Month: February 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday refuted claims of the Aam Aadmi Party and assured that it is the guarantee of the BJP that not a single slum in Delhi will be demolished and that the welfare schemes for the public will not be stopped.

Addressing a public rally in Delhi’s RK Puram, the Prime Minister highlighted that for those living in slums in the national capital, the BJP has guaranteed nutritious meals at just Rs five only.

“A welfare board will be set up for auto drivers and domestic workers, providing them with insurance coverage of up to Rs 10 lakh. The BJP government will also assist with children’s school fees. I give another guarantee: these AAP-Da people are spreading falsehoods, but not a single slum in Delhi will be demolished. The welfare schemes for the public in Delhi will not be stopped,” PM Modi asserted.

On January 12, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal alleged that the slums of Delhi would be “demolished” in the next five years, rendering people “homeless” if the BJP voted to power.

Further, the Prime Minister emphasized that the people of Purvanchal made him a Member of Parliament and the Prime Minister.

“For decades, people with a jungle raj mentality, from Congress, ignored the people of Bihar. But today, the NDA government is working tirelessly for Bihar. By announcing the Makhana Board, the government has honoured Bihar’s Makhana. Most of the Makhana farming families in Bihar belong to Dalit communities, and when I work for their welfare, these people (Congress) make fun of it,” PM Modi said.

He asserted that the BJP will continue to support the Purvanchali community in every possible way, whether in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh or Bihar.

PM Modi also hailed the Union Budget and mentioned that the BJP is the only party that gives respect to the middle class and rewards honest taxpayers.

“Since the budget was announced yesterday, the entire middle class has been saying that this is the most middle-class friendly budget in the history of India. Every family in India is brimming with happiness and enthusiasm. Our government has completely zeroed income tax on earnings up to Rs 12 lakh. Since independence, no one earning Rs 12 lakh a year has ever received such significant relief from income tax,” the Prime Minister said.

“For a person with a salary of Rs 12 lakh during Jawaharlal Nehru’s time, one-fourth would have gone to tax. If Indira Gandhi’s government were in power today, Rs 10 lakh of your Rs 12 lakh would have gone to the government as tax. Even just 10-12 years ago, during the Congress era, if you had a salary of Rs 12 lakh, Rs 2,60,000 would have gone as tax. But after yesterday’s BJP government budget, those earning Rs 12 lakh will not have to pay a single rupee in tax,” PM Modi highlighted.

Slamming the Congress party, he said as opposed to the previous governments in the national capital which imposed taxes only to fill their own coffers, the BJP government opens up the treasury to provide relief and enhance the capabilities of ordinary citizens.

Highlighting that under the BJP government, medicines at Jan Aushadhi Kendras are already being offered at an 80 per cent discount, PM Modi said that after yesterday’s budget, more than 30 medicines for cancer and serious diseases will be made cheaper.

“Senior citizens in Delhi will greatly benefit from the new budget. Retired government employees will pay less tax and receive higher pensions. The BJP government aims to support senior citizens with these initiatives. The Delhi BJP has announced a pension of Rs 2,500 for senior citizens, along with free medical treatment worth up to Rs 5 lakh per year,” he said.

He also said that in this budget, the sports budget has been increased to nearly Rs 3,800 crore, and Rs 1,000 crore has been allocated for the “Khelo India” campaign.

“The people of Delhi will never forget how AAP and Congress deceived them in the name of sports. The Commonwealth scam’s stain is so deep that Congress will never be able to free itself from it. The AAP party’s actions in the name of the Sports University in Delhi are well known to the people and youth of Delhi. That’s why today’s youth of India trusts the BJP and stands with the BJP,” the Prime Minister emphasized. (ANI)

Jammu and Kashmir’s summer capital Srinagar continued to feel the winter chill with the minimum temperature at 1.0 degrees Celsius on Sunday, as per India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The city is likely to experience partly cloudy sky becoming generally cloudy towards afternoon or evening or night’ today, as per the Met Department.

Upper reaches of Bhalessa in Doda district of the Union Territory received fresh snowfall, while the plains experienced rainfall, leading to a significant dip in temperatures. For farmers and orchard owners, this comes as a relief after a prolonged dry spell in the region.

Meanwhile, in a move to ensure safe passage amidst the snowfall and inclement weather conditions in Sonamarg in Kashmir, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has initiated snow clearance operations to enhance traffic flow in the area.

The Kashmir valley has been covered under a blanket of snow for the past few days. Although snowfall and these layers of snow may look breathtaking and mesmerising, it also hampers the daily activities of the people residing there.

Further down, the weather department has forecast dense fog in isolated places over Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.

Dense fog covered the national capital on Sunday morning affecting visibility.

The fog was accompanied by cold winds. According to IMD, the lowest temperature in Delhi on Sunday is 10 degrees Celsius. It has predicted rain for Delhi on February 3.

Meanwhile, Dehi’s air quality was recorded in the “very poor” category. According the Central Pollution Control Board, Air Quality Index was logged at 340 at 8 am this morning.

An AQI rating is categorised as follows: 0-50 (good), 51-100 (satisfactory), 101-200 (moderate), 201-300 (poor), 301-400 (very poor), and 401-500 (severe).

Cold weather conditions continue to grip the national capital, with residents seeking refuge in night shelters to escape the biting cold.

On Saturday night, many were seen huddled in shelters across areas like Nizamuddin and Lodhi Road, looking for warmth amid the harsh conditions.

The shelters are usually simple structures–either, community centres, or tents — with basic amenities like heaters to provide warmth.

In coordination with various NGOs, the Delhi government has made efforts to provide warm clothing, blankets, and heated spaces to accommodate the growing number of people turning to these facilities.

Tinku Kumar, a caretaker of one of the night shelters said, “We have 20 beds for the people. All of the people have been provided with food and blankets including medicines.”

The dip in morning and night temperatures is attributed to northwesterly winds coming from the Himalayas. (ANI)

A large number of devotees gathered at Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar to take a holy dip in the Ganga and offer prayers to Maa Saraswati on the occasion of Basant Panchami.

The religious city witnessed an influx of devotees from different parts of the country since early morning, with many also performing charitable acts and rituals.

It is believed that Maa Saraswati was born on Basant Panchami, and taking a dip in the Ganga on this auspicious day holds great significance. Devotees were seen offering prayers and participating in the Ganga aarti, seeking blessings for the fulfilment of their wishes.

A devotee, Pallavi, shared her experience, saying, “I had a wonderful experience arriving here. The darshan was great, and I enjoyed the Ganga aarti. The security and arrangements were impressive. I’ll bring my family here soon.”

Another devotee, Sunil Bhat, said, “As a Kashmiri Pandit, I felt a deep connection here. Our family had a great time, and the Ganga Aarti was serene. The enthusiasm for the bath and aarti was palpable. This place is truly calming.”

Promila, expressing her devotion, said, “The atmosphere is beautiful, and everyone’s excited. Taking a bath on Basant Panchami is a privilege. The devotees’ faith in Mother Ganga is inspiring. The Ganga aarti was exhilarating.”

Sanjiv, another devotee, said, “We’d been waiting to experience this, and it exceeded expectations. Watching the aarti with our family was wonderful. Being together, feeling the collective energy, was truly special.”

Sharing a similar sentiment, Meenakshi said, “The Ganga bath was incredible. Watching the aarti brought me peace. I feel purified like all my sins are washed away. The atmosphere is electric, and everyone’s enthusiasm is infectious. I’m glad we brought our parents here.”

Meanwhile, in Prayagraj’s Mahakumbh, authorities have ensured that enhanced arrangements will be made for the upcoming Basant Panchami (Third Shahi Snan) on February 3.

Devotees will offer prayers at the Sangam, a confluence of three rivers- Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati.

The Hindu festival of Basant Panchami, also known as Vasant Panchami, Shri Panchami, and Saraswati Panchami, is celebrated on the first day of spring and falls on the fifth day of the month of Magha. It also heralds the start of Holi preparations, which take place forty days following the feast. Maa Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of learning, music, and the arts, is honoured throughout the festival. (ANI)

Dense fog covered the national capital on Sunday morning affecting visibility.

The fog was accompanied by cold winds. According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), the lowest temperature in Delhi today is 10 degree Celsius.

The weather department has forecast dense fog in isolated places over Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.

The Met Department has predicted rain for Delhi on February 3.

Meanwhile, Dehi’s air quality was recorded in the “very poor” category. According the Central Pollution Control Board, Air Quality Index was logged at 340 at 8 am this morning.

An AQI rating is categorized as follows: 0-50 (good), 51-100 (satisfactory), 101-200 (moderate), 201-300 (poor), 301-400 (very poor), and 401-500 (severe).

Cold weather conditions continue to grip the national capital, with residents seeking refuge in night shelters to escape the biting cold.

On Saturday night, many were seen huddled in shelters across areas like Nizamuddin and Lodhi Road, looking for warmth amid the harsh conditions.

The shelters are usually simple structures–either, community centers, or tents — with basic amenities like heaters or blowers to provide warmth.

In coordination with various NGOs, the Delhi government has made efforts to provide warm clothing, blankets, and heated spaces to accommodate the growing number of people turning to these facilities.

Tinku Kumar, a caretaker of one of the night shelters said, “We have 20 beds for the people. All of the people have been provided with food and blankets including medicines.”

The dip in morning and night temperatures is attributed to northwesterly winds coming from the Himalayas.

According to the IMD, Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar recorded a temperature of 3.4 degrees Celsius at 5.30 am this morning.

In a move to ensure safe passage amidst the snowfall and inclement weather conditions in Sonamarg in Jammu and Kashmir, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has initiated snow clearance operations to enhance traffic flow in the area.

The Kashmir valley has been covered under a blanket of snow for the past few days. Although snowfall and these layers of snow may look breathtaking and mesmerising, it also hampers the daily activities of the people residing there. (ANI)

Former India wicketkeeper-batter Wriddhiman Saha on Saturday announced his retirement from all formats of cricket.

Saha played his last match against Punjab with Bengal in the Ranji Trophy Elite 2024-25 Group C encounter. The wicketkeeper-batter failed to shine in the final game of his illustrious career. He was dismissed for a seven-ball duck by Gurnoor Brar of Punjab. However, Saha’s performance did not affect Bengal much as they clinched a victory by an innings and 13 runs over Punjab.

Earlier on Friday, Saha also received a guard of honour from his teammates as he went down on the crease to bat for the last time.

Taking to X, Saha recalled the first time he stepped onto a cricket field in 1997. He added that it was an honour for him to represent his country, state, district, clubs, university, college, and school.

“It has been 28 years since I first stepped onto a cricket field in 1997, and what a journey it has been! Representing my country, state, district, clubs, university, college, and school has been the greatest honor of my life. Everything I am today, every achievement, every lesson learned- l owe it all to this wonderful game… Now it is time to begin a new chapter, dedicating myself to my family and friends, cherishing the moments I may have missed, and embracing life beyond the field. I am eternally grateful to my parents, my beloved elder brother Anirban, and my extended family. Their sacrifices and unwavering belief in my dreams made this journey possible…,” Saha wrote on X.

The 40-year-old extended his heartfelt gratitude to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for their support throughout his career.

“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the BCCI, its presidents, secretaries, and all office bearers for their support throughout my career. A sincere thank you to all my coaches, mentors, physios, trainers, analysts, teammates, logistics teams, masseurs, and every support staff member of the Indian Cricket Team, Bengal Cricket Team, Tripura Cricket Team, and all the clubs, districts, universities, and school teams I had the privilege of representing. Your faith in me and your constant encouragement have meant the world. I am deeply thankful to the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) and the Tripura Cricket Association (TCA) for their trust and support throughout my career…,” he added.

He also gave special mention to his childhood coach, Jayanta Bhowmick for his guidance both on and off the field.

“A special mention to my childhood coach, Jayanta Bhowmick, who saw something in me long before I saw it in myself. Your guidance, both on and off the field, has been a blessing in my life. To my friends, ground staff, net bowlers, dressing room attendants, fans, scorers, well-wishers, critics, and journalists each of you played a role in my journey. Your support, encouragement, and even your criticism pushed me to be better, to work harder, and to never stop learning… This game has given me more than I could have ever imagined. It has been my passion, my teacher, my identity. As I walk away from the field, I do so with immense gratitude, carrying memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you, cricket. Thank you all,” he concluded.

Saha made his first-class debut in 2007, following that he has played 142 matches and 210 innings, scoring 7169 runs at a strike rate of 48.65 and an average of 41.43. He slammed 14 centuries and 44 fifties in the first-class cricket.

Earlier in November 2024, Wriddhiman Saha announced his retirement from international cricket. Saha last played for India in 2021 and has scored 1,353 runs in 40 Tests for India, with three centuries and six fifties in 56 innings. He has also played five ODIs for India. (ANI)

United States President Donald Trump has announced a 25 per cent tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, as well as a 10 per cent tariff on goods from China, citing concerns over illegal immigration and the smuggling of drugs, including fentanyl.

The US President has taken action under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), emphasizing the need to protect Americans and fulfil a campaign promise.

Trump said that the tariffs have been implemented to protect US citizens from the threats posed by illegal immigration and drug trafficking.

“Today, I have implemented a 25% Tariff on Imports from Mexico and Canada (10% on Canadian Energy), and a 10% additional Tariff on China. This was done through the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) because of the major threat of illegal aliens and deadly drugs killing our Citizens, including fentanyl. We need to protect Americans, and it is my duty as President to ensure the safety of all. I made a promise on my Campaign to stop the flood of illegal aliens and drugs from pouring across our Borders, and Americans overwhelmingly voted in favour of it,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Trump has repeatedly said he will follow through with his threat to hit imports from Canada and Mexico on 1 February.

During the election campaign, Trump threatened to hit Chinese-made products with tariffs of up to 60 per cent, but held off on any immediate action on his first day back in the White House, instead ordering his administration to study the issue.

Earlier, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that their response to US tariffs would be “forceful but reasonable”.

“If the president does choose to implement any tariffs against Canada, we’re ready with a response — a purposeful, forceful but reasonable, immediate response,” Trudeau told reporters before a meeting with his advisory council on Canada-US relations on Friday, The Globe and Mail reported. (ANI)

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of bombing its “own civilians” who were sheltering in a school in the Kursk region.

Zelenskyy claimed that Russia dropped an aerial bomb on a boarding school while the civilians were still preparing to evacuate.

“This is how Russia wages war–Sudzha, Kursk region, Russian territory, a boarding school with civilians preparing to evacuate. A Russian aerial bomb. They destroyed the building even though dozens of civilians were there.” Zelenskyy wrote in a post on X on Saturday (local time).

“This is how Russia waged war against Chechnya decades ago. They killed Syrians the same way. Russian bombs destroy Ukrainian homes the same way. And even against their own civilians, the Russian army uses similar tactics,” he added.

According to CNN, Ukraine has made advancements in Kursk, as stated by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a DC-based think tank, on January 26. On the other hand, the Russian Military said that it had recaptured the region.

On Saturday, Russia launched a barrage of drones and missiles on Ukraine killing at least 12 people, Al Jazeera reported.

Ukraine’s air force claimed that it shot down 56 drones and redirected 61.

Ukraine’s Emergency Services said a missile struck a residential building in the central city of Poltava killed eight people, including a child, and injured 17.

On Friday, A Ukrainian Military official informed that North Korean forces have “probably” withdrawn from the frontlines in Russia’s Kursk region after suffering heavy losses, CNN reported.

Colonel Oleksandr, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian military’s Special Operations Forces, told CNN that North Korean troops have not been seen on the battlefront for the past three weeks.

“The presence of DPRK troops has not been observed for about three weeks, and they were probably forced to withdraw after suffering heavy losses,” Oleksandr Kindratenko, told CNN. (ANI)

The United States (US) military conducted airstrikes on Islamic State (ISIS) terrorists in Somalia on Saturday (local time).

The airstrikes were conducted in the Golis mountain region following orders from President Donald Trump, leading to the deaths of multiple operatives, according to US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegesth.

In a post on X, US President Donald Trump said that he ordered airstrikes on ISIS operatives after these terrorists were found hiding in caves.

“This morning I ordered precision Military air strikes on the Senior ISIS Attack Planner and other terrorists he recruited and led in Somalia. These killers, who we found hiding in caves, threatened the United States and our Allies. The strikes destroyed the caves they live in, and killed many terrorists without, in any way, harming civilians,” Trump wrote.

The US President also criticised former President Joe Biden for not acting quickly against ISIS terrorists.

“Our Military has targeted this ISIS Attack Planner for years, but Biden and his cronies wouldn’t act quickly enough to get the job done. I did! The message to ISIS and all others who would attack Americans is that We WILL FIND You, AND We WILL KILL YOU,” he added.

US Secretary of Defence Hegesth said that these US strikes degrade “ISIS’s ability to plot and conduct terrorist attacks threatening U.S. citizens, our partners, and innocent civilians and sends a clear signal that the United States always stands ready to find and eliminate terrorists who threaten the United States and our allies, even as we conduct robust border-protection and many other operations under President Trump’s leadership.”

According to The Hill, Trump has warned terrorist groups like ISIS in the past. On the other hand, he had also suggested that the US should take a step back from Syria following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

“We’re not involved in Syria. Syria’s its own mess. They’ve got enough messes over there. They don’t need us involved in everyone,” Trump had told reporters on Thursday. (ANI)

At least six people died, two were injuries, and several remain missing after a vehicle carrying 14 people plunged into a canal in Haryana’s Fatehabad late on Friday night, officials said.

According to Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Jagdish Chandra, “The 14 people were returning after attending a wedding ceremony in Punjab’s Fazilka when the vehicle they were travelling in plunged into a canal in Fatehabad.”

He said that out of the 14 people, 6 bodies were recovered, 2 were alive and the rest 6 were missing.

“We rescued 3 people at night, one of them succumbed at night itself and the rest of the two are alive. We have recovered 5 more bodies. The bodies have been identified. NDRF and SDRF teams are carrying out the search and rescue operations. Six bodies have been recovered and six people are still missing,” SDM Chandra told reporters.

“The deceased have been identified by their families. Among the deceased include a 1.5-month-old infant and a 10-year-old girl, a man and a woman,” he added.

He further said, “The water level was decreased in the canal after communication with the irrigation department. We are working towards providing a permanent barricading around the canal. For now, we will set up a temporary safety barricade.”

The search operation for the missing people was ongoing.

Further details are awaited. (ANI)

Bijapur (Chhattisgarh) [India], February 1 (ANI): Eight Naxalites were killed in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district on Saturday, the police said.

The gunfight broke out around 8.30 am in the forest in Gangaloor police station area and search operations were still being carried out, police further said.

“8 naxals have been killed in an ongoing encounter between security forces and Naxals in the jungle under Gangaloor PS limit. Search operations are underway,” said police.

District Reserve Guard (DRG), Special Task Force (STF), Cobra 202 and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) 222 battalion are involved in an anti-Maoist operation that was launched on Friday after receiving information about the presence of armed Naxalites in West Bastar Division.

Further details are awaited. (ANI)