Shashi Tharoor praises PM Modi for India's vaccine diplomacy contrasting with past criticism from Congress leaders like Rahul and Sonia Gandhi. Tharoor's remarks have embarrassed his party, giving BJP an opportunity to mock Congress. BJP welcomes these acknowledgments of Modi's successful global initiatives.

A family's Eid celebration in Delhi turned tragic when their two-year-old daughter was fatally hit by a car driven by a neighbor's teenage son in Paharganj. The incident, captured on CCTV, showed the child being run over as the car moved forward hesitantly. The toddler was pronounced dead at a nearby medical facility.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced the renaming of various locations across Uttarakhand to reflect public sentiment and honour historical figures. Additionally, he visited patients affected by food poisoning in Coronation Hospital, with investigations underway to hold responsible parties accountable for the suspected adulteration in buckwheat flour.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju condemns opposition groups for allegedly misleading people about the Waqf Amendment Bill. He urges all political parties to participate in parliamentary debates and discussions on the bill. Meanwhile, protests against the bill continue, with demonstrators wearing black armbands during prayers.

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar faced backlash from RJD after a video showed him placing his arm around a woman's shoulder during an event with Union home minister Amit Shah. RJD criticized his behavior as objectionable and questioned his ability to govern due to alleged health issues.

Senior RSS leader Suresh 'Bhaiyyaji' Joshi dismissed the controversy over Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb, stating it is unnecessary. He emphasized India's inclusiveness, referencing Shivaji Maharaj's historical actions. Raj Thackeray and other leaders echoed these sentiments, advising against interpreting historical events through religious lenses and cautioning against misinformation spreading on platforms like WhatsApp.

Telangana CM A Revanth Reddy ordered an investigation into allegations against Hyderabad Cricket Association officials harassing Sunrisers Hyderabad with demands for free tickets. SRH management threatened to relocate if such practices continue. IPS officer K Sreenivasa Reddy will conduct the inquiry. A recent incident involved HCA representatives locking a box on SRH's match day until extra tickets were provided.

The ministry of external affairs in India has rejected a report by The New York Times as factually incorrect and misleading. The report alleged that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) engaged in questionable transactions involving restricted technology with Russia, which the ministry denied, emphasizing India's compliance with strategic trade laws.

Nidhi Tewari, a 2014-batch IFS officer, has been appointed as the private secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She is currently serving as deputy secretary in the PMO. Tewari hails from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, and joined the Prime Minister's Office as Under Secretary in 2022. Her appointment has been approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.

BJP criticized West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee for her comments on religious harmony, alleging she failed to maintain law and order. Banerjee's remarks were made after Eid clashes in Malda district. BJP's Amit Malviya accused her of inciting anti-Hindu violence and corruption.

West Bengal BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of delivering a provocative speech during Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations at Red Road. He claimed Banerjee made controversial remarks and tried to incite community animosity. BJP criticized her for allegedly deriding Hindu faith and politics at a religious event.

The Delhi government has declared five dry days for the initial quarter of fiscal year 2025-26, including significant religious observances such as Ram Navami, Mahavir Jayanti, Good Friday, Buddha Purnima, and Eid-ul-Zuha. Liquor shops will be closed on these dates as per the Delhi Excise Rules, 2010, with mandates for licensees to display the order visibly.

Rahul Gandhi urges Prime Minister Modi to cancel offshore mining tenders along the coasts of Kerala, Gujarat, and Andaman & Nicobar, citing environmental threats and impacts on livelihoods. He calls for thorough impact assessments and stakeholder consultations before any major decisions are made.

Yuva Sena's Rahool Kanal states that comedian Kunal Kamra will be welcomed in 'Shiv Sena Style' if he visits Mumbai, despite receiving protection in Tamil Nadu. Kamra was granted interim anticipatory bail by Madras High Court amid allegations of making derogatory political comments. Kamra’s counsel cites threats and safety concerns for seeking bail outside Maharashtra.

Akhilesh Yadav, Samajwadi Party chief, accused the UP Police of unnecessary barricading on Eid in Lucknow, deeming it as a sign of dictatorship and emergency by the Yogi government. Police forces have increased security measures, including drone surveillance and CCTV monitoring, in sensitive areas for Eid and Ram Navami.

Sonia Gandhi has criticized the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, accusing the BJP government of centralizing power, commercializing education, and promoting communal biases. She argues the policy undermines state governments, increases privatization, raises student fees, and revises educational content with ideological biases.

MNS chief Raj Thackeray condemned efforts to create communal tensions over Aurangzeb's tomb and urged people to study history from books rather than WhatsApp. He emphasized that the country should not rely solely on religion for progress and cited Turkey as an example of successful reform.

A sessions court in Ahmedabad has acquitted four men accused of rioting and arson during communal violence in the Naroda area post-Babri Masjid demolition in 1992-93. The court cited a lack of evidence, including no CCTV footage or eyewitnesses, to link the accused to the crime.

Mangroves provide crucial benefits to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, including storm protection, pollution absorption, and safeguarding fish breeding grounds. IIT Bombay researchers estimate these services to be worth at least Rs 1,700 crore annually for the region, highlighting the significant economic value of conserving mangroves.

Women from high-altitude villages near the India-China border in Uttarakhand are relocating to towns due to inadequate local education facilities, leaving men to manage orchards and tourism. Despite economic security, families face emotional and logistical challenges due to separation during emergencies and festivities.

The National Medical Commission has imposed a Rs 50,000 penalty on medical colleges for failing to submit stipend details of MBBS interns, following multiple reminders. Despite having the authority to levy higher fines, the NMC's penalties remain minimal, raising concerns about their seriousness in enforcing compliance.

A goldsmith, his wife, and their two sons were found dead in their house in Madakasira, Andhra Pradesh, suspected to have died by suicide due to mounting debts. Relatives discovered the bodies during a visit for Ugadi. Police found a cyanide bottle and a broken mobile phone at the scene, suspecting the family consumed cyanide-laced water.

Mohanlal expressed regret over distress caused by political themes in Empuraan, leading to 17 changes by CBFC. Despite backlash over its portrayal of '02 Gujarat riots, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan and VD Satheesan condemned the Sangh Parivar’s pressure on the film.

International schooling in India has seen significant growth from 2019 to 2025, with a notable rise in Cambridge and International Baccalaureate programs. More families are opting for these due to personalized learning and global exposure. The sector is expanding beyond major cities into smaller towns, driven by higher incomes and aspirations for global career opportunities.

Telangana CM Revanth Reddy praised the distribution of fine rice as a historic welfare scheme, stating it would feel like a daily festival for the poor. However, Union Minister Bandi Sanjay argued that PM Narendra Modi's photo should be displayed at ration shops, highlighting the Centre's significant contribution to the initiative.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the unity in India's diversity by noting the greetings he received in various languages for New Year and upcoming festivals. His comments come amidst the ongoing controversy over the three-language policy in Tamil Nadu, where the DMK accuses the Centre of imposing Hindi.