Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivkumar will join Mahashivratri celebrations at Sadhguru's Isha Foundation on February 26. Sadhguru will inaugurate the event with a midnight initiation of the Mahamantra and a new meditation app. The night will showcase performances by renowned artists, creating an immersive spiritual experience.
India will present its effective waste management practices from the Mahakumbh at the upcoming 'Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Asia and the Pacific' in Jaipur. Housing and urban affairs minister Manohar Lal Khattar noted the religious congregation's efficient waste management plan involving 25,000 personnel. The conference will discuss 'waste to wealth' and boosting circular economy.
The Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab announced the launch of a massive campaign against drugs, involving the establishment of rehab and drug de-addiction centers. Scheduled to begin shortly, the initiative will involve strict inspections and preparations on a war footing. IAS officer Sandeep Kumar will oversee inspections, with District Commissioners held accountable for readiness.
Shashi Tharoor, who once challenged the status quo in Congress by contesting for the post of party chief against Mallikarjun Kharge, has once again challenged the party leadership. His recent praises for rivals have reignited internal tensions within the party
The CBI submitted a status report and plans to file a supplementary chargesheet in the rape-murder case at R G Kar Medical College. Sanjay Roy has been convicted and sentenced to life. Abhijit Mondal and Sandip Ghosh are other accused, with Ghosh still in custody for another case.
The Uttar Pradesh Government on Monday submitted a status report to the Supreme Court stating that the Shahi Jama Masjid Committee's claims regarding the location of a well where Hindu rituals were allegedly being performed were misleading.
IIMC Alumni Association announced winners of the 9th IIMCAA Awards at its Connections meet in Delhi. Notable awards included Anshu Gupta and Neelesh Misra as Alumni of the Year, and Sarvapriya Sangwan as Journalist of the Year. Prof Ashok Ogra and others received Lifetime Achievement Awards. Various jury awards were given, highlighting the achievements in journalism, PR, and advertising.
The Centre plans to revamp Delhi zoo's entrance with a modern multi-utility plaza featuring a food court, cloakroom, security infrastructure, queue management area, souvenir shop, visitor center, and parking. The development aligns with site needs, accommodating 16,000 sq m multi-level parking and 11,000 sq m for future expansion.
India and the UK resumed their FTA talks to boost the GBP 42 billion annual bilateral trade. The discussions, paused due to elections, aim to address key issues such as business visas, duty cuts, and fair treatment of spirits. The deal seeks to support exports, particularly in labour-intensive sectors like textiles.
Punjab Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa claimed that 32 AAP MLAs are considering switching sides, and he suggested Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann may eventually join the BJP. In response, AAP's Aman Arora alleged Bajwa is the one planning to join the BJP.
The central government committee monitoring Delhi-NCR's air quality lifted Stage 2 restrictions under GRAP due to improved pollution levels. Delhi's 24-hour average AQI was recorded at 186. Stage-III measures will be implemented if AQI exceeds 350, and Stage-IV if it surpasses 400.
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath has criticized the opposition for their negativity towards Maha Kumbh and praised the event's successful management. He highlighted the contrast in experiences among visitors while accusing the previous Samajwadi party administration of neglecting religious sentiments.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) faces criticism for investigating historical mosques' origins, raising debates on its role in religious disputes. While court orders drive these surveys, experts emphasize the importance of preserving cultural heritage without political influence.
The article highlights the growing acceptance of men's makeup in India, driven by initiatives such as Yaan Man's launch and social media influence. Despite initial skepticism, the market for male grooming products is expanding, with increasing demand for items like concealers and tinted moisturizers.
Darshana Sreedhar Mini explores Kerala's adult film industry during the '90s and 2000s in her book. The soft porn cinema rise was fueled by financial crises in mainstream cinema, but oversaturation led to its decline. Starlets like Shakeela became synonymous with the genre, although their careers in mainstream cinema suffered as a result.
A Hindi teacher at Bhavans Rajaji Vidyashram School in Chennai was suspended for hitting and threatening a student who failed to recite a Hindi poem. The incident prompted the school administration to take action following a complaint from the student's parents. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) enforces a strict policy against teacher violence. Authorities are currently investigating the situation.
During the 119th episode of 'Mann Ki Baat', PM Narendra Modi celebrated Isro's 100th rocket launch, emphasizing the nation's resolve in space achievements and growing women's participation. He encouraged spending National Science Day with a scientific focus to spark curiosity among youth and highlighted India's advancements in AI.
Shashi Tharoor, a prominent Congress MP, has shown signs of growing dissatisfaction with the party, citing a leadership gap in Kerala Congress and seeking clarity on his role. Despite this, Kerala Congress leaders believe Tharoor will stay with the party. Tharoor has expressed interest in the chief minister role if Congress wins the Kerala assembly elections.
The law ministry has withdrawn the draft Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2025 from public consultation after facing threats of protests from lawyers' bodies. The bill proposed disciplinary actions, including revoking licenses for disrupting court proceedings, and allowed foreign law firms to practice in India.
Chief Minister M K Stalin has criticized the Union government for the Advocates Amendment Bill 2025, claiming it threatens the legal profession's autonomy. Although withdrawn due to protests, Stalin urges its total withdrawal and accuses BJP of undermining Tamil identity and judicial independence. He also mentioned that TN’s population control work puts it at a disadvantage in the delimitation exercise, affirming rejection of the three language policy.
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta assured that despite the empty state coffers left by the previous AAP government, the BJP is committed to implementing the Rs 2,500-per month honorarium scheme for eligible women. Approximately 38 lakh women could benefit from this scheme, which is projected to cost over Rs 11,000 crore annually. The assembly session will prioritize development projects and address misuse of funds in previous reports.
Atishi, former CM and MLA of Kalkaji, was elected as the leader of opposition in Delhi assembly by consensus. This marks the first time in any Indian state that both the CM and LoP are women. Atishi emphasized AAP's commitment to ensuring BJP fulfills its promises, including financial support for women.
India has been implementing seven projects worth $750 million in collaboration with USAID. The focus is on agriculture, climate adaptation, water and sanitation, renewable energy, health, and disaster management. Ongoing since 1951, USAID has provided $17 billion over 73 years for 555 projects across multiple sectors.
Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan experienced discomfort on an Air India flight due to a sunken seat. Engineers clarified the seat was not broken but had lean cushioning. Chouhan criticized the airline for unethical practices, sparking an apology from Air India.
A group of 12 undocumented Indian immigrants deported from the US to Panama reached Delhi, facilitated by the International Organisation for Migration. This comes after the deportation of 332 others to Amritsar earlier this month. Cases have been registered against travel agents responsible for illegal facilitation.
Congress has accused BJP of spreading fake news by claiming that USAID funds intended for India were used for voter turnout. They also criticized BJP for remaining silent on US President Trump and Elon Musk's insults towards India to secure a pardon for Adani, who faces cases in America.
Maharashtra's Aveo Pharmaceuticals was raided by state and central drug inspectors following a BBC documentary exposing their illegal export of unlicensed, addictive opioid pills to West Africa, leading to halted production and seized inventory. Authorities issued stricter export and manufacturing directives in response.
