Nation

New Delhi: The recent depreciation of the Indian rupee against the US dollar has sparked concerns across households and boardrooms alike. But does a weaker rupee truly signal a crisis for the Indian economy? Experts say, not necessarily. If your expenses involve dollars, such as sending a child abroad for higher education, the weakening rupee can increase costs. A budget that seemed sufficient last year may now feel constrained because converting rupees to dollars will be more expensive. Why the Rupee Falls Isn’t Always BadFor a growing economy like India, slight fluctuations in the currency are normal. India’s economy is expanding, consumption is rising, and imports still exceed exports, creating natural pressure on the rupee. In fact, a weaker rupee can benefit Indian exporters by ...

New Delhi: The ongoing IndiGo flight cancellation crisis is causing widespread disruption across India, affecting passengers from Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Srinagar, and other major airports. Over the past two days, more than 500 flights have been canceled, leaving both travelers and lawmakers frustrated. The issue reached the Rajya Sabha on Friday, where Congress MP Manish Tiwari raised concerns during Zero Hour. He highlighted that the cancellations are not only inconveniencing common citizens but also impacting parliamentarians’ travel plans. Many MPs had booked flights to return home over the weekend or to come back on Monday, but cancellations have disrupted these schedules. MPs’ Travel Plans DisruptedTiwari pointed out that the crisis reflects the risks of a single airline’s...

New Delhi: India and Russia on Thursday signed agreements to facilitate migration and easier mobility between the two nations. Additional pacts were inked to strengthen cooperation in healthcare and food security, as well as in port and shipping sectors. The agreements were signed following high-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. During a joint press briefing after the summit, Prime Minister Modi outlined several key aspects of the India–Russia partnership: Shipbuilding and Regional Connectivity: Modi described deep cooperation in shipbuilding as a vital element of the Make in India initiative, highlighting its potential to create jobs, enhance skills, and boost regional connectivity. Economic Collaboration: Both nations signed ...

New Delhi: As Russian President Vladimir Putin continues his high-profile visit to India, New Delhi and Moscow on Thursday reaffirmed their deep strategic and defence partnership. Both sides agreed to expand cooperation on advanced military technologies and accelerate joint defence production—sending a clear signal that Russia will continue to be India’s most dependable defence partner in the foreseeable future. The move underscores a mutual commitment to strengthen weapons development, joint platforms, and long-term industrial collaboration despite persistent pressure from the U.S. and the European Union. A Relationship Built on Trust and Mutual Respect Ahead of the Modi–Putin summit, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov emphasized that the ...

Russia-India Strategic Partnership Enters a New Era as Putin Stands Firmly With New Delhi New Delhi: At a time when global geopolitics is witnessing unprecedented turbulence, Russia has once again demonstrated why it remains India’s most reliable partner. Russian President Vladimir Putin, currently on a two-day visit to India, has sent a strong message to the United States by firmly backing New Delhi—dismissing any idea that India can be pressured or coerced. Putin will attend the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit and hold key meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu. The visit comes at a pivotal moment, with both nations seeking to strengthen their long-standing strategic ties amidst a fast-changing world order. Crucial discussions on expanding bilateral...

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed deep concern over the recent deaths of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) during the Special Summary Revision (SIR) exercise but refused to hold the Election Commission of India (ECI) responsible. Instead, the court placed the onus squarely on state governments, directing them to ensure adequate staffing for election-related duties. A bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Surya Kant observed that many BLOs were facing extreme stress, excessive workload and, in some cases, alleged suicides linked to election duties. ‘Providing Adequate Workforce Is the State’s Responsibility’ During the hearing, the CJI made it clear that the responsibility for supplying sufficient manpower for election work lies entirely with state governments. “Depl...

New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin, currently on an official visit to India, continues to fascinate people across the world with his energy and fitness even at the age of 73. A recent Esquire report and earlier findings by Newsweek reveal the carefully crafted lifestyle behind Putin’s tough, masculine public image — a routine that combines discipline, secrecy, and strict control. Wakes Up Late, Eats a Power Breakfast According to journalist Ben Judah’s 2014 book Fragile Empire: How Russia Fell in and Out of Love with Vladimir Putin, the Russian leader wakes up late and usually has breakfast around noon. His meals include a large omelette or porridge, quail eggs and fresh fruit juices — ingredients said to be sourced from the farmlands of Patriarch Kirill. Putin ends his brea...

New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin is arriving in India for a two-day visit to attend the 23rd India-Russia Summit, where he will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and meet President Droupadi Murmu. Ahead of his arrival, Delhi security agencies are on high alert, with senior officials preparing extensive safety measures. Russia’s own security teams have also arrived in India to oversee and coordinate security arrangements. Here’s a look at 10 key aspects of Putin’s security during the visit: Multiple Security Layers Across DelhiFrom 4–5 December, Delhi will be encircled by multi-layered security, involving the Delhi Police, central agencies, and Putin’s private security team. SWAT teams, anti-terror units, and rapid response squads will be deployed at stra...

New Delhi: During the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla expressed his displeasure on Wednesday after noticing MPs taking photos inside the House. He specifically addressed RJD MP Abhay Sinha, warning: “You’ve taken a photo today. Next time, if photos are clicked, I will have to take action. Maintain the dignity of the House.” Strict Rules on Photography and Video RecordingThe Parliament has stringent regulations regarding photography and video recording. No MP, journalist, or visitor is allowed to click photos, record videos, or live stream proceedings using mobile phones or cameras inside either the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha. Only cameras authorized by Lok Sabha TV, Rajya Sabha TV, or the Parliament Secretariat are permitted to record the proceedings....

New Delhi: Veteran Bollywood actress and Rajya Sabha MP Jaya Bachchan has once again grabbed headlines with her candid remarks. Speaking in a recent interview, Bachchan revealed that the constant noise in Parliament has started affecting her hearing. She humorously remarked: “I’ve become a bit hard of hearing because of all the shouting in Parliament every day. Thank God I haven’t lost my mind; it’s just that I hear a little less.” On Media and PaparazziDuring the conversation, Jaya Bachchan also addressed her views on the media, especially paparazzi. She clarified: “I owe my career to the media, but I have no connection with these paparazzi. Who are they? Have they been trained to represent the people of the country? You call them media? I come from real media—my father was a ...