Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

21 Jul

Indian Society Airdrie to Celebrate India’s 79th Independence Day with Community Spirit and Volunteer Recognition

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAirdrie

Airdrie / Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): The Indian Society Airdrie is set to celebrate India’s 79th Independence Day on Friday, August 15, with a vibrant community gathering at Nose Creek Park (Temporary Flagpole), Airdrie, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The free public event is expected to attract a large number of families and community members, continuing a tradition that has grown stronger every year. Sharing details with National Times Media, Maulik Shah said this year’s celebration will feature the ceremonial Indian flag hoisting, cultural performances, free refreshments, and complimentary Indian flags and tricolor tattoos for children. A special highlight of…

21 Jul

Portage College Graduates in Alberta Face PGWP Crisis, Students Seek Ottawa Intervention

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Hundreds of international graduates from Alberta’s Portage College are facing uncertainty after receiving refusals for their Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) applications. The affected students say they invested thousands of dollars, completed their studies, and planned their future in Canada based on the understanding that their programs would support their eligibility for post-graduation work opportunities. The issue involves graduates of certain continuing education programs offered through Portage College’s Calgary partner campuses. Students say they enrolled in 2024 after receiving information that their programs would provide a pathway toward PGWP eligibility. However, after graduation, many received refusal letters from…

20 Jul

Centre Opens Dialogue With CJP as Party Delegation Heads to Meet JP Nadda

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingJP Nadda

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): In a significant development amid the ongoing protests demanding examination reforms, the Centre on Monday initiated formal talks with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), with a two-member delegation scheduled to meet Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda later in the day. The party confirmed that Chief Spokesperson Saurav Das and National Spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka will represent the protesters during the discussions, marking the first official interaction between the government and the movement's leadership since the demonstrations began. According to sources, government representatives first established contact through New Delhi Deputy Commissioner of Police Sachin Sharma, proposing discussions at…

20 Jul

Protesters Ready for Talks as Administration Makes Contact; Sonam Wangchuk Continues Fast

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingSonam Wangchuk

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Efforts to break the deadlock between the administration and protesters appear to be gathering pace after officials reached out to initiate discussions, according to Climate Justice Party (CJP) Chief Spokesperson Saurav Das. While welcoming the move, Das said the protesters are still waiting for a definitive response from the government before formal negotiations can begin. Addressing the media, Das said the group has sought dialogue since the protest began and remains prepared to engage in meaningful discussions. He added that although the administration's outreach came after a considerable delay, the protesters have responded positively. "We have…

20 Jul

US Intensifies Military Campaign Against Iran; Donald Trump Says Tehran’s Defences Have Been Severely Weakened

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsDonald Trump

Washington (Rajeev Sharma): The United States has launched a fresh wave of military operations targeting Iran, extending its ongoing campaign into a ninth straight night as tensions across West Asia continue to rise. According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the latest strikes focused on military infrastructure that Washington says has been used to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. CENTCOM announced that the operation began at around 7 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday and forms part of a broader strategy to reduce Iran's ability to disrupt maritime trade in one of the world's most strategically significant waterways.…

20 Jul

Fresh Legal Battle Over Sonam Wangchuk’s Hospitalisation as Wife Seeks Right to Choose Medical Care

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingSonam Wangchuk

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): The legal dispute surrounding activist Sonam Wangchuk's hospitalisation has intensified, with his wife, Gitanjali Angmo, filing a fresh appeal before the Delhi High Court against an order that allowed his continued treatment at Safdarjung Hospital. The appeal argues that Wangchuk should be free to decide where he receives medical care and that neither he nor his family should be denied that choice. The challenge comes after a Single Judge declined to direct the activist's discharge from the government hospital, where he was admitted after being removed from his indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar. Angmo has…

20 Jul

AISA Suspends 23-Day Hunger Strike as Opposition Backs Students’ Education Reform Demands

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingAISA, Hunger Strike

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): A 23-day indefinite hunger strike led by three members of the All India Students' Association (AISA) at Jantar Mantar came to an end on Monday after a delegation of Opposition leaders and prominent public figures urged the students to conclude their fast, assuring them that their demands would be taken up in Parliament. The protest, led by student leaders Neha, Manish and Aameen, sought greater accountability in the education system, with a focus on the National Testing Agency (NTA), the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the role of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The students…

20 Jul

Massive Search Continues for Missing 11-Year-Old Parker Wells; Calgary Police Lead Coordinated Effort to Bring Him Home

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingCalgary

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma ): The Calgary Police Service (CPS), supported by the RCMP, specialized search teams, partner agencies and hundreds of volunteers, continues an extensive search operation to locate 11-year-old Parker Wells, who was reported missing after wandering away from a day home in the northwest Calgary community of Cambrian Heights on Thursday, July 16, 2026. As search efforts continue around the clock, Acting Staff Sgt. Scott Guterson provided a video update to the media, highlighting the ongoing search operation and thanking Calgarians for their overwhelming support and cooperation. He emphasized that officers and partner agencies remain fully committed to…

20 Jul

Stormy Monsoon Session Expected as Government Pushes Bills, Opposition Readies Sharp Offensive

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, Politics, TrendingParliament

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma/Gurpreet Singh): The Monsoon Session of Parliament is expected to witness intense exchanges from its opening day, with the ruling NDA and the Opposition gearing up for a confrontation over a range of political and public interest issues. Ahead of the session, the Centre held an all-party meeting to seek cooperation for the smooth conduct of parliamentary business. While the government emphasised the need for productive debates and timely passage of legislation, Opposition parties outlined several issues they intend to raise during the proceedings. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju appealed to political parties to ensure meaningful discussions…

20 Jul

Historic Milestone for Mbappe as France Star Secures Second FIFA World Cup Golden Boot

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsSports, TrendingFIFA World Cup 2026, Kylian Mbappe

Washington (Rajeev Sharma): Kylian Mbappe added another remarkable chapter to his football career by becoming the first player to win the FIFA World Cup Golden Boot twice. Although France finished fourth in the tournament, the striker’s prolific goal-scoring form ensured he walked away with one of the competition’s biggest individual honours. Mbappe ended the World Cup with an impressive tally of 10 goals and four assists, finishing ahead of every other player in the scoring charts. His standout performance in France’s third-place playoff, where he netted twice and set up another goal, ultimately proved decisive in the race for the…