Thursday, December 25

State

Chirag Paswan Outpaces Nitish Kumar as Party Donations Surge in Election Year
Bihar, Politics, State

Chirag Paswan Outpaces Nitish Kumar as Party Donations Surge in Election Year

In a significant development ahead of an election-heavy political calendar, Bihar’s major regional parties have witnessed a sharp surge in political donations, with Chirag Paswan-led Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) registering a dramatic rise that has drawn considerable attention. While Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) received a substantially higher absolute amount, the rate of growth in funding for Chirag Paswan’s party far exceeded that of the JD(U), underscoring changing dynamics within the ruling NDA alliance. According to contribution reports submitted to the Election Commission of India for the financial year 2024–25, JD(U) received a total of ₹18.69 crore, while LJP (Ram Vilas) secured over ₹11 crore during the same period. Both parties are key allies of the BJP...
Is Nishant Kumar Set to Enter Politics? Speculation Grows After Nitish–Modi–Shah Meeting
Bihar, State

Is Nishant Kumar Set to Enter Politics? Speculation Grows After Nitish–Modi–Shah Meeting

Speculation over the political entry of Nishant Kumar, son of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, has intensified once again, stirring fresh debate in the state’s political circles. The discussions gained momentum following Nitish Kumar’s recent meeting in New Delhi with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, after which talk of a succession plan within the Janata Dal (United) resurfaced strongly. According to sources within the JD(U), the high-level meeting also included deliberations on Nishant Kumar’s possible political debut. Although such speculation has surfaced in the past, this time it is being viewed as more serious, given the broader political context and strategic considerations ahead of upcoming elections. Strategic Churning Within the Alliance ...
Rajasthan: ₹12,500 Spent on a Single Floor Mat for Government Schools, BJP MLA Faces Allegations from Congress Leader
Rajasthan, State

Rajasthan: ₹12,500 Spent on a Single Floor Mat for Government Schools, BJP MLA Faces Allegations from Congress Leader

A fresh political controversy has erupted in Rajasthan after serious questions were raised over the purchase of floor mats for government schools at an allegedly inflated cost. The issue centers around BJP MLA Virendra Singh Kanawat from Masuda (Beawar district), who is facing sharp criticism from former Congress MLA Rakesh Pareek over the procurement of khadi durries (woven floor mats) costing ₹12,500 per piece. The matter has gained traction on social media following the circulation of an official recommendation letter issued by the sitting MLA, granting financial and administrative approval for the purchase of khadi floor mats for government schools in Masuda and Bhimay blocks. The opposition has termed the purchase “highly irregular” and has alleged misuse of public funds. 160 Ma...
Obscene Video Incident on Namo Bharat Train: Students Identified, Schools to Take Strict Action
State, Uttar Pradesh

Obscene Video Incident on Namo Bharat Train: Students Identified, Schools to Take Strict Action

The high-tech Namo Bharat Rapid Rail, often showcased as a symbol of modern India, recently witnessed an incident that raised serious concerns about public decency and security oversight. Authorities have now identified the student and female student seen in an obscene video recorded inside a train coach, and their respective educational institutions are preparing to take stringent disciplinary action, including possible expulsion. Police have also initiated a formal investigation into the matter. The incident occurred on November 24, during a journey between Duhai Station and Meerut South. Taking advantage of a sparsely occupied coach, the students allegedly engaged in highly objectionable and obscene acts in public view, crossing all limits of social decorum. Shockingly, during the en...
Chaudhary Charan Singh: The Messiah of Farmers and a Lifelong Champion of Rural India
State, Uttar Pradesh

Chaudhary Charan Singh: The Messiah of Farmers and a Lifelong Champion of Rural India

Every year on December 23, India observes National Farmers’ Day (Kisan Diwas) to commemorate the birth anniversary of Chaudhary Charan Singh, the fifth Prime Minister of India and one of the most influential advocates of farmers’ rights in the country’s history. Revered as the “Messiah of Farmers”, Chaudhary Charan Singh dedicated his entire life to the upliftment of rural India, agrarian reforms, and the dignity of the farming community. Born into a farming family, Charan Singh understood the struggles of rural India not from textbooks, but from lived experience. Throughout his political journey, he consistently raised his voice for farmers’ economic security, fair land distribution, and social justice. At a time when industrial growth dominated national discourse, he firmly asserted t...
Big New Year Boost for Bihar’s Mushroom Farmers: Electricity to Cost Just 55 Paise Per Unit
Bihar, State

Big New Year Boost for Bihar’s Mushroom Farmers: Electricity to Cost Just 55 Paise Per Unit

Patna:Mushroom farmers and entrepreneurs in Bihar have received a major year-end gift from the state government, bringing significant relief to thousands engaged in this fast-growing agricultural sector. The Bihar government has announced that mushroom cultivation will now be treated as agricultural activity rather than a commercial one, allowing producers to avail electricity at highly subsidized rates. Until now, mushroom growers were categorized under the non-domestic (commercial) consumer category and were required to pay higher electricity tariffs. With the new decision, they will now be charged only 55 paise per unit, the same rate applicable to general farmers. Earlier High Power Tariffs Burdened Farmers Under the previous system, mushroom cultivators had to pay commercial ...
Barabanki Police Arrest Three ATM Thieves Who Learned Crime Techniques from YouTube; Car and Firearm Recovered
State, Uttar Pradesh

Barabanki Police Arrest Three ATM Thieves Who Learned Crime Techniques from YouTube; Car and Firearm Recovered

Barabanki (Uttar Pradesh):In a major breakthrough, Barabanki police have arrested three notorious thieves involved in ATM thefts by cutting machines open using gas cutters—a method they reportedly learned through YouTube videos. The accused were apprehended along with sophisticated tools used in the crime, ATM cards, an LPG gas cylinder, a Hyundai Creta car, and an illegal firearm. The arrested individuals have been identified as Rahul Gaur, Mohit Chaudhary, and Raj Kanojia, all residents of the Pura Kalandar police station area in Ayodhya district. Arrest Made Under Special Anti-Crime Drive According to police officials, the arrests were made as part of a special district-wide operation launched to curb incidents of theft, robbery, and snatching. Acting on the directions of Super...
New Christmas Guidelines Issued in Sri Ganganagar; Action to Be Taken Against Forced Celebrations in Schools
Rajasthan, State

New Christmas Guidelines Issued in Sri Ganganagar; Action to Be Taken Against Forced Celebrations in Schools

Sri Ganganagar (Rajasthan):An official order issued by the District Education Officer (Secondary) of Sri Ganganagar regarding Christmas Day celebrations has sparked widespread discussion across social media and educational circles. The directive, released ahead of December 25, clearly instructs government and private schools not to force students to celebrate Christmas or compel them to dress up as Santa Claus. Any violation of the order will invite strict administrative action. With Christmas Day approaching, schools across the district were preparing for year-end celebrations. However, the education department’s latest order has brought clarity, emphasizing that students’ consent and parental permission are mandatory for participation in Christmas-related activities. Order Issued A...
Swaminarayan Saints from Pune Meet Premanand Maharaj, Present Harmonium for Shri Ji
State, Uttar Pradesh

Swaminarayan Saints from Pune Meet Premanand Maharaj, Present Harmonium for Shri Ji

Mathura (Vrindavan):Vrindavan, the sacred land of devotion and renunciation, continues to draw spiritual seekers from across India and abroad. In this divine atmosphere, renowned spiritual leader Premanand Maharaj was recently visited by senior saints of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sampradaya from Pune, marking a deeply devotional and emotionally charged spiritual interaction. The visiting saints, associated with the globally respected BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, met Premanand Maharaj and engaged in meaningful spiritual dialogue. The Swaminarayan Sampradaya is widely known for its disciplined way of life, monumental temple architecture, and commitment to social reform. In Pune, the organization has a strong presence and actively works to instill values and promote Sanatan Dharma among the yout...
Bihar Chief Secretary Honours Cricketer Anukul Roy; Samastipur Connection Highlighted
Bihar, State

Bihar Chief Secretary Honours Cricketer Anukul Roy; Samastipur Connection Highlighted

Patna:Bihar Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit on Monday felicitated Anukul Roy, Protocol Officer of the Bihar State Power Holding Company Limited (BSPHCL) and a celebrated all-rounder, in recognition of his outstanding achievement in domestic cricket. The felicitation ceremony was held at Vidyut Bhawan in Patna. Anukul Roy was honoured with a shawl and a memento after being named ‘Player of the Tournament’ in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025–26, one of India’s premier domestic T20 competitions. The award was presented for his exceptional all-round performance that played a decisive role in his team’s championship triumph. Outstanding Performance in SMAT Roy delivered a stellar performance throughout the tournament, scoring 303 runs and claiming 18 wickets, emerging as the most...