Kargil hero among 2,241 JCOs to get honorary officer rank Kargil war hero Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar, a Param Vir Chakra recipient, has been elevated to honorary captain for his distinguished service. He is among 2,241 JCOs receiving honorary commissioned ranks on Republic Day. This recognition highlights the crucial, often overlooked, contributions of senior non-commissioned officers who form the backbone of the Army.
Jammu & Kashmir police tops gallantry list, Maharashtra second On the eve of Republic Day, the government announced 982 service medals for police, fire, home guards, civil defence, and correctional services. Jammu and Kashmir led in gallantry awards, with 125 Medals of Gallantry, 101 President's Medals for Distinguished Service, and 756 Medals for Meritorious Service conferred.
Hinterland's 'unsung heroes' on Padma rolls The government recognized 84 districts, including ten new ones, for Padma awards, highlighting hinterland talents. Notable recipients include folk musician Taga Ram Bheel and environmentalist Hally War. Maharashtra leads with 15 awardees, followed by Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. The selection process involved over 39,000 nominations, emphasizing diverse representation.
ED attaches 37 properties of Pearl Agro Enforcement Directorate has attached properties worth Rs 2,000 crore in Ludhiana and Jaipur, bringing the total attachment in the Pearl Agro Corp Ltd case to Rs 7,600 crore. The multi-level marketing firm allegedly defrauded lakhs of investors, raising over Rs 60,000 crore and siphoning funds into personal assets abroad. The Supreme Court has formed a committee to facilitate investor refunds.
Young voters can transform destiny of country, says PM Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the pivotal role of voters as the "soul of democracy" and urged the celebration of youth as agents of national transformation. He highlighted schools and colleges as key institutions for voter enrollment drives, particularly for first-time voters, underscoring the significance of National Voters' Day.
IndiGo cancels Tbilisi, Almaty, Tashkent and Baku flights Rising tensions around Iran are impacting Indian aviation, leading IndiGo to cancel several services and implement refuelling halts. Air India is reassessing transcontinental operations and has stopped overflying Iran on Europe-bound routes due to safety advisories warning of heightened risks to civil aviation.
UGC issues new rules to curb caste bias as plaints up 118% The University Grants Commission has introduced new regulations to combat caste-based discrimination on Indian campuses, with institutions now directly accountable for preventing bias and addressing complaints. The framework mandates Equal Opportunity Centres, equity committees, and round-the-clock helplines, aiming for greater transparency and timely action to ensure student welfare.
Lalu in back seat, Tejashwi is RJD's working president Tejashwi Yadav has been appointed RJD's national working president, signaling a generational shift in the party. He vowed to challenge the BJP nationwide, touring states to unite anti-BJP forces. Despite recent electoral setbacks, Tejashwi expressed confidence in the party's mission and pledged to work towards national party status, urging workers to remain resolute.
EAM talks on ties with US lawmakers External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar engaged in a productive discussion with a visiting US Congressional delegation and Ambassador Sergio Gor. The talks focused on strengthening India-US ties, including cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and on critical technologies. This meeting occurs as both nations aim to finalize a bilateral trade deal, a significant step towards enhanced security and expanded trade.
Body found by cops not that of wife, man acquitted after 8 years A man jailed for eight years for his wife's murder has been acquitted. The court found critical flaws, including doubts about the recovered body's identity and a lack of established motive. The prosecution's case, built on circumstantial evidence, failed to form an unbroken chain pointing solely to the accused, leading to his immediate release.
Halal hustle: Muslim ventures target minority consumers Muslim entrepreneurs in India are addressing everyday needs, from professional development for women and Sharia-compliant investments to modest fashion and digital Quran learning. These ventures are filling economic gaps, empowering communities and demonstrating a growing aspiration beyond traditional narratives of disadvantage. They are solving practical problems for modern urban life.
