Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

02 Oct

Zubeen Garg’s Death Confirmed as Drowning in Singapore; Police Rule Out Foul Play

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsEntertainment, India, Trending, World NewsZubeen Garg

SINGAPORE (Rajeev Sharma): A revised account of Indian singer Zubeen Garg’s tragic death has surfaced, with officials confirming he drowned while swimming off Singapore’s coast last month, countering earlier claims that he died during scuba diving. The Singapore Police Force (SPF) has completed its initial investigation and shared the post-mortem report with the Indian High Commission, stating there are no indications of criminal activity or conspiracy behind the 52-year-old artist’s death. Local media, including The Straits Times, reported that the incident occurred on September 19 near St. John’s Island, where Garg had entered the sea from a private yacht. Although…

02 Oct

PM Modi Remembers Gandhi and Shastri, Urges Citizens to Embrace Self-Reliance

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingMahatma Gandhi, Narendra Modi

NEW DELHI (Rajeev Sharma): On the occasion of October 2nd, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri, reflecting on their legacies and urging the nation to continue drawing inspiration from their values to build a strong, self-sustaining India. Taking to social media, the Prime Minister described Gandhi Jayanti as a moment to honor the life of a man whose principles of truth, non-violence, and simplicity reshaped not only India’s freedom movement but also influenced civil rights struggles across the globe. Modi noted that Gandhi’s commitment to compassion and service remains a guiding force in…

02 Oct

Pandit Chhannulal Mishra, Eminent Classical Vocalist, Dies at 89

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingPandit Chhannulal Mishra

VARANASI (Rajeev Sharma) Hindustani classical music has lost one of its most revered voices, as Pandit Chhannulal Mishra passed away in the early hours of Thursday. The celebrated vocalist, aged 89, had been under treatment for several days in a hospital following age-related health complications. According to his family, Mishra had been ill for the past couple of weeks and was admitted to a medical facility after his condition deteriorated. He was staying with his youngest daughter in Mirzapur during his final days. His daughter, Namrata Mishra, confirmed that he took his last breath around 4 a.m. Born in 1936…

02 Oct

India Digitizes Disembarkation Card for Foreign Visitors: Online Submission Now Mandatory

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness

Vancouver (Rajeev Sharma): The Consulate General of India in Vancouver has issued a public notice announcing the full digitization of the Disembarkation Card process for all foreign nationals entering India. The move is aimed at streamlining immigration procedures and improving the efficiency of passenger processing at Indian airports. According to the notice, all foreign travelers to India are now required to complete and submit the Disembarkation Card online before their arrival. The card can be filled through the following platforms: The Bureau of Immigration (BOI) website: https://boi.gov.in The Indian Visa portal: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in The "Indian Visa Su-Swagatam" mobile app The online…

01 Oct

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Vows Strict Action Amid UKSSSC Exam Paper Leak

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaexam paper leak, Pushkar Singh Dhami, SIT investigation, UKSSSC, Uttarakhand CM

Dehradun, October 1, 2025: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has responded firmly to the recent exam paper leak involving the Uttarakhand Subordinate Service Selection Commission (UKSSSC), highlighting swift action by his government to safeguard the integrity of the recruitment process. Officials from the Chief Minister’s Office confirmed that the accused were immediately arrested, and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been set up to thoroughly probe the matter.Speaking on the issue, Dhami reaffirmed his commitment to protecting the rights of the state’s youth, while accusing opposition parties of politicizing the scandal. He said rival groups tried to exploit the…

01 Oct

RBI Rules Out UPI Transaction Fees, Projects 6.8% Growth for FY25

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness, IndiaRBI, Sanjay Malhotra, UPI charges, UPI transaction fees

New Delhi, October 1, 2025: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Sanjay Malhotra on Wednesday dismissed speculation that citizens may be charged for using Unified Payments Interface (UPI), assuring that no such proposal is under consideration. His clarification comes amid widespread concerns over possible fees on the digital payment system that has become a backbone of everyday transactions.Malhotra expressed confidence in India’s economic prospects, highlighting that the nation continues on a “very high growth trajectory” while managing price stability. The RBI has projected India’s growth at 6.8% for the current fiscal year, reinforcing its position as one of the world’s…

01 Oct

Centre Approves 3% Hike in DA and DR for Over 1.1 Crore Beneficiaries

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness, IndiaCentral Government employees, DA hike 2025, DR increase, pensioners

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a 3 per cent increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) for 49.19 lakh Central Government employees and 68.72 lakh pensioners. The hike, effective from July 1, 2025, raises the current rate to 58 per cent of basic pay or pension.According to Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the decision will put an additional annual burden of ₹10,083.96 crore on the exchequer. He said the step aims to offset the impact of rising prices and provide relief to both serving employees and pensioners.The announcement follows the recent rationalisation…

01 Oct

Calgary Marathi Association to Celebrate Annual Kojagiri Pournima Utsav on October 4

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCalgary Marathi Association, Garba, Navratri

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): The Calgary Marathi Association (CMA) has announced its much-awaited annual Kojagiri Pournima Utsav, which will take place on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at the Ukrainian Church in Calgary. The celebration, commencing at 5:00 PM, promises to be an evening of cultural vibrancy, spirituality, and community fellowship.Kojagiri Pournima, also known as Sharad Pournima, is a festival traditionally celebrated under the full moon. It symbolizes prosperity, devotion, and cultural unity, bringing families and communities together to honor age-old traditions.This year’s event will feature a rich cultural program, including: • Navratri Kanayapujan – A ritual honoring young girls as embodiments…

01 Oct

Massive 6.9 magnitude earthquake strikes Philippines, officials declare ‘state of calamity’

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsEarthquake, Philipiness

National Times Bureau :- At least 60 people have been killed and several others injured after a powerful 6.9 magnitude struck off the coast of the central Philippine island province of Cebu. Rafaelito Alejandro, the deputy administrator of the Philippines Office of Civil Defence, confirmed the new death toll on Wednesday, a steep increase on the 26 people reported killed earlier by the country’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. “We are receiving additional numbers of reported casualties, so this thing is very fluid. We are receiving reports [that] as high as 60 individuals are reported to have perished…

01 Oct

Shooting at South Asian Radio Station in Surrey Sparks Fear; Linked to Extortion Probe

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAttack, Canada News, Police, Radio station, South Asia, Surrey

Rajeev Sharma :- In a shocking incident early Tuesday morning, gunfire was reported at a South Asian radio station in Surrey, British Columbia, spreading panic across the local community. Authorities believe the attack may be connected to a wave of extortion threats targeting South Asian business owners across Canada. The shooting took place at Swift 1200 AM, a radio station located on 76 Avenue in Surrey, formerly known as Spice Radio. What Happened According to reports, employees arriving at the station on Tuesday morning discovered bullet holes on the main entrance door. Surrey Police confirmed that the damage was caused…