Nation

New Delhi: Following a recent operational crisis, Indian airlines have launched aggressive pilot recruitment drives to strengthen their fleets. IndiGo, India’s largest airline with 418 aircraft, aims to recruit 100 pilots every month to ensure smooth operations and meet the growing demand for air travel. Crisis Sparks Urgent Recruitment The move comes after a roster disruption at IndiGo in early December exposed a shortage of pilots under the new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) regulations. The DGCA has granted IndiGo a temporary exemption until 10 February 2026, giving the airline time to align its pilot strength with operational requirements. Industry sources indicate that IndiGo plans to hire up to 1,000 pilots in the near future to manage its 500 aircraft orders and maintain ...

New Delhi: Tensions flared again in Karbi Anglong, Assam, after the death of a 25-year-old differently-abled man, prompting the deployment of the Indian Army to restore order. Army units conducted flag marches to reassure locals and prevent further unrest. Assam Police Chief confirmed that the situation is now under control, and authorities have appealed for peace. Violence Claims Two Lives The recent unrest claimed the lives of Suraj De, a differently-abled resident, and Chingthi Timung, a member of the local Karbi community who was reportedly hit by police gunfire during efforts to control the violence. Over 60 police personnel, including senior officers, sustained injuries in the clashes. Immediate Trigger: Hunger Strike Over Grazing Lands The current violence stems from a h...

New Delhi: On the 101st birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee, an interesting story from the former Prime Minister’s personal life has resurfaced. After retiring from office in 2004, Vajpayee changed the address of his official residence in Lutyens’ Delhi from 8 Krishna Menon Marg to 6-A Krishna Menon Marg, a decision that reflected not just administrative procedures, but also his personal beliefs in numerology and astrology. From 8 Krishna Menon Marg to 6-A Krishna Menon Marg Following the 2004 Lok Sabha election, Vajpayee continued as the acting Prime Minister until the new government was formed. As per protocol, former Prime Ministers are allotted a large bungalow in Lutyens’ Delhi. Vajpayee was assigned 8 Krishna Menon Marg, previously the residence of DMK leader...

New Delhi: India has strengthened its strategic footprint in Southeast Asia by moving closer to a landmark defense deal with Vietnam and Indonesia, two nations wary of China’s growing influence in the South China Sea. The deal, centered on BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, marks a significant step in India’s expanding defense diplomacy and could potentially alter regional power dynamics. $450 Million Missile Deal According to defense sources, India is finalizing export agreements worth over ₹4,000 crore (approximately $450 million) with Vietnam and Indonesia. This deal highlights India’s emerging role as a supplier of advanced weapon systems to friendly nations in the region. Green Light from Russia Since BrahMos is a joint development between India and Russia, any export req...

New Delhi: A new U.S. Department of Defense report has revealed China’s expanding strategic designs against India, with a particular focus on Arunachal Pradesh, alongside its continued military support to Pakistan. The report warns that China is attempting a dual-front strategy to complicate India’s position in South Asia. According to the Pentagon’s annual assessment on Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China 2025, Chinese leaders have expanded the scope of their “core interests” to include Taiwan, the South and East China Seas, the Senkaku Islands, and India’s northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh. The report notes that China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) had repeatedly intruded into Eastern Ladakh’s Western Sector in April-May 2020 and has sin...

New Delhi: The survivor of the Unnao rape case expressed deep anguish following the Delhi High Court’s suspension of the life imprisonment sentence of former BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar. She described the court’s decision as a “death sentence” for her family, saying that her fear has intensified and, for her safety, she would rather be sent to jail herself if the accused is released. Speaking to the media, the survivor said, “If the accused is being released, then for my protection, I should be sent to jail. This is the first instance in the country where a stay has been granted on the sentence in a rape case, and bail has been allowed. All daughters in this country are now afraid that if such orders continue, perpetrators may go unpunished.” Family Voices Distress The survivor’s...

New Delhi: The survivor of the Unnao rape case expressed deep anguish after the Delhi High Court suspended the life imprisonment sentence of former BJP leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar, granting him bail. The court’s decision has left the survivor disappointed and determined to challenge it in the Supreme Court. In a candid statement, the survivor said that if she had not married and had children, she might have considered taking her own life. She described Sengar’s temporary release as a “death sentence” for her family. Concerned for her safety, she stated she would rather go to prison herself than risk facing threats outside. The survivor also intends to meet President Draupadi Murmu, to convey the pain and distress caused by the court’s decision. She highlighted that security for her f...

New Delhi: Northern India is experiencing severe winter chill as dense fog blankets large parts of the region, including Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued widespread fog alerts, warning residents to exercise caution in low-visibility conditions. According to the IMD, eastern Uttar Pradesh can expect dense fog until 28 December, while some areas may experience fog continuing until 31 December. Western UP, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh are also under fog alerts, with visibility expected to remain low in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi in the coming days. Night and early morning fog in Uttar Pradesh is expected to intensify on 28–29 December. Dense Fog Across Other States The weather...

New Delhi: On 11 May 1998, at exactly 3:45 pm, the sands of Pokhran, Rajasthan witnessed a historic moment that would redefine India’s strategic identity. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, India conducted a series of nuclear tests that not only demonstrated the country’s self-reliance but also sent a clear message to the world about its sovereign defense capabilities. Despite international pressure and close scrutiny from the United States, India carried out the tests without foreign assistance, showcasing a remarkable blend of political courage and strategic foresight. What many had envisioned for years remained unrealized until Vajpayee took the decisive step. The tests were not merely explosions—they were a statement of national pride, strategic autonomy, a...