Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

14 Sep

Vaishno Devi Yatra Delayed Again as Heavy Rainfall Continues in Jammu Region

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingVaishno Devi

Jammu (Rajeev Sharma): The resumption of the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage, which was slated to begin today after nearly three weeks of suspension, has been delayed once again due to continuous heavy rainfall in the Jammu region. Officials confirmed that the yatra will remain suspended until further notice. The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board had earlier announced plans to restart the pilgrimage on September 14, after halting it on August 26. The original suspension came just hours before a deadly landslide struck the route leading to the holy shrine, resulting in 34 fatalities and injuring 20 others. In a statement…

13 Sep

PM Modi Inaugurates Mizoram’s First Railway Line, Unlocks New Era of Connectivity

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaAct East Policy, Bairabi–Sairang project, Mizoram railway, PM Modi

Aizawl, September 14: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated Mizoram’s first-ever railway line, the Bairabi–Sairang project, calling it a landmark step in integrating the state with the national railway grid. Built at a cost of ₹8,070 crore, the line connects Aizawl to the rest of India by rail for the first time, ensuring safer, faster, and more affordable transport for the northeastern state.Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw described the project as an engineering feat, accomplished under some of the most demanding Himalayan conditions. The 51-kilometre route required 45 tunnels and 45 bridges, including one higher than Delhi’s Qutub Minar. “The…

13 Sep

Supreme Court to Deliver Interim Order on Waqf (Amendment) Act Petitions on Monday

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaBR Gavai, Supreme Court, Waqf Amendment Act 2025, Waqf by user

New Delhi, September 13: The Supreme Court will on Monday pronounce its interim order on a batch of petitions challenging provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025, which abolished the long-practiced concept of ‘waqf by user’.The law, notified on April 5, 2025, mandates that only self-owned property can be declared as waqf after verification of ownership and inheritance rights. It also allows state governments to nominate members from Shia and Sunni communities, as well as representatives from backward classes, to Waqf Boards, and introduces new rules regarding the Waqf Council.A Bench of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice…

13 Sep

Pushkar Singh Dhami Tops Survey as Best-Performing CM in Disaster-Affected States

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaDisaster Management, Pushkar Singh Dhami, Times Group survey, Uttarakhand CM

Dehradun, September 13: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has emerged as the top-performing chief minister in disaster-hit states, according to a survey conducted by the Times Group.Navbharat Times recently carried out an online poll asking readers to name the “best performing Chief Minister among the disaster-affected states.” The options included Omar Abdullah, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Pushkar Singh Dhami, and Bhagwant Mann.The results showed overwhelming support for Dhami, who secured 78.5% of the votes. Jammu and Kashmir’s Omar Abdullah received 20.4%, Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu got 0.6%, while Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann managed just 0.5%.Public recognition for Dhami…

13 Sep

IGNOU Extends Admission Deadline for July 2025 Session Till September 15

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsHaryanaIGNOU admissions 2025, July session extension, ODL education

Chandigarh, September 13: The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has once again extended the admission deadline for the July 2025 session. Students can now apply for various programmes in both online and Open and Distance Learning (ODL) modes until September 15, 2025. The earlier deadline was August 31.According to an IGNOU spokesperson, the decision was taken to benefit students who could not secure admission earlier due to merit or other reasons. He said IGNOU offers not only degree-based courses but also skill-oriented and employment-focused programmes, especially designed to promote self-employment and rural entrepreneurship.The university runs over 350 programmes, including…

13 Sep

Rajiv Shukla: Fresh Bids Invited for Team India Jersey, Decision in 15–20 Days

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsSportsBCCI, Dream11 deal, IPL GST hike, Rajiv Shukla, Team India jersey sponsor

New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will finalise Team India’s new jersey sponsor in the next two to three weeks, Vice President Rajiv Shukla confirmed on Saturday. The bidding window for the sponsorship closes on September 16.India is currently without a shirt sponsor in the Asia Cup after BCCI’s ₹358 crore annual deal with online gaming platform Dream11 ended early. The agreement was scrapped following the enactment of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, which bans real-money gaming apps.BCCI has since invited fresh bids but barred companies linked to real-money gaming, betting, cryptocurrency,…

13 Sep

Shankaracharya Backs Independent Candidates Promising Cow Protection in Bihar Polls

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaBihar elections 2025, cow protection, independent candidates, Shankaracharya

Patna, September 13, 2025: Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati on Saturday declared his support for independent candidates in the upcoming Bihar assembly elections, provided they commit to taking action against cow slaughter.Addressing the media, the Shankaracharya expressed disappointment over decades of unfulfilled promises by political parties. “In the Bihar elections, our vote will go to cow protection and the preservation of Sanatan Dharma. Even after 78–79 years and numerous assurances, no party has genuinely pledged to stop cow slaughter,” he said.He confirmed that candidates would be fielded for all 243 assembly seats across the state but withheld their names for now,…

13 Sep

Trump Urges NATO, EU to Target Russia and China in Bid to End Ukraine Conflict

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsChina tariffs, Donald Trump, European Union, NATO, Russia-Ukraine conflict

Washington, September 13: U.S. President Donald Trump has called on NATO members and the European Union to toughen their stance on the Russia-Ukraine war by introducing heavy sanctions against Moscow and imposing steep tariffs on China.Posting a lengthy statement on Truth Social, Trump said NATO allies are failing to show full commitment to Ukraine and criticised some countries for continuing to import Russian oil. “The ongoing purchase of Russian oil is shocking and undermines your leverage over Moscow,” he wrote. Trump proposed tariffs ranging from 50% to 100% on Chinese goods, to remain in place until the war is resolved.…

13 Sep

Former Meghalaya Chief Minister D.D. Lapang Passes Away at 93

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaDeath, Meghalaya, Pm

National Times Bureau :- Former Meghalaya Chief Minister and veteran politician D.D. Lapang passed away at the age of 93 on Friday evening. Authorities confirmed that Lapang had been suffering from age-related ailments and breathed his last at a hospital. The state government will accord him full state honors, with the official funeral scheduled for Monday. Born on April 10, 1932, Lapang began his life humbly, helping his mother run a tea stall and working in various capacities including as a laborer, teacher, and government employee. He entered politics by winning the Nongpoh assembly seat as an independent candidate in…

13 Sep

Parliamentary Secretary Kody Blois Wraps Up China Trade Mission with Focus on Canola Dispute

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, Trending, World NewsCanada, China

Beijing, China (Rajeev Sharma): Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, Kody Blois, has concluded a four-day trade mission to China, where he joined a Saskatchewan-led delegation focused on easing tensions over agricultural trade — particularly the ongoing dispute surrounding Canadian canola exports. From September 6 to 9, Blois participated in high-level meetings alongside Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe as part of a broader effort to address barriers affecting Canada-China trade relations. Central to the discussions were Chinese tariffs on Canadian canola products, a long-standing issue that has impacted Canadian farmers and disrupted bilateral trade. Productive Dialogue with Chinese Officials During the…