Natioanal

New Delhi: Industrialist Anand Mahindra has shared an inspiring tribute on social media to Dr. Shubha V. Ayyangar, the 71-year-old scientist recently honored with the Padma Shri 2026. Dr. Ayyangar has developed critical technologies that enable safe aircraft landings in challenging conditions like fog, rain, dust, and other uncertainties. A lesson in resilience and innovation Posting on the social media platform X, Mahindra wrote, “I am deeply impressed by Dr. Shubha V. Ayyangar because she literally helps planes land safely in fog, while most of us are still learning how to navigate life’s uncertainties.” He continued, “A topper in both her BSc and MSc, she received unwavering support from her parents, who encouraged her passion for science at a time when girls rarely pursued it....

New Delhi: In a continued display of India’s rising global stature, the President of Seychelles, the 115-island nation in the Indian Ocean, Dr. Patrick Herminie, arrived in Delhi for an official visit. As part of his itinerary, he met with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and is scheduled to hold a high-level meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi later this evening. Strengthening maritime and economic ties During the meeting with EAM Jaishankar, discussions focused on regional maritime security and economic collaboration. Jaishankar emphasized India’s commitment to Vision Ocean, a strategic initiative aimed at promoting prosperity and security in the Indian Ocean region. He expressed confidence that the upcoming meeting with PM Modi would open new avenues for bilateral co...

New Delhi/Hyderabad: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi sparked nationwide discussion with a bold statement on India’s Constitution and the national song Vande Mataram, ahead of its 150th anniversary celebrations. Owaisi emphasized that India’s governance is guided by its Constitution, which begins with “We the People” and not with references to “Bharat Mata.” Constitution over symbolism Speaking at a public rally in Sadasivpet, Telangana, Owaisi said:"During the parliamentary debate on the 150th year of Vande Mataram, I stood and reminded the House that on 24 January 1950, we gave ourselves a Constitution. That Constitution begins with the English words ‘We the People.’ It does not start with Bharat Mata." He further criticized attempts to link religion and patriotism, saying:"If you c...

New Delhi: Tensions between the government and the opposition escalated further during the Budget Session of Parliament on Monday, as continuous disruptions in the Lok Sabha threatened normal proceedings. Reports indicate that the opposition is considering moving a no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla if its leader, Rahul Gandhi, is denied the opportunity to speak in the House. Opposition meets before proceedings A meeting of opposition parties was held before the start of Monday’s proceedings. According to sources, the opposition decided that if Rahul Gandhi is not allowed to address the House, they would initiate a no-confidence motion against the Speaker. The Congress has repeatedly highlighted the stalemate over Rahul Gandhi’s right to speak, stating that proce...

New Delhi: India’s recently concluded trade agreement with the European Union (EU) is being hailed as a landmark deal with far-reaching benefits. Negotiated over years, this Free Trade Agreement (FTA) not only strengthens historical trade ties but also reflects a commitment to rules-based trade amid a volatile global economic environment. Historical context India’s trade relationship with Europe dates back to 250 BCE, when Indian muslin, cotton, handicrafts, spices, emeralds, and other precious stones were highly sought after in European markets. In return, India received gold and silver, marking a period of unprecedented trade growth. Efforts to formalize this relationship through a free trade agreement began in 2007, though talks stalled in 2013 due to disagreements. Negotiations r...

New Delhi: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has joined the legion of fans celebrating Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the young batting sensation who played a match-winning innings to help India clinch a record sixth Under-19 World Cup title. In the final against England, Suryavanshi produced a storming knock of 175 runs off just 80 balls, narrowly missing out on a double century. His stellar performance has already made him a role model for aspiring young cricketers across the country. Tharoor draws a Sachin comparison Taking to social media platform X, Tharoor posted an advertisement celebrating Suryavanshi’s performance, writing:"Now this is a Monday morning well spent, which I fully endorse! Vaibhav Suryavanshi deserves immediate recognition. The last time we had a 14-year-old genius on the cr...

New Delhi: Frustrated by the lack of justice for their daughter in Bihar, the parents of a NEET aspirant who died under suspicious circumstances at a Patna hostel have reached Delhi to protest at Jantar-Mantar. The grieving parents expressed deep despair, saying they were compelled to come to the national capital because justice was not served locally. “If we had received justice in Bihar, why would we have come to Delhi?” the father emotionally asked, pledging to fight for his daughter’s rights till his last breath. Echoing her husband, the mother said, “I want justice for my daughter. If justice had been served in Bihar, we wouldn’t have needed to come here.” Background of the incident The NEET student had died during treatment in Patna under suspicious circumstances. Allegation...

New Delhi: A fresh India–US framework could soon pave the way for genetically modified (GM) animal feed from the United States to enter Indian markets—a matter that has been politically and scientifically contentious for over a decade. Among the most debated products is Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS), a high-protein feed ingredient derived from maize and soy. A decade-long debate Discussions over GM animal feed have been ongoing since at least the first term of the Trump administration, making it a recurring topic in India–US trade talks. The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC), India’s top regulatory authority on GM products, has repeatedly studied applications for DDGS imports. Over the years, at least two sub-committees have reviewed the matter in detail, t...

New Delhi: In a significant move to advance defense diplomacy, the Indian Army has launched a digital initiative called “Friends for Life”. The platform aims to connect military and ex-military officers from friendly countries who have trained at various Indian Army institutions, enabling them to share experiences and foster professional dialogue. Connecting a global network of officers According to the Indian Army, the initiative will bring together officers from 99 countries who have trained alongside Indian counterparts over the years. By facilitating professional interactions, the platform seeks to strengthen cooperation and mutual understanding between Indian and foreign military officers. Over the past decade, the Indian Army has trained more than 21,500 officers from friend...

New Delhi: Bangladesh is set to establish a military drone manufacturing facility with China’s assistance, signaling a major shift in South Asia’s defense landscape. In response, India has unveiled plans to construct an underground rail corridor through the strategically sensitive “Chicken’s Neck” region, strengthening a historically vulnerable lifeline. Bangladesh-China drone factory Under the recent defense agreement signed on January 27 between the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) and China Electronics Technology Group Corporation International (CETC), Bangladesh will build a factory for Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAVs and VTOL drones near the proposed Bogra airbase. The deal, concluded at the Bangladesh Air Force Headquarters in Dhaka, reflects growing Chinese influence over...