also the development of a language through which children can express desire, disagreement, fear, affection and frustration. The same is true of emotional development. A classroom in which children are permitted to name emotions, talk about experiences and seek comfort can foster emotional vocabulary and self-awareness. A classroom that treats every expression of frustration as disobedience may instead teach children to suppress the expression without necessarily helping them understand the emotion. This does not mean that every behaviour should be accepted. It means that discipline should have an educational purpose. The aim should not simply be to produce quiet children. It should be to help children gradually become capable of managing themselves, understanding others and participating responsibly in a community. This is also why the apparently insignificant conversations that occur during transitions can matter. Children sometimes talk most freely when adults are not formally questioning them. While putting materials away, waiting, washing hands or preparing for the next part of the day, a child may suddenly mention a sibling, a friendship, something that happened at home or a worry that has been occupying their mind. Such moments remind us that listening is itself a pedagogical practice. A child who is quiet may be tired, uncertain, absorbed, uncomfortable or simply unwilling to speak. A child who talks constantly may be processing experience rather than merely disturbing the class. A child who repeatedly chooses the same activity may be developing an interest that the curriculum has not yet recognised. It is therefore important that early childhood care and education deserves greater seriousness in public discussions about teacher preparation. We frequently debate curriculum documents, assessment systems and infrastructure while paying less attention to the sophisticated observational work required of an early childhood educator. To work well with young children, a teacher must understand development, language, social interaction, play, family contexts and classroom relationships. They must be able to observe patterns without rushing to judgement and document learning without reducing children to checklists. The classroom we should aspire to, therefore, is not simply one with more toys or brighter walls or fully air-conditioned. It is one in which the environment, curriculum and adults work together to communicate a particular message to children: Your ideas matter. Your questions are worth pursuing. You can make choices. You can make mistakes. You can change your mind. Other people have ideas too. Imagine what such an environment could foster over several years. It could foster children who are not afraid to ask questions because questioning has not been treated as interruption. It could foster children who are able to collaborate because they have repeatedly experienced shared problem-solving. It could foster children who can tolerate frustration because they have been given opportunities to persist rather than having every difficulty solved for them. It could foster children who can imagine alternatives because their play has not always been restricted to predetermined outcomes. It could foster children who see learning as something they participate in rather than something that happens to them. Is a child school-ready because they can write their name at three? Or because they can ask for help, wait for a turn, listen to another person, persist with a difficult problem, express disagreement without hurting someone, enter a group, leave a group, ask a question and change their mind? A worksheet tells us what a child has produced at a particular moment. Observation can sometimes tell us how a child is thinking. A finished drawing tells us what has been put on paper. Conversation can reveal why it was drawn. A correct answer tells us that an answer has been reached. A question can reveal that thinking has begun. Early childhood education should not be an argument against knowledge, literacy or numeracy. Children deserve rich opportunities to develop all of these. The argument is against treating these domains as the only credible evidence that education is taking place. A child can learn letters while playing with language, develop mathematical thinking while constructing with objects, encounter science while observing the natural world and develop communication while negotiating a pretend game. If we take the foundational stage seriously, then we also need to take seriously the environments in which children learn. An early childhood classroom should be a place that invites exploration, movement, conversation and reflection. It should make childrens thinking visible without turning every piece of childrens work into an assessment exercise. It should provide opportunities for both collective activity and solitude. It should connect children with nature and their immediate surroundings. It should be orderly enough to provide security and open enough to permit possibility. Most importantly, it should communicate trust. The real investment, however, is in adults who know how to notice. A responsive curriculum does not mean abandoning planning. It means recognising that planning cannot account for everything worth learning. It leaves room for the unexpected, the questions, the conflicts, the game that changes directions and the childs observation. This requires a certain humility from teachers. The adult is not always the most interesting person in the room. Sometimes the most important idea comes from a three-year-old. That should not diminish the teachers authority. It should deepen it. A teachers expertise lies partly in recognising which childrens ideas can become opportunities for further inquiry and in creating the conditions in which those ideas can develop. This is why early childhood teaching should not be mistaken for a simpler form of teaching. Working with younger children may require fewer conventional lessons, but it demands extraordinarily careful observation, interpretation, responsiveness and care. The question we should therefore be asking about nursery education is not simply, What did the children complete today? It should be: What did they notice? What did they wonder about? What did they negotiate? What did they try to represent? Whom did they listen to? What did they find difficult? What did they return to? And what questions did they leave us with? A block is never merely a block when a child is using it to represent an idea, negotiate with another child or reconstruct a memory. A question is never merely a question when it reveals a childs attempt to make sense of the world. The challenge before early childhood education in India is therefore not to choose between play and learning. It is to recognise that, in the foundational years, play can be one of the principal forms through which learning becomes possible. And perhaps the larger challenge is to build classrooms worthy of that understanding: classrooms where children are not hurried into becoming older versions of schoolchildren, but are given the time, space, relationships and intellectual freedom to become thoughtful human beings. If we can create such classrooms, we may discover that the purpose of early education is not simply to prepare children for the next class. It is to give them a strong beginning from which they can keep learning, questioning, imagining and making meaning for the rest of their lives. Vaishali Sharma has studied Education, History and Political Science at the University of Delhi and is based in New Delhi. Her interests include education, childhood, curriculum development, language, culture and social science.
Rahul Gandhi Compared to Pakistans President by Acharya Pramod Krishnam
New Delhi, August 17: Congress leader Acharya Pramod Krishnam has criticized Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav regarding the student protests and police actions in Jharkhand. He urged Rahul Gandhi to visit Jharkhand to understand the students struggles and to engage with Chief Minister Hemant Soren. In his remarks, Acharya Pramod Krishnam likened Rahul Gandhi to ... Read more Rahul Gandhi Compared to Pakistans President by Acharya Pramod Krishnam
Farmers at Khanauri border seek permission for peaceful march to Delhi
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Bangladesh PMs Visit to India Likely to Happen Soon
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UGC-NET June 2026: Re-examinations for English, Commerce, and Sociology Announced
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CPI(M) seeks crop insurance, KCC waiver for storm-hit Kulgam farmers
Kulgam, Aug 16: CPI(M) Jammu and Kashmir secretary Mohammad Abbas Rather on Sunday visited several hailstorm and windstorm-affected villages in Kulgam district and demanded crop insurance for apple growers and waiver of Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loans for farmers who have lost their harvest. Rather, accompanied by party workers, visited Nihama, Ladgoo, Pombay and Adijan, among other villages, where a recent hailstorm accompanied by heavy rain and strong winds damaged standing apple crop just ahead of its harvest. Horticulture Department teams have also been assessing the damage in the affected areas on the directions of Kulgam MLA M Y Tarigami. Rather said the storm caused extensive damage, with trees uprooted in some areas and the crop destroyed within hours. He said the damage was particularly severe as the apples were ready for the market. Not even a third-grade apple is left worth selling, Rather said while displaying damaged apples picked from the orchards. He said the Apple Farmers Federation had been demanding crop insurance for years and argued that farmers who had taken KCC loans to develop their orchards should be given relief if their entire crop had been destroyed. If corporate loans running into lakhs and crores can be waived, farmers with loans of Rs 1 lakh, Rs 2 lakh or Rs 3 lakh should also be considered for relief, he said. Rather called for a village-wise assessment by gazetted Horticulture Department officers and said the worst-affected areas should be prioritised for loan waivers if immediate relief across Jammu and Kashmir was not possible. He also sought implementation of the Market Intervention Scheme to help farmers recover some value from damaged produce. He suggested establishing juice-processing units at the block or zone level to utilise lower-grade apples instead of allowing them to go to waste. Rather said apple cultivation should be brought under a formal crop insurance scheme, noting that the crop accounts for a major share of the regions horticulture economy. He cautioned that the impact of the storm could extend beyond the current season, as damage to orchards may affect the next year's crop as well. Rather said the CPI(M) would raise the issue at various levels, including in Delhi through the All-India Apple Farmers Federation and the All-India Kisan Sabha. He said Tarigami would also pursue the matter in the Assembly. He identified Nihama, Ladgoo, Pheripora, Samno, Adijan and Pombay among the affected areas and urged the government to provide immediate relief to the farmers.
Jharkhand students show the way how protests need to be done
FRAGRANCE OF IDEAS The Jharkhand students and youth agitation started on 25th July 2026 at Ranchi, the capital city of the Jharkhand state. It was five days after the Sansad-Chalo march held by the Jantar-Mantar protesters in Delhi on 20 July 2026 that showcased the magnitude of their agitation, primarily organised by the CJP, as abusive, indecent, violent and devoid of the moral standards. The tone and tenor at Jantar-Mantar, which gave a reflection of anti-national sentiments and slogans, had already vitiated the atmosphere at the venue of the agitation well before the march. Therefore, their march on 25 July, 2026 had a highly surcharged and motivated context. It was in such a background of controversial events that the students and youth of Jharkhand sat on a strike and sit-in-protestin the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium at Ranchi to press for resolution of their demands from the Jharkhand government. Initially, the state government didnt move at all, but the agitators showed a great amount of patience, perseverance and dedication to the cause. Here it needs to be understood that the protesters in Ranchi aren't led by any political party or an ideological group or a motivated usual ever-ready agitators as was the case at Jantar-Mantar Delhi. The agitators in Ranchi mostly comprise the job aspirants joined by the students of the state. They alleged huge irregularities and corruption in Jharkhand's recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC). They havent, to date, permitted any political leader or prominent political activist of any political party or its affiliate to come on the stage of the agitation or hijack the course of events. The reasonable distance from political groupings has surely given the agitation a special identity and recognition in the eyes of the public at large, not only in the state but throughout the nation. In fact, they have attracted sympathies from the countrymen significantly. A large number of students from various places have come to join them. The ongoing student agitation in Ranchi centres on protests against the alleged irregularities, paper leaks and corruption in the JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations. The agitationis being led by a group of student figures including Devendra Nath Mahto -the leader who went on an indefinite hungerstrike on 2nd August 2026. They staged prolonged sit-ins, hunger strikes, and an assembly march demanding a CBI probe, cancellation of tainted examinations, and systemic reforms. Theprotestersspecifically allege severe corruption and paper leaks in major state competitive examinations like the 14th JPSC and JSSC tests. The students have completely rejected the state government's CID probe and insist on a CBI investigation. They have also expressed their dissatisfaction with the administrative overhaul. Although the state government cancelled certain preliminary exams, accepted some demands, and saw JPSC members resign, the students have persisted with their core agitation for a CBI inquiry and thorough investigation. The agitation peaked on 10-11 August 2026 when thousands of students attempted to breach barricades towards the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly. It resulted in a heavy police crackdown involving lathi-charges, tear gas, and water cannons on the agitators. A large number of student leaders and protesters, including Devendra Nath Mahto and Rahul Kranti, were hospitalised following extended hunger strikes and clashes with the security forces. The police and administration continued with their action throughout the night of 10-11 August, 2026. The BJP, which is in the opposition in the state, gave outside support to the agitation. However, in response to the police action against the student protestors, the BJP called for a state-wideJharkhand Bandh on 11 August, 2026. BJP enforced its Bandh call throughout the state , leading to road blockades and disruptions in Ranchi and other districts. However, it helped the cause of the agitators in a way that an awareness campaign was unleashed by a number of forces in regard to the agitation in the entire state and pressure on the government in regard to the agitation increased. There is a great difference between the two agitations, one held at Jantar-Mantar and the other in process at Ranchi. The Jantar-Mantar protests were led by non-students, funded by known and unknown sources, both internal as well as external, joined by Bollywood figures having their allegiance to the left orientation and urban-naxals, activists who raised anti-national slogans at the venue consistently, anti-social elements who had nothing to do with NEET issue and who resorted to filthy and abusive language and violence on 20th July against police and paramilitary forces. They didn't shy away from damaging public and private properties during their march on 20th July and are on record in regard to all their nefarious activities. In comparison, the Ranchi agitation has remained peaceful despite a number of provocations. The organisers didn't accept help from doubtful figures and didn't allow the agitation to go into the hands of political figures. There were no political, anti-national or anti-social slogans raised by any section of the agitators. The Left-leaning student body AISA President, Neha Bora, was not allowed to make a speech there and was politely asked to leave the stage. The agitators all along sang songs of patriotism and bhajans and also used the right and polished language during their speeches, press briefings and other expressions. The temple committees and other social activists like Bhairav Singh organised food for the agitators. The organisers at Ranchi, unlike at Jantar-Mantar, always expressed their preference for simple and Jharkhand-based food items for the agitators. The public came forward voluntarily to help the protestors. The opposition parties and leaders who day in and day out came in support of the Jantar-Mantar stir kept themselves aloof from Ranchi and paid no attention to the agitation going on there. The leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal and other such leaders who criticised the way the protestors in Delhi were dealt with by the police and administration didnt react to the treatment such protests got in Punjab, Kerala, Telangana and Karnataka, where there is the rule of INDI-Alliance partners. In regard to Jharkhand brutalities by police, Rahul Gandhi was compelled to open his mouth very late. The behaviour of the opposition changed drastically in the states where they were the ruling parties. They should have been ashamed of their double standards in this respect. In the case of Punjab, about which they refused to accept the failures, the Punjab & Haryana High Court hasn't only accepted that the massive paper leak happened there but also highlighted that the AAP government did absolutely nothing to stop it. Back to Ranchi, the biggest impression that the agitators therein have made upon the minds of the people is about their non-political demands, language, conduct and their love for their nation. They dont only seem well-behaved and responsible, but they have also given a great representation of their upbringing. Moreover, a large number of them are themselves the victims of corruption, nepotism, paper leaks and negligence by the authorities of the examination bodies and also by the government for the last a number of years. The Chief Minister of Jharkhand, Hemant Soren, JMM leader, is also the Minister for Home, Administrative Reforms and the Department of Personnel. But no ill-will was ever expressed against his person by the agitators that can be castigated as unparliamentary or filthy as was the case at Jantar-Mantar. The level of debates in public life, the language used by the leaders and their public conduct have surely impacted the youth who call themselves Gen Z. In addition, some of them have reflections of their upbringing as well, for which their parents and teachers are directly responsible. In this context, the Ranchi protestors have left a grand benchmark. It is very unfortunate for the nation that over the last some time, public debates and discourses have turned murkier and uninspiring for all the generations of the nation. This was clearly observed during the farmers agitation, Tukde-Tukde gang protests, Shaheen Bagh dharna, Delhi communal riots, the Jantar-Mantar episode and even the skits played outside the Parliament building by the MPs. We have recently come across a very unfortunate scenario in a Congress convention in Delhi in which Rahul Gandhi, Sandeep Dikshit and their other activists crossed all limits of political decency and decorum. Their theatrics were lustily cheered by their party audience present in the hall that sent waves of shame all around. The way they spoke and acted publicly in regard to the Prime Minister of a country (Italy) with which India has a nice relationship is simply condemnable and also reprehensible. They have exhibited their poor understanding of diplomatic norms and political conduct in international affairs. Unfortunately, that is the way the opposition has chosen as its march towards its doubtful destiny spreads rabid infection around them. The Ranchi agitation has entered its fourth week. Some positive developments have also taken place, and the Soren government sent one of its cabinet ministers to the hospital to meet Mahto and discuss with him the issues involved. Some discussions were also held earlier by the government with different groups of agitators. It was expected that the Congress, which came in support of CJP in Delhi, would prevail upon the Jharkhand government of which they are a part of, but nothing of the sort happened. The government also resisted Mahto's joining the Tiranga Yatra on Independence Day. CM Soren should take lessons from PM Modi in this regard. It is hoped that good sense prevails, leading the agitating Jharkhand students, who showed the way how protests need to be done, meet success; and the agitation comes to an end as early as possible. (The author is a senior BJP & KP leader, Human Rights Defender and a columnist and can be reached at: ashwanikc2012@gmail.com )
NCRTC Announces Recruitment for Candidates Aged 62 and Below, Apply by August 24
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Bangladesh PM Tariq Rahmans Visit to India: Over 50% Likelihood, Says JNU Professor
New Delhi, August 17: Dr. Swarn Singh, a professor at the Jawaharlal Nehru Universitys Institute of International Studies, stated that Bangladesh Prime Minister Tariq Rahman is keen on creating a favorable environment for his visit to India. He noted that there is over a 50% chance that PM Rahman will visit India and engage in ... Read more Bangladesh PM Tariq Rahmans Visit to India: Over 50% Likelihood, Says JNU Professor
Army Dog Tsyon wounded by terrorists in Kishtwar gets President I-Day Honour
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Air India to Operate All Flights from New Alluri Sitarama Raju Airport in Bhogapuram from August 17
New Delhi, August 17: Air India announced on Sunday that all its flights to and from Visakhapatnam International Airport will now operate from the newly inaugurated Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport in Bhogapuram starting August 17. The airport code VTZ will remain unchanged. The airline stated it will continue to offer 14 weekly flights between ... Read more Air India to Operate All Flights from New Alluri Sitarama Raju Airport in Bhogapuram from August 17
DPL: Yajas Sharmas 86, Late Blitz Help Outer Delhi Warriors Defeat Purani Dilli 6
Outer Delhi Warriors: Outer Delhi Warriors produced a strong batting performance to defeat Purani Dilli 6 by 21 runs in a high-scoring Delhi Premier League (DPL) 2026 fixture on Sunday. Batting first, the Warriors posted a huge 219/5 in 20 overs, with Yajas Sharma, Akshay Saini and Harsh Tyagi playing key roles. The Warriors got off to a flying start as openers Priyansh Arya and Yajas Sharma added 120 runs for the first wicket in just over nine overs. Arya played a quick knock of 30 off 21 balls before being dismissed, but Yajas continued to attack the Purani Dilli 6 bowlers. Yajas was in complete control and kept scoring at a rapid pace. He eventually fell for an excellent 86 off 36 balls, but the Warriors continued to score freely despite losing a few wickets in the middle overs. With the innings needing a strong finish, Harsh Tyagi and Akshay Saini stepped up and added 55 runs for the fifth wicket. Tyagi scored 32 off 15 balls, while Saini provided the final push with a quick-fire 49* off 23 balls to take the Warriors to 219/5. For Purani Dilli 6, Digvesh Rathi was the standout bowler, returning figures of 3/25 in his four overs. Chasing 220, Purani Dilli 6 also made an impressive start. Openers Samarth Seth and Aryan Gaur put together 104 runs for the first wicket, giving their side hope of chasing down the big target. Gaur led the attack with a brilliant 65 off 37 balls, while Seth contributed 42 off 24 balls. However, the Warriors fought back strongly once the opening partnership was broken. Aman Chaudhary played a key role in turning the game in the Warriors' favour, picking up three wickets in his first three overs and eventually completing his spell with figures of 4/38 in four overs. The wickets triggered a mini-collapse and put Purani Dilli 6 under pressure. Gaur led the attack with a brilliant 65 off 37 balls, while Seth contributed 42 off 24 balls. However, the Warriors fought back strongly once the opening partnership was broken. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With Purani Dilli 6 needing 41 runs from the final over, the result was virtually decided as Outer Delhi Warriors completed a convincing victory in a high-scoring contest. Article Source: IANS
Dead in some Greater Noida sectors, streetlights stay on through the day in others
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PM pitches for making India Global Defence manufacturing hub
Emphasises Raksha Shakti for Viksit Bharat 2047 NEW DELHI, Aug 15: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday pitched for making India a global defence manufacturing hub, emphasising self-reliance in advanced capabilities like hypersonic technology and drone systems while listing Raksha Shakti among seven key pillars to build a developed nation by 2047. In his Independence [] The post PM pitches for making India Global Defence manufacturing hub appeared first on Northlines .
Congress Announces Major Organizational Changes in Meghalaya
New Delhi, August 16: The Congress party has announced significant organizational changes within its Meghalaya unit. This move is part of an ongoing effort to strengthen the partys structure, leading to the appointment of new officials and the formation of key committees effective immediately. According to a statement from KC Venugopal, the partys General Secretary ... Read more Congress Announces Major Organizational Changes in Meghalaya
Out of Delhi Warriors Triumph in DPL 2026 with Stellar Performance
New Delhi, August 16: The Out of Delhi Warriors secured a thrilling victory against Old Delhi 6 by 21 runs in the 29th match of the Delhi Premier League (DPL) 2026 on Sunday. With five wins out of seven matches, the Out of Delhi Warriors climbed to second place in the DPL 2026 points table, ... Read more Out of Delhi Warriors Triumph in DPL 2026 with Stellar Performance
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IBPS Announces 11,403 Customer Service Associate Positions
New Delhi, August 16: A significant opportunity has emerged for job seekers in the banking sector. The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) has released an official notification for the recruitment of Customer Service Associates (CSA) under the Common Recruitment Process. A total of 11,403 positions are available across various states and union territories in ... Read more IBPS Announces 11,403 Customer Service Associate Positions
Tamil Nadu News | Annamalai: We The Leaders To Become Political Party At 50 Lakh Volunteers
K Annamalai, coordinator of We The Leaders, said the initiative will be transformed into a political party once it reaches 50 lakh volunteers. He said the group has already reached 20 lakh volunteers in 73 days and stressed that political decisions for Tamil Nadu should be taken at the grassroots rather than by leaders in Delhi or Chennai.
CISF personnel suspended for taking photos of woman passenger in Delhi Metro
BJP Questions Kejriwals Silence on Dalit Activists Harassment in Delhi
New Delhi, August 16: The Delhi BJPs media chief and spokesperson, Praveen Shankar Kapoor, condemned the alleged harassment of a Dalit activist by Shrichand Vohra, husband of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councilor Hema, during a press conference on Sunday. Kapoor also raised concerns about Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals silence on the matter. Kapoor, along with ... Read more BJP Questions Kejriwals Silence on Dalit Activists Harassment in Delhi
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SC Delhi Set Up Durand Cup 2026 Semi-Final Against East Bengal
SC Delhi produced a remarkable second-half comeback to defeat debutants FC Raengdai of Manipur 5-1 on Sunday and set up a semifinal clash against Kolkata heavyweights East Bengal in the Durand Cup.
Man held 2 months after wifes murder in northwest Delhi
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