Natioanal

New Delhi: The Indian Army’s strategic capabilities in Eastern Ladakh have received a major boost with the inauguration of the 900-meter-long Shyok Tunnel by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The tunnel forms a crucial part of the Darbuk–Shyok–Daulat Beg Oldi (DS-DBO) road, which is the main artery to India’s most sensitive northern border sectors. Alongside the tunnel, the Defence Minister also dedicated 125 strategic infrastructure projects of the Border Roads Organisation to the nation. Enhancing Operational Readiness Speaking on the occasion, Rajnath Singh recalled Operation Sindur, carried out after the Pahalgam attacks, highlighting the precise and measured response of the Indian Armed Forces. He emphasized that strong connectivity and logistics were key to the operation’s histor...

New Delhi: The Indian Parliament witnessed a lengthy debate over the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ as it marks its 150th anniversary. The discussion, held in a special session of the Lok Sabha, is expected to last over ten hours, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi taking part. A similar discussion is scheduled in the Rajya Sabha, where Home Minister Amit Shah will speak. Historical and Political Significance Written in the 1870s by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, ‘Vande Mataram’ holds a special place in India’s political and cultural history. It was first published in Chattopadhyay’s Bengali magazine Bangadarshan in 1875 and later featured in his novel Anandamath (1882). The opening Sanskrit lines depict India as the goddess Durga, while the Bengali verses celebrate the motherland’s bea...

New Delhi: The United States is set to appoint Sergio Gor as its new ambassador to India, signaling a possible shift in Washington’s approach to bilateral relations. Reports suggest that Gor has already begun strategizing to improve Indo-US ties, which have faced challenges under the previous administration’s policies. A Strategic Move Amid Tense Relations Tensions between India and the US escalated following statements and policy actions under Donald Trump, which strained economic and diplomatic engagement. However, the upcoming ambassadorial change hints at a course correction. Sergio Gor is expected to assume his duties at the US Embassy in New Delhi in January 2026. Unlike traditional ambassadors, Gor is reportedly planning to operate with greater autonomy rather than relying sol...

New Delhi: The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) is set to launch a nationwide campaign to identify individuals who have converted to Christianity but continue to avail benefits of caste-based reservation in government jobs and educational institutions. Under the Indian Constitution, reservation benefits for Scheduled Castes (SC) apply only to Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddhists. Crackdown on Misuse of Reservation Following complaints from multiple states, the NCSC is taking strict action against misuse of reservation benefits. Reports suggest that in several instances, individuals had converted to Hinduism merely to claim SC reservation benefits. The commission has instructed state governments to thoroughly examine caste certificates issued in government departments and educa...

New Delhi: Millions of passengers across India have been severely impacted due to widespread cancellations of IndiGo flights. Ticket prices skyrocketed, airports became overcrowded, and crucial journeys were disrupted, leaving travelers frustrated and stranded. New DGCA Rules Trigger the Crisis The recent travel chaos is linked to new regulations issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) earlier this year. These rules, aimed at regulating pilots’ duty hours, were implemented in two phases – July and November 2025. While the first phase had minimal impact, the November update caused a major disruption, particularly affecting IndiGo flights. What the New Rules Specify Under the revised Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) rules, pilots’ weekly rest period has been exten...

New Delhi: The most powerful countries in the world are those whose influence dominates global headlines, shapes international policies, and keeps policymakers across nations on alert. Their military strength, economic clout, technological advancements, and diplomatic influence define their position on the global stage. Top Three: USA, China, Russia According to a recent report by US News & World Report, in 2025, the United States remains the world’s most powerful country, owing to its diversified industries, massive military expenditure, and leading tech firms that strengthen its global economic position. China ranks second, driven by its rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, technology, and industrial capacity. Russia follows in third place, leveraging its vast natu...

New Delhi: Northern India is waking up to a cold wave and dense fog affecting daily life across major cities, while parts of Tamil Nadu face continuous rainfall and hill stations remain on snow alert. Fog and Cold in Northern Cities The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings for dense fog in ten key northern cities, including Prayagraj, Kanpur, Lucknow, Agra, Tundla, Chandigarh, Delhi, Nainital, Amritsar, and Shimla. Morning visibility is expected to be very low, making driving hazardous. Delhi-NCR woke up to a foggy Monday morning, and temperatures are expected to dip further in the evening. The IMD has also issued a cold wave alert for Delhi, with minimum temperatures expected to reach 4°C, about 1.6°C below normal. Humidity levels are high in the morning, inc...

New Delhi: The Indian Parliament is set to hold discussions today on the 150th anniversary of the national song ‘Vande Mataram’. The government has allocated 10 hours of the Winter Session to debate the song, which has been at the center of controversy for decades. The question arises: can this long-standing debate finally be put to rest? Historical Significance of ‘Vande Mataram’ ‘Vande Mataram’ was composed in 1875 by Bengali writer Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and later featured in his acclaimed novel ‘Anandamath’. During India’s struggle against British rule, Hindu religious groups adopted it as a battle cry, inspiring intellectual and physical resistance. The song played a pivotal role in uniting Bengalis during the 1905 partition of Bengal. Revolutionary groups often sang it to...

New Delhi: The Galwan Memorial in Ladakh, dedicated to the soldiers martyred in the Galwan Valley clash, has been officially opened to the public. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the memorial, allowing visitors and citizens to pay their respects to the fallen soldiers. Remembering the Galwan Heroes The memorial commemorates the 20 Indian soldiers who lost their lives during the violent clash with Chinese troops on the night of 15 June 2020 at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Galwan Valley. Built along the Durbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldi (DS-DBO) road near Kilometer 120, the memorial is part of India’s “Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan” initiative, aimed at honoring the nation’s war heroes. The Galwan region is considered one of the most challenging military deployment zones...

New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has initiated a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls, aiming to remove ineligible entries and update voter lists. However, several opposition parties, including Congress, TMC, RJD, and DMK, have protested against the process and approached the Supreme Court seeking intervention. The Opposition’s Objection The main objection raised by these parties is that SIR might remove certain non-citizens from voter lists. But according to the Indian Constitution, only citizens of India are eligible to vote. The revision process ensures that voter lists are accurate, removing names of individuals who have passed away, moved residence, or were included illegally. Such updates are crucial to protect the integrity of the democratic...