Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

23 Sep

Government Sanctions 25 Lakh More LPG Connections Under Ujjwala Yojana

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaclean cooking fuel, government scheme, LPG connections, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma) — The Government of India has approved the release of 25 lakh additional LPG connections under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) for the financial year 2025–26.With this latest expansion, the total number of LPG connections distributed through the flagship scheme will rise to 10.58 crore, reaffirming the Centre’s commitment to ensuring access to clean cooking fuel for households across the country.Introduced in 2016, PMUY seeks to empower women and improve public health by promoting LPG as a safe and eco-friendly substitute for traditional cooking fuels such as firewood and kerosene. The scheme has been a…

23 Sep

Shah Rukh Khan Wins First National Film Award for Best Actor with Jawan

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsEntertainment, IndiaBest Actor, Jawan, National Film Award, Shah Rukh Khan

New Delhi, September 23, 2025: Bollywood legend Shah Rukh Khan received his maiden National Film Award for Best Actor on Tuesday, more than 30 years into his celebrated career. President Droupadi Murmu conferred the honour at Vigyan Bhavan in Delhi, recognizing his powerful performance in Atlee’s 2023 blockbuster Jawan.The 59-year-old star, dressed in a classic black suit, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the jury, the Information & Broadcasting Ministry, his family, and his film crew. “To be honoured with the National Award is a moment that I will cherish for a lifetime,” he said, crediting the constant support of his wife…

23 Sep

Super Typhoon Ragasa Nears Guangdong: Indian Consulate Issues Advisory in Hong Kong and Macau

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsSuper Typhoon

Hong Kong: As Super Typhoon Ragasa barrels toward the southern coast of China, the Consulate General of India in Hong Kong and Macau has issued an urgent advisory for Indian nationals residing or traveling in the region. According to the Hong Kong Observatory, Ragasa is expected to make its closest approach to the Pearl River Estuary on September 24, bringing with it gale to hurricane-force winds, heavy rainfall, rough seas, and storm surges of up to 4 meters. Typhoon Signal No. 8 is set to be raised at 2:20 p.m. today, with a likelihood of stronger warnings being issued later.…

23 Sep

California Moves Closer to Declaring Diwali a State Holiday

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsCalifornia

Sacramento (Rajeev Sharma): In a historic step toward recognizing the cultural and religious diversity of its population, California may soon become the first U.S. state to officially designate Diwali as a state holiday. The California State Legislature has passed Assembly Bill 268 (AB-268), which proposes to add Diwali — the Festival of Lights celebrated by millions across the world — to the state’s list of official holidays. The bill now awaits the signature of Governor Gavin Newsom, who has until October 12, 2025, to either sign it into law or veto it. If approved, the legislation would mark a significant…

23 Sep

Inderjeet Singh Gosal of SJF Arrested in Ontario by OPP

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingInderjeet Singh Gosal

Toronto ( Rajeev Sharma): Canadian authorities have arrested Inderjeet Singh Gosal, a key figure associated with the banned group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), in Whitby, Ontario. The arrest was carried out by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) as part of an ongoing investigation into firearmsrelated offences.According to police reports, Gosal faces multiple charges, including careless use and improper handling of firearms. The move comes amid increased scrutiny of extremist networks following the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in 2023, after which Gosal had taken on a more prominent role in organizing the so-called “Khalistan referendum” campaign in Canada.Law enforcement officials…

23 Sep

AHS Audit Sparks Concern Over EMS Funding Mismanagement

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingAlberta

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta Health Services (AHS) is demanding repayment of millions after an internal audit found $4.1 million in overpayments to a private ambulance provider, with nearly $1 million flagged as misused funds.The revelation has drawn sharp criticism from both the public and political leaders, who argue that weak oversight has allowed serious financial mismanagement to continue unchecked for years. “This is not only about wasted dollars, it’s about accountability in a system people depend on during emergencies,” said one Calgary community advocate. Paramedics on the frontlines say the disclosure adds to growing frustration. Many note they are told…

22 Sep

CM Dhami Vows Action Against ‘Cheating Mafia’ Defaming Uttarakhand Govt

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaCM Pushkar Singh Dhami, UKSSSC paper leak, Uttarakhand cheating mafia

Dehradun, Sep 22, 2025: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday warned that those conspiring to malign the Uttarakhand government under the guise of “cheating mafia” will not be spared.Speaking at an event in Dehradun, Dhami said some individuals, upset with the state’s strict anti-cheating laws, are attempting to tarnish the government’s image. He cited the alleged leak of three pages of a question paper from the Uttarakhand Subordinate Services Selection Commission’s (UKSSSC) graduate-level exam as part of a conspiracy to defame the administration.“A similar attempt was made on Sunday, but this is not a case of paper leak,” Dhami…

22 Sep

UP Government Bans Caste References in Police Records and Public Spaces

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiacaste ban, police records, Uttar Pradesh government, Yogi Adityanath

Lucknow (Rajeev Sharma)— The Uttar Pradesh government on Monday imposed a ban on caste-based references in police records and public places, acting on a directive from the Allahabad High Court aimed at curbing caste discrimination.An order issued by Chief Secretary Deepak Kumar directed that caste will no longer be mentioned in First Information Reports (FIRs), arrest memos, or other police documents. Instead, parental names will be used for identification. Police stations, vehicles, and signboards have also been instructed to remove caste-based slogans, symbols, and references with immediate effect.The order further prohibited caste-based rallies, with police directed to monitor social media…

22 Sep

Supreme Court Questions Criminal Defamation, Stays Trial Against The Wire

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaAmita Singh, defamation law, JNU, Kapil Sibal, Supreme Court, The Wire

New Delhi, September 22, 2025: The Supreme Court on Monday observed that the time had come to reconsider criminal defamation laws as it stayed proceedings in a case against news portal The Wire, filed by former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) professor Amita Singh. The complaint was linked to a report alleging her role in preparing a dossier on an alleged sex racket at the university.A bench of Justices MM Sundresh and SC Sharma, noting the drawn-out nature of the litigation, remarked, “For how long can you keep on dragging this matter?” The court issued notice on a plea by the…

22 Sep

Public Safety Crisis Grips B.C. Communities as Local Leaders Prepare for Key Talks in Victoria

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingCanada

Victoria, B.C (Richa Walia): As mayors and councillors from across British Columbia gather in Victoria for the annual Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) convention, the issue dominating conversations is not housing or infrastructure—but downtown disorder and rising concerns over public safety. From northern towns to coastal cities, municipal leaders say they’re grappling with the fallout of increasingly visible and complex social issues on their streets. The concerns range from drug use and mental health crises to repeat criminal activity and deteriorating public confidence in safety. In Smithers, the town has taken the unusual step of hiring private security to patrol…