France students plan more protests, UN 'concerned' over violence
Students in France have largely returned to classrooms following days of protests demanding better education. The government has pledged to deploy 3,000 substitute teachers to affected school. While the demonstrations have been largely peaceful, some protesters have started fires and vandalised bus shelters. UN has voiced concerns over the occasional violent clashes.
People can report problems on 9281607001 by phone or WhatsApp, says Transport Minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy
'My family and I will join the CJP protest,' says Arvind Kejriwal, urges mass turnout
Arvind Kejriwal announced his participation in a protest at Jantar Mantar organized by the Cockroach Janata Party. This protest is set for October 10, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Kejriwal accused the central government of tampering with voter lists and manipulating elections. He urged citizens across the country to join this peaceful demonstration for national integrity.
Jharkhand CM orders probe into alleged police assault on tribal woman
Digital Desk | Ranchi, Oct 9 (IANS) Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has taken cognisance of allegations that a tribal woman was assaulted and tortured by police personnel in Latehar district. He has directed Latehars Superintendent of Police to immediately investigate the matter, take appropriate action, and submit a report. The matter came to the Chief Ministers notice following a post on X. Responding to it, Soren issued instructions to the Latehar SP, saying that such a situation was unacceptable. The alleged incident took place in the Bariyatu police station area of Latehar district. According to the woman and local villagers, Punia Devi had taken goats to graze on the afternoon of October 5 when she got into an altercation with police personnel who were allegedly in plain clothes. It has been alleged that Bariyatu police station in-charge Prabhat Kumar Das and three other police personnel subsequently took her with them. The woman alleged that she was assaulted on the way, subjected to misbehaviour and abused with casteist slurs. Villagers further alleged that she was assaulted at the police station, where she was purportedly tied by her hands, hung upside down, and beaten with sticks. The woman also levelled allegations of sexual misconduct against the police personnel. The complaint further alleged that the police accused the woman of cultivating poppy and forcibly took Rs 80,000 that had been kept at her home for a wedding. She was reportedly released from the police station the following night. The allegations have not been independently verified. Protesting against the alleged incident, villagers approached the office of the Latehar Superintendent of Police and submitted a written complaint demanding action against the police personnel concerned. After the matter came to light, the Chief Minister directed the police administration to investigate. The Latehar police administration has constituted an inquiry team headed by the Balumath Sub-Divisional Police Officer and a woman police officer. Jharkhands local tribal organisations have demanded the suspension of the accused police personnel and registration of an FIR under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The allegations are currently under investigation.
Digital Desk | Patna, Oct 9 (IANS) Candidates of the Bihar Police driver recruitment drive intensified their protest in Patna on Friday, demanding that more than 1,200 posts earmarked for women, which they claim have remained vacant, be filled with eligible male candidates from the respective categories. The candidates had planned to march towards the Chief Ministers residence to press their demands. However, police personnel intervened before the proposed march could begin. Barricades were erected at Gate No. 10, and a large number of security personnel were deployed inside Gandhi Maidan and the surrounding areas. The protesters alleged they had obtained permission to hold a peaceful sit-in, organise a Kalash Yatra and take out a march, but the administration prevented them from proceeding with their planned programme. According to the candidates, the protest was scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. with a sit-in at Gandhi Maidan, followed by a Kalash Yatra and a march from Gate No. 10 to Dakbungalow Crossing. The candidates said more than 1,200 posts reserved for women in the driver recruitment process had remained vacant. They urged the authorities to consider filling these vacancies with eligible male candidates from the respective categories in accordance with the applicable recruitment rules. They say that this would prevent the posts from remaining unfilled and provide employment opportunities to other qualified applicants. Radhe Shyam Kumar, one of the protesting candidates, said they had been staging a sit-in at Gardanibagh for several days. He described the difficulties of continuing the agitation, adding that his family had questioned why he was spending time protesting instead of studying. He maintained that candidates needed to raise their voices to secure their rights. He reiterated the demand that posts remaining vacant after the allocation of seats to female candidates should be considered eligible for male applicants. He also cited the recruitment process for Sub-Inspectors, arguing that a similar provision should be considered for the driver recruitment drive. Despite the police barricades and the deployment of security personnel, candidates continued to gather near Gate No. 10 of Gandhi Maidan. The protesters maintained that they intended to put forward their demands peacefully.
Delhi Police denies permission for CJP protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday
Delhi Police has denied permission for a protest called by the Cockroach Janta Party and some student organisations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Jantar Mantar on October 10, a senior police officer said on Friday. At a press conference, Joint Commissioner of Police, New Delhi range, Nupur Prasad, cited late submission of application and violations of rules during a previous protest by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) as reasons for denying the permission. We have received an application from Saurav Das, Co-Convener of Cockroach Janta Party. The application is regarding an intimation for a protest on October 10 at Jantar Mantar, she said. The protest is regarding demanding accountability from the chief election commissioner (CEC). This intimation was considered and it was found that it was given at very short notice, she said. According to the prescribed procedure, the intimation has to be given 10 days prior to a protest, the officer said. Prasad said it i
IIIT Tiruchirappalli Post Graduate Staff Recruitment 2026
Indian Institute of Information Technology Tiruchirappalli (IIIT Tiruchirappalli) has released Notification No. IIITT/IITMandi-iHub/MP/2026/10-01 for the post of Post Graduate Staff. Eligible candidates can apply online at iiitt.ac.in till 09 October 2026.
CJP protest: Trains cancelled; 57 metro stations to be shut
The Railway Board cancelled certain Mail and Express trains arriving at New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin stations on October 10 due to expected road traffic from a planned protest. The Cockroach Janata Party announced a protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls. Delhi police requested the closure of 57 metro stations to prevent protesters from reaching the site.
'Prepare for the storm': Delhi top cop urges restraint ahead of CJP protest
With the national capital bracing for a massive protest on October 10, Delhi Police's Joint Commissioner Madhur Verma on Friday urged personnel to exercise restraint, stressing that the force's strength lies in handling crowds with discipline, dignity and minimum force. Prepare for the storm. Practise restraint. Protect the peace. Because the true strength of the police is not merely in controlling a crowd, but in doing so with discipline, dignity and minimum force, Verma, Joint Commissioner of Police (Central Range), said in a post on X. The appeal comes amid heightened security arrangements ahead of a protest called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), with the Ministry of Home Affairs making available around 23,000 personnel of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) to the Delhi Police for deployment between October 8 and 12, officials said. The protest comes amid escalating demonstrations demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the special
Fadnavis criticises Congress on SIR; releases parliamentary footage of Kapil Sibal defending process
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 9 (IANS) Maharashtra Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, on Friday delivered a scathing rebuttal to the Congress party as high-octane protests led by Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi against the Election Commission and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process brought central Delhi to a standstill. Taking to social media, CM Fadnavis released archival parliamentary footage of former Union Law Minister Kapil Sibal speaking in official support of the SIR framework during the Congress-led UPA tenure. The clipwhich has rapidly gone viraldirectly counters the Oppositions current claims that the voter roll revision is a conspiracy or an unconstitutional procedure. The Opposition parties have alleged that over 13 crore names have allegedly been left out in the draft poll rolls and has been protesting against it. In his direct hit at the Congress leadership, CM Fadnavis highlighted the stark contrast between the party's historic stance and its current street demonstrations. Congress is busy shouting against SIR from every possible stage, only to have its own former Law Minister Kapil Sibal's words come back to expose the drama. The Parliament record doesnt change with political convenience. Perhaps Congress should first check their own history before manufacturing new conspiracy theories. Sometimes, the best rebuttal comes from your own partys past! CM Fadnavis captioned the video as 'Congress' double standards', urging citizens to listen to official parliamentary proceedings from the UPA era and judge who is telling the truth. The video shared by the Chief Minister shows then-Law Minister Kapil Sibal explaining the three precise categories under which the SIR process removes or updates names on the voter list. Deletion of duplicate entries take place when a voter shifts from one constituency to another, followed by seamless re-registration at the new address. Also during updating old electoral rolls during boundary reorganisations. There will be routine deletion of names of deceased individuals upon verification, said the former law minister in the video. In the footage, Sibal emphasised that no legitimate voter could be barred by registration officers, noting that millions of citizens routinely applied for inclusion under established statutory provisions. The video comes at a sensitive moment as Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra lead sustained street demonstrations demanding the halting of the SIR process and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over what they claim is the disenfranchisement of 13 crore people during the recent SIR process. The protests near Jantar Mantar and Election Commission headquarters have seen tense scuffles with law enforcement, leading to police complaints and political trade-offs. BJP leaders have rallied around CM Fadnavis's statement, asserting that the Opposition is attempting to manufacture a non-existent controversy over a standard voter roll hygiene drive that their own government previously endorsed and defended on the floor of Parliament. The CM's comments come a day after the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Maharashtra, in a major push to ensure maximum voter participation and clean electoral rolls, has launched targeted registration drives and door-to-door verification campaigns across the state. Operating under the guidelines of the ECI, election authorities have committed to ensuring that no eligible citizen is left off the electoral roll and no ineligible entries remain. The extensive outreach forms a crucial leg of the ongoing SIR process. Special voter registration camps have been conducted across all colleges and universities in Maharashtra from October 5 to October 9. Booth Level Officers (BLOs) are deployed at campus sites to assist eligible students with completing application forms and to resolve queries regarding the SIR workflow, said the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Maharashtra release. BLOs are conducting home visits to identify eligible citizens missing from the Draft Electoral Roll and collect Form 6 following verification. For residents unavailable during home visits, special voter registration camps will be held at all designated polling stations on October 10 and October 11, 2026. Citizens whose names appear on the list of absent or migrated voters (compiled during house-to-house enumeration) can apply for re-enrolment or correction. The official list of absent/shifted voters has been published online at ceoelection.maharashtra.gov.in for public verification.
Fifty Years Old, The F-16 Still Isn't Done Evolving As Latest Variant Takes To The Air
More than 50 years after its first flight, the F-16 Fighting Falcon's newest variant, the Block 72, completed its maiden flight on October 6, built for Morocco's air force. Born from hard lessons of the Vietnam War, where Colonel John Boyd developed a theory demanding smaller, lighter, more agile fighters, the F-16's specifications were famously written in blood, shaped directly by America's air-to-air losses. That design philosophy has endured remarkably well. Procured by 26 nations beyond the US, the F-16 remains the world's most common fixed-wing military aircraft in 2026, with roughly 2,102 jets active worldwide, about 15 percent of all combat aircraft globally. Still receiving new radars and avionics decades later, the F-16 proves Boyd's original vision, lightweight and adaptable, remains as relevant as ever.#F16FightingFalcon #F16Block72 #F16Viper #MoroccanAirForce #IndianDefence #MilitaryAviation #FighterJets #AirPower
This Is Emergency: CJP Says At Least 10,000 Detained Across India Ahead Of Jantar Mantar Protest
Delhi is on high alert ahead of the Cockroach Janata Partys (CJP) planned October 10 protest at Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. CJP leaders allege that thousands of supporters have been detained across India, while also warning of possible violence by fringe groups. Meanwhile, police have reportedly deployed nearly 26,000 personnel and tightened security around the protest zone. As allegations of intimidation clash with official claims of maintaining public order, the protest raises questions about policing, political dissent and democratic space.
CMRL-Exalogic case: BJP demands Vijayans resignation; Chennithala seeks time to study HC order
Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 9 (IANS) The Kerala High Courts directive to register an FIR in the CMRL-Exalogic financial dealings case has triggered a fresh political confrontation in Kerala, with the Congress-led government promising to examine the order, the CPI(M) questioning the procedure, and the BJP demanding the resignation of former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The court also put its foot down, and cancelled the SIT formed by the Crime Branch of the Kerala Police in this case and asked the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau to register the FIR. Vijayan is the Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Legislative Assembly. Soon after the verdict came on Friday, state Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said the government would study the court order before deciding on further action. He rejected suggestions that the ruling amounted to a setback for the government. I have not seen the High Court order. Once it comes, we will look into it and do the needful. Is it not essential to examine the details of the order? he asked. Chennithala said that when the Enforcement Directorate (ED) first sent its communication seeking action, he had forwarded it to the State Police Chief, who obtained legal opinions before deciding to proceed with a preliminary inquiry. The opinion we received was to commence a preliminary probe, and we went ahead with it. Now the court says otherwise. Let the order come, and we will do the needful, he said. This is no setback for the government. We acted after seeking legal opinions, and we will continue to do so, he added. Senior CPI(M) leader and close aide of Vijayan, M.V. Jayarajan, questioned the courts decision to issue the directive without hearing the former Chief Minister or the other persons concerned. We all know how the ED functions. The court has given an order, but neither Vijayan nor anyone else was heard before it was issued. The question of denial of natural justice, therefore, arises, Jayarajan said. He said the CPI(M) would continue to fight the case both legally and politically. Senior BJP legislator and former Union Minister V. Muraleedharan, however, said the CPI(M) would resort to what he described as baseless narratives following the courts directive. If the CPI(M) feels Vijayan was not heard, why did he not implead himself in the case, when he could have done so if he wanted? Muraleedharan asked. BJP state vice-president Shone George, who had pursued the case from the beginning, said Vijayan had no moral right to continue as Leader of Opposition after the court ordered registration of an FIR against him. He alleged that the case involved corrupt practices during the previous governments tenure and dealings involving black money. Vijayan should step down if he had any moral responsibility, George said. The High Courts directive has opened the way for the state Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureaus special investigation team to register an FIR and investigate the allegations involving CMRL, Exalogic, Vijayan, his daughter Veena, her husband and CPI(M) legislator P.A. Mohammed Riyas, and others. The order is expected to intensify the political debate over the allegations and the state governments next course of action. All eyes are on the nine-day sitting of the Assembly opening on Monday, as this is going to be good ammunition for the treasury benches to attack Vijayan and the Left.
The Supreme Court on Friday heard a plea raising concerns over proposed restrictions on Delhi Metro services, reported train cancellations and other preventive measures ahead of an October 10 protest demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The Bench questioned why the organisers had not challenged the Delhi Polices refusal to grant permission [] The post Supreme Court hears plea against Delhi Metro curbs, train cancellations ahead of protest seeking CEC Gyanesh Kumars removal appeared first on India Legal .
INDIA bloc leaders to meet President Murmu at 8 pm amid row over SIR
INDIA bloc leaders will meet President Droupadi Murmu at 8 pm Friday in connection with their demand for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. According to sources, the President's office confirmed the appointment on Friday morning. A ten-member delegation, including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and TMC Chairperson Mamata Banerjee, would be among the leaders expected to meet the President. The opposition MPs have been staging protests in the national capital demanding Kumar's resignation for the last three days.
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Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge has launched a strong critique of the Election Commission of India. Allegations include voter list manipulation and mass deletions targeting specific communities. Protests demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation continue, representing various political outfits and citizens. Congress leaders have highlighted issues in West Bengal's electoral rolls and procedural deficiencies within the Election Commission.
Delhi Police denies permission to CJP for October 10 protest at Jantar Mantar, cites 'short notice'
Delhi Police has denied permission to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) to hold a protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday (October 10), citing the short notice given by the organisers, alleged non-compliance with directions during an earlier demonstration and concerns over public safety, law and order and traffic management. The proposed protest was aimed at demanding accountability from Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar amid allegations of vote theft. The decision comes as the national capital prepares for multiple planned demonstrations, prompting police to seek precautionary measures at 57 metro stations across Delhi. Joint Commissioner of Police Nupur Prasad said the New Delhi district received an application on October 7 from Saurabh Das, co-convener of CJP, regarding the proposed gathering at Jantar Mantar.
'Suffered But Survived': USS Abraham Lincoln Returns Home After 260 Days Without Port Call
After nearly 10 months at sea, the USS Abraham Lincoln has returned to its home port in San Diego, California, bringing an extended and demanding deployment to an end. The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier and its strike group spent more than 260 consecutive days without a port call, according to the Pentagon, while supporting military operations against Iran. The deployment involved sustained combat missions, long periods away from families and significant logistical challenges. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth outlined the scale of the carriers operations, including thousands of combat sorties and hundreds of Tomahawk missile launches. The Navy also reported eight suicide attempts among sailors in the carrier strike group during the deployment, underscoring concerns about the strain of prolonged operations at sea. Now back in San Diego, the sailors are reuniting with their loved ones as the wider U.S.-Iran conflict continues to affect regional security and global energy markets.
India deserves answers to two pressing questions, says Telangana Deputy CM
Digital Desk | Hyderabad, Oct 9 (IANS) Telangana Deputy Chief Minister, Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, said on Friday that India deserves answers to two pressing questions: Who safeguards the integrity of citizens' vote and who stands up for Indian professionals abroad. He said in a post on X that while at home, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi are raising serious questions over alleged 'Vote Chori', the Trump administration has suspended TCS, Infosys, Wipro and other IT giants from a key Green Card certification programme. At home, Shri Rahul Gandhi ji and Smt Priyanka Gandhi ji are raising serious questions over alleged 'vote chori' and electoral integrity, facing detention as they demand the Chief Election Commissioners resignation. Meanwhile, in the US, the Trump administration has suspended TCS, Infosys, Wipro and other IT giants from a key Green Card certification programme, he said. Two different crises of confidence. Two pressing questions for the Centre. Who safeguards the integrity of our vote? Who stands up for Indian professionals abroad? India deserves answers on both, said the Congress leader. The Deputy Chief Minister along with Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy had joined Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi and other Congress and INDIA Bloc leaders in Thursdays protest at Raj Ghat in Delhi, demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumars resignation over alleged irregularities in Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Standing at Raj Ghat, on the sacred ground of the Father of the Nation, I reaffirm my solemn pledge to protect and preserve our democracy. My conviction remains unwavering, and my courage unyielding, as I dedicate myself to upholding constitutional values, championing justice, and serving the people with complete integrity, he said in a post on Thursday. At Raj Ghat, where Bapu rests, we gathered to reaffirm our commitment to the Constitution and the democratic rights of every Indian. Standing alongside Shri Rahul Gandhi ji, Smt Priyanka Gandhi ji, and fellow leaders in the fight for electoral transparency and accountability. The Constitution is our guiding light. The peoples vote is its strength. And protecting both is our solemn duty. Our resolve remains unwavering, the Deputy Chief Minister said in another post.
Delhi Police proposes closure of entry and exit gates at 57 metro stations ahead of Oct 10 protest
Delhi Police has proposed closing entry and exit gates at 57 metro stations across the national capital and reducing train frequency at these stations in view of proposed protests scheduled for Saturday (October 10), according to an official communication. In a letter dated Thursday, the Joint Commissioner of Police, Transport Range, requested the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to take necessary measures at the identified metro stations in view of proposed protests at Jantar Mantar and other locations in New Delhi district, citing the likelihood of unruly crowd movement towards sensitive locations. The CJP has announced a youth-led protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10 over alleged vote theft. The proposed restrictions are scheduled to begin at 9 pm on Friday and continue on October 10 until the situation normalises. The 57 stations identified in the communication include Rajiv Chowk, Central Secretariat, Patel Chowk, Janpath, New Delhi, Mandi House, ITO, Supreme Court, Indrapr...
Raj saint death case: Body exhumed after 50 hours, autopsy to determine cause of death
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Oct 9 (IANS) The body of a saint, Bannanath, was exhumed from his samadhi (burial site) in Sangasar village of Ratangarh tehsil in Rajasthans Churu district, nearly 50 hours after his burial. The body was shifted to the district hospital mortuary for a post-mortem examination following allegations that he had been murdered. Police have registered a murder case against seven people and launched an investigation. The exhumation was carried out on the orders of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate under the supervision of Tehsildar Ankit Mimani, in the presence of medical and Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) teams on Thursday. The post-mortem examination is expected to help establish the cause of death. According to the police complaint filed by Hansraj, son of Mohanlal and a resident of Dhaulpalia village in Haryanas Sirsa district, his younger brother Bannanath had renounced worldly life and become a sadhu in 2004. He had reportedly been living at Balaknaths ashram in Rawatsar for the past two years. Bannanath arrived in Sangasar village on September 30. According to the complaint, Balaknath called Hansraj on October 2 and asked him to attend a satsang (spiritual gathering), following which Hansraj travelled to Rawatsar on October 3. A day later, on October 4, Hansraj learned that Balaknath had left Bannanath with Bajrangnath in Sangasar village, reportedly saying he would return to take him back within a week. The complaint states that contact with Bannanath was subsequently lost. Hansraj alleged that his brother had a dispute with Balaknath and was beaten to death. He further alleged that the accused buried Bannanath in a samadhi without informing anyone, in an attempt to conceal the crime. These allegations are yet to be established through the investigation. Police have registered a murder case against Balaknath, Bajrangnath, Mukeshnath, Loonnath, Lakshminarayan and two other individuals, and initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Bannanaths death. A police team led by Circle Inspector Sandeep Kumar was deployed at the site during the exhumation. A large number of villagers gathered at the spot as officials carried out the procedure. The incident triggered protests in the area, with villagers blocking the Salasar road and demanding action. Police personnel reached the spot and persuaded the protesters to clear the blockade. Traffic was restored after approximately an hour. The cause and circumstances of Bannanaths death will become clearer after the post-mortem examination and further police investigation.
Democracy is being murdered: Udit Raj backs INDIA bloc protests against CEC
The Opposition leaders held the third day of protest against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar on Thursday. Earlier on Tuesday, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other INDIA bloc leaders were released by the Delhi Police, hours after their detention during an Opposition protest demanding action against the CEC Gyanesh Kumar
Air Chief Designate Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit reviews Tarang Shakti multinational exercise
Air Chief-designate Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit reviewed operations at the ongoing multinational air combat exercise 'Tarang Shakti'. He witnessed the aerial drills of various indigenously built and global aircraft taking part in the complex joint manoeuvres of the Indian Air Force. The Air Chief-designate visited the 'Tarang Shakti' exercise held in Jodhpur on Thursday. The skies over the Jodhpur desert sector witnessed striking formations as the 'Tarang Shakti' exercise showcased global airpower on full display, as Dixit witnessed high-octane manoeuvres at the multinational air combat drill. Meanwhile, 'Tarang Shakti 2026', the Indian Air Force's multinational air combat exercise, is underway at Air Force Station Jodhpur from September 26 to October 12, with the theme 'Power in Partnership'. Earlier, IAF Group Captain Abhijit Kumar, commanding officer and team leader of the Sarang display team, said the team acts as the rand ambassadors of the Indian Air Force by showcasing its pro...
Delhi Dry Days October 910: Delhi has declared dry days on October 9 and 10, with liquor shops ordered to remain closed amid the prevailing situation in the capital. The decision comes ahead of a planned protest at Jantar Mantar demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumars resignation over allegations linked to the SIR of electoral rolls. More than 20,000 police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed across the city, PTI reported.
'For saving democracy': Cong leader on INDIA bloc protests against CEC
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS) Backing ongoing protests by the INDIA Bloc, led by the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader Udit Raj said that it is the oppositions role to save democracy. Speaking to IANS, Raj said, When the Election Commission acts wrongly, resulting in the deletion of crores of votes or changes Form, the opposition will raise its voice; that is precisely the opposition's role. And why just the opposition? Every citizen, whether from civil society, an NGO, the student community, the youth, or the media, ought to speak up, because democracy is being murdered. That is why the opposition, under Rahul Gandhi's leadership, is waging this fight... Saving democracy, the Constitution, and the vote is crucial, he added. The Opposition leaders held the third day of protest against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar on Thursday. Earlier on Tuesday, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other INDIA bloc leaders were released by the Delhi Police, hours after their detention during an Opposition protest demanding action against the CEC Gyanesh Kumar. The two leaders were among the protesters who gathered near Akashvani Bhawan after being stopped from marching towards the Election Commission's office. Meanwhile, commenting on the order to close liquor shops in Delhi for two days, Raj said, I fail to see any logic behind shutting them for two days or how that relates to the agitation. However, it might be a diversionary tactic on their part. While the government is certainly free to make such decisions, the rationale escapes me... In a preventive measure for maintaining public order ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest, the Delhi government has ordered all city liquor vends to remain closed for two days, starting from Friday, an official said. The Delhi Excise Department, in a circular issued on Thursday, said, The closure has been ordered as a preventive measure to maintain public order, based on the prevailing situation and inputs received from Delhi Police. The order applies to liquor vends operating under specified licences, including L6, L6FG, L8, L10 and L14. The news about the circular, issued by Deputy Commissioner (Excise)/Licensing Authority Tanvir Ahmad, spread fast in the national capital on Thursday, with regular customers lining up outside government vends to stock up for the two-day closure.
BRS to protest in Hyderabad on 10 October demanding CEC
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Telangana SIR: BRS to protest outside CEO office in Hyderabad
Hyderabad: The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) is gearing up to hold a protest outside the office of the Telangana Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) in Hyderabad on Saturday, October 10, over Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in the state. The party is demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. BRS concerned over SIR in Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Provided elections are fair...: BJP veteran on anti-CEC protest
BJP veteran Murli Manohar Joshi emphasized the importance of fair elections, transparent bureaucracy, and constitutional adherence for a functioning democracy. His comments come amidst opposition protests led by the INDIA bloc, alleging irregularities in electoral roll revisions and demanding the Chief Election Commissioner's resignation.
'GET OUT OF MY CITY': New York EXPLODES In Revolt Against ICE After Trump's Fed Agents Shoot Man
A person was shot and wounded by federal law enforcement agents in New York Citys Marble Hill neighborhood in the Bronx on Thursday, October 8, according to the New York Police Department. The individual was taken to a nearby hospital and was reported to be conscious and receiving medical attention. An NYPD spokesperson said the agents involved were part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees agencies including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection. Federal authorities are investigating the incident, while city police said their officers were not involved. The shooting also sparked protests, with demonstrators condemning the presence of ICE and federal agents in the city and demanding an end to their operations.
Delhi-NCR likely to witness light rain, strong winds; AQI remains moderate to poor
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS) The plains of North India, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana, may experience light rain, overcast skies, and strong winds over the next few days as weather conditions change amid the withdrawal of the southwest monsoon. Cyclonic activity associated with the retreating monsoon is expected to bring heavy rainfall over the next three days, particularly across Uttarakhand, Bihar and Jharkhand. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued rain alerts for 14 states, warning of heavy showers in several regions. The effects of the retreating monsoon are likely to be felt across West Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand over the next three to four days. Meanwhile, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal are expected to receive heavy rainfall between October 9 and 11. Delhi, Punjab and Haryana are likely to witness cloudy skies and light rain till October 14. Western and eastern Uttar Pradesh may receive rainfall from October 9 to 11. Light rain is expected in eastern Rajasthan on October 12, while Delhi-NCR may experience light showers accompanied by strong winds on October 10 and 11. Western Rajasthan is also likely to witness strong winds on October 11. According to the IMD, Uttarakhand is likely to receive heavy rainfall till October 14, while Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh may experience heavy showers on Friday and Saturday and again on October 13 and 14. In Uttarakhand, districts including Pithoragarh, Chamoli and Rudraprayag have been placed under a heavy rain alert. The department has advised pilgrims undertaking the Char Dham Yatra, particularly those visiting Kedarnath and Badrinath, to remain vigilant. In Himachal Pradesh, Chamba, Kullu, Manali and Shimla are likely to receive rainfall on October 13 and 14. Jammu and Kashmir may also witness significant weather changes, with thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds forecast in areas including Doda, Pulwama, Anantnag, Poonch, Udhampur and Srinagar. Bihar and Jharkhand are likely to receive light to moderate rainfall in some areas till October 11. Patna, Ranchi and Dhanbad are among the places where thunderstorms and lightning are possible. The IMD has also warned of heavy rainfall in Bihar and the Gangetic plains of West Bengal. Rainfall is expected to continue in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram and Tripura until October 14. Eastern Madhya Pradesh may receive rain till October 11, while Chhattisgarh is likely to witness showers on October 14. Rewa, Satna and Shahdol in eastern Madhya Pradesh may experience rainfall accompanied by winds reaching speeds of up to 50 kmph. Meanwhile, Delhi's air quality remained in the moderate to poor categories, with monitoring stations recording varying levels of pollution. Dwarka Sector 8 recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 231, followed by R.K. Puram at 219, Punjabi Bagh at 211, Narela at 210, and Pusa and NSUT Jaffarpur at 203 each. Other stations, including Burari, Badarpur, Mandir Marg, Aya Nagar, CRRI Mathura Road, Chandni Chowk, JNU, Burari Crossing, Ashok Vihar, Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range, Jahangirpuri and Rohini, recorded AQI readings ranging from 115 to 198.
Video: Congress Leaders Slap Each Other During INDIA Bloc Protest Rally In Faridabad
The INDIA bloc march was planned in Old Faridabad from Chandi Wali Dharamshala to Pathwari Mandir under the leadership of Haryana Mahila Congress president.
Meghalaya HC cracks whip on lawyers
Shillong, Oct 8: The Meghalaya High Court has initiated criminal contempt proceedings against office-bearers of the Shillong Bar Association and High Court Bar Association for calling abstention from judicial work demanding removal of Advocate General Amit Kumar. A division bench of Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice Hamarsan Singh Thangkhiew on Thursday registered a [] The post Meghalaya HC cracks whip on lawyers abstention, initiates contempt proceedings first appeared on Highland Post .
'This is emergency': 10,000 detained ahead of Delhi's Jantar Mantar stir, says CJP
The Cockroach Janta Party's planned protest in Delhi has faced significant opposition, leading to numerous detentions across the country. Over 10,000 individuals, including students, were detained ahead of the October 10 demonstration. CJP leaders have criticized the government's restrictions on public gatherings while demanding accountability for alleged electoral irregularities. As civil society groups rally in support, the party persists in organizing the protest.
Raaj Kumar at 100: Remembering the legendary Hindi film actor
From his commanding screen presence and unmistakable delivery of dialogue to his memorable performances in Waqt, Heer Raanjha and Pakeezah, Raaj Kumars centenary offers an occasion to revisit the brilliance, idiosyncrasies and limitations of a singular Hindi film star.
JKAACL hosts discussion on Dara Shukohs life, intellectual legacy
Srinagar, Oct 8: The Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL) on organised a literary programme featuring the release of Dara Shukoh: The Faqir and the Throne of Thorns, authored by noted academic, poet and writer Dr Amit Ranjan, followed by an extensive discussion on the book at the Academys Seminar Hall, Lal Mandi, Srinagar. The programme, as per a statement, brought together eminent academicians, historians, scholars, writers, students and literary enthusiasts, providing a platform for an engaging discussion on the life, intellectual legacy and cultural significance of Dara Shukoh, the eldest son of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Prof M H Zaffar, eminent academic and writer, was the Chief Guest on the occasion, while Harvinder Kour, (JKAS), Dr Sameer Hamdani, Dr Amit Ranjan and Dr Abid Ahmad were also in the Presedium. The book was formally released by the dignitaries in the presence of the author and the gathering of scholars and literary enthusiasts. The programme commenced with a welcome address by Secretary JKAACL, Harvinder Kour (JKAS), who outlined the Academys vision of nurturing a vibrant literary and cultural ecosystem through sustained engagement with writers, artists, scholars, students and young people. She highlighted the Academys continuing efforts to promote literature and cultural expression in the diverse languages of Jammu and Kashmir and reiterated its commitment to providing meaningful platforms for literary discourse, creative expression and intellectual exchange. She emphasised that programmes of this nature are integral to preserving, promoting and interpreting the regions rich multilingual and multicultural heritage, while also encouraging wider engagement with significant literary and historical works. Speaking on the occasion, Prof M. H. Zaffar described the book as an important addition to the literature on Dara Shukoh, a historical figure whose intellectual and cultural legacy, he said, deserves to be revisited, documented and disseminated among wider audiences. He underlined Dara Shukohs valuable contribution to literature, culture, comparative thought and translation, particularly his efforts towards exploring the affinities found in the intellectual and spiritual traditions of Islam and Hinduism. Prof Zaffar also appreciated the Academy for taking up significant literary works for discussion and promotion. Author Dr Amit Ranjan spoke about the historical injustices and political circumstances that shaped Dara Shukohs life and eventual fate. He also dwelt upon the larger intellectual and cultural dimensions of Daras personality, highlighting his engagement with philosophy, spirituality, literature and translation. He explained the perspective from which the book approaches Dara Shukoh and seeks to revisit his personality beyond the conventional narratives. Dr Sameer Hamdani, the Guest of Honour, spoke at length about Dara Shukohs association with and legacy in Kashmir. He highlighted Daras Sufi leanings and his intellectual engagement with spiritual traditions, observing that his ideas and interests occupy an important place in understanding the broader spiritual and cultural landscape associated with Kashmir. He also touched upon the continuing relevance of Dara Shukohs syncretic and intellectual approach.
Diversity, by itself, does not produce unity. A society may contain many languages, religions, customs and communities without granting them equal dignity or a meaningful place in common public life. Diversity becomes pluralism only when difference is accepted as legitimate, when communities encounter one another without seeking to erase one another, and when citizens recognise that their distinct identities can coexist within a shared national framework. That transformation requires more than cultural tolerance. It requires fraternitythe civic willingness to regard those who are different as fellow members of the same political community. And fraternity requires constitutionalism: the discipline that places every citizen, community and government under the authority of equal rights, lawful institutions and accountable public power. Indias diversity is visible everywherein its languages, religions, philosophies, customs, cuisines, dress, literature, music and regional traditions. But beneath this extraordinary variety lies a long, though uneven, history of accommodating difference. The Indian achievement is not that conflict or exclusion disappeared. It is that the subcontinent repeatedly generated cultural practices, intellectual traditions and political arrangements through which difference could be negotiated rather than permanently converted into separation. That is the foundation on which Indian pluralism must be understood. Diversity is a fact. Pluralism is a philosophy. Fraternity is its civic ethic. Constitutionalism is the rule that makes it durable. A diverse society may simply contain many communities. A plural society develops the ethical and institutional capacity to allow those communities to coexist with dignity, engage with one another and contribute to a common public life. Indias achievement has often been to turn diversity into a civilisational resource, although this achievement has never been complete or free from conflict. For thousands of years, the subcontinent has been a site of intellectual disagreement. Its philosophical traditions did not develop around a single universally authorised doctrine. Vedic and Upanishadic texts explored questions about existence, the self and ultimate reality. Buddhism and Jainism challenged established assumptions and developed influential alternative traditions. The schools commonly classified as Vedanta, Samkhya, Yoga, Nyaya and Mimamsa, among others, developed distinct arguments and often debated one another. The Buddhist emperor Ashoka gave one expression to this principle in his edicts. In the 12th Rock Edict, generally dated to the third century BCE, he urged people not to disparage other sects and argued that honouring ones own tradition should not involve denigrating others. His message was not that all beliefs were identical. It was an appeal for restraint, learning and mutual respect in a religiously diverse society. The edict should be understood as evidence of an imperial ethical and political ideal, not as proof that all communities throughout the subcontinent practised equal tolerance. Yet disagreement itself became part of the intellectual culture. This is a significant feature of many Indian traditions. Truth was not always presented as something that could be exhausted by one formulation. The search for truth could proceed through dialogue, debate, experience and contemplation. The dialogues preserved in some Upanishads, Buddhist and Jain traditions of disputation, and the later debates associated with figures such as Adi Shankaracharya reflect the importance accorded to argument. They do not, however, prove that Indian society was uniformly tolerant or free from hierarchy and exclusion. Intellectual openness and social inequality often coexisted. That intellectual pluralism also found expression in Indias literary and cultural traditions. The Ramayana and Mahabharata travelled across the subcontinent, acquiring regional languages, interpretations and artistic forms. Kambans Tamil Ramavataram, Tulsidass Awadhi Ramcharitmanas and Krittibasis Bengali Ramayana are among the best-known examples of retelling. The many versions found across South and Southeast Asia demonstrate how a shared narrative could be adopted without being reproduced identically. Sanskrit interacted with Tamil, Prakrit, Pali and later with Indias many regional languages. Local traditions absorbed wider civilisational themes while retaining their distinctive character. The result was not cultural uniformity. It was a form of cultural federation. Indias diversity is therefore not merely the consequence of geography. It is also the product of centuries of migration, exchange, adaptation and political change. Kashmir provides a particularly important example. The Valley became a major centre of Sanskrit learning, philosophy, aesthetics and spiritual inquiry. Kashmir Shaivism is associated with thinkers such as Vasugupta, Utpaladeva and Abhinavagupta. Abhinavaguptas writings on aesthetics, including his interpretation of rasa, influenced later Indian thinking about drama and artistic experience. Lal Deds verses have been read across religious boundaries, while the teachings associated with Sheikh Noor-ud-din Noorani, or Nund Rishi, became an important part of Kashmirs spiritual heritage. The term Kashmiriyat is often used to describe an ideal of shared Kashmiri belonging across religious communities. Its meaning and historical application are debated, and the regions history includes periods of coexistence as well as conflict, displacement and political violence. Nevertheless, the ideal reflects an aspiration toward a common civic and cultural identity. It should not be presented as an uncontested description of all periods of Kashmiri history. The larger lesson is important. Civilisations can become richer when communities do not merely coexist but encounter one another. Indian pluralism has also been shaped by communities that arrived from outside the subcontinent. Jewish communities established settlements in places including Kerala and Maharashtra, preserving their religious traditions while participating in local society. The Bene Israel community in the Konkan region and the Cochin Jews in Kerala are examples of communities that made India their home over many centuries. Parsis, members of the Zoroastrian faith, migrated to western India from Iran over successive periods, particularly after the Arab conquest of Persia, although the precise chronology and scale of these migrations are matters of historical study. A well-known Parsi tradition recounts that a local ruler symbolised the limits of his kingdom with a vessel filled with milk, and that the Parsi leader responded by adding sugar to it, suggesting that the newcomers would blend into society while enriching it. The story is best treated as cultural memory rather than independently verified history. It nevertheless captures an important element of Parsi self-understanding. Parsis later made major contributions to Indias industrial, philanthropic and public life. The Tata family helped build important enterprises and supported scientific, educational and cultural institutions. Parsi figures such as Dadabhai Naoroji, the first Asian elected to the British House of Commons, played a significant role in public life and the freedom movement. Their history shows how a small community can preserve its identity while contributing substantially to a wider national project. Christianity also has a long history in India. The Saint Thomas Christian tradition in Kerala traces its origins to the early centuries of the Common Era, although the precise historical details of its earliest beginnings remain debated. Christian communities and institutions have contributed significantly to education, healthcare, printing and social reform. Institutions such as St. Xaviers College in Mumbai and Christian Medical College in Vellore are prominent examples, alongside numerous schools, hospitals and charitable organisations serving people of many faiths. Indias Muslim communities have likewise shaped the countrys shared identity in countless ways. Urdu poetry, Hindustani music, qawwali, architecture, cuisine, crafts and scholarship are not external additions to Indian culture; they are part of its living inheritance. Bhakti and Sufi traditions sometimes created spaces of spiritual exchange, although the relationship between them varied across regions and periods. Figures such as Kabir, Guru Nanak, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti and Amir Khusrau are remembered across community boundaries, even though their historical contexts and religious affiliations should not be collapsed into a single syncretic narrative. The cultural histories of Bengal, Punjab, the Deccan and Kashmir show how interaction produced new forms of language, music and devotion. The Indian experience demonstrates that national identity need not require cultural erasure. One can preserve ones language and still be Indian. One can practise ones faith and still be fully committed to the Republic. One can celebrate ones regional heritage while embracing a larger national identity. This layered belonging is not a weakness. It is one of Indias greatest strengths. The Constitution gave this aspiration a modern democratic and legal framework. It did not simply codify an uninterrupted ancient tradition; it also responded to colonial rule, social inequality, Partition and the demands of a modern republic. The Preamble commits the Republic to justice, liberty, equality and fraternity. Fundamental Rights protect equality and several forms of individual and collective freedom. Article 14 guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of the laws. Article 15 prohibits discrimination by the State on specified grounds, including religion, race, caste, sex and place of birth, subject to constitutionally permitted affirmative-action provisions. Article 16 guarantees equality of opportunity in public employment, again subject to specified exceptions and reservations. Article 17 abolishes untouchability and makes its practice an offence. Article 25 protects freedom of conscience and the freedom to profess, practise and propagate religion, subject to public order, morality, health and the other provisions of Part III. Articles 29 and 30 protect certain cultural and educational rights, including the rights of sections of citizens with a distinct language, script or culture to conserve it, and the rights of religious and linguistic minorities to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice, subject to constitutional interpretation and regulation in the public interest. These provisions are not abstract declarations. They have shaped public life, although their implementation has been uneven and contested. In Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala, decided in 1973, the Supreme Court held that Parliaments power to amend the Constitution does not extend to destroying its basic structure. The judgment did not provide a single exhaustive list of basic-structure features, but later decisions have treated principles such as constitutional supremacy, judicial review, democracy and secularism as part of that doctrine. In S.R. Bommai v. Union of India, decided in 1994, the Supreme Court treated secularism as a basic feature of the Constitution and held that the exercise of Article 356 is subject to judicial review. The judgment also addressed the constitutional limits on the use of state power in circumstances involving partisan or communal politics. Its precise holdings should not be reduced to a general judicial prohibition on all political appeals based on religion, but it remains a major authority on secularism, federalism and constitutional accountability. In cases concerning minority educational institutions, including T.M.A. Pai Foundation v. State of Karnataka and subsequent decisions, the Court has examined the scope of minority rights, the meaning of minority, and the extent to which educational autonomy may be regulated to maintain academic standards and prevent maladministration. The law in this area is detailed and continues to evolve. The constitutional framework has also enabled affirmative action for historically disadvantaged communities. Reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes were provided from the beginning of the constitutional order, while reservations for Other Backward Classes in central educational institutions and public employment followed later constitutional, legislative and judicial developments. These measures seek to advance substantive equality, although their design, scope and effects remain subjects of public debate. The Constitutions Fifth and Sixth Schedules provide different forms of protection and autonomy for Scheduled Areas and tribal communities. The Sixth Schedule establishes autonomous district and regional councils in specified areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram. These arrangements do not amount to unrestricted self-government, but they recognise that national unity can accommodate differentiated forms of local governance and cultural protection. These constitutional guarantees should not be misunderstood as instruments of fragmentation. They are among the means through which a diverse nation can preserve unity without demanding uniformity. But constitutionalism is the rule that gives pluralism its durable form. It means that no community, majority or minority, stands above the Constitution; that public power must be exercised within legal limits; that rights cannot depend solely on the goodwill of those who govern; and that institutions must protect citizens against arbitrary authority. Constitutionalism converts the moral aspiration of coexistence into an enforceable discipline of government. Without it, pluralism may remain a cultural ideal, vulnerable to the changing preferences of rulers and majorities. With it, diversity can become a foundation for equal citizenship, accountable power and democratic unity. The constitutional idea of India is therefore neither majoritarianism nor competitive communalism. It is equal citizenship under a constitutional order. This distinction is increasingly important. A democracy cannot survive merely by counting numbers. It must also protect the dignity and rights of those who are numerically smaller. The majority has the right to govern through constitutional procedures; it does not have the right to diminish the equal citizenship of others or to disregard constitutional limits. Indias public life offers many reminders of this principle. Citizens from minority communities have served as Presidents, Vice-Presidents, judges, ministers, diplomats, scientists, artists and military leaders. Dr. Zakir Husain and Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed served as Presidents of India. Justice M. Hidayatullah served as Chief Justice of India and later as Vice-President. Sikh, Christian, Parsi, Buddhist, Jain and Muslim citizens have held high constitutional and public offices and contributed to institutions across the country. These examples do not prove that discrimination has disappeared, nor do they by themselves establish equal social or economic outcomes. They do demonstrate that the constitutional imagination of India is larger than any single religious or cultural identity. That is why fraternity is such a profound constitutional value. Equality tells us that every citizen possesses equal civic worth. Liberty protects individual freedom. Fraternity asks citizens to recognise one another as members of a common national community. The Preamble links fraternity with the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the nation. Fraternity does not demand sameness. It demands solidarity despite difference. The freedom movement offered several examples of this solidarity, though it was never free of internal conflict or exclusion. Mahatma Gandhis campaigns drew participation from Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Parsis and people of many regional and linguistic backgrounds. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad argued that Indian nationalism could not be reduced to religious identity. Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan linked non-violent resistance with an Islamic ethical tradition. The Indian National Army brought together soldiers from different regions and communities under a common political objective, although its composition, political significance and historical legacy require careful study. The national movement contained competing visions, but one of its most influential strands was unmistakably plural. This is where Indias civilisational inheritance can speak powerfully to its constitutional future. Indias diversity, however, should not be romanticised. Pluralism is not automatic. Differences can become sources of mistrust, prejudice and conflict. Caste discrimination, communal tensions, linguistic antagonisms and regional rivalries have all tested Indias social fabric. The Partition of 1947 was accompanied by mass killings, abductions and the displacement of millions, although estimates of the death toll vary widely. The anti-Sikh violence of 1984, the communal violence in Gujarat in 2002, the violence against Christians in Kandhamal in 2008 and recurring violence in different parts of the country show that constitutional ideals require constant defence. The causes, legal findings and historical interpretations of these episodes differ, and each requires careful sourcing rather than rhetorical equivalence. The answer is not to deny these realities. It is to strengthen the institutions and civic culture capable of addressing them. Indias linguistic reorganisation after independence offers an instructive example. Many leaders feared that creating states on linguistic lines would encourage separatism. The States Reorganisation Act of 1956, together with subsequent legislation, reorganised much of the countrys internal boundaries and helped accommodate linguistic aspirations within the Union. Andhra State had already been created in 1953, and later changes created or reshaped states including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Kerala. The process was neither simple nor uniformly peaceful, but it demonstrated that recognition of linguistic identity could, under appropriate constitutional conditions, strengthen rather than weaken the Union. The same principle can be seen in the constitutional accommodation of tribal and regional identities. The Sixth Schedule provides autonomous district and regional councils in specified parts of the Northeast, with powers that include aspects of local administration and, subject to constitutional limits, customary law and cultural affairs. The Eighth Schedule currently lists 22 languages. Its inclusion does not confer exclusive official status at the Union level, nor does it exhaust Indias linguistic diversity. Article 350A directs states and local authorities to provide adequate facilities for instruction in the mother tongue at the primary stage for children belonging to linguistic minority groups, while Article 350B provides for a Special Officer for linguistic minorities. Pluralism requires equal protection of law. It requires political restraint. It requires an independent judiciary, responsible public discourse, effective democratic institutions and an education system that teaches citizens to understand Indias diversity rather than fear it. It also requires political leaders to recognise that social divisions can be easy to exploit but difficult to repair. A nation of Indias scale cannot afford a politics permanently organised around the manufacture of the other. Indias civilisational genius is not that it has always expanded the boundaries of belonging. Rather, its history contains both expansion and exclusion. Its enduring promise lies in the capacity of its people and institutions to widen belonging and correct injustice. This is why Indias national identity should not be understood as a narrow cultural template. It is better understood as a constitutional and civilisational framework capable of accommodating multiple traditions, provided that all citizens remain equal before the law. The idea of Bharat has evolved through successive political and cultural formations. It has shown continuity, but that continuity should not be treated as unbroken or uniform. There is another dimension to this inheritance that deserves attention. Indian society has repeatedly absorbed external influences without becoming culturally indistinguishable from them. Persian, Central Asian, European and other influences entered Indian life in different periods. They changed Indian society, but Indian communities also adapted and transformed what they received. The Mughal period, for example, produced new forms of architecture, painting, administration, literature and cuisine through interaction among Persianate, Central Asian and Indian traditions. The Taj Mahal, the miniature-painting traditions associated with Mughal and Rajput courts, the development of Urdu and the evolution of Hindustani music all reflect complex cultural exchange rather than one-way influence. In the Deccan, Persian, Marathi, Telugu, Kannada and local Islamic traditions interacted in distinctive ways. Under colonial rule, universities, print culture, railways and legal institutions were introduced or expanded within an imperial framework and were subsequently appropriated, contested and reshaped by Indian actors. This is not cultural weakness. It can be a form of cultural confidence. A confident civilisation does not necessarily fear exchange. A contemporary example is Indias scientific and technological life. The Indian Space Research Organisation has conducted significant missions, including Chandrayaan and the Mars Orbiter Mission, and India is among the relatively small number of countries to have demonstrated substantial space-launch and planetary-mission capabilities. It is not possible to attribute these achievements to any single cultural group; they reflect the work of institutions drawing talent from across the country. Indias digital public infrastructure, including Aadhaar and the Unified Payments Interface, has also enabled large-scale participation in common national systems. These systems have expanded access in important ways, but they have also raised legitimate questions concerning privacy, exclusion, cybersecurity, regulation and accountability. Their existence therefore demonstrates institutional scale and integration, not an unqualified success. Indias cultural pluralism is also visible in its public celebrations. Diwali, Eid, Christmas, Gurpurab, Buddha Purnima, Mahavir Jayanti, Onam, Bihu, Pongal, Navratri and many other festivals are observed in different parts of the country, often with participation beyond the communities most closely associated with them. This does not mean that every festival is experienced identically or that social tensions disappear. It does show that Indian public culture has repeatedly created shared spaces around distinct traditions. The India of the 21st century needs precisely this confidence. As Bharat becomes an important economic power, a significant technological actor and an increasingly influential voice in world affairs, its greatest asset will not be its ability to project power alone. Its deeper strength will be its capacity to hold together an extraordinarily diverse population within a democratic constitutional framework. The world is becoming more interconnected, but it is also becoming more anxious about identity. Societies across continents are struggling with migration, religious difference, ethnicity, language and nationalism. India has something valuable to contribute to this global conversation. Its message should not be that differences do not matter. They do. The message should be that differences need not become divisions. The challenge before Bharat is therefore to modernise without homogenising, to strengthen national identity without narrowing it, and to pursue development without sacrificing social trust. This requires a renewed emphasis on fraternity. Economic prosperity cannot by itself create national cohesion. Infrastructure can connect cities; technology can connect people; markets can connect economies. But only mutual respect, equal citizenship and the credible rule of law can create a durable sense of belonging. The young generation must therefore inherit not only Indias achievements but also its civilisational confidence. They must learn that being Indian does not require them to surrender their linguistic, regional, religious or cultural identities. It requires them to place those identities within a larger constitutional and national framework, while respecting the equal rights of others. Indias unity should consequently be understood not as the disappearance of differences but as their coexistence within a shared constitutional order. That is perhaps one of the most distinctive ideas India can offer the modern world. The genius of Bharat is that unity can be spacious enough to accommodate plurality. Its civilisational strength lies not in having produced one way of being Indian, but in having made room for manywhile continuing to struggle over the boundaries of that belonging. The task of our generation is to preserve and deepen this inheritance while adapting it to the demands of a modern constitutional democracy. We should neither romanticise the past nor apologise for our diversity. We should build upon it. A Bharat that guarantees equal citizenship, protects freedom of conscience, encourages dialogue and celebrates its many cultural traditions will be strongernot weakerfor its diversity. For ultimately, diversity becomes pluralism only when difference is treated as legitimate, fraternity turns strangers into fellow citizens, and constitutionalism ensures that this fellowship is protected by rights, institutions and the rule of law. That is the genius Bharat must preserve and deepen: not diversity alone, but the continuing work of converting diversity into pluralism, pluralism into fraternity, and fraternity into constitutional national unity. That is not merely Indias inheritance. It can be Indias gift to the world. Author is a public intellectual and a noted Senior Advocate of Supreme Court of India.
From Imperial Transit to Kashmirs Apple Bowl
Shopian is a region defined by rich geography, cultural history, and economic transformation. Siting at an average altitude of 2,146 meters above sea level, Shopian was carved out as an independent administrative district from Pulwama in 2007. The origins of its name reflect its dual identity: English geologist Frederic Drew noted it as a corruption of the Persian Shah (king) and Payan (stay), marking it as a royal rest stop along the historic Mughal Road. Native folklore offers another originSheen-e-Van, meaning snow forestwhich captures its dense woodland and heavy winter snowfall. Historically celebrated as a vital transit stop connecting the Kashmir Valley with Rajouri and Poonch, Shopian has evolved into Kashmirs horticultural centre, earning its title as the regions true Apple Bowl. The historic gateway and demographic tapestry Shopians strategic geography has long made it Kashmirs southern portal. During the 16th and 17th centuries, Mughal emperors Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan transformed the mountain track across the 11,500-foot-high Peer Ki Gali pass into an imperial highway. Royal caravans featuring thousands of court officials, soldiers, and elephants travelled through Shopian on summer pilgrimages to Srinagar. Its ancient name was Namak (Salt)Road, through which salt was exported from western Punjab to Kashmir. Chinese traveller Aokong visited this place and described it as a pedestrian track. In 1586, Emperor Akbar led the Moghul army from this cart road and invaded and annexed Kashmir by defeating Yusuf Shah Chak. Thereafter Moghul emperors Akbar, Jahangir, Shahjahan and Aurngzeb travelled with caravans through this route. In 659 CE the A network of serais (caravanserais), forts, and rest stations was constructed along the route, with stops at Heer Pora, Dubijan, and Peer Ki Gali. Monuments like Shopian towns Jamia Masjidresembling Srinagars iconic grand mosqueremain physical reminders of this imperial heritage. Moghul era ended in 1751-53 after decline of their rule in Delhi. Ahmad Shah Durrani sent his commander Abdullah Khan Ishk Aqsi who defeated the last Moghul governor in 1752/53. Subsequently Afghan Durranis ruled Kashmir till 1819. Battle of Shopian 1819 The famous Battle of Shopian was fought in July 1819 between the Sikh Empire under Misr Diwan Chand and Akali Phoola Singh on behalf of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, and Afghan Governor Jabbar Khan. Though Afghans had heavier artillery, Sikhs counter-attacked, wounded Jabbar Khan and opened the road to Srinagar on 15 July 1819. This ended 67-year Afghan Durrani Rule (1752-1819), considered the darkest phase of Kashmiri history. Shopian is thus where modern Sikh-Dogra era began in Kashmir. Following the 1947 partition, the Mughal Road fell into disuse, leaving Shopians position as a transit hub dormant for decades. However, the reopening and modernization of the route (Moghul Road)) over the past two decades revived this connection. Beyond cutting travel times between the Jammu border districts and the Valley, the reopened road re-established Shopian as a commercial and cultural crossroads, driving trade, seasonal livestock migration, and tourism. Unlike urban centres in northern and central Kashmir, Shopians social structure is multi-ethnic and semi-nomadic. Ethnic Kashmiri settlers concentrate in the agricultural plains and urban blocks such as Shopian town, Zaina Pora, and Herman, working in settled horticulture, trade, and administration. Meanwhile, Gujjars and Bakar Wals populate high-altitude peripheries like Keller, Sedow, and Heer Pora. The Gujjars are primarily agro-pastoralists, while the Bakarwals are nomads who move their herds across the Pir Panjal passes seasonally. During the summer, high pastures (dhoks) hum with pastoral life. These communities supply essential labour during the peak apple harvest, maintain the livestock trade, and integrate into the broader valley economy. Hydrology: The Lifeblood of the Orchards Shopians landscape is sculpted by mountain streams originating from high-altitude glaciers, alpine tarns like Lake Nandansar, and the snowfields of the Pir Panjal range. The Rambiara cuts through the heart of the district, known for its wide, stony bed and erratic seasonal flows. It serves as the primary irrigation source for hundreds of square kilometres of orchards. Additional streams, including the Veshaw River originating near Aharbal, pass through neighbouring Kulgam and Pulwama. These water channels flow northeast across the South Kashmir plains, carrying nutrient-rich silt before converging near Sangam to empty into the Jhelum River. This network provides the alluvial soil and consistent water needed to maintain the districts high agricultural productivity. The Cultural Legacy and Decline of the Ambri Apple The Ambri appleindigenous to the Kashmir Valley and historically concentrated in Shopians orchardsis widely considered the pride of Kashmiri horticulture. It is renowned for its distinctive, honeyed, floral aroma and a mild, deeply sweet flavour profile, featuring a sugar content between 13- and 16-degrees Brix. Unlike soft modern cultivars, traditional Ambri possesses a thick skin and natural waxiness. This allows it to stay fresh for 4 to 6 months at room temperature and even longer in cold storage without losing crispness or fragrance, making it historically well-suited for long transit routes. Despite its prestige, the pure Ambri variety has almost vanished from commercial markets due to severe economic and biological challenges: Traditional Ambri trees require 12 to 15 years to bear their first commercial harvest, whereas introduced foreign varieties yield fruit within 3 to 4 years. The trees follow a biennial pattern, producing a heavy crop one year and a sparse crop the next, leading to unpredictable annual income. Ambri is highly susceptible to apple scab (Venturia inaequalis) and pest infestations compared to hardier cultivars. Shift to Hybrids: To secure faster returns, orchardists largely replaced pure Ambri trees with foreign cultivars or hybrid clones like Lal-Ambria cross between Red Delicious and Ambri designed to blend early yield with native flavour. The Modern Apple Revolution: Overtaking Sopore Historically, Sopore in Baramulla district held dominance as the Apple Town of Asia. Over the last two decades, Shopian launched an agricultural transformation that challenged and, in key metrics, surpassed northern hubs. Shopians higher elevation (over 2,100 meters) provides colder chill-hour profiles and sharp autumn temperature drops, yielding apples with deeper coloration, superior crispness, and a longer natural shelf-life than valley-floor crops. Furthermore, Shopian became an early adopter of European dwarf rootstock varieties like Italian Red Velox, Gala, and Fuji. High-Density Apple Plantation (HDAP) practices allow growers to harvest fruit within 2 to 3 years while supporting 3,000 to 4,000 plants per hectare, dramatically increasing yield per square kilometre compared to traditional large-canopy trees. To support this volume, Controlled Atmosphere (CA) cold storage infrastructure has expanded throughout Shopian and neighbouring Pulwama. Growers can store tens of thousands of metric tons of produce, enabling them to sell during spring months when national market prices peak rather than panic-selling during the autumn harvest. Concurrently, the Shopian Fruit Mandi has grown into one of North Indias largest direct-trading fruit hubs, attracting buyers directly from major commercial centres across India. Conflict, Transition, and Economic Resilience Shopians orchard landscape stands in contrast to its history as a site of political turbulence. When armed conflict emerged in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Shopians dense forests and mountain tracks leading into Rajouri and Poonch made it a key transit corridor and base for insurgent groups. Over time, the nature of this turbulence shifted. Dense apple canopy across contiguous hectares created complex terrain for counter-insurgency operations. Socio-political incidents and localized unrest between 2014 and 2018 made South Kashmir an epi-centre for local recruitment and civil friction. However, comprehensive security operations, combined with stabilized governance after 2019, local policing, and economic integration, led to a sharp decline in violent incidents and a gradual return to political stability. As peace consolidates, Shopian serves as a primary macroeconomic engine for South Kashmir: The sector employs nearly 80% of the local population and generates substantial annual revenue. Strategic focus remains on expanding high-density rootstocks, organic processing units, and localized packaging plants. As a vital highway node via the Mughal Road and a central fruit dispatch site, future developments centre on all-weather transit solutionssuch as proposed tunnel infrastructure at Peer Ki Galito prevent winter closures. Apple production drives liquidity that powers banking, construction, retail, and transit across South Kashmir. It generates seasonal work for tens of thousands of local residents and migrant labourers. Additionally, combining the scenic drives of the Mughal Road with orchard stays and alpine destinations like the Heerpora Wildlife Sanctuary offers strong potential for eco- and agrotourism. From an imperial rest stop along the Mughal Road to a region navigating decades of transition from Moghuls to Afghans and finally Sikhs and Dogras, Shopian has consistently demonstrated resilience. Driven by its multi-ethnic communities, rich water resources, and modern horticulture, the district has established itself as Kashmirs premier apple centrestanding as a vital gateway of trade, economic growth, and regional stability. Acknowledgement: The author acknowledges the help of Dr Rafeeq Masoodi PhD, recipient of Sahitya Akademi Award and Former Director Doordarshan in providing significant information regarding the importance of Shopian. Prof Upendra Kaul, Founder Director Gauri Kaul Foundation
NCs symbolic participation in Delhi protests puts INDIA bloc ties under scanner
Srinagar, Oct 8:The National Conference (NC)'s participation in the Congress-led protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar remained limited to the opening day, bringing into focus NC's engagement with the INDIA bloc mobilisation. On Thursday, the agitation entered its third day in New Delhi. On Tuesday, the NC was represented by its Rajya Sabha member and Parliamentary Party Leader Chowdhary Muhammad Ramzan, who joined the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, and other opposition leaders in a march from Parliament towards the Election Commission. Ramzan described the participation as being on behalf of the NC's parliamentary party. Representing the NC as the partys Parliamentary Party Leader, joined my INDIA bloc colleagues in a protest march from Parliament House to the Election Commission, he said. Ramzan said national leaders and MPs from both Houses of Parliament, along with thousands of people, had participated in the protest demanding the resignation of the CEC and Election Commissioners over allegations of vote theft. However, NC's other MPs, including Lok Sabha members Main Altaf and estranged leader Aga Syed Ruhullah, and Rajya Sabha members Gurwinder Singh Oberoi and Sajad Kitchloo, were conspicuous by their absence. After the protests on the first day on Tuesday, none of the NC leaders participated in the Delhi protests, even as Congress and several opposition parties continued the mobilisation. The NC's symbolic presence on Tuesday is notable as the party is a constituent of the INDIA bloc and has publicly criticised the Election Commission over electoral-roll revision and related issues. The party's absence from the continuing Delhi protest also comes despite its participation in opposition activities on the issue in Jammu and Kashmir. However, the NC is not the only major Kashmir political party absent from the Delhi agitation. The opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP), led by Mehbooba Mufti, the People's Conference (PC), led by Sajad Gani Lone, and Member of Parliament Abdul Rashid Sheikh's Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) have also stayed away from the Congress-led protests in the national capital despite all of them being vocal against SIR. Even NC's estranged leader, Aga Syed Ruhullah, who has emerged as one of the party's more vocal internal critics and has criticised the Election Commission, has not joined the Delhi mobilisation. This means that the Congress-led protest has not translated into continuous participation by the main ruling party or the principal opposition parties from Jammu and Kashmir. The NC's approach also resembles that of the Samajwadi Party in the unfolding Delhi protests. SP President AkhileshYadav joined the INDIA bloc's opening-day march on Tuesday, following which he was detained. However, the SP was absent from a Congress-hosted opposition lunch and the subsequent protests. Tuesday's march was attended by several prominent INDIA bloc leaders, including TMC's Abhishek Banerjee and Derek O'Brien, SP chief AkhileshYadav, Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Sanjay Raut, CPI(M)'s John Brittas, and NCP-SP's SupriyaSule, besides Congress leaders and MPs. With its presence on the opening day followed by its absence on the second and third days of the Congress-led protest, the NC has sent mixed signals to the INDIA bloc. That limited participation comes against the backdrop of the party's continuing alliance with Congress and other opposition groups, leaving its role in the sustained Delhi campaign demanding the removal of the CEC under the scanner.
World has not forgotten 9/11, 26/11, Pahalgam attacks: India at UN
United Nations, Oct 8: Exposing Pakistans doublespeak on terrorism at the UN, India has called out Islamabads efforts to gloss over its state support for terror by announcing rewards for JeM chief Masood Azahar, underlining that the world has not forgotten 9/11, 26/11 and Pahalgam attacks. India on Wednesday exercised its Right of Reply in response to the Pakistan representatives statement in the Sixth Committee of the UN General Assembly on the Agenda Item: Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism. Pakistan speaks of combating terrorism while seeking to obscure the very question that this committee must confront: What happens when terrorists are financed, facilitated, trained, sheltered, or supported from the territory of a state? First Secretary in the Permanent Mission of India to the UN Raghoo Puri said. He said India has been consistent on this question, underscoring that terrorism cannot be defeated by declarations and instead requires action against its perpetrators, organisers, financiers, and sponsors. For years, Pakistan has presented itself as a frontline state in combating terrorism and as a victim while masking the fact that the Frankensteins the Pakistani state has created and lost control over have moved from wreaking havoc in neighbouring countries to doing the same in Pakistan, Puri said. Calling out Pakistans doublespeak on terrorism, Puri said the country glosses over its state support for terrorism by announcing enhanced rewards for apprehending UN-listed head of Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist and mastermind of several attacks against my country, Masood Azhar. He said the world is aware of Pakistans financial support to terrorism. Yet, we also remember that just a few months ago, Pakistani representatives used this forum to call the Jaish-e-Mohammed a defunct organisation. The world has seen the script play earlier, and we are clear-eyed that this time also it is going to be no different, he said. Puri said that when the media can reach Azhar and get confirmation from him about the success of Operation Sindoor, surely the Pakistani state knows his whereabouts. In May last year, India had launched Operation Sindoor targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the dastardly April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir perpetrated by The Resistance Front, a proxy of Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, in which 26 civilians, mostly tourists were killed. ExploreHistory Earlier this month, India had dismissed as gimmicks Pakistans fresh announcement of a bounty of seven million rupees on Azhar, demanding that Islamabad take concrete action to combat terrorism. India has for years accused Pakistan of sheltering Azhar, while Pakistan has maintained that he fled to Afghanistan a claim rejected by Afghanistans Taliban government. For the last few years, Islamabad has claimed that the JeM founder has been operating from Afghanistan. However, the Taliban regime dismissed Pakistans repeated claims, with a senior Afghan Foreign Ministry official saying he is not in the country. Islamabads fresh announcement on the reward for information on Azhar came as it faces pressure from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to crack down on terror groups and their leadership. The Paris-based global watchdog is set to review Pakistans anti-terrorism efforts at its upcoming plenary. Pakistan was placed under the FATF grey list between 2018 and 2022 for its systemic deficiencies in anti-money laundering and its failure to counter-terror financing. Puri also recalled a recent statement by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, daughter of former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who had said,The unfortunate thing is that the threat [Punjab] faces comes less from my neighbouring countries and more from my neighbouring provinces. Exposing this dark secret, Puri said, You cannot run with the hares and hunt with the hounds. Reality never works like that. When terrorist groups are allowed to operate under state political power, international commitments become meaningless and when perpetrators are provided safe havens, the victims of terrorism are denied justice, he said. The world has not forgotten 9/11 and where its perpetrators, including Osama bin Laden, were caught. The world has not forgotten 26/11. The world has not forgotten Pahalgam, Puri said, adding that the list, unfortunately, is painfully long. The victims in Pahalgam were not asked about their political orientation, they were asked about their religion. It is therefore deeply ironic that Pakistan speaks of combating religious hatred while allowing the conditions that enable it to persist and thrive, especially by fomenting cross-border terrorism, he said. Pakistan continues with its narrative building, misinformation, and disinformation. If bombed-out airfields and cratered runways look like victory to Pakistan, they are of course welcome to enjoy it, Puri said. Any regime against terrorism to be effective must do two things: assign responsibility and ensure accountability. India will defend its people, and continued terrorism against India will have consequences, he added. In another Right of Reply, Puri said India rejected Pakistans circular economy of words and narratives. If this much effort had actually been made in countering terrorism rather than narrative building, misinformation, and disinformation, the world would have been a better place. But nothing more can be expected from a Form 47 government, he said, referring to a term used to describe allegations of rigging and manipulation in Pakistans 2024 general elections.
Rusty, Battered & Broken!: USS Lincoln Scarred By Iran War; New Visuals Shock Families | Watch
The USS Abraham Lincoln has returned to San Diego after a 321-day deployment, ending nearly 11 months away from home and one of the most demanding carrier deployments in recent U.S. Navy history. The carrier also spent a record 265 consecutive days at sea without a port call during a mission that was repeatedly extended as it supported U.S. operations in the Iran war.New visuals of the carrier show heavy rust streaking and weathering across parts of its hull as thousands of family members gathered in San Diego to welcome sailors and Marines home. Senator Adam Schiff had previously highlighted the ships appearance in his criticism of the prolonged deployment, saying the Lincoln returned with its hull rusted, paint peeling.
Nana Patekar: The actor who stood with soldiers in Kargil, adopted 48 Army schools in J&K
Srinagar, Oct 08: Veteran actor and filmmaker Nana Patekar, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 75 after suffering a cardiac arrest in Goa, was far more than a cinematic icon for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. He was a man who stood shoulder to shoulder with soldiers in the Kargil war zone, spent nearly two months in the conflict area, and later adopted 48 Army Goodwill Schools across the region, including seven in Ladakh. His demise brings an end to a career spanning nearly five decades, but for the border regions of J&K and Ladakh, his association extended far beyond his film roles. Patekar's connection with Ladakh dates back to the 1999 Kargil conflict. After undergoing extensive military training while preparing for his 1991 film 'Prahaar: The Final Attack', Patekar sought permission to join the Army during the Kargil War. He approached then Defence Minister George Fernandes and was eventually permitted to travel to the conflict zone. Patekar later recalled that he spent around 60 days with Army personnel, travelling through Dras, Leh, Kupwara, Baramulla and Sopore. He also said he became associated with a Quick Reaction Team (QRT). His experience was physically demanding. Patekar recalled that he weighed around 76 kg when he reached Srinagar and returned at about 56 kg after his stint with the troops. That loss of 20 kilograms was a measure of the conditions he endured alongside the soldiers. His connection with Ladakh continued years later through social work. In September 2025, while visiting families affected by Pakistani shelling in Rajouri and Poonch, Patekar said his NGO had adopted 48 Army Goodwill Schools across Jammu and Kashmir, including seven in Ladakh, besides 28 in Kashmir and the remaining schools in Jammu. The initiative was aimed at improving educational standards and infrastructure in the schools. Patekar's NGO 'NAAM' joined hands with the Army in north Kashmir in recent years to develop schools falling close to LoC villages. Nana had said that his experience during the Kargil conflict had left a lasting impression on him. His association with the Army was not merely limited to portraying military characters on screen. Patekar made his Hindi film debut with Gaman in 1978 and went on to deliver acclaimed performances in films including Parinda, Prahaar, Krantiveer, Agni Sakshi, Ab Tak Chhappan, Welcome and Natsamrat. He won three National Film Awards and was awarded the Padma Shri for his contribution to Indian cinema. His preparation for Prahaar included rigorous training with the Maratha Light Infantry, an experience that later became the foundation of his real-life association with the armed forces. Beyond cinema, Patekar was known for his philanthropic work. He co-founded the Naam Foundation with actor Makarand Anaspure and worked extensively with distressed farmers and families affected by drought and other crises. For Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Nana Patekar's legacy carries an additional dimension. He was not merely an actor who portrayed soldiers on screen. He travelled to the conflict zone, spent time with troops during the Kargil War and, years later, extended his philanthropic work to schools serving children in the border regions. His association with the Army, Kargil and the frontier areas thus remains one of the lesser-known but significant chapters of the life of an actor whose screen presence and off-screen humanitarian work left a lasting imprint on the region.
CBI Arrests Principal and Middleman in Bribery Case at Itarsi School
The CBI has arrested the principal of a school in Itarsi and a middleman for allegedly demanding bribes for renovation payments. CBI Arrests Principal and Middleman in Bribery Case at Itarsi School
The Ride to Work: A Journey from Cycling for Health to a Healthier India
Every morning, while most commuters in Delhi prepare themselves for another battle with traffic, fuel costs and pollution, there is one commuter who chooses a different routeone powered not by petrol or diesel, but by his own legs. For him, cycling to work is not merely a means of commuting. It is a way of life, a commitment to health and an expression of concern for the environment. The journey began in December 2012, when he decided to cycle from Millennium Apartment, Sector-9, Dwarka, to his workplace at Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi. The daily round trip was more than 35 kilometres. What began as an experiment for better health gradually became a passion, and eventually a personal mission to encourage others to embrace cycling. I started cycling to improve my health, he recalls. After a few days of riding on the busy roads of Delhi, I started enjoying it. The rides became joy rides. From necessity to passion Cycling was not entirely new to him. His first association with the bicycle goes back to his student days in Allahabad, when he rode nearly 40 kilometres a day to attend college and tuition classes before returning home. A second phase followed in Dehradun, where cycling became a convenient way of travelling to different places while giving tuition. But the third and most enduring phase began when he was posted to the Employees Provident Fund Organisations Head Office at Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi. After years of service, he found himself becoming less active and gaining weight. It was his batchmate and Regional Commissioner in EPFO, Shri Subhash Sharma, who suggested cycling as a way to improve his health. That suggestion changed his routineand eventually much more. The 35-kilometre daily commute soon became a regular part of life. On one occasion, he even rode nearly 50 kilometres at a stretch, taking only a brief ten-minute break. What began as a personal health initiative gradually acquired a larger purpose: Health and Environment. A bicycle can say much about a society For him, cycling is also a measure of how a society thinks about quality of life. He believes that a society that encourages cycling is investing simultaneously in health, environmental sustainability, productivity and happiness. A healthy citizen, he argues, is more productive and less vulnerable to lifestyle-related illnesses. Every bicycle replacing a motorised vehicle also means less fuel consumption and less pollution. He points to countries such as the Netherlands and Denmark, where cycling has become an integral part of everyday life. In Utrecht, for example, cycling infrastructure has been developed on a scale that makes the bicycle a practical mode of daily transportation. The lesson, he believes, is relevant to India as well. Cycling is not simply about exercise, is the underlying message of his campaign. It is about creating healthier people and healthier surroundings. Taking the message beyond the bicycle His journey did not stop with his own daily rides. During his posting in Madhya Pradesh, he began involving government officials, educational institutions, social organisations and citizens in cycling initiatives. Collectors, Superintendents of Police, Commissioners, students and members of various organisations participated in cycle rallies. The first major cycle rally in Gwalior, organised in November 2015, brought together more than 600 cyclists. Several organisations participated, including the BSF, Air Force, educational institutions, universities, professional organisations and the EPFO. Over time, cycling events were organised in several places, including Gwalior, Morena, Shivpuri, Bhind, Datia, Dabra, Sagar, Rajgarh, Narwar and Jaura. In all, 16 cycle rallies were organised in different parts of Madhya Pradesh. The purpose was never simply to organise an event. The larger objective was to make cycling visible and socially acceptableto demonstrate that a bicycle can be a serious mode of transport for students, professionals, government officers and ordinary citizens alike. From 35 kilometres to 600 kilometres The passion also took him into the world of endurance cycling. Under Audax India events, cyclists attempt long-distance rides of 200, 300, 400 and 600 kilometres within prescribed time limits. Those who successfully complete the required series are recognised as Super Randonneurs. He successfully completed the 200 km, 300 km, 400 km and 600 km events in 2016. What makes the achievement particularly interesting is that he undertook these challenging rides on relatively inexpensive hybrid bicycles, whereas road bicycles are more commonly associated with such endurance events. His experience demonstrates that cycling need not always be an expensive pursuit. Determination, consistency and willingness to ride can matter as much as sophisticated equipment. Can Delhi become more cycle-friendly? Delhi has wide roads and, in his view, has the potential to become a much more cycle-friendly city. The bigger challenge is the increasing pressure from motorised vehicles and the limited availability of dedicated cycling infrastructure. While commuting from Dwarka towards Bhikaji Cama Place, he often used bylanes and could cover approximately 22.5 kilometres in about an hour. His suggestion is straightforward: create dedicated cycling lanes wherever possible, provide secure bicycle parking and make cycling a practical choice rather than merely a recreational activity. He also believes that workplaces can contribute by providing facilities such as secure bicycle parking and bathing or changing facilities for employees who cycle to work. Making cycling a national movement His vision extends beyond individual cyclists. He believes that the government can encourage cycling through public recognition, cycling events, incentives for employees who cycle to work, bicycle subsidies, dedicated tracks and better parking facilities. Cycling, in his view, should become part of a broader national programme involving health, environment, sports, education, tourism and urban planning. He proposes publicly recognising people who cycle extraordinary distances to work, organising cyclathons, promoting cycling alongside other health initiatives and encouraging Indian manufacturers to produce world-class bicycles. Most importantly, he believes that cycling should be made attractive to young people. Rather than beginning with extremely demanding endurance events, he suggests that organised 50-kilometre and 100-kilometre events could bring more newcomers into the cycling movement. Leading by example Cycling to work as a senior government officer has occasionally attracted different opinions from friends and colleagues. But he says that he has never regarded this as a serious obstacle. For him, the choice is personaland purposeful. At a time when traffic congestion, pollution, stress and lifestyle-related illnesses are increasing, he believes that public servants and other professionals can play an important role by leading through personal example. The bicycle, in his philosophy, is therefore more than a vehicle. It represents discipline, simplicity, health, sustainability and personal responsibility. A simple message After years of cycling, organising rallies and participating in long-distance events, his message remains remarkably simple: Life is beautiful; make it more beautiful through consistent effort. He believes that people should strive for happiness, health and self-development rather than constantly pursuing material wealth. His daily ride to work is perhaps the most visible expression of that philosophy. For more than a decade, the bicycle has taken him through Delhis roads, the towns of Madhya Pradesh and hundreds of kilometres of endurance rides. But the destination has never been only a workplace or a finishing line. The destination is a healthier individual, a cleaner environment and, ultimately, a happier society. And tomorrow morning, as Delhi's traffic begins another crowded day, the wheels will turn again.
Senior Medical Officer and Accomplice Arrested for Bribery in Rajasthan
A senior medical officer and an accomplice were arrested in Rajasthan for allegedly demanding a bribe of 35,000 related to a medical report. Senior Medical Officer and Accomplice Arrested for Bribery in Rajasthan
Rana stresses eco-parks for conservation, livelihoods
Srinagar, Oct 08: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, on Thursday e-inaugurated and e-laid foundation stones for four projects under the Forest, Ecology & Environment Departments across Budhal, Thanamandi and Rajouri constituencies. The projects, funded under UT Capex and having a combined cost of 131.71 lakh, are aimed at promoting eco-tourism, providing recreational spaces to local communities and strengthening forest and wildlife protection infrastructure. The projects included two eco-parks in Nanga Thub (Bakori) and Nambal (Budhal), each being developed at an estimated cost of 40 lakh under the Rajouri Forest Division. The foundation stones for both projects were laid in presence of MLA Budhal, Javid Iqbal Choudhary. The Minister also laid the foundation stone for a Forest Check Post at Darhal, to be constructed under the Rajouri Forest Division at an estimated cost of 11.71 lakh under UT Capex 2026-27, in presence of MLA Thanamandi, Muzaffer Iqbal Khan. He also e-inaugurated the Range Office Building at Rajouri, constructed by the Department of Wildlife Protection at a cost of 40 lakh, in presence of MLA Rajouri, Iftkhar Ahmed. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that the projects reflect the Governments commitment to balance the environmental conservation with development while creating quality recreational and eco-tourism facilities for local communities. Highlighting the importance of eco-parks in Jammu and Kashmir, Rana said that such initiatives promote harmony between nature, forests, wildlife and local communities while creating opportunities for eco-tourism and ecological restoration. He emphasised the need to develop eco-parks and undertake conservation measures in a manner that safeguards the natural environment while providing quality recreational spaces and sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities. These eco-parks will provide quality public spaces for the people and promote eco-tourism while the forest check post and Range Office will further strengthen the protection, monitoring and management of our forests and wildlife, he said. Rana directed the officers concerned to ensure timely completion of the ongoing works and maintain the prescribed quality standards. He asked them to ensure proper upkeep of the facilities after their completion so that these serve the intended purpose and benefit the local population. The Minister also reviewed the ongoing soil conservation and forest protection measures being undertaken across the concerned constituencies and called for a focused approach towards preventing soil erosion, protecting vulnerable slopes and strengthening measures for conservation of natural resources. He directed the officers to identify the vulnerable areas on priority and undertake appropriate soil conservation works in a timely manner, particularly in areas prone to erosion and degradation. Rana stressed the need for effective coordination between the concerned departments and field functionaries to ensure that conservation measures yield sustainable results on the ground. He directed the officers to closely monitor the progress of works, ensure adherence to prescribed quality standards and complete all ongoing projects within the stipulated timelines. He further called for proper maintenance of the completed facilities and regular field-level monitoring to ensure their optimum utilisation for the benefit of local communities. Chief wildlife warden, DFO Rajouri, Warden Poonch-Rajouri Range along with other officers were present on the occasion.
Private firm to run 30 Urban Arogya Mandirs in Gurgaon
Paris Student Protests Intensify: What Are Students Demanding?
France's student protests show no sign of easing, with fresh barricades outside schools in Paris as students demand more funding, better facilities and adequate staffing. As concerns grow over violence and disruption, the unrest is piling further pressure on President Emmanuel Macron's outgoing government.
Liquor shops in Delhi to remain closed on Oct 9 and 10 ahead of protests
The Delhi government on Thursday directed the closure of liquor stores in the city on October 9 and 10 due to the prevailing situation to maintain public order. An order issued by the Excise Department said that the closure of liquor vends was based on Delhi Police inputs as a preventive measure aimed at maintaining public order. The order has come ahead of ongoing protests by opposition parties demanding resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged vote theft. A call for protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10 has also been given by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). More than 20,000 police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed across Delhi ahead of the CJP protest, a senior officer said on Thursday. The officer said no permission has been granted for any protest at Jantar Mantar, and appealed to people to avoid participating in any unauthorised gathering.
The committee alleged that the SIR exercise was leading to the removal of voters from electoral rolls on a large scale and demanded that the process be scrapped.
Dr Abhilash Maroju LOS ANGELES: A major three-day gathering celebrating Hindu Dharma, temple leadership, spiritual service, and community empowerment brought together a significant representation of Hindu leaders, priests, community representatives, and organizations from October 2 through October 4, 2026, for the 19th HMEC Hindu Mandir Empowerment Council Conference and 13th HMPC Hindu Mandir []
Delhi Liquor Shops To Stay Shut Tomorrow And Day After Amid Opposition Protests
The order, issued by the Delhi government's Excise Department on Thursday, comes as the city braces for another round of protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
INDIA bloc steps up anti-EC protest, BJP accuses Opposition of targeting institutions (Lead)
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 8 (IANS) The Opposition continued its protest in Delhi for the third consecutive day on Thursday, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and opposing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and MPs of the Opposition INDIA bloc first gathered for lunch at the Connaught Place in the national capital before travelling by buses to Rajghat. Heavy security arrangements were put in place in view of the protest. The opposition leaders had to wait for nearly an hour before being allowed inside Rajghat, where they paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi. Earlier, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had said that the leaders would pray to Mahatma Gandhi for wisdom for the Union government and urge it not to take away people's right to vote. While Wednesday's destination was Jantar Mantar, the leaders headed to Rajghat on Thursday. Earlier, the Opposition had also taken out a march from Parliament to the Election Commission. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said the protest would continue until their demand for the Chief Election Commissioner's resignation was met. Even as Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, staged a sit-in at Rajghat, it drew a sharp counterattack from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which accused the Opposition of attempting to pressure constitutional institutions. The Rajghat protest marked the third consecutive day of demonstrations by opposition parties in the national capital. The INDIA bloc has accused the Election Commission of irregularities in the electoral process and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The Election Commission and the BJP have rejected the allegations. CPI-M MP John Brittas said the Opposition's agitation would continue until CEC Gyanesh Kumar resigns. Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said the country was united in seeking the CEC's resignation and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to respond to the concerns being raised by the Opposition. The INDIA bloc has also sought a meeting with President Droupadi Murmu amid the ongoing standoff. Congress sources said the Opposition was yet to receive a response from Rashtrapati Bhavan. Congress General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal said the INDIA bloc had first sought an appointment on October 2 and subsequently submitted the names of participating leaders. The leaders had sought a meeting on October 7, 8 or 9. The Opposition is considering further options as it seeks to maintain pressure on the Union government and the poll panel. Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also arrived in Delhi as opposition parties prepared to intensify their mobilisation. The BJP, however, questioned the rationale behind the protests. Union Minister Krishan Pal Gurjar said that the SIR issue is already before the Supreme Court and accused the Opposition of attempting to create an atmosphere of anarchy. He said people had lost faith in the Opposition. BJP leader Pradeep Bhandari also criticised Rahul Gandhi's street protests ahead of the Supreme Court hearing, alleging that the Congress was seeking to pressure constitutional institutions and undermine the credibility of the judiciary through demonstrations. The political exchange also drew criticism from Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, who contrasted the Congress-led protests with Mahatma Gandhi's movements. Maurya said Gandhi's campaigns always maintained dignity and avoided confrontation, while alleging that recent protests involving Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had witnessed scuffles and a disregard for decorum.
Ahead of CJP protest, Delhi govt shuts down liquor vends on Oct 9, 10
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 8 (IANS) In a preventive measure for maintaining public order ahead of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest, the Delhi government has ordered all city liquor vends to remain closed for two days, starting from Friday, an official said. The Delhi Excise Department, in a circular issued on Thursday, said, The closure has been ordered as a preventive measure to maintain public order, based on the prevailing situation and inputs received from Delhi Police. The order applies to liquor vends operating under specified licences, including L6, L6FG, L8, L10 and L14. The news about the circular, issued by Deputy Commissioner (Excise)/Licensing Authority Tanvir Ahmad, spread fast in the national capital on Thursday with regular customers lining up outside government vends to stock up for the two-day closure. The state government's decision to shut liquor vends followed inputs from Delhi Police about possible disturbance of law and order by drunk protesters during the demonstration planned by CJP to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged discrepancies in the poll body. The Abhijeet Dipke-led CJP movement has planned protests across the nation over a number of days. In Delhi, the CJP aims to hold a protest on October 10 at Jantar Mantar, where it held a similar protest in July against wrongdoings in exams. Meanwhile, Delhi Police Crime Branch has started investigating the violence that broke out during the CJP protest in July and registered a case under relevant sections of the law, sources said on Thursday. The Crime Branch sources said the probe will focus on the role of those responsible for the violence that broke out in New Delhi on July 20. The Crime Branch will specifically investigate whether the violence was premeditated or whether criminal elements entered the protest sites when the CJP called for a march to Parliament. On the directions of the Supreme Court, Delhi Police has already cancelled 17 FIRs related to the violence. The Crime Branch will now specifically probe the violence, which involved assaults on police personnel, vandalism and destruction of public property, including police vehicles. On July 20, a large number of protesters gathered in and around Jantar Mantar in Delhi. Around 30,000 people took to the streets and attempted to march toward Parliament demanding action against paper leaks and other examination-related irregularities.
MP Congress protests over SIR, backs Rahul Gandhis agitation
Digital Desk | Bhopal, Oct 8 (IANS) The Madhya Pradesh Congress on Thursday staged protests across the state against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, extending support to Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi's agitation in New Delhi and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The protests were organised at block and district levels following a nationwide call by the Congress leadership. In Bhopal, former Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh, Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari and Leader of the Opposition Umang Singhar led a march from Board Office Square to the Ambedkar statue. Congress workers raised slogans against the Election Commission and later staged a sit-in protest at Board Office Square. Several protesters sat and lay on the road, disrupting traffic at the busy intersection. Speaking to reporters, Digvijaya Singh said the Congress was protesting to protect citizens' voting rights. We have to sit on the road in the interest of the people. We are protesting to restore the rights that have been taken away from the people, he said. Singh alleged that democracy was being undermined in the country. The votes of 13 crore people have been stolen. Who stole these votes? This is not a battle for Rahul Gandhi or Priyanka Gandhi; it is a fight for the rights of the people of this country, he said, alleging that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was promoting a dictatorial style of governance. He also demanded the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar, saying that democracy required an impartial Election Commission. If Prime Minister Narendra Modi has even a little sensitivity, he should seek the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar. If the Election Commission is not impartial, democracy will not survive, he said. Patwari said the Congress was observing a Black Day across the state in protest against the police action on LoP Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and INDIA bloc MPs during their demonstration in Delhi. He said the party would continue to raise questions regarding electoral rolls and the election process through democratic means and would continue its campaign to protect voting rights. In Bhopal, some protesters climbed the Ambedkar statue and raised slogans, prompting deployment of additional police personnel. NSUI workers also attempted to spray black paint on a poster of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, leading to an argument with the police. Protests were also held in several other districts. In Indore, Congress workers burnt an effigy of Gyanesh Kumar and raised slogans demanding his resignation. In Sagar, party workers dressed in black and tied their hands with ropes before burning an effigy of the Chief Election Commissioner. The Congress also alleged that more than 15 party workers travelling to Delhi to join LoP Rahul Gandhi's protest were made to deboard a train at Itarsi. Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav criticised the Congress for blaming the Election Commission for its electoral setbacks and said the party should introspect about its organisation and leadership. Referring to Congress governments in Kerala and Himachal Pradesh, Yadav questioned the party's criticism of the electoral process. If there is distrust in the Election Commission's process, then what is the meaning of Congress's victory in Kerala? he said.
Saint-Denis Mayor Bally Bagayoko Becomes The Face Of Frances Student Protest Movement
A French mayor has become the face of a growing student revolt. Bally Bagayoko, the mayor of Saint-Denis, stood between riot police and teenagers during a protest in Paris. He shouted stop as officers moved towards the crowd. Bagayoko says tear gas was then fired and hit the students and him. He says the protesters could have been his own children. The viral video has intensified scrutiny of police tactics across France. Students are demanding better-funded schools, more teachers, smaller classes and repairs to neglected buildings. The government says police are also being attacked, while schools have been burned or ransacked. More than 6,600 people have been arrested since late September. After a 15-year-old lost a hand during a protest in Lens, France suspended stun-grenade use at school demonstrations. The unrest is now a test of policing, education policy and political leadership.
MSF Campus Express campaign to conclude on Oct. 9
As part of the campaign, MSF district committee members wore black and staged a protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
Mamata Banerjee likely to protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar at Jantar Mantar on October 10
Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she is likely to join opposition INDIA bloc protests at Delhis Jantar Mantar on October 10, demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. She also expressed concern over Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, and said she has sought an appointment with President Droupadi Murmu.
MP: CBI arrests Kendriya Vidyalaya principal, middleman in Rs 3 lakh bribery case
Digital Desk | Bhopal, Oct 8 (IANS) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested the principal of a Kendriya Vidyalaya in Itarsi and a middleman for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe from Bhopal-based firms engaged in renovation work at the school, the agency said on Thursday. The action came after the CBI registered a case against the principal on October 7 following allegations that he had demanded an undue advantage of Rs 3 lakh from the firms for releasing payments against their pending bills. The firms had been awarded renovation work at the Kendriya Vidyalaya through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM). The alleged bribe demand was linked to the release of payments due to the firms for the work orders issued to them by the school. The bribe amount was demanded for releasing payment of pending bills of the firms about work orders issued to these firms by the school through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM), the CBI said in a statement. After registering the case, the agency laid a trap to verify and act on the alleged demand. During the operation on October 7, the CBI allegedly caught the principal and the middleman while they were accepting the Rs 3 lakh undue advantage. Following the trap operation, the CBI conducted searches at the residential and office premises of the accused in Itarsi and Agra. The searches were carried out as part of the investigation into the bribery allegations and the transactions connected with the renovation work. Property-related documents were seized during the searches, the agency said. The documents and other material recovered during the operation are expected to form part of the evidence being examined by investigators. The CBI laid a trap and caught the accused principal and middleman while accepting an undue advantage of Rs 3 lakh, the agency said. The investigation is continuing, the CBI added.
BJP trying to take away votes of those who turned against it: Revanth Reddy
Digital Desk | Hyderabad, Oct 8 (IANS) Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Thursday alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was afraid of poor people who had turned against it and, therefore, wanted to deprive them of their right to vote. For a second consecutive day, the Chief Minister participated in the INDIA bloc's protest in New Delhi demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. He alleged that the BJP had tried to divide Indians based on religion, caste, region and language. They have also misused Central agencies as a threat to weaken the Opposition and stifle institutions. Now that defeat is imminent, the country is being divided into two major camps: those who have the right to vote and those whose votes they want to steal, a statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) quoted him as saying. The BJP is afraid of the poor people who have turned against it, including Dalits, tribals, OBCs and minorities. Hence, they want to take away their votes, said Revanth Reddy, who joined Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and other Congress and INDIA bloc leaders in the sit-in protest at Raj Ghat. The Chief Minister stated that if the votes of 13 crore or more citizens were taken away, it would amount to the single largest disenfranchisement exercise on the planet. He said this figure was greater than the population of many countries. We are setting up a strange situation where, after the number of voters increased in every election in India since 1952, including the last three General Elections in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power, the total number of voters in India will decline in the next polls, he said. However, he asserted that the people of India would not allow this. He remarked that the issue was not a fight of the Congress alone or even the INDIA alliance, but one concerning the future of the country. CM Revanth Reddy alleged that PM Modi had always sought to capture power through divisive tactics drawn from what he described as the imperialist British playbook. Our party was formed to secure Independence for India, not to gain power. We ensured India became free and that every Indian got a vote. Today, if the government can illegally take away people's votes, tomorrow all their rights, including reservations and fundamental rights, will also be taken away, he said. India will stand for the right of every citizen to vote. No force on earth can stop that. Either the BJP removes CEC Gyanesh Kumar, reverses the SIR exercise and restores the vote of every citizen, or it will be consigned to the dustbin of Indian political history, Revanth Reddy added.
INS Trishul's PASSEX with Spanish Navy enhances interoperability and operational synergy
Digital Desk | Madrid, Oct 8 (IANS) Indian Navys guided-missile frigate INS Trishul undertook a PASSEX with Spanish naval ship ESPS Reina Sofia during its departure from Valencia. The exercise enhanced interoperability and operational synergy between the two Navies, the Indian Navy said on Thursday. Indian Navys guided-missile frigate INS Trishul undertook a PASSEX with Spanish Naval Ship ESPS Reina Sofia on departure from Valencia, Spain, on 04 Oct 26, the Indian Navy stated on X. The joint exercise featured coordinated manoevering, cross-deck landings, boarding operations and VBSS, along with communication drills. The exercise facilitated exchange of professional expertise and further enhanced interoperability and operational synergy between the two Navies, it added. INS Trishul's port call in Spain underscored the growing bilateral defence partnership, the Embassy of India in Madrid said as Ambassador Jayant Khobragade visited the vessel at the Port of Valencia and met its Commanding Officer, Captain Charit Kapil. The Ambassador visited INS Trishul at the Port of Valencia during its Port Call to Spain and met its Commanding Officer, Captain Charit Kapil. A frontline Talwar-class guided-missile stealth frigate commissioned in 2003, INS Trishul combines advanced weapons, sensors and a multi-role helicopter. Its service has included anti-piracy operations, protecting merchant vessels and supporting security, the Embassy stated on X. A highlight of the IndiaSpain Dual Year of 2026, the port call underscored the growing bilateral defence partnership. Professional interactions and a joint Passage Exercise between the Indian Navy and Spains Armada Espaola have contributed to enhancing interoperability and maritime cooperation, it added. Earlier, INS Trishul completed the sea phase of the 24th edition of Exercise 'Varuna' with the French Navy, drilling alongside two French frigates, a nuclear attack submarine, helicopters and maritime patrol aircraft in the Mediterranean, the Ministry of Defence said. The ship sailed out from Toulon on September 25 for the sea phase of the annual bilateral maritime exercise, the Indian Navy said in a post on X. Anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, live firing exercises and cross-deck helicopter landing serials provided opportunities to enhance operational coordination and interoperability between the two Navies, reaffirming the strong and enduring India-France maritime partnership, the Indian Navy stated.
GTA V Ported To Run Locally In Browser: How A Modder Brought The Game To WebGPU
A tech enthusiast has successfully managed to run Grand Theft Auto V completely offline inside Google Chrome on an Apple MacBook Air M1 . While running demanding Windows games on non-Windows hardware traditionally presents substantial technical hurdles, this experimental setup demonstrates modern browser capabilities. Shared via Reddit, the initiative took shape after an unofficial web port of Rockstars open-world title briefly appeared online, enabling the developer to extract key assets and configure them for an entirely self-hosted, local environment. The technical architecture relies on an x86_64 game engine compiled directly into 64-bit WebAssembly . Background tasks and computational operations are split across multiple Web Workers within Chrome. On the visual front, graphics rendering is handled via modern WebGPU APIs , supported by roughly 6,600 translated shaders adapted to WGSL (WebGPU Shading Language). The client assetsamounting to approximately 20 GB of game data are streamed using a lightweight local host server and stored inside browser storage caches. GTA V running fully offline in Chrome on an M1 MacBook Air by u/Rude-Application-931 in pcmasterrace Initially, the build exhibited severe instability due to version mismatches between late-2022 engine code and legacy game assets from 2014. These bugs triggered endless loading loops, system freezes, inaccessible stores caused by missing asset textures, and broken UI text elements. To achieve playable stability, the developer introduced a dual-save mechanism utilizing both IndexedDB storage and local disk files. Visual parameters were optimized with reduced graphical presets, a resolution cap, and a 30 FPS frame-rate limiter . Bespoke JavaScript patches circumvent corrupt video files and missing textures, supplemented by a post-processing sharpening filter and an integrated in-game trainer menu capable of weather manipulation, vehicle spawning, and teleportation. Despite these performance optimizations, instability remains an inherent risk. The software regularly hits the strict memory limits enforced by modern web browsers, leading to occasional crashes during extended gameplay sessions. GTA V Ported To Run Locally In Browser: How A Modder Brought The Game To WebGPU , original content from Ubergizmo . Read our Copyrights and terms of use .
Congress attacking the Election Commission, courts, and all constitutional bodies with an aim to destabilise the government, says BJP State vice-president M.T. Ramesh
Congress attacking the Election Commission, courts, and all constitutional bodies with an aim to destabilise the government, says BJP State vice-president M.T. Ramesh
BRS Plans Protest On Oct. 14, Demands Bonus For Singareni Workers
BRS will hold a Singareni Karmikula Garjana at Ramagundam on October 14, demanding a higher profit share and other benefits for SCCL workers.
Sharma Takes Commanding Lead At Kapil Dev Invitational
Shubhankar Sharma fired a seven-under 65 in the second round of the Kapil Dev Invitational Tour Championship, establishing a four-shot lead. The Chandigarh golfer reached 11-under 133, with Brashwarpal Singh in second place and overnight leader Shaurya Bhattacharya slipping to third.
BJP Mahila Morcha protests against Rahul Gandhi over 'misconduct' with woman police officer
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 8 (IANS) The Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Mahila Morcha staged a protest near the Congress headquarters on the Deendayal Upadhyaya (DDU) Marg on Thursday, accusing Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi of misbehaving with a woman police officer during INDIA bloc demonstration in the national capital. Carrying BJP flags, banners and placards, the women protesters raised slogans against Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and demanded a public apology. The protesters said the issue was not merely political but concerned the dignity of women and respect for police personnel. Tensions rose when BJP Mahila Morcha workers allegedly broke the route designated by the police and began marching towards Indira Bhawan. Police personnel were deployed to prevent the protesters from moving further, while some demonstrators sat on the road as part of their protest. The controversy results from clashes during INDIA bloc protests in Delhi on October 6 and 7 against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and Special Intensive Revision (SIR). Opposition MPs and leaders were demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation and raising objections to the SIR of electoral rolls. During the October 7 protest, police erected barricades to stop demonstrators from moving ahead. Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were among the opposition leaders detained by the police, along with around 9091 other leaders and MPs. Videos from the confrontation subsequently circulated on social media. The BJP alleged that one video showed Rahul Gandhi pushing and touching a woman police officer in an inappropriate manner while attempting to cross the barricades. BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari also shared the footage on social media, making similar allegations. The BJP also accused Priyanka Gandhi of elbowing and punching a woman police officer and alleged that some Congress workers assaulted police personnel during the confrontation. The allegations have been strongly rejected by Congress. The BJP said that Rahul Gandhi was attempting to protect women Congress workers from police action and alleges that Delhi Police used force against protesters. Meanwhile, Delhi Police has registered an FIR against Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and others in connection with the protest, invoking provisions related to obstructing government officials and allegedly assaulting police personnel. Police are examining mobile-phone recordings and other video footage as part of the investigation.
Opposition leaders rally at Rajghat, demanding the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner over alleged electoral irregularities. Opposition Protests Against Alleged Vote Theft Continue at Rajghat, Led by Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge
Lane Johnson's Sudden Exit Exposes A Major Problem For The Philadelphia Eagles
Lane Johnson's sudden midseason retirement leaves the Philadelphia Eagles facing a major problem at right tackle, with rookie Markel Bell now expected to step into one of the NFL's most demanding roles.
Corruption Charges Framed Against Ex-MCD Inspector
A Delhi court has ordered the framing of corruption charges against Ved Pal, a former Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) assistant sanitary inspector. He is accused of demanding and accepting bribes from a sweeper, Naresh, who provided audio-video recordings as evidence. The court found a prima facie case under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Thirumavalavan backs INDIA bloc protest, calls for peoples movement against EVMs
Protest should not remain limited to demanding the Chief Election Commissioners resignation but should develop into a mass movement against the Modi government and EVMs, says VCK leader
Youth Congress blockades Income Tax office in Keralams Kollam demanding Gyanesh Kumars removal
Inaugurating the protest, Youth Congress State vice-president Vishnu Sunil Pandalam alleged that instead of ensuring transparent elections, the Chief Election Commissioner was subverting democracy by arbitrarily cutting down votes
Mamata likely to join CJP protest at Jantar Mantar
Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee indicated her potential participation in a protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10, demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. She strongly criticised the BJP and the Election Commission over alleged electoral malpractices and SIR anomalies in Bengal. Banerjee also expressed solidarity with Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra regarding their treatment during recent protests and plans to approach President Droupadi Murmu.
In a recent vlog, Farah Khan explored the Ashiana Senior Living Resort, where Mandira Bedi showcasing the facilities available. Residents can enjoy everything from a vibrant gaming room to a dynamic clubhouse filled with activities. Watch as elegant three-bedroom flats are highlighted, exemplifying a senior community that promotes an active, engaging lifestyle, making it a wonderful option for leisure-driven seniors.
The National Human Rights Commission is currently investigating serious allegations of sexual harassment involving three women journalists during a protest at Jantar Mantar on October 3. The Delhi Police have filed complaints and routed the case to their Crime Branch. Tensions escalated when demonstrators were detained for demanding an FIR, drawing significant attention from human rights groups concerned with the implications of these events.
Delhi Police busts illegal stocking of illicit foreign cigarettes, one held
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 8 (IANS) The Special Task Force (STF) of Delhi Police on Thursday has busted an illegal stocking and distribution network involving foreign-brand cigarettes and apprehended one person in connection with the case. Acting on specific intelligence, the STF conducted a targeted raid at a shop in Naya Bans at Pan Mandi in Delhi's Khari Baoli, and recovered 78,800 cigarette sticks belonging to nine international brands. The seized cigarettes did not carry the mandatory pictorial health warnings prescribed under Indian law. According to the police, secret information was received by the STF/North on October 7 regarding the illegal stocking and distribution of imported foreign cigarettes at Shop No. 6363, Naya Bans, Pan Mandi in Khari Baoli. Acting on the information, a dedicated team was constituted under the supervision of Inspector Ashish Kumar Dubey, STF In-charge, (North), and the guidance of ACP/Operations/North Vishesh Dhatterwal. The team comprised Sub-Inspectors Saurav and Sartaj, Assistant Sub-Inspectors Rajiv and Shahir, Head Constables Nishant, Parveen and Mukul, and Constables Nishant and Mayank. During the raid, the team apprehended Junaid Ahmed, 45, a resident of Naya Bans at Pan Mandi in Khari Baoli. A search of the premises led to the recovery of 78,800 cigarette sticks of various foreign brands. The seized stock included 32,200 sticks of Esse Lights, 32,000 of Mond, 5,200 of Esse Special Gold, 2,400 of Esse Golden Leaf, 2,400 of Win, 1,600 of Djarum Black, 1,400 of Dunhill Silver, 1,000 of Dunhill Black and 600 of Davidoff Gold. Police said the cigarettes did not bear the mandatory pictorial health warnings required under Indian law. Following the recovery, an FIR dated October 7, was registered under Sections 7/20 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) at Lahori Gate Police Station. Further investigation has been initiated. During questioning, Ahmed disclosed that he had been working as a manager at a gutka shop in Naya Bans for the past six months. Police said that, besides gutka, foreign-brand cigarettes were stocked in bulk at the premises and supplied in retail quantities as well as against specific orders. According to the police, the cigarettes were procured from suppliers dealing in foreign-brand tobacco products and were allegedly being sold without the prescribed health warnings. The owner of the shop was not present during the raid. Police teams are making efforts to trace him and ascertain his alleged role in the procurement, storage and sale of the cigarettes. Investigators are also working to identify the suppliers involved and trace the source and distribution network of the recovered consignment. Police said further investigation is underway to establish the complete chain involved in the illegal procurement, stocking and distribution of the foreign cigarettes.
ISL 2026-27: 'Club-led model will make a huge difference for players and fans,' says Hnamte
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 8 (IANS) Sporting Club Delhi midfielder Lalrinliana Hnamte believes the Indian Super Leagues new club-led commercial model can bring greater investment and interest to the competition, saying the change could make a 'huge difference' for both players and fans. The Indian Super League (ISL) enters the 2026-27 season under a new commercial structure after the AIFF and the leagues clubs agreed in July to transfer the commercial rights to the clubs, while the federation retained administrative and regulatory oversight. The new arrangement is aimed at giving clubs greater responsibility for the leagues commercial and financial growth. Asked how the change could benefit the competition and players, Hnamte said clubs having greater commercial control could encourage them to invest more in their teams and take greater ownership of the league. I dont think much, but it will make more interest because the club will be willing to pay more and willing to take care of the club more. So as a fan and for the player, it will be a huge difference, a huge change, Hnamte replied to an IANS query during a media interaction. The 2026-27 season will also return to a full home-and-away format, with the playoffs back as part of the competition. Hnamte, who has joined SC Delhi ahead of the new season after representing clubs like Chennai FC, said he is entering the campaign in the best possible shape and has set his sights firmly on winning the league. This season is one of the best; mentally and physically Im ready. We are not here to compete; we are trying to win the league, so we are ready for that, he said. The midfielder also highlighted the hunger within SC Delhis young squad, saying the teams ambition goes beyond simply making up the numbers. And the group, we are very young, but we are hungry for the trophy. And I think it will be very great for us, and I think well have a great season, Hnamte added. Meanwhile, SC Delhi head coach Tomasz Tchorz said the club has not had to deal with the additional workload associated with players returning from recent international fixtures, as none of his players were involved with the national team during the current period. However, several Indian players from other ISL clubs have recently featured in international friendlies against strong opposition, including Brazil, raising questions over workload management ahead of the league season. In our case, there is not a problem because, unfortunately for our club and team, we didnt have any player playing for the national team this winter, Tchorz said. Obviously, other teams have to manage the load because some of the players played a few games in a short period of time against very demanding opponents, he added. The SC Delhi coach, however, acknowledged the value of such international exposure for the players involved. For those who played in these games, obviously, its a valuable experience, and they will have a lot of takeaways from these games. However, for us, it doesnt really matter because we are still working on delivering players to the national team, Tchorz said. SC Delhi had a poor campaign last season, where they finished in 12th position with just two wins to their name. They will face Bengaluru FC in their first match of the 2026-27 season.
CEC Gyanesh Kumars security cover increased amid protests over alleged vote irregularities
New Delhi, Oct 8: The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) on Thursday deployed additional reserve personnel to strengthen Z+ category security for Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The officials said the move comes amid ongoing protests over alleged irregularities in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The deployment of additional CISF personnel has been stepped up at the Delhi residence of Kumar in New Moti Bagh Colony, at the Election Commission office and as part of his personal security arrangements. The reinforcement was carried out on October 7 following an order to increase the strength of the additional reserve deployment, officials said. CEC Kumar is already protected under the Z+ security category, the second-highest level of security cover in the country. The only higher category is the Special Protection Group (SPG) protection extended to the Prime Minister and his immediate family. Officials said the latest deployment does not represent an upgrade of his existing security category. Instead, it involves the mobilisation of additional personnel kept in reserve, depending on the prevailing security situation and threat assessment. Officials said reserve personnel are deployed as and when required in accordance with the prevailing threat perception. The official said that the existing Z+ cover remains unchanged, adding that the deployment of additional personnel from the reserve pool was a precautionary measure to strengthen security in view of the current situation. The political parties who are part of INDIA bloc are staging massive protests nationwide demanding the immediate resignation and removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The alliance has accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of electoral manipulation and functioning under the influence of the government.
Nana Patekar: 7 moments that revealed the man behind the intense screen persona
Highlights From a feared gangster to a comic underworld boss, Nana Patekar played characters that were worlds apart His most memorable roles often relied on sharp dialogue, distinctive mannerisms and powerful screen presence Parinda and Krantiveer showcased his intensity, while Welcome revealed his flair for comedy Natsamrat brought out a more vulnerable side of the actor in one of his most emotionally demanding roles These seven performances show why Patekar remained difficult to typecast throughout his career Nana Patekar never needed a conventional leading-man image to leave a lasting impression. Across a career spanning more than four decades, he created characters that could be intimidating, vulnerable, funny, angry or deeply emotional, often within the same performance. His ability to disappear into vastly different roles became one of the defining features of his career. From dangerous gangsters and determined police officers to ageing theatre actors and comic gangsters, Patekar repeatedly showed that his range extended far beyond the intense persona audiences often associated with him. Here are seven characters that capture the extraordinary range of Nana Patekar's acting career. 1. Anna in Parinda As Anna in Parinda , Patekar created one of the most unsettling villains in Hindi cinema. His portrayal of the ruthless Mumbai gangster was intense without feeling exaggerated, making the character unpredictable and frightening. The performance earned him the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor and became one of the defining roles of his early career. 2. Pratap Narayan Tilak in Krantiveer Krantiveer gave Patekar a very different challenge. His character, Pratap Narayan Tilak, is a troubled man whose anger gradually finds a larger purpose. Patekar brought both aggression and vulnerability to the role, creating a character whose emotional transformation drives much of the film. His performance earned him the National Film Award for Best Actor. 3. Appa Belvalkar in Natsamrat In the Marathi drama Natsamrat , Patekar played Appa Belvalkar, a legendary stage actor confronting life after retirement. The role allowed him to explore ageing, pride, loneliness and the pain of losing one's place in the world. Patekar's performance was deeply emotional without losing the character's theatrical personality, making Appa one of the most important roles of his later career. 4. Sadhu Agashe in Ab Tak Chhappan Patekar's portrayal of police officer Sadhu Agashe in Ab Tak Chhappan showed another side of his ability to command a screen. Rather than relying on exaggerated heroics, he played Agashe with restraint and authority. The character's moral complexity gave Patekar space to use silence, expressions and controlled dialogue delivery as much as action. 5. Uday Shetty in Welcome Perhaps the clearest proof that Patekar could turn his intensity into comedy came with Uday Shetty in Welcome . As the hot-headed gangster trying to get his sister married, Patekar played against the seriousness associated with many of his earlier roles. His timing, expressions and chemistry with Anil Kapoor made Uday one of the film's most memorable characters. The role also introduced his comic side to a new generation of mainstream audiences. 6. Baba in Salaam Bombay! Mira Nair's Salaam Bombay! came early in Patekar's career and featured him as Baba, a ruthless drug dealer. The performance reflected the raw, naturalistic quality that would become central to his acting. Rather than presenting a conventional screen villain, Patekar gave Baba an unsettling realism that suited the film's portrayal of children living on the margins of Mumbai. 7. Prabhakar Anand in Raajneeti In Prakash Jha's Raajneeti , Patekar played Prabhakar Anand, a political figure caught between idealism, family and power. Even within an ensemble featuring several major actors, Patekar brought a quiet authority to the character. The role showed how effectively he could communicate emotion and conflict without turning every scene into a dramatic outburst. A legacy built on range These characters represent only a fraction of Nana Patekar's filmography, but together they explain why his work has remained so distinctive. He could make an audience fear him in Parinda , root for him in Krantiveer , empathise with him in Natsamrat and laugh with him in Welcome . That ability to move between completely different emotional worlds was central to his appeal. Patekar's legacy is not simply about the number of acclaimed films he made. It is about the characters he left behind and the very different ways he made audiences feel. Decades after many of these films were released, those performances remain instantly recognisable. That enduring connection with audiences is perhaps the clearest testament to the extraordinary range of Nana Patekar.
CBI, vigilance nab two public servants in separate bribery cases in Odisha
Digital Desk | Bhubaneswar, Oct 8 (IANS) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has apprehended the Principal of Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) in Nuapada district of Odisha in a bribery case, the central agency said in a statement on Thursday. The CBI registered the instant case on October 7 against the accused principal on allegations that he had demanded a bribe of Rs 20,000 from the complainant for recommending her name for extension of her service as Auxiliary Nurse Midwifery (ANM) at EMRS, Nuapada. After negotiation, the accused agreed to accept Rs 12,000 from the complainant. Acting on the complaint, the CBI laid a trap on October 7 and caught the accused Principal red-handed while accepting the bribe. The person apprehended by the CBI has been identified as C. Krishna Murthy Naidu, Principal, Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS), Nuapada, Odisha. In another case of corruption in public office in the state, the Odisha vigilance on Thursday apprehended a Programmer, posted at the office of DEO-CUM-DPC (District Project Coordinator), Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Jagatsinghpur district, demanding and taking a bribe of Rs 30,000 from an executant for clearing his pending bills towards installation of digital blackboards assigned to him in schools of Jagatsinghpur district. The accused Chandrajit Parija, as a member of the procurement and technical committee, inspects the installation works, and on his certification, the bill is released in favour of the executant. Despite several requests by the executant (Complainant), Parija did not take steps to inspect the work done by the complainant. Instead, accused Parija demanded a bribe of Rs 30,000 from the complainant for clearing pending bills, Odisha Vigilance said. Finding no other way, the complainant lodged a complaint with the vigilance seeking action against Parija, alleging harassment. Subsequently, the vigilance sleuths laid a trap and nabbed Parija while receiving the bribe amount from the complainant on Thursday. Following the trap, simultaneous house searches are being carried out at three locations linked to Parija from the DA angle. In this connection, a case (39/26) has been registered against Parija at the Kataka Vigilance Police Station on Wednesday.
INDIA bloc MPs head to Rajghat on Day 3 of anti-SIR protest
The INDIA bloc MPs and leaders, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, gathered for a lunch before heading to Rajghat to protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. This marks the third consecutive day of protests, with opposition leaders demanding Kumar's resignation and alleging collusion between the BJP and the Election Commission. They have also sought an appointment with President Droupadi Murmu regarding the issue.
Congress should introspect instead of blaming EC for poll defeats: MP CM
Digital Desk | Bhopal, Oct 8 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Thursday criticised the Congress for blaming the Election Commission for its electoral setbacks, saying the party should instead introspect on its organisation and leadership. Yadav's remarks came as the Madhya Pradesh Congress prepared to hold a foot march in Bhopal in support of the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, amid an intensifying Opposition campaign against the Election Commission in New Delhi. The Chief Minister said the Congress had itself benefited from the electoral process that it was now questioning, pointing to its governments in Kerala and Himachal Pradesh. If there is distrust in the Election Commissions process, then what is the meaning of Congress victory in Kerala? Mohan Yadav said. He is on a visit to Mumbai. Talking to the media, Yadav said Congress should examine why its political base had weakened in several states instead of holding the poll panel responsible for repeated electoral defeats. Yadav referred to Congress's prolonged absence from power in West Bengal and its weak position in Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, saying these issues required introspection within the party. Congress should introspect and strengthen its organisation instead of blaming the Election Commission for every defeat, he said. He said India was the world's largest democracy and elections were conducted through a constitutional framework under the Election Commission. According to Yadav, electoral defeats should not be used as a reason to question constitutional institutions. The Chief Minister also said Rahul Gandhi should introspect on the Congress's electoral performance and leadership. The remarks came amid protests by Congress and other Opposition parties against the Election Commission over electoral rolls and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. On October 6, Gandhi, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several INDIA bloc leaders were detained by police during a march towards the Election Commission office in New Delhi. The Opposition leaders were protesting over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and demanding accountability from the poll panel. On October 7, Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition MPs were again detained during a protest in Delhi after they attempted to march towards Jantar Mantar. The Opposition has accused the Election Commission of irregularities in the electoral-roll revision process and has demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. In Bhopal, state Congress president Jitu Patwari and Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar are scheduled to lead a foot march at 5 p.m. on Thursday in solidarity with Gandhi. The state Congress had earlier staged a protest outside the Chief Electoral Officer's office in Bhopal following Gandhi's detention in Delhi on October 6.
INDIA bloc to protest at Rajghat as Kharge hosts 2nd lunch for Opposition MPs
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge hosted a lunch for INDIA bloc leaders at a Connaught Place restaurant. The meeting aimed to discuss ongoing protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Multiple opposition leaders joined the lunch, expressing unity against perceived authoritarianism in election processes. Rahul Gandhi and others highlighted their commitment to continue protesting until Kumar resigns.
La Liga: Injury, fatigue loom as competition returns after international break
Digital Desk | Madrid, Oct 8 (IANS) Football's premier competition, La Liga, returns Friday after a lengthy international break, with several clubs facing injury concerns and potential fatigue among players who have been away on international duty for nearly three weeks. The round opens with Malaga hosting Espanyol as the home side searches for its first win since returning to the top flight. Espanyol could welcome forward Javi Puado back to the bench following a serious knee injury. Barcelona faces fitness concerns over Raphinha and Eric Garcia ahead of its home match against Getafe after both withdrew early from international duty with Brazil and Spain, respectively. Goalkeeper Joan Garcia is nearing a return from the knee injury that ruled him out of Spain's squad, while coach Hansi Flick must decide whether to start Lamine Yamal after the winger featured in all four of Spain's matches during the break. Real Madrid could be without Kylian Mbappe for its home match against Villarreal after the France forward withdrew from international duty following a recurrence of a knee injury, reports Xinhua. Villarreal won its final two matches before the break, with its players showing signs of adapting to coach Inigo Perez's high-intensity approach. Second-place Atletico Madrid visits Alaves, coached by former Atletico boss Quique Sanchez Flores. Alex Grimaldo and Pablo Barrios are injury doubts for Atletico, while Alaves will look to forward Lucas Boye to trouble the visitors. Saturday also marks Rayo Vallecano's return to its Vallecas Stadium following renovations that forced the Madrid club to play its opening home matches in Leganes. Rayo hosts Athletic Club, which will be without winger Nico Williams after he sustained a muscle injury while on international duty with Spain. On Sunday, relegation-threatened Elche hosts Celta Vigo, while Real Sociedad welcomes Deportivo La Coruna, which is winless in three matches after an impressive start to life back in the top flight. Third-place Real Betis begins a demanding month of domestic and Champions League fixtures with a home match against Osasuna. Sunday's action concludes at El Sardinero, where Javier Aguirre makes his debut as Valencia coach against Racing Santander. Aguirre has had nearly three weeks to work with his new squad but faces injury concerns over Arnaut Danjuma, Umar Sadiq, Luis Rioja and Diego Lopez as he looks to organise a more compact side. The round concludes Monday with Levante hosting Sevilla.
ACB Detains Doctor, Middleman For Bribe In Bharatpur
The Rajasthan Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested a middleman and detained a senior medical officer in Bharatpur for allegedly demanding and accepting a Rs 35,000 bribe to prepare a medical report showing grievous injuries. An investigation under the Prevention of Corruption Act is ongoing.
Indian opposition protest police action against lawmakers, push for poll chief's resignation
Indian opposition groups demonstrated for a third day on Thursday, protesting police action against Congress party leaders and demanding the resignation of the chief
Who is Nana Patekar's son Malhar Patekar? His education, qualification and career
Nana Patekars son Malhar Patekar has mostly stayed away from the spotlight despite having his own connection to films. A commerce graduate from Mumbais Saraswati Mandir High School, Malhar has worked as an assistant director and also appeared as a child artist and actor. Heres a look at his education, film career and why he chose a quieter path than his famous father.
For more than three decades, the beat of the dhak has announced Durga Puja in Manchester. This year, it is joined by something new: WhatsApp messages, AI tools and short-form videos, as one of Northern England's longest-established Bengali organisations looks for new ways to keep its community connected. The Greater Manchester Bengali Hindu Cultural Association (GMBHCA) will celebrate Durga Puja from Friday 16 October to Tuesday 20 October 2026 at Gandhi Hall, Withington. Founded in 1993 by a handful of families determined to keep Bengal alive far from home, the registered charity now has more than 300 member families and a year-round cultural calendar. An AI assistant on WhatsApp This year, GMBHCA has introduced a WhatsApp-based digital assistant using AI, alongside automated membership identification, improved RSVP and attendance tracking, and digital donation receipts. For a charity run almost entirely by volunteers, the change is significant. Organising a five-day festival, feeding hundreds of guests and managing a calendar that runs from Poila Boishakh to Kali Puja has long relied on goodwill, spreadsheets and busy WhatsApp groups. The association says the new tools are designed to make it more efficient and transparent, and to make it easier for members to stay involved throughout the year. Heritage in a scroll Technology is also changing how GMBHCA tells its story. Its new platform, Khoj Exploring Culture, Connecting Communities, uses short-form videos to explore Bengali culture, traditions, food, festivals, history and contemporary life, aiming to reach younger audiences and people unfamiliar with Bengali culture alike. Leading the charge is iKaku, the association's much-loved mascot. Dressed in classic Bengali style and with a weakness for mishti doi, iKaku stars in light-hearted videos, stockpiling KitKats before a Poila Boishakh gathering or returning from the moon just in time for the Bengali New Year. iKaku does not ask whether tradition and modernity can coexist. He simply lives in both at once - and invites everyone else to do the same, the association says. The approach is resonating. GMBHCA says its social media channels have generated nearly 60,000 views, with almost half of all engagement driven by Reels. Connecting communities, online and off The digital push sits alongside efforts to bring people together in person. This year, GMBHCA has partnered with Radha Krishna Mandir HRS in Withington, strengthening links between different parts of Manchester's Indian and Hindu communities. The Puja is also drawing an increasingly diverse crowd, including international students from nearby universities and Mancunians of all backgrounds. Tradition at the heart For all the innovation, the essence remains the same. Last year, Deb, believed to be Britain's youngest Hindu priest, chose to spend his 18th birthday performing the rituals before Ma Durga. On Dashami, members joined the Consulate General of India's team for a Swachh Bharat cleanliness drive, sweeping the streets in their festive finery. Technology, the association believes, is not a replacement for that spirit, but a way of carrying it further, from a hall in Withington to phone screens across Manchester and beyond.
Digital Desk | Guwahati, Oct 8 (IANS) A regional party in Assam, the Raijor Dal, on Thursday alleged that several of its workers were injured during police action following a protest march towards Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarmas residence in Guwahati over issues concerning the state government. The protest was organised following a call by Raijor Dal MLA Akhil Gogoi, with a large number of party supporters taking to the streets carrying black flags and marching towards the Chief Ministers residence. Police detained several protesters as they approached the area, following which tension prevailed briefly. Among those detained were Raijor Dal leaders Dhairya Konwar and Bidyut Saikia, according to the party. The Raijor Dal alleged that police personnel used excessive force while detaining its workers, resulting in injuries to several protesters. In a statement, the party claimed that one of its workers, Ananta Arandhara, suffered a serious injury to his private parts during the detention. The party alleged that police personnel squeezed the area with their hands while taking him into custody. The party further claimed that several other protesters sustained injuries to their heads and chest during the police action. The allegations could not be independently verified immediately. The Raijor Dal criticised the police action and accused the authorities of using disproportionate force against protesters who were demonstrating against the state government. The party also alleged that some of the injured protesters had not received medical treatment at the time it issued its statement. The protest comes amid heightened political activity in Assam, with the Raijor Dal and other Opposition groups frequently raising issues concerning the state government and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Police officials have not yet issued a detailed statement on the allegations of excessive force or the injuries claimed by the protesters. The incident has sparked a fresh political confrontation between the Raijor Dal and the state administration, with the Opposition party demanding accountability for the alleged injuries caused during the detention.
Akhilesh Yadav to visit Ayodhya to listen to Bhagwat Katha: SP leaders
Digital Desk | Lucknow, Oct 8 (IANS) Ahead of Samajwadi Party chief, Akhilesh Yadavs, visit to Ayodhya to listen to the Bhagwat Katha at SP leader Pawan Pandey's residence on Thursday, the Samajwadi Party (SP) said Yadav was going there for a personal, spiritual trip, and that they would welcome him there. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav is arriving today to participate in the ongoing Bhagwat Katha programme. On behalf of the respected people of the constituency, I extend my greetings and welcome him, said, SP MP Awadhesh Prasad. Speaking to IANS on the matter, Congress spokesperson Surendra Rajput said, Akhilesh Yadav is going to Ayodhya on a personal, spiritual trip. He is also going to Pawan Pandey's residence to listen to Bhagwat Katha. If Lord Ram calls, he will go to Ram Mandir too. If he is going there, then why is it affecting the Bharatiya Janata Party ecosystem? It is affecting them because they have used Lord Rams name for political gains. They have stolen the Ram Mandir donation, and that is why they are scared. SP spokesperson Ashutosh Verma said, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav is going to Ayodhya as part of a pre-planned schedule. He is going there because he was invited. He will also meet the party workers present there. All the protocols have been met. He will also encourage the local leaders of the party. It is part of the Samajwadi Partys election campaign strategy. Tej Narayan Pandey said, The Shrimat Bhagwat Katha has been organised from October 2 to 8 and people from all sects are coming to listen to the Katha. He added, Samajwadi Party National President Akhilesh Yadav will be visiting today. He will listen to the religious discourse, seek blessings from the Vyas Peeth, and also interact with the revered people of the area. According to reports, the SP chief will be part of the Bhagwat Katha which will be held in Krishnapur Khanpur Rasulabad village, approximately 12 kilometers from Ayodhya Dham. Akhilesh Yadav's visit is scheduled to last about one hour and 20 minutes and he will spend around 40 minutes at the venue. A helipad has been constructed near the event venue and the former UP Chief Minister will depart for Lucknow after attending the Katha. He is not likely to offer prayers or visit the Ram Mandir.
