Nobel Peace Prize to be awarded in Norway
OSLO, Norway, October 9, 2026 (AP) The Nobel Peace Prize, often considered the most prestigious award on the planet, will be announced Friday in Oslo, Norway. Prognosticators say possible contenders this year include the International Space Station, emergency teams in Sudan, childrens advocates in Ukraine and two top international courts. Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada has attracted attention in prediction markets. U.S. President Donald Trump who is waging a war against Iran has long coveted the prize and repeatedly said he deserves it. The Norwegian Nobel Committee in Oslo received nominations for 287 candidates for this
Rupee rises 23 paise to 96.65 against US dollar in early trade
Mumbai, Oct 9 (PTI) The rupee appreciated 23 paise to 96.65 against US dollar in early trade on Friday, supported by a slight softening in the US dollar and suspected intervention by the Reserve Bank of India. Forex traders said the rupee opened on a positive note this morning with the dollar index down to 102 levels and Brent also down to USD 103.39 per barrel after US President Donald Trump said that the attack on Iran will happen only after the midterm elections. However, broader geopolitical pressures on the domestic currency persist and relentless foreign fund outflows is pressurising
Stock markets rebound in early trade led by TCS, other IT firms
Mumbai, Oct 9 (PTI) Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty rebounded in early trade on Friday after two days of sharp decline, led by a rally in TCS and other IT stocks. The 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 292 points to 71,876.10 in early trade. The 50-share NSE Nifty was up 84.60 points to 22,310.40. From the 30 Sensex firms, Tata Consultancy Services surged over 4 per cent after reporting a 15 per cent jump in net profit to Rs 13,884 crore and pointing to continued growth momentum going forward. Infosys, ITC, HCL Tech, Tech Mahindra, Adani Ports and HDFC Bank were
Assam minister urges flexibility for destination states in GST
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Assam Environment and Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah called for greater administrative flexibility for destination states within the Goods and Services Tax (GST) framework, emphasising the ground realities faced by consumer-oriented states, during the GST Council meeting. The Minister expressed that he shared the suggestion based on Assam
Which is more filling, protein or fibre?
Melbourne, Oct 9 (Conversation) Protein has been everywhere lately. You may have seen food products promoting high protein content, or reels online telling you how to boost your intake. One of the ways protein supports our health is by helping a meal fill us up (satiation) and keeping us feeling fuller for longer between meals (satiety). It does this by influencing our appetite hormones and other metabolic processes. But protein is not the only nutrient that helps with satiation and satiety. And if we focus too much on protein, we may miss the big picture and forget about other important
Assam bypoll: Counting of votes begins for Nagaon Lok Sabha seat
The main contest is among BJP candidate Devasish Sharma, a former IAS officer, Congress nominee and former MLA Sibamoni Bora, and AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal.
Delhi-NCR likely to witness light rain, strong winds; AQI remains moderate to poor
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS) The plains of North India, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana, may experience light rain, overcast skies, and strong winds over the next few days as weather conditions change amid the withdrawal of the southwest monsoon. Cyclonic activity associated with the retreating monsoon is expected to bring heavy rainfall over the next three days, particularly across Uttarakhand, Bihar and Jharkhand. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued rain alerts for 14 states, warning of heavy showers in several regions. The effects of the retreating monsoon are likely to be felt across West Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand over the next three to four days. Meanwhile, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal are expected to receive heavy rainfall between October 9 and 11. Delhi, Punjab and Haryana are likely to witness cloudy skies and light rain till October 14. Western and eastern Uttar Pradesh may receive rainfall from October 9 to 11. Light rain is expected in eastern Rajasthan on October 12, while Delhi-NCR may experience light showers accompanied by strong winds on October 10 and 11. Western Rajasthan is also likely to witness strong winds on October 11. According to the IMD, Uttarakhand is likely to receive heavy rainfall till October 14, while Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh may experience heavy showers on Friday and Saturday and again on October 13 and 14. In Uttarakhand, districts including Pithoragarh, Chamoli and Rudraprayag have been placed under a heavy rain alert. The department has advised pilgrims undertaking the Char Dham Yatra, particularly those visiting Kedarnath and Badrinath, to remain vigilant. In Himachal Pradesh, Chamba, Kullu, Manali and Shimla are likely to receive rainfall on October 13 and 14. Jammu and Kashmir may also witness significant weather changes, with thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds forecast in areas including Doda, Pulwama, Anantnag, Poonch, Udhampur and Srinagar. Bihar and Jharkhand are likely to receive light to moderate rainfall in some areas till October 11. Patna, Ranchi and Dhanbad are among the places where thunderstorms and lightning are possible. The IMD has also warned of heavy rainfall in Bihar and the Gangetic plains of West Bengal. Rainfall is expected to continue in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram and Tripura until October 14. Eastern Madhya Pradesh may receive rain till October 11, while Chhattisgarh is likely to witness showers on October 14. Rewa, Satna and Shahdol in eastern Madhya Pradesh may experience rainfall accompanied by winds reaching speeds of up to 50 kmph. Meanwhile, Delhi's air quality remained in the moderate to poor categories, with monitoring stations recording varying levels of pollution. Dwarka Sector 8 recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 231, followed by R.K. Puram at 219, Punjabi Bagh at 211, Narela at 210, and Pusa and NSUT Jaffarpur at 203 each. Other stations, including Burari, Badarpur, Mandir Marg, Aya Nagar, CRRI Mathura Road, Chandni Chowk, JNU, Burari Crossing, Ashok Vihar, Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range, Jahangirpuri and Rohini, recorded AQI readings ranging from 115 to 198.
By-elections Today: Results for Five Assembly Seats and One Lok Sabha Seat in Assam to Be Announced
Vote counting for by-elections in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Puducherry, and Assam begins today, with significant implications for local parties. By-elections Today: Results for Five Assembly Seats and One Lok Sabha Seat in Assam to Be Announced
Election Results: Vote counting for six constituencies across Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, and Puducherry commenced on October 9. Key contests in Tamil Nadu involve the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam and traditional rivals DMK and AIADMK. West Bengal's results will provide insight into voter sentiment towards the BJP government led by Suvendu Adhikari. The Nagaon Lok Sabha seat's results will reveal the performance of BJP, Congress, and AIUDF.
'Drunk men around me': Assam student's last video from train before she went missing
Himashri Boro, a 20-year-old student from Assam, was travelling alone after a dance competition. She felt unsafe in her train compartment due to inebriated men surrounding her and reached out to her family. Contact was lost between 2:30am and 3:00am, prompting her family to alert the railway authorities. Her body was later discovered near railway tracks in Andhra Pradeshs Srikakulam district.
Bypoll results announced for five Assembly seats and Assam LS seat
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Bypoll results today for five Assembly seats, one Assam LS seat
New Delhi: Counting of votes for by-elections to Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry, along with a Lok Sabha constituency in Assam, will take place on Friday, October 9, with the results expected to provide an electoral indicator for the parties involved. In Tamil Nadu, counting will be held for the Madurantakam Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
NDA States To Pass Cabinet Resolutions Celebrating Modis 25 Years In Power
NDA-ruled states are preparing to pass cabinet resolutions marking Prime Minister Narendra Modis 25 years as head of government. The resolutions will acknowledge his contributions and highlight central government schemes and achievements relevant to individual states. Uttar Pradesh and Assam are expected to lead the initiative, followed by Haryana and Delhi. In states without BJP or NDA governments, resolutions will be moved during meetings of BJP/NDA legislative parties. The Union Cabinet has already passed a resolution congratulating Modi on his 25 years of continuous leadership.
Counting of votes for bypolls to five assembly seats in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry, along with one Lok Sabha seat in Assam, will take place from 8 am today. In Tamil Nadu, counting for...
Diversity, by itself, does not produce unity. A society may contain many languages, religions, customs and communities without granting them equal dignity or a meaningful place in common public life. Diversity becomes pluralism only when difference is accepted as legitimate, when communities encounter one another without seeking to erase one another, and when citizens recognise that their distinct identities can coexist within a shared national framework. That transformation requires more than cultural tolerance. It requires fraternitythe civic willingness to regard those who are different as fellow members of the same political community. And fraternity requires constitutionalism: the discipline that places every citizen, community and government under the authority of equal rights, lawful institutions and accountable public power. Indias diversity is visible everywherein its languages, religions, philosophies, customs, cuisines, dress, literature, music and regional traditions. But beneath this extraordinary variety lies a long, though uneven, history of accommodating difference. The Indian achievement is not that conflict or exclusion disappeared. It is that the subcontinent repeatedly generated cultural practices, intellectual traditions and political arrangements through which difference could be negotiated rather than permanently converted into separation. That is the foundation on which Indian pluralism must be understood. Diversity is a fact. Pluralism is a philosophy. Fraternity is its civic ethic. Constitutionalism is the rule that makes it durable. A diverse society may simply contain many communities. A plural society develops the ethical and institutional capacity to allow those communities to coexist with dignity, engage with one another and contribute to a common public life. Indias achievement has often been to turn diversity into a civilisational resource, although this achievement has never been complete or free from conflict. For thousands of years, the subcontinent has been a site of intellectual disagreement. Its philosophical traditions did not develop around a single universally authorised doctrine. Vedic and Upanishadic texts explored questions about existence, the self and ultimate reality. Buddhism and Jainism challenged established assumptions and developed influential alternative traditions. The schools commonly classified as Vedanta, Samkhya, Yoga, Nyaya and Mimamsa, among others, developed distinct arguments and often debated one another. The Buddhist emperor Ashoka gave one expression to this principle in his edicts. In the 12th Rock Edict, generally dated to the third century BCE, he urged people not to disparage other sects and argued that honouring ones own tradition should not involve denigrating others. His message was not that all beliefs were identical. It was an appeal for restraint, learning and mutual respect in a religiously diverse society. The edict should be understood as evidence of an imperial ethical and political ideal, not as proof that all communities throughout the subcontinent practised equal tolerance. Yet disagreement itself became part of the intellectual culture. This is a significant feature of many Indian traditions. Truth was not always presented as something that could be exhausted by one formulation. The search for truth could proceed through dialogue, debate, experience and contemplation. The dialogues preserved in some Upanishads, Buddhist and Jain traditions of disputation, and the later debates associated with figures such as Adi Shankaracharya reflect the importance accorded to argument. They do not, however, prove that Indian society was uniformly tolerant or free from hierarchy and exclusion. Intellectual openness and social inequality often coexisted. That intellectual pluralism also found expression in Indias literary and cultural traditions. The Ramayana and Mahabharata travelled across the subcontinent, acquiring regional languages, interpretations and artistic forms. Kambans Tamil Ramavataram, Tulsidass Awadhi Ramcharitmanas and Krittibasis Bengali Ramayana are among the best-known examples of retelling. The many versions found across South and Southeast Asia demonstrate how a shared narrative could be adopted without being reproduced identically. Sanskrit interacted with Tamil, Prakrit, Pali and later with Indias many regional languages. Local traditions absorbed wider civilisational themes while retaining their distinctive character. The result was not cultural uniformity. It was a form of cultural federation. Indias diversity is therefore not merely the consequence of geography. It is also the product of centuries of migration, exchange, adaptation and political change. Kashmir provides a particularly important example. The Valley became a major centre of Sanskrit learning, philosophy, aesthetics and spiritual inquiry. Kashmir Shaivism is associated with thinkers such as Vasugupta, Utpaladeva and Abhinavagupta. Abhinavaguptas writings on aesthetics, including his interpretation of rasa, influenced later Indian thinking about drama and artistic experience. Lal Deds verses have been read across religious boundaries, while the teachings associated with Sheikh Noor-ud-din Noorani, or Nund Rishi, became an important part of Kashmirs spiritual heritage. The term Kashmiriyat is often used to describe an ideal of shared Kashmiri belonging across religious communities. Its meaning and historical application are debated, and the regions history includes periods of coexistence as well as conflict, displacement and political violence. Nevertheless, the ideal reflects an aspiration toward a common civic and cultural identity. It should not be presented as an uncontested description of all periods of Kashmiri history. The larger lesson is important. Civilisations can become richer when communities do not merely coexist but encounter one another. Indian pluralism has also been shaped by communities that arrived from outside the subcontinent. Jewish communities established settlements in places including Kerala and Maharashtra, preserving their religious traditions while participating in local society. The Bene Israel community in the Konkan region and the Cochin Jews in Kerala are examples of communities that made India their home over many centuries. Parsis, members of the Zoroastrian faith, migrated to western India from Iran over successive periods, particularly after the Arab conquest of Persia, although the precise chronology and scale of these migrations are matters of historical study. A well-known Parsi tradition recounts that a local ruler symbolised the limits of his kingdom with a vessel filled with milk, and that the Parsi leader responded by adding sugar to it, suggesting that the newcomers would blend into society while enriching it. The story is best treated as cultural memory rather than independently verified history. It nevertheless captures an important element of Parsi self-understanding. Parsis later made major contributions to Indias industrial, philanthropic and public life. The Tata family helped build important enterprises and supported scientific, educational and cultural institutions. Parsi figures such as Dadabhai Naoroji, the first Asian elected to the British House of Commons, played a significant role in public life and the freedom movement. Their history shows how a small community can preserve its identity while contributing substantially to a wider national project. Christianity also has a long history in India. The Saint Thomas Christian tradition in Kerala traces its origins to the early centuries of the Common Era, although the precise historical details of its earliest beginnings remain debated. Christian communities and institutions have contributed significantly to education, healthcare, printing and social reform. Institutions such as St. Xaviers College in Mumbai and Christian Medical College in Vellore are prominent examples, alongside numerous schools, hospitals and charitable organisations serving people of many faiths. Indias Muslim communities have likewise shaped the countrys shared identity in countless ways. Urdu poetry, Hindustani music, qawwali, architecture, cuisine, crafts and scholarship are not external additions to Indian culture; they are part of its living inheritance. Bhakti and Sufi traditions sometimes created spaces of spiritual exchange, although the relationship between them varied across regions and periods. Figures such as Kabir, Guru Nanak, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti and Amir Khusrau are remembered across community boundaries, even though their historical contexts and religious affiliations should not be collapsed into a single syncretic narrative. The cultural histories of Bengal, Punjab, the Deccan and Kashmir show how interaction produced new forms of language, music and devotion. The Indian experience demonstrates that national identity need not require cultural erasure. One can preserve ones language and still be Indian. One can practise ones faith and still be fully committed to the Republic. One can celebrate ones regional heritage while embracing a larger national identity. This layered belonging is not a weakness. It is one of Indias greatest strengths. The Constitution gave this aspiration a modern democratic and legal framework. It did not simply codify an uninterrupted ancient tradition; it also responded to colonial rule, social inequality, Partition and the demands of a modern republic. The Preamble commits the Republic to justice, liberty, equality and fraternity. Fundamental Rights protect equality and several forms of individual and collective freedom. Article 14 guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of the laws. Article 15 prohibits discrimination by the State on specified grounds, including religion, race, caste, sex and place of birth, subject to constitutionally permitted affirmative-action provisions. Article 16 guarantees equality of opportunity in public employment, again subject to specified exceptions and reservations. Article 17 abolishes untouchability and makes its practice an offence. Article 25 protects freedom of conscience and the freedom to profess, practise and propagate religion, subject to public order, morality, health and the other provisions of Part III. Articles 29 and 30 protect certain cultural and educational rights, including the rights of sections of citizens with a distinct language, script or culture to conserve it, and the rights of religious and linguistic minorities to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice, subject to constitutional interpretation and regulation in the public interest. These provisions are not abstract declarations. They have shaped public life, although their implementation has been uneven and contested. In Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala, decided in 1973, the Supreme Court held that Parliaments power to amend the Constitution does not extend to destroying its basic structure. The judgment did not provide a single exhaustive list of basic-structure features, but later decisions have treated principles such as constitutional supremacy, judicial review, democracy and secularism as part of that doctrine. In S.R. Bommai v. Union of India, decided in 1994, the Supreme Court treated secularism as a basic feature of the Constitution and held that the exercise of Article 356 is subject to judicial review. The judgment also addressed the constitutional limits on the use of state power in circumstances involving partisan or communal politics. Its precise holdings should not be reduced to a general judicial prohibition on all political appeals based on religion, but it remains a major authority on secularism, federalism and constitutional accountability. In cases concerning minority educational institutions, including T.M.A. Pai Foundation v. State of Karnataka and subsequent decisions, the Court has examined the scope of minority rights, the meaning of minority, and the extent to which educational autonomy may be regulated to maintain academic standards and prevent maladministration. The law in this area is detailed and continues to evolve. The constitutional framework has also enabled affirmative action for historically disadvantaged communities. Reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes were provided from the beginning of the constitutional order, while reservations for Other Backward Classes in central educational institutions and public employment followed later constitutional, legislative and judicial developments. These measures seek to advance substantive equality, although their design, scope and effects remain subjects of public debate. The Constitutions Fifth and Sixth Schedules provide different forms of protection and autonomy for Scheduled Areas and tribal communities. The Sixth Schedule establishes autonomous district and regional councils in specified areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram. These arrangements do not amount to unrestricted self-government, but they recognise that national unity can accommodate differentiated forms of local governance and cultural protection. These constitutional guarantees should not be misunderstood as instruments of fragmentation. They are among the means through which a diverse nation can preserve unity without demanding uniformity. But constitutionalism is the rule that gives pluralism its durable form. It means that no community, majority or minority, stands above the Constitution; that public power must be exercised within legal limits; that rights cannot depend solely on the goodwill of those who govern; and that institutions must protect citizens against arbitrary authority. Constitutionalism converts the moral aspiration of coexistence into an enforceable discipline of government. Without it, pluralism may remain a cultural ideal, vulnerable to the changing preferences of rulers and majorities. With it, diversity can become a foundation for equal citizenship, accountable power and democratic unity. The constitutional idea of India is therefore neither majoritarianism nor competitive communalism. It is equal citizenship under a constitutional order. This distinction is increasingly important. A democracy cannot survive merely by counting numbers. It must also protect the dignity and rights of those who are numerically smaller. The majority has the right to govern through constitutional procedures; it does not have the right to diminish the equal citizenship of others or to disregard constitutional limits. Indias public life offers many reminders of this principle. Citizens from minority communities have served as Presidents, Vice-Presidents, judges, ministers, diplomats, scientists, artists and military leaders. Dr. Zakir Husain and Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed served as Presidents of India. Justice M. Hidayatullah served as Chief Justice of India and later as Vice-President. Sikh, Christian, Parsi, Buddhist, Jain and Muslim citizens have held high constitutional and public offices and contributed to institutions across the country. These examples do not prove that discrimination has disappeared, nor do they by themselves establish equal social or economic outcomes. They do demonstrate that the constitutional imagination of India is larger than any single religious or cultural identity. That is why fraternity is such a profound constitutional value. Equality tells us that every citizen possesses equal civic worth. Liberty protects individual freedom. Fraternity asks citizens to recognise one another as members of a common national community. The Preamble links fraternity with the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the nation. Fraternity does not demand sameness. It demands solidarity despite difference. The freedom movement offered several examples of this solidarity, though it was never free of internal conflict or exclusion. Mahatma Gandhis campaigns drew participation from Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Parsis and people of many regional and linguistic backgrounds. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad argued that Indian nationalism could not be reduced to religious identity. Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan linked non-violent resistance with an Islamic ethical tradition. The Indian National Army brought together soldiers from different regions and communities under a common political objective, although its composition, political significance and historical legacy require careful study. The national movement contained competing visions, but one of its most influential strands was unmistakably plural. This is where Indias civilisational inheritance can speak powerfully to its constitutional future. Indias diversity, however, should not be romanticised. Pluralism is not automatic. Differences can become sources of mistrust, prejudice and conflict. Caste discrimination, communal tensions, linguistic antagonisms and regional rivalries have all tested Indias social fabric. The Partition of 1947 was accompanied by mass killings, abductions and the displacement of millions, although estimates of the death toll vary widely. The anti-Sikh violence of 1984, the communal violence in Gujarat in 2002, the violence against Christians in Kandhamal in 2008 and recurring violence in different parts of the country show that constitutional ideals require constant defence. The causes, legal findings and historical interpretations of these episodes differ, and each requires careful sourcing rather than rhetorical equivalence. The answer is not to deny these realities. It is to strengthen the institutions and civic culture capable of addressing them. Indias linguistic reorganisation after independence offers an instructive example. Many leaders feared that creating states on linguistic lines would encourage separatism. The States Reorganisation Act of 1956, together with subsequent legislation, reorganised much of the countrys internal boundaries and helped accommodate linguistic aspirations within the Union. Andhra State had already been created in 1953, and later changes created or reshaped states including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Kerala. The process was neither simple nor uniformly peaceful, but it demonstrated that recognition of linguistic identity could, under appropriate constitutional conditions, strengthen rather than weaken the Union. The same principle can be seen in the constitutional accommodation of tribal and regional identities. The Sixth Schedule provides autonomous district and regional councils in specified parts of the Northeast, with powers that include aspects of local administration and, subject to constitutional limits, customary law and cultural affairs. The Eighth Schedule currently lists 22 languages. Its inclusion does not confer exclusive official status at the Union level, nor does it exhaust Indias linguistic diversity. Article 350A directs states and local authorities to provide adequate facilities for instruction in the mother tongue at the primary stage for children belonging to linguistic minority groups, while Article 350B provides for a Special Officer for linguistic minorities. Pluralism requires equal protection of law. It requires political restraint. It requires an independent judiciary, responsible public discourse, effective democratic institutions and an education system that teaches citizens to understand Indias diversity rather than fear it. It also requires political leaders to recognise that social divisions can be easy to exploit but difficult to repair. A nation of Indias scale cannot afford a politics permanently organised around the manufacture of the other. Indias civilisational genius is not that it has always expanded the boundaries of belonging. Rather, its history contains both expansion and exclusion. Its enduring promise lies in the capacity of its people and institutions to widen belonging and correct injustice. This is why Indias national identity should not be understood as a narrow cultural template. It is better understood as a constitutional and civilisational framework capable of accommodating multiple traditions, provided that all citizens remain equal before the law. The idea of Bharat has evolved through successive political and cultural formations. It has shown continuity, but that continuity should not be treated as unbroken or uniform. There is another dimension to this inheritance that deserves attention. Indian society has repeatedly absorbed external influences without becoming culturally indistinguishable from them. Persian, Central Asian, European and other influences entered Indian life in different periods. They changed Indian society, but Indian communities also adapted and transformed what they received. The Mughal period, for example, produced new forms of architecture, painting, administration, literature and cuisine through interaction among Persianate, Central Asian and Indian traditions. The Taj Mahal, the miniature-painting traditions associated with Mughal and Rajput courts, the development of Urdu and the evolution of Hindustani music all reflect complex cultural exchange rather than one-way influence. In the Deccan, Persian, Marathi, Telugu, Kannada and local Islamic traditions interacted in distinctive ways. Under colonial rule, universities, print culture, railways and legal institutions were introduced or expanded within an imperial framework and were subsequently appropriated, contested and reshaped by Indian actors. This is not cultural weakness. It can be a form of cultural confidence. A confident civilisation does not necessarily fear exchange. A contemporary example is Indias scientific and technological life. The Indian Space Research Organisation has conducted significant missions, including Chandrayaan and the Mars Orbiter Mission, and India is among the relatively small number of countries to have demonstrated substantial space-launch and planetary-mission capabilities. It is not possible to attribute these achievements to any single cultural group; they reflect the work of institutions drawing talent from across the country. Indias digital public infrastructure, including Aadhaar and the Unified Payments Interface, has also enabled large-scale participation in common national systems. These systems have expanded access in important ways, but they have also raised legitimate questions concerning privacy, exclusion, cybersecurity, regulation and accountability. Their existence therefore demonstrates institutional scale and integration, not an unqualified success. Indias cultural pluralism is also visible in its public celebrations. Diwali, Eid, Christmas, Gurpurab, Buddha Purnima, Mahavir Jayanti, Onam, Bihu, Pongal, Navratri and many other festivals are observed in different parts of the country, often with participation beyond the communities most closely associated with them. This does not mean that every festival is experienced identically or that social tensions disappear. It does show that Indian public culture has repeatedly created shared spaces around distinct traditions. The India of the 21st century needs precisely this confidence. As Bharat becomes an important economic power, a significant technological actor and an increasingly influential voice in world affairs, its greatest asset will not be its ability to project power alone. Its deeper strength will be its capacity to hold together an extraordinarily diverse population within a democratic constitutional framework. The world is becoming more interconnected, but it is also becoming more anxious about identity. Societies across continents are struggling with migration, religious difference, ethnicity, language and nationalism. India has something valuable to contribute to this global conversation. Its message should not be that differences do not matter. They do. The message should be that differences need not become divisions. The challenge before Bharat is therefore to modernise without homogenising, to strengthen national identity without narrowing it, and to pursue development without sacrificing social trust. This requires a renewed emphasis on fraternity. Economic prosperity cannot by itself create national cohesion. Infrastructure can connect cities; technology can connect people; markets can connect economies. But only mutual respect, equal citizenship and the credible rule of law can create a durable sense of belonging. The young generation must therefore inherit not only Indias achievements but also its civilisational confidence. They must learn that being Indian does not require them to surrender their linguistic, regional, religious or cultural identities. It requires them to place those identities within a larger constitutional and national framework, while respecting the equal rights of others. Indias unity should consequently be understood not as the disappearance of differences but as their coexistence within a shared constitutional order. That is perhaps one of the most distinctive ideas India can offer the modern world. The genius of Bharat is that unity can be spacious enough to accommodate plurality. Its civilisational strength lies not in having produced one way of being Indian, but in having made room for manywhile continuing to struggle over the boundaries of that belonging. The task of our generation is to preserve and deepen this inheritance while adapting it to the demands of a modern constitutional democracy. We should neither romanticise the past nor apologise for our diversity. We should build upon it. A Bharat that guarantees equal citizenship, protects freedom of conscience, encourages dialogue and celebrates its many cultural traditions will be strongernot weakerfor its diversity. For ultimately, diversity becomes pluralism only when difference is treated as legitimate, fraternity turns strangers into fellow citizens, and constitutionalism ensures that this fellowship is protected by rights, institutions and the rule of law. That is the genius Bharat must preserve and deepen: not diversity alone, but the continuing work of converting diversity into pluralism, pluralism into fraternity, and fraternity into constitutional national unity. That is not merely Indias inheritance. It can be Indias gift to the world. Author is a public intellectual and a noted Senior Advocate of Supreme Court of India.
Bypoll results to be declared today for five Assembly seats, one Assam LS constituency
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS) Counting of votes for by-elections to Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry, along with a Lok Sabha constituency in Assam, will take place on Friday, with the results expected to provide an electoral indicator for the parties involved. In Tamil Nadu, counting will be held for the Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly constituencies, with the outcome set to provide an early electoral test for Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government. Postal ballots will be counted first when the process begins at 8 a.m., followed by votes recorded in electronic voting machines (EVMs). Both constituencies, reserved for Scheduled Castes, went to the polls on October 6 following an intensive campaign involving prominent leaders from the ruling party and the Opposition. The contests carry considerable political significance for TVK, which came to power after winning 108 seats in the Assembly election, short of the 118 required for a majority. In West Bengal, counting will take place for the Nandigram Assembly constituency in East Midnapore district and Rejinagar in Murshidabad district. Voting in both constituencies was conducted under unprecedented security arrangements. The Nandigram contest has drawn particular attention after Sanchita Pradhan Dey, the candidate of the Mamata Banerjee-led All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), withdrew her nomination at the last moment. Her withdrawal has led political observers to anticipate a possible victory for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Hasi Rani Rath. Dey is the mother of late Chandranath Rath, personal assistant to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who was assassinated in Madhyamgram on May 6. Earlier on Tuesday, Adhikari said that Rath's victory margin in the Nandigram bypoll could surpass the margin he secured from the same constituency in 2016. Meanwhile, counting will also be held for the Thattanchavady Assembly constituency in Puducherry and the Nagaon Lok Sabha constituency in Assam. The results across these constituencies will determine the electoral fortunes of the candidates and parties contesting the bypolls.
By-Election Results 2026 LIVE: Counting to Begin at 8 AM Across 5 Assembly Seats
The results for bypolls held across five Assembly constituencies - two each in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, and one in Puducherry alongside one Lok Sabha seat in Assam will be declared on Friday. The counting of votes will begin at
Protests grow against Kulsi dam project in WKH
NONGSTOIN, Oct 8: Three traditional heads of Meghalaya announced that they would not give their consent to the proposed dam on the Kulsi River, even as over 2,000 people from Khasi, Garo, Rabha and Bodo communities gathered at Kyrshai near the Assam-Meghalaya border on Thursday to oppose the project. The massive rally at the Kyrshai []
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma urges students to build a self-reliant state
The News Mill
Assam Launches 20,000 LPD Dairy Processing Plant to Boost Local Farmers Income
Assams new dairy processing plant aims to enhance local farmers income and increase milk production to 1 million liters daily. Assam Launches 20,000 LPD Dairy Processing Plant to Boost Local Farmers Income
Assam Ranks Second in Elephant Population in India, Says Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma
Assam is home to over 5,800 elephants, making it the second-largest elephant population in India, according to Chief Minister Sarma. Assam Ranks Second in Elephant Population in India, Says Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma
57 Suspected Bangladesh Nationals Detained In Assam
The group was caught from the Brahmaputra Mail train at Maligaon Kamakhya Railway station. The RPF suspects that they had fled from Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir.
Retired Assam Forest officers extension in key post challenged
The Gauhati High Court has sought a response from the State government in the second petition in about a month
'Lot Of Men Around Me': Last Text By Assam Dancer Found Dead In Andhra
The woman has been identified as Himashree Boro, daughter of Manesware Boro. She was a tribal woman and a student of B Borooah College in Guwahati.
Haflong: Ten-year-old taekwondo player Manish Rongmai from Assams Dima Hasao won a bronze medal at the National Taekwondo Championship 2026, held in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, from October 2 to 4. Manish secured the bronze in the Sub-Junior category in Poomsae, putting up a notable performance at the national-level championship. A resident of Sarkari Bagan in [] The post Assam: Dima Hasaos Manish Rongmai wins bronze at National Taekwondo Championship 2026 appeared first on NorthEast Now .
Tripura Cong observes Black Day, calls for CECs resignation
Amit Shah planned to bring ZPM under BJP fold: Mizoram Cong chief
Only one homeland: NSCN-IM calls for Naga unity across India-Myanmar border
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Assam filmmaker Bhargav Saikia
Guwahati: Director Bhargav Saikias Sikkim-set debut feature Bokshi, produced by Saikia and written by debutant screenwriter and executive producer Harsh Vaibhav under Lorien Motion Pictures, will now be released in Indian cinemas on December 4, 2026. The film was earlier scheduled for an all-India theatrical release on October 9. Its release was postponed after the [] The post Assam filmmaker Bhargav Saikias folk-horror film Bokshi postponed to December 4 appeared first on NorthEast Now .
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IAF has evolved into exceptional, network-centric force: Air Chief Marshal A P Singh
Ghaziabad (UP), Oct 8: Since its inception in 1932, the IAF has evolved into an exceptional, capable, network-centric and multi-domain force that is alert and ready to meet any contingency, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A P Singh said on Thursday. In his address at the Air Force Day celebrations at the Hindan air base here, the IAF chief also said conflicts in parts of the world have shown that air power is the primary means of protecting the national interest. Referring to Operation Sindoor, he said the Indian Air Force (IAF) showed speed of combat operations with both its precision strike and air defence capabilities. Air Force Day is observed on October 8 to commemorate the establishment of the force and the sacrifices made by air warriors. The IAF chief also said success in modern conflict demands deep synergy and that joint planning and integrated combat application with the Army and Navy is a daily activity. Navy Chief Admiral Krishna Swaminathan and Army Chief Gen Dhiraj Seth and other senior military officials were also present at the event. Several former IAF chiefs were also in attendance. Air Chief Marshal Singh credited the air warriors with lending strength to the IAF, and said the force is alert, committed and ready to meet any challenges. Our operational capabilities are growing in the right direction, he said, adding that the force would leave no stone unturned to live up to expectations, rather exceed them. The IAF chief said an air force can have the most advanced aircraft in the world, but its true strength is measured by its operational preparedness -- how quickly and confidently it can act whenever the call comes. He underlined that 'Infallible, Impervious, Precise' is not just a tagline, it is the manifestation of our strength and resolve. He recalled the proud legacy of the IAF and urged it to remain an agile and combat-ready force. From four Wapiti aircraft, the force has evolved into an exceptional, capable, network-centric and multi-domain force ranked among the finest in the world, he said. According to the IAF website, the force's initial aircraft inventory consisted of four Westland Wapiti IIA army co-operation biplanes at Drigh Road as the 'A' Flight nucleus of the planned No.1 (Army Co-operation) Squadron. Today, the IAF has 29 fighter squadrons. On his superannuation on October 31, Air Chief Marshal Singh said serving as the IAF chief was my biggest fortune and it was a proud moment for him. Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit will be the next Chief of Air Staff. The IAF marked the 94th anniversary of its establishment with a ceremonial parade, a static display of some of its prized combat assets such as Rafale and Tejas and a flypast by three Mi-17 helicopters. Aerial manoeuvres by a British-era Tiger Moth drew loud cheers from the audience. Air Chief Marshal Singh arrived at the parade venue in a 1960s-era car, with the three helicopters in 'Dhwaj' formation flying past him. The creamy white left hand-drive car carries the plate number IAF 1. An IAF drum band made its parade debut, while 'Team Shakti', a group of women air warriors who performed skilful drills with rifles, also won the appreciation of the audience. The IAF Drummers Team, comprising 33 young air warriors, presented a vibrant display featuring snare drums, roto drums, bass drums and cymbals, accompanied by dynamic formations and acrobatic movements, officials said. The theme for this year's Air Force Day was 'Indian Air Force: Infallible, Impervious and Precise', reflecting the IAF's unwavering commitment to safeguard the nation's skies with precision, resilience and operational excellence. The IAF also put on display on the tarmac fighter jets such as Su-30 MKI, Jaguar; helicopters such as LCH Prachand and ALH Dhruv; and critical weapon and air defence systems such as BrahMos and Akash, Rohini radar system and a Dornier aircraft. The parade was commanded by Gp Capt Manish Sharma and was followed by an investiture ceremony, during which various air warriors were awarded medals for gallantry and distinguished service. Unit citations were also presented to various units for excellence. Five unit citations were presented to 24 Squadron -- 'The Hawks', 110 Helicopter Unit -- 'The Vanguards', 200 Squadron -- 'Skanda', 2402 Squadron -- 'Vajra', and the Electronic Warfare Range, the defence ministry said in a statement. Sqn No. 24 (The Hawks), which saw considerable action during the India-Pakistan War of 1965, also received a unit citation on Thursday, a senior official said. The Hawks was raised at Air Force Station Chabua in Assam in 1962. From Gnat to MiG-21, followed by Su-30K and ultimately Su-30MKI, it has reinvented itself with evolution of India's air power, the officials said. Following the celebrations at Hindan air base, the Air Force Day aerial display will be conducted at Namo Ghat, Varanasi, on October 25, officials said. Reiterating the IAF's commitment to technological advancement and self-reliance, the air chief marshal said, Atmanirbharta is our guiding principle, and emphasised that emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and autonomous systems, would be integrated while keeping human authority at the core. Space is a natural extension of air domain, he said, and highlighted the growing collaboration with ISRO and domestic space industry, including the IAF's role in the Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission.
Assam has India's second highest elephant population: Himanta Biswa Sarma
Digital Desk | Guwahati, Oct 8 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Thursday that the state has the second-highest number of elephants in the country, with more than 5,800 of the majestic animals inhabiting its forests. In a post on social media platform X, CM Sarma highlighted Assam's rich wildlife heritage and its significance as an important habitat for the country's elephant population. Assam ranks second in the country in terms of the number of elephants, the Chief Minister said, adding that more than 5,800 elephants roam the state's forests. Referring to Assam's spiritual and cultural identity, CM Sarma said the presence of a large elephant population was particularly symbolic in a state associated with the revered Kamakhya temple. Where Mother Kamakhya resides, it is only natural for Lord Gajanana to be present as well, he said, referring to Lord Ganesha, who is traditionally depicted with an elephant head. Assam is known for its extensive forest cover, biodiversity and diverse wildlife, with elephants forming an important part of its natural ecosystem. The state's forests and protected areas provide critical habitats for Asian elephants and support several other species of national and global conservation significance. The elephant population also plays an important role in maintaining ecological balance, as the animals contribute to seed dispersal and influence the structure and regeneration of forest ecosystems. However, the presence of elephants in areas close to human settlements has also remained a challenge in parts of Assam, where human-elephant conflict has periodically resulted in loss of lives, damage to crops and destruction of property. Conservation efforts in the state have therefore focused on protecting elephant habitats, maintaining forest corridors and reducing conflict between communities and wildlife. Chief Minister Sarma's post comes as the Assam government continues to highlight the state's natural and cultural heritage as an important part of its identity. The Chief Minister's remarks also underscore the importance of protecting the state's forests and wildlife while balancing conservation with the livelihood needs of communities living around forest areas. With more than 5,800 elephants, Assam remains one of the country's key elephant habitats and an important contributor to India's wildlife conservation efforts. The state's rich biodiversity, combined with its deep cultural and religious traditions, continues to make wildlife conservation a significant part of Assam's environmental identity.
Mysterious Death Of Assam Woman Who Had Come To Vizag
The body of a 20-year-old woman from Assam has been found on the railway tracks: Reports
HM Amit Shah assures Manipur CM of Centre's support for peace, progress
Digital Desk | New Delhi/Imphal, Oct 8 (IANS) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday assured Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh of the Centre's full support in restoring peace and ensuring progress in the state, as well as in fulfilling the aspirations of its people. A senior official of Chief Minister's Office (CMO) in Imphal said that the Home Minister also appreciated the sustained efforts of the state government to bring peace and normalcy in Manipur. Khemchand Singh on Thursday called on the Union Home Minister Shah at his official residence in New Delhi and during the meeting, the Chief Minister apprised him of the measures taken up by the state government for restoring peace and normalcy in the state. The Chief Minister told Union Minister Shah that the state government has succeeded in resuming the Imphal-Dimapur (Nagaland)-Guwahati bus service, which has brought much-needed relief to the common people. In a significant development, inter-state passenger bus services between Manipur, Assam and Nagaland resumed on August 21 after a gap of more than three years. The passenger bus services along National Highway-2 had remained disrupted following the outbreak of ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo tribal communities in Manipur on May 3, 2023. The Imphal-Jiribam National Highway (NH-37) and the Imphal-Dimapur-Guwahati National Highway (NH-2) are the two crucial lifelines of Manipur, connecting the state with the rest of the country. Khemchand Singh also urged the Union Home Minister to help the state to tide over the various issues being faced by the state and sought continued support from the Central government. The Chief Minister reiterated his invitation to Union Minister Shah to visit the state. Accepting the invitation, the Union Home Minister told Khemchand Singh that he will visit the state in this month, the CMO official said. He added that Union Minister Shah gave a patient hearing to the Chief Minister and assured all support in bringing peace and progress and in fulfilling the aspirations of the people of Manipur.
Gold, silver imports by banks, nominated agencies to attract 3 pc IGST
New Delhi, Oct 8 (PTI) Gold, silver and platinum imports by banks and nominated agencies attract 3 per cent IGST effective April 1, 2026, Revenue Secretary Arvind Shrivastava said on Thursday. The Government notified the GST Council on Thursday that the list of designated banks and agencies that attract IGST exemptions on gold and precious metal imports has not been extended beyond March 31, 2026, Shrivastava said. This is done to ensure parity of taxes imposed on gold and other precious metal imports through other routes, including bullion. Gold, silver and platinum imports attract a 3 per cent IGST, but
India eases punitive rules under GST regime
New Delhi, Oct 8 (PTI) MUMBAI, Oct 8 (Reuters) Indias Goods and Services Tax Council, a body of federal and state government officials, made a series of changes to rules on Thursday, limiting punitive powers of tax officials in cases of GST offences. Businesses across India have complained about stringent tax practices and sought better ease of doing business. Here are the details of the outcomes from the GST Council meeting, according to a government release. The power of arrest is being removed from GST The threshold for prosecution for GST offences has been raised to 50 million rupees
Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam and Puducherry brace for closely watched bypoll verdicts
The bypolls were held on Tuesday, October 6, in Nandigram and Rejinagar in West Bengal, Madurantakam and Dharapuram in Tamil Nadu, Nagaon in Assam and Thattanchavady in Puducherry. Counting of votes in all six constituencies is scheduled for Friday, with the process beginning at 8 am. The results across these six contests, by the end of the day, would provide more than individual winners and losers.
Gold rebounds Rs 3,600 to Rs 1.52 lakh per 10g ahead of festive season
New Delhi, Oct 8 (PTI) Gold prices jumped Rs 3,600 to Rs 1.52 lakh per 10 grams in the national capital on Thursday, rebounding from a two-session slide, as buying interest from jewellers and retailers improved ahead of the festive season. The 99.9 per cent purity metal climbed Rs 3,600 to Rs 1,52,500 per 10 grams, inclusive of all taxes, according to the All India Sarafa Association. It had settled at Rs 1,48,900 per 10 grams on Wednesday. Traders said jewellers typically increase gold purchases in the form of raw material ahead of the festive season, when demand for jewellery
Assam govt launches 20,000-LPD milk plant, CM Sarma says dairy farmers to benefit
Digital Desk | Guwahati, Oct 8 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said the state's dairy sector had received a major boost with the launch of operations at a 20,000-litre-per-day (LPD) milk processing plant in Sonitpur, with the entire milk supply to be sourced from local dairy farmers. Sarma said the new facility was another step towards the state government's target of increasing milk production in Assam to 10 lakh litres per day. In a post on X, the Chief Minister said the milk processed at the Sonitpur facility would be procured entirely from local dairy farmers associated with dairy co-operative societies. This will boost their income, give them an assured market and support a lot of allied activities in the North Bank of the Brahmaputra, Sarma said. He described the initiative as another step towards promoting locally produced, or Made in Assam, products while strengthening the livelihoods of dairy farmers across the state. The Chief Minister said the government was taking several measures to strengthen the dairy ecosystem and ensure greater economic opportunities for farmers involved in milk production and allied activities. Among the initiatives highlighted by Sarma was direct milk subsidy support for dairy farmers. The government is also undertaking digital registration of milk co-operative societies to strengthen the co-operative network and improve the formalisation of the dairy sector. Sarma further said the government was encouraging young people and women to take up dairy farming and allied activities through schemes including the Chief Minister's Atmanirbhar Asom Abhijan (CMAAA) and the Mukhya Mantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan (MMUA). The new processing facility is expected to create a more assured market for milk produced by farmers associated with co-operative societies in Sonitpur and neighbouring areas. The government believes that strengthening milk procurement, processing and marketing infrastructure will help increase farmers' incomes while encouraging more people to enter the dairy sector. The initiative is also expected to support allied economic activities in Assam's North Bank region, including livestock-related services, transportation and other rural enterprises. Sarma said the government's focus remained on building a stronger dairy ecosystem and taking Assam closer to its target of producing 10 lakh litres of milk per day.
Body Of Assam Girl Found Near Railway Tracks In Vizag, Family Demands Probe
The body of a Guwahati college girl, who had reportedly gone missing after boarding a home-bound train from Visakhapatnam two days ago, has been recovered near railway tracks,
Raijor Dal Protests Over Delay In Flood Compensation In Assam
Guwahati, Oct 8: Members of the Raijor Dal staged demonstrations near the Assam Secretariat and the adjoining ministers colony on Thursday, pressing for immediate and increased compensation for flood-affected families in the eastern districts of the state. The protests coincided with party president and Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogois indefinite sit-in, which has now entered its... The post Raijor Dal Protests Over Delay In Flood Compensation In Assam first appeared on Northeast Today .
Four Suspected Bangladeshi Nationals Detained in Guwahati
Assam police have detained four individuals in Guwahati on suspicion of being Bangladeshi nationals without valid documents. Four Suspected Bangladeshi Nationals Detained in Guwahati
Sensex dives 1,045 pts amid sharp spike in oil prices, fears of further monetary tightening
Mumbai, Oct 8 (PTI) Benchmark stock index Sensex tanked 1,045 points while Nifty slid to near 22,230 level on Thursday following heavy selling in rate-sensitive, commodities and FMCG shares amid a sharp spike in crude oil prices and growing prospect of tighter domestic and global monetary conditions. Falling for the second day running, the 30-share BSE Sensex tumbled 1,045.46 points, or 1.44 per cent, to settle at 71,593.24. During the day, it slumped 1,310.95 points, or 1.80 per cent, to 71,327.75. The 50-share NSE Nifty dropped 371.25 points, or 1.64 per cent, to end at 22,231.80. Nifty hit its 52-week
Digital Desk | Guwahati, Oct 8 (IANS) A regional party in Assam, the Raijor Dal, on Thursday alleged that several of its workers were injured during police action following a protest march towards Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarmas residence in Guwahati over issues concerning the state government. The protest was organised following a call by Raijor Dal MLA Akhil Gogoi, with a large number of party supporters taking to the streets carrying black flags and marching towards the Chief Ministers residence. Police detained several protesters as they approached the area, following which tension prevailed briefly. Among those detained were Raijor Dal leaders Dhairya Konwar and Bidyut Saikia, according to the party. The Raijor Dal alleged that police personnel used excessive force while detaining its workers, resulting in injuries to several protesters. In a statement, the party claimed that one of its workers, Ananta Arandhara, suffered a serious injury to his private parts during the detention. The party alleged that police personnel squeezed the area with their hands while taking him into custody. The party further claimed that several other protesters sustained injuries to their heads and chest during the police action. The allegations could not be independently verified immediately. The Raijor Dal criticised the police action and accused the authorities of using disproportionate force against protesters who were demonstrating against the state government. The party also alleged that some of the injured protesters had not received medical treatment at the time it issued its statement. The protest comes amid heightened political activity in Assam, with the Raijor Dal and other Opposition groups frequently raising issues concerning the state government and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Police officials have not yet issued a detailed statement on the allegations of excessive force or the injuries claimed by the protesters. The incident has sparked a fresh political confrontation between the Raijor Dal and the state administration, with the Opposition party demanding accountability for the alleged injuries caused during the detention.
RTI Activist Rakhini Mipi found dead In Arunachal Camp
RTI activist and Assam Rifles rifleman Rakhini Mipi was found dead at an Army transit camp in Hunli, Lower Dibang Valley district, on Sunday morning. Police reported that his body was discovered hanging in a bathroom at around 7:10 am. Mipi had reached Hunli on October 3 with his unit while travelling to Anini for... The post RTI Activist Rakhini Mipi found dead In Arunachal Camp first appeared on Northeast Today .
Assam Police Apprehend 18 Bangladeshi Nationals in Guwahati Operations
Four locals arrested for harbouring and facilitating the illegal immigrants stay and travel
Four suspected Bangladeshi nationals held in Assam
Digital Desk | Guwahati, Oct 8 (IANS) Four people suspected to be Bangladeshi nationals were held by Assam Police in Guwahati for questioning, officials said on Thursday, as the city police continued its crackdown on suspected foreign nationals allegedly staying without valid documents. According to police, the four individuals were detected in the Dispur area during ongoing verification drives and were taken into custody for questioning. Their identities, nationality and documents are being verified, while authorities are also examining the circumstances under which they entered Guwahati. Police said further details would be shared after completion of the verification process. The latest detention comes days after a series of operations in different parts of Guwahati, during which several persons suspected to be Bangladeshi nationals were apprehended. In one of the recent operations, five suspected Bangladeshi nationals were intercepted at Paltan Bazar railway station while travelling on the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Express. Police subsequently traced the group to a hotel identified as Vintage Home, where the five were allegedly accommodated. The operation also led to the arrest of the hotel owner, two managers and another person suspected of facilitating the stay of the alleged foreign nationals. In another operation, 13 suspected Bangladeshi nationals were detained from the Shanti Hotel as part of the ongoing verification drive. Authorities have initiated proceedings for their expulsion under applicable provisions of the Immigrants Act, police said. The latest action in Dispur highlights the intensified efforts by Guwahati Police to identify and verify suspected foreign nationals residing in the city without valid travel or identity documents. Police are also examining whether the detainees have any links with facilitators or networks involved in arranging accommodation and movement for suspected illegal immigrants. Officials said the nationality and legal status of the four persons detained in Dispur would be established only after verification of their documents and other available records. Further details are awaited.
Assam: NCC Launches First-Ever All-Girls Paramotor Training Course In Guwahati
Guwahati has witnessed a historic milestone with the launch of the first-ever NCC All Girls Basic Paramotor Training Course at the NIMAS Paramotor Node. Organized under the aegis of NCC Directorate North Eastern Region (NER) and HQ DG NCC, New Delhi, the initiative brings together 30 Senior Wing girl cadets from Karnataka, Telangana, Assam, and... The post Assam: NCC Launches First-Ever All-Girls Paramotor Training Course In Guwahati first appeared on Northeast Today .
The demise of veteran actor Nana Patekar has prompted condolences from political leaders across the country, who remembered the actor for his contribution to Indian cinema, distinctive performances and outspoken personality. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed grief over Nana Patekars passing, calling the news extremely heartbreaking. The news of the demise of the renowned actor Nana Patekar ji is extremely heartbreaking. Through his acting and characters, he has left an indelible mark on Indian cinema and in the hearts of audiences, Rahul Gandhi wrote. He also offered his condolences to Nanas family, friends and supporters. , https://t.co/viL4KsVYhI Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 8, 2026 Smriti Irani remembers Nana Patekar as Dada Former Union Minister Smriti Irani shared a deeply personal tribute to Nana Patekar, revealing that she addressed him as Dada while the world knew him as Nana Patekar. Dada. Thats what I called him, while the world knew him as Nana Patekar, she wrote. Recalling their conversations, Irani remembered how Nana would call her without formalities and greet her with, Kahan hai re? She also recalled introducing young talent to him over the phone and said he would always respond with warmth despite his famously gruff exterior. Irani also remembered Nana cooking for her and spoke about their last conversation, when he asked her, Aa re Pune, kadhi yeshil? She translated it as, Come to Pune, when will you visit? I said, Soon. Guess was not soon enough, she wrote. Dada. Thats what I called him, while the world knew him as Nana Patekar. His calls were as random as they were precious. No formalities, no pleasantries. Just that familiar voice Kahan hai re? We barely ever photographed our moments together. Perhaps because one could never imagine there would come a day when photographs would be all I am left with. I would call him out of the blue, sometimes just to put him on the phone with young talent who admired the legend. And he would oblige, with all the warmth that lay beneath that unmistakably gruff exterior. Today, among the memories I hold closest is one of him cooking for me. No special occasion . Just Dada, being Dada. Our last conversation still echoes in my ears. Aa re Pune, kadhi yeshil? Come to Pune, when will you visit? I said, Soon. Guess was not soon enough. See you on the other side, Dada. Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) October 8, 2026 Rajnath Singh calls his death an irreparable loss Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described Nana Patekars passing as an irreparable loss to Indian cinema and highlighted his versatility and intensity as a performer. Few actors possessed his extraordinary versatility and intensity, Singh wrote, while recalling Nanas work in films such as Ankush, Prahaar and Krantiveer. Rajnath Singh also remembered Nanas voice, screen presence and ability to portray vastly different characters, adding that his contribution to Indian cinema would continue to inspire generations. The passing of veteran actor Nana Patekar is an irreparable loss to Indian cinema. Few actors possessed his extraordinary versatility and intensity. He could make audiences laugh with impeccable comic timing, yet in films like Ankush, Prahaar, and Krantiveer he brought a rawness and gravitas that made every character unforgettable. His voice, presence and ability to inhabit completely different worlds made him truly unique. Nana Patekar was not merely an actor; he was an institution in himself. His remarkable contribution to Indian cinema will continue to inspire generations. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and countless admirers. May his soul rest in peace. Om Shanti! Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) October 8, 2026 Pawan Kalyan recalls Nanas memorable performances Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan also offered his condolences, describing Nana Patekar as an exceptional actor who brought remarkable depth and authenticity to his characters. Kalyan specifically remembered Nanas performance in Krantiveer and listed films including Parinda, Khamoshi, Tirangaa, Agni Sakshi, Natsamrat, Ab Tak Chhappan and Apaharan among his memorable works. He also highlighted Nanas association with the Indian Army and his service to the nation, describing it as a reflection of his patriotism and commitment. Condolences on the Passing of Shri Nana Patekar Ji I convey my deepest condolences on the passing of renowned actor Shri Nana Patekar Ji. I pray to the Almighty for his soul to rest in peace and convey my heartfelt sympathies to his family and loved ones. Shri Nana Patekar Ji was an exceptional actor who brought remarkable depth and authenticity to every character he portrayed. His unforgettable performance in Krantiveer remains etched in the memories of cinema lovers. Parinda, Khamoshi, Tirangaa, Agni Sakshi, Natsamrat, Ab Tak Chhappan and Apaharan are among the many memorable works in his illustrious career. His association with the Indian Army and his service to the nation further reflected his deep sense of patriotism and commitment. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and countless admirers. May his soul rest in peace. - @PawanKalyan @PIB_India @IPR_AP @pibvijayawada Deputy CMO, Andhra Pradesh (@APDeputyCMO) October 8, 2026 Assam CM pays tribute to Nanas outspoken persona Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also mourned Nana Patekars death. Referring to the actor by his birth name, Vishwanath Patekar, Sarma wrote that he was more than a versatile actor and called him a true nationalist. Of all his roles, we'll miss most the ones where he held up a mirror to society with his plain speak, on screen and off, Sarma wrote, adding, Voices like his come once in a generation. Vishwanath Patekar was more than a versatile actor; he was a true nationalist. Of all his roles, we'll miss most the ones where he held up a mirror to society with his plain speak, on screen and off. Voices like his come once in a generation. Om Shanti https://t.co/nRPphZSMUG Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) October 8, 2026 Arvind Kejriwal remembers Nanas 90s legacy Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said he was shocked and deeply saddened by Nana Patekars passing. Kejriwal remembered the actors classic films from the 1990s and said they had left a mark on an entire generation. He didn't just act, he truly lived his characters. His distinguished style will forever remain etched in our hearts, he wrote. Shocked and deeply saddened to hear about the passing of the legendary Nana Patekar ji. It is so hard to believe he is no more. May his family and loved ones find strength during this difficult hour. His classic hits from the 90s left a mark on an entire generation. He didn't just act.. he truly lived his characters. His distinguished style will forever remain etched in our hearts. Om Shanti Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) October 8, 2026 Nana Patekars Death Nana Patekar passed away at the age of 75 at 5:20 AM after suffering a severe cardiac arrest at his residence. According to Dr. Shekhar Salkar, Chief of the Oncology Department at Manipal Hospital, the actor was brought to the hospital in an unresponsive state and could not be revived despite cardiac massage being performed for around 45 minutes to an hour. Dr. Salkar said Nana had messaged a friend around 2:30 AM saying he was not feeling well. His friend later reached his residence at around 4 AM, after which medical assistance was arranged. The actor was subsequently shifted to the hospital around 4:20 or 4:30 AM. A medico-legal case was registered and Nanas body was taken to Goa Medical College for a post-mortem examination. Nana Patekar began his film career with Gaman in 1978 and went on to deliver acclaimed performances in Salaam Bombay!, Parinda, Prahaar, Krantiveer, Ab Tak Chhappan, Natsamrat and Welcome, among several others. His most recent release was Subedaar, which premiered on Amazon Prime Video in March 2026, while his last substantial theatrical appearance was in Vishal Bhardwajs ORomeo, released in February 2026. As tributes continue to come in, political leaders have joined members of the film fraternity in remembering an actor whose work left a lasting impact on Indian cinema. Also Read:Nana Patekar messaged friend at 2:30 AM saying he was unwell, reveals doctor; adds actor was brought dead to hospital
Assam: Raijor Dal leaders detained in Guwahati protest over flood compensation
Assam: Raijor Dal leaders detained in Guwahati protest over flood compensation
Digital Desk | Koppal (Karnataka), Oct 8 (IANS) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister, G. Parameshwara, on Thursday said the possibility of conspiracies and attempts to defame the state government through sting operations could not be ruled out, following Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar's caution to ministers about possible attempts to target them. Speaking to reporters at Gunnala village in Koppal district, Dy CM Parameshwara said the Chief Minister had an Intelligence wing and might have received inputs suggesting that Congress ministers could be targeted through sting operations. The Chief Minister has an Intelligence wing with him and he might also have received Intelligence inputs in this regard. Based on this, he might have told the ministers to be careful about sting operations, Dy CM Parameshwara said. He said there could be attempts to bring disrepute to the state government and that the Chief Minister might have issued the warning against this backdrop. There might be intentions and attempts to bring disrepute to the state government. In this backdrop, he might have cautioned the ministers, he said. Dy CM Parameshwara, who had served as Home Minister for eight years, said Intelligence agencies routinely provide inputs to the government and ministers based on their reports. I was also Home Minister for eight years. We receive Intelligence inputs and, when we get reports, the Chief Minister communicates accordingly, he said. The Deputy Chief Minister said the Chief Minister might have received information that sting agencies were targeting Congress ministers and had, therefore, warned them to remain cautious. In his knowledge, it must have come to his notice that sting agencies are targeting Congress ministers. In this backdrop, he has given a warning to be careful, Parameshwara said. Asked about the possibility of conspiracies, Parameshwara said such a possibility could not be ruled out. There are chances. I won't rule it out. There might be conspiracies. These developments are likely to happen. Why don't they happen? They will happen, he said. His remarks came amid growing concerns within the ruling Congress over alleged attempts to target ministers and leaders through Central agencies and sting operations. The issue gained prominence after CM Shivakumar cautioned ministers about the possibility of such operations and claimed that attempts had earlier been made to trap him after he became Chief Minister. Meanwhile, Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge further alleged that the Centre was making continuous efforts to bring down the Congress government in the state, claiming that central agencies such as the Income Tax Department, Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), along with sting operations, were being used for the purpose. Kharge said he was unaware of the source of Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy's information but claimed that the Chief Minister and senior ministers had received inputs about attempts by central agencies to destabilise the state government. It can be noted that Union Minister Kumaraswamy had stated that CM Shivakumar himself is getting the sting operations done against his ministers. I don't know from where Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy got his information. But the information that has come to the Chief Minister and senior ministers is that the IT, ED or any other agency has attempted to somehow bring down this government, Kharge said. He alleged that the central government was desperate to dislodge the Congress government in Karnataka and attributed this to the performance of the state government. The central government is desperate to dislodge the government in Karnataka. The reason is simple. We have delivered and reached the guarantees to the people without any issues. Major works are being carried out across the state, be it in the coastal region or Kalyana Karnataka, he said. Kharge said Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar was actively engaging with people and working across the state, and alleged that Kumaraswamy's criticism of the Chief Minister stemmed from jealousy. The Chief Minister today is active among the people and is working. Out of this jealousy, Union Minister Kumaraswamy is issuing statements. His claim that Chief Minister Shivakumar himself is doing it is purely a statement out of jealousy, Kharge said. He, however, maintained that the alleged attempts to destabilise the government were a reality and not merely a political allegation. But this is a fact, he said. Kharge alleged that the Centre had previously used similar methods against elected governments in other states. Referring to Maharashtra, Assam, Goa, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, he claimed that central agencies and other means had been used to weaken or bring down Congress governments. If you look at history, see what they did in Maharashtra, Assam, Goa, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Central-sponsored schemes like IT, ED and CBI, along with sting operations, are being used to bring down the Congress government in Karnataka, he said. His remarks came amid a political confrontation between the ruling Congress and the BJP-JD(S) Opposition over allegations of attempts to destabilise the Karnataka government and concerns within the Congress over possible sting operations targeting its ministers and leaders.
India inflation likely accelerated in September on food and energy pressures
BENGALURU, Oct 8 (Reuters) Indias consumer inflation likely accelerated in September, moving closer to the upper end of the Reserve Bank of Indias 2%-6% target range as higher energy costs compounded pressure from elevated food prices, a Reuters poll of economists showed. Rising crude oil prices and higher food costs are expected to have pushed inflation higher last month. Brent crude has climbed above $100 a barrel, while a deficient monsoon has driven up food prices. Food and beverages account for about 40% of Indias consumer price index basket. Underscoring those inflationary risks, the RBI on Wednesday raised its
Seven-Month Pregnant Woman Killed In Road Accident In Assam
A seven-month pregnant woman was killed in a devastating accident when an oil tanker allegedly rammed into her scooter on National Highway 37 in Assams Cachar district. The victim, identified as Mary Lalrimpui Mar of Lower Laban Khal, was reportedly travelling towards Fulertal for a routine prenatal check-up when the collision occurred in the Jujang... The post Seven-Month Pregnant Woman Killed In Road Accident In Assams Cachar first appeared on Northeast Today .
Thinking of taking melatonin to help you sleep? Here
Sydney, Oct 8 (Conversation) Whether youre struggling with jet lag, are a shift worker who sleeps during the day, or someone with more severe insomnia, you might have wondered if melatonin can help you get a better sleep. Melatonin is a hormone made in the brain to regulate your daily sleep-wake cycle. It tells your internal body clock to get sleepy when its dark. Melatonin supplements are a synthetic version of this hormone that people can take to help them sleep. But they wont work for all sleep conditions. So what can you take it for? First, how does melatonin
Rahul Gandhi briefly detained as India
NEW DELHI, October 8, 2026 (AP) Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi was briefly detained by police Wednesday during a protest against the countrys election chief, as opposition parties intensified their campaign against a contentious revision of voter lists that has removed over 130 million people. Gandhi and other opposition lawmakers were stopped by police as they marched toward Jantar Mantar, a designated protest site in Indias capital New Delhi. A live feed on the YouTube channel of Gandhis Congress party showed police taking him into a vehicle and driving him away. He was later released. It was Gandhis second
Tribal Woman From Assam Goes Missing From Train, Body Found In Andhra
According to the sources, the family has claimed that the woman had gone to Andhra Pradesh for dance performance and was returning back.
Syrian general accused of atrocities paid and protected by US and Lebanon, BBC finds
Bassam al-Hassan, linked to reporter Austin Tice's abduction, is being sheltered in return for information.
From Bees to Better Farms: Honeybees in Natural Farming
By Denisha Rajkhowa Introduction Agriculture in the North Eastern Region (NER) of India is closely associated with rich biodiversity, diverse agro-climatic conditions, traditional farming practices and abundant natural resources. The region comprises Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura, and supports a wide range of agricultural and horticultural crops. Fruits, vegetables, pulses, [] The post From Bees to Better Farms: Honeybees in Natural Farming first appeared on Highland Post .
Assam Police Arrest 17 Bangladeshi Nationals In Guwahati
According to police, five Bangladeshi nationals were arrested on Tuesday from the general coach of the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Express during routine checking near the Paltan Bazar railway station.
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma highlights development under PM Modi
The News Mill
Assam CM Himanta Sarma says woman sent to Bangladesh safe, son counters CM
Mumtaz Begum, a woman expelled to Bangladesh, remains untraceable by her family despite official claims of her safety. Her son, Momruz Ali, is pleading for government assistance to locate her in either country. The Gauhati High Court directed authorities to find Mumtaz and provide interim compensation to her husband. Reports indicate that searches in Bangladesh yielded no results for her whereabouts so far.
Assam Paramilitary Force Man Dies Of Dengue In Gujarat
The death - first among visiting security forces - underscores the vector-borne outbreak in the capital city of Gujarat.
Over 2,000 CPM protesters detained during March to Dispur
All 33 NPP MLAs rally behind Sangma amid BJP buzz
Manipur cops arrest pharmacy proprietor in Ahmedabad in codeine syrup case
Nagaland forest minister calls for end to wildlife hunting
Assam sets sail into shipbuilding, first shipyard coming up at Dharapur
Forest encroachment: Gauhati HC seeks Assam, Arunachals response by Nov 16
After poll victory, Pradyot announces plan to quit politics
5 held in Jorhat honey-trap racket
Woman goes missing from Vivek Express in way to Guwahati
18 Bdesh nationals held in Guwahati; 13 of them fled Srinagar crackdown
I want to move forward without putting unnecessary pressure on myself
Assam: ED attaches Rs 2.12 crore in digital arrest cyber fraud case
Digital Desk | Guwahati, Oct 7 (IANS) The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has provisionally attached bank balances totalling around Rs 2.12 crore in 43 accounts in connection with a cyber fraud involving the alleged digital arrest of a senior citizen in Guwahati, officials said on Wednesday. The ED's Guwahati Zonal Office-I issued the provisional attachment order under Section 5(1) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The attached balances were held in accounts with Axis Bank, Bank of India, Bandhan Bank, IndusInd Bank, Punjab National Bank and State Bank of India. According to the agency, the investigation began following an FIR registered by the Cyber Police Station, CID, Assam, Guwahati, under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Information Technology Act, 2000, against unidentified cyber fraudsters. The investigation revealed that between September and December 2025, the accused allegedly impersonated officials of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the Mumbai Crime Branch and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). They allegedly contacted the senior citizen through WhatsApp video calls and falsely claimed that a bank account opened using his Aadhaar details was involved in money laundering. The victim was allegedly subjected to a digital arrest, shown fabricated court proceedings and a fake Digital Arrest Warrant, and threatened with detention under the National Security Act if he disclosed the matter. The fraudsters allegedly demanded money under the pretext of an RBI inspection and later a ail bond, coercing the victim into transferring around Rs 2.13 crore through 19 transactions. The ED said the money was routed through multiple mule bank accounts held by individuals, firms and companies across the country. The funds were allegedly converted into cash and digital currency, routed through payment gateways and transferred to other accounts to conceal their trail. Tracing the proceeds of crime, the agency identified 43 bank accounts containing balances linked to the fraud and provisionally attached them to prevent further dissipation. The investigation is continuing, the ED said.
Assam Police bust honey-trap gang, arrest five in extortion case
Digital Desk | Guwahati, Oct 7 (IANS) An Instagram friendship that allegedly turned into an extortion racket has led Assam Police in Jorhat district to arrest five persons, including two women and the alleged female mastermind, in a honey-trapping case, officials said on Wednesday. The case came to light after a private-sector bank manager from Tinsukia lodged a complaint at Jorhat Sadar Police Station. According to Officer-in-Charge Hrishikesh Hazarika, the victim had befriended a woman from Jorhat on Instagram in July, and their online interactions later developed into a personal relationship. On August 14, the woman allegedly asked the bank manager to come to Jorhat. He reportedly arrived at around 1 a.m. and was taken to a rented house in Seoni Ali. According to the complaint, two unidentified men later arrived at the house. The woman allegedly opened the door, after which the intruders reportedly recorded compromising footage and threatened to circulate it on social media and share it with the victim's family. The gang initially demanded Rs 2 lakh, which the victim allegedly paid out of fear. Subsequently, demands for another Rs 1 lakh and Rs 5 lakh were made. Police said the victim paid a total of Rs 3 lakh before approaching the authorities. Acting on the directions of the Senior Superintendent of Police, a special team led by Hrishikesh Hazarika arrested two youths, Sanjib Das and Ankit Paul of Garmur, on October 2. They were produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody in Case No. 338/2026. Further investigation identified Moromi Das Neog as the alleged mastermind. A police team sent to Dibrugarh tracked her down and arrested her based on specific intelligence inputs. Police also arrested another woman, Baby Bora, and her husband, Ankit Bora. Preliminary examination of mobile phones seized from the accused suggests that the gang may have targeted several financially well-off individuals, including businessmen and government and private-sector employees, using a similar modus operandi. Calling it a clear case of honey-trapping, Hrishikesh Hazarika said police are examining digital evidence to identify other possible victims. The investigation is continuing.
