Nation

New Delhi: The Indian Parliament is set to mark the 150th anniversary of the iconic song ‘Vande Mataram’ with a special discussion in the ongoing Winter Session. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the debate, highlighting the song’s historical significance, its contribution to India’s freedom struggle, and its continued relevance today. Origin of Vande Mataram ‘Vande Mataram’ was composed in 1870 by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, one of the foremost Bengali novelists and thinkers of his time. The song was originally written for his novel ‘Anandamath’, though it was created several years prior to the book’s publication in 1882. Upon release, it quickly gained popularity across India, becoming a rallying cry for freedom fighters. The song venerates India as a mother, celebr...

New Delhi: Travelers across India are facing severe disruption due to massive operational issues at Indigo Airlines. Many passengers remain stranded at airports while ticket prices on other airlines have surged sharply. In response, the Civil Aviation Ministry has imposed fare caps on domestic flights, ranging from ₹7,500 to ₹18,000 depending on the route length. DGCA Issues ‘Show Cause’ Notice The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has held Indigo responsible for the disruptions. A ‘show cause notice’ has been issued to CEO Peter Elbers, asking him to explain within 24 hours why action should not be taken against the airline for widespread delays and cancellations. The DGCA noted that the airline’s roster caused “extreme inconvenience to passengers” and pointed to major...

New Delhi: As Parliament gears up for a 10-hour discussion on the 150th anniversary of ‘Vande Mataram’, attention has turned once again to Jawaharlal Nehru’s decision to select ‘Jan Gan Man’ as India’s national anthem. BJP leaders claim the debate will shed light on why Nehru did not designate ‘Vande Mataram’ as the national anthem, highlighting historical considerations from 1948. Nehru’s Reasons: Music, Language, and Global Acceptance Nehru’s arguments, preserved in his letters and speeches, were primarily musical, linguistic, and international in nature, and also reflected a distinction between the national song and the national anthem. In a Cabinet note dated 21 May 1948, Nehru wrote that a national anthem should not only have words but also a melody suitable for orchestras, m...

New Delhi: India has made a historic breakthrough in defense technology. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully tested jet morphing wing technology, allowing fighter jets to dynamically change their wing shape mid-flight, making it almost impossible for adversaries to predict their maneuvers. World-Class Aeronautics Capability The morphing wing technology enables aircraft wings to adjust their shape in real-time during missions, optimizing aerodynamics for different flight phases. This cutting-edge technology had previously been explored only by global giants like NASA, Airbus, and DARPA. Now, India’s indigenous aerospace ecosystem has successfully demonstrated it in a flight-ready hardware setup. According to senior DRDO officials, morphing wing...

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...