Drone hits gas storage tanker at Egypt's Mediterranean port: British maritime security firm
Port services firm Inchcape said in a separate message two gas tankers had caught fire at Damietta
Salman Rushdie testifies against man charged with stabbing him
Hadi Matar is charged with attempted murder and assault for attacking Mr. Rushdie as he was preparing to give a speech in August 2022, stabbing him more than a dozen times.
Here is a select list of stories to start the day
Based on the mythological epic, the film stars Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Yash,Sunny Deol, Rakul Preet, Saurabh Sachdeva, Lara Duttaand Ravi Dubey in pivotal roles.
Bihar cabinet gives nod to fill up 22,981 posts of Anganwadi workers
Nod for creation of 19 posts of District & Additional Sessions Judge for Exclusive Special Courts; Three posts of DASJ created for Additional Special Courts
Chief Secy reviews Rs 4,303 crore RIDF projects across J&K
Srinagar, Jul 29: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Wednesday chaired a meeting of the High-Powered Committee (HPC) constituted for reviewing the implementation of NABARD projects being executed under various tranches of the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF). The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture Production Department; Additional Chief Secretary, Public Works (R&B); Additional Chief Secretary, Finance; Director General, Resources; Chief General Manager, NABARD; and senior officers from Health, Jal Shakti and other concerned departments. The Chief Secretary impressed upon the concerned departments to maintain a ready shelf of projects complete in all respects, including Administrative Approval and Technical Sanction, so that the same can be submitted to NABARD immediately upon the opening of a new RIDF tranche or receipt of sanction, thereby ensuring timely appraisal, approval and commencement of works without any avoidable delay. The Chief Secretary emphasised that RIDF has emerged as one of the most significant sources of institutional finance for strengthening rural infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir. He observed that the successful implementation of these projects is vital for improving rural connectivity, irrigation facilities, agricultural productivity, drinking water infrastructure, horticulture, fisheries and other essential public services. He further instructed the departments to closely monitor the physical and financial progress of each project, conduct periodic field inspections, strengthen inter-departmental coordination and ensure compliance with NABARD guidelines. The executing agencies were also advised to maintain the highest standards of quality, transparency and accountability during project implementation. On this occasion the Additional Chief Secretary, Finance, Shailendra Kumar underscored the need for regular monitoring at all administrative levels so that the benefits of RIDF investments reach efficiently to the intended beneficiaries. He suggested constitution of District level monitoring Committees under the respective Deputy Commissioners for time-bound implementation of such projects here. A detailed presentation was made by CGM, NABARD informing the Committee that 908 projects sanctioned under RIDF Tranches XXVIII to XXXI involve a cumulative loan assistance of Rs 4,303.08 crore, against which an amount of Rs 2,301.48 crore has been disbursed so far. Additionally out of the total sanctioned projects, 157 projects have been completed, while 751 projects are presently under execution. The Committee also reviewed the department-wise implementation status of RIDF projects. It was informed that the Public Works Department (PWD) accounts for the largest share with 660 projects involving a total loan assistance of Rs 2,987.25 crore, followed by the Jal Shakti Department with 36 projects worth Rs 491.93 crore, the Agriculture Production Department (APD) with 110 projects involving Rs 414.27 crore, the Horticulture Department with 19 projects worth Rs 104.52 crore, the Animal/Sheep Husbandry & Fisheries Department with 63 projects amounting to Rs 190.14 crore, and H&ME with 20 projects involving Rs 114.97 crore. Overall, 908 projects with a cumulative loan assistance of Rs 4,303.08 crore have been sanctioned under RIDF Tranches XXVIII to XXXI, against which Rs 2,301.48 crore has been disbursed. A total of 157 projects have been completed, while 751 projects are under execution, with 193 Scheme Monitoring Proformas (SMPs) currently under monitoring. The meeting concluded with a comprehensive review of department-wise progress, identification of critical issues requiring immediate intervention, and issuance of directions for ensuring timely completion of all ongoing RIDF projects across the Union Territory.
The Standing Committee on Coal, Mines and Steel noted in their latest report that many washeries of Coal India have outlived their designed operational life and are constrained by legacy technology.
Commonwealth Games: Gavit, Basil script historic 1-2 finish for India in mens 100m T47 final
Gavit clocked a Games record and season-best time of 10.71 seconds to take the top spot with a clear lead, while Basil produced a season-best 10.83 seconds to finish second in a closely-fought race
Delhi HC declines to stay HPV vaccination drive, seeks Centres reply
The court was hearing a public interest litigation seeking a review of the decision to introduce the HPV vaccine, raising concerns over its long-term safety, lack of informed consent, and monitoring of adverse events
IFFJK 2026 draws global response
Srinagar, Jul 29: The 1st International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK) 2026 has evoked an enthusiastic response from filmmakers across the globe, with 875 film submissions received from around 50 countries so far, reflecting the growing international interest in the J&K Government's flagship cinematic initiative. The film submission window for the festival will remain open until tomorrow, 30 July 2026, providing filmmakers with the final opportunity to register their entries for participation in the inaugural edition of the festival. The IFFJK, organised by the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) in collaboration with the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), is scheduled to be held from 7 to 10 September 2026. The festival aims to establish Jammu and Kashmir as a vibrant destination for cinema, creativity, and cultural exchange, while providing a prestigious platform for filmmakers from across the world to showcase their work. The encouraging response from both national and international filmmakers underscores the growing confidence in Jammu and Kashmir as an emerging hub for film production, cinematic excellence, and creative collaboration. The diversity of submissions received from around 50 countries is expected to enrich the festival with a wide spectrum of storytelling traditions, artistic perspectives, and innovative filmmaking. The four-day festival will feature screenings of selected films, interactive sessions, masterclasses, panel discussions, and cultural engagements, offering opportunities for filmmakers, industry experts, students, and cinema lovers to exchange ideas and explore new avenues of collaboration. The IFFJK is envisioned as a significant step towards promoting artistic excellence, strengthening cultural dialogue, and showcasing the rich heritage, scenic grandeur, and creative potential of Jammu and Kashmir before a global audience. The festival also aims to promote the culture of Jammu and Kashmir through cinema, promote artistic excellence, cultural exchange, and cinematic innovation by exhibiting and recognising outstanding films from around the world. It also envisions contributing to the understanding and appreciation of film cultures of different nations within the context of their social and cultural ethos, besides promoting friendship and cooperation among the people of the world through the medium of cinema. Pertinently, the curtain raiser ceremony of the festival was held on 17 July 2026, with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah formally launching the first-ever international film festival of Jammu and Kashmir and inviting filmmakers, artists, producers, and cinema enthusiasts from around the world to participate in the landmark event.
Man convicted in terrorism trial over 2022 stabbing of author Salman Rushdie
A jury found Hadi Matar guilty of all the charges against him, including engaging in an act of transnational terrorism
Srinagar, July 29: The University of Kashmir (KU) has been accorded the prestigious Category-I status by the University Grants Commission (UGC) under the UGC (Categorisation of Universities for Grant of Graded Autonomy) Regulations, 2018. According to an official communication issued by the UGC Secretary, Prof Shyama Rath (D.O. No. 91-1/2024(SU-1)/142186), the decision was approved during the Commission's 598th meeting held on July 6,2026, makingthe University eligible for enhanced academic, administrative, and financial autonomy available to India's top-performing higher education institutions. The University shall now be eligible for all the benefits as stipulated under Clause 4, i.e., Dimensions of Autonomy for Category-I Universities, of these Regulations, the UGC communication states. Expressing her delight over the achievement, Vice-Chancellor Prof Nilofer Khan described the recognition as a defining moment in the University's journey towards academic excellence. The grant of Category-I status by the UGC reflects the University's sustained academic progress and our collective commitment to quality. I sincerely thank our Hon'ble Chancellor, Shri Manoj Sinha, Pro-Chancellor, Mr Omar Abdullah, and Minister for Higher Education, UT of J&K, Ms Sakina Itoo, for their continued guidance and support in strengthening higher education in Jammu and Kashmir. I also congratulate our students, scholars, faculty and non-teaching staff, whose dedication and unwavering commitment have made this recognition possible. We will utilise the enhanced autonomy to further expand academic opportunities, research, innovation, and institutional collaborations, she said. Prof Khan further noted that the Category-I status would significantly enhance the University's global academic footprint by enabling collaborations with leading international universities, facilitating the engagement of foreign faculty, admitting international students, and offering new Open and Distance Learning (ODL) programmes in accordance with UGC regulations. She said the enhanced autonomy would further strengthen research, innovation, interdisciplinary learning, and internationalisation initiatives. The recognition follows the University's outstanding performance in the NAAC Re-accreditation Cycle (2025), in which it secured an A++ Grade with a CGPA of 3.68the highest accreditation score in the University's history. Under the UGC Regulations, Category-I status is conferred on universities that achieve a NAAC score of 3.51 or above. With this recognition, the University of Kashmir will enjoy greater flexibility to introduce new academic programmes, revise curricula, promote interdisciplinary education, establish research and innovation ecosystems, forge national and international collaborations, and undertake a range of academic and administrative initiatives with minimal regulatory approvals. The conferment of UGC Category-I status marks a significant milestone in the University's evolution as a centre of academic excellence and innovation, while reinforcing its commitment to the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and positioning it among the country's leading institutions of higher learning.
82,971 kg narcotics seized in J&K between 2020-2024
Centre cites four-tier NCORD mechanism for coordination Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Total Seizures (kg) 27,361.35 22,082.41 17,192.41 11,358.53 4,977.21 82,971.91 Table: J&K narcotics seizures, 2020-2024 Srinagar, Jul 29: Jammu and Kashmir saw the seizure of 82,971.91 kg of narcotics under the NDPS Act between 2020 and 2024, the Ministry of Home Affairs told the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, as it pointed to a four-tier Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) mechanism set up to strengthen enforcement coordination between Central and State agencies. The data was tabled in response to an unstarred question by MP Jebi Mather Hisham on cross-border narcotics trafficking and border security, with a focus on the North-Eastern states. Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai gave the reply, citing National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data for 2020-2024. Year-wise, seizures in J&K stood at 27,361.35 kg in 2020, 22,082.41 kg in 2021, 17,192.41 kg in 2022, 11,358.53 kg in 2023, and 4,977.21 kg in 2024, marking a consistent year-on-year decline over the period. The NCORD mechanism To explain how enforcement is coordinated on the ground, the ministry detailed the structure of the NCORD mechanism, which it said operates at four levels. At the top, an Apex Committee and an Executive Committee meet at the Centre. Below this, State-level NCORD meetings are chaired by the Chief Secretary on a quarterly basis, while District-level NCORD meetings are held monthly under the District Magistrate to review enforcement, intelligence sharing and preventive measures. The ministry said a dedicated Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), headed by an Additional Director General or Inspector General rank police officer, has been set up in each State and UT to function as the NCORD Secretariat and follow up on decisions taken at the various NCORD levels. Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) meetings, involving Central and State agencies, are also held regularly to discuss important narcotics cases. North-East remains the bigger worry While J&K's numbers form part of the national NCRB dataset, the government's answer devoted most attention to the North-Eastern states, which it said remain especially vulnerable to trafficking of Amphetamine Type Stimulants (ATS) and heroin owing to their location near the Death Triangle and porous borders with Myanmar. The ministry said 4,626 kg of ATS and 2,652 kg of heroin were seized nationally between 2021 and 2025 as reported by drug law enforcement agencies to the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB). The reply said trafficking patterns in the region have shifted, with a marked rise in Methamphetamine (Crystal Meth/YABA) smuggled from Myanmar through Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland, alongside continuing heroin trafficking. The Moreh Tamu border was flagged as a major transit point, with syndicates increasingly using forest routes, courier and parcel networks, and encrypted communication apps to coordinate deliveries. Other measures announced The government also cited a Vision Document on Narcotics Control (2026-2029), released on June 26, 2026, built around four focus areas: enforcement, precursor and synthetic drug control, demand and harm reduction, and capacity building. The NCB currently operates a Zonal Unit in Srinagar among its key border area offices, alongside Siliguri, Agartala and Itanagar. Six new zonal offices have been approved, four of them in North-Eastern states, namely Dimapur, Aizawl, Shillong and Gangtok. Other measures cited include anti-dronesystems, enhanced CCTV and night vision surveillance, and new design border fencing along vulnerable stretches.
BTS pulls out of Grammys after Asian pop category introduction
The South Korean megastars had been widely tipped to be in the running for several of the Grammys' top honours after their comeback album, ARIRANG, became one of this year's best-selling hits
Former world champion Tajay Gayle of Jamaica clinched the gold with a best jump of 8.15m while local favourite Stephen Mackenzie grabbed the last spot on the podium with an 8.08m effort.
FCRA Bill 2026, a threat to civil society organisations
The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 expands state control over NGOs and civil society
Indias theatre reform needs a readiness framework
Modernising military structures while maintaining readiness remains the key challenge
Unaddressed challenges: On Indias crisis in education
Indias crisis in education should not be treated as a technical failure
Hiding the scissors: On the Central Board of Film Certification
The censor board has strayed from the law that underpins its existence
Indias refusal to uphold a global gig work law
Convention No. 193 extends a floor of rights to platform workers regardless of classification, even if a company calls them employees or independent partners
Students return to Jantar Mantar over police crackdown
First protest at the site after CJPs 36-day agitation calls for a halt to police harassment in various States; Dipke seeks action over firing of pellet guns
MCD to shut unlicensed meat shops along Kanwar routes, camps by July 30
Man stabbed to death after objecting to molestation; minor held
Bills on ease of doing business, time-bound service delivery set to be tabled in Assembly
DJB approves Yamuna rejuvenation projects worth 4,500 crore
DU opens mid-entry round for UG admission; results of third allocation on August 8
DMK, BJP and AIADMK share rare camaraderie while flagging civic issues at Council meeting
BJP says DMK rule was better than that of TVK, with better implementation of civic projects in Chennai, while Congress praises the TVK government for local governance
Doctors Associations oppose proposal to appoint IAS officer to head Directorate of Medical Education
Minister N. Anand inspects desilting works at Velachery, Narayanapuram lakes
Chennai oral and maxillofacial surgeon receives ICOI Clinical Excellence Award
Man arrested for sexual assault on minor girl
Textile associations demand measures to reduce power costs in T.N.
Southern India Mills Association says the textile industry, which is labour-intensive, will benefit from a hybrid incentive structure that combines upfront capital subsidy, power tariff support, and technology upgrade assistance
Iran resumes missile attacks as U.S. and Saudis strike Tehran-backed militias in Iraq
AIADMK whip challenges amendment made to Assembly resolution against Mekedatu project
Madras High Court Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan are slated to hear the case on Thursday
Vijay to use a common elevator at Namakkal Kavignar Maaligai
The scourge beneath HYDRAAs excesses
The anti-encroachment bodys run-ins with the court point to a systemic problem
Reports of CPI(M) forming temple committee baseless, saysJayarajan
CPI(M) leader says reports that appeared in media are part of a deliberate misinformation campaign against the party
Indian Psychiatric Society urges mental health policy revamp
A delegation of psychiatrists met Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan at Thiruvananthapuram and submitted a memorandum seeking reforms in mental healthcare delivery, infrastructure and governance
Indo-Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry invites Indian companies participation
Deadline for the submission of applications is August 20
Man impersonating Customs officer flees with 12-lakh gold necklace at Chennai airport
Officials confirmed that no Customs officer had intercepted or seized any jewellery from the passengers
Will Rahul Gandhi speak for the rights of Tamil Nadu on Cauvery, asks Anbumani Ramadoss
PMK leader slams the Congress and the BJP for conspiring against Tamil Nadu on Mekedatu
The Teacher-Student Bond and the Future of Learning
The relationship between a teacher and a student is one of the oldest and most sacred human bonds. It is a relationship that has shaped civilizations, guided moral compasses, inspired revolutions in thought and given societies their thinkers, reformers and leaders. In every culture worth its name, the teacher has been placed at a high pedestal, not merely as a transmitter of knowledge but as a builder of character, a guide in confusion and a light in the darker corridors of ignorance. The student, on the other hand, has been seen not as a passive recipient of facts but as a seeker, a learner, a future custodian of society. When this relationship functions with trust, respect and sincerity, education becomes transformative. When it weakens, the entire architecture of learning begins to crack. In our time, the teacher-student relationship is under visible strain. The crisis is not only in the classroom but also in the wider social environment that surrounds it. Once upon a time, a teachers word carried weight. A student listened, questioned, absorbed and respected. Discipline was not fear; it was a framework within which learning flourished. Today, that balance has become fragile. In many places, the authority of the teacher has eroded, the attention span of the student has diminished, and the classroom has turned into a battleground between distraction and duty. This is not merely a complaint about manners or changing times. It is a deeper social warning. A society that weakens the moral bond between teacher and student weakens its own future. The relationship between teacher and student is not built on command alone. It rests on a delicate mix of respect, empathy, patience and responsibility. A teacher is not just an employee delivering a syllabus; a teacher is someone who enters the lives of young minds at a formative stage. The words spoken, the attitude displayed, the encouragement offered or denied all of it leaves a mark. Many of the most enduring lessons of life are not remembered from textbooks but from the conduct of a teacher who taught honesty by being honest, humility by being humble and courage by being courageous. A good teacher does not merely inform; he or she shapes the moral climate in which learning becomes possible. At the same time, students too have a responsibility. Respect for the teacher is not old-fashioned submission; it is recognition of a role that carries wisdom, labor and care. A student who constantly resists discipline, mocks authority or treats the classroom as a stage for indifference is not only harming his own prospects but also undermining the spirit of education itself. True learning demands effort. It asks for attention, humility and the willingness to be corrected. The best students are not those who never question, but those who question respectfully, listen carefully and grow steadily. A student does not lose dignity by respecting a teacher; rather, he acquires the discipline required to become a responsible adult. The problem, however, is that in todays fast-changing world, the old grammar of education is often being replaced by a culture of impatience. Smartphones, social media, instant entertainment and an overactive digital environment have shortened attention and diluted seriousness. Many students now arrive in classrooms carrying worlds of distraction in their pockets. The habit of deep listening has been replaced by the urge to scroll, skip and respond instantly. Teachers are no longer competing only with bad habits or weak study patterns; they are competing with an entire ecosystem that rewards speed over reflection and amusement over discipline. In such a climate, the teacher-student bond cannot survive unless it is consciously rebuilt. But it would be unfair to place the burden on students alone. Teachers, too, must introspect. Respect cannot be demanded merely by position; it must be earned through conduct. A teacher who humiliates, ignores, discourages or enters the classroom without preparation damages the very trust that education depends on. Authority without empathy becomes arrogance. Discipline without fairness becomes cruelty. Students, especially the young, are quick to sense insincerity. They may obey out of fear for a while, but they seldom learn deeply from a teacher who lacks compassion. A teacher must be firm, but also just; strict, but also understanding; knowledgeable, but also human. The strongest classrooms are not those built on fear, but those built on mutual regard. There is also a larger social dimension to this issue. In many societies, including ours, the teacher has gradually lost the moral stature once associated with the profession. Part of this decline is due to the commercialization of education, where institutions are often judged by results, fees and rankings rather than by the quality of human formation they provide. Part of it is due to the broader erosion of respect for institutions, where everyone is expected to serve convenience rather than principle. And part of it is due to the shrinking authority of public ethics, where values like humility, patience and responsibility are treated as optional rather than essential. When a society stops honoring its teachers, it should not be surprised when its students grow up directionless. In our own context, this concern is especially urgent. Education here is often discussed in terms of infrastructure, syllabus reforms, appointments and examinations. These matters are important, but they are not enough. What is missing in many debates is the emotional and moral condition of the classroom. Are students able to trust their teachers? Do teachers feel respected enough to teach with passion? Is the classroom alive with inquiry, or dead with routine? Are schools nurturing curiosity, or merely producing certificates? These questions matter because education is not simply the transfer of information. It is the cultivation of mind and character together. Without a healthy relationship between teacher and student, the rest becomes hollow. There was a time when a teacher was seen almost like a parent in the school setting. The relationship was not without discipline, but it had warmth. The teacher could correct a mistake and still remain loved. The student could fear punishment and still feel safe. This is the ideal that must be recovered, though not by romanticizing the past, but by adapting its values to present realities. A modern classroom needs structure, but also dialogue. It needs discipline, but also dignity. It needs accountability, but also encouragement. A student must learn respect, but a teacher must earn trust. That balance is what makes education humane. We must also remember that many of the wounds in this relationship begin early. Children observe adults carefully. If they see contempt in homes, violence in public life, dishonesty in politics and cruelty in institutions, they will carry that emotional grammar into the classroom. Respect cannot be taught only by lecture; it is learned by atmosphere. If the wider society is rude, cynical and self-absorbed, the school will struggle to remain a sanctuary of civility. This is why the teacher-student relationship cannot be isolated from the moral health of the society itself. A broken society produces impatient children. An insecure society produces anxious teachers. A distracted society produces shallow learning. At the same time, schools and colleges must create systems that protect and strengthen this bond. Teachers should be trained not only in subject knowledge but also in communication, classroom management and emotional intelligence. Students should be taught from the earliest stages that education is a shared moral space, not a consumer transaction. Parents should support teachers rather than undermine them at the first sign of conflict. Administrations should defend the dignity of educators while also ensuring accountability. Discipline should be understood as a pathway to freedom, not a prison of obedience. In such an atmosphere, the teacher can guide, the student can grow and learning can recover its sacred purpose. Ultimately, the teacher-student relationship is about the future. Every student carries the possibility of becoming a doctor, writer, engineer, parent, activist, entrepreneur or leader. But before that, each student must first become a human being capable of judgment, empathy and responsibility. This is where the teacher matters most. A syllabus may fill a mind, but a teacher can shape a conscience. A school may produce graduates, but only a meaningful teacher-student bond can produce citizens. In a time when our society is struggling with confusion, aggression and moral fatigue, we cannot afford to treat this relationship lightly. The classroom should once again become a place where the teacher speaks with authority earned through commitment and the student listens with respect earned through maturity. It should be a place where questions are welcomed, discipline is valued and learning is not reduced to examination scores alone. If we succeed in restoring this bond, we will not merely improve education; we will strengthen the social fabric itself. For a nation does not rise only through buildings and budgets. It rises when its teachers inspire, its students respect and its classrooms become workshops of conscience. The teacher-student relationship is not a relic of the past. It is the foundation of every serious future. If we neglect it, we will continue producing educated minds with little wisdom and trained hands with little direction. If we nurture it, we may yet recover the dignity, seriousness and human depth that education was always meant to carry. (The author is an educationist and columnist)
The Guru in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
Every age is remembered not merely for its inventions but for the ideas that shaped its conscience. The Industrial Revolution transformed the way human beings worked. The Information Age changed the way they communicated. Today, the age of Artificial Intelligence is redefining how people think, learn, create, and even make decisions. Machines can now compose poetry, diagnose diseases, translate languages, generate works of art, and answer complex questions within seconds. What once belonged to the realm of imagination has become an everyday reality. Yet amid this breathtaking technological revolution, an ancient question quietly returns to us with renewed urgency: Can intelligence replace wisdom, and can technology ever replace the guru? The celebration of Guru Purnima offers an opportunity to reflect upon this question with honesty and depth. Every year, millions express gratitude towards their teachers, mentors, and spiritual guides. Temples echo with prayers, educational institutions honour their teachers, and social media platforms overflow with quotations praising the greatness of the guru. While these expressions of reverence are heartening, they also compel us to ask whether our respect for the guru has remained as profound as it once was, or has gradually become confined to ritual, ceremony, and a single day of remembrance. Indian civilisation has always accorded the guru a place of unparalleled honour. This reverence was never accidental; it arose from a profound understanding of human nature. A teacher imparts knowledge, but a guru awakens wisdom. A teacher prepares a student for a profession, whereas a guru prepares a human being for life. One fills the mind with information; the other illuminates the conscience. It was for this reason that kings bowed before sages, princes spent years in hermitages before ascending thrones, and learning was regarded not as a means of earning a livelihood alone but as a path towards self-realisation. The guru was never measured by material wealth or public recognition. His authority flowed from integrity, simplicity, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to truth. He shaped not merely scholars but citizens, not merely intellectuals but individuals of character. Ancient India understood a truth that remains relevant in every age: knowledge without values can become destructive, and power without wisdom can become dangerous. The world we inhabit today is radically different from the one our ancestors knew. Knowledge is no longer confined to libraries or classrooms. A student sitting in a remote village can access lectures delivered by distinguished professors from across the globe. Books have found a home inside mobile phones, and artificial intelligence can provide explanations on almost any subject within moments. Never before has humanity possessed such unprecedented access to information. Ironically, never before has genuine wisdom seemed so elusive. The digital revolution has undoubtedly democratized knowledge, but it has also created an illusion that information alone is sufficient. We often mistake knowing for understanding and access for insight. Facts accumulate effortlessly, but wisdom demands reflection. Information answers questions; wisdom teaches us which questions are worth asking. Data can sharpen the intellect, but only discernment can guide its responsible use. This distinction becomes even more significant in the age of Artificial Intelligence. AI can analyse patterns with astonishing speed, solve mathematical problems, summarize complex documents, and even simulate human conversation. Yet it cannot experience compassion, practise forgiveness, exercise moral courage, or understand the quiet dignity of sacrifice. It may imitate human reasoning, but it cannot possess a human conscience. This is not a limitation of technology alone; it is a reminder of the uniqueness of the human spirit. The deepest lessons of life cannot be downloaded. They are cultivated through experience, introspection, relationships, and guidance. A machine may explain the meaning of kindness, but only a compassionate mentor can inspire us to become kind. It may define integrity, but it cannot instil it. It may describe humility, but it cannot embody it. The true guru therefore occupies a realm beyond the reach of technology. He does not merely answer questions; he transforms the person asking them. He does not seek to impress with information but to awaken understanding. His influence is measured not by the number of followers he gathers but by the lives he quietly transforms. Perhaps the greatest challenge before contemporary society is that it increasingly confuses visibility with wisdom. The digital world has created a new class of influencers whose opinions shape public attitudes on almost every aspect of lifefrom health and finance to politics and spirituality. Popularity is now measured through followers, likes, and views. Yet influence should never be mistaken for insight. A viral message may capture attention for a few moments; wisdom continues to guide generations. History reminds us that many of humanity's greatest teachers never sought popularity. They sought seekers rather than admirers. They encouraged inquiry rather than blind acceptance. Their greatest achievement was not to create dependence but to cultivate independent minds capable of distinguishing truth from illusion. This distinction is particularly important in an age where algorithms often reward speed over reflection and sensation over substance. Opinions spread faster than understanding, and certainty frequently replaces thoughtful dialogue. The result is a society that knows more but often understands less. The relationship between teacher and student has also undergone a profound transformation. In earlier generations, reverence for the guru extended far beyond the classroom. Gratitude did not end with graduation. Teachers remained lifelong sources of inspiration whose words continued to guide their students through the many seasons of life. Today, however, education is increasingly viewed through the prism of economics. Institutions compete in rankings, teachers are often evaluated as service providers, and education is frequently reduced to a pathway towards employment. There is nothing inherently wrong with preparing students for successful careers. Indeed, education must equip individuals with the skills required to earn a livelihood in an increasingly competitive world. The danger arises when employability becomes the sole purpose of education. A society may produce outstanding engineers, doctors, scientists, and entrepreneurs, yet still experience moral decline if it neglects honesty, empathy, responsibility, and compassion. The role of the guru has therefore become more important, not less. As technology expands human capabilities, the need for ethical guidance grows proportionately. Scientific progress without moral restraint has repeatedly demonstrated its capacity to harm humanity. The same intelligence that develops life-saving medicines can also create devastating weapons. Artificial intelligence itself presents enormous opportunities, but it also raises profound ethical questions concerning privacy, employment, accountability, and human dignity. These are not questions that technology can answer on its own. They require wisdom. Guru Purnima also reminds teachers that respect cannot be demanded simply because of a title or position. It must be earned through character, competence, and compassion. The reverence enjoyed by the great gurus of the past was not bestowed automatically; it arose because they lived lives of remarkable simplicity, intellectual honesty, and moral courage. They remained lifelong learners, constantly refining their understanding while inspiring others to do the same. Students, too, bear an equally important responsibility. Gratitude is not an outdated virtue. Every individual who has achieved excellence carries within them the invisible influence of parents, teachers, mentors, friends, or spiritual guides who offered encouragement during moments of uncertainty and correction during moments of error. Success may appear individual, but it is almost always the result of collective guidance. Perhaps the essence of Guru Purnima lies not in ritual but in remembrance. It invites us to pause amid the relentless pace of modern life and acknowledge those whose influence continues to illuminate our decisions. They may be schoolteachers who awakened our curiosity, parents whose sacrifices became our first lessons, mentors who recognised our potential before we recognised it ourselves, or spiritual guides who taught us to look beyond material success towards inner fulfilment. As humanity moves deeper into the era of Artificial Intelligence, robotics, automation, and digital transformation, the relevance of the guru will only increase. The more sophisticated our machines become, the greater will be our need for wisdom, empathy, and ethical judgment. Technology will continue to reshape the external world, but the inner world of human values can still be nurtured only through meaningful human relationships. The challenge before our generation is therefore not to choose between technology and tradition but to ensure that one is guided by the other. Artificial Intelligence is among the greatest achievements of human creativity, but it must always remain a servant of humanity rather than its master. For that to happen, intelligence must be accompanied by conscience, innovation by responsibility, and progress by wisdom. That is why the guru remains timeless. He is not a relic of the past but a necessity for the future. He reminds us that while machines may become increasingly intelligent, they cannot become morally awakened. They can process information with astonishing efficiency, but they cannot cultivate compassion, inspire integrity, or awaken the human soul. Those responsibilities still belong to enlightened human beings. In the final analysis, civilizations are not judged solely by the sophistication of their technology but by the wisdom with which they use it. Artificial Intelligence may shape the future of human knowledge, but only the enduring light of the guru can shape the future of human character. And as long as humanity continues its search for meaning, purpose, and truth, the guru will remain not merely relevant but indispensable. (The author is RK columnist and can be reached at: sanjaypanditasp@gmail.com )
Expert committee to inspect autonomous colleges in Calicut varsity
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Two days on, Bihar families wait for protesters release
Centre advances tunnel plans for Tangdhar, Gurez
Srinagar, July 29: The Union government has moved forward with plans to provide year round road connectivity to the border regions of Tangdhar and Gurez by initiating key tunnel projects aimed at reducing winter isolation. Replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said work has begun on preparing the Detailed Project Report for the proposed Sadhna Tunnel on the Kupwara, Tangdhar stretch of National Highway 701. The project is expected to improve access to Tangdhar, which remains cut off during heavy snowfall. For Gurez, the Ministry has invited bids to appoint a consultant for preparing the DPR of a proposed tunnel beneath Razdan Pass, a route that remains closed for several months every winter because of snow. The Minister said the government cannot yet indicate the estimated cost or completion timeline of either project as both are still in the planning stage. He also clarified that Gurez and the Marwah, Warwan region are not part of the National Highway network, so tunnel construction there does not fall directly under the National Highways programme. Until permanent infrastructure is completed, the Border Roads Organisation will continue snow clearance operations on highways and other roads under its control to maintain connectivity during winter as far as possible. The Centre also highlighted steps to strengthen healthcare facilities in these remote areas. Under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission, new health units have been approved for Gurez, including facilities at Dawar, Sheikhpora and Bhagote. Similar Block Public Health Units have also been sanctioned for Tangdhar and Teetwal. The government said free helicopter and air evacuation services remain available for critically ill patients from Gurez requiring treatment at major hospitals outside the region. These services are coordinated jointly by the district administration and the Health Department. For the Marwah, Warwan region, the Centre has sanctioned a Block Public Health Unit at Community Health Centre Marwah, an Ayushman Arogya Mandir at Margi and a six bed prefabricated facility at Primary Health Centre Afti. The Union government said healthcare is primarily the responsibility of the J&K administration, while the Centre continues to support the Union Territory through centrally sponsored health infrastructure and service programmes.
Govt orders probe into patients death at SKIMS Bemina
Srinagar, Jul 29: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has constituted a three-member inquiry committee to investigate the circumstances that led to the death of a patient at SKIMS Medical College Hospital (JVC Hospital), Bemina, on April 26, 2026. In an order of the Health and Medical Education Department, the committee has been tasked with conducting a detailed inquiry into the case and examining whether established medical protocols were followed during the patient's treatment. The committee will be headed by the Principal, Government Medical College (GMC), Srinagar, as Chairperson. Other members include the Head of the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, GMC Srinagar, and the Medical Superintendent of Children's Hospital, Bemina. As per the order, the panel will scrutinise all relevant medical records, treatment sheets, monitoring charts, nursing notes, investigation reports, operative notes, consent forms and other documents related to the case. The committee has also been directed to assess whether postpartum haemorrhage or any other obstetric emergency was adequately recognised and investigated after the patient reportedly complained of worsening symptoms. It will examine whether post-delivery monitoring was conducted in accordance with prescribed medical protocols and determine if the patient was shifted prematurely from the delivery area. The inquiry will further examine whether retained placental tissue, trauma during delivery, uterine abnormalities or clotting disorders contributed to the bleeding. It will also review the timeliness and adequacy of surgical intervention and subsequent management provided to the patient. Besides evaluating the role and conduct of doctors, nursing personnel and other staff involved in the patient's treatment, the committee has been asked to fix responsibility, if any, for lapses, negligence, omission, misdiagnosis or deviation from accepted standards of medical practice. The panel has also been directed to recommend corrective measures to prevent recurrence of such incidents in the future. The government has instructed the Principal of SKIMS Medical College Hospital, Bemina, and all concerned officers to extend full cooperation to the committee and provide all required records and documents. The inquiry committee has been asked to submit its detailed fact-finding report, along with documentary evidence, within 15 days from the date of issuance of the government order.
Livestream audio muted in CJIs court during oral mentioning as per directive
The public, media and lawyers were unable to hear the exchange between the Bench and lawyers mentioning their cases
Dhanlaxmi Bank records 24.91 crore net profit in Q1 of FY 2026-27
Total business reached 35,190 crore as on June 30, 2026, from 29,051 crore as on June 30, 2025, recording 21.13 % growth.
Phase-I work on new bypass nears completion
The new stretch has been laid 3-4 km away from Singarapettai High Road to prevent heavy vehicles from entering Tirupattur town to reach other districts
Japan quake: Rescuers continue search for survivors
Rescue operations are underway in southern Japan after a powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake left at least 13 people dead, damaged roads and buildings, and triggered a suspected explosion inside a shopping mall.
Three arrested for poaching in Vellore
The arrested made as well as sourced country-made explosives through acquaintances in Kerala
IRDAI greenlights reforms, policyholder fund norms, new general insurer
Mandatory tagging of the authorised sales person to every insurance proposal, policy and certificate of insurance is a key feature
Mehbooba visits slain cops family, flood victims in Budgam
Srinagar, July 29: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday visited Lalpora village in Beerwah Tehsil of Budgam district to offer condolences to the family of martyred Jammu and Kashmir Police Head Constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi, who lost his life in a terror attack in Anantnag earlier this week. During her visit, Mehbooba Mufti paid rich tributes to the brave police personnel and expressed solidarity with the bereaved family. She conveyed her heartfelt condolences and praised Head Constable Qureshi for his courage and sacrifice in the line of duty. Later, the PDP chief visited families affected by the recent flash floods in Beerwah, Budgam, and took stock of the losses caused by the natural calamity. Interacting with the flood victims, Mufti said the disaster was not limited to damage to buildings and property but had deeply affected the lives and livelihoods of many families. She said several traders had lost their shops, businesses, and belongings, leaving them uncertain about their future. She urged the government to take immediate steps for their rehabilitation and provide necessary assistance. Mehbooba Mufti appealed to the authorities to make the vacant Municipal Building in Beerwah available on a temporary basis for affected shopkeepers so that they could safely store the goods and belongings they managed to recover from the flood damage. She also demanded adequate compensation and rehabilitation measures for all shopkeepers whose establishments were damaged in the recent flash floods.
NHAI removes 361 encroachments from national highways after Supreme Court order
The nationwide drive ensured a smooth and effective enforcement of removing illegal access points, encroachments, unauthorised structures and median cuts along highways, the NHAI said in a statement
Taking serious exception to the conduct of a judicial officer on a public road, the High Court of Karnataka stayed the investigation against three persons based on a First Information Report registered against them for allegedly overtaking a private car of the judicial officer at Malur in Kolar district
Photo exhibition, PIB workshop mark 12 years of NDA government
Poet Anupama Raju and Bharatanatyam dancer Rajashree Warrier discuss their collaborative production
The production, NINE Our Circle of Lines, which blends poetry and dance, will be staged at Bengaluru Poetry Festival on August 1
Ramchander Rao accuses Congress of sacrificing Telanganas youth
Indias R&D spending crosses 0.8% of GDP for first time since 2010
A level last seen in 2009-10, official data reveal a structural shift: private industry accounted for 45.5% of national R&D spending in 2021-22, rising further to 51.8% in 2023-24, the first time businesses have contributed more to Indias research effort than all levels of government combined
CPI(M) Ernakulam district secretary accuses State govt., MP of inaction over FACT crisis
Hibi Eden rejects the allegations, saying he had raised FACT-related issues in Parliament and sought action on a nano urea plant
Centres assurance cannot override statutory processes governing withdrawal of FIRs, experts say
Once an FIR has been registered, it cannot simply be cancelled; police can file a closure report if it finds no material to proceed or the public prosecutor may seek withdrawal from prosecution; however, court can reject them and still order a fresh probe'
West Bank violence, annexation only getting worse: UN
The United Nations human rights office said that with attacks by Israeli settlers and the creation of outposts hitting an all-time high, countries had to act to end the occupation
Centre urged to develop Buddhist circuit in Krishna-Godavari region: A.P. Minister
Areas with unusually high or low ASDDO figures to be reviewed: CEO
In Bengaluru, at least nine Assembly constituencies have more than 40% of their electoratecategorisedunder ASDDO, while none has a figure below 30%.
Indias semiconductor chip production score will rise from 0% in 2025 to 13% by 2030: Forrester
However, the countrys tech sovereignty score is expected to move up very slowly from 32% in 2025 to 35% by 2030
Adi Ther festival at Alagarkoil draws large number of devotees
News from the world of Education: July 29, 2026
Information on admissions, scholarships, competitions for students, events for educators and more
Kunchacko Boban on donning khaki, again | Unmadham
Unmadham will be Kunchacko Bobans third film with writer Shahi Kabir, best known for writing cop stories drawn from his own experience as a policeman. Three cop roles with the same writer? This is from an actor who did not want to be stereotyped.
EAC-PM member Sanjeev Sanyal reveals how a 25-step, three-portal bureaucratic maze trapped citizens unclaimed shares and dividends, until a process overhaul pushed monthly approvals from 900 to over 14,500.
Israel army accuses Hezbollah of truce violation, launching drone in south Lebanon
The army said the incident took place in a strip of territory where Israeli forces are operating that runs around 10 kilometres deep inside southern Lebanon along its border with Israel
BJP alleges Rahul Gandhi spread misinformation on police action, demands apology
Sambit Patra accuses the Congress leader of insulting students by dividing the protesters at Jantar Mantar into three categories students, idiots and andhbhakt (blind devotees), and of repeatedly using the unparliamentary word idiot in the Lok Sabha
Kerala Police Association moves High Court against Home dept.s order restructuring police forums
ACS (Home) ordered restructuring of KPA including all ranks from CPOs to grade SIs, and revamp of KPSOA by including ranks from SI to SP (non-IPS). The move renders another association, KPOA, redundant. KPA contends that each forum has its own objectives and questions the ACS authority to pass such an order
Watch: Crackdown on CJP protests: Rahul launches attack on Amit Shah
Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi sack Union Home Minister Amit Shah and order a Supreme Court-monitored probe into the alleged police action against protesting students.
LIC pays 12,207.25 crore dividend to government
LIC said it is completing 70 years and as on March 31, 2026 the asset base stood at 59.03 lakh crore.
Karnataka Bank posts 418.95 crore net profit in Q1
Watch: Ministers, BJP MPs disrupted the House instead of countering Rahul : N.K. Premachandran
Son-in-law, grandson of house owner emerge as dacoity masterminds
Watch: Rahul Gandhis Amit Shah remarks spark political storm in Parliament
Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhis remarks targeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah during a debate on the Bill to prevent paper leaks triggered a sharp political confrontation in Parliament.
Allu Arjun appears virtually before Nampally court in Sandhya Theatre case
Tamirabharani not just a river but a deity and has personhood, says HC
The court says conferment of juristic personality in this case is only for a limited purpose, that is the right not to be polluted
Bombay High Court quashes Mumbai Police externment order against SDPI members
The FIRs against two members of the Social Democratic Party of India pertain to just sloganeering, with no harm to the public or property, the court says
Budgam: CRPF vehicle hits Chinar tree, 3 jawans injured
Budgam, Jul 29 : Three Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were injured after their vehicle collided with a Chinar tree near Sheikhpora in Central Kashmir's Budgam district on Wednesday. Officials told the news agencyKashmir News Observer (KNO) that the accident occurred after the driver reportedly lost control over the vehicle, causing it to crash into the roadside Chinar tree. They said three CRPF personnel sustained injuries in the incident. One of the injured personnel, was shifted to a hospital in Srinagar for advanced treatment, while the other two were admitted to a nearby hospital and are stated to be under medical care. Meanwhile, local residents, along with police personnel, immediately rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation. Eyewitnesses said the rescuers helped evacuate the injured CRPF personnel, who were trapped inside the damaged vehicle, before shifting them to hospitals for treatment(KNO)
Gukesh has his task cut out against in-form Sindarov
Car festival held at Soundararaja Perumal Temple
Durand Cup | Indian Air Force gets the better of Defenders FC
Three-year old girl sexually abused: mother, her second husband arrested
Parliament witnessed another stormy day as the Public Examinations Amendment Bill was passed amid fierce protests over the NEET-UG paper leak. We also unpack the renewed Cauvery water dispute, the safety concerns for Indian seafarers in the Black Sea, and other top stories.
