Maharashtra's Opposition parties hold demonstrations against CEC & EVM
Maharashtra's Opposition parties staged a protest in Mumbai, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. They claimed the Election Commission is rigging the electoral process to favor the BJP. The leaders voiced concerns about the removal of millions of voters during the State Identification Registration exercise. BJP representatives countered by highlighting previous demands for removing duplicate names from electoral rolls.
Congress-NDA row over video clip of interruption to FM Sitharaman's speech in Andhra Pradesh
Digital Desk | Amaravati, Oct 4 (IANS) A political row broke out between Congress and NDA on Sunday after a clip of brief interruption to the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's speech at Madanapalle on October 2 and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu's intervention to calm the crowd went viral on social media. A user on social media platform X posted the clip of 30-second interruption to Finance Minister Sitharaman's speech with the claim that the crowd was demanding jobs and Congress leader Jairam Ramesh reposted the same with his remark that it reflects the public anger. Nirmala Sitharaman, Chandrababu Naidu and other Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leaders were quick to counter Jairam Ramesh and claimed that it was the overwhelming and enthusiastic response of the party workers. The Union Finance Minister was speaking at the launch of the Global Horticulture Hub at Madanapalle in Annamayya district when a section of the audience began shouting. Speaking in Telugu, Sitharaman appealed to them to listen her for a minute. When the crowd continued shouting, she stepped aside. At this stage, CM Chandrababu Naidu took the mike and told the crowd that Sitharaman's message at programme that would change Rayalaseema farmers' lives was important. The Chief Minister also told audience that after the programme, he and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan would step out and that they could make whatever slogans they want. Former Union Minister Jairam Ramesh reposted the clip posted by a user on X with the claim that people were demanding jobs. The Finance Minister (Nirmala Sitharaman) herself is seeing how much anger there is among the public. The Chief Minister had to silence the people, the Congress leader Ramesh said. Nirmala Sitharaman, in her swift reaction to the Congress leader's post, called his interpretation unbelievable. Unbelievable, Jairam. Didn't think you were impetuous. Both TDP and Jana Sena workers were keen on interacting with their leaders Chandrababu Naidu garu and Pawan Kalyan garu. CM Chandrababu Naidu said that after the programme they would come out and interact. That was all there is to it, Sitharaman said. Chandrababu Naidu also reacted to Jairam Ramesh's post, saying his interpretation of what happened could not be further from reality. What you are trying to falsely portray as public anger was, in fact, an overwhelming and enthusiastic response from the people. The sheer enthusiasm of the gathering required me to intervene briefly so that the programme could continue smoothly. To mistake people's enthusiasm for anger only reveals how disconnected you are from the mood of the people of Andhra Pradesh and Bharat alike. Politically motivated social media narratives cannot change what people themselves felt and expressed! the TDP Chief said. Chaos in Rayalaseema: On stage, CM Chandrababu Naidu, Pawan Kalyan, Anant Ambani. Finance Minister's words: Listen to what she said, public retorts: Give jobs first! City slogans, hootinghad to stop the Finance Minister's speech. Chandrababu Naidu had to stand up and sayStay calm! Even in the 1 lakh crore project, the employment question weighs heavy. Now the public has awakened, questioning for their rights. Will the Horticulture Hub bring jobs to Rayalaseema's youth, or just more speeches? Ramesh said on X. Minister of State for Rural Development, Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, termed Jairam Ramesh's claim 'totally baseless'. The crowd was cheering, and CM Chandrababu Naidu Garu was only maintaining order so FM Nirmala Sitharaman Garu could speak smoothly. Spinning public excitement into anger just to build a fake narrative is distasteful. We don't expect such blatant misinformation from a senior leader like you (referring to Jairam Ramesh). Please verify facts before tweeting, the TDP leader said.
Bodies of elderly couple found in Kolkata, suicide suspected
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 4 (IANS) The discovery of the bodies of a couple from a house in the Nayabad area on the southern outskirts of Kolkata created a sensation on Sunday. The incident took place in Nayabad's Nawa Malanch area under Panchasayar Police Station. The deceased have been identified as Asit Ash (66) and Mandira Ash (68). They were reportedly living in the area for a long time. According to the police, a call was received at Panchasayar Police Station around 9 a.m. on Sunday morning that the door of a house at 27, Nawa Malanch was locked from inside. It was also reported that a person was seen hanging inside the house. After receiving the information, officers from Panchasayar Police Station reached the spot. In this incident, Additional Commissioner (Detective Department) of Kolkata Police Kunal Agarwal said, The incident is being investigated. Detectives of the Homicide Department of Kolkata Police went to the incident spot. Kolkata Police has also registered a case of unnatural death. According to the police, they went to the house and found that the door of the house was locked from inside. In the presence of locals, the police opened the door and entered the house. Asit Ash's body was found hanging from the ceiling fan. His wife, Mandira Ash, was lying on the bed in the house. The police quickly brought Asit down. Later, both of them were taken to NRS Medical College and Hospital. However, the doctor declared both of them dead. Initial investigation revealed that Asit and Mandira had been living in the house for a long time. The police have started an investigation after examining the situation in the house. Several items, including a towel, have been recovered from the spot and confiscated for the sake of the investigation. The relatives of the deceased have been informed by the police. An autopsy has been arranged for the two bodies to determine the actual cause of death. The police will proceed with the further investigation based on the autopsy report and information from the spot.
Mass protests demanding poll chief resignation shake India for third day
Protesters say the election commissions voter-roll revision has removed millions of eligible voters to benefit PM Modi. Mass protests demanding poll chief resignation shake India for third day
The Ambassador's statement came in response to a special prayer gathering organised at the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, where priests and devotees assembled to honour Captain Machchhar's heroic actions during the cockpit attack by his co-pilot on the flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
Protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar continued in Delhi for the third consecutive day on October 4. AISA activists marched towards Jantar Mantar, while AAP workers staged a separate demonstration at India Gate, with several protesters detained by police.
Indian police accused of sexual harassment against journalists at protest
The allegations were made after police detained dozens of protesters demanding the resignation of the election chief over changes to voter rolls.
Mumbai: Uddhav and Raj Thackeray lead opposition rally against CEC Gyanesh Kumar
Uddhav and Raj Thackeray led an opposition rally in Mumbai against CEC Gyanesh Kumar, demanding the scrapping of SIR and greater electoral transparency.
'Need To Address This Injustice': Farooq Abdullah On J&K Reservation Hike
The remarks from Farooq Abdullah have come amid demands to rationalise the reservation limit in Jammu and Kashmir, as the general category is demanding its due as per the population ratio.
Northern Army Commander reviews security situation in South Kashmir
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 4 (IANS) Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Northern Command, on Sunday visited a Rashtriya Rifles unit deployed in South Kashmir. During the visit, the Army Commander closely reviewed the prevailing security situation in the region and interacted with the troops on the ground. Lt Gen Sharma praised the officers and soldiers for their high level of professionalism and operational excellence. He acknowledged the consistent efforts being made by the Rashtriya Rifles in maintaining a stable security environment in the sensitive sector. The Army Commander took stock of ongoing counter-terrorism and area domination operations being conducted by the unit. Addressing the troops, Lt Gen Sharma underlined the critical need for relentless vigilance at all times. He stressed that sustained alertness remains essential to neutralise any emerging threats and to safeguard the hard-earned peace in the region. The Army Commander particularly emphasised the importance of Synergy in all operational and intelligence efforts. He called upon the troops to further strengthen coordination among various security agencies and units operating in the area. The Northern Command chief reiterated the Indian Armys commitment to ensuring lasting peace and security in Jammu and Kashmir. He expressed confidence that the professionalism and dedication displayed by the Rashtriya Rifles personnel would continue to play a pivotal role in upholding this commitment. During the visit, Lt Gen Sharma also assessed the operational readiness of the unit and reviewed measures being taken to maintain a robust security grid. The interaction provided an opportunity for the Army Commander to directly appreciate the challenges faced by troops operating in the challenging terrain and security environment of South Kashmir. The visit by the Northern Command chief was a high priority due to the security situation in the region and the continuous focus on operational effectiveness and inter-agency coordination. The Army remains fully committed to protecting the lives and property of the people while ensuring that the atmosphere of peace is further strengthened through proactive and coordinated efforts.
Saurabh Bharadwaj, Sanjeev Jha, Kuldeep Kumar
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has called out the BJP-controlled Delhi Police and revealed that its personnel detained and manhandled AAP leaders and student wing Association of Students for Alternative Politics (ASAP) volunteers at India Gate during a protest demanding the
Delhi Protests: Detentions and Clashes as Anti-CEC Marches Reach Day 3
Central Delhi witnessed intense clashes, multi-party rallies, and widespread detentions on Sunday, October 4, 2026, as demonstrations demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar entered their third consecutive day. Despite no official permissions being granted by law enforcement, multiple opposition parties, student organizations, and civic groups organized simultaneous marches from India Gate [] The post Delhi Protests: Detentions and Clashes as Anti-CEC Marches Reach Day 3 appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .
Yami, Aditya Dhar Move to Himachal
The couple will now divide their time between their Mandi home and Mumbai
US Marine arrested over murder of woman in Okinawa, Japan
Japan's government lodged a formal protest with the US, demanding that military officials take action.
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 4,(IANS) Countering the allegations made by the Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Sudhanshu Trivedi said on Sunday that Congress' latest actions were an insult to the mandate of the people of the nation. He added that the BJP under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the first non-Congress party in India's history to win with a clear majority in 2014 and that Kharge was trying to call that party 'illegal'. Recently Kharge made remarks demanding the dissolution of the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies, saying that all the elections were illegal and even Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Ministers of all the BJP-ruled states were illegal. Mallikarjun Kharge, a leader so senior that he is even older than Rahul Gandhi's father, why does he want to own Rahul Gandhi Ji's deranged mindset? And with all due humility, I want to ask Kharge Ji that when your election took place, not one, but several Congress leaders had asked to at least provide the list of the Electoral College, that is, at least provide the list of the electoral board. But Congress did not provide it, Trivedi said. So the first question that arises is that your (Mallikarjun Kharge's) election to the post of Congress President itself is illegal. Remember the second scene when there was the nomination of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Ji or Rahul Gandhi Ji. Everyone would remember that video where other family members were sitting inside the nomination room, but Kharge Ji was not even allowed to enter because it was believed that if he entered, it would become illegal, the BJP MP added. He said that the entire Congress should apologise for their words. He noted that before 2001, Congress had already vanished from certain states of India. He said that Congress had not won in Tamil Nadu since 1967, despite the state having 39 Lok Sabha seats, nor has it won in Bengal since 1977, where it holds 42 seats. Furthermore, the party (Congress) has vanished from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar since 1990. Challenging the Opposition, Trivedi asked, Are you trying to call the BJP government -- which won with a clear majority- illegal? Mr. Kharge, I want to name those states where Congress could never make a comeback. Reportedly, Mallikarjun Kharge demanded fresh polls on Saturday, saying that since all the elections are illegal and that all the Ministers of the Cabinet, including Prime Minister Modi, were illegal, fresh polls should be conducted using ballots.
Protests against CEC Gyanesh Kumar continue in Delhi; AISA, AAP workers take to streets
Protests demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumars resignation continued in Delhi, as AISA and AAP workers demonstrated amid allegations of police misconduct involving three women journalists.
Beti Bachao Delhi Police Se!: CJPs Abhijeet Dipke on Neha Boras detention
Members of the All India Students Association (AISA) protested near Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. During the protest, AISA president Neha Bora was reportedly detained by the Delhi Police in a vehicle. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers, including Saurabh Bhardwaj, were also detained while protesting at India Gate. Bhardwaj alleged mistreatment by officers during his detention, questioning the treatment of the common man.
AISA chief Neha Bora 'picked up in private vehicle'
AISA national president Neha Bora was allegedly detained by Delhi Police in a private vehicle during a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar near Jantar Mantar. Activists claim procedural violations, including the absence of a woman police officer. This incident is part of ongoing demonstrations demanding the CEC's resignation, sparked by an investigation into objections raised by other Election Commissioners regarding the SIR process.
R.R. Nagar residents protest against construction of Nandini milk booth on rangamandira premises
R.R. Nagar residents protest against construction of Nandini milk booth on rangamandira premises
Having a luxury bungalow in the city is usually seen as the sign that someone has really made it or reached the top in Mumbai. According to a report from the Free Press Journal, it seems that Mumbai might not be where actress Yami Gautam and her husband, Aditya Dhar, the director of Dhurandhar, will stay forever. The property is reportedly in Gohar, Mandi.
Jantar Mantar protest: AISA president Neha Bora detained during protest demanding CEC
All India Students' Association (AISA) national president Neha Bora was detained by Delhi Police on Sunday while leading a protest march from Andhra Bhawan towards Jantar Mantar, as students and youth demonstrated for the third consecutive day demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The protesters attempted to move towards Jantar Mantar despite heavy police barricading and security deployment in the area. The mobilisation began near Andhra Bhawan Circle on Ashoka Road, with AISA members and supporters raising slogans against the Election Commission as they marched towards Jantar Mantar. Police stopped the protesters and detained several of them as they attempted to proceed towards the designated protest site. Speaking to ANI, one of the protesters alleged that police manhandled protesters during the demonstration. We will not tolerate this
Delhi: AISA, other groups hold protest march near Ashok Road demanding CEC's resignation
Members of the All India Students' Association (AISA) and several other organisations took out a protest march near Ashok Road in the national capital, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Earlier on Saturday, Delhi Police detained several members of the All India Students' Association (AISA) during a protest near Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, as demonstrations over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls continued in the national capital. Several protesters, including AISA president Neha Bora and senior advocates Prashant Bhushan and Kapil Sibal, attempted to breach police barricades near Jantar Mantar and move forward. Praising the participants, Bora said on X, Our Heroes! I hope that when we are your age, we are as strong and steadfast as you all! She shared pictures with Sibal, Bhushan and others. Meanwhile, Delhi Police have registered at least three FIRs in connection with the mass prote...
'Rahul Gandhi has turned into a comedian': CM Dhami (IANS Exclusive)
Digital Desk | Dehradun, Oct 4 (IANS) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday hit out at Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi over his Indore 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' event, remarking that the Congress MP has urned into a comedian. A political row had erupted after a comedian allegedly mimicked Prime Minister Narendra Modi while sharing the stage with LoP Gandhi during the Indore event. Speaking exclusively to IANS, CM Dhami referred to the LoP as Yuvraj. 'Yuvraj' (Rahul Gandhi) is completely unacquainted with India's culture and values. It is not reflected in his conduct or his upbringing. After all, would anyone mock the gesture of a Prime Minister offering a chair to an elderly mother? he asked. The Chief Minister added: He is no longer acting like a leader. He aspires to be a comedianor rather, he has turned into a comedian on public platforms. He is engaging in such low-level antics and displaying such undignified behaviour. Referring to Rahul Gandhi's remarks on National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval at the same event, CM Dhami said: NSA Ajit Doval is the son of Uttarakhand who brought pride to the entire nation. He has dedicated his entire life to India's securityboth internal and external. Rahul Gandhi had claimed at the Indore event that NSA Ajit Doval, controls citizens' digital and phone communications and feeds tapped information to the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) and Home Minister (Amit Shah). According to CM Dhami, the language which has been used to describe the NSA Doval, is appalling. I believe that not only the citizens of the country but especially the people of Uttarakhand will never forgive him (Rahul Gandhi). Making such comments is extremely hurtful, the Chief Minister said. The Uttarakhand CM recalled that Congress leaders had previously used terms akin to street thug to describe the late General Bipin Rawatthe first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)who also belonged to the state. This reveals their (Congress') true mentality, he said. In 2017, Congress leader Sandeep Dixit had used the objectionable remark against the then Army Chief Bipin Rawat. However, he had later issued an apology. The Chief Minister also spoke on Opposition staging protests in different parts of the country, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. He said that no issue was ever raised regarding the electoral process when it was conducted earlier. This time, fake entries are being removed, and the votes of infiltrators are being deleted. Those who have their names registered in multiple places are being brought down. Earlier, elections were influenced through these (fake) votes. There used to be electoral malpractices and bogus voting, he added. The Uttarakhand Chief Minister asked why daughters who are married and have moved elsewhere, should still remain in the electoral rolls at their parental home? And for those who have passed awaywhy should their votes still exist? Why should votes exist for people who have moved away? CM Dhami asked. So, their (Opposition's) modus operandi is to oppose everything, sometimes they oppose the Election Commission, sometimes EVMs, sometimes our administration or the official machinery, and at other times, they make remarks against the High Court or the Supreme Court, the Chief Minister said.
'Congress exposed itself on shuddhikaran row': U'khand CM Dhami (IANS Interview)
Digital Desk | Dehradun, Oct 4 (IANS) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday lashed out at the Congress, accusing it of fabricating issues, while claiming that the grand old party has exposed itself over the alleged purification ritual performed at the Haldwani event venue of party President Mallikarjun Kharge. In an exclusive interaction with IANS at Uttarakhand's border town of Banbasa, the Chief Minister spoke on a range of issues, including the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. IANS: This is the first time that a government in Uttarakhand has held a Cabinet meeting near the India-Nepal border. Any specific reason behind choosing Banbasa? CM Dhami: Prime Minister Narendra Modi had pledged to bring border areas into the mainstream for their development, prioritising them as first villages. He (PM Modi) had declared from the Mana village, that it along with similar border villages, would henceforth be designated as first villages and that their development would be prioritised. The villages would be comprehensively established, and planned by capitalising on their future potential. On those lines, the state government visited the Banbasa-Tanakpur region, home to the revered 'Maa Purnagiri Dham' and situated along the sacred banks of the Sharda river. This area is historically significant as it shares border with Nepal, and hosts an Army cantonment board and a large contingent of paramilitary forces. The region also serves as a route for the Kailash-Mansarovar and Adi Kailash pilgrimages. It boasts of numerous religious sites and also borders Uttar Pradesh. Holding the Cabinet meeting here has been a positive experience and has been well-received by the public. We intend to continue this practice, demonstrating that the Uttarakhand government can make crucial state decisions from any location. We believe that the Uttarakhand government should go to every place, big or small. The government's work should be decentralised. As the 'Mukhya Sevak' (chief servant), there are many places in the state where no one had ever gone before, but I have reached those places. We will continue making such efforts in the future as well. IANS: Uttarakhand is the first state in India to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). How do you look back at the process? CM Dhami: Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, we contested the elections in Uttarakhand in 2022. Then, we had promised the people here that we would bring a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) law. The people of Uttarakhand blessed us with their mandate, and we fulfilled the promise we had made to them. The draft for UCC was prepared under the chairmanship of Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, after consulting with everyone and holding discussions with all stakeholders. We are happy that under the leadership of PM Modi, the people of the state blessed us with their mandate and we fulfilled the promise made to them. Now it is being followed by others (BJP and NDA-ruled states). IANS: Rahul Gandhi has made series of allegations against the Narendra Modi government during several of his programmes, including 'Chhatron Ki Goonj'. What are your views on the LoP's campaign? CM Dhami: The 'Yuvraj' (Rahul Gandhi) is completely unacquainted with India's culture and values. It is not reflected in his conduct or his upbringing. After all, would anyone mock the gesture of a Prime Minister offering a chair to an elderly mother? He (Rahul Gandhi) is no longer acting like the Leader of Opposition. He aspires to be a comedianor rather, he has turned into a comedian on public platforms. He is engaging in such low-level antics and displaying such undignified behaviour. Ajit Doval (National Security Advisor) is the son of Uttarakhand who brought pride to the entire nation. He has dedicated his entire life to India's securityboth internal and external. The language which has been used to describe him (NSA Ajit Doval) is appalling. I believe that not only the citizens of the country but especially the people of Uttarakhand will never forgive him (Rahul Gandhi). Making such comments is extremely hurtful. Members and leaders of the Congress previously used terms akin to street thug to describe the late General Bipin Rawatthe first CDSwho also belonged to our state. This reveals their true mentality. IANS: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had alleged purification ('shuddhikaran') of his event venue in Uttarakhand's Haldwani. The Opposition had accused the BJP of playing a role in it. What are your views on this matter? CM Dhami: In Haldwani, members of the Scheduled Caste communityour artisan brothers and Valmiki brothersperformed a 'Shuddhi Havan' (purification ritual) because 'jihadi' slogans were being raised there. Mess is created at the rallies; liquor bottles are thrown, and other forms of trash and litter are left behind. It was a religious site, yet it was politicised with claims of insults to individuals or casteseven though there was no such incident before or after the event, nor any press release or video evidence was available. In fact, members of the Dalit and Scheduled Caste communities themselves participated in it. When the truth came to light, the Congress party was completely exposed. They have no real issues, so they fabricate them. So after a few days, they have to face embarrassment. IANS: The Opposition is staging protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. How do you view it? CM Dhami: No issue was ever raised while SIR was conducted earlier in the country. This time, fake entries are being removed, and the votes of infiltrators are being deleted. Those who have their names registered in multiple places are being brought down. Earlier, elections were influenced through these (fake) votes. There used to be electoral malpractices and bogus voting. Daughters who are married and have moved elsewhere, why should their votes remain on the rolls? It should be at their new location. And for those who have passed awaywhy should their votes still exist? Why should votes exist for people who have moved away? So, their (Opposition's) modus operandi is to oppose everything, sometimes they oppose the Election Commission, sometimes EVMs, sometimes our administration or the official machinery, and at other times, they make remarks against the High Court or the Supreme Court.
The protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has entered day three on Sunday, October 4 with police detained over a dozen workers of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) who were protesting at India Gate here.The party's Delhi unit chief Saurabh Bharadwaj and MLA Sanjeev Jha were among the detainees. The left student wing AISA's President Neha Bora has also been detained, as per sources.
video : Bricks Thrown At Hindu Temple In Ohio Probably During Ahimsa Promotion
With continuing Hinduphobic attacks, the Shree Swaminarayan Vadtal Dham Hindu Mandir in Richmond Heights, Ohio, around 1:30 p.m., was next when it was attacked with bricks by one guy, shattering windows while priests and devotees were inside, probably preaching the values of Ahimsa. They could have easily nabbed him before the police arrived, but they let him go as expected. But thanks to temple security cameras, he was tracked down, caught and arrested by police, as investigations will go further.
Anti-CEC stir: Bora picked up in unauthorised car, says AISA
New Delhi: All India Students Association (AISA) activists on Sunday, October 4, alleged that their president Neha Bora was picked up in an unauthorised vehicle as they staged a third consecutive day of protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. In a 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 .
INDIA bloc parties to protest outside Delhi EC office against SIR, CEC on Oct 7
On Wednesday, the INDIA bloc parties plan to stage a protest outside the Delhi Election Commission office, voicing their concerns over the flawed SIR process and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Unified in their stance, representatives from Congress, CPI, CPI(M), RJD, NCP, and RSP aim to promote transparent electoral roll revisions that uphold the integrity of democracy and protect the rights of voters in Delhi.
CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat on Sunday slammed the Delhi Police over their handling of a sexual harassment complaint lodged by female journalists, sharply criticising authorities for demanding video proof before registering an FIR. Calling the police's response a clear violation of the law, Karat expressed outrage as protests erupted outside the Parliament Street Police Station, where demonstrators gathered to demand immediate legal action. Speaking to ANI regarding the police
Hyderabad: Telangana Rakshana Sena (TRS) chief Kalvakuntla Kavitha said on Sunday, October 4, that the country needs deep structural reforms, not cosmetic exits while speaking on the protests demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumars resignation. Protests erupted in several parts of the country after an Indian Express investigation alleged an unprecedented rift inside the top 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 .
Protest against CEC Day 3: AISA activists attempt return to Jantar Mantar amid heavy barricading
AISA activists mobilized in Delhi for the third consecutive day, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Protesters clashed briefly with police as they attempted to cross barricades towards Jantar Mantar. Over 500 individuals, including students and political leaders, were previously detained during the demonstrations. The protests emerged in response to alleged irregularities in the Election Commission's handling of the electoral process.
Protests demanding Indian election chief resigns escalate
Thousands of young protesters and opposition parties staged protests in
A purported video of CPI(M) councillor demanding 10 lakh from Sanju, a native of Thirumala, to resolve issues concerning a plot he purchased in the ward, had begun circulating two days ago
CPI(M) accuses BJP of vandalising party office in Bengal
CPI(M) accuses BJP of vandalising party office in Bengals Cooch Behar Kolkata: After holding a protest march demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, the CPI(M) has accused the BJP workers of attacking and vandalising its party office. The incident took place on Saturday night in the Jorpatki area of Mathabhanga No. [] The post CPI(M) accuses BJP of vandalising party office in Bengals Cooch Behar appeared first on Mangalorean.com .
This Is Digital Sexual Assault: Vijay Deverakonda Slams Janhvi Kapoor AI Video, Demands Legal Action
Vijay Deverakonda condemns an AI-generated Janhvi Kapoor video, calling it the digital equivalent of sexual assault and demanding strict legal action.
Police detain protesters in Delhi as Gen Z-led campaign over voter rolls enters second day
POLICE in New Delhi detained several people on Saturday as they broke up a second day of protests against changes to India's voter rolls, led by the Gen Z-backed Cockroach Janta Party and other opposition groups. Protesters say the changes benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi's governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and are demanding the resignation of the chief election commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar. About 100 demonstrators removed security barricades and chanted vote thief, leave the post and Gyanesh Kumar, step down before police forcibly detained some of them. CJP takes on India's election chief: why Gen Z wants Gyanesh Kumar out Independent MP Kapil Sibal, All India Students' Association president Neha Bora and activists Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav were among the protesters, according to a Reuters witness. Police declined to say how many people had been detained or who they were. First they removed people from the voters list and now they are not letting us raise our voice against this. This is not acceptable, Bora told Reuters. Kumar has not commented on the protests or the calls for him to step down. On Friday, police stopped protesters from gathering and bundled them into buses, while several nearby metro stations stayed shut amid tight security. Many were later released, but several were charged with allegedly breaching orders banning mass gatherings in Delhi, according to a police source. Voters 'removed' Critics say a nationwide voter-verification exercise launched last year has led to millions of eligible voters being struck off electoral rolls. The Election Commission, long regarded as one of India's most trusted institutions, says the exercise is designed to remove duplicate, deceased or ineligible voters. On Friday, it directed officials to register newly eligible voters and those left off the rolls. The protests are the latest in a series of youth-led demonstrations this year, which Reuters describes as unprecedented pressure on Modi in his 12 years in power.
In a powerful show of unity, Raj and Uddhav Thackeray led a march in Mumbai, demanding accountability from the Election Commission over voter list issues. Thackeray Brothers Lead Gharjana Morcha in Mumbai, Challenge Election Commission on Voter List Controversy
Uddhav, Raj Thackeray lead protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday targeted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and raised questions over the poll panel's functioning. The two leaders led a joint protest march toward the BMC headquarters against Gyanesh Kumar. Opposition parties have been demanding his resignation. Uddhav Thackeray said the protest was aimed at opposing what he described as an attack on voters' rights and democracy. We are standing here today to overthrow the dictator, he said. He claimed that names of 13 crore people had been deleted from electoral rolls across the country and alleged that voters had also been excluded in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. I have a question over the process of appointment of the Election Commissioners.
3rd ODI: 'It Was Important For Me To Get Some Batting Time,' Says Rahul On His Century
Cricket World Cup: KL Rahul said his unbeaten 129 in the third ODI against the West Indies was as much about gaining valuable time in the middle as it was about the runs, with India using the bilateral series to sharpen their plans for the ICC Mens Cricket World Cup 2027. Speaking after Indias 2-1 series win, Rahul said the long innings was important as he continues to work on the demands of batting in the middle order ahead of next years global tournament. Rahuls century came in a match India eventually lost as the West Indies chased down 352, denying the visitors a series clean sweep. Despite that disappointment, the wicketkeeper-batter saw value in spending an extended period at the crease, particularly after limited opportunities to construct a long ODI innings from the middle order earlier this year. Happy to have scored 129 runs but disappointed that we couldnt clean sweep the series. Had we done that, then the happiness level would have been at the peak. Nonetheless, I wanted to spend more time with the bat out there in the middle and the last time I really got to bat for a long duration in ODI cricket, in the middle-order was in early January this year against New Zealand, and since then I havent really got a lot of time to play a long innings. And next year is a big one, with the World Cup starting in October, so its important for me to get valuable batting time because off the field Im trying a few things and I want to test that in the game. And only then will you know whether the work that youre putting behind the scenes is working or not, or what I need to do differently. So yeah, it was important for me to get some batting time, so Im happy about that, Rahul told JioStar. The innings also offered Rahul an opportunity to work on one of the more demanding aspects of his current role. Having spent much of his career at the top of the order, the batter has had to adapt to conditions that can become increasingly difficult for middle-order players as an ODI innings progresses. He pointed specifically to the behaviour of the older ball and the difficulties it can create for batters attempting to attack in the final overs. Its very different, but Ive been doing this role for the last 6-7 years. In the last year and a half, since the ball change rule has happened, its been very different. Its not been easy to get 80-90 in the last 10 overs. The balls been getting reverse swing, and even in this game, once the ball got old and soft, and started to reverse swing, as a batter you dont feel confident enough to take on the long-on and deep mid-wicket fielder if its a big boundary on that side. Ive always batted top of the order, and I like the hard ball coming onto me, I can use the pace. So thats something Ive been working on, trying to play with softer, older balls and being able to hit sixes with that. So, thats something Ive worked on. I constantly try to get better within my own game, understand my role, understand what a number five and number six batter has to do to consistently put up performances for the team, he added. The 2027 World Cup remains more than a year away, but Rahul said the current series are already providing the match situations needed to test Indias plans and personnel. All these series on the road to the World Cup are a good opportunity to get some game time in the middle. We dont want to go too far away from the plan but also experiment a little bit as a batting unit. The goal so far has been about can we score 330-340 while batting first, but were seeing that 340s and 350s get chased down very easily in one-day cricket. So how can batters, once set, keep pressing on and get 370s and 380s, or push for 400 on a given day. The 2027 World Cup remains more than a year away, but Rahul said the current series are already providing the match situations needed to test Indias plans and personnel. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
5000 Cops Deployed Ahead of India Gate to Jantar Mantar Anti-CEC Marches be zza,,
Authorities have turned key stretches of Central Delhi into heavily guarded zones, deploying nearly 5,000 security personnelincluding units from the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and paramilitary forcesahead of planned demonstrations demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The security measures come as anti-EC agitators enter their third consecutive day of demonstrations. While [] The post 5000 Cops Deployed Ahead of India Gate to Jantar Mantar Anti-CEC Marches be zza,, appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .
Uddhav calls CEC Gyanesh Kumar BJPs weapon as Thackeray cousins lead Mumbai protest
Uddhav Thackeray alleged that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar serves as a tool for the BJP government. Raj Thackeray demanded that the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Maharashtra be canceled. Both leaders participated in a protest march that culminated in a rally at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation headquarters. Various state leaders joined them in demanding the resignation of the CEC over election irregularities.
Israel Reacts as flydubai Co-Pilots Crash Bid Puts Spotlight on Aviation Vetting Standards
Israels Transportation Ministry has acknowledged that it does not perform independent background checks on foreign aircrews operating flights into the country, stating it cannot guarantee foreign-operated flights are 100 percent safe. The statement comes amid mounting scrutiny following a near-catastrophic incident aboard flydubai Flight 1073, where an Omani co-pilot violently attacked the commanding captain in [] The post Israel Reacts as flydubai Co-Pilots Crash Bid Puts Spotlight on Aviation Vetting Standards appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .
Pakistan: Rising poverty pushes Rawalpindi
The number of labourers and daily-wage workers spending nights on pavements, roadsides and beneath public infrastructure in Rawalpindi has reportedly increased amid rising inflation, worsening poverty and declining purchasing power, highlighting the growing hardships faced by low-income workers, as reported by The Express Tribune. According to The Express Tribune, many workers now seek shelter beneath the Metrobus track and under shop awnings, particularly during rainy nights and the early morning hours. With little money left after meeting basic needs, renting even inexpensive accommodation has become difficult for many of them. A growing number of workers can be seen along Murree Road between Mareer Chowk and Faizabad, including Chandni Chowk, Rehmanabad and Liaquat Bagh Chowk. Some also sleep on benches inside Liaquat Bagh. Similar conditions have been reported around General Bus Stand Pirwadhai, the lawns of the three allied hospitals, Ganjmandi Bazaar, Jamia Masjid Road, Banni Cho...
Thackeray brothers lead Garjana Morcha in Mumbai, challenge ECI over SIR row
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 4 (IANS) In a display of political unity, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena(UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday spearheaded a high-decibel Garjana Morcha in Mumbai. Marching from Metro Cinema to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters, the joint rally delivered a broadside against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Election Commission of India (ECI) over alleged voter roll manipulation. The protest gained substantial momentum as key constituents of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), including the Nationalist Congress Party(Sharadchandra Pawar) and the Congress party, joined forces on the streets. The Communist Parties, Peasants and Workers Party also participated in the march. Ditching party flags in favour of the Tricolour, thousands of demonstrators marched demanding strict accountability, the scrapping of the controversial Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, and the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Questioning the legitimacy of the recent election outcomes, Raj Thackeray pointed to the eerie silence across the state after the Assembly election results. He argued that a genuine democratic mandate is marked by spontaneous public celebration, whereas the current post-election atmosphere across Maharashtra reflected widespread disillusionment and shock. Highlighting a sharp statistical anomaly, Thackeray questioned how Maharashtra's voter base swelled by an astonishing 40 to 60 lakh voters within a brief six-month window following the Lok Sabha elections. He termed the surge a deliberate attempt to compromise electoral integrity. Reminding opposition leaders of his warnings dating back to 2017-2018, Raj Thackeray noted that he had previously met senior leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, and Sharad Pawar, regarding EVM vulnerabilities and voter list discrepancies. He reiterated that a united boycott of elections remains the only definitive way to force transparency. Asserting that the SIR mechanism was being weaponised to disenfranchise legitimate citizens while injecting bogus entries into rolls, Raj Thackeray demanded an immediate halt to SIR and a return to paper ballots for future elections. SIR in the country is illegal. I have only two demands. First, the SIR conducted in Maharashtra must be scrapped. Second, all future elections must be conducted on ballot papers. This will ensure complete transparency, doodh ka doodh, paani ka paani, said Raj Thackeray. He further added, I request all political parties to go to Delhi and raise their voices. Tomorrow, whichever party comes to power... it doesn't matter. But power must be attained through legitimate and fair means, he remarked. In his speech, Uddhav Thackeray also led a blistering attack on the BJP-led government at the Centre for gaining control over various institutions and engineering splits in political parties. He strongly criticised CEC Gyanesh Kumar for the centralisation of power in the poll panel, saying that he needs to be removed. He questioned the immunity which CEC enjoys during his tenure and also after retirement. The joint march marks a significant recalibration in Maharashtras political landscape. By rallying together alongside MVA allies, the Thackeray cousins have successfully elevated electoral integrity to a central public debate.
AMU protests: Students block four entry gates, proctor says outsider detained from hostel
Tensions escalated at Aligarh Muslim University after protesters blocked all four entry gates amid an ongoing agitation demanding students union elections
Uddhav-Raj Thackeray Lead Mumbai Protest, Demand CEC Gyanesh Kumars Resignation
Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray have joined forces to lead a major protest in Mumbai demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The march, backed by Congress and NCP (SP) leaders, is focused on alleged irregularities in the Election Commissions Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The opposition has accused the poll body of compromising voters rights and demanded action over alleged voter deletions. The Thackeray cousins have sought to project a united opposition front, with supporters carrying the national flag.
'No time to experiment': Gill wants all resources available for India's ODI WC prep
Gills first year as ODI captain has exposed Indias lack of settled resources ahead of next years World Cup. With injuries and form issues affecting the pace attack, he wants his strongest combination finalised soon, despite a disrupted New Zealand series. Gill is also assessing No. 8 options while demanding improvement in Indias fielding and bowling discipline.
Ahead of Akhilesh Yadavs October 8 Ayodhya visit, saints urge him to seek blessings at Ram Temple
Digital Desk | Ayodhya, Oct 4 (IANS) Samajwadi Party (SP) chief and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadavs scheduled visit to Ayodhya has drawn calls from local religious figures urging him to visit the Ram Temple and seek the blessings of Lord Ram. Speaking to IANS, Peethadhishwar of Tapasvi Chhawni, Jagatguru Paramhans Acharya, commented on Yadavs visit, and said he hoped the SP chief would visit the Ram Temple during his stay in Ayodhya. SP chief and former UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav is visiting Ayodhya, and we hope he will visit the Ram Mandir to seek His blessings. In recent days, a financial irregularity occurred, and he tweeted about it. When asked how he found out, he claimed that Ram Ji told him. Therefore, he must touch Lord Rams feet. If he doesn't, it will send a message that he wants to demean Sanatan Dharma, Paramhans Acharya said. Devesh Acharya, a priest at Hanumangarhi, also welcomed Yadavs proposed visit and said he should visit the Ram Temple along with his family and seek Lord Rams blessings. Former UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav is coming to Ayodhya on October 8, which is good news. We want him to visit the Ram Temple and seek the blessings of Lord Ram along with his family, since he is coming here to attend a religious event. He must apologise to Lord ram for coming late. If he doesn't do so, it will reflect his party's anti-Sanatan ideology. Returning without doing darshan would be highly unfortunate for Akhilesh Yadav and his party, Devesh Acharya said. Yadav is scheduled to visit Ayodhya on October 8 to attend the concluding session of the Shrimad Bhagwat Katha, a week-long religious programme organised by former MLA and SP leader Tej Narayan Pandey. The SP chief is expected to spend around an hour at the programme in Krishnaapur-Khanpur Rasoolabad. He is also expected to offer prayers and interact with devotees attending the gathering. Yadavs Ayodhya visit comes at a politically significant time for the SP, with political activity beginning to gather pace ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. The party has earlier announced Tej Narayan Pandey, popularly known as Pawan Pandey, as its candidate from the Ayodhya Assembly constituency for the 2027 polls.
Uddhav, Raj Thackeray to lead Mumbai protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray will lead a joint protest march in Mumbai on Sunday against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, with the parties alleging irregularities in the electoral process and demanding his resignation. Speaking ahead of the protest, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said the protest was a collective response to what he alleged were attempts to undermine democratic institutions, electoral processes and the constitutional rights of citizens. This protest is against the Hitler-rule prevailing in the country, hijacking elections, keeping the Election Commission and the Supreme Court in one's pocket, running a dictatorship, stealing votes, stealing elections, and poaching MPs and MLAs. This is a revolt against all that, much like the one in 1857, he told reporters. Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray have announced this protest march, with the entire Maha Vikas Aghadi backing it. The march...
Thackeray Cousins Lead Joint Mumbai Rally Demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar
Demonstrating a rare and growing political convergence, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray joined forces on Sunday to head a high-octane protest march in Mumbai. The rally demands the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged widespread irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision [] The post Thackeray Cousins Lead Joint Mumbai Rally Demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumars Resignation appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .
'Congress has DNA of insulting public mandate': Shivraj Singh Chouhan slams Mallikarjun Kharge
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday (October 4) slammed the Congress for disrespecting the public mandate after electoral defeats, alleging that questioning the Election Commission and demanding ballot-paper voting reflects the party's DNA.
Over 200 detained in Jantar Mantar protests against CEC
Nearly 200 protesters, including prominent activists, were detained at Jantar Mantar during demonstrations demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Delhi Police registered cases under the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for disobedience and obstruction, following prohibitory orders in the New Delhi district. The protests stem from alleged irregularities in electoral roll revisions, prompting significant police deployment and ongoing legal actions.
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 4 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Ram Kadam on Sunday took a swipe at Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, saying that rather than reiterating allegations of vote chori over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the latter should clearly say that he is against removal of bogus voters. Speaking to IANS, Kadam remarked: In the future, whenever a list is made of those leaders who keep on lying, Rahul Gandhi's name will be mentioned at the top. Months before, Congress itself took out a rally to remove 'bogus voters' in Maharashtra and was even demanding the postponement of polls. Rahul Gandhi has a habit of forgetting things, and that is why he doesn't remember the demands of his own party, he said. Asserting that SIR is a process to clean the electoral rolls, the BJP leader stated that allegations made without evidence amount to an attack on democracy. Further, Ram Kadam accused LoP Gandhi of humiliating the Constitution and the Constitutional establishments. Instead of reiterating 'vote chori' allegations, Rahul Gandhi should clearly say that he doesn't want the removal of bogus voters, he remarked. Ram Kadam also criticised senior Congress leader and former Union Minister P. Chidambaram, saying: Does he not know about the rally undertaken by his party in Mumbai, demanding removal of bogus voters? Unfortunately, he belongs to that party, whose leader, Rahul Gandhi, maligns India's name during his foreign visits. On Saturday, Chidambaram lashed out at Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, saying the wisest thing that the poll body head could do is to step down immediately, amid reports of internal differences within the Election Commission. Further, Kadam referred to the Opposition's allegations against the CEC as planned conspiracy, questioning: Why would our enemies want our country to progress? Today, heads of countries like America, Australia and Russia are praising India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is the appreciation for all 140 crore Indians, as today the country is developing at a fast pace, he asserted. Referring to the 7.8 per cent increase in real GDP, the BJP MLA said: Looking at this progress, some of our enemies sitting abroad are funding people here to insult our Constitutional establishments and spread anarchy. Unfortunately, Congress, both the Thackeray brothers (Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray) and the country's Opposition are first in line to do so, he alleged.
CIVIL WAR In France? Paris Under Siege As Students Take Over Streets, Thousands Held After Clashes
France has been hit by a rapidly spreading wave of student protests, with high-school students barricading school gates, confronting police and demanding better conditions across the country. The unrest, which began in the Paris region, has spread to towns nationwide, with schools affected by blockades and closures. Protesters have cited staff shortages, deteriorating school facilities, long school days and concerns over Frances university admissions system, Parcoursup. At some demonstrations, rubbish bins and vehicles were set on fire, while riot police used tear gas and made arrests.
Global experts to discuss AI, robotics in agri at SKUAST-K
Srinagar, Oct 3: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) will host the 60th Annual Diamond Jubilee Convention of the Indian Society of Agricultural Engineers (ISAE), alongside an international symposium on Smart Farming and Gen-Z Agriculture, from October 5 to 7, 2026, at its Shalimar campus. Jointly organised by SKUAST-K and ISAE, New Delhi, the three-day international event will focus on the convention theme, Women-Led Engineering Innovations in Smart Farming, and the symposium theme, AI & Robotics for Gen-Z Farming. It will bring together scientists, innovators, policymakers and technocrats from India and abroad to deliberate on emerging technologies and innovations in agricultural engineering. The selection of SKUAST-K as the venue highlights the universitys growing focus on digital and precision agriculture. Ranked the third-best State Agricultural University in India, SKUAST-K has introduced several technology-driven initiatives, including Indias first dedicated Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Agriculture, the countrys first BTech programme in AI in Agriculture in collaboration with IIT Mandi, a state-of-the-art FabLab, a 20,000-square-foot Design and Manufacturing Centre, and a 95-hectare IoT-based automated fertigation network. Speaking ahead of the convention, Vice Chancellor SKUAST-K, Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, underscored the role of emerging technologies in transforming agriculture. The integration of frontier technologies, from artificial intelligence and autonomous robotics to high-throughput phenotyping, is no longer a theoretical exercise; it is an urgent imperative for climate-resilient and sustainable food production, Prof. Ganai said. Hosting the Diamond Jubilee Convention of ISAE at SKUAST-K is a testament to our universitys transformation into an epicentre of digital and precision farming. Our objective is to bridge global technological breakthroughs with grassroots farming realities, demonstrating how empowered youth and women can lead this change to build a sustainable, technology-driven bio-economy for Jammu and Kashmir and the country, he added. Highlighting the technical scope and collaborative objectives of the event, Prof. Rohitashw Kumar, Associate Dean, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology (CoAET), SKUAST-K, and Event Convener, said the convention would provide a platform for meaningful exchange between researchers, industry representatives and students. By bringing together over six decades of ISAEs legacy with cutting-edge domains like drone swarms, digital twins, and sensor-based quality evaluation, we are fostering direct dialogue between global researchers, industry leaders, and our students, he said. Dr Mudasir Ali, Head, Division of Renewable Energy Engineering, SKUAST-K, and Organising Secretary, said the event would help develop practical approaches to emerging challenges in agriculture. We are fully prepared to deliver an intellectually rigorous convention that outlines actionable roadmaps for Gen-Z agriculture, he said. The event is being organised under the guidance of a national and international advisory panel comprising experts from India, the United States, Canada and Australia. The programme will include keynote lectures, technical sessions, industry exhibitions, academic presentations and visits showcasing the agro-ecological diversity of the Kashmir Valley.
Protests in Delhi, Mumbai demanding CEC
NEW DELHI/MUMBAI: It was a day of protests on Gandhi Jayanti demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar as opposition parties and student organisations took to the streets in Delhi while hundreds of people gathered at Mumbais Shivaji Park at the call of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) with more than 700 protesters []
Sri Lanka Navy apprehends nine Rameswaram fishermen, seizes boat near Neduntheevu
Nine fishermen from Rameswaram were apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy after allegedly crossing maritime boundaries. The incident has caused unrest among local fishermen who are demanding government intervention. Fisherman Association President Karalmarks condemned the arrests and called for dialogue between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lankan fishermen. Previous instances of Tamil Nadu fishermen being detained by Sri Lankan authorities have been reported frequently.
Kashmir gets first machine-sown direct-seeded rice crop
First Time in Kashmir: SKUAST-K Demonstrates Mechanised Direct-Seeded Rice at Khudwani Khudwani (Kulgam), Oct 03: For the first time in the Valley, rice has been sown by machine straight into the main field, skipping the nursery, the puddling and the transplanting that have defined paddy cultivation in Kashmir for generations. At the Mountain Research Centre for Field Crops (MRCFC), SKUAST-Kashmir, in Khudwani, scientists this season demonstrated mechanised Direct-Seeded Rice (DSR) over one hectare, with half the plot under DSR and the other half under conventional puddled transplanted rice, grown side by side under identical conditions for direct comparison. Dr Tasneem Mubarak, the project's Principal Investigator, said the demonstration marked a historic first for the Valley, where direct-seeded rice, known locally as Votur, was sown through a machine for the first time. The technique is not entirely new to Kashmir, Dr Mubarak told Rising Kashmir. Before the Green Revolution, farmers in the Valley practised a form of direct sowing they called 'Vothur', broadcasting pre-germinated seed by hand across the field. But the method came with serious drawbacks. The biggest problem farmers faced was weeds, he said, explaining that without proper tilling and a lack of novel herbicides, weeds overran the fields. Since sowing was done by hand rather than with any precision method, the crop grew patchy in some places and too dense in others, with birds also damaging the broadcast seed. There was no suitable herbicide at the time that could control every category of weed, which meant farmers had to weed the fields repeatedly through the season by hand, in addition to thinning the crop where it grew too dense, Dr Mubarak said, describing it as a laborious form of farming that consumed large amounts of human labour. By the 1960s, as the Green Revolution reached Kashmir, farmers shifted almost entirely to transplanted rice, which allowed better control over plant population and made it easier to manage weeds through proper tillage, standing water and herbicide application. Direct seeding fell out of use, Dr Mubarak said, ot because it was a flawed idea, but because the tools needed to make it work well simply did not exist at the time. He said farmers lacked a suitable variety with the right potential, and precision sowing methods were not available either, adding that weed management and, more recently, shrinking water resources, remained the other major gaps. The machine used at Khudwani sows seed at an exact, adjustable spacing, anywhere from 10 centimetres to 25 centimetres apart depending on the variety and the field, while placing fertiliser directly beneath the seed in the same pass. The spacing can be modified in the machine according to the situation, the variety and the location, which is why the method is called precision sowing, Dr Mubarak said. Because the method eliminates nursery-raising, puddling and transplanting entirelyoperations that each consume significant water, time and manual labourthe savings compound quickly. Thirty-five to forty per cent of water is saved through the technique in general, Dr Mubarak said, adding that this season, thanks to evenly distributed rainfall, the demonstration plot saved as much as 50 per cent of the water a conventional transplanted crop would have needed. He said eliminating the nursery raising, puddling and transplanting alone cuts labour requirements by roughly 40 to 45 per cent, and once the crop is harvested and threshed mechanically as well, total labour savings cross 50 per cent compared to the traditional method. After sowing, the field gets one irrigation immediately, then none for the next 10 to 15 days while the seedlings emerge, followed by intermittent irrigation monitored through water-level tubes installed below the surface. Novel herbicides now available can control a much wider range of weed species than what farmers had access to decades ago, cutting down the weeding labour that once made direct seeding so demanding, Dr Mubarak said. The technology also has an environmental payoff. Standing water in conventional transplanted rice drives significant methane emissions, averaging around 200 kg per hectare, Dr Mubarak said. Under DSR, with less standing water through the season, that figure drops to around 60 kg per hectare, a reduction of 60 to 80 per cent. The research behind the technology has been published in journals including Scientific Reports (Nature group), BMC Plant Biology, Advances in Weed Science, and Sustainability. Dr Mubarak, along with Prof Ashaq Hussain and Dr Intikhab Aalam, who worked on the project, were conferred the Achiever of the Year award by SKUAST-Kashmir in January 2026 in recognition of the work. Dr Mubarak said the Khudwani demonstration, carried out under an ICAR-IIRR project, is meant to be the first step toward testing how the technology fits into Kashmir's existing cropping systems. Since DSR sowing has to be done in May, the team is now studying which rice varieties and cropping sequences will work best around that timeline.
The Attention Crisis: Are we Losing the Ability to Think Deeply?
We live in an age of extraordinary access to information. A question that once required a visit to a library can now be answered within seconds. A book can be downloaded instantly, a lecture can be watched from anywhere, and a news story can reach millions of people within minutes. Yet, despite having more information than any previous generation, we appear to be facing a curious problem: we are finding it increasingly difficult to give our complete attention to anything. The modern person is surrounded by notifications, messages, short videos, emails, advertisements, headlines and endless streams of content. We move from one piece of information to another almost instinctively. A few seconds of waiting can feel uncomfortable. A long article can seem demanding. Even a conversation can be interrupted by the simple vibration of a phone. This may be one of the quiet challenges of our time: we are becoming better at consuming information but not necessarily better at understanding it. Attention is not merely the ability to look at something. It is the ability to stay with something long enough to understand it. Deep reading, thoughtful conversation, serious study and meaningful reflection all require sustained attention. Without it, information may enter our minds without becoming knowledge. The difference between information and knowledge is important. Information tells us what happened. Knowledge helps us understand why it happened, what it means and how it connects with something else. Developing such understanding requires time. The digital world, however, rewards speed. Social media platforms are designed around rapid consumption. One piece of content is quickly replaced by another. Short videos provide entertainment within seconds. Headlines compete for attention. Notifications constantly remind us that something new is waiting. There is nothing inherently wrong with these technologies. They have transformed communication, education and access to knowledge. The problem begins when convenience turns into dependence and when our ability to concentrate becomes weaker because we rarely practise it. Consider the simple act of reading a book. A person may begin reading with genuine interest. After a few pages, however, the phone lights up. There is a message to check. Then comes another notification. A few minutes later, the reader returns to the book but has lost the thread of the argument. The process is repeated again and again. Eventually, the difficulty may not be the book. It may be our increasingly fragmented attention. This matters particularly for students. Education is not simply about collecting facts. It involves concentration, questioning, connecting ideas and developing the ability to think independently. A student who can memorise information but cannot concentrate on a difficult problem for an extended period may struggle when confronted with complex subjects. Competitive examinations provide another example. Preparation often requires sitting with a subject for hours, revising the same material repeatedly and patiently working through difficult questions. There are no shortcuts to developing genuine understanding. The ability to concentrate, therefore, may become one of the most valuable skills in the future. Ironically, at a time when artificial intelligence can summarise documents, answer questions and produce information within seconds, human beings may need to become even better at thinking deeply. AI can help us find information, organise ideas and accelerate many tasks. But it cannot remove the need for human judgment. If anything, the easier information becomes to obtain, the more important it becomes to know what information deserves our attention. This is where libraries have a continuing role. For some, the library may appear to belong to another era: shelves filled with books, quiet reading rooms and people sitting silently with newspapers or textbooks. But the fundamental purpose of a library has never been limited to storing books. A good library creates an environment where attention is protected. It provides a space away from many of the interruptions of everyday life. It allows a student to sit with a difficult subject, a researcher to examine evidence, or an ordinary reader to spend an hour with a book without being required to respond to every notification. Modern libraries are evolving. They provide access to digital databases, electronic books, online journals, educational platforms and research tools. The library of today can be both physical and digital. But technology should not eliminate the culture of reading. It should strengthen it. Perhaps we need to rethink what we mean by digital literacy. Being able to operate a smartphone or search the internet is only one part of digital literacy. A truly digitally literate person should also be able to distinguish reliable information from unreliable information, recognise misleading content, understand context, protect personal information and resist the temptation to believe something simply because it appears repeatedly online. Most importantly, digital literacy should include the ability to control ones attention. This does not mean rejecting technology. That would neither be practical nor desirable. Smartphones, computers and artificial intelligence have enormous educational and professional value. The goal should instead be to use technology deliberately rather than allowing technology to determine where our attention goes. There is a simple distinction between using a device and being controlled by it. When we deliberately open an educational video, read an article or use an AI tool to understand a difficult concept, technology is serving us. When we repeatedly open an application without any clear purpose simply because we are bored, technology may be controlling our attention. The solution does not necessarily require dramatic changes. Small habits can make a significant difference. We can dedicate a portion of each day to uninterrupted reading. We can keep phones away while studying. We can read longer articles instead of consuming only headlines. We can occasionally sit in silence without immediately reaching for a screen. We can have conversations in which neither person checks a phone. Parents can encourage children to develop reading habits without treating books merely as examination material. Schools and colleges can create spaces where students are encouraged to read beyond their prescribed syllabus. Libraries can promote reading clubs, discussion groups, digital-literacy programmes and quiet study environments. The objective should not be to create a generation that reads constantly. It should be to create a generation capable of concentrating when concentration matters. There is also a deeper social dimension to this issue. A distracted society can become an impatient society. We may become less willing to listen to opinions that take time to explain. We may prefer simple answers to complicated questions. We may react before understanding. We may judge people based on a headline, a photograph or a short video rather than the complete context. Deep attention teaches patience. When we read a thoughtful book, we learn that ideas can develop gradually. When we listen carefully to another person, we discover that people often have reasons behind their views. When we study history, science or literature, we learn that reality is rarely as simple as a social-media post suggests. In this sense, attention is not merely an academic skill. It is also a human virtue. Perhaps the greatest challenge is that attention has become a commodity. Many digital services compete for it because attention has economic value. Every minute spent watching, scrolling or clicking can have commercial significance. This makes personal control over attention increasingly important. We cannot control every piece of information that reaches us, but we can become more selective about what we allow to occupy our minds. The question, therefore, is not whether technology is good or bad. The more important question is: What kind of relationship do we want to have with technology? We should be able to use the internet without becoming dependent on constant stimulation. We should be able to enjoy short-form entertainment without losing the ability to read long-form material. We should be able to use artificial intelligence without surrendering our capacity to think independently. The future may belong not simply to those who have access to the most information, but to those who can decide which information deserves their attention. In an increasingly noisy world, the ability to concentrate may become a form of quiet strength. Perhaps the next time we feel the urge to check our phones while reading a book, attending a lecture or speaking with someone, we should pause for a moment. The notification can wait. The message can wait. The next video can wait. But our ability to think deeply is something we cannot afford to lose. (The author works at a premier Medical college in J&K. Email: waniishfaq0001@gmail.com )
Lavish Marriages: When Celebration Becomes a Social Burden
A marriage is meant to unite two families, mark the beginning of a new chapter and create memories that endure. Yet, in Kashmir, weddings are increasingly becoming occasions of competitive display. What should be a dignified social ceremony is often turned into an expensive spectacle, measured by the number of guests, the scale of the feast, the decoration of the venue, the value of the clothes and jewellery, and the size of the dowry. The problem is not celebration itself. Families have every right to rejoice. The concern is the growing pressure to spend beyond ones means simply to satisfy social expectations. In many cases, a wedding is no longer judged by the character of the bride and groom, or by the strength of the families involved, but by the grandeur of the arrangements. A modest ceremony is treated as a sign of weakness, while extravagance is mistaken for prestige. This culture places an unfair burden on families, particularly those with limited incomes. Parents often spend years saving for a wedding, sell land or jewellery, borrow money and take loans that take years to repay. Some families begin planning for a daughters marriage from the moment she is born. Instead of investing in her education, health and independence, they are forced to think about the cost of catering, clothing, gifts and dowry. The situation becomes even more painful when families try to imitate those with greater financial means. A wealthy household may spend lavishly without facing immediate hardship. But when the same standards are imposed on a middle-class or poor family, the consequences can be severe. The family may enter marriage under a mountain of debt, with its financial insecurity hidden behind a few hours of celebration. The social pressure is often subtle but powerful. Relatives compare menus, guests compare clothes and neighbours discuss the arrangements. A family that chooses simplicity may be questioned, mocked or accused of lacking status. Such attitudes reveal a troubling distortion of social values. We have allowed public opinion to become more important than personal wellbeing. The wedding industry also feeds this competition. Elaborate decorations, multiple functions, costly photography, designer outfits, lavish invitations and enormous feasts are marketed as necessary elements of a successful marriage. Social media has intensified the problem. Every ceremony is presented as a carefully produced display, encouraging others to match or exceed it. Weddings are no longer private family occasions; they are increasingly treated as public exhibitions. This has consequences beyond household finances. Lavish weddings generate food waste at a time when many families struggle to meet basic needs. Excessive use of disposable material adds to environmental pollution. Traffic congestion, noise and the uncontrolled use of public spaces create inconvenience for entire neighbourhoods. The social cost of extravagance is therefore paid not only by the host family but by the wider community. The most damaging aspect is the manner in which lavish marriages reinforce inequality. They create a hierarchy in which people are judged according to what they can display. Those who cannot afford expensive ceremonies are made to feel inferior. Young men and women may also be pressured into unsuitable marriages because families fear the cost of arranging alternatives. In some cases, parents delay marriages or reject suitable proposals because they cannot meet unrealistic demands. Dowry remains one of the darkest expressions of this problem. It is often defended as tradition, but no tradition that humiliates families or turns daughters into financial liabilities deserves protection. Demands for expensive vehicles, furniture, electronics, gold and cash place immense pressure on the brides family. These demands can continue even after marriage, creating resentment and insecurity within the household. Religious and cultural values offer no justification for such excess. The essence of marriage is simplicity, responsibility and mutual respect. A ceremony may be beautiful without being wasteful. Hospitality does not require endless dishes. Dignity does not depend on expensive clothing. Happiness cannot be measured by the size of a banquet hall. The answer lies in collective action. One family alone may find it difficult to resist social pressure, but communities can change their expectations together. Religious scholars, civil society groups, educational institutions and local leaders should openly promote simple marriages. They should discourage dowry, publicise responsible ceremonies and challenge the belief that extravagance is a measure of honour. Families must also understand that a wedding is only one day, while its financial consequences may last for years. Money spent on unnecessary display could instead support the couples education, housing, healthcare or livelihood. A secure beginning is a far greater gift than an impressive ceremony. There is a need for public awareness, but also for moral courage. People must learn to celebrate without competing, host without humiliating and give without demanding. A marriage should bring families closer, not force them into debt. It should offer hope, not anxiety. Kashmir has a rich tradition of community, restraint and dignity. That tradition should not be buried beneath imported extravagance and social rivalry. The true beauty of a marriage lies not in its decorations or menu but in the values that sustain it afterwards. A simple wedding may not attract as much attention as a lavish one. But it can preserve savings, protect family dignity and give the newly married couple a healthier beginning. At a time when economic uncertainty is affecting almost every household, the choice is not merely between a grand ceremony and a modest one. It is a choice between appearance and responsibility. Society must choose wisely. Celebrations should reflect happiness, not insecurity. Marriages should unite people, not burden them. And no family should have to sacrifice its future merely to prove that it can afford one extravagant day. ( The author is a PhD in sociology and a columnist)
Uri road to remain closed on Oct 4, 11 for hill-cutting
Srinagar, Oct 3: The Uri national highway will remain temporarily closed on October 4 and 11 to facilitate hill-cutting work being carried out by the 53 RCC of the General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF). Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Uri Prince Kumar, IAS, issued the closure order on October 3 following a request from the Officer Commanding, 53 RCC (GREF), and subsequent communications regarding the execution of the hill-cutting work. As per the order, the Uri-national highway will remain closed on October 4 (Sunday) and October 11 (Sunday) to facilitate the work. The administration has advised the general public, commuters and transport operators to use the Bandi-Paranpillan-Dachi route as an alternative during the period of closure. The order, however, stated that no hill-cutting work would be carried out on government working days during the specified peak hours of 9 am to 10:30 am and 3:30 pm to 5 pm. The executing agency has been directed to ensure that the highway remains open for vehicular movement during these timings and to put in place all necessary safety measures for the protection of commuters. The SDM said the temporary restrictions were being imposed to facilitate the hill-cutting work while ensuring that traffic movement is regulated and commuter safety is maintained.
Asian Games: HI Prez Dilip Tirkey hails historic hockey double, promises full support for LA 2028
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 4 (IANS) Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey hailed the historic Asian Games campaign after both the Indian mens and womens teams won gold medals and secured direct qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, saying the achievement reflected the hard work of the players, coaches and support staff. The mens team retained its Asian Games title with a commanding 5-1 victory over Malaysia in the final at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium on Saturday, a day after the womens team defeated defending champions and Paris Olympics silver medallists China 1-0 to reclaim the gold medal. Both teams had the same aim: to win the Asian Games and then qualify for LA. Both teams have done it. It is a very proud moment for us, Tirkey told IANS after the mens final. The double gold also created history for Indian hockey, with the mens and womens teams winning the Asian Games title at the same edition for the first time. Tirkey also pointed out the striking similarity between Indias last two mens Asian Games final victories. India had defeated Japan 5-1 in the Hangzhou final and repeated the same scoreline against Malaysia in Kakamigahara. Both teams have performed very well. The womens team played a very good game against China, who are a tough team, Olympic silver medallists and the last Asian Games champions. We beat them 1-0, and today we beat Malaysia 5-1, he said. Tirkey praised the entire mens squad and coaching staff, with special mention for captain Harmanpreet Singh, Abhishek, Dilpreet Singh and Manpreet Singh. The chief coach, supporting staff, captain Harman, Abhishek, Dilpreet, Manpreet and all the players performed very well. From the beginning, everyone played together, and everyone had the same aim, he said. With both teams now assured of Olympic qualification, Tirkey promised Hockey India would provide all necessary support in the build-up to Los Angeles. The coach is very experienced, and everything happens according to his plan and programme. Whatever the team needs in the future, we will try to provide everything. Whether it is an exposure tour, a tournament in Europe or a coaching programme, Hockey India will try to provide all the facilities, he said. Hockey India has also announced a cash reward of Rs 11 lakh each for the players of both gold-winning teams, while members of the respective support staff will receive Rs 5.5 lakh each. Tirkey stressed that Olympic selection would ultimately depend on performance and fitness, while urging players from Odisha and other states to continue working hard as competition for places increases. Those who play well will come into the team. Maintaining fitness and their game is the responsibility of the players. Olympic Games are the Olympics, and the competition in modern hockey has increased a lot, he said. He also highlighted Hockey Indias grassroots efforts in Odisha, particularly in Sundargarh, where turf facilities, academies and hostels have been developed across blocks. Every block in Sundargarh has a turf, academies and hostels. We are also organising grassroots programmes, and the government is doing a lot in other districts. But proper training programmes need to be organised on these grounds, Tirkey said. Tirkey said that greater emphasis is needed on fitness, technical skills, drag-flickers and goalkeepers to strengthen Indias hockey pipeline. Now we have to make this performance even better. We have to prepare the team in terms of confidence, fitness and future events, Tirkey said.
Northern Army Commander chairs comprehensive security review meeting in J&K's Srinagar
Digital Desk | Srinagar, Oct 4 (IANS) Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of Indian Army's Udhampur headquartered Northern Command has chaired a comprehensive security review and coordination meeting in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar city. The Army's Northern Command on Saturday on social media platform X said, Lietenant General Pratik Sharma, #ArmyCommandarNorthernCommand, chaired a comprehensive Security Review & Coordination Meeting at #Srinagar and reviewed inputs in presence of key stakeholders on the prevailing security situation, operational preparedness and coordination mechanisms. #ArmyCommandorNorthernCommand reiterated the need for enhanced inter-agency #Synergy, real-time intelligence sharing and integrated coordination to strengthen operational readiness, facilitate rapid response and enhance the effectiveness of joint operations. The Northern Command is a Command of the Indian Army. It was originally formed as the Northern Army of the British Indian Army in 1908. It was scrapped upon India's independence in 1947 and later re-raised in 1972. At present, the XIV Corps (Leh), XV Corps (Srinagar), I Corps (Mathura) and XVI Corps(Nagrota) are under its control. Its present Commander is Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma. In 1908, the four Commands were merged into two armies: Northern Army and Southern Army. This system persisted until 1920 when the arrangement reverted to four commands again -- Eastern Command, Northern Command, Southern Command and Western Command. In 1937, Western Command was downgraded to become the Western Independent District. In April 1942, the Western Independent District was absorbed into the Northern Command which itself was re-designated as North Western Army to guard the borders at North West Frontier during World War II. It controlled the Kohat, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Baluchistan and Waziristan districts. In 1972, the Indian government decided to raise a separate Command to oversee operations in the northern borders with Pakistan and China. Lieutenant General P.S. Bhagat was appointed as its GOC-in-C in June 1972. Bhagat's main activities as Army Commander were the improvement of defence and the living and working condition of his troops. Headquarters for the Command was established in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur.
Army reviews operational preparedness along LoC in J&Ks Poonch district
Digital Desk | Jammu, Oct 3 (IANS) General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Armys Nagrota-headquartered White Knight Corps, Lt General Mohit Seth, on Saturday visited the line of control (LoC) in J&Ks Poonch district to review the operational preparedness of the formation. In a post on X, White Knight Corps said, FRONTLINE OPERATIONS: GOC #WhiteKnightCorps along with #GOC #AceOfSpadesDivision visited forward posts along the Line of Control in Poonch and Krishna Ghati Sectors to review the operational preparedness of the formation. The #CorpsCommander was briefed on the prevailing security environment, counter-infiltration measures, surveillance architecture and ongoing initiatives to further enhance operational effectiveness. Commending the troops for their unwavering commitment and operational excellence, the #GOC impressed upon all ranks to maintain highest standards of Vigilance, readiness and responsiveness. We Serve We Protect! Lieutenant General Mohit Seth took over command of the Nagrota-based White Knight Corps on Thursday from Lieutenant General PK Mishra. Lt-Gen Seth, an Infantry officer, served as Commandant of the Indian Military Training Team (IMTRAT) in Bhutan before taking over command of the 16 Corps. On assuming command, the new Corps Commander exhorted all ranks to uphold the highest standards of operational readiness, professional excellence and team spirit, while continuing to foster peace, security and stability in the region. Prepared For Today, Ready For Tomorrow. We Serve, We Protect, White Knight Corps said in a post on X. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and the National Defence College, New Delhi, Lt Gen Seth was commissioned into the Third Battalion of the Madras Regiment in 1991. Earlier, he commanded Counter-Insurgency Force Kilo, the Rashtriya Rifles (RR) formation responsible for anti-terrorist operations in Kashmir. The XVI Corps, or the White Knight Corps, is an army corps of the Indian Army raised on June 1, 1972, with Lieutenant General J F R Jacob as its first General Officer Commanding (GOC). It has its headquarters at Nagrota Cantonment (Jammu district), Jammu and Kashmir. In 2005, IX Corps was raised in the southern part of the XVI Corps' area, taking over two of its divisions.
Nearly 200 detained as AISA, other protesters return to Jantar Mantar
Nearly 200 protesters were detained in connection with Saturday's demonstrations at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, with Delhi Police registering cases under provisions dealing with disobedience of orders and obstruction and assault of public servants for Friday's protest, officials said. The protesters, including members of student organisations and civil society groups, attempted to gather at Jantar Mantar despite prohibitory orders imposed in the New Delhi district. Among those detained were AISA national president Neha Bora, civil society activist Yogendra Yadav and senior advocate Prashant Bhushan. The AISA said senior advocates Kapil Sibal, Nitya Ramakrishnan and Pallav Sisodia also joined the protest. Police invoked Sections 223(a), 221, 132 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in connection with Friday's protests. The provisions relate to disobedience of a lawful order promulgated by a public servant, obstructin
Civil Rights Groups Seek CECs Resignation, SIR Rollback
Scores of people joined a protest at Indira Park on Saturday demanding the scrapping of the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
ASHA Workers Protest, Demand Pay Hike, Parity with Other States
SRINAGAR: ASHA workers on Saturday staged a protest at the Sports Stadium in Anantnag under the banner of the Trade Union Coordination Committee (TUCC), demanding the fulfilment of their long-pending demands, including an enhancement in their monthly remuneration. The protesting workers, raising slogans in support of their demands, said they have been performing crucial grassroots-level []
Ishita Dutta recalls shooting a difficult rain sequence for Drishyam The Conclusion: It was tough!
Ishita Dutta recently opened up about filming a physically demanding sequence for Drishyam The Conclusion. In an interaction on Zahrajani dailys podcast, the actress recalled shooting a rain sequence in which she and Shreya had to drag a body across a muddy field before dumping it into a pit. She explained that the scene involved real physical effort, as the team added weight to the bag to make it difficult to pull and create a realistic visual on screen. Speaking about the sequence from Drishyam The Conclusion, Ishita Dutta said, So the scene where we are dragging the body outside, so it's a rain sequence where it's raining and both of us are dragging. So initially when we were pulling na, it was too easy for us to pull, it was empty. So they actually filled it up with, with similar weight ka some samaan in that bori so that, you know, it looks like we are pulling. And it was tough! Because it was raining and there was mud and keechad and me and Shreya are pulling it and it is real! What you see, it is us really pulling something and trying to take it all across the field and dump it in the gaddha that we had created. So that scene was also very difficult. And we did it over four-five days. So, because they knew it was so tough and so draining plus raining, so they didn't want us to fall sick. So every day from 6:00 to 8:00, like two hours we'll finish part of the sequence so that it was easy and yeah. Ishita further explained that the challenging sequence in Drishyam The Conclusion was not completed in a single day. Since the shoot involved rain, mud and physically pulling the weighted bag across the field, the team divided the sequence over four to five days. The actress noted that they would work on the sequence for around two hours each day, from 6 pm to 8 pm, allowing them to complete the shoot without overexertion. Her recollection offers a glimpse into the physical demands involved in filming the sequence for Drishyam The Conclusion. Also Read : Ishita Dutta misses Drishyam The Conclusion trailer launch due to work commitments: Im super excited, also sad that I missed it
CM Bhagwant Mann Writes to Centre Demanding Immediate Evacuation of 21 Lakh MT Grain
AAP suspends its MLA after he claims teachers shortage in government schools
I am going live after feeling sad. I kept demanding the filling of teacher posts, but it has not been done yet, claimed Sukhveer Singh Maiserkhana
Samajwadi Party Files Complaint Against Election Commission Official in Howrah
The Samajwadi Party has lodged a complaint against Dr. Seema Khanna, demanding her resignation and an investigation into voter list discrepancies. Samajwadi Party Files Complaint Against Election Commission Official in Howrah
Spikes to bullets: Pakistans brutal crackdown on dissent comes under growing scrutiny
Digital Desk | Male, Oct 3 (IANS) Pakistan governments response to dissent has repeatedly gone far beyond maintaining public order, with protesters being assaulted, subjected to violence, and in some cases killed. The installation of large spikes on roads to prevent Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) from protesting further underscored the authorities disregard for protesters safety, a report has stated. Holding a protest is a democratic right, and people are allowed by the government of the day to express their anger and demands. However, it is not the case in Pakistan. The installation of protruding spikes on a bridge to stop the recent march by opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had left onlookers recoiling in horror, according to a report in Maldivian media outlet Etruth MV. The report cited Amnesty International, which voiced concerns over the Pakistan government weaponising laws and using deeply degrading tactics to suppress dissent. It showed that the rulers in Islamabad could stoop to any level to prevent or tame peoples protests. But it is not a novel case. There are several incidents involving the physically brutal and potentially life-threatening methods used by the hybrid civil-military regime against protesters. The dark, inhuman, shocking tactics used in recent years would send shockwaves of horror through the civilised world, Etruth MV mentioned. The report noted that ahead of the PTIs protest march to Islamabad, organised against electoral manipulation, the erosion of judicial independence, and seeking the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, the Pakistan government deployed metal barricades and spike-fitted barriers on the bridge. Blocking the entire Islamabad by placing containers studded with nails, digging trenches across major routes, damaging the property of PTI workers, and abducting innocent children and their mothers all out of political grudge, Etruth MV quoted Karachi-based Uneza Kokab as saying. Highlighting the repression in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), it said Pakistani authorities tried to choke Kashmiris by disrupting their food supplies for demanding basic rights, including a reduction in inflation and an end to privileges enjoyed by political elites. More than 50 civilians were killed by Pakistani security forces during a crackdown, while thousands were arrested, kidnapped and tortured in the occupied territory, the report mentioned. The real terrorist is the government, which tries to suppress this peaceful voice through coercion and force, said Zahid Amin, a local from Kashmir. The report further described Balochistan as perhaps the worst-affected region in Pakistan when it comes to atrocities by the countrys security forces. In 2024, it said, Pakistans Frontier Corps personnel opened fire on Baloch people travelling to join a protest, killing three and injuring 14 others. It cited Babu Ram Pant, Deputy Regional Director for South Asia at Amnesty International, as saying, Every time Baloch protests take place, their demands are met with violence by security forces and mass arrests. We see it now again with the Baloch Raji Machi protests in what is clearly a punitive attempt by the Pakistani authorities to deter, vilify, and criminalise peaceful protesters.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has announced cash awards of 11 lakh for every player and 5.5 lakh for each member of the support staff of the Indian mens hockey team, recognising their gold-medal triumph at the Asian Games 2026. The announcement, issued by the Chief Ministers Office, congratulates the squad on a commanding [] The post Odisha CM Rewards Indian Mens Hockey Team with Rs 11 Lakh Each After Asian Games Gold appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .
Mexico Erupts, Protesters Revive CIA Accusations Over Tlatelolco Killings | Watch
Thousands took to the streets of Mexico City to mark the 58th anniversary of the 1968 Tlatelolco student massacre, with protesters demanding justice and accountability for the victims. The march from the Plaza de las Tres Culturas to the Zocalo also revived allegations about links between former Mexican officials and the CIA, as demonstrators criticised what they described as decades of US influence in Latin America.The October 2 massacre remains one of the darkest episodes in Mexico's modern history, when security forces cracked down on a student demonstration just days before the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. Around 8,000 people reportedly joined this year's march, while authorities said 18 people suffered minor injuries and a teenager was hospitalised after a device allegedly exploded in his hand.
INDIA bloc meeting held in Jammu to chalk out action plan against CEC Gyanesh Kumar
Digital Desk | Jammu, Oct 3 (IANS) An INDIA bloc meeting was convened in Jammu and Kashmir's Jammu on Saturday to deliberate on the Opposition alliance's proposed course of action over its allegations concerning the functioning of the Election Commission of India (ECI) and its demand for action against the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The meeting was presided over by senior Congress leader and former Minister Raman Bhalla, with the participants discussing the alliance's action plan in connection with the ongoing campaign on electoral issues and the functioning of the poll panel. The INDIA bloc has alleged that the Election Commission has come under what it describes as institutional capture and has called for the removal, prosecution and arrest of CEC Gyanesh Kumar. These are demands being raised by the Opposition alliance as part of its wider campaign concerning electoral transparency and accountability. The meeting comes amid a series of protests and political programmes by the Congress and opposition parties in Jammu and Kashmir over allegations relating to the electoral process. The Congress had also held demonstrations across Jammu and Kashmir on September 28, with Bhalla calling for transparency and accountability in the functioning of the Election Commission. The participants discussed the further course of action and mobilisation under the INDIA bloc's campaign on electoral and democratic issues. The INDIA bloc has united in a campaign demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and accused the Election Commission of alleged electoral malpractices and vote theft linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Opposition leaders have accused CEC Gyanesh Kumar of failing to answer serious questions regarding massive voter deletions (more than 13 crore names dropped during SIR) and have moved to submit an impeachment notice against him. The bloc launched a pan-India campaign from October 2 to October 8 featuring district-level Save Democracy rallies and public demonstrations. Opposition MPs announced a planned march to the Election Commission office in Delhi on October 6. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and other alliance leaders have called for returning to paper ballot voting instead of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), alongside a demand to use pre-SIR electoral rolls for future elections.
Himachal records 41st lowest monsoon rainfall since 1901
Digital Desk | Shimla, Oct 3 (IANS) The southwest monsoon withdrew from Himachal Pradesh on Saturday, against the normal withdrawal date of Sept 25, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) centre here announced. However, the Himalayan state recorded its 41st lowest monsoon rainfall since 1901. This year, the monsoon entered the state on June 30 and covered the entire state by July 1, seven days later than its normal arrival date of June 25. The IMD said the southwest monsoon seasonal (June to September) rainfall was normal over the state, with 652.3 mm of actual rainfall against the normal 734.4 mm, reflecting a departure of minus 11 per cent. The districts of Kinnaur, Una, Bilaspur, Kullu, Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, Sirmaur and Solan received normal precipitation. In contrast, Hamirpur district received deficient precipitation, and the remote Lahaul-Spiti district received very deficient precipitation. This year, Himachal Pradesh recorded the 41st lowest monsoon rainfall of 652.3 mm during the monsoon season in the last 125 years. However, the highest rainfall of 1,314.6 mm was recorded in 1922 during the period from 1901 to 2026. The IMD said the state received scattered to fairly widespread precipitation on many days in August. Active monsoon activity was recorded on five days, namely Aug 5, 7, 11, 19 and 31, while weak monsoon activity prevailed on 11 days: Aug 2, 3, 9, 13, 14, 21, 25, 27, 28, 29 and 30. The state received very heavy rainfall at isolated places in Sirmaur and Bilaspur districts on Aug 4, in Sirmaur and Una districts on Aug 5, in Kangra district on Aug 15, and in Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur and Kangra districts on Aug 19. The IMD said Himachal Pradesh received normal precipitation, with a departure of minus 17 per cent, recording 212.5 mm of actual rainfall against the normal 256.8 mm rainfall in August. Kangra district received the highest precipitation of 658.0 mm, while Lahaul-Spiti district received the lowest precipitation of 27.8 mm during the period. Sirmaur district recorded the highest positive rainfall departure of 17 per cent, while Lahaul-Spiti district recorded the highest negative rainfall departure of minus 76 per cent.
Irani Cup: Smarans 126* fuels Rest of India fightback, lead over J&K swells to 265
Digital Desk | Srinagar, Oct 3 (IANS) Left-handed batter Ravichandran Smaran struck an unbeaten 126 to orchestrate a stunning recovery for the Rest of India as they went from a precarious 197/8 to 306/8 at stumps on day three of the Irani Cup match against Jammu & Kashmir here at the Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium on Saturday. Partnering tailender Mukesh Choudhary in an unbroken 109-run ninth-wicket partnership, Smarans aggressive century helped Rest of India erase a 41-run first-innings deficit and push their overall lead to a substantial 265 runs. Resuming from 24/1, Rest of India weathered an attritional opening session before losing top-order wickets in quick succession after lunch. Opener Sanat Sangwan anchored the early resistance with a patient 141-ball 55, while promoted bowling all-rounder Saransh Jain contributed 25. But Jammu & Kashmirs bowling attack threatened to seize absolute control. Right-arm pacer Umar Nazir Mir and off-spinner Sahil Lotra spearheaded the charge, picking up three wickets apiece to dismantle the middle order. Nazir made crucial breakthroughs by removing Sangwan, Jain, and Sarfaraz Khan, while Lotra exploited the turning pitch by taking 3-71 across 26 disciplined overs. Lotra accounted for Manav Suthar, Akash Deep, and skipper Rishabh Pant, who batted down the order at number eight due to fever and fell for eight as the off-spinner trapped him LBW. When Akash Deeps dismissal left the rest of India reeling at 197/8, J&K looked set for a swift end to the innings. But Smaran, the new Karnataka captain who was the leading run-scorer in last years Ranji Trophy Elite competition, was immovable like a wall, just like the original 'Wall', Rahul Dravid, also from his home state. It was a day when J&K applied all their force to move him, but Smaran hung around, as he left the hosts' bowlers tired and frustrated in the process. Along the way, he added an Irani Cup record partnership for the ninth wicket with Choudhary, who remained firm and resolute while facing 47 balls for his unconquered nine runs. It also helped RoI that J&Ks bowlers suffered from severe front-foot discipline issues throughout the day, overstepping 21 times during the innings. Nazir was the primary offender, taking his match tally of no-balls to 22 and giving Smaran a reprieve on 104 when he was caught off an overstepping delivery. J&Ks decision to adopt defensive fields allowed Smaran to comfortably farm the strike, as he smashed 26 runs off 18 deliveries after reaching his hundred to shift the pressure back onto the host team. With two wickets still in hand and a lead crossing 250, the Rest of India hold a commanding position heading into the penultimate day of the game. With the pitch set to deteriorate at the picturesque venue, it has set up a tantalising day four. Brief Scores: Rest of India 237 and 306/8 in 94 overs (Smaran Ravichandran 126 not out, Sanat Sangwan 55; Sahil Lotra 3-71, Umar Nazir 3-87) lead Jammu & Kashmir 278 by 265 runs
Hindu Temple Attacked With Bricks In Ohio, US; Windows Shattered
A Hindu temple in Richmond Heights, Ohio, was allegedly attacked with bricks on Friday afternoon, leaving windows shattered and causing significant damage.The Shree Swaminarayan Vadtal Dham Hindu Mandir was reportedly targeted around 1:30 PM while priests and devotees were inside. Surveillance footage is being reviewed by authorities.The Hindu American Foundation has described the incident as a possible hate crime and urged authorities to identify those responsible. However, no suspect has been publicly identified, and authorities have not established a religious motive for the attack.The incident comes as Ohio observes Hindu Heritage Month in October and ahead of Navratri celebrations.
Irani Cup: Smaran's unbeaten ton puts RoI in control vs J and K
Ravichandran Smaran's unbeaten 126 propelled the Rest of India to a commanding 265-run lead against Jammu and Kashmir on Day 3 of their Irani Cup match in Srinagar, despite early setbacks for India batters Rishabh Pant and Sarfaraz Khan.
Ground Report: CEC Gyanesh Kumar faces CJP protest at Mumbais Shivaji Park
Thousands of protesters gathered at Mumbais Shivaji Park on October 2, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The gathering took place despite police denying permission for the protest.
Ravenshaw University Students Protest for Elections and Campus Reforms
Ravenshaw University witnessed a charged atmosphere as members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) staged a protest demanding student parliament elections along with a ten-point charter of reforms. Students gathered in front of the Vice-Chancellors office, holding placards and raising slogans to press for immediate action. The demands included strengthening campus security, installing CCTV [] The post Ravenshaw University Students Protest for Elections and Campus Reforms appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .
India Thrash Malaysia 5-1 To Win Asian Games 2026 Men's Hockey Gold, Seal LA 2028 Berth
India overcame Malaysia's early fightback to produce a commanding 5-1 victory in the gold-medal match. With this win, India have defended their gold from the previous Asian Games.
Yogendra Yadav, Neha Bora Detained Near Jantar Mantar as Anti-CEC Demonstrations Escalate
Central Delhi transformed into a heavy-security zone for the second consecutive day as hundreds of demonstrators, spearheaded by student unions, civil rights figures, and prominent political leaders, attempted to march towards Jantar Mantar. The marchers, demanding the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, were intercepted and detained by Delhi Police after breaching [] The post Yogendra Yadav, Neha Bora Detained Near Jantar Mantar as Anti-CEC Demonstrations Escalate appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .
Tripura: AGMC Resident Doctors Threaten Pen-Down Strike Over Video Circulation
Agartala, October 03, 2026: Resident doctors and postgraduate trainees of Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) and GB Pant Hospital have announced a possible pen-down strike from 9 am on October 5, demanding action over the alleged unauthorised recording and circulation of video and other content related to a recent incident involving a senior resident doctor.... The post Tripura: AGMC Resident Doctors Threaten Pen-Down Strike Over Video Circulation first appeared on Northeast Today .
Uri Highway To Remain Shut On Oct 4, 11 For Hill-Cutting Work
Uri, Oct 3: Traffic on the Uri National Highway in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district will remain suspended for two days this month to facilitate hill-cutting work, officials said on Saturday. According to an official order issued by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Uri accessed news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) the highway will be closed on October 4 and October 11 (both Sundays). The closure has been sanctioned following a request from the Officer Commanding, 53 RCC (GREF), the order stated. The General Public, commuters and transport operators are advised to use the alternative route via Bandi-Paranpillan-Dachi during the period of closure, the order issued by SDM Prince Kumar said. To minimize inconvenience during the work week, authorities have directed that no hill-cutting work shall be executed on government working days between 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM and from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM. The executing agency has been instructed to keep the road open for vehicular movement during these specific hours and ensure all necessary safety measures for commuters. (KNS)
Ask questions, seek your right to vote: Prakash Raj in Hyderabad
Hyderabad: Prominent South Indian actor and social activist Prakash Raj urges voters to ask questions related to the Election Commission of Indias Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise and hold the governments accountable. He was in Hyderabads Dharna Chowk on Saturday, October 3, where several had gathered demanding the immediate resignation of ECI Gyanesh Kumar following 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 .
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said Prime Minister Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and all Chief Ministers were illegal, demanding fresh elections be held through ballot papers
Case filed against CJP supporters over unauthorised gathering at Mumbai's Shivaji Park
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 3 (IANS) A case has been registered on Saturday against supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) for holding an unauthorised gathering, raising slogans and making announcements at the Shivaji Park in Mumbai. According to Mumbai Police, around 400 to 500 unidentified supporters and protesters, including CJP members Ajinkya Shinde, Pranay Ahire, Ashutosh Ranka, Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das, Afreen Nawaz, Soumya Korde, Ankit Bhardwaj, Vijay Malangi and Yogesh Ingale, gathered without permission at Gate number 6 of Shivaji Park grounds, in front of the Meenatai Thackeray Memorial in Dadar West. The gathering reportedly took place between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. within the jurisdiction of the Shivaji Park police station. Police said the protesters gathered on a public road and raised slogans creating a law and order situation. Loudspeakers were also reportedly installed without the required permission. Following the incident, the Shivaji Park police registered a case against the concerned persons under Sections 189(2) and 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Sections 37(1), 37(3) and 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act. On Friday, the CJP had launched its 'Jail Bharo' protest, demanding the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, amid reports of purported differences within the Election Commission. Despite heavy police deployment and the denial of formal permission to hold the protest at Shivaji Park, thousands of citizens and supporters reportedly gathered at the venue. Slogans targeting the Central government and the Election Commission were raised during the demonstration. The protest, described by organisers as 'Season 2' of their movement, was held despite the Mumbai Police denying permission. Security personnel were deployed in large numbers, while barricades were erected across parts of the Dadar area. The demonstration also received support from public figures, intellectuals and Bollywood personalities, who attended the event and spoke about the importance of voting rights and democratic institutions. Among those present were actors Shabana Azmi and Naseeruddin Shah, as well as musician Vishal Dadlani. The personalities who attended the gathering reiterated the importance of protecting voting rights and democratic institutions. Actor Prakash Raj also extended his support through a recorded visual message, urging citizens to safeguard democratic values. Addressing the gathering, CJP founder Abhijit Dipke had criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Dipke formally launched the 'Jail Bharo' call and said that peaceful assembly in defence of voting rights was a fundamental constitutional right. He also challenged the Maharashtra Chief Minister over police warnings against unlawful assembly. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, you spoke about putting us in jail for just three days. Had you said three months, the whole of Mumbai would have been brought to a complete standstill, Dipke said.
FIR Against BJP Leaders Over Voter Deletions: Yediyurappa Warns Protest
He also criticised Chief Minister D K Shivakumar over his protest at the Chief Electoral Officer's office on Thursday demanding action against those who filed Form-7 seeking deletion of voters from the electoral rolls as part of the ongoing SIR
