Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath justified the ban on offering namaz on public roads, citing the Maha Kumbh's orderly conduct as a model. He emphasized the importance of discipline, noting that 66 crore devotees attended the Maha Kumbh without any incidents. This follows Meerut police's directive to restrict Eid namaz to designated areas, with heightened security measures in place.
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath said that the 'bulldozer model' used by his government is a necessity rather than an achievement. He justified its use for both infrastructure development and removing illegal structures. Earlier, Adityanath emphasised that law and order are upheld through these actions, and opponents must be dealt with in a language they understand to maintain justice.
Starting April 1, 2025, various regulatory and financial changes, including revised income tax slabs, updated UPI regulations, and the introduction of the Unified Pension Scheme, will impact taxpayers, digital payment users, and pensioners. These changes aim to lower tax burdens, offer TDS relief, and adjust tolls, medicine, and gas prices.
Astronaut Sunita Williams described her view of India from space during her nine-month stay on the International Space Station. She highlighted the Himalayas' ripple effect, the fishing fleets near Mumbai and Gujarat, and the network of lights visible across the country. Williams expressed excitement about visiting her ancestral home in Gujarat.
Three family members were arrested for murdering SN Mishra at the IAF's Bamrauli base. Saurabh Kumar, along with his parents, tried to burgle Mishra's house to fund a legal case for Saurabh's jailed brother. Saurabh shot Mishra to prevent him from raising an alarm. The suspects had previously worked at the IAF base.
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has urged PM Narendra Modi to cancel offshore mining tenders off the coasts of Kerala, Gujarat, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, citing threats to marine life and fisherfolk livelihoods. He pointed out the lack of rigorous environmental assessments and noted strong protests from coastal communities against the mining licenses.
CISF has initiated the 'Great Indian Coastal Cyclothon' to raise awareness about coastal security by engaging with coastal communities. The event concluded with 125 cyclists, including 14 women, covering 6,553 km over 25 days and connecting with 58 communities across 11 states and UTs, reaching a 2.5 crore-strong audience.
A historic colonial-era structure, Mahafezkhana, has been demolished by the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority to facilitate the Brahmaputra riverfront expansion. The heritage building, which withstood major earthquakes in 1897 and 1950, was demolished despite public outcry and suggestions for its preservation.
Reimbursements to private hospitals under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) have surged from 24% in 2019-20 to 60% in 2023-24. A significant rise in the number of beneficiaries has driven this increase. Instances of fraudulent billing and overcharging by empanelled hospitals have raised concerns about proper oversight and cost-effectiveness in the scheme.
The Indian government has dismissed a New York Times report alleging Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's involvement in transferring sensitive British technology to Russia as inaccurate and misleading. Officials emphasize that the Indian entity adhered to all international trade obligations and laws, highlighting the need for reputable media to ensure accuracy before publication.
Qari Abdul Rehman, a member of the banned anti-Shia outfit ASWJ, was killed in a targeted attack by masked assailants in Karachi's Qaid Abad. The incident, believed to be sectarian in nature, has heightened concerns over Pakistan's sectarian violence. The ASWJ condemned the act as terrorism.
Five months after a bank burglary in Karnataka's Davanagere district, police have arrested six first-time offenders. The mastermind, Vijay Kumar from Madurai, extensively planned the heist by watching crime dramas and documentaries. Motivated by a rejected loan application, they looted 17.7kg of gold worth nearly Rs 16 crore.
A US court dismissed Gurpatwant Singh Pannun's claim of delivering a summons to NSA Ajit Doval during PM Modi's US visit. The court confirmed the summons wasn't served properly as required, aligning with India's stance. The incident involved attempted delivery by process servers which failed due to Secret Service intervention.
EPFO is proposing to increase the auto settlement limit for its subscribers from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh, pending approval by the central board of trustees. The organisation has already streamlined the claim process significantly, resulting in faster settlements and an expected record of over 6 crore settlements this year.
Nidhi Tewari, a 2014-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, has been appointed as private secretary to PM Narendra Modi. This marks a significant achievement as she becomes the first woman to secure this position in recent history, bringing valuable experience from her roles in the PMO and foreign ministry.
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.