Delhi

Delhi Launches Chalo Yamuna Cleanliness Drive to Revive Rivers Health

Delhis Chief Minister urges public participation in Chalo Yamuna campaign aimed at cleaning the Yamuna River. Delhi Launches Chalo Yamuna Cleanliness Drive to Revive Rivers Health

'India is an important ally': Marco Rubio says US must consider New Delhi's energy needs

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said the waiver of sanctions on Russia and tariffs on countries importing Russian oil, including India, provides a 60-day window for the Donald Trump administration to assess the potential impact of the measures on the global and US economies.

Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka Likely To Walk Free Today Amid CJP Protests

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, who are lodged in Tihar Jail in New Delhi, are expected to be released on Sunday, October 18, as their five-day judicial custody ends today. The party said the release formalities

Heavy rain to continue in South India till Oct 23; Delhi to stay dry

The IMD has forecast heavy rain across parts of south peninsular India until October 23, while Delhi is expected to remain dry with mainly clear skies

78.5% of no mapping, logical discrepancy cases in Delhi resolved: Chief Electoral Officer

The office of the CEO said that SIR is under progress in Delhi with the objective that no eligible voter to be left out of electoral roll

Govt caps trade margins on 137 anti-cancer drugs at 30 pc of MRP

Bilkul Online | Sunday Special New Delhi The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has capped trade margins on 137 non-scheduled The post Govt caps trade margins on 137 anti-cancer drugs at 30 pc of MRP appeared first on Bilkul Online .

Delhi CM Rekha Gupta and Minister Parvesh Verma join Yamuna drive

The News Mill

Delhi Police grants Congress NOC for November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan

On September 30, the INDIA bloc finalised a joint action plan over the SIR (Special Intensive Revision) row, including rallies and save democracy marches

Delhi Tourism hosts dandiya night for Anganwadi and ASHA workers

The News Mill

Delhi-Mumbai Expressway accident: Eight from Madhya Pradesh killed in Rajasthan

At least eight people from Madhya Pradeshs Betul district were killed and around nine injured after a tempo traveller fell into a 15-foot-deep drain on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in Rajasthans Kota district around 6 am on Saturday. The group was travelling to Khatu Shyam Temple in Sikar

Delhi Half Marathon: Asian Games runner beaten, Matata sets course record

Delhi Half Marathon: Asian Games runner beaten, Matata sets course record

How art platforms, exhibitions and awards strengthen the creative economy

In this photo essay from Lalit Kala Akademi in New Delhi, we showcase more highlights from an exhibition with 270 artworks from across India.

Delhi traders seek curbs on protest amid festive-season business losses

National Restaurant Association of India treasurer Manpreet Singh said frequent protests in and around Connaught Place have significantly affected businesses, with some establishments recording zero sales on certain days.

Anti-CEC protest LIVE | CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke released by Delhi court after signing peace bond

The Delhi Police has granted permission to the Congress to hold a rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1 and issued a no-objection certificate (NOC) for the event, a senior police officer said on October 17, 2026.

CJPs Dipke granted conditional bail, asked to sign peace bond

NEW DELHI: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke was granted conditional bail and asked to sign a peace bond on Saturday, police sources said. Dipke was detained moments after he stepped out of his house in Delhis Jhandewalan area to participate in the CJPs Lehra Do Tiranga protest at Connaught Place on Friday. He []

SC-appointed panel launches portal to receive complaints of violence during July CJP protest

NEW DELHI: A high-powered inquiry committee appointed by the Supreme Court is inviting complaints and representations through an online portal from people affected by violence at Jantar Mantar and places outside Delhi in July 2026, the Union home ministry said on Saturday. The portal has been launched for the convenience of affected people, including police []

Delhi Police allows Cong to hold rally at Ramlila Maidan on Nov 1

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Police has allowed the Congress to hold a rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1 and issued a no-objection certificate (NOC) for the event, a senior police officer said on Saturday. On September 30, the INDIA bloc finalised a joint action plan over the SIR (Special Intensive Revision) row, including rallies []

Rohan Bopanna misses out on AITA

New Delhi, Oct 17: Indias former world number one doubles player Rohan Bopanna has been left out of the AITAs Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOM) roster for not meeting the mandatory one-year retirement criterion prescribed under the National Sports Governance (National Sports Bodies) Rules, 2026. The 46-year-old announced his retirement from professional tennis on November []

IPL 2027 mini auction likely to be held on December 16 in Goa

New Delhi: The mini auction for the 2027 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is likely to be held on December 16 in Goa, sources told IANS on Saturday. Though a formal communication via email is yet to be dispatched to the team owners and the CEOs, sources in multiple teams and the broadcast 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 .

Repeated whistling, announcement triggered stampede in Kolkata: Bengal BJP

Repeated whistling, announcement triggered stampede in Kolkata: Bengal BJP New Delhi: West Bengal Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Samik Bhattacharya on Saturday informed that the stampede at the Chorbagan Public Puja pandal in Kolkata was triggered after an announcement and repeated whistling by a private security agency. According to initial information from the ACP present [] The post Repeated whistling, announcement triggered stampede in Kolkata: Bengal BJP appeared first on Mangalorean.com .

May joy and peace reside in lives of all devotees: CM Yogi extends wishes on Navratri Day-8

Digital Desk | Lucknow, Oct 18 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday extended his greetings to devotees on the occasion of Durga Ashtami, praying that the blessings of Maa Mahagauri bring joy, peace, hope and positive energy into everyone's life. In a post on X, the Chief Minister said, Through the worship of Maa Mahagauri, the eighth form of the primordial energy Maa Durga, purity, self-discipline, and strength flow into the devotee's life. From Maa, Creator of the Universe, we pray that joy and peace reside in the lives of all devotees, their heartfelt wishes be fulfilled, and their homes and courtyards be illuminated with new hope and vibrant energy. Jai Maa Mahagauri. CM Yogi also shared a Sanskrit verse offering prayers to Maa Mahagauri on the auspicious occasion, highlighting the religious significance of the eighth day of Shardiya Navratri. The Chief Minister's message emphasised the spiritual values associated with the worship of Maa Mahagauri, including purity, discipline, strength and peace. He also prayed for the fulfilment of devotees' wishes and for happiness and renewed energy to illuminate their homes and lives. Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also extended her greetings to people on the occasion of Durga Ashtami, offering prayers to Maa Mahagauri for happiness, prosperity, good health and peace. In a post on X, she said, On the auspicious occasion of the sacred Durga Ashtami, heartfelt best wishes to you all. At the lotus feet of the eighth form of Mother Durga, the supremely benevolent Maa Mahagauri, millions of prostrations. May the divine grace of the Mother bring the abode of happiness and prosperity to every home, may the lamp of faith and devotion remain ever lit in every heart, and may health, peace, and auspiciousness permeate the lives of all. May the universal Mother Mahagauri continue to shower her boundless grace upon all the people of the nation; this is the prayer at Her lotus feet. Jai Mata Di, she added. Shardiya Navratri Day 8 falls on Sunday, October 18, this year and is dedicated to the worship of Maa Mahagauri, the eighth form of Goddess Durga. Known for her radiant appearance and serene nature, Maa Mahagauri symbolises purity, peace, compassion and spiritual renewal. Devotees worship the Goddess to seek blessings for happiness, prosperity, harmony and inner strength. Durga Ashtami holds special significance during the nine-day festival, with devotees offering prayers to the Goddess and seeking divine blessings for their families and loved ones. The festival of Shardiya Navratri celebrates the nine forms of Goddess Durga, with each day dedicated to a different manifestation of the divine feminine energy.

Govt caps trade margins on 137 anti-cancer drugs at 30%; retail prices likely to fall 70%

New Delhi, Oct 17:Drug pricing regulator NPPA on Saturday capped trade margins on 137 non-scheduled anti-cancer formulations at 30 per cent, according to an official statement. The move, effective November 9, is expected to slash retail prices of these critical life-saving medicines by up to 70 per cent depending on their current price structures, the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers statement said. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), functioning under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, implemented the Trade Margin Rationalisation (TMR) mechanism under Paragraph 19 of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order (DPCO), 2013, following a gazette notification issued on Saturday. The intervention stems from recommendations by an expert committee constituted under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), comprising leading oncologists, medical specialists, hospital experts from across the country, and government officials. The committee recommended 137 drugs for margin rationalisation, and the list will be updated periodically. The exercise builds on the success of NPPA's 2019 pilot TMR initiative, in which trade margins on 42 anti-cancer medicines were capped at 30 per cent, leading to an MRP reduction of up to 90 per cent across 526 brands. The measure broadens that framework to cover a significantly larger basket of cancer medicines, the statement said. Drugmakers are mandated to publish revised price lists on their official websites and disseminate widely among retailers and hospitals. Furthermore, retailers and hospitals must charge reduced rates from November 9 and display the revised prices in their pharmacies. Hospitals, which directly procure a substantial share of oncology medicines, are also required to prominently exhibit the new rates on their websites and will bear direct responsibility for ensuring the revised prices are implemented on the ground, it said. Consumers can verify and check the updated drug rates through the NPPA website and the 'Pharma SahiDaam' mobile app. To ensure strict adherence, state drug controllers have been directed to enforce compliance across manufacturers, dealers, retailers, hospitals, and medical institutions. Addressing supply-chain concerns, NPPA underscored that the rationalisation seeks to curb excessive margins in the distribution and retail channels without denting legitimate manufacturing revenues or causing artificial shortages. Pharmaceutical companies have been directed to maintain their current production and supply levels for the notified formulations to guarantee uninterrupted and timely access to vital medicines for patients across the country, the statement added.

NC and Congress: History of political misadventures

The history of Jammu and Kashmir since 1947 is not merely a story of Pakistani aggression, separatism and terrorism. It is equally a history of political miscalculations, shifting loyalties, personal ambitions and repeated betrayals of democratic principles by the two political parties that dominated its political landscape for decadesthe National Conference and Congress. Their relationship, oscillating between political friendship and bitter hostility, created recurring crises of legitimacy and governance. While Pakistan bears direct responsibility for sponsoring cross-border terrorism, the political misadventures of Congress and the National Conference deserve serious scrutiny for creating conditions of alienation and instability that hostile forces subsequently exploited. The fundamental question is uncomfortable but unavoidable: could the tragic history of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir have taken a different course had Congress and the National Conference placed democratic institutions above political convenience? Friendship of Convenience The political relationship between Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and Jawaharlal Nehru established a pattern that would haunt Jammu and Kashmir for generations. Initially portrayed as an ideological partnership rooted in secularism and democracy, their relationship gradually exposed serious differences concerning political authority, constitutional integration and Kashmirs future. Nehru supported Sheikh Abdullah as a central figure in Kashmirs politics following accession to India. Yet the relationship deteriorated as disagreements emerged over constitutional arrangements and Sheikh Abdullahs political intentions. The dismissal and arrest of Sheikh Abdullah in August 1953 represented an extraordinary political reversal. The leader who had enjoyed Nehrus confidence was suddenly removed from power. The episode raises serious questions about political judgment on both sides. If Sheikh Abdullahs political positions were considered dangerous in 1953, why had they previously received such substantial political support? Equally, why did Sheikh Abdullahs political approach generate such profound uncertainty about Kashmirs constitutional future? The consequences extended far beyond two political personalities. The episode became a lasting source of political grievance and distrust. Democracy Subordinated to Power The removal of Sheikh Abdullah initiated a prolonged period in which the legitimacy of successive governments became a recurring controversy. Congress increasingly exercised political influence over Kashmirs governmental arrangements, while the National Conferences internal divisions shaped the struggle for authority. Rather than consolidating democratic confidence, political interventions encouraged the perception that governmental survival depended upon political approval from New Delhi. The damage was institutional. Political competition increasingly revolved around access to power instead of stable democratic principles. Such developments provided separatist elements with arguments against the credibility of constitutional politics. The responsibility for this deterioration cannot be assigned exclusively to one party. Congress and the National Conference both participated in political decisions whose consequences extended beyond their immediate interests. Principles Sacrificed for Power? The Indira GandhiSheikh Abdullah Accord of 1975 was another dramatic example of the changing political relationship between Congress and the National Conference. After more than two decades of confrontation, Sheikh Abdullah returned to power through an arrangement with the Congress leadership. Political reconciliation is not inherently objectionable. Indeed, accommodation can strengthen democratic stability. However, the accord exposed the striking transformation of political positions that had previously appeared irreconcilable. The same political establishment that had supported Sheikh Abdullahs removal facilitated his return. What had changed so fundamentally that yesterdays political adversary became todays indispensable partner? The accord restored Sheikh Abdullah to office but did not permanently resolve the underlying tensions concerning constitutional identity, regional aspirations and political trust. Instead of creating enduring institutional reconciliation, Kashmirs political stability remained excessively dependent upon understandings between powerful individuals. Another Assault on Democratic Credibility The dismissal of Farooq Abdullahs government in 1984 represented another damaging chapter. Following Sheikh Abdullahs death, Farooq Abdullah emerged as the principal leader of the National Conference. His relationship with Congress deteriorated, eventually culminating in a political rebellion led by G. M. Shah. The formation of a rival government with Congress support was widely criticised as an exercise in political manipulation. The episode reinforced the perception that elected governments could be destabilised through political manoeuvring. For a sensitive border region already experiencing political uncertainty, the consequences were particularly serious. Congress pursued immediate political advantage, while the National Conferences internal divisions exposed weaknesses within its own political organisation. The larger casualty was public confidence in democratic stability. A Historic Failure The 1987 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections constitute perhaps the most consequential political episode in the history of CongressNational Conference cooperation. The two parties contested the elections in alliance against opposition forces, including the Muslim United Front. Widespread allegations of electoral manipulation, intimidation and irregularities seriously damaged the credibility of the electoral process. Several political observers and historical studies have identified the disputed elections as an important factor contributing to the alienation of sections of Kashmiri youth and the subsequent growth of militancy. The precise relationship between individual electoral grievances and decisions to join armed organisations requires careful historical examination. Nevertheless, the broader political consequences were profound. A democratic system that fails to convince citizens of the fairness of electoral competition risks losing its most important source of legitimacy. The National Conference and Congress must face political accountability for their conduct during this critical period. The tragedy was that Pakistan-backed terrorist organisations subsequently exploited the disillusionment arising from domestic political failures. The 1987 elections remain a powerful reminder that manipulating democratic institutions for short-term political gain can produce consequences far beyond the immediate electoral contest. Political Leaderships Failure Pakistans responsibility for sponsoring, training, financing and supporting terrorist organisations operating in Jammu and Kashmir is central to any honest account of the insurgency. The emergence of militancy also reflected regional developments, radicalisation, cross-border networks and the consequences of the Afghan conflict. However, external aggression becomes more dangerous when domestic political institutions are weakened. The recurring conflicts between Congress and the National Conference contributed to an environment in which constitutional politics was frequently viewed with suspicion. Their repeated political confrontations, followed by opportunistic accommodations, weakened confidence in the consistency of governance. Pakistan exploited these vulnerabilities to promote separatism and armed violence. It would be historically inaccurate to claim that Congress and the National Conference alone caused terrorism. Yet it would be equally irresponsible to ignore the role of their political decisions in weakening democratic legitimacy during crucial periods. Pakistan must answer for the terrorism it sponsored; Congress and the National Conference must answer for the political failures that helped create opportunities for its exploitation. The Human Cost The consequences of terrorism devastated Jammu and Kashmir. Thousands lost their lives. Security personnel, civilians, political workers and public officials became victims of violence. Kashmiri Pandits suffered targeted killings, intimidation and mass displacement. Ordinary Muslim families also endured terrorism, coercion and prolonged insecurity. Economic development suffered, tourism declined, educational opportunities were disrupted and generations grew up amid violence. The political leadership cannot escape historical scrutiny by treating this tragedy merely as an unfortunate consequence of external aggression. The central issue is whether earlier political decisions could have strengthened democratic institutions sufficiently to reduce the vulnerabilities exploited by militant organisations. For Congress and the National Conference, that question remains unanswered. The Politics of Contradiction Another striking feature of National Conference politics has been its alternating emphasis on autonomy and cooperation with national political establishments. The party has repeatedly presented itself as the guardian of Kashmirs regional identity while entering alliances with Congress at different historical stages. Congress has similarly adopted changing positions concerning Kashmirs constitutional and political arrangements. Constitutional demands and political alliances are legitimate democratic activities. The criticism arises when contradictory political narratives are used to secure electoral advantage without offering clarity about long-term governance. Such inconsistency encouraged political uncertainty and allowed competing forces to exploit public confusion. Kashmir needed constitutional stability and credible democratic institutions. Instead, it frequently witnessed political bargaining over questions that demanded responsible and consistent leadership. Accountability Cannot Be Avoided Political responsibility does not require proof of criminal involvement in terrorism. Those who commit, finance and sponsor terrorist violence bear criminal responsibility for their actions. Political accountability concerns something different: whether decisions taken by those exercising power strengthened or weakened the institutions entrusted to them. Congress must answer for controversial interventions in Kashmirs democratic processes and its role in destabilising elected governments. The National Conference must answer for its own political contradictions, internal power struggles and participation in the disputed electoral process of 1987. Neither party can claim the moral authority to lecture others about Kashmirs political history without confronting its own record. The tragedy is that both parties repeatedly portrayed their decisions as necessary for Kashmirs welfare, even when their political arrangements produced instability and distrust. Conclusion The political relationship between Congress and the National Conference has been characterised by extraordinary reversalsfrom the Sheikh AbdullahNehru confrontation to the 1975 Accord, from the 1984 political crisis to the controversial 1987 elections. These were not isolated political disagreements. Collectively, they contributed to the erosion of democratic confidence at critical moments in Jammu and Kashmirs history. Pakistan exploited political vulnerabilities through terrorism, but its culpability does not eliminate the responsibility of domestic political leadership. The people of Jammu and Kashmir deserve an honest reckoning with this past. Congress and the National Conference cannot seek credit for every achievement while disclaiming responsibility for the consequences of their political misadventures. The lasting lesson of Kashmirs history is that when political power becomes more important than democratic integrity, the resulting damage can endure for generations. Jammu and Kashmir has paid an enormous price. History demands accountability, not convenient explanations. Advocate Sunil Sethi, Chief Spokesperson BJP J&K.

Mending soles, stitching a life

Starlink: The Promise and the Risk

India should welcome new technology, foreign investment and competition in telecommunications. But it must also recognise that some commercial services can become matters of national security. When communications networks are used by the armed forces, emergency services and critical public institutions, their availability cannot be left entirely to commercial considerations. The controversy surrounding Elon Musks Starlink satellite internet service has brought this question into focus. Musks public clash with Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani is ostensibly about competition, market access and consumer choice. But the larger issue is whether India can afford to become excessively dependent on a critical communications network controlled by a foreign private company. Ukraines experience offers an important lesson. According to Reuters, Ukrainian military operations faced disruption in October after restrictions were imposed on satellite communications supporting drone missions. A Reuters report on October 15 said the reported order to limit access to the military-oriented Starshield system had come from within the White House. The service was subsequently restored following discussions between the US and British defence leadership. An important distinction must be made here. Starlink provides satellite broadband services, while Starshield is a separate, military-oriented system developed by SpaceX for government and defence applications. Nevertheless, the episode raises a serious question: what happens when a country becomes dependent on a communications network whose operations are controlled by a private company based abroad? The fact remains, Ukraine has benefited enormously from Starlink since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. The service helped keep hospitals, government offices and emergency services connected when conventional communications infrastructure was damaged. It also became important for military communications and drone operations. Starlink has played an important role in helping Ukraine withstand the crisis. But its recent experience also shows that over-reliance on a privately run network can pose a security risk when circumstances change. India needs to learn from this. It does not mean that Starlink is unsafe or that American technology should be avoided. The point is simple: no country should depend so heavily on a foreign-controlled communication network that its national security is at risk if that service is disrupted or restricted. India must have reliable alternatives of its own. Elon Musk has accused influential Indian business interests of trying to obstruct Starlinks entry to protect their existing market positions. In a sarcastic remark, as national media reported, directed at Ambani, he used the expression Prime Minister Ambani, arguing that competition would give consumers more choices and encourage companies to offer better services at affordable prices. Reliance, in its October 16 statement, said it had never feared competition and welcomed satellite communications services, including Starlink. It also said its own satellite services were awaiting government clearances and maintained that Indian and foreign operators should be governed by the same rules. Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has said that three operators Starlink, Reliance Jios satellite venture and Bharti-backed Eutelsat OneWeb, have received licences, subject to the remaining requirements for commercial operations. There are important, legitimate questions about the pace of regulatory clearances and whether established companies are trying to protect their market positions. These issues should be examined on the basis of facts and transparent rules, rather than through public exchanges between wealthy businessmen. But the debate must not end there. Even if every allegation of commercial lobbying were proved wrong, New Delhis security concerns would and should remain. Similarly, even if Starlink offered the most attractive prices, affordability alone would not settle the question of strategic dependence. Satellite internet can bring benefits to a country as geographically diverse as India. It can connect remote Himalayan villages, islands, border settlements, ships and disaster-hit areas where laying fibre-optic cables is difficult or uneconomical. We agree that people living in remote regions need better connectivity to improve access to education, healthcare, banking and government services. Businesses can also benefit from more reliable communication. Starlinks established technology and extensive satellite constellation could help expand connectivity in underserved areas. India should not deny these advantages merely because the service is foreign-owned. However, satellite networks differ from conventional telecom infrastructure. A terrestrial internet provider relies substantially on infrastructure located within the country. Satellite broadband depends on spacecraft in orbit, ground equipment, specialised terminals, software and a network operated by a company headquartered abroad. Indian authorities can regulate services offered within the country, but independently verifying every aspect of a complex satellite network presents a different challenge. The first concern is continuity of service. What would happen if a foreign operator restricted connectivity during a military confrontation, border emergency or diplomatic dispute? Would hospitals, emergency services and security agencies be able to continue their work? The second concern is data security. Satellite networks can generate information about users, terminals, locations and network activity. Some of this information may be commercially valuable, while other data could have security implications. India must establish enforceable safeguards governing the collection, storage, processing and sharing of such information. The most important issue is operational control and compliance with Indian law. It cannot be taken in a lighter way. Authorities, in all circumstances, should be able to address unlawful use, enforce legitimate restrictions and ensure that satellite services meet the countrys regulatory requirements. These safeguards become particularly important in sensitive border areas and strategically significant locations. These are genuine policy questions, not arguments for protectionism. The country should also not be dependent on a single point of dependence Indias digital transformation has made communications infrastructure essential to banking, commerce, public services, defence and disaster management. A disruption that once affected a limited number of users can now have consequences for entire systems. Consider a major earthquake, flood or other disaster that damages terrestrial networks. Satellite internet could become invaluable when conventional communication lines fail. But if the satellite service itself becomes unavailable, or its capacity is restricted at the very moment it is needed most, the country could face another crisis. The answer is not to reject satellite technology but to ensure that no single network becomes the only option. The same principle applies to national security. India cannot assume that a commercial service will remain available under every geopolitical circumstance. Equally, it should not presume that a foreign company will necessarily act against Indian interests. National planning must be based on safeguards and alternatives, rather than either assumption. This concern is not just about Elon Musk or the United States. The same questions would arise if a company from any other country controlled a communication network on which India depended for its critical needs. Allowing a foreign company to provide a service is one thing; depending on it for essential national functions is quite another. The first gives people more choices and improves connectivity. The second calls for much greater caution. India, now one of the leading global powers, should neither shut its doors to Starlink nor let a dispute between two business leaders decide the countrys technology policy. The government must encourage new technology and investment while ensuring that national interests are not compromised. First, there should be clear rules for all satellite service providers on data protection, security, access to information by lawful authorities and accountability. Indian and foreign companies should follow the same standards. Second, the government must ensure that essential communication services continue to work during emergencies. Defence establishments, disaster management agencies and other critical services should have access to alternative networks. These arrangements must also be tested regularly so that the country is not caught unprepared if one service is disrupted or restricted. Third, India needs to strengthen its own satellite technology and infrastructure. Indian companies and research institutions should get the support needed to develop local expertise and capabilities. Depending too much on a single foreign provider can limit the countrys options during a crisis. A mix of domestic and foreign services would give India greater flexibility. Finally, all decisions on satellite services must be foolproof and based on complete national security, technical needs and the public interest. They should not be influenced by pressure from technological giants, powerful business groups, or political considerations. Competition is important, but companies must also be held accountable for their services. Ukraines experience shows that technology can be a great help during a crisis, but it can also create new problems. A communication network that works well in normal times may become a source of concern when political relations change, or a conflict intensifies. The lesson for New Delhi is clear. India should neither shield domestic companies from competition nor reject foreign technology without reason. It must, however, ensure that dependence on any one company does not put the country at risk at a crucial moment: man-made or natural disaster. India should welcome new technology, guard completely against its risks and protect its strategic independence. Author is National Editor, Greater Kashmir

MF Husain to Sher-Gil: Hyderabad rarely gets art shows like this

Hyderabad:Hyderabad does not often get an art exhibition of this calibre. Shows that bring together the biggest names in modern Indian art usually stay in Mumbai and Delhi. If you want to see an MF Husain or an Amrita Sher-Gil up close, you generally have to travel for it. This weekend, you dont. ShowKeen, an 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 .

'No breach of peace for a year': For second time in a week, CJPs Abhijeet Dipke out on bail after CP rally detention; what bond says

Sabarmati-Jammu Tawi Express extended up to Katra with 3 new halt points

Jammu, Oct 17: The Ministry of Railways has approved the extension of Sabarmati BG-Jammu Tawi Express up to Katra with effect from October 18, 2026 from Sabarmati and from October 20, 2026 from Katra. The extension has been approved with three new halting points i.e., Samba, Bari Brahmana and Udhampur railway stations. Thousands of passengers, Railway officials stated, would get direct benefit from this decision. However, due to operational reasons, consequent upon its extension, the timings of around two dozen trains passing through Jammu Railway Division, originating or terminating at Katra have also been partially revised. The extended train will ensure direct train connectivity from Gujarat to Vaishno Devi. After the extension, lakhs of pilgrims of Mata Vaishno Devi coming from Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab will get the facility to reach Katra directly without transhipment, said Raghvender Singh, Public Relations Inspector, Jammu Railway Division of Northern Railway. Additional halts of train numbers 19223/19224 approved at Samba, Bari Brahmana and Martyr Captain Tushar Mahajan Udhampur railway stations will facilitate the passengers, providing direct long-distance train facility to the local people, students, traders and military personnel of these areas. It will be especially beneficial for the people connected with the Bari Brahman industrial area, Singh said. He asserted that in terms of tourism and economy also, the extended daily train would connect Katra via Sabarmati, Bathinda, Firozpur, Jalandhar, Pathankot, boosting religious tourism as well as trade and employment. With regard to the extended trains schedule, according to Singh, the train number 19223 will depart from Sabarmati at 10.25 am and will reach Jammu Tawi at 15.35 pm on the second day and Katra at 18.55 pm. On its return journey, train number 19224 will depart from Katra at 4.50 am and reach Jammu Tawi at 7.40 am, which is convenient for onward journeys. Jammu Division appeals to all passengers to avail maximum benefit of this extended facility. For detailed information about the train, information can also be obtained from the official website of Railways and NTES, Singh said. Giving a detailed account of the revised schedules of trains following extension of Sabarmati BG-Jammu Tawi Express up to Katra, Singh informed that train number 22478 - Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra - New Delhi Vande Bharat would depart from Katra at 5.40 am, from Udhampur at 6.08 am, from Jammu at 7.08 am and from Martyr Captain Sunil Kumar Choudhary Kathua railway station at 8.01 am with effect from October 20, 2026. Train number 14503 Kalka-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra will depart from Jammu Tawi at 3.20 am, from Udhampur at 4.12 am and arrive at Katra railway station at 4.47 am, effective from October 20. Train number 15656 - Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-Kamakhya will depart from Katra at 3.40 am, from Udhampur at 4.06 am, with effect from October 21. Train number 14612 - Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra - Ghazipur City will depart from Katra at 3.40 am with effect from October 22. Train number 19415 Sabarmati-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra will depart from Jammu at 4.15 am, from Udhampur at 5.16 am and reach Katra at 6.25 am, with effect from October 25. Train number 74909 - Jammu Tawi-Martyr Captain Tushar Mahajan DMU will depart from Jammu at 8.10 am, reach Udhampur at 10.10 am, with effect from October 20. Train number 22318 will depart from Jammu at 6.50 am with effect from October 21. Train number 16031 will depart from Jammu at 8.42 am, from Udhampur at 10.38 am and reach Katra at 11.50 am with effect from October 18. Train number 16317 will depart from Jammu at 8.30 am, from Udhampur at 10.02 am, reach at Katra at 11.50 am with effect from October 23 and train number16787 will depart from Jammu at 8.42 am, from Udhampur at 10.38 am, reach Katra at 11.50 am from October 19. Similarly, time schedules have been partially revised for around over a dozen other trains passing through Jammu Railway Division, originating or terminating at Katra.

Matata Shatters Delhi Half Marathon Record

Kenya's Charles Matata broke the course record to win the men's elite race at the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon on Sunday, clocking 58 minutes and 52 seconds. Ethiopia's Wudinesh Alemu secured the women's elite title. Indian elite races were won by Shailesh Kushwaha and Ankita Dhyani, with significant prize money awarded across categories.

Govt sets fiscal-year-end deadline to finalise Master Plans for 25 cities, towns

Srinagar, Oct 17:The government has set a target of finalising GIS-based master plans for 25 cities and towns during the current financial year, but the exercise is moving at markedly different speeds across Jammu and Kashmir. Only the Anantnag-Bijbehara-Mattan plan has reached the draft stage, while Bandiporas preliminary draft is under scrutiny. Being prepared or reviewed under AMRUT 2.0, the plans are meant to give towns a structured framework for urban growth, land use and future development. The Housing and Urban Development Department has indicated that all are expected to be finalised this financial year. The Anantnag-Bijbehara-Mattan Master Plan-2044 is the most advanced. After the inception report, base-map vetting, data analysis and pre-draft proposals were approved, the draft plan was placed in the public domain, and objections and suggestions are now being scrutinised. The Bandipora Master Plan-2046 has cleared its approach and methodology, revised work plan, base map and field-vetted existing land-use plan. Its preliminary draft has been submitted and is under scrutiny. Pulwama-2046 and Kupwara-2046 have completed their base maps and existing land-use plans, which were examined and returned to the consultants with remarks. The departmental statement lists no draft stage for either town. Kulgam, Baramulla, Sopore and Pattan, all with a 2047 horizon, have had their data-analysis reports and proposals on projected requirements, issues and development potential approved. Budgam-2047 has only its inception report and base maps approved, while Ganderbal and Awantipora have had data-analysis reports examined, with remarks sent to consultants. For Shopian, only the inception report and base maps are listed as approved. In Jammu division, inception reports have been approved for Akhnoor, Reasi, Ramban, Banihal, Kathua, Samba, RS Pura and Doda. The reviews of the Katra Master Plan-2031 and Udhampur Master Plan-2031 are also at the inception-report stage. The review of the Jammu Master Plan-2032 is at its final stage. Four master plans are already notified: Srinagar Master Plan-2035 (SRO 160 of 2019), Jammu Master Plan-2032 (SRO 90 of 2017), Udhampur Master Plan-2032 (SRO 91 of 2017) and Katra Master Plan-2031 (SRO 125 of 2016). Plans for Rajouri, Poonch and Kishtwar are being handled separately because their Development Authorities fall under the Tourism Department, which is expected to float tenders shortly. Government Order No 1152-JK(GAD) of 2026, dated July 1, constituted high-level vetting, steering and implementation committees to oversee master plans for 10 Tourism Development Authorities in the first phase. Kanwar Surjit Singh Institute for Spatial Planning and Environment Research is listed as consultant for Anantnag-Bijbehara-Mattan, Bandipora, Pulwama and Kupwara. The School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), Bhopal, is listed for Budgam, Kulgam, Sopore, Akhnoor and Reasi, while SPA Delhi is listed for Ganderbal and Awantipora and SPA New Delhi for the Katra review. Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, is listed for Ramban, Banihal, Udhampur, Kathua, Samba, RS Pura and Doda. The statement does not name a consultant for every town.

SC panel seeks complaints over July violence

Srinagar, Oct 17:A High Powered Enquiry Committee (HPEC), constituted by the Supreme Court of India to investigate incidents of violence at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi and other places during July 2026, has launched a dedicated portal to receive complaints and representations from affected persons and other stakeholders. According to a statement issued by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) on Saturday, the portal, http://hpec.nic.in, has been launched to facilitate submissions from those affected by the violence, including police personnel. The committee will examine issues outlined in paragraphs 12 and 13 of the Supreme Court's order dated August 18, 2026, and paragraph 5(i) of its order dated September 10, 2026. Priority will be accorded to complaints concerning the use of pellet guns, targeted violence and harassment of female protesters, and allegations of excessive violence and destruction of property by either side, the statement said. The portal has been designed to provide protection to vulnerable witnesses and allow affected persons to keep their identities confidential, if they so wish. The HPEC has encouraged affected persons and other stakeholders to submit their complaints and representations online using the prescribed formats. Individuals wishing to share information or suggestions relating to the issues referred to the committee may also do so through the portal. Those seeking to submit complaints, representations or supporting material physically can approach the HPEC office at Shiksha Sadan, 17, Rouse Avenue Institutional Area, New Delhi, between 2 pm and 4 pm on working days. Submissions can also be sent by post to the committee's office or via email at hpec2026.enquiry@nic.in, the PIB statement said.

After Jantar Mantar, Delhis new protest sites face access, infrastructure, visibility hurdles

From waterlogged patches at Ramlila Maidan to waist-high grass at CBD Ground and barricaded entry points at Burari, a visit to the three proposed venues reveals the practical challenges of relocating demonstrations away from Jantar Mantar

2 GMC Anantnag nursing graduates qualify forAIIMS NORCET-11

Anantnag, Oct 17: In a remarkable achievement for Government Nursing College, GMC Anantnag, two nursing graduates from the 2021 batch have qualified the AIIMS NORCET-11 (Nursing Officer Recruitment Common Eligibility Test) conducted by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. Seerat Yousuf, a resident of Pahroo, Nowgam, secured an impressive All India Rank (AIR) of 208. Her performance places her among the top nursing candidates in the country. Noorul Ain, a resident of Chadoora, Budgam, also made the region proud by securing AIR 1749. A nursing graduate from GMC Anantnag, she has demonstrated that dedicated preparation and institutional support can yield success at the national level. Both candidates belong to the 2021 batch of the Nursing College at GMC Anantnag, which has steadily built a reputation for producing competent nursing professionals despite being a new institution. NORCET is a competitive computer-based test conducted by AIIMS, New Delhi, for the recruitment of nursing officers across AIIMS institutions and other central government hospitals. Securing ranks such as AIR 208 and 1749 reflects the candidates performance and the role of nursing education and mentorship. Faculty members at GMC Anantnags Nursing College recalled both students as hardworking and focused. Seerat and Nooruls success is a reflection of their resilience and our departments commitment to academic excellence and mentorship, the faculty members said. For years, nursing graduates from Kashmir have aspired to work at AIIMS and other central institutions but have often lacked guidance and exposure. Achievements such as these boost the morale of nursing students across J&K, highlight the need for better coaching, libraries and career counselling in nursing colleges, and showcase GMC Anantnags growing role in nursing education. The Principal, GMC Anantnag, and the Nursing College administration congratulated the qualifiers and wished them success in their future careers.

Family offices bet Rs 2,000 cr on temple hotels

Mumbai: Family offices are investing in hospitality assets around major pilgrimage centres across India, from Deoghar and Mathura to Saurashtra and Udupi, opening a new frontier for the domestic hotel industry. From a Mumbai family office acquiring a nearly completed upscale hotel in Udupi to RR Kabel's investment in Salasar Balaji, family capital is flowing into branded hotels around India's biggest pilgrimage centres.Nearly Rs 2,000 crore has been committed across key religious destinations over the past 12-18 months, according to Noesis Hotel Advisors, as some of India's wealthiest business families turn their conviction in these destinations into a hospitality investment play.Also Read: Lemon Tree Hotels announces signing of MoU with Omaxe for operating 4,000 keysThe Udupi acquisition involves a nearly completed 137-room upscale hotel that will operate under a premium brand of Indian Hotels Company (IHCL). In Salasar Balaji, a family office is developing a 108-room property, while ITC Hotels has signed a 145-room Welcomhotel project on a six-acre site near the temple.135018616In Khatu Shyamji, Royal Orchid Hotels has signed a 120-room hotel with the Agarwal family, around 2 km from the temple.The deals signal a shift from traditional dharamshalas and independent lodgings towards branded, professionally managed hotels. IHCL, ITC Hotels, Sarovar Hotels and Radisson are among the operators expanding across religious markets.For Mahendra Kabra, managing director at RR Kabel, the investment in Salasar Balaji is driven by personal faith as well as commercial conviction.Also Read: Protests, traffic curbs in Delhi hit hotel businessResilience of Religious TravelI am a big believer in Salasar Balaji and go there every year. Instead of having a dharamshala there, I thought it would be better to invest in a hospitality asset in Salasar Balaji, he said. The hotel will be managed by Sarovar Hotels.The appeal for investors lies in the relative resilience of religious travel. A metro hotel lives and dies by corporate cycles; a pilgrimage hotel draws guests in good years and bad years alike, a representative of a Mumbai-based family office that recently invested in the segment said on condition of anonymity.Faith is India's most reliable demand generator, said Ajay Bakaya, chairman of Sarovar Hotels, an early entrant in several religious destinations. Occupancy is strong in these markets, according to him, particularly for mid-tier properties with 80-100 rooms. A lot of family offices also see development potential in investing in properties in such religious locations, he said.Much of the capital comes from regional trading, industrial and real estate families in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Individual investments range from 60 crore for a midscale hotel to 150 crore or more for an upscale asset, according to Noesis Hotel Advisors.This is not speculative money. These are families who have watched pilgrim footfall in their own towns double in a decade and are now converting that conviction into branded, institutional-grade assets, said Nandivardhan Jain, founder and CEO of Noesis Hotel Advisors, which has advised on some of the deals. The capital is patient, it is local and it is backed by land the family already owns. That combination makes it one of the most stable sources of hotel equity in India today. Jain cautioned, though, that resilient demand and family-owned land do not guarantee a viable hotel. A temple is not a feasibility study, he said.Better roads, airports, expressways, and pilgrimage corridors are turning day-trip destinations into overnight stops, improving the economics of branded hospitality. For hotel chains looking beyond saturated urban markets, temple towns offer a growing pool of demand and relatively limited branded supply. For family offices, experts say the bet is on faith-an enduring reason to travel.

IDBI Bank Q2 net profit drops 39 per cent to Rs 2,205 crore

New Delhi, Oct 17: IDBI Bank on Saturday reported a 39 per cent fall in net profit to Rs 2,205 crore for the second quarter ended September 2026, as non-interest income moderated. The LIC-controlled bank earned a profit of Rs 3,627 crore in the year-ago period, including a one-off gain of Rs 1,699 crore from []

Delhi: A Night Between Nizamuddin and Nizamuddins Opposites

I set off for Delhi in the morning with William Dalrymples The City of Djinns in my bag. Theres something satisfying about carrying a book about a city into the city itself. You begin to look at things a little differently, as though the streets might reveal something youd have missed otherwise. On the flight, I was reading Dalrymples account of his visits to the shrine of Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya and the qawwalis that fill its precincts. I read about the music, the devotees and the curious way Delhis medieval past continues to live alongside its present. I had no idea that, by evening, Id find myself in the very place Id been reading about that morning. Delhi had other plans for me during the day. There were meetings to attend and official work to get through. By the time I was free, it was approaching Maghrib. On the way back, almost on a whim, I asked the driver to drop me at Nizamuddin. I was hungry, too. Delhi is hardly the place to ignore that particular need, so I found myself some proper Mughlai nihari and tandoori. It was a satisfying meal, and for a little while I could forget the days official business. Then I started walking towards the shrine. I hadnt checked the calendar. I hadnt planned the visit. As it turned out, it was the annual urs of Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya. The place was packed. People filled the narrow lanes, moving in every direction, while the sound of qawwali rose above the general commotion. The singers were praising the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), and the crowd seemed to respond with its whole being. Hands clapped, heads swayed, voices joined in. Some people sang along; others simply stood and listened. There was an ease to it all, a feeling that nobody needed to explain why they had come. I was delighted. There I was, in the very place Dalrymple had described, on a night when the shrine was celebrating its saint. A book Id been reading on an aeroplane that morning had, quite unexpectedly, led me into the scene itself. For a moment, The City of Djinns wasnt a book at all. It was the place around me. What I noticed, too, was the mixture of people. Muslims and Hindus moved through the same crowded lanes, sharing the occasion in their own ways. There were families, devotees, curious visitors and people who had perhaps been coming here for years. Nobody seemed particularly interested in drawing a neat boundary between the sacred and the ordinary. The past wasnt locked away in a monument or a history book. It was right there, in the music, the faces and the simple act of people coming together. As I moved away from the main shrine, I came across the Urs Mahal, a space associated with the urs celebrations. The atmosphere inside was rather different. The crowd was still there, but the gathering had a more formal character. The shrines senior custodians, the mujawirs and other elders, sat on a raised platform, listening to the qawwals. There was a certain dignity to the arrangement. This wasnt just a musical performance in a crowded lane; it was a tradition being carried forward by people who understood its place in their lives. I found a spot among the ordinary listeners, on the white sheets spread across the floor. I didnt feel the need to sit on the raised platform. I was quite happy to be one of the people listening. That evening, the refrain was Maula Ali, Maula Ali, Maula Ali. The singers kept returning to it, each repetition adding something to the last. Anyone who has listened to qawwali knows how this works. A line is repeated until it seems to take on a life of its own. You stop listening to the words alone. The rhythm draws you in, and before long, the distinction between the people singing and the people listening begins to blur. The crowd was absorbed. Some sat quietly, others swayed or joined in, and the refrain seemed to hold everyone in its grip. I found the choice of praise particularly interesting. Ali occupies a special place in Shia devotion, yet here he was being celebrated with great feeling at the shrine of a Sunni Sufi saint. It didnt strike me as a contradiction. Reverence for Ali, love for the Prophet and devotion to the awliya have long found room within the wider vocabulary of Muslim spirituality. The emphasis and the forms of expression may differ, but these traditions often draw upon a shared reservoir of love and reverence. I was enjoying the music, but I was also enjoying the fact that I didnt have to stop and classify everything. I could simply sit there and listen. Nearby, children were playing. They ran about, laughed and got on with their little games while the qawwals sang and the adults listened. I found that oddly reassuring. The urs wasnt a historical spectacle put on for visitors. It was a living occasion, part of the ordinary life of the people who came there. Those children might not remember every song they heard that evening, but they would remember being there. Perhaps, years later, they would bring their own children. Outside, though, another sight stayed with me. The lanes were lined with old, dilapidated buildings. Their worn facades seemed to belong to a different Delhi, one in which the citys Muslim neighbourhoods and institutions had enjoyed a different kind of social and cultural standing. It was hard not to notice the contrast between the history associated with the place and the condition of much of its built environment today. There was a time when Delhi was the centre of an empire, when wealth, influence and patronage flowed through its streets. Much of that grandeur has long since disappeared. Buildings decay, neighbourhoods change, and communities lose the social position they once held. Yet the qawwali continues. People still gather around the memory of a saint who lived centuries ago. Children still play beneath old walls. I found myself thinking that traditions can outlast the circumstances that gave them their original setting. The buildings may have lost their splendour, but something of the places spiritual life remains very much alive. I left the Urs Mahal with the refrain of Maula Ali still running through my head. I was in good spirits, and I might well have called it a night there. But I still had Maghrib and Isha to pray, so I made my way towards Bangla Wali Masjid, the well-known centre of the Tablighi Jamaat in India. The contrast was striking. I had just come from an evening of Sufi qawwali, where Ali had been praised with a fervour that filled the room. Now I was heading towards a mosque associated with a movement known for its emphasis on prayer, religious discipline and the imitation of the Prophet. Little did the Tablighis know where I had been that evening. I performed my wudu and went upstairs. The mosque was full of men, students and visitors from different parts of India and beyond. Many had travelled considerable distances to spend time with fellow Muslims and participate in the movements activities. There was something moving about that simple arrangement. People who might otherwise have had little in common had come together because they wanted to devote time to their faith. The place was full of activity, but there was an earnestness about it, too. I could understand the appeal of a movement that asks people to set aside much of the noise of everyday life and return to the basics: prayer, remembrance of Allah, good character and the example of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). A preacher was addressing the gathering. He spoke about brotherhood, about cultivating love for the Prophet, and about making the Prophets example a guide for everyday life. I listened and found myself moved once again. It struck me as rather wonderful that, within the space of an evening, I had encountered two very different settings in which Muslims expressed their devotion. At the Urs Mahal, there had been music, repetition and the possibility of being swept along by a refrain. At Bangla Wali Masjid, there was preaching, communal discipline and a reminder to put faith into practice. The outward forms were different. Yet I could recognise something familiar in both. In each place, there was a desire to draw closer to the Prophet, to keep his memory alive and to make his life a source of spiritual guidance. That desire took different forms, and the differences between the two traditions were real. But I didnt feel the need to turn them into a contest. Then it was time for Isha . I joined the congregation with one small difference in my practice that made me a little self-conscious. I follow the Hanbali and Salafi form of Witr . I pray three rakahs consecutively, without sitting for a separate tashahhud after the first two, and I raise my hands for the supplication of qunut in the final rakah . The supplication begins, Allahumma ihdini fiman hadayt O Allah, guide me among those You have guided. It is part of the well-known supplication taught by the Prophet to his grandson Hasan ibn Ali. I have always found something particularly tender about this dua. It brings together the Prophets guidance and his relationship with his family, reminding us of the affection he had for Hasan and Husayn and the place they occupy in Muslim memory. And so there I was, among Hanafi Tablighis, having just listened to a qawwali centred on Maula Ali, and now praying Witr according to a practice more commonly associated with Hanbalis and Salafis. I did wonder whether anyone would notice. Would somebody look over and identify me as the Salafi-looking fellow in the congregation? The thought amused me. I was among people whose religious habits might differ from my own, yet we were standing together in prayer, invoking the same Lord and following the guidance of the same Prophet. I finished my prayer feeling entirely at ease. I dont mean that the differences between Muslim traditions are unimportant, or that centuries of theological debate can be brushed aside with a pleasant evening. These traditions have their own histories, arguments and understandings of religious practice. But theres a difference between recognising those disagreements and allowing them to determine how we encounter one another. That evening, I had listened to the praise of Ali at a Sufi shrine, heard a Tablighi preacher speak about love for the Prophet, and prayed according to my own understanding of the Sunnah. I had found something worthwhile in each experience. I didnt need to resolve every theological question before allowing myself to appreciate what I had encountered. Perhaps that was the real pleasure of the evening: the freedom to listen, reflect and worship without feeling that every difference demanded a verdict. None of it had been planned. I had left for Delhi that morning with a book in my bag, expecting little beyond a day of meetings. I returned to my hotel after midnight with the sound of qawwali still in my ears and a head full of thoughts I hadnt anticipated having. The next morning, I would catch my flight home and return to the usual demands of work and everyday life. But for a few hours, Delhi had allowed me to move between worlds that are often described as opposites: the shrine of a medieval Sufi saint and the mosque of the Tablighi Jamaat; the ecstatic repetition of qawwali and the quiet discipline of prayer; the praise of Ali and a supplication taught by the Prophet to his grandson. I hadnt arrived intending to make a point about religious diversity. I had simply followed the evening where it took me. And perhaps thats what Ill remember most about Delhi. Not that its differences disappeared, but that I could encounter them at close quarters, recognise them for what they were, and still feel at home. I had gone looking for Nizamuddin, carrying a book about a city of jinns. I came away with something less easily described: a night of music, prayer, unexpected connections and the quiet pleasure of discovering that the world of ones own faith is often wider than the boundaries one encounters in argument. Shakeel Maqbool, ICAS, UPSC CSE 2014 batch, currently working as Controller Accounts and Internal Financial Advisor,J&K, MHA

FSSAI proposes pesticide residue limits for tea, sets Acetamiprid cap at 20 ppm

New Delhi, Oct 17: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed new maximum residue limits (MRLs) for two pesticides used in tea cultivation, seeking to establish science-based standards for food safety while addressing agricultural requirements. The draft Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Amendment Regulations, 2026, published in the Gazette of India on October 16, propose a maximum residue limit of 20 parts per million (ppm) for acetamiprid and 50 ppm for imidacloprid in tea. The proposed limit for acetamiprid is lower than the corresponding limits of 30 ppm in Japan and 50 ppm in the United States, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The proposed imidacloprid limit has been formulated with reference to international Codex standards. The draft regulations are intended to provide clearly defined benchmarks for monitoring pesticide residues, ensuring compliance and strengthening enforcement. The proposals are subject to finalisation following stakeholder consultation. FSSAI said the initiative forms part of its broader effort to review pesticide residue standards in light of scientific assessments, international regulatory practices and India's agricultural requirements. Earlier measures included the delisting of 13 pesticides identified as having higher toxicity. The authority also referred to the 2024 amendment regulations as an important step in the ongoing review of maximum residue limits. Maximum residue limits specify the highest legally permitted concentration of pesticide residues in food commodities. They are established using scientific assessments that consider residue data, dietary exposure and relevant safety considerations. The proposed framework seeks to balance consumer protection with the need for effective pest management in tea cultivation. Appropriate crop-protection measures help farmers control pests, minimise crop losses and maintain agricultural productivity. India's average pesticide use stands at less than 0.5 kg per hectare, significantly below the estimated global average of 2.38 kg per hectare, the ministry said. The proposed standards are expected to provide greater regulatory clarity to tea growers, processors, food businesses, testing laboratories and enforcement authorities, while promoting responsible pesticide management. FSSAI has invited stakeholder comments on the draft amendment before its finalisation. The initiative underscores the regulator's stated focus on evidence-based standards, consumer safety and sustainable agricultural practices.

AstaGurus ShowKeen exhibition in Hyderabad: Husain, Souza, Raza, and more

After Mumbai and Delhi, online auction house AstaGuru brings its first showcase to the city, featuring modern and Indian contemporary art, alongside luxury lifestyle products

Trump looks to rein in fuel prices ahead of midterms; waives threat of 100% tariffs on India over Russian oil, citing national interest as US inks diesel pact with Moscow

US President Donald Trump has waived fresh sanctions and duties on Russian energy exports under a new law, citing national interest and easing concerns over potential tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers, including India. The move comes as India continues to rely on Russian crude and explores long-term LNG supplies, while New Delhi and Moscow seek to expand cooperation across oil, gas, mining and steel.

Delhi Launches Over 500 Waste Collection Vehicles to Enhance Cleanliness Efforts

Delhis Chief Minister inaugurates over 500 waste collection vehicles to improve sanitation services citywide. Delhi Launches Over 500 Waste Collection Vehicles to Enhance Cleanliness Efforts

20 tonnes of cloves worth Rs 2 crore being transported from Maharashtra to Delhi stolen from transit truck, 3 held

Ghaziabad Development Authority, NHAI plan green mobility corridor from Shaheed Sthal to NH-9

7 abduct 6-year-old from Greater Noida, sell him to woman

Poisoning probe as 5 of family found dead at home in Greater Noida, frothing

BJP MP Links Historic Enclave Issues with Delhi Voter List Protests

BJP MP Konda Vishweshwar Reddy connects historic India-Bangladesh enclave issues to ongoing voter list protests in Delhi. BJP MP Links Historic Enclave Issues with Delhi Voter List Protests

Expired products, pests found at online food delivery stores in Delhi

Forcibly removed: Jamia students staging hunger strike face rustication, campus ban

Forcibly removed: Jamia students staging hunger strike face rustication, campus ban

20 condos here, yet roads broken for months, drains clogged near Sec 101 metro station

NHAI adds 2 lanes to ease DME-NH-9 bottleneck near ABES College

Noida forum says insurer cannot reject claim citing undisclosed pre-existing illness without proof

Pizza outlets, restos, grocery hubs raided, oil & honey seized in Noida

Kin see foul play, point to property dispute

QNET Promoter Held At Delhi Airport In 10,000cr Fraud Probe

Promoters and associates are accused of luring the public with promises of high returns, commissions and foreign trips.

Seelampur, Sultanpuri and Lajpat Nagar JJ clusters set for redevelopment

Modi not an emperor to rule forever, says Sanjay Singh

Several expired items ready for sale; 19 out of 59 ghee samples found unsafe

Clean Delhi: CM flags off 50 litter pickers, 950 more soon

CAQM issues notices to Amritsar, Tarn Taran officials over rise in farm fires

MCD survey of commercial units

FDCI Moscow Fashion Week brings Russian designer Sergey Sysoev to India

A walk through the eras: Delhis Ridge gets a digital guide

Jamia protesters dragged out of campus, rusticated; univ says guards acted in self defence

Student and women groups march against atrocities

Biomining halts at Bhalswa and Okhla landfills

Dipke gets bail after preventive detention, Bora released in the morning

2 arrested for nuisance during protest, 17 social media handles face action

DTC bus accident: One dead, Four Injured; Driver held

Frustration, tempers to easy money: First-time offenders swell murder, robbery arrest list in city

Delhi HC seeks explanation from home secretary in remission case

Man sells car, tracks it, then steals it back; 2 held

Beyond survival: How two mothers chose reconstruction after breast cancer

RML performs first deep brain stimulation surgery on Parkinsons patient

55-year-old govt official from Nepal went through procedure that took over eight hours

Delhi Traders Warn Protests Could Cause Rs 10,000-Crore Loss By Diwali

The traders say the location is the problem. Ramlila Maidan is close to wholesale markets including Sadar Bazar, Chandni Chowk, Khari Baoli and Chawri Bazar, where the weeks leading up to Diwali are crucial for sales and deliveries.

Anatomy of Protests: Police vs Journalists at Jantar Mantar 2.0 | Prasang

Why were journalists covering the anti-CEC protests in Delhi detained when they were there to report on the events? In the latest episode of Prasang, TOIs Prasad Sanyal & Prabhash Jha discuss the recent protests, the detention of journalists, police action, and the heckling of journalists by protesters. The conversation explores press freedom, police accountability, the right to peaceful protest, and the responsibility of both authorities and protesters to respect journalistic independence. They also debate restrictions on designated protest sites, political double standards, and whether the violent protests in Bangladesh should serve as inspiration for movements in India. Should journalists be protected while reporting from the ground? Does restricting dissent pose a threat to democracy? Watch the full discussion on Prasang.

From Delhi to Kanyakumari and back, a ride for mental health

New Delhi: When Seher Hashmi, a mental health survivor, fashion stylist, visual artist and motivational speaker, rode back into Delhi on Friday, October 15, bringing her 56-day Delhi-Kanyakumari-Delhi journey to a close, she also wrapped up a nationwide campaign to raise awareness about mental health. Aptly titled Beyond the Horizon: A Ride for Resilience, the 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 .

Delhi sets up DITI on lines of NITI Aayog, to act as premier advisory body

Delhi government has set up Delhi Institute for Transformation and Innovation (DITI) on the lines of NITI Aayog, for policy-making under its goal of Viksit Dilli by 2047, officials said on Saturday. DITI will function as the Delhi government's premier advisory body for public policy, development strategy and institutional reforms, an official notification said. DITI replaces the Dialogue and Development Commission (DDC) that previously served as the think tank of the city government under AAP rule. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta had announced the constitution of DITI in Delhi's budget presented in March. In July, the Delhi government approved setting up the think tank comprising a Governing Board and an Executive Committee. According to the notification, the governing board's chairperson will be nominated by the chief minister. All ministers of the Delhi government, the chief secretary, the vice-chairperson of the Delhi Development Authority, the commissioner of the Municipal ...

DelhiHCasksAITA, original petitioners to file replies

Delhi Assembly Speaker Inaugurates Three Community Projects in Rohini

Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta launched five development projects in Rohini, emphasizing community safety and access to public spaces. Delhi Assembly Speaker Inaugurates Three Community Projects in Rohini

Uddhav slams govt over Delhi protests, says 'regime needs to be changed'

Uddhav Thackeray criticised the BJP-led Centre over alleged police brutality against protesters in Delhi and said the Opposition was standing up against such actions

Breach of peace a ploy to make detentions, says plea in SC

Academician Apoorvanand Jha argued that if every call for a peaceful protest is considered a breach of peace by the authorities, no citizen can ever exercise the right of public demonstration

Abhijeet Dipke released on conditional bail after Delhi Police detention

The News Mill

CAQM reviews enforcement actions and compliance in Delhi NCR

The News Mill

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke granted conditional bail, asked to sign peace bond

New Delhi, Oct 17:Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke was granted conditional bail and asked to sign a peace bond on Saturday, police sources said. Dipke was detained moments after he stepped out of his house in Delhis Jhandewalan area to participate in the CJPs Lehra Do Tiranga protest at Connaught Place on Friday. [] The post CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke granted conditional bail, asked to sign peace bond first appeared on Highland Post .

Delhi court denies bail to ex-DGHS Vatsala Aggarwal and Vinod Kumar Ranga in Rs 700-crore corruption case

The News Mill

Delhi court rejects bail pleas of former DGHS Vatsala Aggarwal, Vinod Kumar Ranga

The Rouse Avenue Court on Saturday rejected the bail applications of former Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Dr Vatsala Aggarwal and Dr Vinod Kumar Ranga in an alleged Rs 700-crore corruption case involving the procurement of medical goods at higher prices, citing the gravity of the offences and the need for further investigation.

Neha Bora Released From Detention, Demands Abhijeet Dipkes Release

AISA president Neha Bora was released from preventive detention in Delhi and demanded the release of Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke, who remains in detention. The developments come amid protests seeking Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumars resignation over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

'Frothing at mouth': Did noodles cause deaths of 5 family members in Greater Noida?

BJP MP links historical India-Bangladesh enclaves to Delhi voter-roll protests, alleges broader plot against PM Modi

Digital Desk | New Delhi/Hyderabad, Oct 17 (IANS) Telangana Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Konda Vishweshwar Reddy has connected India's long-unresolved border enclaves with Bangladesh to the ongoing protests in Delhi against the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, adding that the past territorial anomalies enabled illegal migration that still affects voter lists today. In a video explanation circulating widely, Reddy described the pre-2015 situation as one of the most bizarre international borders in existence. India had 111 enclaves inside Bangladesh while Bangladesh had 51 enclaves inside India. In some places the complexity ran deeper: second-order enclaves existed where a Bangladeshi pocket lay inside an Indian enclave that itself sat inside Bangladesh, and vice versa. These territories, left over from the Partition era, created service-less zones in which residents lacked reliable access to administration, identity documents and clear citizenship pathways for decades. The anomalies were finally settled through the 2015 Land Boundary Agreement, negotiated and passed by the Parliament under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Under the swap, residents were given the choice of citizenship and the last remaining pockets of foreign territory on either side of the border were eliminated. Reddy presented this resolution as the closure of a long-standing irregularity that had facilitated unchecked movement across the frontier. Such stupid borders were designed for political interests... and they continued from the day of Partition till recently, till 2015 until the Narendra Modi government came, the Telangana BJP MP said. He then linked that history directly to the current protests in the national capital. Demonstrators have opposed the Election Commission's SIR exercise, which critics claim has removed more than 130 million names from the electoral rolls, Reddy added. Supporters of the BJP MP's video said that the voter revision is a necessary housekeeping measure to identify and delete illegal or ineligible entries. Protesters, by contrast, said that large numbers of genuine eligible voters have been wrongly struck off and have demanded the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Reddy framed the voter revision exercise as a logical continuation of earlier efforts to regularise citizenship and prevent infiltration from distorting democratic processes. He contended that porous borders and political patronage in certain states had previously allowed illegal migration to continue as a form of vote-bank politics, naming the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal and the Congress in Assam and elsewhere, with effects felt as far as Hyderabad, Delhi, Bihar and Odisha. In related remarks, the Telangana BJP MP broadened the charge. He alleged that recent protests and digital campaigns form part of a coordinated international effort aimed at regime change against Prime Minister Modi. According to Reddy, a diverse coalition of opposition parties and fringe groupsincluding the Congress, Samajwadi Party, DMK and extreme organisations, together with external actorsshare a single objective: to unseat the government. They (Opposition) do not have a common cause. The common cause is not NEET, not the UPI payment system, not the Election Commission... The common cause is to defeat PM Modi, regime change, he said, insisting that leadership change in a democracy must occur only through elections, not through orchestrated street agitation. Reddy also claimed large-scale manipulation of social-media metrics. Referring to an independent political figure associated with the Aam Aadmi Party, the Telangana BJP MP described a sudden surge of millions of Instagram followers as 100 per cent fake, 100 per cent paid, contrasting the online numbers with the modest physical turnout at the early stages of the protests. He also warned of multifaceted external pressures targeting India's economic stabilitycurrency volatility, disruptions in oil trade, and potential impacts on the information-technology and pharmaceutical sectors. In his view, strong leadership under PM Modi has so far enabled India to navigate these challenges while preserving strategic and economic autonomy. The discussion has added a historical dimension to an already polarised debate over electoral integrity, citizenship verification and the legacy of Partition-era borders. While the 2015 agreement resolved the enclave problem on paper, questions about migration, documentation and the accuracy of voter lists continue to surface. As protests persist in Delhi, interpretations of the SIR remain sharply divided; one side sees it as a safeguard against illegal entries, the other as an overreach that disenfranchises citizens. Reddy's intervention has injected the story of the old enclaves into that contemporary argument, presenting the current clean-up of electoral rolls as the unfinished business of regularising who belongs on India's voter lists.

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