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Bhojpuri actor Ritesh Pandey gets death threat, lodges FIR

The Times of India 20 Sep 2026 11:36 pm

Dental practitioners discuss latest treatment techniques

The Times of India 20 Sep 2026 11:35 pm

Sex racket busted in hotel, 7 held

The Times of India 20 Sep 2026 11:34 pm

Modern waste transfer station to come up in Faridpur

The Times of India 20 Sep 2026 11:33 pm

Infant girls body found in drain

The Times of India 20 Sep 2026 11:32 pm

Advocate arrested for looting client of Rs 41 lakh

The Times of India 20 Sep 2026 11:30 pm

Anil Rajbhar Criticizes Samajwadi Party Over Reservation Issues in Varanasi

Uttar Pradesh Minister Anil Rajbhar accuses the Samajwadi Party of neglecting reservation rights for backward communities. Anil Rajbhar Criticizes Samajwadi Party Over Reservation Issues in Varanasi

Daily Kiran 20 Sep 2026 9:43 pm

Varanasis GI Model Transforms Lives, Says Padma Shri Dr. Rajnikant

Dr. Rajnikant praises PM Modis leadership and the impact of GI tagging on Varanasis economy and community empowerment. Varanasis GI Model Transforms Lives, Says Padma Shri Dr. Rajnikant

Daily Kiran 20 Sep 2026 9:08 pm

Vadnagar-Varanasi Seva Yatra: 500 volunteers on motorcycles clean schools, ponds along the route

Digital Desk | Vadnagar/Varanasi, Sep 20 (IANS) More than 500 young volunteers taking part in the Seva Yatra on motorcycles from Vadnagar to Varanasi from September 17 to October 7 are offering manual service and cleaning campuses of schools, hospitals, orphanages and old-age homes along the route. The 22-day journey, aiming to cover 35,500 kilometres across 20 teams, is part of a campaign organised around Prime Minister Narendra Modis birthday and his 25 years of public service. Driven by the goal of offering service to communities, the 500 youths are travelling from village to village and undertaking activities including cleanliness drives, cow service, care of older people and sharing awareness about government schemes, said a statement issued by the BJP. They are travelling through towns, districts, talukas and villages, taking the spirit of Seva right to the grassroots, said the statement. The Seva Yatris are not just passing through communities but stopping, meeting people and committing Seva in activities that respond to local needs - from cleanliness drives at ponds, temples, schools, parks, hospitals and other public areas to beneficiary interactions, youth dialogues, Gram Sabha samvad and Gau Seva to tree plantation under Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam. At PM SHRI Schools, the Yatris are cleaning campuses, interacting with students and distributing books and stationery and at hospitals, orphanages and old-age homes, they are extending their support to those who need it the most, the statement said. Kits are being distributed to widows, ASHA workers are being honoured, and communities are coming together for different welfare activities, it said. The Yatra is equally about contact and dialogue. Yuva Samvads, Gram Sabha interactions, Mahila Samvads and beneficiary interactions are creating opportunities to meet people directly and understand the aspirations and provide awareness at the grassroots, the statement said. Organ donation pledges are also being encouraged by the volunteers to promote the spirit of giving, while tributes to martyrs and freedom fighters are connecting communities with the nation's history and its heroes, it said. The Yatra is bringing together several dimensions of public engagement, including Seva, Sampark, youth participation, social welfare, cultural connect and community mobilisation and carrying them from one grassroots location to another, it said. On the occasion of PM Modis birthday on September 17, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh flagged off a 'Seva Sankalp Yatra' from Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) to Vadnagar in Gujarat. He said the 'Seva Sankalp Yatra' is not merely a means of traversing the geographical distance between two places; rather, it is a sacred spiritual and social journey connecting the birthplace of PM Modi with his 'karmabhoomi', Kashi. The Yatra is being organised under the 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' as a means of serving the people, said the Defence Minister, adding that during the journey the waters of Varanasi and Vadnagar will be exchanged and used for the Jalabhishek of Hatkeshwar Mahadev and Baba Vishwanath. He said the objective of this journey is to connect public sentiments, reach the last person through service activities, and highlight PM Modi's 25 years of dedicated service to the people.

bhaskarlive 20 Sep 2026 5:54 pm

EXCLUSIVE: Raghubir Yadav on the personal reason for choosing Om Ka Hari, I have stayed in UP, MP and Bihar villages and seen such conflicts; also shares his simple yet effective role selection criteria

Veteran artiste Raghubir Yadav has a pivotal role in Om Ka Hari, which released in theatres on Friday September 18. Directed by Harish Vyas, the movie sees the actor play father to Anshuman Jha, who has also produced the film under his banner First Ray Films. The movie explores a bitter-sweet conflict between a father and his son. In an exclusive chat with Bollywood Hungama, Yadav said that he agreed to do the film as he has witnessed such scenarios before. I have stayed a lot in a lot of villages in UP (Uttar Pradesh), MP (Madhya Pradesh) and Bihar. I have been witnessing this relationship between a father and his kids since ages. Earlier, it was different and then things started changing. In our era, people didnt have much money to study. A father used to somehow educate his children and take them to a level. He then would look at the son of his neighbour and get his son also to become an engineer and get married. Yadav pointed out that now, of course, things have changed. Now the time is such that kids wish to live their lives as per their own wishes, he said. So, I found this conflict between a father and a son very interesting. I got a chance to become a father of this era. Om Ka Hari also stars Soni Razdan in the role of Yadavs wife, along with Ayesha Kapur and Samta Sudiksha. Yadav also found other characteristics of the father interesting. He is someone who realizes that the one he thought would provide him with support (his son) is having a conflict with him. He is also well-versed with astrology, so he realizes that he has only six more days to live. The character has a funny side and some conflict as well. So, I thought it would be fun to do it, he said. A large portion of the film was shot in Varanasi and its ghats. It was great fun, recalled Yadav. When we shot at the Harishchandra Ghat, we felt this is such a peaceful place. In our film, the father reaches that place to die. The ones who were getting burnt appeared to be more peaceful (laughs). Yadav has played various characters in his decades long career. When asked about his selection criteria, he simply said, It should be something I have never done before. It should challenge me. I dont enjoy if I am able to do it easily. It should give me sleepless nights (laughs). Doobne mein maza aata hai mujhe. Also Read: Alia Bhatt recalls childhood memory of Mahesh Bhatts theatrical parenting at special screening of Om Ka Hari: He is very theatrical and that sometimes makes for great memories

Bollywood Hungama 20 Sep 2026 3:41 pm

Death of Notorious Naxalite Commander Marks End of a Fearful Era in Jharkhand

The death of Naxalite commander Brijesh Ganjhu in Varanasi ends a significant chapter of fear in Jharkhand, raising security concerns. Death of Notorious Naxalite Commander Marks End of a Fearful Era in Jharkhand

Daily Kiran 20 Sep 2026 12:28 pm

Notorious Naxalite Commander Brijesh Ganjhu Killed in Encounter with ATS in Varanasi

Brijesh Ganjhu, a wanted Naxalite commander, was shot dead in an encounter with the ATS in Varanasi, carrying a bounty of 30 lakh. Notorious Naxalite Commander Brijesh Ganjhu Killed in Encounter with ATS in Varanasi

Daily Kiran 20 Sep 2026 9:58 am

Jharkhand Maoist carrying Rs 30 lakh bounty killed in encounter with UP ATS in Varanasi

Digital Desk | Varanasi, Sep 20 (IANS) Jharkhand-based banned Maoist outfit Tritiya Prastuti Committee's (TPC) chief Brijesh Ganjhu alias Gopal Singh Bhokta was killed in an encounter with the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in Varanasi on Sunday morning, officials said. Ganjhu carried a cumulative bounty of Rs 30 lakh announced by the Jharkhand government and the National Investigation Agency (NIA). According to information shared by security agencies, the encounter took place at around 5 a.m. near Tengra Mod in the Ramnagar police station area of Varanasi. The UP ATS had received intelligence that Ganjhu was travelling on a motorcycle via Ramnagar towards Mughalsarai, following which a team laid a trap in the area. Police said that when ATS personnel signalled him to stop, Ganjhu opened fire on the team. ATS officers retaliated, and Ganjhu sustained bullet injuries in the exchange of fire. He was taken to a district hospital for treatment, where doctors declared him dead. ATS Deputy Superintendent of Police Vipin Rai said that bullets fired by Ganjhu struck the bulletproof jackets of both him and Head Constable Nitendra Krishna during the encounter. One of Ganjhu's associates managed to flee the spot. The ATS recovered two pistols, live cartridges and spent shells from the scene. The body has been kept at the post-mortem facility of Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital in Varanasi. A resident of Lawalong in Jharkhand's Chatra district, Ganjhu had long figured on the wanted lists of security and investigative agencies. The Jharkhand government had announced a reward of Rs 2.5 million for information leading to his arrest, while the NIA had separately declared a reward of Rs 500,000. He was wanted in several cases related to murder, extortion, illegal arms activities and terror funding across Jharkhand and other states. The NIA was also searching for him in connection with a terror-financing case linked to the TPC. Investigators alleged that he played a key role in a levy-extortion network targeting businesses associated with coal mining, transportation and contracting operations. Following his death, security agencies in Jharkhand have begun reviewing records about cases registered against him and his alleged involvement in Maoist activities.

bhaskarlive 20 Sep 2026 9:02 am

Trade with Tradition: UPs cultural Mahakumbh to be showcased before global guests

A variety of cultural programmes will be organised at the UP International Trade Show from September 25 to 29 of 2026 to present Uttar Pradeshs industrial, trade and cultural identity on a global platform. As per the official handout issued here, through the efforts of the Yogi government, Uttar Pradesh is getting an opportunity to present its rich cultural heritage before the world alongside investment, trade and tourism. Entrepreneurs, investors and visitors arriving from India and abroad at the Trade Show will get a glimpse of the states folk arts, classical music, dance and cultural traditions. The cultural programmes at the Trade Show will begin on September 25 with conch-shell blowing and Vedic Manglacharan. The programme will commence with a performance by Vishal Kumar of Varanasi. This will be followed by instrumental music by Pt. Chetan Joshi of Noida, Kathak dance by Aloknisha Srivastava of Lucknow, Dedhiya folk dance by Purnima of Prayagraj and a bhajan performance by Aarti Khetpal of Vrindavan, which will attract audiences. On September 26, a Pakhawaj duet, Bhojpuri folk singing, Kathak, folk dance from Mathura and a Star Night will be organised. Pt. Ravishankar Upadhyay and Pt. Rishi Shankar Upadhyay of Delhi will perform in the Pakhawaj duet. Kusum Pandey of Mirzapur and Avnish Tiwari of Jaunpur will perform Bhojpuri folk songs, while Maryada Kulshreshtha of Noida will perform Kathak. Seema Mawal of Mathura will present a folk dance, and Nishtha Sharma of Sultanpur will perform at the Star Night. On September 27, saxophone instrumental music, bhajan/folk singing, Rai folk dance from Jhansi, Bharatanatyam and a Star Night will be organised. On September 28, a percussion ensemble by Bhatkhande Sanskriti University, Lucknow, Alha singing by Jitendra Chaurasia of Mahoba, Kathak, Tharu tribal dance from Pilibhit and a Sufi Night by Roopali Joggu of Sultanpur will be organised. On September 29, the cultural programmes will conclude with a sitar recital by Padma Shri Pt. Shivnath Mishra of Varanasi, ghazal singing by Kamal Khan of Lucknow, Kathak by Mitali Saini of Ghaziabad, a choreographed presentation of Kathak of India/UP and a Star Night. The showcasing of folk arts and classical traditions from different regions of the state at the Trade Show, organised on the initiative of the Yogi government, will highlight Uttar Pradeshs cultural diversity. Performances by artists from Kashi, Mathura, Vrindavan, Bundelkhand, Awadh, Purvanchal and the Terai region will introduce visitors to the states vibrant and diverse culture. Alongside industrial and trade activities, the cultural performances will present the UP International Trade Show as a confluence of art, culture and entrepreneurship.

Greater Kashmir 20 Sep 2026 7:00 am

Banaras crafts get an AI, blockchain boost from IIT- Madras

The Times of India 20 Sep 2026 1:12 am

Biomed research earns IIT-BHU prof NAMS fellowship

The Times of India 20 Sep 2026 1:11 am

5-yr-old injured in blast at Kashi general store

The Times of India 20 Sep 2026 1:08 am

FIR against VDA jr engr alleges extortion, assault

The Times of India 20 Sep 2026 1:06 am

Purvanchal dishes to delight global palate at trade show

The Times of India 20 Sep 2026 1:05 am

Youth meet: Gujarat Dy CM asks participants to check development data with AI

Digital Desk | Dahod, Sep 19 (IANS) Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi on Saturday asked tribal youth at Bhadbha village in Dahod district to use AI tools on their mobile phones to independently check development figures from before 2014 and compare them with the current situation. Who among you uses AI? Just check this... How many universities and seats were there from Independence until Modi Saheb came, and how many are there now? Sanghavi asked during an interaction with tribal youth organised as part of the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan and the Vadnagar-to-Varanasi bike rally. The youth used AI tools during the programme to look up figures and shared the information from their seats. According to the figures presented during the interaction, the number of medical colleges in the country increased from 387 before 2014 to 780, while MBBS seats rose from 51,348 to 1,15,900. Postgraduate medical seats had increased from 31,885 to 74,306, the youth said, citing information attributed to Rajya Sabha data. The discussion also covered the expansion of engineering and higher education seats, with Sanghavi and the participants discussing how increased educational opportunities had helped young people from ordinary families in tribal areas to pursue careers such as medicine and engineering. The youth interaction was held at Bhadbha in Bhuval taluka as part of the bike rally linked to the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan. Sanghavi said the enthusiasm of young people travelling thousands of kilometres by motorcycle over 22 days to undertake cleanliness and social service activities from village to village was encouraging. More than 50 per cent of those participating in the journey came from non-political backgrounds and had joined with a resolve to serve the country, he noted. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modis 25 years of public service, from his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister to his tenure as Prime Minister, Sanghavi said PM Modi had worked continuously during this period without taking a single leave for personal work. He urged young people to draw inspiration from the Prime Ministers energy and dedication. Sanghavi also interacted with beneficiaries of various government schemes. A young farmer said he received Rs one lakh directly into his bank account as assistance to purchase a tractor. A youth said his grandfather had undergone heart surgery free of cost using an Ayushman card. In contrast, an older man said his wife had received free treatment worth Rs 70,000 for a stone-removal operation at a multi-speciality hospital through the scheme. Free treatment of up to Rs 10 lakh is now available under the scheme in Gujarat, he said. A student said he received Rs 50,000 in education assistance through an E-Nirman card for B.Sc Nursing, while his sister, pursuing BAMS, received the full benefit of a Free Ship Card. Another youth said his family had received Rs 3.5 lakh in assistance under the PM Awas Yojana to replace their old kutcha house with a pucca home. Participants also highlighted the annual Rs 6,000 assistance deposited directly into farmers accounts under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi and emergency animal treatment through the 1962 helpline. At the end of the interaction, Sanghavi urged the youth to dedicate 25 minutes every day to social service for the next month. He suggested activities including village cleanliness, teaching children in government schools, blood donation, helping the elderly and assisting needy people in accessing government schemes. During his Dahod visit, Sanghavi also visited the Sports Complex in Devgadh Baria, where he watched wrestling, karate, archery, tug-of-war and running competitions. He also participated in a running event and interacted with players. Sanghavi told the players that sport is not only a means of maintaining physical fitness but also helps develop discipline, self-confidence, team spirit and leadership. The government is making efforts to provide appropriate opportunities and facilities to sporting talent in rural and tribal areas, he said.

bhaskarlive 19 Sep 2026 10:57 pm

In major reshuffle, Uttar Pradesh transfers 35 IPS officers

Digital Desk | Lucknow, Sep 19 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh has ordered the transfer of 35 IPS officers in a major reshuffle announced on Saturday. The changes cover officers from the 2014 to 2022 batches and affect several key positions in police commissionerates and districts across the state. Charu Nigam of the 2014 batch has been shifted from the post of Police Superintendent of UP-112 in Lucknow to Commandant of the 47th Battalion of the Provincial Armed Constabulary in Ghaziabad. Shravan Kumar Singh has been moved from Deputy Commissioner of Police in Kanpur Nagar to the same rank in Gautam Buddh Nagar. Pramod Kumar has been transferred from Deputy Commissioner of Police in Varanasi to Police Superintendent at the Cyber Headquarters in Lucknow, while Ravi Shankar Nim goes from Gautam Buddh Nagar to Commandant of the 2nd Battalion of the Special Security Force in Gorakhpur. Atul Sharma-II has been posted as Police Superintendent at the Intelligence Headquarters in Lucknow after serving as Deputy Commissioner of Police in Agra. Sonam Kumar shifts from Agra to Prayagraj as Deputy Commissioner of Police, and Ravindra Kumar moves from Kanpur Nagar to Agra in the same capacity. Neeraj Kumar Pandey has been transferred from Prayagraj to Police Superintendent at the Police Headquarters in Prayagraj. Mamta Rani Chaudhary goes from Lucknow Commissionerate to Police Superintendent in the CID at Lucknow, while Mohd. Irfan Ansari has been shifted from Prayagraj Police Headquarters to CID Headquarters in Lucknow. Saad Miya Khan and Syed Ali Abbas have exchanged postings between Gautam Buddh Nagar and Agra. Shruti Srivastava has been moved from Varanasi to Prayagraj as Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police. Vikram Dahiya has been moved from Pilibhit to Chandauli as Additional Police Superintendent, while Ayush Srivastava has been shifted from Jaunpur to Unnao as Police Superintendent of the city. Rajesh Gunawat has been promoted and posted as Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police in Varanasi, and Anant Chandrashekhar moves from Chandauli to Jaunpur as Police Superintendent of the city. Among the 2022 batch officers, Devesh Chaturvedi goes from Ayodhya to Ambedkar Nagar as Additional Police Superintendent, Vivek Tiwari from Kheri to Barabanki, and Sumit Sudhakar Ramteke from Kanpur Nagar to Sambhal. Ariba Noman has been posted as Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police in Kanpur Nagar, Manoj Kumar Yadav to Agra in the same rank, and Rijul to Ghaziabad. Gautam Rai shifts within Bijnor to the rural charge, while Mavis Talk moves from Banda to Sonbhadra. Several SPS officers have also been reassigned. Jitendra Kumar Srivastava goes to Lucknow Commissionerate, Kapil Dev Singh to the Traffic Headquarters in Lucknow, Gyanendra Nath Prasad to Agra, Balwant Kumar Chaudhary to Ghaziabad, Abhay Nath Tripathi to Kanpur Nagar, Harendra Kumar to Agra, Rajesh Kumar Pandey to Varanasi, Harendra Pratap Yadav to UP-112 in Lucknow, Kuldeep Singh to the 43rd Battalion PAC in Etah and Vineet Bhatnagar to Varanasi. The officers have been directed to join their new assignments at the earliest.

bhaskarlive 19 Sep 2026 7:51 pm

Seva Sankalp Abhiyan: Gujarat Dy CM Sanghavi joins youth in sports, flags off bike rally towards Dahod

Digital Desk | Gandhinagar, Sep 19 (IANS) Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi on Saturday joined students in playing football, handball and tug of war at KJ Institute of Technology (KJIT) College in Savli as part of the 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan', before flagging off a bike rally of more than 500 youth towards Dahod. Sanghavi participated in the sporting activities alongside students and youth at the college campus, encouraging them to take part in sports. The programme was held as the Seva Yatra, organised to mark 25 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public service journey, passed through the area. Speaking during the programme, Sanghavi said sports help improve physical fitness while also developing team spirit, the ability to face challenges and leadership qualities among young people. The sporting spirit being fostered among Gujarat's youth through initiatives such as 'Fit India' and 'Khel Mahakumbh' was contributing to nation-building, he said. After the sporting activities, Sanghavi flagged off the bike rally with more than 500 youth participating in the Seva Yatra. The rally resumed its journey from the KJIT College campus and proceeded towards the Dahod route. The 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' is being organised in connection with the 25 years of PM Modi's public service journey. The bike rally is part of the Seva Yatra being undertaken by youth as part of the campaign. The programme brought together the sporting activities involving students and the onward journey of the service-oriented youth participating in the bike rally, which continued towards Dahod after the flag-off. The motorcycle yatra is part of a twin-route Seva Yatra between Vadnagar and Varanasi, launched on September 17 to mark PM Modi's 25 years in public life. Around 1,000 volunteers are participating in the two routes, with the yatras involving about 500 motorcycles and passing through 10 states, 193 districts and 1,159 villages over a total distance of around 40,000 km. The campaign is scheduled to continue until October 7.

bhaskarlive 19 Sep 2026 3:49 pm

Nr Railway

Jammu Tawi, Sep 18 : To meet the anticipated festival rush and facilitate passenger movement, the Northern Railways Jammu division will operate three special trains connecting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Jammu Tawi, Varanasi and New Delhi from next month. Terming the decision a big gift to rail passengers, a railway spokesperson said the operation [] The post Nr Railways to run 3 Spl Trains to meet festival rush appeared first on Northlines .

The Northlines 19 Sep 2026 12:07 am

Nishad invokes Phoolan Devi, says SP betrayed marginalised

The Times of India 19 Sep 2026 12:02 am

Jeweller, traders brave gunfire to catch looters in Azamgarh

The Times of India 19 Sep 2026 12:01 am

Northern Railway's Jammu division to run 3 special trains to meet festival rush

Jammu, Sep 18: To meet the anticipated festival rush and facilitate passenger movement, the Northern Railway's Jammu division will operate three special trains connecting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Jammu Tawi, Varanasi and New Delhi from next month. Terming the decision a ig gift to rail passengers, a railway spokesperson said the operation of the three reserved trains will help clear the extra rush and waiting list during Dussehra, Diwali and Chhath Puja. The Railway has decided to operate three pairs of reserved festival special trains via Jammu Division. The operation of these trains will not only make it easier for passengers to secure confirmed tickets but will also ensure a more comfortable and safe journey, the spokesman said. He said the first train, 04604/04603 Katra-Varanasi-Katra Special, will make nine trips in each direction. The train departing from Katra will run every Sunday from October 4 to November 29, at 6:15 PM, while the train departing from Varanasi will run every Tuesday from October 6 to December 1 at 4:30 AM, the spokesman said. He further said that the train will halt at Jammu Tawi, Pathankot Cantt, Jalandhar Cantt, Ludhiana, Ambala Cantt, Saharanpur, Moradabad, Bareilly, Alamnagar, Rae Bareli and Pratapgarh, among other stations. The spokesman said the second train, 04610/04609 Jammu Tawi-Varanasi-Jammu Tawi Special, will also make nine trips in each direction. Train 04610 will run every Thursday from October 1 to November 26, while 04609 will operate every Friday from October 2 to November 27, providing additional connectivity to passengers from Pathankot, Jalandhar, Ambala, Saharanpur, Moradabad, Shahjahanpur, Lucknow and Sultanpur. The third train, 04081/04082 New Delhi-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Festival Special, will make four trips in each direction to meet the Dussehra rush. Train 04081 will operate on October 8, 9, 10 and 11, while 04082 will run on October 9, 10, 11 and 12, providing direct connectivity between New Delhi and Katra. The spokesman said these trains will directly connect two of the most important religious places in North India, besides providing direct and fast connectivity to commuters from Delhi, Haryana and Punjab. He said running of these trains would reduce pressure on regular trains and will provide relief to passengers from the rush for tickets during festivals.

Greater Kashmir 18 Sep 2026 8:29 pm

Sleeper Vande Bharat Express for Delhi-Varanasi passengers: New overnight service may launch around Diwali, with Prayagraj & Kanpur stops; heres what travellers need to know

Indian Railways is planning a second Sleeper Vande Bharat Express service. This new overnight train will connect New Delhi and Varanasi via Prayagraj and Kanpur. The service is expected to be introduced around the Diwali festival. The proposed train will operate at speeds of up to 160 kmph. The service aims to enhance travel convenience and significantly reduce journey times.

The Economic Times 18 Sep 2026 8:14 pm

CR to run 16 more special trains between Mumbai, Varanasi and Sultanpur

Central Railway will operate eight weekly special services between Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) in Mumbai and Varanasi. Another eight weekly special trains will operate between LTT Mumbai and Sultanpur

Mid Day 18 Sep 2026 6:08 pm

OPINION | What makes Modi different from other leaders?

BJP celebrated Prime Minister Narendra Modis birthday as Seva Sankalp Diwas. Motorbike yatras were held from Vadnagar (Gujarat) to Varanasi, and from Ujjain to Kolkata. Blood donations camps were organised and millions of diyas were lighted...

India TV 18 Sep 2026 5:20 pm

Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel joins Vadnagar-Varanasi bike yatra

The News Mill

The News Mill 18 Sep 2026 4:22 pm

Defence Minister, UP CM Launch Seva Sankalp Abhiyan on Modis 76th Birthday

On Prime Minister Narendra Modis 76th birthday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan in Varanasi, celebrating 25 years of Modis public service. The event included a bike rally with 500 youth embarking on a 20-day journey from Varanasi to Vadnagar, symbolizing Modis roots and leadership. This initiative aims to reflect the positive transformations in India under Modis governance, while also promoting unity through the Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat campaign.

The Hindu 18 Sep 2026 11:49 am

Telangana hostel warden held after 6 students drown during immersion

Hyderabad: A day after six students of Sirisha Memorial Charitable Trust drowned during Ganesh idol immersion in a lake near Patancheru, police on Thursday arrested the hostel warden on charges of negligence. The warden, identified as Varanasi Jay Prakash Rao, 53, was taken into custody around 8 am and later produced before a magistrate, who 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 .

The Siasat Daily 18 Sep 2026 9:25 am

PM Modis 25 years in public life marked by welfare for poor, foundation for Indias growth: Amit Shah

Vadnagar, Sep 17: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said Prime Minister Narendra Modis 25 years in public life should be seen as a period of welfare for the poor and foundation-laying for Indias prosperity. He was speaking after inaugurating the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan in Vadnagar and flagging off a bike rally to Varanasi to mark Modis birthday. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde were also present. Born on September 17, 1950, in Vadnagar in Gujarats Mehsana district, Modi turned 76 on Thursday. He completes 25 uninterrupted years in public office on October 7, having first taken the oath as Gujarat chief minister in 2001 before becoming prime minister in 2014. Addressing a gathering, Shah said the 25 years of Modis public life will have to be written in golden letters in history as the years of poor welfare. He said the period under Modis leadership had laid the foundation for Indias prosperity, made the country more secure and started the process of making India a global leader in infrastructure and digital public infrastructure. Shah said Modis tenure as PM would be remembered as a period of welfare for poor people and claimed that 25 crore people had been lifted out of poverty during this period. He said generations of people had waited for basic necessities such as houses, toilets, tap water, electricity, food and medical treatment. His 12-year tenure as prime minister will be known as a golden era for the 80 crore poor people of the country, Shah said, listing houses, electricity, tap water, five kg of free grain per person per month, health coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh, toilets and gas cylinders among the benefits delivered by the Modi government. Shah said Modi had personally experienced poverty after being born in a poor village and had, despite his circumstances, put before the country a vision of equitable and inclusive development. He said Modis 25-year public life was also marked by sustained personal work and service to the poor, backward classes, Dalits and tribals. Shah said he had worked with Modi during his organisational years in Gujarat and later when he became the CM and PM. The Union minister also praised Modis simplicity and said he had connected BJP workers across the country with the Nation First slogan. He said Modi had treated the entire country as his family. Referring to Modis years as Gujarat CM, Shah listed initiatives including water management, the Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana, Sagarkhedu Kalyan Yojana, industrial development, Vibrant Gujarat, an education hub and 24-hour electricity supply to villages. He said the state recorded an agricultural growth of more than eight per cent when Modi was the CM. The Gujarat model was subsequently taken to the national level after Modi took charge of the nation in 2014, he said. Shah credited the Modi government with introducing what he described as clear policies after a period of policy paralysis and cited GST, the JAM (Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, Mobile) trinity, Direct Benefit Transfer, banking reforms, FDI and PLI (Production Linked Incentive) as measures that had contributed to economic development. He also referred to expansion of roads, railways, airports, ports and digital infrastructure, saying the number of airports in the country had increased from 75 to 150. He mentioned PM Gati Shakti, Digital India and Startup India as initiatives that had opened opportunities for the youth. On national security, Shah cited the governments decisions on Article 370, the Citizenship Amendment Act, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, peace accords in the Northeast and military operations. He also referred to measures relating to women, tribal welfare, defence production and space programmes, including Chandrayaan and Aditya L1. Shah said Modis public life could be summed up in two words -- India First. Earlier, CM Patel said the bike rally from Vadnagar to Varanasi was not merely a journey but a pledge-driven mission dedicated to serving the nation. He said Vadnagars soil had inspired Modi with patriotism, simplicity and a spirit of service and that his 25 years of public life had contributed to the countrys transformation. Patel said India had emerged as a major opportunity for youth and highlighted developments in digital payments, space technology, artificial intelligence and semiconductors. He said the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan should take Modis message of public service to every household and called for building a Viksit Gujarat as part of the vision of a Viksit Bharat. A simultaneous rally was flagged off from Varanasi, PMs Lok Sabha constituency, with the two journeys planned to conclude on October 7, the day Modi completes 25 years as CM of Gujarat and Indias PM. According to the BJP, the two rallies will together cover about 40,000 km through 193 districts and around 1,159 villages across 10 states. Around 1,000 youths will participate, it said. At Vadnagar, Shah, Patel and other leaders first performed Maha-aarti at Sharmishtha Lake and then walked to the ancient Hatkeshwar temple of Lord Shiva. Shah prayed for Modis long life and good health before flagging off the rally, said officials. Shah said the BJP and its allies had launched the campaign to take the message of Modis 25 years of public service to people across the country and inspire younger generations to work towards the goal of a developed India by 2047.

Greater Kashmir 18 Sep 2026 6:39 am

LG, elected govt need to work in close coordination in UT with legislature: Puducherry LG

Puducherry, Sep 17:Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry K Kailashnathan, a former IAS officer of the Gujarat cadre, has asserted that the Lieutenant Governors administration and the elected government need to work in close coordination in a Union Territory with a legislature. Interacting with journalists from Kashmir and Varanasi during a PIB tour, Kailashnathan said differences of opinion between the LG administration and the Chief Ministers Office could arise, but these should not necessarily be viewed as conflicts. Conflicts do take place between the two, but I wont consider them conflicts; rather, they are differences in opinion, he said. The Puducherry LG said that the Lieutenant Governor in a UT with a legislature enjoys substantial powers, but this should not become an issue when the LG administration and elected government function in coordination. I clear 99 per cent of the files forwarded by the elected government, except files concerning backdoor appointments, Kailashnathan said. He stressed the importance of coordination between the constitutional authorities for ensuring smooth governance and effective implementation of development initiatives in a Union Territory with an elected legislature. Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory administration and Puducherry UT administration share almost the same model of governance.

Greater Kashmir 18 Sep 2026 6:30 am

47 gamblers nabbed with over Rs 21L in Varanasi

The Times of India 18 Sep 2026 12:15 am

Vishwakarma Puja celebrated at BLW, police lines, workshops

The Times of India 18 Sep 2026 12:15 am

Second sleeper Vande Bharat planned on Delhi-Varanasi route

The Times of India 18 Sep 2026 12:14 am

Cong observes Modis bday as unemployment day

The Times of India 18 Sep 2026 12:14 am

Modi is right leader for Indias present, future: Andhra CM

The Times of India 18 Sep 2026 12:13 am

PM Modi symbol of Indias global respect: Paswan

The Times of India 18 Sep 2026 12:13 am

Yatras begin from Kashi to Modis birthplace

The Times of India 18 Sep 2026 12:11 am

Lamps lit to highlight public service good governance

The Times of India 18 Sep 2026 12:10 am

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Praises Modis Vision for a Developed India

CM N. Chandrababu Naidu lauds PM Modis efforts to elevate India to developed nation status during a recent event in Varanasi. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Praises Modis Vision for a Developed India

Daily Kiran 17 Sep 2026 11:49 pm

Naidu Highlights Modis Vision for Developed India

Andhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu praises PM Modi for his efforts to elevate India to developed nation status during a recent event in Varanasi. Naidu Highlights Modis Vision for Developed India

Udaipur Kiran 17 Sep 2026 11:47 pm

Gujarat CM joins 'Shramdaan' at PM Modis birthplace, plants trees under Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam

Digital Desk | Vadnagar, Sep 17 (IANS) Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Thursday joined a cleanliness drive at the Vadnagar Bus Port, participating in Shramdaan and planting trees as part of statewide programmes marking Prime Minister Narendra Modis birthday and his 25 years in public service. Patel took part in the cleanliness activity at the bus port in Vadnagar, PM Modis birthplace, under the Swachhata Hi Seva initiative. He also planted trees under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign, combining the cleanliness drive with a message of environmental conservation. The programme was organised as part of the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan and Seva Setu programmes being held across Gujarat to mark PM Modis birthday and commemorate his 25-year journey in public service. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Gujarat Energy Minister Rushikesh Patel, local public representatives, government officials and a large number of citizens joined the Chief Minister during the Shramdaan at the Vadnagar Bus Port. The participants also extended their wishes for PM Modis good health and well-being on his birthday. The programme formed part of a series of events in the town on Thursday, with senior BJP leaders and the state government organising public-service and cleanliness activities to mark the occasion. Earlier in the day, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel participated in a Maha Aarti at Sharmishtha Lake in Vadnagar and offered prayers for Modis long life and well-being. The leaders later undertook a padayatra from Sharmishtha Lake to the historic Hatkeshwar Mahadev Temple, where they offered prayers for the progress of the state and country. A bike rally from Vadnagar to Varanasi was also flagged off from the Hatkeshwar Temple by Shah, Patel and other dignitaries. Around 250 bikers are taking part in the rally, carrying the message of public service and nation-building along the route. The bikers are also carrying water collected from Sharmishtha Ghat in Vadnagar, which is to be taken to Varanasi for Jalabhishek at the Kashi Vishwanath temple. The initiative is intended to symbolise the connection between the two historic cities associated with PM Modi. HM Shah subsequently participated in a cleanliness drive at Vadnagar Railway Station, where trees were also planted under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign. The statewide programmes, being held under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan and Seva Setu, include activities focused on public service, cleanliness and community participation.

bhaskarlive 17 Sep 2026 9:31 pm

PM Modi taking India towards league of developed nations: Chandrababu Naidu

Digital Desk | Amaravati, Sep 17 (IANS) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said on Thursday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is taking India towards the league of developed nations. Participating in the VaranasiVadnagar Seva Sankalp Abhiyan programme in Varanasi on Thursday to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modis 25 years in public service, he said PM Modi believes that serving the people is serving the nation. According to a release by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) here, Chandrababu Naidu called Kashi the karmabhoomi of PM Modi, who has been elected to the Lok Sabha from Varanasi three times. Kashi has not merely elected a leader for Varanasi, but has given the country a leader, he added. The TDP chief, who began his speech with a few Hindi words, said the country was changing and progressing. The Chief Minister claimed that under Prime Minister Modis leadership, 25 crore people have come out of poverty and 80 crore people are receiving free foodgrains. Through schemes such as Jal Jeevan Mission and AMRUT, drinking-water facilities have been extended to four crore households, he said. PM-KISAN is benefiting 11 crore farmers, with funds being transferred directly into their bank accounts without intermediaries, he said. At a time when several countries were facing crises, Prime Minister Modi provided leadership that protected the interests of 140 crore Indians, the Chief Minister said. Chandrababu Naidu said Prime Minister Modi encouraged the production of 200 crore COVID vaccine doses and India supplied COVID vaccines free of cost to 101 countries, describing it as an expression of humanitarian concern. Policies such as Atmanirbhar Bharat and Vocal for Global strengthened the Make in India concept. India had earlier depended on imports for defence equipment, but has now reached a stage where it is exporting defence equipment, he said. The Prime Minister has understood emerging technologies such as space, drones, quantum technology, semiconductors and robotics, and is creating opportunities for the youth through them, Chandrababu said. The Chief Minister said that while youth earlier largely depended on employment, India now has 2.20 lakh start-ups, enabling young people to become job creators. India ranks third among countries with strong start-up ecosystems, he said. Naidu described the Prime Ministers initiatives for womens welfare and empowerment as significant, citing Beti BachaoBeti Padhao and Lakhpati Didi. Ujjwala provides access to clean fuel, Mudra facilitates access to finance, and self-help groups are strengthening confidence and economic participation among women. The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, providing 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures, would be a game changer, he said. Chandrababu Naidu said India had emerged as a strong global power and cited Operation Sindoor as an example of the countrys response to security challenges. He congratulated Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for the conduct of Operation Sindoor. Recalling his own experience of confronting Naxalism, he said the country had now made significant progress in eliminating Naxalism and Maoism. The Chief Minister praised the completion of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, saying that a long-pending aspiration had been realised. He said the Andhra Pradesh government proposes to construct a Lord Venkateswara temple in Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Rama. He appealed to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to allot 10 acres of land for the construction of the Venkateswara temple. The VaranasiVadnagar Seva Yatra was launched as part of the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, which connects Varanasi, Prime Minister Modis parliamentary constituency, with Vadnagar, his birthplace. Earlier, Chandrababu Naidu offered prayers to Lord Kasiviswanath along with Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Chirag Paswan, and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

bhaskarlive 17 Sep 2026 8:46 pm

Priyanka Chopra Jonas wishes Nick Jonas on his 34th birthday with loved-up photos and Maltis adorable video; see post

Priyanka Chopra marked husband Nick Jonas 34th birthday on September 17 with a series of personal pictures and a video featuring their daughter, Malti Marie Chopra Jonas. The actor and singer received a birthday tribute from Priyanka, who shared glimpses of their family celebrations on Instagram. Priyanka began the post with a picture of herself kissing Nick on the cheek. In the photograph, Nick can be seen wearing a cap with the text, Sorry were golfing. The carousel also featured a few candid pictures of the birthday boy, including one in which he posed inside a private vehicle decorated for the occasion. The final slide of Priyankas post featured a video of Nick with their daughter Malti. In the clip, Malti can be heard singing while Nick accompanies her on the piano. Sharing the post, Priyanka penned in the caption, Happy birthday to the man that makes all our dreams come true.. everyday. We love you Gaga. Sound on @nickjonas @maltimarie. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Priyanka (@priyankachopra) Priyankas mother, Madhu Chopra, also extended her wishes to Nick on his birthday. She shared a series of pictures featuring Nick, his brothers Kevin Jonas and Joe Jonas, and Malti. Sharing the pictures, she penned in the caption, Happy Birthday, @nickjonas So grateful to have you as a part of our family. You're not just my son-in-law but truly like a son to me. She added, Your kindness, hard work, and the love you have for our family mean so much. Wishing you a day filled with happiness, love, and everything you deserve! Priyanka and Nick first sparked romance after connecting through direct messages on X. Their relationship progressed quickly, and the couple got engaged in August 2018. They married later that year in Rajasthan, holding both a traditional Christian wedding and a Hindu ceremony. The couple welcomed their daughter, Malti Marie Chopra Jonas, via surrogacy in January 2022. Since then, Priyanka and Nick have occasionally shared glimpses of their family life on social media. On the work front, Priyanka is set to return to Indian cinema with SS Rajamoulis Varanasi. She will be seen as Mandakini in the film, which also stars Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj Sukumaran in lead roles. Directed by SS Rajamouli, Varanasi marks Priyankas upcoming appearance in an Indian film. Also Read : Priyanka Chopra Jonas speaks on the magic of the unknown in new Bentley campaign BTS

Bollywood Hungama 17 Sep 2026 5:41 pm

HM Shah flags off Vadnagar to Varanasi bike yatra on PM Modis 76th birthday

Digital Desk | Vadnagar, Sep 17 (IANS) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday flagged off the Vadnagar to Varanasi bike rally from Prime Minister Narendra Modis birthplace in Gujarat, launching a multi-state journey that will carry the message of his 25 years in public life to villages along the route. The rally was flagged off from Vadnagar as part of the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) month-long 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan', being organised from September 17 to October 17 to mark PM Modis 76th birthday and his 25 years in public life. A parallel Varanasi to Vadnagar ride was also flagged off from PM Modis parliamentary constituency in Uttar Pradesh. Addressing the gathering before the flag-off, HM Shah said the Vadnagar-Varanasi journey would connect PM Modis birthplace with his karmabhoomi and take the message of his work to people across the country. The Vadnagar leg will pass through seven states. Around 300 bikers would leave Vadnagar, while another 300 would travel from Varanasi, taking the total number of participants in the two groups to 600. The riders will cover villages along the route and highlight PM Modis 25 years of public service, he said. The Home Minister said the journey would begin from the premises of the Hatkeshwar Mahadev Temple in Vadnagar and proceed towards Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi. The BJP had earlier announced that the two simultaneous journeys would culminate on October 7, the date on which PM Modi became Gujarat chief minister in 2001. The wider campaign has been planned as a nationwide outreach programme, with activities including service initiatives, public programmes and events highlighting PM Modis political journey. The bike campaign said the twin routes would together cover about 40,000 km, passing through 193 districts and 1,159 villages, with the wider network spanning 10 states. At the Vadnagar event, HM Shah said the purpose of the ride was to take account of PM Modis work beyond cities and reach people in villages. He said the campaign is also intended to familiarise younger generations with PM Modis political journey. Today is Modi jis birthday, but October 7 is the day on which he will complete 25 years as the chief minister of the state and the Prime Minister of the country, Shah said. The flag-off followed a programme at Vadnagar that included a Maha Aarti at Sharmishtha Lake, a foot march and the launch of a cleanliness campaign. HM Shah had earlier offered prayers at the Hatkeshwar Mahadev Temple and wished PM Modi a long and healthy life. The Seva Sankalp Abhiyan is being conducted across the country during the month-long period, with BJP units organising various public-service and outreach activities.

bhaskarlive 17 Sep 2026 5:01 pm

Celebrating Modis Birthday: Rituals and Festivities in Varanasi

Prime Minister Modis 76th birthday was celebrated in Varanasi with rituals, prayers, and a grand display of devotion by local supporters. Celebrating Modis Birthday: Rituals and Festivities in Varanasi

Daily Kiran 17 Sep 2026 4:49 pm

Top BJP leaders visit temples on Modi's 76th birthday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 76th birthday was celebrated with extensive programmes in Varanasi, his Lok Sabha constituency. Events included special prayers by 76 young priests, a milk 'abhishek' of the Ganga, and a significant 'Seva Sankalp' motorcycle journey from Varanasi to Vadnagar, Modi's birthplace, involving 500 participants. Several prominent political figures, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, participated in the celebrations, offering prayers for Modi's health and India's progress.

Rediff 17 Sep 2026 4:01 pm

PM Modis 76th Birthday: NDA Allies Gather in Varanasi

NDA leaders gather in Varanasi for PM Modis 76th birthday as the BJP begins a month-long public service campaign across the country.

bhaskarlive 17 Sep 2026 3:43 pm

PM Modis birthdays over the years marked by welfare initiatives, major national projects

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 17 (IANS) A birthday is traditionally regarded as a day of personal celebration, but Prime Minister Narendra Modis birthday has, over the years, increasingly come to be associated with public service, welfare initiatives and programmes aimed at making a difference in the lives of people. In a post on X, Modi Story shared a video highlighting several initiatives and major events associated with Prime Minister Modis birthday over the years, including the launch of schemes such as the PM Vishwakarma Yojana in 2023 and the Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivaar Abhiyaan in 2025, as well as visits to major projects such as the Sardar Sarovar Dam in 2019. For most of us, a birthday is a day we make our own. For Narendra Modi, September 17 has come to mean something different. A family receives the keys to a new home. A new initiative opens doors for women. A long-awaited infrastructure project takes its first step, Modi Story posted. Year after year, the day has quietly become more and more about Seva. Perhaps there is no better way to celebrate another year of life than by making that day matter in someone elses, the post read. The video and accompanying post traced a series of initiatives and public engagements undertaken on or around Prime Minister Modis birthday, highlighting programmes related to womens welfare, housing, traditional artisans, healthcare, wildlife conservation, vaccination and infrastructure development. In 2025, on the Prime Minister's 75th birthday, the 'Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivaar Abhiyaan' was launched as a nationwide health and nutrition outreach campaign. The initiative focussed extensively on customised medical care, health check-ups and welfare distribution for women and children, with the aim of expanding access to healthcare and related services. On his 74th birthday on September 17, 2024, Prime Minister Modi travelled to Odisha and launched the SUBHADRA Scheme, a flagship initiative of the Odisha government aimed at empowering women. During the same birthday programme, he participated in nationwide Griha Pravesh, or housewarming, celebrations for 26 lakh beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). To further strengthen the distribution of housing benefits in rural areas, Prime Minister Modi also officially launched the Awaas Plus 2024 App. In 2023, on his 73rd birthday on September 17, Prime Minister Modi launched the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, an initiative aimed at supporting traditional artisans and craftspeople, including weavers, goldsmiths, potters and cobblers, particularly those belonging to marginalised communities. In 2022, Prime Minister Modi travelled to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, where he formally launched the historic transcontinental translocation project involving the reintroduction of cheetahs in India. He released eight wild Namibian cheetahs into specially prepared enclosures, marking a major step in the project to restore the species to the country after its extinction in India in 1952. In 2021, the Central government conducted a major nationwide Covid vaccination drive on Prime Minister Modis birthday. India administered more than 2.5 crore vaccine doses in a single day, marking the highest single-day vaccination figure achieved during the pandemic. In 2019, Prime Minister Modi visited the Sardar Sarovar Dam to witness the project reach its peak water-level capacity. During the visit, he launched the Namami Narmada Festival and activated localised water conservation awareness initiatives across Gujarat. In 2018, Prime Minister Modi spent the day in his parliamentary constituency, Varanasi. During the visit, he dedicated rural development projects worth more than Rs 500 crore, including a major Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) project for the old city. In 2017, Prime Minister Modi dedicated the massive Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada River to the nation. In 2016, the government launched modules under the Divyangjan Sahayata Scheme, through which assistive kits, specialised computing devices and high-tech wheelchairs were distributed to thousands of persons with disabilities simultaneously across different states. In 2015, Prime Minister Modi visited Shauryanjali, an exhibition commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1965 India-Pakistan war. Across the years, these birthday engagements have combined welfare initiatives, development projects, public programmes and visits to significant national institutions and projects.

bhaskarlive 17 Sep 2026 3:40 pm

No political leader could match his 25-year tenure as CM and PM: HM Shah in Vadnagar, PM Modis birthplace

Digital Desk | Vadnagar, Sep 17 (IANS) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said that no political leader in independent India has completed 25 years tenure, serving as the head of state government and the Union government, while highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modis political journey during an event in Vadnagar, his birthplace. Addressing the launch of the 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' at Sharmishtha Lake, Shah said the campaign is being organised to take the message of PM Modis 25 years in public life to people across the country. A Vadnagar-to-Varanasi service yatra was also flagged off as part of the programme, linking PM Modis birthplace with his parliamentary constituency and political karmabhoomi. The campaign is being held from September 17 to October 7 to mark PM Modis birthday and his 25 years in public life. Since the country became independent till today, no politician has made a record of serving for 25 years as the head of a state and as the head of the country, Shah said. He described PM Modi as the only leader to have continuously received electoral mandates and public support through this period. Shah said the significance of the 25-year milestone would be marked on October 7, when PM Modi would complete 25 years since first becoming chief minister of Gujarat and subsequently serving as prime minister. He said the BJP and its National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners had decided to take the occasion to people across the country. The Home Minister said the Vadnagar-Varanasi journey would carry the message of PM Modis 25 years of work through villages across seven states. According to Shah, about 300 bikers would travel from Vadnagar and another 300 from Varanasi, taking the total number of riders to 600. The journey would connect Hatkeshwar Mahadev in Vadnagar with Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi, he noted. Shah said the campaign is not merely intended to mark a birthday but to introduce PM Modis life and public career to younger generations. He also sought to contrast the situation he said prevailed before PM Modi became prime minister with the political and economic conditions he attributed to the subsequent period. Referring to his own travels across the country between 2010 and 2013, Shah said there had been deep disappointment among people, with corruption cases being reported, concerns over internal security and questions over external security. When Modi ji became prime minister in 2014, and in 2026, 140 crore Indians are moving forward with enthusiasm, resolve and hope that by 2047 India will be foremost in the world, he said, describing the change in public confidence as a major achievement. Shah said that when PM Modi entered the Union government, there was policy paralysis, which he claimed was replaced by clearer policies. He linked this to Indias subsequent economic growth and said the country had moved from what he termed the Fragile Five to becoming the worlds fastest-growing major economy. He listed the Goods and Services Tax, the Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile system and direct benefit transfers among the measures introduced under PM Modis government. He also referred to banking reforms, foreign direct investment and production-linked incentives, saying these had contributed to manufacturing growth. Shah cited infrastructure expansion as another area of change, pointing to roads, railways, airports, ports and digital infrastructure. The number of airports had increased from 75 to 150 and referred to PM Gati Shakti as an effort to coordinate infrastructure projects through technology and time-bound implementation, he said. He also mentioned Digital India and Startup India, saying they had opened opportunities for young people, while improved connectivity in border areas had contributed to national security. On national security and law, Shah cited the abrogation of Article 370, the abolition of triple talaq, the introduction of the Citizenship Amendment Act and the new criminal codes. He also referred to the governments stated objective of making 'India free of Naxalism', peace agreements in the North-East, and military operations including the surgical strikes, air strikes and Operation Sindoor. Shah said women had received greater opportunities in the armed forces, police, science, start-ups, drones and sports. He also referred to Eklavya schools, PM Janman and Vibrant Villages in the context of tribal welfare. He mentioned the construction of the new Parliament building and installation of the Sengol as measures he said had strengthened ational consciousness. He also referred to Chandrayaan, Aditya-L1 and the naming of the Shiv Shakti Point, along with One Rank One Pension and the creation of the Chief of Defence Staff. Turning to PM Modis years as Gujarat chief minister, Shah cited the states 24-hour electricity supply to villages, agricultural development, the Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana and Sagarkhedu development scheme, industrial development, Vibrant Gujarat and initiatives in education. He said providing round-the-clock electricity had effects beyond household convenience. This is not only a question of convenience. As soon as electricity arrived, business arrived. As soon as electricity arrived, education arrived. As soon as electricity arrived, health arrived. As soon as electricity arrived, infrastructure arrived, he said. Shah said the Vanbandhu and Sagarkhedu schemes had been intended to make development sarvasparshi and sarvasamaveshi by extending it to tribal communities and villages along the coast. The Gujarat model subsequently formed the basis of the political mandate PM Modi received in 2014, he added.

bhaskarlive 17 Sep 2026 1:55 pm

'No one can accuse him of corruption: HM Shah on PM Modis public life

Digital Desk | Vadnagar, Sep 17 (IANS) Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, on Thursday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modis political opponents could not accuse him of corruption, as he highlighted what he described as his clean public life, during a birthday event in Vadnagar. Addressing a gathering at Sharmishtha Lake during the launch of the 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan', HM Shah said PM Modi had spent 25 years in public life without facing allegations of corruption from his opponents. He also linked what he described as PM Modis personal integrity to the absence of a visible political family network around him. For 25 years of public life, there has not been a single stain on his kurta. Even his opponents, even those in the Opposition, cannot accuse Modi ji of corruption, HM Shah said. He compared PM Modis political career to a lotus, saying that despite operating in a difficult political environment, he had maintained a clean record. Shahs remarks formed part of a broader account of PM Modis personal life, political career and years in government as the Prime Minister turned 76 on Thursday. The 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' has been launched to mark his birthday and 25 years in public life, with the campaign scheduled to continue until October 7. The event in Vadnagar included a Maha Aarti at Sharmishtha Lake, a march to Hatkeshwar Mahadev Temple, the launch of the Vadnagar-to-Varanasi service journey and a cleanliness campaign. A bike yatra linking PM Modis birthplace with Varanasi, his parliamentary constituency, was among the central activities of the programme. I have worked with PM Modi closely from his organisational years in Gujarat through his tenure as chief minister and subsequently as prime minister, he said. Shah also pointed to PM Modis personal simplicity and family background. He said that despite 25 years in public office, there was little public knowledge of PM Modis relatives. Modi jis family is known to the entire country, because Modi ji has considered India his family, Shah said, adding that PM Modi regarded the countrys people as his family. The Home Minister also used the occasion to contrast PM Modis public life with what he said were earlier practices surrounding public awards and recognition. He said that when he had been in Delhi from 2010 to 2013, Padma Awards had often involved recommendations from influential circles. The awards have subsequently come to recognise people working for communities across different states and regions, he said. Shah ended his address by saying that PM Modis life could be summed up in two words Bharat First. He had dedicated himself to the welfare of the country and its people, he added.

bhaskarlive 17 Sep 2026 1:37 pm

Rajnath Singh, CM Yogi, Chandrababu Naidu offer prayers on PM Modi's birthday, distribute prasad in Varanasi

Mega celebrations are taking place across the country for PM Modi's birthday on Thursday. From Kashi to Vadnagar, people are offering prayers at temples for PM Modi's long life. Preparations are underway to light lamps...

India TV 17 Sep 2026 1:30 pm

Andhra leaders greet Modi at 76; Naidu in Varanasi to mark PMs 25 years in office

Naidu, Pawan Kalyan, Lokesh and Jagan Mohan Reddy wish the Prime Minister on X as the BJP opens its month-long Seva Sankalp Abhiyan

The Hindu 17 Sep 2026 12:25 pm

Andhra Pradesh CM Naidu to participate in Seva Sankalp Abhiyan in Varanasi

Seva Sankalp Abhiyan is planned in Varanasi to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modis 25 years in public service

The Hindu 17 Sep 2026 11:56 am

'Dedicated 25 years to nation's service': Shah flags off bike rally from Vadnagar on PM Modi's 76th birthday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is celebrating his 76th birthday on Thursday, with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led programmes being organised across the country as part of the month-long Seva Sankalp Abhiyan. The Vadnagar to Varanasi bike rally is among the key events marking the occasion and Modi's 25 years in public service.PM Modi Turns 76 Now, Amit Shah Flags Off Vadnagar Bike Rally To Varanasi Under Seva Sankalp Abhiyan

India TV 17 Sep 2026 11:46 am