Nation

New Delhi: On the occasion of India’s 77th Republic Day, President Draupadi Murmu presented the Ashoka Chakra, the country’s highest peacetime gallantry award, to Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla. The award recognizes his extraordinary courage, quick decision-making, and dedication during his historic journey to the International Space Station (ISS) under the Axiom-4 mission. Second Indian in Space After Rakesh SharmaGroup Captain Shukla undertook the mission in 2025, becoming the second Indian after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma to travel to space. The Ashoka Chakra was conferred on him for demonstrating exceptional bravery and professional excellence in challenging circumstances, ensuring the mission’s success. Pioneering Research in SpaceDuring his time on the ISS, ...

New Delhi: British journalist Mark Tully, who passed away recently at the age of 90, was born in India and spent most of his life covering the nation’s pivotal events for the BBC. From the India-Pakistan wars, the 1971 conflict, and Operation Blue Star, to the Babri Masjid demolition, Tully’s reporting captured history as it unfolded, often under extraordinary circumstances. Born in India, Schooled in BritainTully was born on 24 October 1935 in Calcutta’s Tollygunge, where his father worked as a tea plantation officer. He spent his formative years in India but had limited interaction with local children, reflecting the lifestyle of British families at the time. Later, he was sent to Britain for studies and enrolled in Theology at Cambridge, initially aspiring to become a priest. After t...

New Delhi: India is celebrating its 77th Republic Day with patriotic fervor and a spectacular parade at Kartavya Path, showcasing the country’s development journey, vibrant culture, and strong armed forces. On this occasion, political leaders across the spectrum, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, shared uplifting messages emphasizing the Constitution, national unity, and democratic values. PM Modi Highlights the Constitution and National PridePrime Minister Modi posted on social media platform X, stating:"Republic Day is a powerful symbol of our freedom, Constitution, and democratic values. This festival inspires us to move forward united, with renewed energy and commitment to nation-building. May the resolve for a developed India grow ever stronge...

New Delhi: On India’s 77th Republic Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the National War Memorial to pay homage to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the nation. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and the chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force accompanied him during the solemn ceremony. After paying tribute, the Prime Minister proceeded to the saluting dais on Kartavya Path to witness the Republic Day parade. Extending his greetings on the occasion, PM Modi posted on the social media platform X, saying, “Heartiest greetings to all citizens on Republic Day. May this national festival, symbolizing India’s pride, honor, and glory, infuse new energy and enthusiasm into your lives. May our resolve for a developed India grow even stronger.” Republic Day Parade: A Symbol of Nati...

New Delhi: The Government of India has announced the Padma Awards 2026, recognizing exceptional contributions from citizens across 84 districts in 30 states and union territories. This year, the awards highlight several “unsung heroes” from remote areas, bringing their talents into the national spotlight. Maharashtra leads the count with 15 recipients, followed by Tamil Nadu (13), West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh (11 each), and Karnataka and Kerala (8 each). For the first time, 10 districts—Mandya (Karnataka), Betul (Madhya Pradesh), Parbhani (Maharashtra), Bageshwar (Uttarakhand), Rangareddy (Telangana), South Dinajpur (West Bengal), Nuapada (Odisha), Dantewada (Chhattisgarh), Eluru (Andhra Pradesh), and Dig—have produced awardees, marking a historic inclusion in the Padma list post-1947....

New Delhi: The United States has invited India to join its Pax Silica initiative, a strategic effort aimed at strengthening the supply chains for critical minerals and semiconductors. The initiative seeks to ensure uninterrupted production in modern manufacturing sectors, particularly in sensitive technologies and infrastructure. India has not yet taken a final decision and is carefully evaluating the potential benefits and risks before committing. Ensuring Critical Mineral Supply ChainsAccording to industry reports, India is keen to be part of this emerging global framework but is cautious regarding policies linked to artificial intelligence and other technologies that could limit its strategic autonomy. The key advantage of joining Pax Silica lies in securing reliable supply chains fo...

Mark Tully, the former BBC correspondent celebrated for his fearless and impartial reporting during India’s Emergency, has passed away at the age of 90. His reporting earned him respect across India, and during the Emergency, his uncompromising coverage led to his expulsion from the country. Tully also narrowly escaped lynching during the Babri Masjid demolition, making him one of the few foreign journalists whose name remains widely recognized in India. Tully had been unwell for the past two years and was hospitalized last week. Serving as the BBC’s Chief of Bureau in India for 22 years, he covered a wide range of topics including the India-Pakistan wars, sati practices, Operation Blue Star, caste issues, Maoist insurgencies, and wildlife conservation. His reporting style was both empa...

New Delhi:Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has raised serious allegations over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Gujarat, accusing authorities of systematically removing voters from the list in areas where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is electorally vulnerable. Citing documents shared by the Gujarat Congress, Gandhi claimed that the voter verification exercise was not a routine administrative process but a “planned, organised and strategic theft of votes.” He also alleged collusion between the central government and the Election Commission of India (ECI), questioning the impartiality of the constitutional body. ‘Voters Disappear Where BJP Faces Defeat’ In a post on social media platform X, Rahul Gandhi said that thousands of obj...

New Delhi: The political debate over the upcoming national census has intensified after the Centre issued its official notification, with the Congress and the Samajwadi Party (SP) strongly criticising the government for not including a caste column in the census format. The Congress accused the Modi government of going back on its stated commitment to conducting a caste-based census and held Prime Minister Narendra Modi directly responsible for the omission. Party spokesperson Pawan Khera said that the absence of a caste column exposes the government’s “double standards”. “Prime Minister Modi says one thing and does the exact opposite. The BJP makes promises but fails to translate them into action. Decisions are taken without thought or intent,” Khera said, adding that whenever the P...

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has clarified his stance amid speculation about his differences with the party. The Thiruvananthapuram MP stated that his only public disagreement was regarding Operation Sindoor and India’s counter-terrorism policy. Tharoor emphasized that his focus remains on national interest above political differences. Speaking at the Kerala Literature Festival, Tharoor explained that he has never violated the party line in Parliament. “The only issue on which I have publicly differed on principle is Operation Sindoor, where I took a strong position, and I do not regret it. I will not apologize for this,” he said. Tharoor had taken a firm stand on the matter while leading India’s delegation in the United States to present New Delhi’s position on counter-terrorism and P...