Natioanal

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to the eminent freedom fighter and statesman Chakravarti Rajagopalachari on his 147th birth anniversary. Sharing photographs and tributes on social media, the Prime Minister honored Rajagopalachari, affectionately known as “Rajaji,” recognizing him as one of the most influential thinkers of the 20th century. Born on 10 December 1878 in Krishnagiri district, Tamil Nadu, Rajagopalachari became the first and last Indian Governor-General of independent India. Prime Minister Modi described him as a leader who always upheld human dignity and moral values. PM Modi’s Tribute In his post, PM Modi wrote:"Freedom fighter, thinker, intellectual, politician—these are the words that come to mind when we remember C. Rajagopalachari. On his birt...

New Delhi: Singapore’s former Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean has highlighted the deep-rooted historical and cultural connections between India and Singapore. Speaking at the 5th Atal Bihari Vajpayee Memorial Lecture, he stated that the name “Singapore” or “Singapura” originates from Sanskrit, reflecting India’s early cultural influence in Southeast Asia. Remarkably, until 1867, Singapore’s administration was managed from Calcutta. Historical Ties that Shape Modern Relations Currently serving as the Chairman of Temasek Holdings and senior advisor to Singapore’s Prime Minister, Teo Chee Hean emphasized that the historical connections continue to guide contemporary India-Singapore relations. He noted that during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s previous visit to Singapore, the bilate...

New Delhi: India’s solar observatory Aditya-L1 has played a pivotal role in understanding the strongest solar storm in decades, named the ‘Gannon Storm’. Precise magnetic field measurements from Aditya-L1 have helped scientists worldwide uncover why this geomagnetic storm, which hit Earth in May 2024, was unusually intense, improving our understanding of space weather and its impact on Earth. According to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Aditya-L1 collaborated with six American satellites, including NASA’s WIND mission, providing simultaneous measurements from multiple vantage points in space. This allowed researchers to study the rare storm in unprecedented detail. Unraveling the Gannon Storm The Gannon Storm resulted from a series of massive solar eruptions, known ...

New Delhi: Rajya Sabha nominated member Sudha Murty has called on the government to make the national song, ‘Vande Mataram’, mandatory in primary and secondary schools across India. Speaking during the 150th anniversary discussion of the song in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, Murty emphasized the historical and cultural significance of the song in India’s freedom struggle. “I stand here not as a parliamentarian, social worker, or writer, but as a daughter of Mother India,” she said. Murty recalled how, during British rule, the song served as a symbol of resistance and hope, likening its impact to the “lava of a volcano.” She urged the Ministry of Education to ensure that schoolchildren learn and sing the song, warning that without formal teaching, future generations might forget the full l...

New Delhi: India has taken a historic lead in wildlife conservation by spearheading the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), a global initiative dedicated to protecting seven big cat species. Russia recently agreed to join this coalition, marking a significant milestone in global wildlife collaboration. The development came during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s two-day state visit to India (December 4–5, 2025). Prime Minister Narendra Modi first announced the alliance in April 2023, and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, formally established the IBCA in March 2024. With Russia joining, the alliance now boasts 19 member countries. What is the International Big Cat Alliance? The IBCA is an intergovern...

New Delhi: India has taken a historic lead in wildlife conservation by spearheading the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), a global initiative dedicated to protecting seven big cat species. Russia recently agreed to join this coalition, marking a significant milestone in global wildlife collaboration. The development came during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s two-day state visit to India (December 4–5, 2025). Prime Minister Narendra Modi first announced the alliance in April 2023, and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, formally established the IBCA in March 2024. With Russia joining, the alliance now boasts 19 member countries. What is the International Big Cat Alliance? The IBCA is an intergovern...