Month: May 2025

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recently welcomed Indian cricket star Rohit Sharma to his official residence, Varsha, marking a special meeting that celebrated the cricketer’s illustrious Test career.

Fadnavis shared his thoughts on the meeting through his official X account, expressing both admiration and best wishes for Sharma, who recently announced his retirement from Test cricket.

“It as great to welcome, meet and interact with Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma at my official residence Varsha. I extended my best wishes to him on his retirement from Test cricket and for continued success in the next chapter of his journey!”

Rohit retired from Test cricket after a career spanning 67 Tests and 11 years.

Rohit made his Test debut against the West Indies in November 2013 and went on to represent India in 67 Tests. He amassed 4,301 runs at an average of 40.57, with 12 centuries and 18 fifties. His highest score of 212 came during a memorable home series against South Africa in 2019. He finishes as India’s 16th-highest run-getter in the longest format.

He kick-started his Test journey with a memorable 177 against the West Indies at Eden Gardens, Kolkata in 2013. Despite immense promise and some great knocks, the ‘Hitman’ initially struggled to solidify himself as a top-choice batter in the longer format, especially on tours away from home. From 2013-18, Rohit played just 27 Tests, scoring 1,585 runs at an average of 39.63, with three centuries and 10 fifties in 47 innings. His best score was 151. The right-hander struggled away from home, particularly in testing South Africa, England, New Zealand and South Africa (SENA) countries. Success in these nations is often considered a hallmark of a great Indian batter.

However, with twin centuries against South Africa at Visakhapatnam in 2019, Rohit revived his Test career, as an opener. In 40 Tests during the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) history, he made 2,716 runs at an average of 41.15, with nine centuries and eight fifties. His best score was 212. He is India’s top run-getter, century maker in WTC history, and overall at 10th among top run-getters. He led India to the final of the WTC against Australia in the UK in 2023, where they lost. (ANI)

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) declared the Class XII examination results, recording a pass percentage of 88.39 per cent, an increase of 0.41 per cent compared to last year. Among the toppers was Savi Jain, a student of Scottish International School in Shamli, who secured 499 marks out of 500, becoming the national topper. She hopes to join the civil services as an IAS officer.

Speaking to ANI on Wednesday, Savi Jain said, “I am very happy. Everyone is happy. My family and my teachers are very happy. I had five subjects: history, geography, political science, English, and painting. I scored full marks in four subjects.”

She described her study schedule, “I used to do self-study for 4-5 hours.” Jain shared her future plans, adding, “I want to join the civil services as an IAS.”

On Tuesday, Speaker of Lok Sabha Om Birla congratulated students who successfully passed the CBSE Class X and XII examinations.

In his message, Birla highlighted the importance of hard work, discipline, and focus in achieving academic success.

In a post on X, Birla said, “Heartiest congratulations to all students who have cleared the CBSE Class X and XII examinations. Your success reflects sincere effort, discipline, and focus.”

The CBSE class 10th and 12th examinations started on February 15 and concluded on March 18 and April 4, respectively. Class 10th students achieved a passing percentage of 93.66, whereas 88.39 per cent of students passed the Class 12th examination.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the students of classes X and XII on Tuesday, who cleared their CBSE examinations after the results were announced.

The PM also encouraged those disappointed with their results, saying, ” One exam cannot define you.”

Meanwhile, 91 per cent of girls have passed the CBSE class 12th examinations this year, 5.94 per cent more than the boys. On the other hand, 95 per cent of girls passed the CBSE class 10th examination, which was 2.37 per cent more than the boys. A total of 22,38,827 students appeared for the examinations, out of which 20,95,467 students passed. (ANI)

The situation across several districts of Jammu and Kashmir has returned to normalcy after cross-border shelling and attempted drone attacks from Pakistan had kept the residents of the region on high alert for several days.

Following the understanding of the cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan on May 10, things have shifted to being normal, as reports of overnight drone attacks or cross-border firing and shelling have gradually stopped.

The districts of Akhnoor, Jammu, Samba, and Poonch are particularly relieved to see a decrease in tensions, which were escalated following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam.

Residents now continue with their daily routines as the situation becomes stable, with no incidents of cross-border activity reported for the past two days.

However, drone sightings in Jammu, Samba, Akhnoor, and Kathua were earlier reported in the intervening night of May 12 and May 13.

Meanwhile, Residents of Samba expressed relief and appreciation for the Indian Army’s efforts in maintaining security.

Surendra Kumar, a local from Samba, told ANI, “All their (Pakistan’s) drones were neutralised by our forces. So, the situation seems good now. It is peaceful. It is good if this continues.”

Another resident, Rai Kumar, praised the Army’s role, saying, “What the Indian Army is doing is good… The Indian Army is zindabad. The Army has done a lot for us. We sleep at home but they protect us at the border… We have been seeing Pakistan for a long time; I am 50 years old… They keep sending terrorists to our side. They kill our jawans and civilians. They are not going to mend their ways… Something should be done…”

This period of calm follows a tense phase after India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’ on May 7, which targeted nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians.

Pakistan’s subsequent retaliatory actions, including drone attacks and heavy shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border. However, the Indian Army’s robust response, including neutralising Pakistani drones and causing damage to 11 airbases in Pakistan, has contributed to the current de-escalation. (ANI)

Punjab Police on Tuesday arrested 156 drug smugglers and recovered 1.5 kg heroin, 16 kg opium and Rs 5.38 lakh drug money from their possession, an official release said.

According to a release from the Information and Public Relations Department, Punjab, the number of drug smugglers arrested has reached 10,802 in the last 73 days since the launch of the war against drugs named “Yudh Nashian Virudh.”

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has asked the Commissioners of Police, Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendent of Police to make Punjab a drug-free state.

The operation was conducted simultaneously in all 28 police districts of the state, on the directions of the Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab, Gaurav Yadav.

The Punjab government has also constituted a five-member Cabinet Sub-Committee led by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema to monitor the war against drugs.

Divulging details, Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla informed that over 200 Police teams, comprising over 1500 police personnel, under the supervision of 97 gazetted officers have conducted raids at as many as 601 locations across the state leading to the registration of 109 first information reports (FIRs) across the state, he said according to the release.

Police teams have also checked as many as 613 suspicious persons during the day-long operation.

The Special DGP said that with the state government having enforced a three-pronged strategy, Enforcement, De-addiction and Prevention (EDP), to eradicate drugs from the state, the Punjab Police, as part of ‘De-addiction’, has convinced 115 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment today. (ANI)

Following reports of Qatar’s gifting of a luxury Boeing 747-8 to the US, President Donald Trump emphasised that the aircraft will be used temporarily until the new Boeing planes arrive, highlighting the cost savings of hundreds of millions of dollars.

Defending his decision, Trump emphasised that accepting the gift would save hundreds of millions of dollars, which would instead be spent to “Make America Great Again.”

Trump further said that it would be foolish not to accept this gift on behalf of Qatar.

Sharing a post on social media platform Truth Social, Trump wrote, “The Boeing 747 is being given to the United States Air Force/Department of Defence, NOT TO ME! It is a gift from a nation, Qatar, that we have successfully defended for many years. It will be used by our Government as a temporary Air Force One, until such time as our new Boeings, which are very late on delivery, arrive.”

“Why should our military, and therefore our taxpayers, be forced to pay hundreds of millions of Dollars when they can get it for free from a country that wants to reward us for a job well done. This big savings will be spent, instead, to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! Only a fool would not accept this gift on behalf of our country. Thank you for your attention to this matter,” the post added.

According to The Hill, the value of the plane is estimated at USD 400 million, which Qatar’s royal family had offered as a gift to the United States. Trump had earlier argued that only a “stupid person” would not accept the gift.

Earlier on Monday, Trump on Truth Social had said, “So the fact that the Defense Department is getting a gift, free of charge, of a 747 aircraft to replace the 40 year old Air Force One, temporarily, in a very public and transparent transaction, so bothers the Crooked Democrats that they insist we pay, top dollar, for the plane. Anybody can do that! The Dems are World Class Losers!!! MAGA.”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Monday had confirmed that the legal details regarding the acceptance of a Boeing 747-8 jet as a gift from the Qatari royal family to serve as Air Force One were being finalised. Leavitt emphasised that any donation to the government would be done in full compliance with the law.

“Any donation to this government is always done in full compliance with the law,” she said, CNN reported. (ANI)

The Central government has enhanced the security cover of External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar by adding an additional bulletproof vehicle to his convoy, top sources said on Wednesday.

Jaishankar, who currently receives ‘Z’ category armed protection from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), will now have an enhanced security vehicle for his nationwide movements.

The CRPF made this decision after a recent threat assessment linked to India-Pakistan tensions indicated the need for increased protection.

Notably, in October last year, Jaishankar’s security level was raised from ‘Y’ to ‘Z’ category.

The CRPF had taken over the charge of Jaishankar’s security from the Delhi Police.

Jaishankar, 69, is currently being provided round-the-clock Z-category security cover by an armed team of CRPF personnel that includes over a dozen armed commandos during movement and his stay across the country.

The CRPF is currently providing VIP security cover to 210-odd protectees, comprising Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari, the Dalai Lama and Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

The decision to enhance the security for the EAM came following the heightened tensions between India and Pakistan after India’s decisive military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, leading to the death of over 100 terrorists affiliated with terror outfits like the Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen.

After the attack, Pakistan retaliated with cross-border shelling across the Line of Control and Jammu and Kashmir as well as attempted drone attacks along the border regions, following which India launched a coordinated attack and damaged radar infrastructure, communication centres and airfields across 11 airbases in Pakistan.

After this, on May 10, an understanding of the cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan was announced. (ANI)

The Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday responded to a recent statement made by the Pakistan Foreign Office, emphasising that Pakistan’s history of nurturing terrorism on an industrial scale makes it accountable for the consequences.

Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, during the weekly press conference, stated that Pakistan’s attempt to escape the consequences of its actions is futile, given its long history of supporting terrorism.

He highlighted that the terrorist infrastructure sites destroyed by India were responsible for the deaths of not only Indians but also many other innocents around the world.

“We have seen the statement made by the Pakistani side. That a nation which has nurtured terrorism on an industrial scale should think that it can escape the consequences is fooling itself. The terrorist infrastructure sites that India destroyed were responsible not only for the deaths of Indians but also of many other innocents around the world. There is now a new normal. The sooner Pakistan gets used to it, the better,” he said.

This comes after Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar in his first interview since India and Pakistan’s cessation of hostilities, said that Islamabad “had no choice” but to launch strikes in “self-defence” following India’s May 7 cross-border attacks.

Dar referred to India’s strikes as a “war” and a “wishful attempt to establish its hegemony” and claimed that “We were very sure that our conventional capacity and capabilities are strong enough that we will beat them both in the air and on the ground.”

Jaiswal emphasised that there is a new normal in dealing with terrorism, and Pakistan needs to acknowledge and adapt to this reality.

He also emphasised the links of the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack and The Resistance Front- a terror group that owned up to their involvement in the attack twice.

“You know we have had several rounds of briefings and in these briefings we have also shared with you the kind of linkage we see between the perparators of the attack of Pahalgam, in particular The Resistance Front. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri in his statement also made very clear the kind of evidence that we see and investigation is going on in this particular matter,” he said.

Jaiswal said that the TRF took responsibility for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack twice before rolling their statement back.

“You would have seen that TRF had taken responsibility and then second time again second day- twice they had taken responsibility and thereafter possibly at the behest of their handlers they rolled it back,” he said.

Jaiswal added that India is still pursuing listing of TRF in the United Nations by the United Nations Security Council by the UNCC 1267 sanctions committee.

“But TRF is one organization which is a front of the Lashkar-e-Taiba and you would understand that we have been pursuing listing of TRF in the United Nations by the United Nations Security Council by the UNCC 1267 sanctions committee. We’ll update you on as to how the investigation progresses in this matter,” he said.

Jaiswal said that India is sharing the details of the investigations of the attack with the UNSC, hoping that they would take note of it.

“Over the last two years or so, since 2023-24 we have been sharing information with the United Nations Security Council, the monitoring team of the sanctions committee as to why the terrorist TRF which is the front for Lashkar-e-Taiba should be listed as a terrorist entity. We will be also in few days will be sharing more details in this regard and hopefully security council 1267 monitoring team will take strong note of what we present, what we file and take due action against that is required,” he said.

Earlier on May 7, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri highlighted Pakistan’s role in removing references to the terrorist group The Resistance Front (TRF), which claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam terrorist attack, from the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) press statement issued on April 25. He recalled how India had earlier shared inputs regarding the TRF with the UN, bringing out its role as a cover for terrorists based in Pakistan. (ANI)

Exiting exam centres with weary smiles, students hurried towards their parents, who greeted them with warm hugs and bottles of water after the first day of the Common University Entrance Test for Undergraduate Admissions (CUET UG).

While fatigue showed on their faces, many students called the paper “easy” and largely expected, striking a tone of cautious optimism as the nationwide entrance began.

The first day of CUET was largely smooth except for a few students who were denied entry to the exam centre for arriving a few minutes after the reporting time.

Students appeared for subjects including English, Business Studies, Physical Education, Accounts, and Biotechnology, sharing largely positive but varied reactions to the paper.

“The English paper was much easier than I expected,” said a candidate who completed the exam well before the allotted time. “I had prepared for more analytical or inference-based questions, but most of them were direct and familiar.”

Students across the centre echoed similar feedback, stating that the English section followed a straightforward pattern.

The CUET enables admissions into undergraduate programs at over 250 central, state, and private universities, including top institutions like Delhi University, JNU, and BHU.

For others, particularly those attempting domain subjects, the experience was slightly more mixed. “Business Studies went very well for me. The questions were concept-based, and nothing felt out of syllabus,” said Sushil Rajeevan, a candidate who also appeared for Physical Education. “That paper was a little more challenging, mainly because it’s my sixth subject. It needed more specific recall and time management.”

He added, “The MCQ format helped in some parts, but in sections where careful reading was needed, time was still tight.” Sushil is aiming for Delhi University’s SRCC and said he felt confident about his performance so far.

The CUET UG exam structure allows candidates to choose up to six domain-specific subjects, two language papers, and an optional general test.

Each section is one hour long and held in multiple shifts across thousands of centres nationwide.

While English was universally described as “easy,” students acknowledged that domain subjects demanded deeper understanding and quick thinking, particularly under time constraints. With more subjects scheduled over the coming days, many students are hopeful but cautious.

“This was a good start, but the next few papers will be crucial,” one student said. “The real test will be consistency.”

Despite concerns about technical glitches in previous editions, Day 1 proceeded without any major disruptions at the centres in Delhi and NCR.

However, some students missed their exam on the first day at the centre in Noida Sector 62 after being denied entry for arriving just minutes past the reporting time.

Candidates and their parents stood outside the gates, pleading with officials for over half an hour, citing reasons such as traffic diversions, delayed public transport, and incorrect directions — issues many said were beyond their control.

Several aspirants, including those from Bulandshahr, Bahadurgarh, and Etah, reported being allotted centres far from their home cities despite selecting nearby preferences during registration.

“I left home at 4 AM thinking I’d arrive on time, but everything went wrong — the bus was late, and the auto dropped me at the wrong place,” said 17-year-old Anmol Bhati.

Parents have now urged the NTA to consider rescheduling missed exams and ensure better logistical planning for future shifts. (ANI)

DMK Deputy General Secretary and Thoothukudi MP Kanimozhi on Tuesday welcomed the conviction of all nine accused in the 2019 Pollachi sexual assault case, calling it a “landmark verdict” that would bolster the confidence of women across Tamil Nadu and the country in the judicial system.

Speaking to reporters, Kanimozhi said the verdict sends a strong message that survivors of sexual violence no longer have to suffer in silence and that justice will be delivered if they come forward.

“This has been a very welcoming verdict. It is a verdict which gives the women of this country and Tamil Nadu a lot of confidence in the judicial system and the state government–that if they come out and talk about what they suffer, then they no longer have to suffer in silence and justice will prevail,” said Kanimozhi.

“The nine accused in this case have been sentenced guilty and it is a very strong verdict that they will be in prison even in their last days,” she added.

The MP also commended the court for protecting the identities of the victims and for directing that compensation be provided to them, ensuring dignity and support.

“The names and details of the victims have been protected, and the court has also said that the women will be compensated. It is a landmark verdict,” she said.

Kanimozhi did not mince words in criticising the previous AIADMK government, accusing it of trying to shield the accused during the early stages of the investigation.

“The AIADMK government has been put to shame because they tried to protect these accused who committed crimes against women. They even refused to accept a complaint against them because they intended to protect them,” she charged.

She credited the DMK, opposition parties, and the media for consistently raising the issue and ensuring that justice was not derailed.

“It was the DMK, the opposition parties and the press who fought for justice for the victims in this case–and today, justice has prevailed,” she said.

DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai also welcomed the verdict in which all nine accused guilty in the Pollachi sexual assault and rape case were awarded life imprisonment.

Speaking to ANI, Annadurai said, “It was a fight carried out by so many people, including the DMK party. We fought against the way the then AIADMK government tried to scuttle the investigation. They didn’t even register an FIR when these allegations came out because the people involved belonged to the AIADMK party. After relentless protests by DMK, it was transferred to the CBI.”

Earlier in the day, Tamil Nadu Social Welfare and Women’s Rights Minister Geetha Jeevan also welcomed the Women’s Court verdict and said that the decision to sentence Pollachi sex offenders to life imprisonment until death is welcome.

Geetha Jeevan said, “Justice has been done in the Pollachi rape case. The victims have got justice. I commend the women who were determined to punish the culprits. This verdict has created confidence among the people and women. I commend the CBI and police officers who kept the secrets of the victims. This verdict will create fear in the perpetrators and their accomplices. This verdict will reduce sexual crimes.”

She further said that Pollachi itself is a witness to the evil regime, when a complaint was filed regarding this crime, those in power at the time did not register a case.

“Only after Chief Minister Stalin took charge, he launched a fierce legal struggle and registered a case. Similarly, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu is giving great importance to the protection of women and children,” she added.

This comes after the Women’s court judge Nandhini Devi on Tuesday held all nine accused guilty in the Pollachi sexual assault and rape case.

All nine accused, including Thirunavukkarasu, Sabarirajan, Sathish, Vasanthakumar, Manivannan, Heranpal, Babu, Arulanandam, and Arunkumar, were presented in front of the court on Tuesday morning.

The Pollachi sexual assault and gang rape case took place in 2019 when nine men allegedly assaulted a young woman. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) investigated the case, and the trial was completed in the Coimbatore Women’s Court.

In the Pollachi sex scandal, more than 50 women were allegedly lured and sexually harassed by a gang of four and the acts were videotaped.

DMK leaders had alleged that the Tamil Nadu police failed to take action in the Pollachi case as there was the involvement of some people from the ruling AIADMK.

The trial was held based on 50 witnesses, and more than 240 documents were presented on behalf of the government in front of the court. Additionally, eight women testified against the nine accused. (ANI)

Asserting India’s firm stance against terrorism, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday said that Operation Sindoor would continue with full force, warning that any threat to the nation would be met with a “befitting reply.”

Speaking at the Tiranga Shaurya Samman Yatra held at Kartavya Path, Gupta described the moment as one of national pride.

“It is a matter of pride for us. Operation Sindoor is not going to stop. If the terrorists raise their eyes on us, our armed forces, our government, and Prime Minister Modi are ready to give them a befitting reply,” Gupta said.

The yatra was held to honour the sacrifices and valour of India’s armed forces and to reaffirm the nation’s resolve against terrorism and external threats.

Delhi Minister Ashish Sood also participated in the yatra and said, “The precision with which our armed forces have destroyed the terrorist sites in Pakistan under the leadership of PM Modi, the entire country is proud of them. The entire country is standing with them.”

BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh also participated in the yatra and said, “Today, PM Modi reached Adampur and encouraged our armed forces. The entire country is standing with our armed forces, and the world is acknowledging the strength of our forces.”

Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra also participated in the yatra and said, “Ghar ke andar ghus kar maarne ka nirnay poori duniya mein keval ek vyakti ne kiya hai aajtak voh hai PM Modi. We are celebrating the valour of the armed forces and PM Modi.”

In a major public outreach, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a nationwide Tiranga Yatra on Tuesday. The yatra aimed to honour the valour of Indian soldiers and inform citizens about Operation Sindoor’s recent success.

BJP’s ‘Tiranga Yatra’, which was started today, will continue till May 23.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, along with BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh, Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva and other senior leaders and workers joined the yatra.

The campaign kicked off in Delhi with a symbolic march featuring a 108-foot-tall national flag. The yatra began at Kartavya Path and will conclude at the National War Memorial with thousands, including BJP workers, citizens, NGOs, RWAs, religious leaders, and social organisations gathered to pay tribute to soldiers and the armed forces.

According to party sources, ex-servicemen, social workers, and prominent public figures will lead the marches in various states, underscoring the message of unity, patriotism, and national pride.

The yatra is being seen as more than just a party initiative, with the BJP aiming to turn it into a large-scale people’s movement.

In preparation, BJP President JP Nadda held a key strategy meeting on May 12 at the party headquarters with general secretaries.

Senior leaders, including Sambit Patra, Vinod Tawde, and Tarun Chugh, have been tasked with coordinating the campaign across regions.

The party also plans to hold press conferences nationwide and will engage social media influencers to amplify the campaign’s message digitally and reach younger audiences.

Operation Sindoor was launched in response to a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, in which 26 civilians lost their lives.

In a swift and decisive retaliation, Indian forces eliminated over 100 terrorists across the border in Pakistan.

Though Pakistan launched a counteroffensive, India responded with force, leading to a ceasefire and reasserting its defence posture.

Through the Tiranga Yatra, the BJP aims to remind citizens of India’s resolute stand against terrorism and to foster a deeper sense of nationalism and unity across the country. (ANI)