Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

18 Sep

Supreme Court Orders States, UTs to Frame Rules for Registering Sikh ‘Anand Karaj’ Marriages

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsPunjabAnand Marriage Act 1909, Sikh marriage Registration, Supreme Court on Anand Karaj

New Delhi, September 18, 2025: The Supreme Court has directed all states and union territories to notify rules within four months for the registration of marriages solemnised through the Sikh rite of ‘Anand Karaj’.A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta observed that while the Anand Marriage Act, 1909 (amended in 2012) legally recognises ‘Anand Karaj’ as a valid form of marriage, the absence of a proper registration mechanism renders the law incomplete.“The fidelity of a constitutional promise is measured not only by the rights it proclaims, but by the institutions that make those rights usable. In a secular…

18 Sep

Edmonton’s Festival City Spirit Shines with Government Support

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingCanada

Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): Edmonton once again lived up to its title of Canada’s Festival City this summer, as more than 20 festivals filled the streets and stages with music, art, theatre, and food. Thousands of visitors flocked to the city, contributing to the local economy while experiencing Alberta’s vibrant culture. To keep the momentum alive, Alberta’s government invested heavily in the festival season. More than $450,000 was provided through community grants to help cover programming, hosting, and equipment costs. In addition, the Alberta Foundation for the Arts supported local presenters with over $1 million in funding, benefitting major events like…

18 Sep

Saudi Arabia, Pakistan Ink Landmark Defence Agreement, Pledge Joint Security Framework

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsPakistan, Saudi Arabia

Riyadh (Rajeev Sharma): In a move that could reshape security cooperation in the region, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have formalised a comprehensive defence accord that binds both nations to respond collectively to any external aggression. The agreement, signed in Riyadh during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s state visit, was described as a “Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement”. It highlights an upgraded security framework, expanding joint military exercises, intelligence sharing, and integrated deterrence mechanisms. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who hosted Sharif at Al-Yamamah Palace, stressed the Kingdom’s commitment to Pakistan’s security and long-term stability. Following the signing, Saudi Defence Minister Prince…

18 Sep

One Killed After PCR Van Accident in Delhi’s Mandir Marg Area

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, Trending

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): A tragic mishap was reported from central Delhi’s Mandir Marg area when a Delhi Police PCR van accidentally ran over a man, leading to his death on the spot. According to initial findings, the driver of the police vehicle mistakenly accelerated while maneuvering the van near a roadside ramp. The sudden movement caused the van to climb onto the pavement, striking a passerby who could not escape in time. Senior officials rushed to the site soon after the incident. The deceased has not yet been officially identified, while his body has been sent for post-mortem examination.…

18 Sep

Cloudburst Ravages Chamoli’s Nanda Nagar, 7 Missing; CM Dhami Assures Close Monitoring

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingChamoli

Chamoli, Uttarakhand (Rajeev Sharma): A sudden cloudburst late Wednesday night in the Nanda Nagar area of Chamoli district has left a trail of destruction, with at least five people reported missing and six houses completely washed away. According to officials, two people were rescued from under the debris while teams continue to search for others who are feared trapped. Rescue efforts by the SDRF, local police, and medical units are underway, though heavy rains are making the operation difficult. Three ambulances and additional relief personnel have been rushed to the site. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami took to X (formerly…

17 Sep

Over 1,300 Gifts Received by PM Modi Go Under the Hammer in 7th E-Auction

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaGoddess Bhavani statue, mementos auction, Namami Gange, PM Modi, Ram Temple model

New Delhi, September 17, 2025: More than 1,300 gifts presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including an intricately crafted statue of Goddess Bhavani, a model of the Ayodhya Ram Temple, and sporting memorabilia from the 2024 Paralympic Games, have been put up for online auction. The seventh edition of the e-auction began on Wednesday, coinciding with the Prime Minister’s 75th birthday, and will continue until October 2. According to updates on the PM Mementos website, the statue of Goddess Bhavani has been listed with a base price of ₹10.39 lakh, while the Ram Temple model is priced at ₹5.5 lakh.…

17 Sep

Two Gang Members Linked to Firing at Actress Disha Patani’s House Killed in Ghaziabad Encounter

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaBareilly firing case, Disha Patani house firing, STF encounter Ghaziabad

Ghaziabad – The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) gunned down two men accused of opening fire outside actress Disha Patani’s house in Bareilly during an encounter on Thursday. The slain suspects, identified as Ravinda alias Kullu and Arun, were reportedly active members of the Rohit Godara–Goldy Brar gang, STF officials confirmed. According to investigators, both men were directly involved in the recent firing incident that targeted Patani’s residence, raising serious concerns about the growing reach of organized criminal gangs in Uttar Pradesh. The STF said the operation was based on prior intelligence, and the accused were neutralized after they…

17 Sep

Neeraj Chopra, Arshad Nadeem Set for High-Stakes Showdown in Javelin Final at World Championships

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsSportsArshad Nadeem, javelin final, Neeraj Chopra, World Athletics Championships 2025

Tokyo, September 17: The men’s javelin final at the World Athletics Championships is set for a thrilling India-Pakistan clash, with reigning World Champion Neeraj Chopra facing off against Olympic gold medalist Arshad Nadeem on Thursday evening.Neeraj, 27, made an assured start in Group A of qualification, clearing the automatic mark of 84m with a throw of 84.50m on his very first attempt. Arshad, however, endured early struggles. After managing only 76.99m and facing elimination, he produced a powerful 85.28m throw to secure his spot in the final.India’s Sachin Yadav also joined the elite line-up, recording a personal best of 83.67m…

17 Sep

Bank of Canada Lowers Benchmark Interest Rate to 2.5% in First Reduction Since March

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaBank Of Canada, Interest Rate Reduction

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): The Bank of Canada has decreased its benchmark interest rate to 2.5%, marking its first rate cut since March, as the central bank responds to decelerating economic growth and easing inflationary pressures. The decision follows months of cautious signals from policymakers, who faced mounting pressure from households and businesses struggling with high borrowing costs. Economists note that the Bank’s move reflects a shifting economic landscape, where inflation has moderated closer to the 2% target, while GDP growth and consumer spending have slowed. This combination has provided policymakers with the flexibility to lower interest rates without exacerbating inflation.…

17 Sep

India Introduces Revised 2025 Regulations for OCI Applications and PIO Conversion

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaIndia news, New Delhi

New Delhi / Toronto ( Gurpreet/ Rajeev Sharma) : The Government of India has announced updated regulations for Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) applications, effective 2025, aimed at streamlining the process and ensuring the continued validity of travel documents for individuals of Indian origin. As of 2025, all OCI applications and service requests must be submitted online through the official portal ociservices.gov.in. Applicants are required to upload necessary documents, photographs, and signatures, and then submit them, along with fees, to an authorized agency such as BLS International for verification. OCI cardholders are required to re-issue their card once after turning…