India Archives - Page 336 of 375

20 May

Hemkund Sahib Yatra to Begin on May 25; First Pilgrim Group to Depart on May 22

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndia

Chamoli (National Times): The annual pilgrimage to Sri Hemkund Sahib, one of the most revered Sikh shrines located in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district, is set to begin on May 25, 2025. As per tradition, the first jatha (group of pilgrims), led by the Panj Pyare, will depart on May 22, officially marking the commencement of this year's yatra. Army Arrives to Clear Trekking RouteIn preparation for the pilgrimage, personnel from the Indian Army have reached Govindghat and begun the task of clearing snow from the trekking path. Their efforts are focused on ensuring a safe and unobstructed route for thousands of…

19 May

BSF to Resume Flag Retreat Ceremonies at Amritsar and Fazilka Borders from Tuesday

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaAttari-Wagah, BSF, Flag Retreat Ceremony, Sadqi border

National Times Bureau, May 19, 2025: After a temporary suspension due to heightened security concerns, the Border Security Force (BSF) will resume the iconic evening flag retreat ceremonies at both the Attari-Wagah border in Amritsar and the Sadqi border in Fazilka starting Tuesday, May 20, 2025.The move comes nearly two weeks after the BSF halted public access to these ceremonies following the Pahalgam terrorist attack, which had raised nationwide security alarms. The decision to resume was taken following a review of the current security situation.The ceremonies, which showcase the lowering of the national flags of India and Pakistan in a…

19 May

Supreme Court Orders SIT Probe into MP Minister Vijay Shah’s Remarks Against Col. Sofiya Qureshi

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaSIT Probe, Sofiya Qureshi, Supreme Court, Vijay Shah

New Delhi, May 19, 2025: The Supreme Court of India has ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe against Madhya Pradesh minister Kunwar Vijay Shah for his derogatory and communal remarks against Indian Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi. Rejecting Shah’s written apology, the court labeled it “crocodile tears” and criticized it as an insincere attempt to escape accountability.A two-judge bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh delivered a scathing rebuke against Shah during Monday’s hearing. “It’s not merely a gender issue or a caste issue—it’s about the dignity of a serving Indian Army officer who represented the military…

19 May

SC Slams BJP Minister Vijay Shah, Asks If His Apology Was ‘Crocodile Tears’; Orders SIT in Colonel Qureshi Case

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaSofiya Qureshi, Vijay Shah

New Delhi (National Times): The Supreme Court has come down hard on BJP leader and Madhya Pradesh Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah, rejecting his apology for calling Colonel Sofiya Qureshi a "sister of terrorists" and ordering a high-level probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT). The apex court said Shah's apology was nothing but an insincere attempt to escape legal action. “We don’t require your apology. It’s crocodile tears,” Justice Surya Kant said during a scathing observation, adding that the “entire nation is ashamed” of the remarks. The SIT will consist of three senior IPS officers from outside Madhya Pradesh, including…

18 May

Haryana YouTuber Arrested for Alleged Espionage Links with Pakistani Intelligence

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaEspionage, Haryana YouTuber, Jyoti Malhotra

National Times Bureau, May 18 ,2025: A Haryana-based YouTuber and travel vlogger, Jyoti Malhotra, has been arrested for allegedly working with Pakistani intelligence operatives. Known for her channel Travel with Jo, she is accused of being cultivated as an "asset" and transmitting sensitive information through encrypted apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat.Police claim Malhotra had regular contact with Pakistani agents, including Danish, a dismissed staffer from the Pakistan High Commission. In 2023, she traveled to Pakistan, met with intelligence officials, and developed a personal relationship with one operative. They reportedly even traveled together to Indonesia. Her social media content, including…

18 May

Rajya Sabha Dy Chairman Harivansh Represents India at Pope Leo XIV’s Inaugural Mass

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, World NewsPope Leo XIV, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh

Vatican City, May 18, 2025: Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, Harivansh, attended the inaugural mass of Pope Leo XIV at Saint Peter's Square on Sunday, extending best wishes on behalf of the people of India.The historic mass marked the formal beginning of Leo XIV’s papacy, the first American to lead the Roman Catholic Church. His message, delivered before a crowd of nearly 100,000 attendees, emphasized unity within the Church and denounced the exploitation of the poor and the planet.In his first homily as pontiff, Pope Leo XIV called for a Church that rejects power struggles and religious propaganda, urging…

18 May

Over 3,000 Sikh Conversions in Uttar Pradesh Spark Concern; Welfare Council Seeks Action Against Missionaries

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaPilibhit, Sikh conversions, Uttar Pradesh

Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, May 18, 2025: The All-India Sikh-Punjabi Welfare Council has raised alarms over the conversion of more than 3,000 Sikhs to Christianity in Uttar Pradesh's Terai district of Pilibhit, bordering Nepal. The council has submitted a preliminary list of 160 affected families to the local administration and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, urging action against alleged Christian missionaries from Nepal responsible for these conversions.Harpal Singh Jaggi, president of the council, stated, "We have been trying to take steps to prevent such things, but a Father of a church in Nepal is trying to lure our community members to Christianity…

18 May

PM Modi Expresses Grief Over Solapur Fire Tragedy, Announces Ex-Gratia Relief

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaEx-gratia Relief, PM Modi, Solapur fire

New Delhi, May 18, 2025: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed profound sorrow over the tragic fire incident in Solapur, Maharashtra, which claimed multiple lives. Taking to social media, the Prime Minister offered condolences to the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery for the injured.“Pained by the loss of lives due to a fire tragedy in Solapur, Maharashtra. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon,” he posted on X.As a gesture of support, the Prime Minister announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the…

18 May

Chief Justice Gavai Emphasizes Constitutional Supremacy and Inter-Institutional Harmony

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaChief Justice B.R. Gavai, Constitution of India

In his inaugural public address as the 52nd Chief Justice of India, Justice B.R. Gavai underscored the paramount importance of the Constitution, asserting that it stands above all branches of government. Speaking at a felicitation ceremony organized by the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa in Mumbai on May 18, 2025, he emphasized that the judiciary, executive, and legislature must collaborate within the constitutional framework to uphold democratic values. Justice Gavai highlighted the inviolability of the Constitution's "basic structure," noting that while Parliament holds the power to amend the Constitution, it cannot alter its fundamental principles. He also addressed concerns…

18 May

Massive Fire Near Charminar Kills 17, Including 8 Children; PM Modi, Telangana CM Express Condolences

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaCharminar, Gulzar House fire, Hyderabad fire, Telangana tragedy

Hyderabad, May 18, 2025 — A devastating fire that erupted in a building at Gulzar House near the iconic Charminar in Hyderabad claimed the lives of 17 people, including eight children, early Sunday morning. The blaze, reportedly triggered by a short-circuit, broke out around 6:30 am and quickly engulfed the three-storey structure, which housed jewellery shops on the ground floor and residential flats above.Officials confirmed that many victims died from suffocation caused by heavy smoke that spread to the upper floors. Hospital authorities from Yashoda Hospital and Apollo Hospitals confirmed that eight and five victims, respectively, were brought in dead…