Month: May 2025

An earthquake of magnitude 3.8 on the Richter Scale jolted Nepal on Wednesday at 5:56 pm (IST), National Center for Seismology (NCS) reportef.

According to NCS, the earthquake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers. The NCS said the earthquake was recorded at Latitude 27.82 N and Longitude 87.02 E.

In a post on X, NCS stated, “EQ of M: 3.8, On: 14/05/2025 17:56:01 IST, Lat: 27.82 N, Long: 87.02 E, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Nepal.”

There were no immediate reports of casualties or major damage. Further details are awaited. (ANI)

EaseMyTrip Co-Founder Prashant Pitti on Wednesday said the national interest comes first and the business interest later, echoing the call for boycotting Turkey and Azerbaijan, after these countries openly supported Pakistan during the recent conflict with India.

Turkey and Azerbaijan have rallied behind Pakistan despite its support for cross-border terrorism against India and its aggression after the Indian Armed Forces struck nine terror infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir in response to the Pahalgam terror attack.

Azerbaijan, in its statement on India-Pakistan tensions, has echoed the Pakistani line. Turkey expressed its solidarity with Pakistan and supported Islamabad’s proposal for an international investigation into the Pahalgam terror attack. Turkey has also supplied military weapons to Pakistan.

“As a company, EaseMyTrip, we always think of the nation first and business later,” Prashant Pitti told ANI in an interview.

Even in early 2024, EaseMyTrip had cancelled bookings for the Maldives. India’s relations with the archipelago soured following some derogatory remarks by Maldivian officials against India and its leadership.

“We took a national stand and for nine months we did not work with Maldives, only when our External Affairs Minister visited Maldives, we allowed to restart Maldives bookings,” Pitti said.

“Similarly, in the events which are happening right now where there is an ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan, even though there is a ceasefire, the ceasefire are also getting violated. We are seeing the countries like Azerbaijan and Turkey standing on the wrong side of history. Pakistan is clearly caught at the funeral of UN-designated terrorists,” he added.

“We have seen Pakistan army and personnel standing over there, standing shoulder and shoulders with them. But what more proof does the world need to qualify Pakistan as a rogue nation. And yet there are some countries which are supporting them, which are even providing them drones to attack on India. As a travel advisory, we have decided to issue a travel advisory to all our passengers to not to travel to Turkey and Azerbaijan because it is only going to come back and bite us,” he continued.

This time, Pitti said EaseMyTrip did not cancel the flights voluntarily to Turkey and Azerbaijan but instead issued a travel advisory.

Turkey serves as a key layover for Indians travelling Europe and the US.

“People go to Turkey and then immediately they take another flight to go to US or Europe which is why we could not differentiate who is going to Turkey and who is not going to Turkey,” Pitti said.

Despite, since the boycott Turkey and Azerbaijan gathered steam, 22 per cent people have cancelled their bookings to Turkey and another 30 per cent cancelled their flights to Azerbaijan, Pitti said.

“These numbers are going to rise,” Pitti said.

Last year, 2.5 lakh Indians travelled to Turkey and another 2.3 travelled to Azerbaijan. These extrapolates to about Rs 5,000 crore revenue loss for these two countries, Pitti estimated, given one traveller would have spent on an average Rs 1 lakh during their stay.

“We put out an advisory requesting people to avoid travelling to these countries. We are happy that many other travel agencies have accepted our standpoint. It is because of our efforts that boycott Turkey and boycott Azerbaijan are trending,” Pitti further said.

Echoing similar sentiments, Subhash Goyal, Chairman, Tourism Committee, Indian Chamber of Commerce, said they remain committed to promoting ethical, responsible, and respectful business and tourism practices, while upholding the values of integrity, security, and unity of our country.

“Several tourism associations and industry bodies have issued statements of solidarity and collective commitment towards prioritising our national interest over commercial goals. The Indian Chamber of Commerce joins these organisations in demanding a boycott of states like Turkey and Azerbaijan, following their stand against India’s response to terrorism. Tourism is a force for good and a driver of peace, global harmony and international understanding,” Goyal said.

“The safety and integrity of our citizens has to be prioritized above all else. There is so much beauty in the world, we appeal to Indians traveling overseas to choose destinations that are safe, promote peace and are aligned with India’s commitment against terrorism and separatist activities,” he added.

Talking to ANI virtually, Jyoti Mayal, Former President, Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), said, as per reports, 50 per cent of bookings to these countries have been cancelled.

“Indian travellers have immensely helped Turkey and Azerbaijan in their tourism sector in the past years. People have now on their own decided to avoid travelling to these countries. As per reports, 50 per cent of bookings were cancelled,” she said.

“Currently, there have been huge cancellations. We as travel agents are not supporting this at all and we are trying to say that no one should travel to these countries,” she added. (ANI)

Indians are boycotting Turkey and Azerbaijan due to their support for Pakistan after Operation Sindoor, a military operation launched by India in response to the Pahalgam terror attack.

Over 15,000 bookings from Uttar Pradesh to Turkey and Azerbaijan have been cancelled, with travel agencies and airlines offering full refunds.

Dr Ajay Singh, National Convenor of the Tourist Guide Federation of India and Chairperson of the Varanasi Tourism Organisation, expressed that during Operation Sindoor, India saw unprecedented national unity, with people from all backgrounds standing together in patriotism.

However, Turkey and Azerbaijan’s support for Pakistan during this critical time has angered the Indian public, prompting travellers to cancel their tours to these nations.

Ajay Singh explained that the cancellations primarily affect outbound tourism to Turkey and Azerbaijan, with two-thirds of bookings now cancelled.

The boycott is driven by national sentiment, with many Indians expressing outrage over Turkey and Azerbaijan’s stance on the India-Pakistan conflict.

Around 15,000 cancellations have been reported in the Purvanchal region, which includes cities like Varanasi, Azamgarh, Mau, and others. Leading travel agencies and airlines are supporting the boycott by offering full refunds for cancelled trips.

Indian Airlines has confirmed it will provide 100 per cent refunds for those cancelling their trips to these countries, demonstrating strong support for the national sentiment.

Singh also highlighted that while Turkey sends a significant number of tourists to India, with around 7,500 visitors to Banaras in 2024, the decline in bookings from Turkey post-Operation Sindoor has been noticeable, though it is expected to be more prominent in the upcoming tourist season from October to March.

Turkey and Azerbaijan feel the impact of the cancellations more keenly, as tourism contributes significantly to their economies, accounting for about 10 per cent of their GDP. India’s decision to boycott their destinations is now testing both countries’ reliance on tourism.

MakeMyTrip reports a 60% drop in bookings for Turkey and Azerbaijan, with cancellations surging by 250%.

In Varanasi, Sandeep Patiyal, Vice President of a major private hotel, stated that despite the decrease in bookings from Turkey and Azerbaijan, the city’s tourism is unlikely to suffer, as it continues to attract European and international tourists, particularly those drawn to its Buddhist heritage.

He added that his hotel is no longer accepting bookings from guests travelling from these two countries, joining the boycott in solidarity with the national cause.

Wajid Khan, a Varanasi resident who had planned a trip to Baku, Azerbaijan, but cancelled his plans, shared his personal reasons for doing so.

“My country comes first,” he said, explaining that after learning about the support Turkey and Azerbaijan had given to Pakistan, he could not continue with his trip.

Khan expressed that while Baku was a dream destination, his loyalty to India outweighed his travel aspirations, and he encouraged others to support India’s inbound tourism instead.

As tensions between India and Pakistan continue, the use of drones–reportedly of Turkish origin–by Pakistan to attempt infiltration at various locations further fueled India’s anger.

On May 8 night, Pakistan attempted drone intrusions from Leh to Sir Creek at 36 locations with approximately 300 to 400 drones. Indian Armed Forces brought down a number of these drones using kinetic and non-kinetic means. The possible purpose of these large-scale aerial intrusions was to test the AD systems and gather intelligence.

While forensic examination of the drone debris is being undertaken, preliminary reports suggest it to be of ‘Asisguard Songar’ of Turkey.

The situation has already shown how deeply intertwined national sentiment is with tourism. India’s call for a boycott reverberated across the sector and prompted significant cancellations in the wake of Operation Sindoor.

The Indian Armed Forces under Operation Sindoor launched strikes at nine terror hideouts in deep areas of Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) in the morning hours of May 7 in response to the Pahalgam terror attack.

In his address to the nation on May 12, PM Modi said that after the surgical strike in 2016 and the air strike in 2019, now Operation Sindoor is India’s policy against terrorism.

EaseMyTrip and MakeMyTrip have urged Indians to boycott travel to Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Earlier, with Turkey and Azerbaijan expressing open support to Pakistan despite the Pahalgam terror attack and Islamabad’s acts of aggression against India, EaseMyTrip Founder and Chairman Nishant Pitti has urged people not to use travel “to empower those who don’t stand with us”, noting that “travel is a powerful tool.”

Nishant Pitti, backing his appeal with data, asked if “we should fuel the tourism and economy” of countries that openly support Pakistan.

In a post on X, Nishant Pitti said that last year 2,87,000 Indians visited Turkey and 2,43,000 visited Azerbaijan and noted that tourism drives the economy of the two countries.

He said every rupee spent abroad is a vote and Indians should spend it where “our values are respected.”

“When these nations openly support Pakistan, should we fuel their tourism and their economies? Every rupee we spend abroad is a vote. Let’s spend it where our values are respected. Jai Hind,” he added.

Turkey and Azerbaijan have rallied behind Pakistan despite its support for cross-border terrorism against India and its aggression after the Indian Armed Forces struck nine terror infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir in response to the Pahalgam terror attack.

Azerbaijan, in its statement on India-Pakistan tensions, has echoed the Pakistani line.

Turkey expressed its solidarity with Pakistan and supported Islamabad’s proposal for an international investigation into the Pahalgam terror attack.

Turkey has also supplied military weapons to Pakistan. (ANI)

Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta and Saif Ali Khan-starrer ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho’ was released over 22 years ago, and it is still etched in the hearts and minds of fans.

The presence of romance, humour, and heartwarming messages, coupled with stellar performances made ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho’ stand out. To date, there are many scenes from the film that linger in the audience’s mind. Among them, the heart-wrenching climax, where Shah Rukh’s character Aman dies due to a rare illness, continues to evoke strong emotions.

On Tuesday, Preity walked down memory lane and talked about the emotional weight she carried while filming the movie’s climax scene.

During a QnA session on X, a fan wrote to Preity, “@realpreityzinta ma’am every time I watch Kal Ho Naa Ho, I cry like a kid. You absolutely nailed Naina Catherine Kapur. Learnt a lesson as well that is love sometimes means letting go. When you watch Kal Ho Naa Ho after 20 years of shoot, do you cry like us? #pzchat.”

In response, Preity opened up about losing her “first love in car crash”.

“Yes I cry when I see it and I cried when we were filming it too! My first love died in a car crash so this film always hit different. Fun Fact – Most scenes all actors cried naturally… and Aman’s death scene had everyone crying in front of the camera and behind it too!,” she shared.

Here, Preity referred to the loss of her father, Durganand Zinta, who passed away in a car accident. She was only 13 years old when she lost her father.

Her father was an officer in the Indian Army.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Preity is all set to make her comeback in the industry with Rajkumar Santoshi’s directorial ‘Lahore 1947’. This project marks an important milestone for Preity as she returns to the silver screen after a hiatus.’Lahore 1947′, produced under Aamir Khan’s banner, marks a significant collaboration between Sunny Deol and Aamir Khan’s Productions. (ANI)

Defence exports from India are at all-time highs, having risen a whopping 34-fold over the past decade.

“India exported defence goods worth Rs 23,622 crore in 2024-25 — a 34-fold rise as against just Rs 686 crore in 2013-14,” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s office said in a post on X.

The defence minister’s office asserted that India’s defence sector is growing stronger than ever, driven by the spirit of a self-reliant or Atmanirbhar Bharat.

As part of its ‘Atmanirbhar’ and Make in India plans, the government launched various schemes, including the production-linked incentive (PLI), in various sectors to make Indian manufacturers globally competitive, attract investments, enhance exports, integrate India into the global supply chain, and reduce dependency on imports.

With the government’s thrust on the Make in India initiative, defence production has surged to historic highs. This rise in defence manufacturing has also led to substantial returns for investors in major defence manufacturing PSUs over the past years.

The government is investing heavily in defence and aerospace manufacturing, with several defence hubs being set up. Notably, many global companies have either shared or shown intent to share critical defence and aerospace knowledge with India.

A wide range of items, including ammunition, arms, subsystems/systems, and parts and components, were exported to around 80 countries in the just-concluded financial year, according to the Ministry of Defence data.

The government is now aiming for annual exports worth Rs 50,000 crore by 2029, thus strengthening its global footprint.

Indian defence sector stocks, which had recently corrected from their highs, have again been soaring over the past weeks, much of it due to the recent flare-up of tensions with Pakistan. The successful display of India’s indigenously developed systems against the adversary last week also lent support to the defence stocks basket.

The latest conflict with Pakistan also alluded to the fact that it is critical to achieve self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

The Nifty India Defence index has climbed over 30 per cent over the past three months, reflecting investor confidence in the strategic importance and commercial growth of India’s domestic defence sector. The rise in indigenous defence manufacturing has also led to substantial returns for investors in major defence manufacturing PSUs over the past few years. (ANI)

A mix of emotions was witnessed at the residence of Border Security Force Constable Purnam Kumar Shaw, who has been repatriated by Pakistan after being captured on April 23. His father, wife, and other relatives expressed gratitude towards all those who extended a helping hand during Shaw’s capture.

Bhola Shaw, father of the BSF jawan, said that now that his son has returned, he must continue to protect his country.

“On the 24th day, the government (centre and state) brought my son back from Pakistan. I thank all of them. I want my son to continue protecting his country. I would appreciate PM Modi for Operation Sindoor,” he added.

Rajni Shaw, wife of the now repatriated BSF jawan, informed that she had a conversation with her husband over video call after nearly 22 days and said, “I talked to him over video call after 22 days. I couldn’t recognise him, given his beard had grown.”

She said the Commanding Officer (CO) had called her up in the morning to inform her about her husband’s return from Pakistan. Rajni Shaw said that her husband seemed fit and fine.

“He was in Pakistan for over 20 days. I felt happy after the Commanding Officer (CO) called up in the morning that PK sahab had returned to India, and he was doing fine. There was no need to worry, the CO said. I even talked to my husband. He is physically fit. He is expected to call me again.

She expressed gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for their efforts to help with the return of her husband.

“I talked to the CM after three or four days. She assured me that my husband would return this week. She also supported me immensely and raised her voice on the issue. I thank my countrymen that my husband has returned safe because of them,” Rajni said.

PM Modi initiated Operation Sindoor to avenge the killing of husbands in Pahalgam of all (women), after which he brought my husband back home,” she added.

The Pakistan government has repatriated India’s Border Security Force Constable Purnam Kumar Shaw. The BSF Constable had accidentally crossed the border during his duty on April 23 and had been in the custody of the Pakistan Rangers, a statement from the Public Relations Officer, Punjab Frontier, Border Security Force said.

According to the BSF statement release, “Today at 1030 hrs Constable Purnam Kumar Shaw has been taken back from Pakistan by BSF at Attari-Wagha border. Constable Purnam Kumar Shaw had inadvertently crossed over to Pakistan territory, while on operational duty in the Ferozepur sector on 23rd April 2025, around 1150 hrs and was detained by Pak Rangers. With the consistent efforts of BSF through regular flag meetings with Pakistan Rangers and through other communication channels, the repatriation of BSF Constable has become possible.”

Earlier on May 5, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had expressed her concern for the BSF Constable from Hooghly who was detained by the Pakistan Rangers. She said that Trinamool Congress leader Kalyan Banerjee is in touch with the family members. (ANI)

In a series of swift action against certain media outlets peddling propaganda and misinformation against India, the X account of Turkish news broadcaster, TRT World has been withheld in India, as observed on Wednesday.

Upon opening the account of TRT World, the following message is displayed–“Account Withheld”

“@trtworldhas been withheld in IN in response to a legal demand”

Tweets by trtworld

TRT World has been known for giving space to anti-India sentiment.

This follows after the call given in recent times for a boycott on Turkish products and services after Turkish origin military equipments such as Asisguard Songar model drones were found to have been deployed against India by Pakistan during its attack on civilian and military infrastructure of India in the wake of Operation Sindoor launched by India, targeting nine key terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), avenging the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

Following Turkey’s open support for Pakistan amid recent tensions between India and its neighbour, a widespread “Ban Turkey” movement has emerged in many places across the country.

The ban on the Turkish broadcaster’s X account follows suit after the account of the Chinese state-run propaganda mouthpiece, Global Times, was also withheld in India.

Earlier on May 8, Social media platform X had received executive orders from the Indian government requiring X to block over 8,000 accounts in India, subject to potential penalties including significant fines and imprisonment of the company’s local employees, a statement by the Global Government Affairs said.

The orders include demands to block access in India to accounts belonging to international news organisations and prominent X users.

On May 7, India’s Embassy in China had rebuked the Chinese media outlet Global Times for reporting that Pakistan’s military shot down an Indian fighter jet and advised verifying facts and sources before publishing such reports.

“Dear @globaltimesnews, we would recommend you verify your facts and cross-examine your sources before pushing out this kind of disinformation,” the Embassy of India in Beijing, China, said on X.

India has categorically rejected Pakistan’s malicious misinformation campaign, which falsely claimed the destruction of critical Indian

During his visit to the Adampur Airbase, PM Modi had said, “”Despite Pakistan’s many efforts, our airbases, or our other defence infrastructure, have not been harmed. And the credit for this goes to all of you, and I am proud of all of you, every soldier deployed on the border, every person associated with this operation deserves credit for this”.

Previously, India had announced a ban on 16 Pakistani YouTube channels for spreading provocative and communally sensitive content and misinformation against India, its Army and security agencies in the backdrop of the tragic Pahalgam terror incident in Jammu and Kashmir.

The action followed the recommendations of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).Following heightened tensions between India and Pakistan over the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the accounts of Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and former Prime Minister Imran Khan, founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), have been suspended in India. (ANI)

A new low-cost Counter Drone System in Hard Kill Mode ‘Bhargavastra’, has been designed and developed by Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL) signifying a substantial leap in countering the escalating threat of drone swarms.

The micro rockets used in this counter-drone system underwent rigorous testing at the Seaward Firing Range, Gopalpur achieving all designated objectives.

Three trials were conducted for the rocket at Gopalpur on May 13 in presence of senior officials of Army Air Defence (AAD). Two trials were conducted by firing one rocket each.

One trial was conducted by firing two rockets in salvo mode within 2 seconds. All four rockets performed as expected and achieved the required launch parameters underscoring its pioneering technology in mitigating large-scale drone attacks.

A Unified Solution for Countering Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Threats: ‘Bhargavastra’ boasts of advanced capabilities for detecting and eliminating small, incoming drones at distances of upto 2.5 km. It employs unguided micro rockets as the first layer of defence capable of neutralising swarm of drones with lethal radius of 20 meters and guided micro-missile (already tested earlier) as the second layer for pin point accuracy, ensuring precise and impactful neutralisation.

Designed for seamless deployment across diverse terrains, including high-altitude regions (> 5000 m above sea level), the system addresses the unique operational demands of India’s armed forces.

Highlighting ‘Bhargavastra’s adaptability and cost-effectiveness, SDAL emphasised its indigenous design and the development of dedicated rocket and micro-missiles to neutralise hostile UAVs. Furthermore, the system is modular and can have an additional soft-kill layer to include Jamming and Spoofing to provide an integrated and comprehensive shield for all branches of the armed forces.

The system being modular the sensors (Radar, EO & RF Receiver) and shooter can be configured as per user requirement and made to work in an integrated manner for layered and tiered AD cover, enabling engagement of targets at longer ranges. Further, the system is also engineered for seamless integration with existing network-centric warfare infrastructure.

Equipped with a sophisticated Command-and-Control Centre featuring advanced C4I (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence) technology, the system’s radar can detect minute aerial threats from 6 to 10 km away. Its Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) sensor suite further ensures precise identification of Low Radar Cross-Section (LRCS) targets. ‘Bhargavastra’ provides a comprehensive situational awareness overview, enabling operators to evaluate and counter individual drones or entire swarms.

Globally Significant Innovation: According to its developers, the system represents a significant stride in counter-drone technology. Its open-source architecture suggests that while several advanced nations are developing similar micro-missile systems, a domestically conceived multi-layered and cost-effective counter-drone system with swarm neutralisation capabilities like ‘Bhargavastra’ is yet to be deployed anywhere else globally.

This is another feather in the cap for the “Make in India” mission and a progressive step in further strengthening our already robust Air Defence umbrella. (ANI)

The Union Cabinet has approved a semiconductor manufacturing unit in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh, India’s sixth.

It will be a joint venture of HCL and Foxconn, to be set up near Jewar airport. Production will start from 2027.

HCL has a long history of developing and manufacturing hardware. Foxconn is a global major in electronics manufacturing. Together they will set up a plant near Jewar airport in Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority or YEIDA.

The chip unit will attract investment worth Rs 3,700 crore.

The works on other five units are currently underway, and of them is expected to be inaugurated later this year, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told reporters after the Caninet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The unit at Jewar will have 20,000 wafers per month capacity, and the chips 36 million (3.6 crore) per month, the minister said.

The chips produced at the Jewar plant will be used in mobile phones, laptops, automobiles, PCs, among others.

The semiconductor industry in India is still in a nascent stage, with various local and multinational companies intending to tap its vast potential. Chip shortages during Covid realised the importance of indigenous manufacturing to fill deficiency, for national security and galvanise indigenous innovation.

The other five semiconductors are under construction in Gujarat and Assam.

“Already five semiconductor units are in advanced stages of construction. With this sixth unit, Bharat moves forward in its journey to develop the strategically vital semiconductor industry,” the government said.

“Semiconductor industry is now shaping up across the country. World class design facilities have come up in many states across the country. State governments are vigorously pursuing the design firms.”

Students and entrepreneurs in 270 academic institutions and 70 startups are working on world class latest design technologies for developing new products. 20 products developed by the students of these academic students have been taped out by SCL Mohali.

As the country moves forward in semiconductor journey, the eco system partners have also established their facilities in India. Applied Materials and Lam Research are two of the largest equipment manufacturers. Both have a presence in India now. Merck, Linde, Air Liquide, Inox, and many other gas and chemical suppliers are gearing up for growth of our semiconductor industry.

With the demand for semiconductor increasing with the rapid growth of laptop, mobile phone, server, medical device, power electronics, defence equipment, and consumer electronics manufacturing in Bharat, this new unit will further add to India’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. (ANI)