Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

15 Oct

Srinagar Sees Fresh Round of Police Raids Amid Ongoing Probe into Terror Links

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingSrinagar

Srinagar (Rajeev Sharma): A series of well-coordinated search operations were carried out by Jammu and Kashmir Police in Srinagar on Wednesday, as part of an intensified effort to dismantle networks allegedly supporting terrorism in the region. Acting on intelligence inputs, police teams raided several residences across the city. These included properties belonging to individuals suspected of having affiliations with banned extremist groups. The crackdown is part of an active investigation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), aimed at tracing logistical and financial support channels for militancy. A police spokesperson confirmed the operations, stating, “Searches were conducted across multiple sites…

15 Oct

20 Dead in Jaisalmer Bus Fire; PM Modi Expresses Grief, Announces ₹2 Lakh Ex-Gratia

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaBus Fire, India, Jaisalmer, PM Modi, Update

National Times Bureau :- At least twenty passengers were burnt alive and several others critically injured after a private bus travelling from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur caught fire on Tuesday, the police said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed grief over the loss of lives and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of deceased. “Distressed by the loss of lives due to a mishap in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. My thoughts are with the affected people and their families during this difficult time. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured," PM Modi said in…

15 Oct

Trapped by Faulty Door: Jaisalmer Bus Blaze Leaves 20 Dead, Identification Efforts Underway

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingJaisalmer

Jaisalmer (Rajeev Sharma): A devastating fire that tore through a private AC sleeper bus near Jaisalmer on Tuesday has left 20 people dead and several others battling for their lives, with authorities now pointing to a jammed door as a major factor in the tragedy. The incident occurred just 10 minutes after the bus began its journey from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur. According to preliminary findings, a malfunctioning door prevented passengers from evacuating as flames rapidly engulfed the vehicle, leaving many trapped inside with no route to safety. Police officials confirmed on Wednesday that the blocked exit significantly worsened the situation.…

15 Oct

SC Allows Limited Use of Green Crackers in Delhi-NCR for Diwali, Sets Strict Conditions

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingDelhi, Supreme Court

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): The Supreme Court has made a key relaxation in its earlier stance on firecracker restrictions, granting permission for the use of green firecrackers in Delhi and the surrounding NCR region ahead of Diwali — but only under carefully defined conditions and timeframes. In its order issued this week, the court allowed green crackers to be used during a four-day window from October 18 to October 21. On Diwali day, people will be allowed to burst them only during two time slots — from 6:00 AM to 7:00 AM, and again in the evening from 8:00 PM…

15 Oct

EC Gears Up to Tackle Illicit Election Spending in Bihar with Tightened Surveillance

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, Politics, TrendingBihar

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): As Bihar prepares to head to the polls on October 6 for Assembly elections and by-elections in eight constituencies, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has launched a major enforcement drive to clamp down on the misuse of money and illegal inducements during the campaign period. The Commission has deployed Expenditure Observers across the state to monitor financial activities and campaign spending by candidates. These observers will meet with surveillance teams and monitor expenditure closely from the moment nominations are filed until the polls conclude. In a bid to prevent electoral malpractice, the Commission has instructed…

15 Oct

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Inspires Calgary with “The Journey Within” – An Evening of Meditation, Wisdom & Growth

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingCalgary, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Calgary(Rajeev Sharma): Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, world-renowned spiritual leader and founder of the Art of Living Foundation, captivated Calgary audiences with his enlightening event, “The Journey Within, An Evening of Meditation, Wisdom & Growth.” The event, which took place from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM, brought together hundreds of individuals seeking peace, mindfulness, and personal growth. Gurudev encouraged attendees to embark on an inner journey, emphasizing that true peace and happiness originate from within. During his address, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar noted, “In a world of Artificial Intelligence, what we truly require is Absolute Intelligence the intelligence of consciousness,…

14 Oct

BLS International Banned from MEA Tenders for Two Years

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaBanned, BLS International, MEA

Delhi/ Toronto ( Rajeev Sharma): In a major development, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India, has debarred BLS International Services Ltd. from participating in any future tenders or projects for a period of two years.According to official sources, the decision — communicated to the company on October 10, 2025 — follows multiple allegations and complaints from applicants, as well as court cases related to the company’s operations in various visa and passport outsourcing services.However, the MEA clarified that this restriction will apply only to new tenders, and existing contracts and projects currently managed by BLS International will…

14 Oct

Folk Singer Maithili Thakur Joins BJP Ahead of Bihar Assembly Elections

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaBihar elections 2025, BJP, Dilip Jaiswal, Folk Singer, Maithili Thakur

Patna, October 14, 2025 — Popular folk singer Maithili Thakur officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday, days before the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. The 25-year-old singer was welcomed into the party by state BJP president Dilip Jaiswal during a ceremony held in Patna.After joining, Thakur said she would take on any responsibility assigned by the party. Earlier, she had met senior BJP leaders and expressed her desire to contest the assembly elections.Maithili Thakur, a recipient of the prestigious Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar from the Sangeet Natak Akademi in 2021, hails from Benipatti in Madhubani district. Alongside…

14 Oct

India Post to Resume All International Postal Services to US from October 15

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaCBP regulations, India Post, international postal services, US Customs

New Delhi, October 14: The Department of Posts announced that India Post will restart all categories of international postal services to the United States beginning October 15. The decision comes after aligning operations with the latest US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations, which impose a uniform 50% customs duty on postal shipments from India, based on declared consignment value.Postal dispatches to the US were suspended on August 22, 2025, following Executive Order 14324 that introduced new compliance requirements for import duty collection and remittance. India Post clarified that postal consignments, unlike commercial or courier parcels, will not attract any…

14 Oct

Government of India Invites Applications for 83rd Edition of Know India Programme (KIP)

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaGovernment Of India, KIP

New Delhi/ Calgary ( Gurpreet/ Rajeev Sharma): The Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, has invited applications for the 83rd edition of the Know India Programme (KIP), an initiative designed to engage and connect Indian diaspora youth with their cultural heritage and contemporary life in India.The programme, scheduled to run from November 10 to November 28, 2025, is open to Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) between the ages of 21 and 35 who demonstrate a keen interest in India and a desire to explore the country's traditions, economy, and advancements. The application deadline is October 19, 2025.Participants will have…