Month: August 2025

In the aftermath of a devastating cloudburst and flash floods that struck Kathua district in Jammu & Kashmir on August 17, the Indian Army swiftly mounted large-scale rescue and relief operations to support the distressed population, a press release by Ministry of Defence, Jammu said.

The sudden deluge triggered massive landslides and flooding in causing tragic loss of lives and extensive damage to infrastructure.

Reacting with urgency, Army relief columns with an Engineer detachment were immediately pressed into action to the worst-affected regions of Jhor Khad & Bagra village. In coordination with Civil Administration, J&K Police, and teams of SDRF, Troops of Rising Star Corps, Indian Army evacuated stranded families to safety, provided food, water, and temporary shelter, while Army medical teams, supported by civil medical responders, delivered critical care to the injured. Engineer detachments equipped with heavy machinery are working relentlessly to clear blocked routes and restore vital connectivity.

Augmenting the ground efforts, Indian Army helicopters were deployed for aerial evacuation and relief delivery. Seriously injured persons were airlifted from Juthana and Bagra villages to the Military Hospital Pathankot. Urgently needed rations, medicines, and other essential supplies are being delivered to marooned families in remote areas.

Even as rescue efforts continue across Kathua, additional Army resources remain on standby to tackle emerging challenges. The combined efforts of the Indian Army, civil administration, and J&K Police reflect the strength of a joint response in times of crisis, ensuring maximum reach and relief to affected citizens.

At least seven people have died in a landslide triggered by heavy rain in Kathua district, while rescue and relief operations are underway in Kathua and Kishtwar, officials said on Sunday. (ANI)

The Chief Election Commisioner of India on Sunday refuted allegations of “vote theft” by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and asked him to either furnish a signed affidavit or apologise to the nation for his remarks.

The CEC also termed the allegations of bias by the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabhas as an “insult” to the Constitution of India.

“…An affidavit will have to be given or an apology should be made to the country. Teesra koi vikalp nahi (There is no third option.) If the affidavit is not received within 7 days, it means that all these allegations are baseless…” CEC Gyanesh Kumar said while addressing mediapersons at a briefing at the National Media Centre in the national capital.

Rahul Gandhi had on August 7 addressed a press conference in New Delhi which he presented Congress’ research on voting in the Mahadevapura Assembly in Karnataka, a part of the Bangalore Central parliamentary constituency. Gandhi alleged “vote chori” (vote theft) of 1,00,250 votes including duplicate voters, invalid addresses, and bulk registrations of votes at single locations.

Rahul Gandhi further pointed out an instance of 80 people registered in a single address in Mahadevapura.

Rahul Gandhi had alleged that the poll body is “destroying evidence” through the directive deleting CCTV footage from polling booths. He alleged that the EC was only preserving CCTV and webcasting footage of the election process for only 45 days after the whole process is completed, unless the election result is challenged in court.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar today said, “We saw a few days ago that photos of many voters were presented to the media without their permission. Allegations were made against them, they were used. Should the Election Commission share the CCTV videos of any voter including their mothers, daughters-in-law, daughters? Only those whose names are in the voter list cast their votes to elect their candidate…”

Rahul Gandhi had alleged that “collusion” happened between the poll body and the BJP during the 2024 parliamentary elections, which resulted in Prime Minister Narendra Modi securing his third term. Congress won 99 seats out of out of 543 while BJP secured 240 seats.

The Congress leader further claimed that that multiple voters have more than one voter ID cards. Gandhi had presented examples of voters like Shakun Rani, who he claimed cast her ballots twice based on data shown by a polling officer.

The CEC in his briefing today refuted the allegations of an increase in voters in Maharashtra. Kumar asked that why there were no objections submitted during the preparation of the voter list.

Gyanesh Kumar said that till date, the Chief Electoral Officer of Maharashtra has not received the name of a single voter with proof.

“Allegations were made that the voter list in Maharashtra had increased. When there was a draft list, why were the claims and objections not submitted on time? When the results came, then it was said that this was wrong. To date, the Chief Election Officer of Maharashtra has not received the name of a single voter with proof. It has been eight months since the elections were held,” Kumar said.

“Some voters alleged double voting. When asked for proof, no answer was given. Neither the Election Commission nor any voter is afraid of such false allegations. When politics is being done by targeting the voters of India by keeping a gun on the shoulder of the Election Commission, today the Election Commission wants to make it clear to everyone that the Election Commission fearlessly stood like a rock with all the voters of all sections and all religions including the poor, rich, elderly, women, youth without any discrimination, is standing and will continue to stand,” the CEC said

CEC said that the Election Commission had replied that if there is voting for 10 hours, then the average rate per hour is 10 per cent.

“It was also asked how so much voting happened in the last one hour? The Election Commission had replied that if there is voting for 10 hours, then the average is 10 per cent every hour… If you keep saying anything 10 times, 20 times, it does not become true. The sun rises only in the east. It does not rise in the west just because someone says so,” he said.

The Mahayuti alliance led by the Bharatiya Janata Party ended up registering a landslide victory in the 2024 state assembly with 235 from 288 seats. The BJP won 135 seats on its own becoming the single largest party in the state.

Incidentally, today’s briefing by the EC were made on the same day when Congress Member of Parliament Rahul Gandhi launched his 1,300 km-long ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ from poll-bound Bihar’s Sasaram to step up the Opposition INDIA bloc’s campaign against its “vote theft” allegations.

Further, the Chief Election Commissioner today appealed to all political parties to point out mistakes in the draft list before September 1 to enable the poll commission to make corrections.

“…After 1st of August, when our daily bulletins started coming, no political party has lodged a single objection till now. So, this can only mean two things. Either the draft list is completely correct…The Election Commission is saying that we will give time till 1st September and it (draft list) can be corrected…If similar allegations are raised even after September 1, then who is responsible? Every recognised party still has fifteen days left…I appeal through you that all twelve political parties, whether they are national parties or state-level parties, should still point out the mistakes in (draft list) before September 1. The Election Commission is ready to correct them…” (ANI)

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan once again proved why he is called the ‘King of Wit’ when he shut down a troll during his recent #AskSRK session on social media.

On Saturday, the 59-year-old actor, who is preparing for Siddharth Anand’s upcoming film ‘King,’ surprised his fans by interacting with them online after a long time. As always, the session was full of fun questions, heartfelt messages, and, of course, a few trolls trying their luck.

During the session, one user attempted to taunt the actor about his age, asking him to “retire” and give space to younger actors.

“Bhai, ab umar ho gayi, retirement le lo aur dusre bachche logon ko aage aane do. #AskSRK” (Brother, you’ve grown old now, consider retiring so that the new kids can move forward), the user tweeted.

SRK, known for handling such moments with humour and class, gave a befitting reply that went viral in no time.

He responded, “Bhai, tere sawaalon ka bachpana jab chala jaaye… Phir kuch acchha sa puchna! Tab tak, temporary retirement mein reh please.”

The witty comeback had fans cheering for their favourite star. Many praised him for his sense of humour, while others shared that Shah Rukh will “never retire from their hearts.”

One fan wrote, “There is no full stop in success, and there won’t be. Work until you breathe.” Another called him “the undisputed king” for handling criticism with such grace.

Meanwhile, reports suggest that the shooting of ‘King’ has been paused due to SRK’s shoulder injury. (ANI)

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Sunday announced Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan as its candidate for the upcoming Vice Presidential election, scheduled to be held on September 9.

The announcement was made by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President JP Nadda during a press conference following the party’s Parliamentary Board meeting held in the national capital.

“At the parliamentary board meeting, we all unanimously decided on the VP candidate, Mr CP Radhakrishna. We discussed the VP candidate with all our alliance party (NDA)earlier as well. We will discuss our opposition party as well to smooth the VP election…” Nadda said.

Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan is currently serving as the 24th Governor of Maharashtra, a post he assumed on July 31, 2024. He previously served as the Governor of Jharkhand from February 2023 to July 2024. He also held additional charge as the Governor of Telangana and Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry between March and July 2024.

A veteran BJP leader, Radhakrishnan, was elected to the Lok Sabha from Coimbatore twice and previously served as the Tamil Nadu BJP State President.

The Election Commission had earlier announced that polling for the Vice Presidential election will take place on September 9, with counting of votes scheduled for the same day.

The last date for filing nominations is August 21, while candidates can withdraw their nominations until August 25.

The Vice Presidential post fell vacant after Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned on the first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament on July 21, citing health reasons.

“To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as the Vice President of India, effective immediately, in accordance with Article 67(a) of the constitution,” Dhankhar’s resignation letter read. (ANI)

Actor Nakuul Mehta and wife Jankee Parekh welcomed their second child, a baby girl, on Independence Day 2025.

The couple has also revealed the name of their newborn daughter.

The announcement came on Sunday morning when Nakuul shared a heartfelt Instagram post featuring a beautiful photo of his son Sufi and newborn daughter Rumi.

The actor shared pictures to etch one of his favourite memories, the birth of his daughter. In the first photo, Nakuul’s son Sufi was seen holding the newborn with love.

The second photo captured the fatherhood of Nakuul as he gazed thoughtfully at his daughter sleeping peacefully in her cradle.

The third photo showed Jankee and Nakuul smiling in a selfie taken just before she gave birth, offering a glimpse into their journey leading up to the milestone.

While sharing the news, Nakuul penned a heartfelt caption highlighting the happiness of his family.

He wrote, “She’s here. Sufi finally has his Rumi. Our hearts are complete. 15th August 2025. Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.”

Nakuul and Jankee tied the knot on January 28, 2012, after dating for nine years. They had a traditional Hindu wedding ceremony.

Nakuul made his television debut in 2012 with the Star Plus show ‘Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyaara Pyaara’.

He later appeared in shows such as ‘Ishqbaaaz’ and ‘Dil Boley Oberoi’. He also appeared in ‘Bade Achhe Lagte Hain 2’ opposite Disha Parmar. (ANI)

Bollywood actor Ishaan Khatter attended the grand launch of Messika, a luxury brand, and its first boutique in India.

The first boutique of Messika was launched at The Chanakya Mall in New Delhi. The evening marked a stylish cocktail soiree attended by Valerie Messika, founder of Messika; Pranav Saboo, CEO of Ethos; and Ishaan Khatter, Bollywood celebrity, adding star power to the unforgettable night.

Ishaan looked fashionably cool as he donned a white shirt and paired it with beige pants. In the accessory department, ‘The Royals’ actor wore a silver-plated chain around his neck and a bracelet.

He complemented his outfit with brown shoes, highlighting his high fashion sense.

On the work front, Ishaan Khatter starrer ‘Homebound’, which also stars Janhvi Kapoor and Vishal Jethwa, was screened at the 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival.

What made the premiere special was the almost 9-minute-long standing ovation given to the team by the audience.

Several visuals from the screening surfaced online in which filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan could be seen getting emotional on receiving thunderous applause.

Teary-eyed Neeraj also hugged producer Karan Johar.

Ishaan also got emotional as the crowd stood up and clapped nonstop in the theatre.

As per Variety, ‘Homebound’ revolves around two childhood friends from a small North Indian village who chase a police job that promises them the dignity they’ve long been denied. But as they inch closer to their dream, mounting desperation threatens the bond that holds them together. (ANI)

Uttarakhand Cabinet took a historic decision by deciding to introduce the Uttarakhand Minority Educational Institutions Bill, 2025, in the coming session of the Legislative Assembly starting on August 19.

Until now, the status of minority educational institutions has been given only to the Muslim community.

According to the release, the Bill seeks to extend the benefits of Minority Educational Institutions status to the minority communities other than Muslims, too. Once enacted, it will permit the study of Gurmukhi and Pali also in recognised minority educational institutions.

The Uttarakhand Madrasa Education Board Act, 2016 and the Uttarakhand Non-Government Arabic and Persian Madrasa Recognition Rules, 2019, will stand repealed from July 1, 2026.

Under the proposed Bill, this facility will also be available to other minority communities i.e Sikhs, Jains, Christians, Buddhists and Parsis. This is the first such Act in the country, aimed at establishing a transparent process for granting recognition to educational institutions set up by minority communities in the state, while ensuring quality and excellence in education.

Key Features of the Act include Formation of an Authority – A “Uttarakhand State Authority for Minority Education” will be constituted in the state to grant the status of minority educational institutions.

It includes Mandatory Recognition – Any educational institution established by Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, or Parsi communities must obtain recognition from the Authority to qualify as a minority educational institution.

Protection of Institutional Rights – The Act does not interfere in the establishment and administration of minority educational institutions but ensures that educational excellence is maintained.

Mandatory Conditions – To obtain recognition, educational institutions must be registered under the Societies Act, Trust Act, or Companies Act. Ownership of land, bank accounts, and other assets must be in the name of the institution. Recognition can be withdrawn in cases of financial mismanagement, lack of transparency, or activities against religious and social harmony.

Monitoring and Examination – The Authority will ensure that education is imparted in accordance with the standards set by the Board of School Education, Uttarakhand, and that student evaluations remain fair and transparent.

The Act introduces significant changes for minority community institutions in the state by establishing a transparent process for their recognition. It ensures the quality of education is maintained while protecting the constitutional rights of minorities. Additionally, the state government gains the authority to monitor the functioning of these institutions and issue necessary directives as needed. (ANI)

BJP leader CR Kesavan on Sunday slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Voter Adhikaar Yatra’ in Bihar, terming it a “Samvidhan Badnam Yatra” (Constitution slander yatra).

Kesavan accused Gandhi of attempting to “sabotage” the Constitution through “undemocratic and underhanded scarecrow tactics of fear-mongering.”

Kesavan also alleged that while Congress and its ally RJD speak of protecting “one person, one vote”, their true agenda is centred on promoting “one family and one dynastic rule”.

“Rahul Gandhi’s yatra is nothing but ‘Samvidhan Badnam Yatra’ (Constitution slander yatra). Rahul Gandhi’s deliberate and repeated attempts to sabotage Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar ji’s constitution with his undemocratic and underhanded scarecrow tactics of fear-mongering will miserably fail. As far as Rahul Gandhi and Congress, and their cohorts are concerned, they talk about protecting one person, one vote, but in reality, for the Congress and RJD, it is all about one family and one dynastic rule,’ he said.

He further labelled Gandhi a “chronic, cynical abuser” for allegedly maligning the Constitution, claiming the yatra was driven by the “fear of failure” of Congress and RJD in the state.

“Rahul Gandhi has been a chronic, cynical abuser when it comes to maligning our constitution… The real reason for this yatra is the fear of failure of Congress and the RJD,” he added.

Today, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will kick off the ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ from Sasaram in Bihar, aiming to raise awareness about voter rights and protest against alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The 16-day yatra will cover a distance of 1,300 kilometres, with scheduled breaks of one day each on three occasions (August 20, 25 and 31).

Rahul Gandhi will be accompanied by Mahagathbandhan leaders, including Tejashwi Yadav and representatives from Left parties. The journey will be conducted in a hybrid mode, following the footsteps of Rahul Gandhi’s earlier Bharat Jodo Yatras, with the first being on foot and the second in a hybrid format.

The yatra will culminate on September 1 at the historic Gandhi Maidan in Patna with a large rally attended by key INDIA alliance leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Tejashwi Yadav, and Lalu Prasad Yadav, marking the formal launch of the Bihar assembly election campaign. (ANI)

Ahead of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s 80th death anniversary, his daughter Anita Bose Pfaff on Sunday urged Indians to support the transfer of his mortal remains to India for a final disposal.

In a statement, Anita Bose Pfaff paid tribute to Netaji and said, “As Netaji’s daughter, I invite the Indians of today who still remember him and respect him to support his posthumous return from exile, to support the transfer of his mortal remains to India for a final disposal.”

She highlighted Netaji’s role and the contribution of the Indian National Army in India’s independence struggle, and recalled the events that led to his death.

“The year 1945 saw the end of World War II: The attack by the United States of America on Hiroshima and Nagasaki with nuclear bombs was the ultimate cause for Japan’s surrender. For India this meant the end of Japan’s support for Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s and the Indian National Army’s struggle for India’s independence. After Emperor Hirohito of Japan had announced the surrender of Japan in a nationwide radio message on 15 August 1945, Netaji set out to fly to Tokyo on 17 August. After a stop-over in Taipei on 18 August 1945, on take-off his plane lost an engine and crashed. He was one of the passengers who suffered severe burns, and he died of his injuries that same day,” she said.

Anita Bose Pfaff noted that Netaji’s remains are still kept at Renkoji Temple in Tokyo.

“Netaji was cremated in Taipei, and his remains were taken to Tokyo. The head priest of the Renkoji Temple acceded to the request of members of the Indian community in Tokyo to keep Netaji’s remains safe ‘for a few months’. Almost 1000 months later, Netaji’s remains still rest in Renkoji Temple, well taken care of and honoured by the third generation of head priests,” she said.

She also recalled that Netaji once said that what he feared most was “to be in exile,” and stressed that his mortal remains should finally return to India.

“Once asked what he feared and abhorred most, Netaji is reported to have answered, ‘to be in exile’. In the 1930s he had returned to India from exile in Europe, even though he had been warned that he would be imprisoned immediately. He only escaped from India again when he had to avoid renewed imprisonment. From then on, he fought for India’s freedom from abroad – from exile, never to return alive. As Netaji’s daughter I invite the Indians of today who still remember him and respect him to support his posthumous return from exile, to support the transfer of his mortal remains to India for a final disposal,” she said.

According to the Ministry of Culture, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was a prominent nationalist leader who played a key role in India’s struggle for independence. Born on January 23, 1897, in Cuttack, Odisha, he abandoned a career in the Indian Civil Services to join the Congress, where he became known for his radical demand for complete independence. Twice elected Congress president, he resigned after differences with Mahatma Gandhi. During World War II, he led the Indian National Army with Japanese support against the British. Though unsuccessful militarily, his courage inspired millions.

As per the Ministry, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose reportedly died on August 18, 1945, in a plane crash in Taipei, where he suffered severe burns and later succumbed to his injuries. However, the exact circumstances of his death remain a subject of much “speculation” and “controversy”. The Ministry, on its official site, mentioned, “Despite various investigations, the exact circumstances of his death remain unresolved.” (ANI)

In a major initiative to boost Uttar Pradesh’s rural economy, under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the state Gau Seva Commission has joined hands with Patanjali Yogpeeth to promote cow protection, Panchgavya products, natural farming, and biogas expansion across the state.

The Gau Seva Commission entered into a partnership with Patanjali Yogpeeth following discussions between Commission Chairman Shyam Bihari Gupta and Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev and Patanjali Co-Founder Acharya Balkrishna in Haridwar, according to an official statement from the state government.

CM Adityanath firmly believes that “the village cow is the foundation of the village’s progress.” To advance this vision, Patanjali Yogpeeth has pledged full technical support to the state’s initiatives.

Under this partnership, cow shelters will no longer remain just centres of conservation, but will be transformed into hubs of rural industry, driving the production of Panchgavya products and biogas. Baba Ramdev is also expected to visit Uttar Pradesh soon to meet CM Yogi Adityanath and finalise the roadmap.

According to Dr Anurag Srivastava, OSD of the Gau Seva Commission, 2 to 10 cow shelters in each of the 75 districts will be developed as large model centres. Open sheds, fencing, and security arrangements will be created in cow sanctuaries to ensure the free movement of cows.

This initiative will also unlock large-scale rural employment, with villagers actively participating in cow urine collection and product sales under a 50% commission model. Patanjali Yogpeeth will further support the program through training, quality control, formulation, certification, and licensing.

In addition, advanced technologies such as geo-fencing, cow tagging, photo mapping, and fodder inventory tracking will be introduced in cow shelters. Natural inputs like neem, cow urine, and vermicompost will also be supplied to every village, helping farmers reduce costs, improve soil fertility, and strengthen environmental sustainability. (ANI)