Sunday, April 5

Nation

Indian Influencer Detained for 38 Hours in South Korea, Forced to Return: Embassy Issues Travel Advisory
Nation

Indian Influencer Detained for 38 Hours in South Korea, Forced to Return: Embassy Issues Travel Advisory

Seoul, South Korea: Indian content creator Sachin Awasthi recently shared a harrowing account of his trip to South Korea, revealing that he and his wife were treated like criminals during their visit. The couple was detained for 38 hours on Jeju Island and eventually deported back to India. Following this incident, the Indian Embassy in Seoul has issued a travel advisory for citizens planning to visit the island. A Harrowing Experience on Jeju Island In a social media post, Awasthi detailed the ordeal he faced at the hands of South Korean immigration authorities. Upon arrival at Jeju International Airport, the couple was denied entry without a clear explanation and taken to a detention center that he described as “jail-like.” He highlighted the lack of sunlight, freedom of movement, ...
Father Wanted Him to Be a Doctor, Son Killed Him: What Society Must Learn from the Lucknow Murder Case
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Father Wanted Him to Be a Doctor, Son Killed Him: What Society Must Learn from the Lucknow Murder Case

The shocking incident in Lucknow, where a son allegedly murdered his father, has left the community in disbelief. It raises a pressing question for society: what are we doing wrong when relationships, which should last a lifetime, can fracture in a matter of moments? According to the National Crime Records Bureau, between 2013 and 2023, student suicides in India increased by 65% over a decade. Academic pressure, combined with social, familial, and financial stress, has been a major contributing factor. However, the recent Lucknow case indicates that such tragedies go beyond mere academic pressure. It reflects a deeper failure in family communication and mental health support. Suppressed Anger Police reports reveal that the father, who ran a pathology lab, wanted his son to become ...
CJI Surya Kant to Sibal on NCERT Book: “Will Not Let Judiciary Be Defamed”
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CJI Surya Kant to Sibal on NCERT Book: “Will Not Let Judiciary Be Defamed”

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has raised strong objections to certain portions of the new Class 8 Social Science textbook published by NCERT. The controversy centers on the chapter discussing “Corruption in the Judiciary.” Senior advocate Kapil Sibal brought the matter before a bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, prompting the Court to take suo motu cognizance. What CJI Surya Kant Said on ‘Corruption in Judiciary’ According to a report by Bar & Bench, Kapil Sibal expressed concern before the bench, stating that NCERT was teaching Class 8 students about corruption in the judiciary—a situation he described as highly worrying. Responding, CJI Surya Kant said, “Please wait for a few days. Both the Bar and the Bench are concerned. All High Court judges are anxious. I ...
Rajya Sabha Elections: Congress Relying on Allies, Key Contests Across States
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Rajya Sabha Elections: Congress Relying on Allies, Key Contests Across States

The Rajya Sabha elections for 37 seats across 10 states are scheduled for March 16, 2026. The Congress party is strategically leveraging its alliances to maximize its chances in these crucial contests. Key States and Seats The elections will cover: Maharashtra – 7 seats Tamil Nadu – 6 seats West Bengal and Bihar – 5 seats each Odisha – 4 seats Assam – 3 seats Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Telangana – 2 seats each Himachal Pradesh – 1 seat The dynamics differ from state to state, depending on the current composition of legislative assemblies. Tamil Nadu: DMK Support Puts Pawaan Kheda in Contention Sources indicate that Congress, in agreement with DMK, has fielded Pawaan Kheda as its candidate for one seat. The decision was finalized after discussions between C...
“Zombie Universities”: The Reality Behind Fee-Dependent Private Institutions, Exposed by Rajya Sabha MP
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“Zombie Universities”: The Reality Behind Fee-Dependent Private Institutions, Exposed by Rajya Sabha MP

Private universities in India often prioritize flashy infrastructure and branding over academics. Research and teaching frequently lag behind public institutions. Experts now stress that these universities must focus on quality faculty and robust administration rather than mere appearances. Government Oversight Is Crucial At the recent AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, controversies surrounding Galgotias University highlighted the structural gaps in India’s higher education system—gaps that are often hidden behind grand announcements and glamorous events. The response to the Galgotias incident showed that society still expects universities to maintain seriousness and credibility. Yet, one must ask: was this an isolated incident, or a symptom of a changing system where image gradually ov...
T20 World Cup 2026: India Face Uphill Task to Push Net Run Rate Into Positive Against Zimbabwe
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T20 World Cup 2026: India Face Uphill Task to Push Net Run Rate Into Positive Against Zimbabwe

New Delhi: India’s semi-final hopes in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 now hinge not just on victory — but on margin. After a crushing 76-run defeat to South Africa in the Super 8 stage, India’s Net Run Rate (NNR) has plummeted to -3.80, placing them in a precarious position in the group standings. South Africa currently boast an NNR of +3.80, while West Indies strengthened their case with a dominant 107-run win over Zimbabwe, pushing their NNR to +5.350. If India, South Africa and West Indies finish level on four points each, the semi-finalist will be decided by Net Run Rate — making India’s next clash against Zimbabwe absolutely critical. The Scenario: What Must India Do? India’s upcoming match against Zimbabwe will be played at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium, commonly kn...
India Moves Toward Another Major Trade Pact; Canada Set to Become Sixth New Strategic Trade Partner
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India Moves Toward Another Major Trade Pact; Canada Set to Become Sixth New Strategic Trade Partner

New Delhi, February 25, 2026 — India is on the verge of clinching another significant trade agreement, with Canada poised to become the sixth major country or bloc to finalize a trade pact with New Delhi within a year. New momentum has gathered around the long-pending Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the two nations. Negotiations, which began nearly 15 years ago, had stalled repeatedly due to diplomatic tensions. However, ties have shown signs of improvement since Mark Carney assumed office as Canada’s Prime Minister last year, leading to renewed political engagement with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Fresh Push During Carney’s India Visit In a significant diplomatic gesture, Prime Minister Carney is scheduled to visit India from February 26 for a 10-day...
Is HAL Tejas Facing Turbulence? Indigenous Fighter May Miss ‘Vayu Shakti’ Exercise After Incident
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Is HAL Tejas Facing Turbulence? Indigenous Fighter May Miss ‘Vayu Shakti’ Exercise After Incident

New Delhi, February 25, 2026 — India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas appears to be navigating a challenging phase, with the fighter fleet undergoing intensive technical scrutiny following a recent ground incident. The development has raised the possibility that the aircraft may not participate in the upcoming ‘Vayu Shakti’ air power exercise. According to media reports, the Tejas fleet has not been flying for over two weeks after an incident earlier this month, and the aircraft was notably absent from the full-dress rehearsal held at Pokhran on Tuesday. The main ‘Vayu Shakti’ event is scheduled for February 27. Technical Review Underway The Tejas was expected to be showcased as a symbol of India’s indigenous defence capabilities during the high-profile exercise, whe...
Major Defence Deal on the Horizon? PM Modi Hints at Strategic Expansion Ahead of Israel Visit
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Major Defence Deal on the Horizon? PM Modi Hints at Strategic Expansion Ahead of Israel Visit

New Delhi, February 25, 2026 — Is a significant defence agreement in the works between India and Israel? Strong indications emerged as Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for a two-day state visit to Israel, signaling deeper cooperation in defence and strategic sectors. At the invitation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Modi is visiting Israel from February 25–26 in what will be his second trip to the country and his first during his third term in office. The visit comes nearly nine years after his landmark 2017 tour, which marked the first standalone visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Israel. Strong Signals on Defence and Security Before departure, Prime Minister Modi emphasized that the visit would further consolidate the “strong and multi-faceted strategic part...
Supreme Court of India Calls for Strong Mechanism to Encourage Mandatory Voting; Makes Key Observations on NOTA
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Supreme Court of India Calls for Strong Mechanism to Encourage Mandatory Voting; Makes Key Observations on NOTA

New Delhi, February 25, 2026 — The Supreme Court on Tuesday underscored the need for a robust mechanism to make voting effectively mandatory in order to strengthen Indian democracy. The court observed that a non-punitive system encouraging compulsory voting could lead to higher voter turnout, the emergence of better candidates, and eventually render the NOTA (None of the Above) option irrelevant. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi made the remarks while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy. Court’s Observations on NOTA The bench noted that the NOTA option was introduced to encourage voter participation and to push political parties to field better candidates. However, after nearly a decade of experie...