Gang assaulted worker with billhook an hour before robbing trader of Rs4 lakh
Student killed as water tanker runs over her at Kalewadi
Govt allows iron ore survey on Gadchiroli forest land
4 captive tigers may move to Pune zoo as Tadoba TTC bursts at seams
21 Big Cats Housed At Transit Facility With Only 7 Large Enclosures
GMCH first state hospital to get single-access robotic surgery system
Mother sentenced to life for strangling two toddlers, hiding bodies in Mulshi forest
PMC seeks I-T waiver to accelerate land acquisition for infra projects
Sr citizen loses over 2 crore in elaborate cyber fraud
Rainwater accumulates in Maan station of soon-to-be-inaugurated Hinjewadi stretch of Pune Metro
Friend arrested for assaulting autorickshaw driver to death
Sudden showers deal twin blow to Punes paddy growers
Cong celebrated MLC poll win amid drought, says Bawankule
Nagpur All Set For Rs1 Lakh Crore Development Push, Says Gadkari
Hinjewadi residents forced to micromanage civic solutions
Diwali shopping frenzy lights up Super Sunday for Nagpur markets
A bond beyond duty: Maharashtra CID to allow handlers to keep sniffer dogs post-retirement
Water supply disruptions hit many Pune city areas after cascade of power failures
Road sign placed bang in middle of Khar footpath, fixed after flak
Power project: Youths launch jal andolan to save Karjats trees
In AYUSH admission goof-up, students in Maharashtra allotted two seats, denied college upgrade
Maharashtra Lawmaker Shankar Jagatap Donates
Shankar Jagatap and Viju Seth Jagatap contribute 11 lakh to aid drought-affected farmers in Maharashtra through the Chief Ministers Relief Fund. Maharashtra Lawmaker Shankar Jagatap Donates 11 Lakh to Support Drought-Stricken Farmers
RTO Blacklists 23 Luxury Cars Registered In Other States, Uts to Evade Tax
Three killed in two hit and run within 24hrs
Eight Nagpur bullion traders get extortion threat in Bishnoi gangs name
Mumbai Police register FIR after senior citizen loses Rs 15 lakh in sextortion
Fire Guts 7 Godowns, Rs4.81 Crore Goods Destroyed; Encroachments Hamper Firefighting
PM, Shah Rush To Discredit INDIA Vote-theft Campaign
Modi posted: MLC elections in 28 seats across four big states Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar and Karnataka. Elections held using ballot papers. Guess how many seats Congress won? A monocled emoji at the end of the post emphasised his sarcasm suggesting that this was the obvious conclusion after a close examination of the results. The Congress, however, did win one seat after all the ballots were counted
Minister Ganesh Naik examines ways to save trees at Karjat power project site
Maharashtra Forest Minister Ganesh Naik is examining ways to preserve more than 32,000 trees proposed to be felled for Torrent Power's Rs 13,500 crore Saidongar-I pumped storage project in Karjat. The project has faced opposition from political leaders, environmental groups and villagers
Leopard kills 65-year-old woman in Dahanu village
Latur Blast: Gun Shop Owners Among Four Booked
Four individuals, including two gun shop owners, have been booked in Latur, Maharashtra, following an explosion at a courier shop. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, involved air pistol components being negligently handled and transported, leaving one person seriously injured.
Mumbai Police arrest UAE worker for Rs 2.5 lakh airport bag theft
Residents block road with water buckets over supply disruption in Ulhasnagar
Ulhasnagar civic body schools to introduce English-medium education, plans expansion up to Std X
Bhiwandi's key APJ Abdul Kalam flyover shut for repairs, traffic snarls across Mumbai
2018 assault death case: Court convicts man for culpable homicide, gives him 8-year jail term
RTO in Mumbai probes fake clearances in taxi meter reset after new fares
Find your place in the sun with Vitamin D
Parents and students are verifying whether schools will remain closed on November 2 due to upcoming festivals. Different states may begin Diwali vacations at varying times, impacting school schedules. Institutions in Delhi-NCR are likely to maintain regular classes unless stated otherwise. Schools in Maharashtra may have holidays beginning on November 2, leading to potential closures until November 14.
Cyclone Murasu alert: Andhra Pradesh braces for second storm in less than a week
The cyclone, which has been given the name Murasu, is likely to intensify into a severe cyclone and cross the Andhra Pradesh coast on November 2-3
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Nov 1 (IANS) Amid rising electricity tariffs, a housing society named Saraswati Heights and its members in Nalasopara East are recording significant savings on their electricity costs after they decided to switch to solar energy. The society decided to install a 25-kilowatt solar power system in its building. This has resulted in a reduction of monthly electricity bills by approximately 90 per cent, said many society residents. Pradeep Mishra, a resident of the society, shared that the idea to install solar panels emerged a year ago. He and other residents gathered information about solar energy and various central government schemes online, and they collectively decided to move ahead with a solar power system. According to Mishra, the society consulted several vendors before selecting one, based on an assessment of their services and proposals. Once the selection process was complete, the 25-kilowatt solar power system was installed within two to three months. Mishra said that the subsidy amount, under the PM SuryGhar: Muft Bijli Yojana, was credited to the societys bank account within just 15 days of the installation. The society received further subsidy of approximately 30 per cent, which significantly lowered the total project cost. The society reports a substantial decrease in electricity expenses since the solar system became operational. According to Mishra, monthly electricity bills have dropped by nearly 90 per cent compared to previous costs, providing the society with consistent financial savings. Mishra and other individuals are now suggesting others to take advantage of the Central governments solar energy scheme, stating that such initiatives have the potential to drastically alter expenses of ordinary citizens, housing societies, and small-scale consumers like them. Besides savings, solar energy also plays a significant role in environmental conservation. Pradeep Mishra expressed gratitude to the government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and also appealed to other housing societies to adopt solar energy.
Shinde warns lenders of murder charges over farmer suicides in Maharashtra
The Maharashtra Deputy CM issued the warning while addressing a gathering at the inauguration of a 100-bed sub-district hospital at Wadi Budruk in Nanded district. He said the state government would stand firmly behind farmers and provide all possible assistance amid the agrarian crisis
Reliance Foundation launches homes for senior citizens, children and differently abled
Township in 100 acre plot at Karjat, Maharashtra, has capacity to house 15,000 people including residents, medical professionals, support staffs, and their families
'Gyanesh Kumar will go to jail': Rahul Gandhi warns CEC from Ramlila Maidan
Addressing an INDIA bloc rally at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi against alleged electoral irregularities and the SIR exercise, Gandhi described the 2024 Lok Sabha elections as illegal and alleged that votes had been stolen through EVMs and changes to electoral rolls
Maharashtra Forest Minister Examines Karjat Power Project
The Opposition has also alleged that 32,000 trees in the Karjat-Bhimashankar region are being felled in the name of development: Reports
Maharashtra gets Rs 7,022 crore tax revenue ahead of Diwali
Karnataka to oppose Krishna-Bhima river diversion project by Maharashtra
CBI secures extradition of Mahadev betting app promoter Sourabh Chandrakar
Chandrakar, who was wanted in two CBI cases and a case registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), was escorted to India following his extradition. He will undergo a medical examination before being produced before the CBI Special Court in Raipur on Monday
Organic fruits, vegetables drive demand for Flipkart Minutes
Ratnagiri records Maharashtra's highest temp at 36.7 degrees Celsius
Ratnagiris maximum temperature was 2.6 degrees Celsius above normal, while Gondias minimum was 2.7 degrees Celsius below normal. Gondia was the only station in the state to record a below-normal minimum temperature in the weather bulletin
Digital Desk | Bengaluru, Nov 1 (IANS) Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday announced that the proposed South Bullet Train corridor would connect Bengaluru with Hyderabad, Amaravati, and Chennai, while a Vande Bharat train service between Bengaluru and Mangaluru would be introduced in the coming weeks after the completion of electrification and testing work. In his remarks on the occasion of the flagging off of the Vande Bharat Sleeper service between Bengaluru and Mumbai on the occasion of Karnataka Rajyotsava, Vaishnaw said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had approved the South Bullet Train corridor, which would integrate major technology and economic centres in the region and create a multiplier effect for southern states. He said the proposed corridor would significantly reduce travel time, with the journey between Bengaluru and Chennai expected to take just 73 minutes and Bengaluru and Hyderabad around two hours and 10 minutes. These two cities, Bengaluru and Chennai, will become one city, he said, adding that the connectivity would strengthen economic integration among major cities in southern India. Vaishnaw said that as India moved towards the goal of Viksit Bharat, the Prime Minister had approved 4,000 km of bullet train corridors, and another 3,000 km would be announced in the coming days. He expressed confidence that the proposed Bengaluru-Pune bullet train corridor, which would cover the northern parts of Karnataka, would also become a reality. Referring to the demand for better railway connectivity along the Karnataka coast, the Union Minister said Mangaluru was an important city, and that electrification and testing work on the Bengaluru-Mangaluru route would be completed in the next few weeks. We will have a Mangaluru-Bengaluru Vande Bharat train. That will connect the entire region with very good, high-class connectivity, he said. Vaishnaw also announced plans for another Vande Bharat Sleeper service in Karnataka, which would connect Bengaluru with northern Karnataka, travel towards Hubballi, and proceed to Pune and Mumbai. On the route of the newly introduced Vande Bharat Sleeper service between Bengaluru and Mumbai, he said the train would travel from Bengaluru through Guntakal in Andhra Pradesh before re-entering Karnataka through Raichur, Yadgir, and Kalaburagi and proceeding to Maharashtra. He said the route would cover a significant portion of North Karnataka, which had not received adequate railway connectivity earlier. The route was finalised after consultations with Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi, H.D. Kumaraswamy, and V. Somanna. Recalling the commitment behind the introduction of the Vande Bharat Sleeper service, Vaishnaw said November 1, Karnataka Rajyotsava, was an auspicious occasion to launch the service. He said the Prime Minister had guided the Railways to keep the common man and middle-class families in mind while introducing modern railway services, ensuring that the poorest of the poor, youth and women also benefited. Keeping this in mind, three different types of trains Namo Bharat, Amrit Bharat, and Vande Bharat have been introduced, and their services are being made available to people, he said. Vaishnaw said the new sleeper service would connect Bengaluru, the country's technology and start-up capital, with Mumbai, the financial capital. During his address, Union Minister Joshi stood up to congratulate Vaishnaw following his announcement on the proposed bullet train corridor. Subsequently, the leaders joined hands and raised slogans of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat. Vaishnaw attributed the expansion of railway infrastructure and improved connectivity to the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, saying the initiatives were contributing to building a new image for India.
INDIA bloc rally: BJP chief Nitin Nabin leads counter-march in Haryana
The Congress party should have sought atonement and offered an apology for the acts committed against the Sikh brethren, the massacres and the killings that took place on this very day in 1984. Instead, today, they have come out to stage a protest, the BJP chief said
Remove Modi to save democracy: Kharge targets PM at INDIA bloc rally in Delhi
Addressing the INDIA blocs rally at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi over the vote chori allegations, Kharge also accused Prime Minister Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of shielding Gyanesh Kumar
Nita Ambani lays foundation stone for Karjat care facility on birthday
Nita Ambani performed the groundbreaking ceremony for Nita Mukesh Ambani Anant Ashray in Karjat, Maharashtra, on her birthday. This care facility aims to support over 5,000 residents, including orphaned children and senior citizens. The township will be developed in phases and will focus on community living rather than traditional institutional care. This project will include numerous medical and recreational facilities to promote individual wellbeing and personal development.
Digital Desk | New Delhi/Bengaluru, Nov 1 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday the Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper train would be a game changer for rail connectivity between the two major cities, benefiting Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. Sharing Railway Ministry's post on the flagging off of the train on social media platform X, the Prime Minister said the new service marked another step towards improving rail connectivity, particularly from Bengaluru, a city known for its technology and innovation ecosystem. Another step towards better rail connectivity and that too from Bengaluru, the city of technology and innovation! he added. The Vande Bharat Sleeper Train will be a game changer for connectivity between Bengaluru and Mumbai, the Prime Minister noted. PM Modi said the train would particularly benefit youngsters, IT professionals and students, while strengthening connectivity across the three states. Earlier, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that he, along with other dignitaries, flagged off the Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper train. The new service is expected to provide passengers with an additional rail travel option between Bengaluru and Mumbai. Earlier on Sunday, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw flagged off the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express connecting Bengaluru and Mumbai from Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal (SMVT) here on the occasion of Kannada Rajyotsava. Minister of State for Railways V. Somanna, Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and H.D. Kumaraswamy, Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje, BJP MPs Tejasvi Surya, P.C. Mohan and C.N. Manjunath, and BJP Rajya Sabha members Lahar Singh Siroya and Jaggesh were present at the inaugural event. Ashwini Vaishnaw cheered and waved to people gathered at the railway station. The dignitaries also toured the newly introduced train, inspected its facilities and interacted with passengers. Speaking to the media, Vaishnaw congratulated the people of Karnataka and Bengaluru on the launch of the service on Kannada Rajyotsava. On the occasion of Kannada Rajyotsava, the Vande Bharat Sleeper service between Bengaluru and Mumbai is being launched. This is a very good train and will connect the technological capital Bengaluru with the financial capital Mumbai. This will be the third Vande Bharat service, he said.
From sailing to social awareness: NCC cadets complete 250-km Konkan expedition
Ratnagiri's 2 Maharashtra Naval Unit NCC cadets have completed a 250-km sailing expedition along the Konkan coast. The 10-day voyage also included street plays reaching over 1,000 people, digital awareness activities and adventure training
Mumbai-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Sleeper train flagged off
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the next Vande Bharat Sleeper train for Karnataka will originate from Bengaluru, connect several parts of North Karnataka towards Hubballi, and then proceed towards Pune and Mumbai
Modi Hatao, Democracy Bachao: Kharge Leads INDIA Bloc Attack On BJP Over Vote Chori Claims Today
Modi hatao, democracy bachao Congress president Mallikarjun Kharges rallying cry at the INDIA blocs mega protest in Delhi. Kharge accused the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in Maharashtra, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh of being governments of vote chori. He alleged that the votes of youth, women and Dalits were being deleted and targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah over their support for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Kharge said the Opposition would continue its fight until Gyanesh Kumar was removed, and declared: We will fight together, remove Modi, protect the Constitution and strengthen democracy.
Vande Bharat sleeper train to be game changer for Bengaluru-Mumbai connectivity, says PM Modi
Digital Desk | Bengaluru, Nov 1 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that the Vande Bharat Sleeper train service between Bengaluru and Mumbai would be a game changer in improving rail connectivity between the two major cities. In a statement following the flagging off of the Vande Bharat Sleeper train service in Bengaluru, Prime Minister Modi noted that the new service marked another step towards improving railway connectivity from Bengaluru, the country's technology and innovation hub. He said the train would benefit Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, particularly youngsters, IT professionals and students. The Prime Minister said the new service would provide better connectivity between Bengaluru and Mumbai, facilitating travel for people across the three states. PM Modi also shared the video of the event with a social media post. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday flagged off the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express connecting Bengaluru and Mumbai from Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal (SMVT) here on the occasion of Kannada Rajyotsava. Minister of State for Railways V. Somanna, Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and H.D. Kumaraswamy, Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs Tejasvi Surya, P.C. Mohan and C.N. Manjunath, and BJP Rajya Sabha members Lahar Singh Siroya and Jaggesh were present and also waved green flag at the inaugural event. The Vande Bharat Sleeper Express will have a total capacity of 823 passengers. It will comprise 11 AC three-tier coaches accommodating 611 passengers, four AC two-tier coaches with a capacity of 188 passengers and one first AC coach accommodating 24 passengers. The overnight service is expected to improve connectivity between the two major cities and reduce travel time. The South Western Railway (SWR) zone will operate and maintain the service. According to SWR, the train will operate under two numbers: 27652 (SMVT Bengaluru-CSMT Mumbai) and 27651 (CSMT Mumbai-SMVT Bengaluru). The service will operate six days a week, except Mondays for the Bengaluru-Mumbai journey and Tuesdays for the return journey. Train No. 27652 will depart from SMVT Bengaluru at 7:45 p.m. and reach Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai at 11:55 a.m. the following day, covering the journey in around 16 hours. On the return journey, Train No. 27651 will leave CSMT Mumbai at 8:10 p.m. and arrive at SMVT Bengaluru at noon the next day.
Police in Beed district arrested eleven people after busting a gambling den in Parli Vaijnath, recovering items worth Rs 29.6 lakh, including cash, playing cards, mobile phones, and vehicles. A case has been registered under the Maharashtra Prevention of Gambling Act.
Chhattisgarh: Six interstate drug traffickers held; 88 kg of cannabis worth Rs 44 lakh seized
Digital Desk | Mahasamund (Chhattisgarh), Nov 1 (IANS) In a major crackdown on interstate drug trafficking, Mahasamund Police in Chhattisgarh have arrested six persons from Maharashtra and seized 88 kilograms of cannabis (ganja) worth approximately Rs 44 lakh. The action was carried out jointly by the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) and Patewa Police under Operation Nishchay. According to the police, the total value of the seized property, including the contraband, vehicles, cash and mobile phones, stands at Rs 53.73 lakh. The operation was launched following specific intelligence inputs that cannabis was being transported in a pickup vehicle, escorted by a Maruti Swift Dzire car. Acting on the information, police established a blockade on National Highway 53 in front of Patewa Police Station. The Swift Dzire, bearing registration number MH-46 X-5682, was intercepted first. Three occupants were questioned, but no contraband was found in the car. Shortly afterwards, police stopped the suspected white pickup vehicle bearing registration number MH-21 BH-9873. During its search, officers recovered 88 kilograms of cannabis packed in three plastic sacks. Police said the consignment had allegedly been brought from Katamal in Odisha's Bargarh district and was being transported to Maharashtra for distribution. The six accused have been identified as Siddharth Dandey, Sachin Madan Sonawani, Badrinath Prahlad Khurmute, Shankar Tukaram Dige, Vishal Santosh Khade and Deepak Kharse. All are residents of Maharashtra. Three were allegedly transporting the cannabis, while the remaining three were travelling in the escort vehicle. Apart from the cannabis, police seized the pickup vehicle worth Rs 5 lakh, the Swift Dzire worth Rs 4 lakh, Rs 28,600 in cash and seven mobile phones valued at Rs 45,000. A case has been registered under Sections 20(b) and 29(1) of the NDPS Act at Patewa Police Station (Crime No. 210/2026). The accused have been sent to judicial custody. Police said further investigation is underway to establish the source, destination and financial links of the interstate trafficking network.
Dinesh Ganvir takes charge as GSI chief, to step up hunt for critical minerals
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 1 (IANS) Dinesh Vitthalrao Ganvir has assumed charge as the Director General of the Geological Survey of India (GSI), bringing to the job more than three decades of experience spanning geological investigations, mineral exploration, engineering geology, and institutional leadership. Ganvir said a key priority will be to intensify exploration for critical and strategic minerals through integrated geoscientific investigations, advanced mineral prospectivity mapping, and systematic generation of scientifically robust, auction-ready mineral blocks. These efforts will support the country's objectives of strengthening mineral security, reducing import dependence, and advancing the vision of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'. He also emphasised the need to harness emerging technologies and advanced data analytics in conjunction with rigorous field-based investigations. The integration of modern geoscientific tools and methods is expected to improve the precision and efficiency of exploration. Strengthening laboratory infrastructure, upgrading analytical capabilities, and offshore exploration will also be important areas of focus. Beyond mineral exploration, the GSI will continue to strengthen its contributions to fundamental geoscientific research, landslide early warning, glacial and cryospheric studies, major infrastructure projects and hazard assessment. These areas of work are vital to informed policymaking, infrastructure planning, disaster preparedness and sustainable development. The emphasis will be on generating reliable, science-based inputs that address the country's evolving developmental and societal priorities, he added. Ganvir joined the Geological Survey of India in 1994, following the completion of his Master's degree in Geology from RTMNU University, Nagpur. Over a career spanning more than 32 years, his contributions span geological mapping, mineral exploration, engineering geology and multidisciplinary geoscientific studies. His assignments include thematic mapping in the Western Bastar Craton; gold and diamond exploration in the Sakoli Fold Belt of Maharashtra; and geoscientific studies associated with the conservation of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Bhimbetka Rock Shelters and Ellora Caves. He has represented GSI at several international forums, including the IndiaPeru Joint Working Group, the RussiaIndia Mining Sub-Group and IMARC 2022 in Australia. In leadership assignments, particularly as National Mission Head-II, he was associated with the planning and monitoring of multidisciplinary field programmes and nationwide mineral exploration, including spearheading a five-fold jump in investigations for critical and strategic minerals in recent times and preparation of geological reports and exploration blocks for the mineral auctions process in line with GSI's national mandate, according to an official statement.
FairPoint: Rahul Gandhi and the desperation of a dethroned prince
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 1 (IANS) Rahul Gandhi sitting in the front seat of an open bus, with other Opposition leaders behind him, and a man wearing saffron headgear running barefoot with a fluttering Tricolour; the scene could not have been more dramatic. The Ramlila Maidan provided even more eye-catching moments, with thousands of people, mainly from Congress-ruled states, turning up to show solidarity on an issue that Rahul Gandhi wants to turn into a movement for regime change. In an age when spectacles have become favourites on social media and the number of views and clicks matters so much, Rahul Gandhi's event could certainly be termed interesting. But success in the virtual world is quite different from the ground reality. The ground situation is not as rosy as the viral reels and social media posts might suggest. The recent MLC elections in 28 seats across four states offer a reality check. These were not elections fought in the illusory world of social media. The truth is that the Congress won just one seat, and that too largely because of the candidate's own standing rather than any political appeal that Rahul Gandhi might have generated. Earlier, during the Bihar elections, Rahul Gandhi tried his best to make the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) an issue but failed to get the response he was looking for. The people voted in large numbers and handed victory to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led NDA. Then why is he sticking to this issue and trying to create a wave, believing that ordinary voters, who have been casting their votes, will buy his claims? The answer perhaps lies with Rahul Gandhi himself and those who were sitting in that open bus and attending his rally at the Ramlila Maidan. Consider the leaders who have rallied behind him. Mamata Banerjee, who lost the West Bengal Assembly elections; the Left, which lost its hold in Kerala; Akhilesh Yadav, who is trying to regain his political foothold in Uttar Pradesh; Mehbooba Mufti, whose party suffered electoral setbacks in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls; and Farooq Abdullah, whose party is grappling with internal discord. Then there are Sanjay Raut and Supriya Sule, whose respective parties lost power in Maharashtra. Rahul Gandhi's mission, and that of those supporting him, seems to be focused on one objective: discrediting a legitimately elected government. With each passing day, this impression is becoming more apparent. Rahul Gandhi seems to be in a hurry to reclaim something that he believes belongs to him. Whether it is questioning the Election Commission, challenging electoral mandates, or organising a mock Parliament to target constitutional authorities, his recent political activities suggest an Opposition leader who is unwilling to accept the limitations of his present position. His stated political objective seems to be to dislodge the government at the Centre, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He has identified his targets and made them known publicly: Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Modi. There is nothing wrong with criticising the government or the ruling party. It is the Opposition's job to question the government, raise its voice and hold the ruling dispensation accountable. It is also perfectly legitimate to seek a change in government. But in India, a change of government can only come through the electoral process or a change in the political equations that sustain a coalition government. What Rahul Gandhi has been doing of late reflects what can only be described as the desperation of a prince who has been dethroned. Instead of focusing on getting his own and his party's act together, he seems more inclined towards discrediting others than proving his own worth. Perhaps he believes that this kind of politics can help him create the wave among the masses that he has so far failed to generate. Former Supreme Court judge (Retd.) Markandey Katju described Rahul Gandhi's paradox as that of he mad wannabe King of India. It is worth recalling that, despite the Gandhi family not having a Prime Minister in office between May 2004 and May 2014, it was widely seen as exercising considerable influence in the UPA government. And no one can forget the moment when Rahul Gandhi, at a press conference on September 27, 2013, denounced and dismissed a controversial ordinance proposed by his own party's UPA government, then led by the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. He described it as complete nonsense that should be torn up and thrown away. He even tore up a copy of the ordinance while the then Prime Minister was on an official visit to the United States. More than 13 years later, similar political theatrics seem to be playing out again. Rahul Gandhi's repeated attacks on constitutional institutions, even as he makes a show of carrying a pocket-sized copy of the Constitution, are quite paradoxical. The Election Commission of India, the Supreme Court and the office of the Prime Minister are all important pillars of our constitutional framework. They are certainly not above scrutiny or criticism. But attempting to create mass hysteria through allegations that have yet to be substantiated is hardly the way to demonstrate respect for the Constitution. Interestingly, Prime Minister Modi made some striking remarks during his speech in Gujarat on 'Rashtriya Ekta Diwas'. He mentioned that certain forces were continuously engaged in conspiracies to divide the nation. He said that attempts were being made to divide and pit against one another the children of Mother India. He also added that, after more than a decade of frustration and disappointment, these people had now come out in the open. We must identify who is secretly meeting whom abroad, which anti-India forces are supporting whom, and who is speaking the language of India's enemies. We must recognise these patterns. We must unite and confront them. Especially the way social media is being used as a weapon, the way rumours are being spread, and the efforts being made to damage India's image, all citizens must come together to deal with these challenges, he said. These are serious statements and point to concerns that have been expressed repeatedly by many. If foreign elements are indeed involved in pushing agendas and creating instability in India, it is high time the government exposed them and placed the evidence in the public domain. Without naming anyone, PM Modi's remarks offered enough hints to invite questions. Why have constitutional institutions, including the Election Commission, the Supreme Court and even the Armed Forces, repeatedly come under attack? Are these attacks merely part of domestic political sparring, or is there a larger story that needs to be examined? The government must investigate and bring the facts into the public domain. After all, a dethroned prince may continue to dream of reclaiming his throne, but in India's democracy, it is the people who decide who gets to occupy it. (Deepika Bhan can be contacted at deepika.b@ians.in)
West Asia conflict: Akasa Air extends Jeddah, Riyadh flight cancellations
According to the advisory, flights to and from Jeddah will remain suspended until and including November 18, 2026, while services connecting Riyadh will remain suspended until and including November 30, 2026
Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav join Opposition's 'Save Democracy' protest in Delhi
Several prominent Opposition leaders attended the rally, including Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, TMC leader Mamata Banerjee, MP Abhishek Banerjee, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, JKNC president Farooq Abdullah, and more
Mallikarjun Kharge Attacks PM Modi, Demands Removal Of CEC Gyanesh Kumar
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging attempts to divide voters and manipulate the electoral process. Addressing supporters, Kharge vowed to continue the opposition's campaign against Gyanesh Kumar, claiming the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in states such as Maharashtra, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh were stolen governments and calling for their removal.
Eminent Dogri Writer Ved Rahi Passes Away at 93
Jammu, Nov 1: Eminent Dogri and Hindi litterateur, Sahitya Akademi Fellow and Bollywood personality Ved Rahi passed away at his residence in Maharashtras Thane district on Sunday morning. He was 93. His last rites will be performed at the Kopari cremation ground in Thane later this afternoon. He is survived by his two daughters, Geetanjali [] The post Eminent Dogri Writer Ved Rahi Passes Away at 93 appeared first on Northlines .
Maharashtra Sets Target Of Deploying 50,000 Electric Buses Within Three Years, Says CM Fadnavis
The Maharashtra Board is expected to release the HSC and SSC date sheet 2027 soon on its official website, mahahsscboard.in. Last year, the exam schedule was released on November 1.
INDIA bloc rally: Nearly 10,000 personnel deployed, Section 163 imposed
Nearly 10,000 police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed across Delhi ahead of the INDIA blocs rally at Ramlila Maidan and a BJP counter-march in West Delhi. Traffic restrictions and diversions are in place in Central Delhi
Maharashtra CM Fadnavis accuses Congress of 'Samvidhan chori' during Emergency
Speaking at the BJP's 'Save Democracy' march organised in Thane against what he described as attempts to create anarchy, Fadnavis claimed that international forces and social media algorithms were being leveraged to spread misinformation and destabilise the country
BJP March: Fadnavis Accuses Congress of Samvidhan Chori During Emergency
Maharashtra CM accuses Congress of undermining democracy during Emergency; Shinde challenges Rahul Gandhi to provide evidence of vote theft
Indian Navy's INS Trishul makes port call at Greece's Souda Bay
Indian Naval Ship Trishul arrived at Souda Bay in Greece on October 31 during its Mediterranean deployment. The visit will feature professional exchanges, cross-deck visits and cultural engagements with the Hellenic Navy
Irani Gang Chief Faces MCOCA Chargesheet In Multi-State Robbery Case
Delhi Police has filed a chargesheet under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against alleged Irani gang chief Nasir Hafiz Khan and two associates. The gang is accused of robberies, cheating, and other offences across multiple states, with Khan having 46 criminal cases against him. The MCOCA case stems from a robbery reported in October 2025, and investigations revealed an organised network using fake identities and routing crime proceeds.
From 35,000 to 3 crore farm sites, state to submit crop loss memorandum to Centre within two days
