Nation

New Delhi: India and the Netherlands have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to preserve the maritime heritage of Lothal, one of India’s oldest port cities located in Gujarat. The agreement marks a major step towards establishing the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) in Lothal, with collaboration from the National Maritime Museum, Amsterdam. The MoU, signed during bilateral talks between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Dutch Foreign Minister David Van Weel, aims to leverage mutual expertise in museum planning, design, and heritage preservation. The partnership will facilitate joint exhibitions, collaborative research, cultural exchange programs, and initiatives to enhance visitor engagement and educational outreach. Lothal to Emerge as a Major Tourism Hub ...

New Delhi: Oman, a trusted ally of India in the Gulf, is home to a flourishing Hindu community, constituting approximately 5.5% of the country’s population. Among the most notable sites is the Motishwar Temple in Muscat, one of the oldest Hindu temples in the Gulf, dedicated to Lord Shiva, alongside a Krishna temple also located in the city. Historic Roots of Hinduism in Oman Hinduism first arrived in Oman in 1507 when traders from Kutch, Gujarat, settled in Muscat. Over centuries, Indian communities have contributed significantly to Oman’s economy, engaging in trade of pearls, grains, and other commodities. Today, many Indians hold prominent positions and continue to strengthen economic ties between India and Oman. According to Wikipedia, by the early 19th century, Oman had aroun...

New Delhi: Air India has announced the suspension of direct flights from Bengaluru and Mumbai to San Francisco, effective from 1 March 2026. The airline cited challenges in aircraft deployment and increased costs due to airspace restrictions as the reasons behind the decision. Passengers who have booked tickets for travel after 28 February are now facing uncertainty. Delhi Flights to North America to Increase As part of the operational adjustment, Air India will increase flights from Delhi to San Francisco and Toronto. Delhi will now operate 10 flights per week to these destinations, expected to partially meet passenger demand. However, the discontinuation of direct connectivity from Bengaluru and Mumbai is likely to inconvenience tech professionals and business travelers who prefer ...

New Delhi: Most parts of North India, including Delhi-NCR, are currently grappling with severe cold, with the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) warning that relief is unlikely in the next 48 hours. Snow in Hills, Dense Fog in Plains Hilly regions like Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh are witnessing heavy snowfall, while plains in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana are shrouded in dense fog. The IMD predicts that snow, rain, and fog will continue across major parts of the region over the next 24–48 hours. In Jammu & Kashmir, the ‘Chillai-Kalan’ period, a 40-day phase of extreme cold, has begun. Gulmarg recorded about two inches of snow, with temperatures dropping to minus 1.5°C—the lowest in the valley. Sonamarg experienced continuous snowfall from morni...

New Delhi: The recent chaos in India’s aviation sector, attributed to IndiGo, was not due to a shortage of pilots but stemmed from a malfunction in the airline’s automatic roster system, sources reveal. Software Glitch Sparks Disruption According to insiders, the problems began after a global software update was mandated for the Airbus-320 fleet following an incident involving JetBlue Airlines on 30 October in the United States. IndiGo was under pressure to upgrade its software across 200 aircraft between 29 November and 30 November. To meet deadlines, IndiGo routed planes through its six maintenance centers across India, disrupting the alignment of pilots and flight schedules. The airline’s roster system could not handle the sudden operational stress. Manual Efforts Fail to St...

A recent study on the eating habits of Indian youth has revealed a concerning trend. According to research conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), one in three Gen Z individuals (born between 1997 and 2012) avoids healthy food because they consider it too expensive. Healthy Food Remains Costly The nationwide survey, which included around 1.43 lakh young participants, showed that 30.7% of respondents feel that healthy food is unaffordable. Around 10% mentioned that healthy options are not easily available in their vicinity. Interestingly, 15% of youth said they find healthy food unappetizing. Advertising Shapes Food Choices The study also highlighted the significant influence of media on youth eating patterns. Nearly 67.6% of participants admitted that food a...

Following the brutal mob lynching of Hindu youth Deepu Chandra Das in Bangladesh, where a dozen people have been arrested so far, concerns over regional tensions have resurfaced. While India has raised concerns over attacks on minorities in Bangladesh, experts point out that in terms of military strength, Bangladesh is far behind India and would struggle to sustain a confrontation. Air Power AdvantageIndia enjoys a decisive edge in air capabilities. According to data from NationMaster, Bangladesh operates approximately 100 combat aircraft, whereas India fields nearly 1,080, making India more than ten times stronger in aerial combat potential. India also possesses around 140 attack helicopters compared to Bangladesh’s 24, further consolidating its dominance in air warfare. Ground Forc...

India has urged the Bangladesh government to ensure that those responsible for the brutal murder of Hindu youth Deepu Chandra Das are brought to justice. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also dismissed misleading reports in Bangladeshi media about protests in New Delhi, emphasizing that demonstrations outside the Bangladesh High Commission were peaceful. Protests and Calls for JusticeMEA spokesperson Randeep Jayswal stated, “We are closely monitoring the situation in Bangladesh. Our officials are in contact with Bangladeshi authorities, and we have expressed serious concern over attacks on minorities.” On Saturday, around 20–25 youths gathered outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi to protest the murder of Das in Mymensingh. The demonstrators demanded security for ...

In a startling incident on the India-Bangladesh border, a BSF soldier was reportedly abducted by smugglers and handed over to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), only to be safely returned to India later. The incident occurred early Sunday in the Mekhliganj area of North Bengal. Details of the IncidentAccording to sources, the soldier, identified as Ved Prakash of the 174th Battalion stationed at Arjun Camp, was taken advantage of dense fog near the border. After being abducted, he was handed over to the BGB across the border. Indian authorities coordinated with their counterparts, and the soldier was safely brought back to Indian territory. The BSF has not yet issued an official statement on the incident. However, sources confirmed that it took place along the India-Bangladesh border...