Month: May 2025

The first batch of Hajj pilgrims in Srinagar is set to depart for Saudi Arabia’s Mecca to undertake the annual holy pilgrimage to Kaaba, which is a mandated religious duty.

At least 3,372 Hujjaj Karam, a title bestowed upon the Hajj pilgrims, will depart from Srinagar this morning. A facilitator for the Hajj pilgrims informed that the first flight to Mecca was scheduled for today, while the last flight will depart on May 15.

“A total of 3,622 Hujjaj Karam are there, and 3,372 Hujjaj Karam are going from Srinagar. This includes 242 Hujjaj Karam from Ladakh, who are also going from Srinagar. Today is the first flight (departing from Srinagar). There are no flights scheduled for tomorrow or the day after tomorrow (May 5 and 6). There are continuous flights after that till May 15,” one of the facilitators told ANI.

Malik Abrar Altaf, who struggles to express his emotions, explains that the Hajj pilgrimage means undergoing a journey. He said he would make ‘dua’ for Kashmir, which has witnessed many turmoils.

“I can’t describe my emotions. The feeling is different. Hajj means journey. Allah called us, and we are going. I only hope Allah makes our journey easier and has mercy on our qaum. Islam means peace. We only hope that there is peace across the world. We will make dua for Kashmir, which always remains under turmoil,” Altaf told ANI.

Another Hujjaj Karam explained that the Hajj pilgrimage is undertaken by Muslims once in their life. He expressed grief over the recent terror attack in Pahalgam and said that he would pray for Kashmir.

“This is the biggest day in my life. Muslims have to undertake this journey (once in our lifetime). We will offer duas for Kashmir because there is a lot of pain here. We will pray for Pahalgam,” he said.

Union Minister for Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju visited the Indira Gandhi International airport on Thursday to extend his congratulations and best wishes to departing Haj pilgrims.

Speaking to the mediapersons, Rijiju said, “I am here at the airport to congratulate the Haj Yatris. Around 400 people will leave today. The management has been good.”He also informed of the presence of the Deputy Chief of Mission from Saudi Arabia.

On Tuesday, Kiren Rijiju extended his heartfelt wishes to all 1,22,518 pilgrims undertaking the sacred Haj journey. The first flights took off with 288 pilgrims from Lucknow and 262 pilgrims from Hyderabad. (ANI)

The highly anticipated Met Gala 2025 is almost here, and superstar Shah Rukh Khan has officially landed in New York ahead of his first-ever appearance at the iconic fashion event.

Videos and photos of the actor’s arrival at the airport have quickly gone viral on social media, as fans and onlookers caught a glimpse of the global superstar.

In a refreshing departure from his usual entourage-filled arrivals, Shah Rukh Khan was seen walking through the airport terminal with his manager, Pooja Dadlani.

Dressed casually in a white T-shirt layered under a grey jacket, paired with blue denim jeans, Shah Rukh Khan kept his look relaxed yet stylish.

Although the actor’s participation in the Met Gala 2025 has not yet been officially confirmed, all signs point to his attendance at this year’s event, marking a significant milestone in his career.

The Met Gala 2025 is scheduled to take place on May 5 at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

The event’s theme, ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,’ will explore the relationship between fashion and Black culture.

The theme is tied to an upcoming exhibit at the Met Museum of the same name.

Notably, the co-chairs for this year’s gala include a dynamic mix of individuals from various creative industries, including singer and fashion designer Pharrell Williams, actor Colman Domingo, rapper A$AP Rocky, and British racecar driver Lewis Hamilton.

As the event draws closer, all eyes are on Shah Rukh Khan and his much-awaited red carpet debut at one of the world’s most exclusive fashion events. (ANI)

The sacred protals of Badrinath Dham were reopened for devotees on Sunday morning after remaining closed for six months, marking a spiritual moment for pilgrims and Uttarakhand.

Dharmadhikari of Badrinath Dham, Radha Krishna Thapliyal, described the occasion as deeply significant.

“Today is an important day because people wait for six months to pray in the temple. First prayers are offered for the well-being of everyone, then the pious portals of the Lord are opened. Uttarakhand Chief Minister prayed for the well-being of the state. Prime Minister and Uttarakhand CM perform ‘poojan’ here on behalf of the nation,” he said.

He urged those unable to attend in person to offer their prayers mentally.

“Those who are not able to come should worship God in their minds. The ‘Shringar’ will done today itself, and darshan will be allowed throughout the day, keeping the huge crowd in consideration,” he added.

A large number of devotees gathered at the temple to witness the ceremonial reopening. Expressing their emotions, one devotee said, “I felt amazing after ‘darshan’. The administration is taking full care… my mind has become peaceful.”

Another added, “There is peace here. I am feeling amazing… the weather is cold.”

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami extended a warm welcome to all pilgrims. Calling it an “auspicious day,” he prayed for a safe and smooth journey for all visitors and personally reviewed arrangementsat the shrine.

“Today is a very auspicious day, the doors of Lord Badri Vishal are opening. I welcome all the pilgrims on their arrival in the holy land of Uttarakhand and pray to God that the journey of all the pilgrims is completed smoothly,” Dhami said.

He also highlighted ongoing development work. “All arrangements have been made. Work is progressing on the master plan of Lord Badri Vishal under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi,” he said.

Badrinath, one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and attracts lakhs of devotees every year.

The Char Dham Yatra 2025 officially began on April 30 with the opening of the Gangotri and Yamunotri Dham on Akshaya Tritiya amid Vedic chants and rituals. The doors of Kedarnath Dham were opened on May 2. (ANI)

Singapore’s long-ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) secured a decisive victory in Saturday’s general election, winning its 14th consecutive mandate, The New York Times reported.

The party, which has been in power since 1959, improved significantly on its 2020 performance, winning 87 out of 97 parliamentary seats and increasing its share of the popular vote to 65.6 per cent, up from 61.2 per cent in the previous election.

Following PAP’s victory in Singapore’s general election, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong thanked voters for their strong support.

Sharing a post on X, Wong wrote, “Singaporeans have given the @PAPSingapore a clear and strong mandate to govern. I am humbled by and grateful for the faith you have placed in me and my team.”

In another post, he wrote, “So let’s stand as One Team Singapore–to confront the storms ahead together and secure a brighter future for all of us. We will involve Singaporeans in this journey to shape our future. We will engage and listen– because every voice is important.”

Wong also acknowledged the efforts of the opposition, particularly the Workers’ Party, pledging to take their contributions in Parliament seriously.

“The Opposition, in particular the Workers’ Party, fielded a strong slate of candidates and gave us a tough fight. I respect the Opposition’s presence in Parliament and will continue to take their views and suggestions seriously. Ultimately, the bigger contest is not between political parties, but between Singapore and the challenges facing us,” Wong wrote on X.

BJP leader Dilip Ghosh on Sunday stated that India’s recent decision to close its airspace to Pakistan-based airlines following the Pahalgam terror attack was a strategic retaliatory measure in response to Pakistan’s actions.

Ghosh pointed out that Pakistan’s earlier closure of its airspace to Indian flights and bans on Indian goods, such as cosmetics, which remain in high demand at inflated prices in Pakistan, have already caused significant self-inflicted economic strain on the country.

“Pakistan had earlier shut its airspace for India, and so many things, including cosmetics from India, have been banned there for a long time, but it reaches there and people buy them at double the price. Pakistan itself was suffering from it already,” the BJP leader said.

He noted that India’s airspace closure is a form of “revenge” against Pakistan and part of a broader stance towards counter-terrorism.

“Now India has started taking revenge. The whole world can see who is nurturing terrorists… The world is behind PM Modi and India in this fight,” Ghosh said.

Air Marshal (Retd) Sanjeev Kapoor had on Thursday said that India’s decision to close its airspace to Pakistani airlines is expected to severely disrupt Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) operations, increasing flight times and costs.

However, he noted that Pakistan’s decision to block Indian airlines from using its airspace will have a limited impact on its southern and western flight operations but will significantly affect northern routes, particularly from New Delhi.

On Wednesday, India closed its airspace to all aircraft registered in Pakistan and those operated by Pakistani airlines, according to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA).

India issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) confirming the closure of its airspace to all Pakistani-registered, operated, or leased aircraft, including military flights, from April 30 to May 23 (estimated duration).

Both India and Pakistan have now blocked each other’s airlines from using their airspace, as the neighbouring country had already announced this step six days ago in the wake of the terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 people. (ANI)

Actor Vijay Deverakonda has issued a clarification after he faced backlash over a comment he made at the audio launch of his film ‘Retro.’

His remarks, which mentioned “tribals,” drew criticism from many who felt they were offensive to tribal communities.

Taking to X on Saturday, the actor addressed the issue, stating that he had no intention of hurting anyone, especially Scheduled Tribes, whom he respects deeply. In his statement, the actor also mentioned that the word “tribe” was used in a general, historical sense, not to refer to any particular group in India today.

“It has come to my attention that a remark I made during the Retro audio launch event has caused concern among some members of the public. I wish to sincerely clarify: there was absolutely no intention to hurt or target any community, especially our Scheduled Tribes, whom I deeply respect and consider an integral part of our country,” the statement read.

“I was speaking about unity–about how India is one, our people are one, and how we must move forward together. In what world would I, while urging us to stand united as a country, deliberately discriminate against any group of Indians, all of whom I see as my family, like my brothers?” he added.

“The word ‘tribe,’ as I used it, was meant in the historical and dictionary sense, referring to a time centuries ago when human society globally was organised into tribes and clans, often in conflict. It was never a reference to the Scheduled Tribes classification, which was introduced during colonial and post-colonial India and formalised only in the mid-20th century–not even 100 years ago,” his statement further read.

Apologising to all those who felt hurt by his words, the actor mentioned that his only aim was to speak of peace and that he has always remained committed to using his platform to uplift and “never to divide.”

“If any part of my message was misunderstood or hurtful, I express my sincere regret. My only aim was to speak of peace, progress, and togetherness. I remain committed to using my platform to uplift and unify — never to divide,” he concluded.

To my dear brothers ❤️ pic.twitter.com/QBGQGOjJBL

— Vijay Deverakonda (@TheDeverakonda) May 3, 2025

During the audio launch of his film ‘Retro,’ which took place in Hyderabad, Vijay had said, “Pakistan can’t even look after their own, who don’t have proper electricity and water. What do they want to do here? India doesn’t even need to attack Pakistan because Pakistanis themselves are fed up with their government and will attack them if this continues. They behave like tribals did 500 years ago with the way they fight. We should stand united as people and love each other. We always need to move forward as people and stay united. Education is super key. Let’s all be happy and keep our parents happy; only then can we progress,” Vijay vented his anger.

On April 22, terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran Meadow in Pahalgam, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, while leaving several others injured in one of the deadliest attacks in the Valley since the 2019 Pulwama strike, in which 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans were killed. (ANI)

A First Information Report (FIR) has been filed against playback singer Sonu Nigam for allegedly making hurtful remarks about the Kannadiga community during a music event in Bengaluru.

The complaint was lodged by Dharmaraj A, President of the Bengaluru City District Unit of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, a pro-Kannada organization.

The complaint accuses Sonu Nigam of making “objectionable and emotionally provocative” statements that have hurt the sentiments of the Kannadiga community and incited hatred among various linguistic communities in Karnataka.

A part of the complaint reads: “This complaint is lodged against the renowned singer Shri Sonu Nigam for making objectionable and emotionally provocative statements during a musical event held on April 25 and 26, at East Point College of Engineering and Technology, Virgonagar, Bengaluru, which falls under your police station’s jurisdiction. His statements have deeply hurt the sentiments of the Kannadiga community, incited hatred among various linguistic communities in Karnataka, and are likely to provoke violence. A video of Shri Sonu Nigam’s statement has gone viral, causing widespread outrage among millions of Kannadigas across the state.”

The FIR has been registered under Sections 351(2), 352(I), and 353 of the Indian Penal Code. The police are investigating the matter.

The statement was reportedly made on stage and was captured in a video that has since gone viral, causing strong reactions from people in Karnataka, with many expressing anger on social media. (ANI)

Pakistan’s military is facing a critical shortage of artillery ammunition, severely limiting its warfighting capabilities to just four days. The shortage is attributed to the country’s recent arms deals with Ukraine which have drained its war reserves.

Sources say, the Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF), which supplies the military, has struggled to replenish supplies amid surging global demand and outdated production facilities. As a result, Pakistan’s ammunition reserves can sustain only 96 hours of high-intensity conflict, leaving its military vulnerable.

Pakistan’s military doctrine, centred on rapid mobilisation to counter India’s numerical superiority, hinges on artillery and armoured units. Without sufficient 155mm shells for its M109 howitzers or 122mm rockets for its BM-21 systems, the army’s ability to blunt an Indian offensive is severely compromised.

The social media posts on X in April 2025 claimed that critical 155mm artillery shells, vital for Pakistan’s artillery-heavy doctrine, were diverted to Ukraine, leaving stockpiles dangerously low.

The POF, designed to meet domestic needs first, struggled to replenish supplies amid surging global demand and outdated production facilities.

However, with the sale of 155 MM ammunition to Ukraine, all 155 mm gun systems, including their self-propelled and MGS artillery, are without adequate stocks of ammunition.

The shortage of artillery ammunition has severe implications for Pakistan’s military doctrine, which relies heavily on artillery and armoured units. Without sufficient ammunition, the Pakistan army’s ability to blunt an Indian offensive is severely compromised.

Source say, due to lack of critical ammunition, Pakistani Military hierarchy is deeply concerned up to some limits of panic. The same was discussed in the Special Corps Commanders Conference on 02 May 2025 among many other things.

Earlier, Former Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa acknowledged these limitations, stating that Pakistan lacks the ammunition and economic strength to engage in a prolonged conflict with India.

Sources say, intelligence reports suggested that Pakistan has constructed ammunition depots near the India-Pakistan border in anticipation of potential conflict.

Pakistan sailed its ammunition to distant wars, only to find itself stranded, its arsenals empty, and its defences teetering on the edge. The pursuit of short-term gain has left a long-term wound, one that could prove fatal in the next crisis.

Pakistan’s economic crisis, characterised by high inflation, mounting debt, and dwindling foreign exchange reserves, has further impacted the military’s operational capabilities. The army has been forced to cut back on rations, suspend military exercises, and halt scheduled war games due to fuel shortages.

Meanwhile, Pakistan has been left red-faced on another front. Pakistan-sponsored hacker groups such as “Cyber Group HOAX1337” and “National Cyber Crew” made unsuccessful attempts to breach some Indian websites on May 1. These hacking efforts were promptly identified and neutralised by cybersecurity agencies.

Among the latest provocations, the websites of Army Public School Nagrota and Sunjuwan were targeted and attempted to be defaced with messages mocking the victims of the recent Pahalgam terror attack. In another incident, a website catering to ex-servicemen’s healthcare services was defaced, signalling Pakistan’s growing frustration.

There have been repeated attempts made by hackers operating from Pakistan to attack Indian websites having linkages to children, old age veterans and other innocent people. Resorting to attacking veterans’ and families’ platforms reflects another low by Pakistan and their continuous attempts to operate in unethical ways.

The hacking of the Army Institute of Hotel Management’s website and Indian Air Force veterans further illustrates the Pakistani establishment’s intent to provoke and escalate tensions in the digital battlespace.

These brazen cyberattacks are part of a broader pattern of provocation by Pakistan, which has long employed terrorism and information warfare against India. It appears that Pakistan is testing India’s restraint and patience. (ANI)

After meeting the family of N Ramachandran, who was killed in the Pahalgam terror attack, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Saturday urged the nation not to allow terrorists to divide or define India’s identity along religious lines.

Speaking to ANI, Tharoor lauded the family of N Ramachandran for their composure and resilience.

“The family has conducted themselves with such grace, dignity and decency that this must be acknowledged and praised. They made a very, very moving statement during the funeral. They have done something which is so important for all of India to understand that we cannot let the terrorists decide who we should be. We cannot let the terrorists who want to divide us on the grounds of religion succeed in dividing us,” Tharoor said.

“I think for our country and for the future of our country, we cannot let the terrorists change us. We cannot let the terrorists make us into what they want us to be and what they want to show the world,” the Congress MP asserted.

A total of 26 tourists were killed by terrorists in the Baisaran valley of Pahalgam on April 22. This included 25 Indian nationals and one Nepalese citizen.

On April 29, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Anil Chauhan, and the three service chiefs. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval was also present. The Pahalgam terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir killed 26 people, making it one of the deadliest attacks in the valley since the 2019 Pulwama attack, where 40 CRPF jawans were killed.

The sources said PM Modi expressed complete faith and confidence in the professional abilities of the Indian armed forces. They said that PM Modi stated that the Indian Armed Forces have complete operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets, and timing of India’s response. (ANI)

Ahead of NEET (UG) 2025, the National Testing Agency (NTA) on Saturday said that all preparations for the safe and secure conduct of the examination have been completed, with state governments across the country placed on high alert.

The strong security push comes in the aftermath of the NEET-UG 2024 controversy, which saw allegations of paper leaks, inflated marks, and legal battles over grace marks, prompting widespread protests and court scrutiny.

This year, the NTA has taken “all measures” to ensure the integrity of the exam. Candidates will undergo thorough checks by district police, in addition to NTA’s standard security protocols, before entering exam centers.Question papers and OMR sheets will be transported under full police protection to prevent any tampering or leaks. Authorities will closely monitor coaching centers and online platforms to prevent organized cheating networks.Exam centers will be equipped with CCTV cameras to ensure transparency and accountability.

Some states, like Assam, have requested biometric verification to further enhance security measures. The Ministry of Education has intensified coordination efforts with district authorities and police forces across the country to prevent irregularities. The NTA has also launched a portal for candidates and the public to report suspicious activities related to the exam. With over 23 lakh candidates expected to participate in the exam at more than 5,000 centers across 550 cities, the authorities are leaving no stone unturned to ensure a smooth and fair examination process.

“The National Testing Agency shall be conducting the NEET(UG) 2025 Examination across 5453 centres in the Country and 13 cities abroad on 4th May, 2025. All preparations and logistical arrangements for organising a safe and secure examination have been made,” the agency said in an official statement.

Over 22.7 lakh candidates have registered for the examination, which will be held from 2 PM to 5 PM. The NTA said mock drills were successfully conducted at all centres on Saturday to assess readiness. To combat the spread of misinformation, the NTA has intensified action against social media accounts and groups allegedly making false claims.

“In a concerted effort to curb the spread of baseless rumours about the availability of NEET (UG) 2025 examination content, the NTA has taken up the cases reported through its ‘Suspicious Claims Portal on NEET (UG) 2025 Examination’ with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs. As a result, action has been initiated against over 165 Telegram channels and more than 32 Instagram accounts disseminating false information,” the agency said.

Referring to media reports from Rajkot, Gujarat–where individuals allegedly offered inflated marks in exchange for money–the agency said, “Appropriate action has already been taken by Government of Gujarat. In Odisha, the police have acted against those trying to deceive aspirants by fraudulent means and false assurances.”

“All State Governments are on an alert to nab any culprit who tries to indulge in unfair means,” the NTA said.

The agency has urged students and parents not to fall for misinformation or scams. “The NTA urges all NEET (UG) candidates and their guardians to remain vigilant and not fall prey to individuals or groups who seek to manipulate or mislead them,” it said, advising reliance only on official communication from the NTA website.

It also reminded the public that such offences fall under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, which carries stringent penalties.

“Unscrupulous elements attempting to exploit students by falsely promising medical seats will fall under the ambit of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act. The Act mandates stringent penalties for anyone found guilty of adopting or facilitating unfair means,” the statement added. (ANI)