Nation

New Delhi: Congress leader P. Chidambaram strongly criticized a claim made during President Droupadi Murmu’s budget session address regarding the “Developed India – G RAM G Act”, under which rural households are promised 125 days of guaranteed employment. Chidambaram termed the claim a “misleading promise”, arguing that it is not a true guarantee but an illusion. Chidambaram Questions Feasibility President Murmu had stated in her address that the implementation of the G RAM G Act would ensure 125 days of work for rural households. Responding on social media, Chidambaram said, “While the President announced 125 days of guaranteed employment in villages under the Developed India – G RAM G Act, this is simply not correct.” He pointed out that under MGNREGA in recent years, a typical ...

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has leveraged the power of social media to transform the recent India-European Union trade deal into a cultural and diplomatic milestone. After the historic agreement, PM Modi posted updates in 24 different languages, reaching millions across 27 EU member countries, a move that geopolitical experts are calling a “multilingual masterstroke.” Turning a Trade Deal into a Cultural Handshake The trade deal, dubbed the “Mother of All Deals”, comes amid shifting U.S. policies that have created global economic uncertainties. According to experts, Modi’s multilingual outreach ensured that the agreement resonated not only as an economic document but also as a human and cultural connection, turning a formal Free Trade Agreement (FTA) into a message of inc...

New Delhi: India is gearing up for a major diplomatic event as the second India-Arab Foreign Ministers meeting is scheduled to take place in Delhi on January 30-31. More than ten Arab countries have confirmed their participation, including Qatar, UAE, Oman, Sudan, Palestine, Somalia, Mauritania, Comoros, and Libya. Saudi Arabia will be represented by its Deputy Foreign Minister, while confirmation from Lebanon, Syria, and Morocco is still awaited. Libya’s Historic Participation A key highlight of the meeting is the presence of Libya’s Foreign Minister, Eltaher S.M. Elbaour, marking the first visit by a Libyan foreign minister to India since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Elbaour represents the internationally recognized Government of National Unity of Libya, signaling Libya’s r...

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday addressed the nation during the second day of the Parliament’s Budget Session, emphasizing that India today stands confident and has become a beacon of hope and a center of attraction for the world. He highlighted that the President’s speech reflects the trust of 1.4 billion Indians, especially the hopes of the youth, and expressed confidence that all parliamentarians will take these expectations seriously as India moves towards 2026. India-EU Free Trade Agreement: A Boost for Youth PM Modi underscored the recently concluded India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA), calling it a landmark that will brighten the future of India’s youth. He encouraged Indian producers and manufacturers to leverage this opportunity to enhance the...

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has dismissed a petition by a brother-sister doctor duo from Haryana who attempted to gain admission under the minority quota by converting to Buddhism. The bench, led by Chief Justice D.Y. Suryakant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, has also taken suo motu notice to examine whether a person born to affluent upper-caste parents can claim minority status through religious conversion to avail educational benefits. The Background The siblings, hailing from the wealthy village of Satrod Kalan in Hisar district, cleared the NEET-PG exam and sought admission to a postgraduate medical program in Uttar Pradesh. The institution claimed minority status for the Buddhist community, which the duo challenged in court. Their lawyer argued that the Uttar Pradesh government...

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday sharply criticized several states for providing misleading information on stray dog management, calling their affidavits “eye-wash” and “full of fabricated figures.” The bench emphasized that compliance with Animal Birth Control (ABC) rules is essential to control stray dog populations and ensure public safety. A three-judge bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N.V. Anjaria reviewed the states’ responses and expressed shock over the figures submitted by Jharkhand, which claimed that nearly 1.9 lakh dogs were vaccinated and sterilized in just two months. The court noted that such a scale of sterilization is impossible given the resources and manpower available. The Supreme Court reiterated its November 7, 2025 directive, w...

New Delhi: The debate over the University Grants Commission (UGC) rules continues, with several petitions already filed in the Supreme Court. A hearing is expected soon, but the government has indicated it will not rush a decision and will instead wait for the court’s guidance before making any amendments or changes. Following opposition to the new rules, the government stated last Tuesday that the regulations have been implemented under the Supreme Court’s oversight. Officials emphasized that no caste, community, or individual should face injustice under the new framework. Experts suggest that the best course of action for the government is to wait for the Supreme Court’s verdict before taking further steps. Options for the Government Experts say the government has multiple optio...

New Delhi: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has released a visually striking video on Republic Day, featuring various fighter aircraft, including Rafale, Su-30MKI, Jaguar, and Tejas. The video showcases India’s aerial capabilities and reiterates the message that these advanced jets are “guardians of peace.” The video sparked renewed speculation about last year’s Operation Sindoor, with some viewers questioning whether the IAF had struck Pakistan’s nuclear facilities at Kirana Hills in Sargodha. However, Air Marshal A.K. Bharti, then Director General of Air Operations, had clarified at the time that India did not attack the Kirana Hills. The IAF has reiterated its stance in response to queries about the new video. Wing Commander Jaydeep Singh, spokesperson for the IAF, told TOI, “We stand by o...

New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi met DMK parliamentary leader Kanimozhi in Delhi on Wednesday to discuss key issues related to the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. However, the meeting did not result in any final agreement on alliance arrangements or seat-sharing between the two parties. Sources indicate that the leaders discussed political and organizational matters that still need resolution. No concrete talks took place regarding the distribution of assembly seats, nor was there any discussion on the number of seats that Congress would be allocated. Rahul Gandhi reportedly told Kanimozhi that a team appointed by the Congress president would handle detailed seat-sharing discussions. Meanwhile, the DMK has not indicated any willingness to significantly increase the num...