Monsoon 2026 LIVE: IMD issues red alert for thunderstorms, lightning in Delhi
Heavy rains that lashed several parts of Hyderabad on June 12 evening and continued through the night disrupted flight operations at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport
Here is a select list of stories to start the day.
USA starts World Cup bid with first game on home soil since 1994
Suspect dead after Texas shooting kills one, leaves nine others in hospital
Midland police said the active shooter situation ended hours after the gunfire erupted in one part of the city before ending up near a veterinary hospital.
South-Bangalore based institution blends legacy pedagogy with human-first practices to promote entrepreneurship through overall personality development in the new admission season
Strategic partnership combines railway engineering expertise and AI-powered asset intelligence to support smarter infrastructure monitoring, surveying, and lifecycle management
Chandigarh University not only provides quality education but also instills a spirit of patriotism, says Deepinder Sandhu
Delhi HC issues notice to Kala Hiran makers on Salman Khans petition
Appearing for Mr. Khan, advocate Nizam Pasha submitted that a poster released on May 29 depicted an individual bearing a striking resemblance to Mr. Khan, including his distinctive bracelet.
Punjab may go to polls in November, Mann to return as CM: Kejriwal
I have been told that the elections will be held in November [2026], not February [2027]. Only four months are left. Now we all have only one task to make Bhagwant Singh Mann Chief Minister again, said the ruling partys national convener.
Maharashtra to table Women Farmers Empowerment Bill during upcoming Monsoon Session
Mr. Fadnavis reviewed a preliminary presentation on the draft Bill at a meeting attended by Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar, Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharane and Minister of State for Agriculture Ashish Jaiswal at his official residence on Friday
Rabies Preventable with Timely Treatment: GMC
Srinagar, Jun 12: To raise awareness about rabies prevention and management, the Anti-Rabies Clinic of SMHS Hospital, Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar, has issued a public advisory highlighting the importance of timely wound care and vaccination in preventing rabies-related deaths. As per the advisory, rabies is a viral disease that affects the brain and nervous system of both humans and animals. While the disease is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, it can be completely prevented through immediate wound washing and timely vaccination after exposure. The virus is commonly transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, mainly through bites, scratches, or licks on broken skin and mucous membranes. The advisory notes that India records over 17 million animal bite cases annually, with nearly 96 percent of human rabies deaths linked to dog bites. In Jammu and Kashmir, animal bites are reported from both rural and urban areas, with dogs being the primary source of exposure. Health experts stressed that prompt wound washing and post-exposure vaccination can prevent rabies in nearly all cases. For individuals at high risk of exposure, including veterinarians, animal handlers, laboratory staff, wildlife workers, healthcare workers and travellers to rabies-endemic areas, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is recommended. The vaccination schedule includes doses on days 0, 7 and 21 or 28, followed by booster doses as per national guidelines. The advisory also outlines post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for people who have been bitten or exposed to potentially rabid animals. Unvaccinated individuals are advised to receive a full course of anti-rabies vaccination through either the intramuscular or intradermal route. In severe Category III exposures, Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG) should be administered on the first day and infiltrated around the wound whenever possible. Experts said that wound management is the first and most critical step after an animal bite. The wound should be washed thoroughly with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes, followed by the application of povidone-iodine or another suitable antiseptic. The advisory further recommends that previously vaccinated individuals who are re-exposed to rabies receive booster doses on days 0 and 3, while RIG is not required in such cases. Pet owners have been urged to vaccinate their dogs and cats regularly, seek veterinary check-ups, avoid allowing pets to roam freely, and prevent aggressive behaviour that may lead to bites. Reiterating that rabies is a notifiable disease in Jammu and Kashmir, the advisory called upon the public to report all animal bites and suspected rabies cases to the nearest health facility for prompt action. The department has also issued toll-free Rabies Helpline 15400 for guidance and assistance.
Odisha CM announces free education from KG to PG in govt. institutions
The State launches Chief Minister Annapurna Yojana, under which all beneficiaries of the National Food Security Act and State Food Security Scheme will receive, an additional 5 kg of rice per month free of cost
The beauty and benefit of comradeship in cut-throat athletics
Rivalries need not be bitter and damaging. When done right, they can push athletes to heights they could not have achieved alone. They also add a life-affirming tone to high-stakes competition. The recent Federation meet in Ranchi showcased many such battles
SED Orders Major Reshuffle, 22 Principals Placed as In-charge CEOs
Srinagar, June 12: The Jammu and Kashmir School Education Department on Thursday ordered a major administrative reshuffle by placing 22 Principals and equivalent officers as In-charge Chief Education Officers (CEOs) and issuing a series of transfers and postings across the Union Territory. According to Government Order No. 227-JK (Edu) of 2026, the placements have been made in the interest of administration and will take effect immediately. The officers have been placed as In-charge Chief Education Officers in their own pay and grade, subject to specified conditions laid down by the department. Among those placed as In-charge CEOs are Nazeer Ahmad Khan, Sarvadhaman Kumar, Pushpa Bhat, Veena Kumari, Irvinder Kour, Raj Kumari, Javid Iqbal Gulshan, Renuka Nagpal, Kalpana Jasrotia, Rozi Qureshi, Neetu Gandotra, Rafiq Ahmad Mir, Shadi Lal Gupta, Nikhat Mir, Anjum Raja, Farooq Ahmad Dar, Bashir Ahmad Ganai, Sapna Suri, Gh. Nabi Najar, Fayaz Ahmad Mir, Wahida Sheikh and Abdul Rashid Malla. The order also announced several transfers and adjustments. Oneel Kumar Bhat has been transferred from CEO Ganderbal to CEO Ramban, while Deepak Kumar Gupta has been posted as Principal DIET Reasi. Rifat Irfan Qadri has been transferred from CEO Budgam to Principal DIET Srinagar. Rafiq Ahmad Mir, presently serving at DEPO Headquarters Handwara, Kupwara, has been posted as CEO Bandipora. He will also hold the additional charge of Principal DIET Bandipora in addition to his own duties. Similarly, Javid Iqbal Gulshan has been posted as CEO Poonch and will hold the additional charge of Principal DIET Poonch, while Gh. Nabi Najar has been appointed CEO Baramulla. Anjum Raja has been posted as CEO Pulwama and Farooq Ahmad Dar as CEO Anantnag. The department has directed all concerned officers to join their new places of posting within ten days from the issuance of the order. Failure to do so will result in automatic cancellation of the placement without further notice, the order states. The order was issued by the School Education Department under the authority of Commissioner Secretary School Education Department, Ram Niwas Sharma.
Budgam School Bus Plunges Into Gorge; Driver Killed
Eyewitnesses cite slippery, narrowed road; demand accountability Srinagar, June 12: A school bus driver lost his life while two students sustained injuries after a school bus met with an accident in the Chadoora area of central Kashmirs Budgam district on Friday. According to police officials, the school bus, belonging to IPTS School Khansahib, reportedly lost control and plunged into a deep gorge in the Neegu Jabbad area of Brenwar, Chadoora. The driver died on the spot due to the impact of the crash. Two students travelling in the bus suffered multiple injuries and were initially shifted to Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Chadoora for medical treatment. Later, both injured students were referred to Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) Hospital, Srinagar, for specialized care. Soon after the incident, local residents, police personnel, and rescue teams rushed to the site and launched a rescue operation. Police have registered a case under FIR No. 78/2026 at Police Station Chadoora under Sections 281 and 125(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and further investigation has been initiated. Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Budgam, Athar Aamir Khan, along with Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Budgam, Hariprasad K.K visited SMHS Hospital Srinagar, to inquire about the condition of the injured students. During the visit, the DC met the injured children and their attendants and reviewed the medical treatment being provided to them. The DC directed the hospital authorities to ensure that the children receive the best possible medical care and all necessary assistance during their recovery. Meanwhile, residents of Neegu Brenwar in Chadoora tehsil of central Kashmirs Budgam district blamed the poor condition of the road, allegedly worsened by ongoing construction activity, for the school bus accident. An eyewitness, Tariq Ahmad, who said he was driving behind the bus at the time of the incident, alleged that work on a protection bund being executed by a contractor had left large amounts of mud spread across the road. The construction activity had narrowed the road and made the surface slippery. As the school bus was crossing that stretch, the driver lost control and the vehicle rolled into a deep gorge in front of my eyes, Ahmad said. He said he immediately alerted the Station House Officer (SHO) Chadoora, following which police and rescue teams reached the spot within about 20 minutes. According to Ahmad, the driver died in the accident while two schoolchildren sustained injuries. Following the incident, local residents raised concerns over the condition of the road and alleged that sufficient safeguards had not been put in place to ensure commuter safety during the ongoing work. They urged the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department to conduct a detailed inquiry into the incident and fix responsibility. The road had become narrow and hazardous because of mud accumulation from the construction work. Authorities must ensure proper safety measures are implemented while such works are being carried out, residents said.
ED arrests two former executives of Reliance Anil Ambani Group
The ED has taken transit remand of Sateesh Seth and Gautam Doshi, both of whom previously served as directors of Reliance Telecom Ltd., and is taking them to Delhi as the case is registered in the national capital, they said.
FIFA World Cup 2026: Canadas Larin salvages 1-1 draw against Bosnia in Group B opener
Cyle Larin, when introduced in the 76th minute, made an immediate impact, swivelling in the box and firing home a deflected strike less than three minutes later to equalise and send the home crowd into raptures.
GMC Srinagar Issues Pesticide Safety Advisory for Farmers
has advised farmers and orchard workers to adopt strict safety precautions to prevent pesticide poisoning and protect their families. In an advisory, GMC Srinagar said pesticide exposure can lead to serious health complications, including breathing difficulties, excessive salivation, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle twitching and seizures. Health experts warned that many poisoning cases can be prevented through proper handling and storage of chemicals. The advisory recommends that farmers wear protective equipment such as masks, gloves, boots and protective eyewear while spraying pesticides. It said spraying should always be carried out in the direction of the wind and never against it to avoid inhaling toxic chemicals. Farmers have also been advised to wash their hands thoroughly before eating, drinking or smoking and to take a bath and change clothes immediately after spraying operations. Contaminated clothing should be washed separately from other household garments. The health experts stressed the importance of safe storage of pesticides, saying chemical containers should be kept away from children and food items. Pesticides should never be stored in soft drink bottles or other household containers, as this can lead to accidental consumption. The advisory also calls on community members to remain vigilant and seek immediate medical help if anyone develops symptoms of poisoning after pesticide exposure. In such cases, people should call emergency services or rush the patient to the nearest health facility without delay. Doctors said timely treatment can save lives and urged farmers to prioritize safety while working in orchards during the spraying season. Prevention is the best protection. A few simple precautions can significantly reduce the risk of pesticide poisoning and safeguard the health of farmers, workers and their families, the advisory stated. The awareness campaign is part of GMC Srinagar's efforts to promote safe agricultural practices and reduce pesticide-related illnesses in Kashmir's horticulture sector.
Govt, Private Institutions Key to Education Growth: Sakeena Itoo
at the Civil Secretariat, Srinagar, to discuss issues concerning the Teacher Education Institutions across Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary, School Education Department, Special Secretary, Higher Education Department and other senior officers. The Minister emphasized the need for strengthening the infrastructure and creating quality, student-centric facilities in private colleges to ensure the delivery of high-standard teacher education. She directed the managements of private B.Ed colleges to submit undertakings for addressing all identified shortcomings, including land-related deficiencies, within a period of two years. She made it clear that no further relaxation would be granted beyond the stipulated timeframe. The Minister stressed that quality infrastructure, adequate facilities and compliance with the prescribed norms are essential for nurturing competent future educators and enhancing the overall standards of teacher education in Jammu and Kashmir. During the meeting, the representatives of the Private B.Ed College Association expressed gratitude to the Minister for taking up the issue of admissions in private colleges with the Union Government and relevant authorities to facilitate its early resolution. The Minister reiterated the governments commitment to building a vibrant and robust education system through the collective contribution of both government and private educational institutions. She said that the administration remains focused on ensuring quality education and improving academic outcomes for students in J&K. The meeting also discussed several other issues and concerns raised by the representatives. The Minister assured them that all their genuine demands and grievances would be examined sympathetically and addressed on priority.
A Star at the Frontier: How Saif Ali Khans Uri Visit Sparked Tourism Hopes
who believe the high-profile visit could give a significant push to the regions emerging border tourism sector. Nestled on the banks of the Jhelum River and known as the last Indian military post before Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK), Kaman Post has in recent years evolved into one of Uris most sought-after tourist destinations. The picturesque location, which also houses the symbolic Aman Setu (Peace Bridge), attracts visitors keen to witness the frontier landscape and learn about the regions unique history. Locals said Saif Ali Khans visit has brought national attention to a destination that remains largely unexplored by mainstream tourists despite its scenic beauty and historical significance. Whenever a celebrity visits a place like Kaman Post, people across the country become curious about it. We have already started receiving calls from tourists asking about the location after news of his visit spread, said a local tour operator in Uri. Residents believe the actors presence at the border destination will help showcase a different side of Kashmir - one that goes beyond the traditional tourist circuits of Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Srinagar. Kaman Post has tremendous tourism potential. It offers visitors a chance to experience history, geography and patriotism at one place. Saif Ali Khans visit has highlighted this destination before a wider audience, said Abrar Ahmad, a civil society member. Officials associated with tourism promotion in the region echoed similar sentiments, saying celebrity visits often act as catalysts for attracting new visitors. Border tourism in Uri has witnessed steady growth over the last few years. High-profile visits help create awareness and encourage travellers to explore lesser-known destinations. Such exposure is valuable for local businesses and the overall tourism economy, an official said. The opening of several frontier locations for tourism, coupled with improved road connectivity, has helped Uri emerge as an important destination for visitors seeking offbeat experiences. Kaman Post, in particular, has become popular among tourists interested in witnessing the LoC from close quarters and understanding the regions historical significance. Local traders and entrepreneurs hope the actors visit will translate into increased footfall during the ongoing tourist season. For us, every additional visitor matters. More tourists mean better business for transporters, hotels, restaurants and local vendors. If a celebrity visit helps put Uri on the tourism map, it benefits the entire region, said Sadiq Ahmad, a shopkeeper in Uri town. As photographs and reports of Saif Ali Khans visit continue to circulate on social media, residents of Uri are optimistic that the spotlight will encourage more travellers to venture beyond conventional destinations and discover the unique attractions of Kashmirs border belt. For many in Uri, the actors brief stop at Kaman Post is more than a celebrity visit but it is an opportunity to showcase the regions rich history, natural beauty and growing tourism potential to the rest of the country.
In the latest round of unrest, Pakistani Rangers and police have turned their guns and batons on unarmed civilians demanding nothing more radical than subsidised flour, lower electricity tariffs and fair representation. At least 15 people have been killed and many more injured as forces opened fire and lathi-charged demonstrators across PoK. This is not restoring order; it is collective punishment for daring to question Islamabads diktats. The protests, led by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) a platform of traders, professionals and civil society activists, have been branded a threat and banned. Bounties have been announced on prominent leaders. Peaceful assembly, the right to dissent, and freedom of association, all core human rights, have been trampled with complete impunity. A regime that answers bread-and-butter demands with bullets and sedition charges has forfeited any moral or political legitimacy. For decades, PoK has been run as a colony. The Mangla Dam, one of the largest in the world, was built without meaningful consent of those whose lands were submerged. Thousands were displaced and never properly rehabilitated. Their waters and hills power Pakistans cities, yet the same people are slapped with exorbitant electricity bills. Economic exploitation is enforced through military might, a double assault on livelihood and dignity. Over this sits a hollow political structure designed to keep real power out of Kashmiri hands. The socalled Legislative Assembly functions more as an extension of Islamabads bureaucracy and security establishment than as a genuine representative institution. A recent Pakistan Supreme Court verdict on the reservation of seats has only deepened the sense that PoKs politics is manipulated from afar. As analysts admit, bureaucrats in Islamabad and Rawalpindi script decisions while PoKs elected representatives are reduced to extras. Underdevelopment, unemployment, poor public services and a dense security grid have created a climate of fear and frustration. Arbitrary arrests, intimidation of activists, curbs on media and the constant presence of armed forces are daily realities. Pakistan lectures India on Kashmir, but in the territory it illegally occupies, it has built an ecosystem of coercion, not autonomy. The unrest in PoK carries an unmistakable political message. A population that Islamabad claims as its own is openly rejecting the terms of Pakistans rule. People want dignity, fair treatment and real representation, not slogans coined in Islamabad and amplified from Rawalpindis barracks. Every protest crushed by bullets, every activist silenced by a ban, every inflated bill shoved down the throats of the poor adds to Pakistans charge sheet of human rights abuses. PoK has become Pakistans 1971 warning in slow motion. The more Islamabad clings to occupation through force, the more it exposes the fragile, coercive foundations of its control. What holds PoK today is not consent but fear and fear is a crumbling pillar on which to rest any claim over occupied Kashmir. What the world is witnessing in PoK is not governance but a sustained, state-sponsored assault on a captive population.
Will bring Tatas to Bengal but land at Singur no longer belongs to govt., says Bengal CM
The Chief Minister who has been in office for about five weeks says that benefits of the double-engine government are slowly reaching the people of West Bengal
Rural Development and Empowering Rural Communities
These regions often face inadequate access to basic infrastructure such as roads, electricity, and water supply, as well as limited availability of essential services such as education and healthcare. The importance of rural development lies in its potential to reduce poverty, generate employment, and enhance overall living standards. In many rural areas, livelihoods largely depend on agriculture, allied activities, and wage labour. Therefore, strengthening agricultural productivity and diversifying income sources are key to sustainable rural growth. In India, rural development is a central focus of government policy and closely aligned with the vision of a developed nation under initiatives such as Viksit Bharat . The government, through various ministries and programs, emphasises improving rural infrastructure, expanding access to education and healthcare, and promoting inclusive growth. Empowering rural communities requires a comprehensive and integrated approach. This includes: Economic measures , such as improving agricultural practices, promoting rural industries, and increasing employment opportunities. Social initiatives , including better access to education, healthcare, and social welfare programs. Technological interventions , like digital connectivity, modern farming techniques, and access to information . Institutional support , through effective governance, decentralisation, and participation of local bodies like Panchayats. Thus, empowering rural communities requires a combination of social, economic, and institutional strategies that work together to improve the overall quality of life. One of the most important approaches is strengthening education and skills. Access to quality education helps individuals gain knowledge and confidence, while vocational training enables them to develop practical skills that can lead to better employment opportunities and diversified income sources. Another key area is improving healthcare access. Healthy individuals are more productive and better able to contribute to their communities. Establishing primary health centres, providing mobile health services, and spreading awareness about hygiene, nutrition, and disease prevention can significantly enhance the well-being of rural populations. Promoting sustainable livelihoods is also essential for rural empowerment. This involves modernising agricultural practices, supporting small-scale enterprises, and encouraging entrepreneurship. Activities such as handicrafts, food processing, and rural tourism can provide additional income and reduce dependence on agriculture alone. Access to financial services further supports these efforts by enabling people to save, invest, and manage risks through loans, insurance, and digital banking. Infrastructure development plays a crucial role in connecting rural communities to broader opportunities. Improved roads, reliable electricity, clean water supply, and internet connectivity make it easier for people to access markets, education, healthcare, and government services. In particular, digital connectivity has become a powerful tool for growth and inclusion. Community participation and strong local governance are equally important. When people are involved in decision-making processes, development initiatives are more effective and sustainable. Empowering local institutions and encouraging leadership among marginalised groups, especially women, ensures inclusive growth. Women's empowerment, in particular, has a transformative impact, as it leads to better outcomes in education, health, and family welfare. The use of technology can further accelerate rural development by providing access to information and services. Mobile applications for farmers, online learning platforms, and telemedicine services help bridge the gap between rural and urban areas. At the same time, environmental sustainability must be prioritised, as rural livelihoods are closely tied to natural resources. Practices such as water conservation, sustainable farming, and the use of renewable energy sources help ensure long-term development. Finally, partnerships between governments, non-governmental organisations, and the private sector are essential for effective implementation. Supportive policies, adequate funding, and collaborative efforts can create an enabling environment for rural communities to thrive. Overall, empowering rural communities is about building their capacity to become self-reliant, resilient, and capable of shaping their own future. Empowering rural communities in India is not just about providing aid, but about building the capacity of people to make decisions, earn sustainable livelihoods, and improve their overall quality of life. One of the most important steps is strengthening local governance through Gram Panchayats, which allows villagers to participate in planning and managing development activities according to their needs. When these institutions are provided with adequate funds, transparency, and authority, they become more effective and accountable. Another key step is promoting Self-Help Groups (SHGs), especially for women, under programs like the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY- NRLM). These groups encourage savings, provide access to microcredit, and enhance collective decision-making, leading to improved income and social empowerment. Skill development and vocational training also play a vital role by equipping rural youth with abilities in agriculture, crafts, digital services, and small businesses, which helps diversify income sources and reduce unemployment. Access to finance and financial literacy is equally important, as it enables people to use banking services, loans, insurance, and digital payments effectively while avoiding debt traps. Improving education and awareness through quality schooling, adult literacy, and awareness campaigns helps rural populations make informed decisions and benefit from government schemes. Encouraging community participation through Gram Sabhas and social audits ensures that people have a voice in governance, which increases transparency and reduces corruption. Supporting Farmer-Producer Organisations (FPOS) and cooperatives allows small farmers to pool resources, access better markets, and secure fair prices for their produce. Digital inclusion, through initiatives like BharatNet, connects rural areas to the internet, enabling access to online education, telemedicine, and e-governance services. Special focus on women and marginalised groups, such as the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, ensures that development is inclusive and equitable. Finally, ensuring transparency and accountability through mechanisms like social audits under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) helps communities monitor development work and demand better governance In short, rural empowerment is most effective when people are active participants rather than passive recipients, with the skills, resources, and opportunities to shape their own future. Rural development programs under the Ministry of Rural Development, through the department of Rural development of states and UTs, reach is almost every corner of the country at the grassroots level. Thus, it is the duty of every citizen at this level to understand these projects and social benefit schemes offered by various stakeholders, including the rural development ministry, and to ensure that the approved and sanctioned funds are properly utilised on time to create strong and sustainable assets for national development. The promotion of proper fund utilisation is the need of the hour, and this requires improving statistical literacy among people, including local leaders. When individuals understand data, budgets, and outcomes, it helps build trust, transparency, and accountability among stakeholders, thereby strengthening their role as nation-builders. This awareness and sense of responsibility make rural development programs more effective and successful, leading to the creation of valuable assets for the nation. It also helps reduce poverty, improve rural infrastructure, and enhance overall well-being. Such efforts are essential for achieving the vision of a developed India (Viksit Bharat). (The author is ISS, C/O Deputy Director General (DDG) / Statistical Advisor, Department of Rural Development, MORD. Feedback: ashhiss25@gmail.com)
Small Towns to Global Campuses: How Scholarships Help Dreams Take Flight
In one of the remote and disadvantaged villages of Tripura, Dipayan Bhowmick once dreamt of becoming an architect despite growing up far away from the opportunities usually associated with international education. Yet, through academic perseverance and the support of the National Overseas Scholarship, Dipayan went on to pursue a Master of Science in Architecture and Urban Design at the University of Stuttgart, Germany. Living, studying and working in Germany exposed him to a diverse international environment that transformed not only his academic understanding, but also his outlook towards society, sustainability and urban development. Drawing inspiration from both Indian and German approaches to architecture and urban design, he returned to India determined to use his learning. Today, Dipayan runs his own architectural practice, contributing towards society through his professional work while also creating opportunities for others. He is one amongst hundreds of Scheduled Caste students whose life trajectory has dramatically altered due to the National Overseas Scholarship (NOS), a Government of India initiative that funds postgraduate and doctoral studies at top foreign universities. The Scheme covers tuition, travel, living expenses and other academic requirements, ensuring that securing an admission into a world-class university is not determined by the economic circumstances of a students family. There are hundreds of such stories where a passport has been seen by the families for the first time ever, and instances of so many parents who send their children off to distant countries, whereas they themselves have not even set foot in colleges within the country. Since 2014, the NOS Scheme has supported students from families earning less than Rs. 8 lakh annually to universities across 21 countries, from UK to Germany, US to Australia. For many such families, even applying for admission to a foreign university would have required them to visit a cybercaf nearby. Dr. Vaithilingam Rajendiran, a Senior Scientist, who pursued a PhD in Chemistry at Oklahoma State University in the United States, grew up as the son of daily wage parents. He completed his schooling and undergraduate education in nearby government institutions and struggled through financial hardships while pursuing higher studies. Yet, with determination and relentless efforts, he completed his doctoral studies successfully and went on to build a distinguished scientific career. What these students bring back is not just a degree or a high-paying job but hopes, numerous opportunities and aspirations for people in their community. Scholarships such as the National Overseas Scholarship are often viewed merely as financial assistance programmes. In reality, they are long-term investments in human capital and knowledge creation. Developed countries are not built by roads, bridges or airports alone. They are also built in classrooms. Every student who crosses borders with such scholarships carries back the confidence and abilities to contribute to Indias vision of Viksit Bharat@2047. This is the compounding return of a single scholarship. The significance of scholarships lies not only in funding education but in creating an ecosystem of stability around students who are often navigating academic and social worlds for the very first time. For many first-generation learners, the challenge is not limited to securing admission. It is sustaining the journey thereafter, managing living expenses in expensive cities, purchasing books or digital devices, paying for accommodation and other costs that accompany such opportunities. Scholarships act as a crucial support system that enables students to focus on learning rather than worry about such day-to-day challenges. The scholarship operates without fanfare. There are no glossy campaigns and no celebrity endorsements. Over 12 years, 764 students have been selected on their academic merit to take admission in the most prestigious international colleges. In many ways, the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme is different due to the assistance it extends to each student. For a single scholar pursuing higher education at a leading global university, the cumulative financial aid, covering tuition fees, living expenses, airfare, insurance and other academic costs over the duration of the course, often exceeds Rs. 1 crore and may even go up to Rs. 2 crore. There are only a few public scholarship programmes in the world that make such a substantial investment in an individual student from a socially aspirational background. The significance of this support lies not only in the financial aid provided but also in what it intends to achieve. It envisions a national commitment to ensure that financial circumstances do not limit access to opportunities for students from certain communities. It is one of the most ambitious examples of educational investment in individual human potential. Indias scholarship ecosystem for Scheduled Caste students, spanning domestic premier institutions as well as overseas education, reflects this vision. It recognises that upliftment requires continuity, stability and sustained support. In many villages and small towns, the success of a single scholar changes the imagination of an entire generation. A younger sibling begins preparing for competitive examinations with greater confidence. A village sees international education not as an impossible dream, but as a reachable destination. The classrooms of Oxford, MIT or Columbia may appear geographically distant from Indias villages and small towns. Yet, through scholarships such as the National Overseas Scholarship, these distances are slowly shrinking. Applications for the National Overseas Scholarship are administered by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Eligible candidates may apply through the National Scholarship Portal by 2 nd June 2026. (The author is Secretary, Department of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India. Views expressed are personal. Courtesy: PIB)
Reading in the Age of Algorithms
By definition, reading refers to the complex cognitive process of looking at written material and interpreting or comprehending it to extract meaning. It is more than just a pastime. It has shaped entire cultures, revolutions, and personal identities for generations. The history of reading dates back to ancient Mesopotamia around 3200 BC. During that period, systems like cuneiform were used for record-keeping and communication outside of ongoing oral traditions. This writing mainly consisted of religious texts, hymns, myths, and historical records. During the Middle Ages, reading was still largely restricted to the upper classes and religious institutions. By the Late Middle Ages, texts began to be written in local languages other than Latin. The rise of vernacular literaturesuch as Geoffrey Chaucers The Canterbury Tales allowed more people to read stories and ideas in their native tongues. This marked a significant shift in the readership of written texts. The most transformative moment came with the invention of the Printing Press by Johannes Gutenberg in the mid-15th century. Books could now be produced widely, and this made reading accessible to a much wider audience. It sparked a reading revolution, where people of all classes could access texts. Books became a means of spreading revolutionary ideas about freedom, equality, and human rights. In the 19th century, novels emerged as a dominant form of literature, with authors like Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, and Leo Tolstoy becoming household names. It became a tool for exploring human emotions, social issues and moral dilemmas and continues to have a great influence even today. The 20th century introduced a number of different genres such as science fiction, crime, and fantasy. Today, reading has taken on new forms with the advent of digital technology. E-books and audiobooks have transformed the way we consume literature. This digital revolution has expanded reading to global audiences, allowing authors to self-publish and reach new readers online. Reading has a vast range of benefits, such as strengthening our brains, sharpening our memory and building vocabulary. But certain modern critics may say that reading is an age-old activity and that it may not have many benefits in the modern day and age. There can be many parts to this argument. Firstly, with the rise of multimedia technology, AI advancements and the rise of many different technologies to replace reading, this argument may also seem to have a strong foundation. Critics argue that information is now highly accessible through different forms of media such as documentaries, podcasts and even from videos on platforms like YouTube. These forms of media make information much easier to absorb and spread in a more accessible manner. Another argument in this context is the rise of AI in information generation or creating any sort of written material. With technologies such as speech-to-text and in-built voice assistants in modern smartphones, there is no need to even physically use our phones and write the text or actually read that lengthy document. The AI can just summarise it for you and even, in many cases, write emails or messages for you. Also, with the rise of audiobooks and the like, there is an increased dependence on these sorts of technologies. You can just get the information provided in a book or consume literature by just listening to it instead of reading the material yourselves. This also goes with the fast-paced nature of modern life, where we are doing several different tasks at the same time. There has been a trend of preferring digital libraries over traditional libraries. There has been a shift from printed material to digital formats. Books are being borrowed digitally, and the use of devices such as the Kindle or Kobo is becoming increasingly common. While it may seem more efficient and accessible, traditional libraries are still more useful and grounded. While searching through a traditional library for a perfect read, one may find a book that they may never have picked up digitally if it were not for physically searching among the books. Also, the practice of actually searching for a book and meeting new people in the process leads to new relationships and connections. Physical books help a reader focus better because there are fewer distractions than on digital devices. With respect to the argument of Audiobooks versus Traditional Reading, I believe that traditional reading is more beneficial and has a greater impact on the persons mind. This impact cannot be achieved by just listening to the book through an app. Most of the time, when we are listening to these audiobooks, we are almost always doing some work in the background alongside them. We are not able to fully focus on the words or the message of the book. It just runs in the background like a podcast or YouTube video. Books also have a physical calmness to them that cannot be achieved with a digital version of the text. The feeling of opening a new book and smelling its pages has long-drawn the readers of the book. Many readers prefer the smell of a book, the look of a personal library and can use this reading time as a dedicated screen-free period in their day. For a reader, nothing compares to opening their favourite book and settling into a comfy chair to read it. With the increased use of social media & messaging apps among children & teenagers, we often see a decreased attention span among them. School-going children are not able to focus for a long time and often use AI in doing their assignments and classwork. While AI may have its noteworthy pros, it also has its dangerous cons. In a matter of time, we may see that children are not able to think for themselves and how the use of AI has impacted their ability to have independent judgment. Reading increases our thinking and communication ability. In modern times, one may feel like we are more connected than we have ever been, but studies have found that there are more people that feel isolated and alone than ever. Social media has replaced the face-to-face interaction of earlier times, and the use of these platforms does not always bring deep, fulfilled relationships. In contrast to this, reading a piece of literature takes us to a whole new world where we are introduced to different characters and experiences. This also leads to increased empathy in people, where one is able to relate to and sympathise with people in the real world, which in turn strengthens human connections. While in this day and age, we may have information generated in seconds, there is a different beauty in slowing down and reading just for the pleasure of it, not to submit an assignment, not to complete a deadline or compete against anyone but just for yourself. Reading also leads to increased vocabulary, which makes a person more fluent or articulate. They are able to express their emotions freely and tell their loved ones how much they love & respect them. This skill not only helps a person in his individual or personal life but also in professional settings. One is able to express his ideas more freely and accurately in front of his head or peers and resist authority if they may feel that things are not going fair with them. Also, in modern times, when there seems to be no silence or calm or something or other is always playing in the background, reading acts as a grounding exercise which slows us and forces us to be present in the moment. Studies have shown that people are not able to sit in silence or even themselves with their own thoughts. There is an increased resentment against ourselves, but reading goes totally against this philosophy. It forces us to sit down with our own thoughts and be present, and interact with our brains. The production and attainment of information may have become fast and easily accessible, but theres also a certain beauty and fulfilment in doing the hard work and struggling to achieve a certain piece of information. We feel more content and satisfied when certain information is the result of our own hard work rather than giving a prompt to an AI system. Reading allows us to develop our comprehension skills, cognitive development and analytical reasoning. We are able to recognise patterns, interpret a written piece and form ideas as a result of it. Thus, while reading may seem to be slow and an age-old activity, it is equally, if not more important than the other skills that we develop in our lives. It is an essential practice that should be taught to children and introduced in their lives early on. The solution is not in eradicating AI and the Internet, but rather to find a balance between the two. There should be a judicious use of the internet while also keeping in mind its dangerous effects. The declining rate of reading should be considered alarming and taken care of. Maintaining this skill will turn out to be beneficial not only for the individuals but for generations to come. (The author is a postgraduate student)
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From Dumping Ground to Shared Responsibility
Yet, beneath this romanticised picture lies an uncomfortable, often ignored reality: our paradise is quietly and steadily turning into a dumping ground. Solid waste management in Kashmir is no longer a technical or administrative issue alone; it has become a civilisational question about how we choose to live with our surroundings. If we continue on the current path of neglect, short-term fixes, and institutional lethargy, we risk losing not only our ecological balance but also the moral right to call this land a heaven. A valley choking on its own waste In the past two decades, urbanisation in the Valley has been rapid and largely unplanned. Towns have sprawled, villages have turned into semi-urban clusters, tourism has boomed in fits and starts, and consumption patterns have changed dramatically. What has not changed, however, is our mindset towards waste. Household refuse, single-use plastics, packaging material, food waste, construction debris, biomedical and electronic waste all of it finds its way into the nearest stream, roadside, vacant plot, orchard edge, or open field. Water bodies that once sustained life and livelihoods are now ringed with garbage. Nallahs, canals, and irrigation channels are routinely blocked by polythene and other solid waste, contributing to urban flooding and contamination of drinking water sources. Municipalities, gram panchayats, and other local bodies remain ill-equipped and, in many cases, indifferent. Door-to-door collection is patchy, segregation at source is virtually non-existent, and scientific landfills remain more on paper than on the ground. The result is an unsightly and dangerous mix of waste dumped in low-lying areas, on riverbanks, and at informal open dumping sites that poison air, soil, and groundwater. Beyond aesthetics: a public health emergency The conversation around waste is often reduced to aesthetics to cleanliness drives before VIP visits or cosmetic beautification of select areas. But solid waste mismanagement is not only an eyesore; it is a silent public health emergency. Open dumping and burning of waste release toxic fumes, particulate matter, and harmful gases. These affect respiratory health, aggravate asthma and other chronic conditions, and contribute to the already deteriorating air quality in some pockets of the Valley. Stray dogs feeding on open dumps become more aggressive and multiply, creating a serious safety and rabies risk. Stagnant, garbage-choked water bodies turn into breeding grounds for mosquitoes and vectors that carry disease. Then there is the long-term, largely invisible damage. Plastics and other non-biodegradable material break down into microplastics that enter the soil, water, crops, and eventually our bodies. Heavy metals and hazardous components from electronic waste, batteries, and biomedical refuse leach into the groundwater. These are not problems that can be wished away with a one-day cleanliness campaign. Tourism and the hypocrisy of image-building Tourism is repeatedly pitched as the backbone of Kashmirs economy. We proudly advertise our lakes, forests, meadows, and mountains. Yet, the same tourist destinations are groaning under the weight of unmanaged waste. From hill stations to trekking routes, from religious shrines to picnic spots, mounds of plastic bottles, food wrappers, disposables, and glass lie scattered. Tourists are at fault, yes but we, as hosts and residents, are no less culpable. We have neither put in place adequate waste management infrastructure in tourist zones, nor enforced rules with the seriousness they demand. The hypocrisy is glaring: on one hand, we sell pristine beauty; on the other, we tolerate and often participate in its slow degradation. No tourism policy can be credible if it does not place solid waste management at its core. Policy on paper, paralysis on the ground It is not as if laws, guidelines, and rules are missing. The Solid Waste Management Rules at the national level lay down clear responsibilities for segregation, collection, transportation, processing, and disposal. Local authorities are empowered to impose user charges, penalise littering, and regulate waste generators including commercial establishments and institutions. In practice, implementation is feeble. Urban local bodies often cite lack of funds, land, and manpower. Village panchayats plead ignorance or helplessness. Coordination between departments is poor, and accountability is diffused to the point of invisibility. Even when infrastructure is created collection points, compactors, small-scale composting units they frequently fall into disuse because the system around them is not designed to function in a continuous, disciplined manner. Political will tends to surface only in bursts, often linked to court directions, media attention, or looming events. Once the immediate pressure subsides, old habits return. Complicity and the culture of convenience It is easy to blame the administration alone. But we, as citizens, are not mere victims; we are active participants in this crisis. The culture of convenience of throwing waste out of sight and out of mind runs deep. Segregating waste at home into wet and dry categories costs nothing more than a few minutes and an extra bag. Yet most households do not bother. Market associations rarely take collective responsibility for their waste. Institutions that could lead by example schools, colleges, religious bodies often fall back on the same old pattern of dumping and burning. Religious sermons, social gatherings, and public events generate huge amounts of disposable waste, especially plastics and Styrofoam. The message of caring for creation and environment is often preached from the pulpit; unfortunately, it seldom translates into practical guidelines on how we manage waste at these very events. The way forward: from rhetoric to responsibility If we are serious about saving the Valley from becoming a vast, unregulated landfill, we must move beyond rhetoric. A coherent approach must rest on four pillars: segregation, decentralisation, enforcement, and education. Segregation at source: Without basic separation of wet and dry waste at the household, institutional, and market level, no downstream system can work efficiently. Local bodies must make it mandatory, back it with incentives and penalties, and run sustained awareness campaigns. Schools and colleges should integrate this practice into daily routine, not as a one-day activity. Decentralised processing: Not every bit of waste needs to travel kilometres to a distant dump. Wet waste can and should be composted at the neighbourhood or institutional level, turning a problem into a resource for urban farming, parks, and green belts. Small material recovery facilities can handle recyclables. This reduces transportation costs, pollution, and pressure on centralised sites. Firm enforcement and transparent governance: Bans on single-use plastics, rules on littering, and obligations of bulk waste generators must be enforced, not merely announced. Penalties should be real and visible. At the same time, municipal bodies must be transparent about budgets, contracts, and performance metrics related to waste management so that citizens can hold them to account. Sustained public education: Changing behaviour is not a matter of one campaign or a few hoardings. It requires repeated, context-specific, culturally rooted messaging. Religious leaders, teachers, civil society groups, market committees, and media must all be involved. Children, in particular, can become powerful agents of change if they are educated and empowered early. Reclaiming our moral obligation to this land Kashmirs environment has already suffered decades of conflict, neglect, and unplanned growth. Solid waste mismanagement is one more layer of injury, but unlike many other challenges, it is one we have the power to address directly through our choices and systems. We often invoke the idea of amanat a trust that must be safeguarded for future generations. The Valleys rivers, lakes, forests, and fields are precisely that trust. To continue treating them as dumping grounds is a betrayal not only of environmental principles but of our own cultural and religious values. The choice before us is stark. Either we continue down the path of convenience and indifference until the damage becomes irreversible, or we collectively decide that enough is enough that this land, which has given us so much, deserves better from us. If we truly believe that Kashmir is paradise on earth, then we must prove it by the way we manage even the most unglamorous aspect of modern life: our waste. (The author is a research scholar and environmental activist)
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Defections, dissent and survival: Whats driving the crisis inside TMC
The Trinamool Congress is facing a major political crisis following defections, internal dissent, and questions over leadership. Whats driving the unrest inside TMC? Is this a temporary phase or a deeper shift in West Bengal politics? We break down the key developments, power struggles, and what lies ahead for Mamata Banerjee and her party.
Bullets for Bread: The Crackdown Across the Line of Control That the World Refuses to See
affordable electricity, subsidized wheat, a fair share of royalties from the hydropower generated on their own rivers, and an end to decades of political marginalization. These were not separatist slogans or calls to arms. They were demands for bread, light, and dignity. Pakistan's answer, by every account that has escaped the region's communications blackout, has been delivered through the barrel of a gun. Even the official version is damning. Islamabad concedes roughly eleven dead and more than seventy injured in clashes that began on June 8. But the official version is almost certainly not the whole story. Protest organisers from the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee, eyewitnesses, and diaspora networks put the civilian toll between 27 and over 100, with hundreds injured and more than 500 detained including, reportedly, children. Videos smuggled past the internet shutdown show crowds being fired upon near hospitals. We cannot independently verify every figure, precisely because Pakistan has cut the phone lines, throttled the internet, and barred the press. A state confident in its restraint does not need to silence the witnesses. Consider how this crisis was manufactured. The JKJAAC is a civic coalition built around utility bills and flour prices about as far from terrorism as political organising gets. Yet rather than negotiate, authorities banned it as a errorist organisation, placed bounties on its leaders, and deployed paramilitary Rangers against its marches. The killing of activist Shahzeb Habib turned grievance into grief, and grief into a region-wide uprising. At every fork in the road, the state chose escalation. When a government's first instinct toward its own citizens is shoot-on-sight orders, the question is no longer whether the protesters have a case. It is whether the state has any legitimacy left to lose. There is a bitter irony here that deserves to be named. For seven decades, Pakistan has positioned itself as the global advocate of Kashmiri self-determination, raising the issue at every international forum, draping itself in the language of human rights. Yet in the portion of Kashmir under its illegal control, it tolerates no dissent, shares no resources, and permits no genuine self-government. The territory it calls Azad free Kashmir is run as a strategic buffer and a hydropower colony, its assemblies subordinate to Islamabad, its economy starved, its protesters branded traitors. The hypocrisy is not incidental; it is structural. A state cannot champion the rights of Kashmiris on one side of the Line of Control while shooting them on the other and expect the contradiction to go unnoticed forever. It has not gone unnoticed by the people themselves. Residents of the region can see across the LoC, and what many of them see highways, tourist arrivals, functioning administration in Indian Jammu and Kashmir since 2019 sharpens their sense of abandonment. One can debate the our side as the elected Govt here came out of record voter turnout with the BJP scoring the maximum number of votes. The protests in POJK is about governance and opportunity, and on those measures, Islamabad's record in the territory it administers is indefensible. The people's only crime is asking for development and fundamental rights, and in return, they are getting bullets. Strip away the partisanship, and the core observation stands. People asked for wheat. They received gunfire. History offers Pakistan a warning it seems determined to ignore. In 1971, in what was then East Pakistan, Islamabad answered economic grievance and political exclusion with military force, convinced that repression could substitute for legitimacy. The result was the bloody birth of Bangladesh. The circumstances today differ in scale and geography, but the playbook is unnervingly familiar: deny, blackout, criminalise, shoot. States that mistake silence for stability tend to learn, too late, that the silence was only the sound of the world not listening. And the world must start listening. The United Nations human rights machinery, which has produced detailed reports on Indian Kashmir, owes the people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir the same scrutiny. International media that amplify every confrontation in Srinagar should be asking why they cannot get a correspondent into Rawalakot. Western governments that lecture the subcontinent on human rights should be demanding that Pakistan restore communications, release detained protesters, allow an independent investigation of the casualty figures, and prosecute those who ordered live fire on civilians. The test of human rights advocacy is whether it survives inconvenient geography. India, for its part, must respond with discipline as well as sympathy. The Ministry of External Affairs is right to condemn the killings and seek accountability. New Delhi should also heed the warning that a cornered establishment in Islamabad may seek diversion through violence across the LoC; vigilance, not adventurism, is the proper posture. The most powerful argument India can make to the people across the Line of Control is not rhetorical but demonstrative: governance that delivers, rights that are real, development that reaches the last village. None of this requires pretending the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir dispute is simple, or that ISI hands are entirely clean. Pakistan rejects India's territorial claims; India rejects Pakistan's; the people of the region especially the old ladies in POJK still follow the old tradition of keeping 2-3 chapatis extra every night waiting for India to free them from atrocities of Pak Army & ISI . They still proudly raise slogans of Maharaja Gulab Singh (Amar Rahe), as technically the entire J&K acceded with India on 26 Oct 1947, how can POJK be kept out, as the instrument of accession was for the entire Princely state of Maharaja Hari Singh. But whatever one's position on maps and resolutions, there should be no dispute about this: unarmed civilians demanding flour and electricity must not be met with live ammunition, and a blackout is not an answer to a body count. The protesters of Rawalakot have already answered the only question that matters to them they have decided they will no longer be silent. The question now is for the rest of us. Oppression breeds resistance; that much history guarantees. What history does not guarantee is that the world will pay attention before the toll climbs higher. It should start now. (The Author is spokesperson of the BJP Jammu and Kashmir. Feedback: abhijeetjasrotia5@gmail.com )
Equality of treatment for Persons with Disabilities
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Arul R.B. Krishna posted as District Police Chief (Thiruvananthapuram City)
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Our indigenous air defence shield Project Kusha will be a game changer, says Rajnath Singh
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U.S. plans to slash fighter jets, warships to NATO in Europe: report
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AIADMK plans to hold extensive, district-wise consultations shortly
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Facebook, Instagram Face Widespread Global Outage
According to outage-monitoring service Downdetector, reports of service interruptions surged sharply around 7:00 PM IST, indicating a large-scale disruption affecting users in multiple regions simultaneously. In India, users from several cities reported that Facebook and Instagram were either not loading properly or failing to refresh content. Many users said their feeds remained inaccessible, while others encountered problems updating timelines, logging into accounts, or using certain platform features. The outage did not appear to be confined to a single country. Similar complaints emerged from users across different parts of the world, suggesting a broader technical issue affecting Meta's services. As the disruption unfolded, many users turned to alternative platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), to verify whether others were facing similar problems. Numerous posts indicated that the issues extended beyond Facebook and Instagram, with some users also reporting disruptions on Facebook Messenger. The impact of the outage varied among users. While some were still able to access the websites, others said mobile applications were unable to load new content or refresh feeds. The differing experiences prompted speculation that the problem could be linked to Meta's backend infrastructure rather than individual devices or internet connections. Downdetector recorded more than 100,000 outage reports related to Facebook, underscoring the scale of the disruption. Instagram also registered a significant increase in complaints as reports continued to rise throughout the evening. As of publication, Meta had not issued an official statement explaining the cause of the outage or provided an estimated timeline for service restoration. Users reported attempting common troubleshooting measures, including restarting applications, switching internet networks, and checking for software updates. However, the widespread nature of the disruption suggested the issue originated on the company's side, limiting the effectiveness of such steps. The situation remains under observation, and further updates are expected once Meta provides official clarification on the incident.
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Watch: Trump slams Iran over peace deal leaks|Above the Fold| 12.06.2026
Could West Asia be heading towards a diplomatic breakthrough? In this episode, we unpack the reported draft agreement between Iran and the U.S. and what it could mean for the future of the conflict. We also look at the Supreme Courts dismissal of Meenakshi Natarajans plea over her rejected Rajya Sabha nomination, and more.
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