India Archives - Page 102 of 268

12 Dec

Centre Declines Demand to Rename ‘Veer Bal Diwas’, BJP Backs Decision

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndia, PunjabAkal Takht, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, SGPC, Sikh organisations, Veer Bal Diwas

Chandigarh, December 12, 2025 — The Central Government has declined requests from several Sikh organisations and political parties to change the name of ‘Veer Bal Diwas’, reaffirming that the current title will remain unchanged. The decision follows sustained appeals from Sikh bodies urging the Centre to revise the nomenclature.BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa defended the government’s stance, asserting that the existing name suitably honours the unmatched martyrdom of the Sahibzaade. He said the terminology reflects the spirit of sacrifice associated with the young sons of Guru Gobind Singh.The move comes days after the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib wrote…

12 Dec

Centre Bars Agencies from Taking Anmol Bishnoi’s Physical Custody for One Year

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaAnmol Bishnoi, BNSS Section 303, Union Home Ministry directive

New Delhi, December 12, 2025 — The Union Home Ministry has issued a special directive restricting the physical custody of gangster Anmol Bishnoi for an entire year, citing heightened security concerns. Sources in the National Investigation Agency (NIA) said the order, issued under Section 303 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), bars all state police forces and investigating agencies from taking Bishnoi into their custody.Under the directive, any agency that needs to question Bishnoi will have to conduct the interrogation inside Tihar Jail itself. Officials said the step aims to mitigate risks linked to his criminal network and prevent…

12 Dec

SIT Files 3,500-Page Chargesheet in Zubeen Garg Death Case in Guwahati Court

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaAssam investigation, Guwahati court, SIT chargesheet, Zubeen Garg death

Guwahati, December 12, 2025— A Special Investigation Team probing the death of singer Zubeen Garg submitted a massive chargesheet at the Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court in Guwahati on Friday, marking a major development in the high-profile case. Officials said the document spans more than 3,500 pages and was brought in four large trunks along with supporting evidence.The nine-member SIT arrived at the court complex in a convoy of six vehicles, underscoring the scale and seriousness of the investigation. Garg died on September 19 in Singapore while swimming in the sea, after which the Assam government set up a high-level probe…

12 Dec

Indian Railways Records Historic Low in Train Accidents as Safety Investments Surge

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiafog safety devices, GRP, Indian Railways, railway safety, RPF, train accidents

New Delhi, December 12, 2025— Passenger safety on Indian Railways has reached a record high, with consequential train accidents dropping sharply from an annual average of 171 between 2004 and 2014 to just 11 so far in 2025–26, the Ministry of Railways said on Friday.Officials credited the dramatic improvement to sustained investments, modern technology and stricter safety protocols. Safety-related expenditure has nearly tripled over the past decade, rising from ₹39,463 crore in 2013–14 to ₹1,16,470 crore in the current fiscal year.The ministry highlighted a major expansion in fog safety devices, which are vital during low-visibility winters. Their numbers have soared…

12 Dec

India Switches to Short-Term Business Visas for Chinese Technicians Amid Rising Applications

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiabusiness visa, Chinese technicians, India-China relations, visa policy

New Delhi, December 12, 2025— India has revised its visa policy to better manage a growing number of short-term business visa requests from Chinese nationals, officials said on Friday. The changes are intended to simplify entry for technicians and specialists without easing the strict security checks already in place.The surge in visa applications follows the October 2024 understanding between India and China to end their prolonged military standoff in Ladakh and gradually normalise ties. Many recent applicants are technical experts who visit India briefly to install or service machinery at industrial units.Previously, these visitors were issued employment or “E” visas…

12 Dec

‘The fire never left’: Vinesh Phogat retracts on retirement plans, eyes LA 2028 Olympics in emotional comeback

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndia, SportsVinesh Phogat

National Times Bureau :- Wrestler Vinesh Phogat on Friday announced her return to competitive wrestling, ending her 18-month retirement with a strong assertion that her 'fire never left' and that she is ready to chase her dream of stepping onto the Olympic podium at Los Angeles 2028. Vinesh was disqualified on the morning of the gold-medal bout for being 100 grams over the stipulated weight limit. Hours before she was poised to clinch the title of first woman to compete in an Olympic wrestling final, her dreams were shattered in Paris. Notably, Vinesh fought in the Haryana Assembly election last…

12 Dec

Crackdown on Indigo: Four officials who oversaw flight operations sacked by DGCA

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndia

National Times Bureau :- Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has fired four flight operations inspectors as part of its action after the massive flight disruptions at IndiGo. This happened on the same day the regulator called IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers for questioning about how the airline plans to restore normal operations and address the staffing issues that led to the collapse. These four inspectors were the ones responsible for supervising IndiGo’s operations, but the DGCA has not explained why they were removed. Flight operations inspectors usually ensure that airlines follow safety and operational rules. Elbers has also been asked…

12 Dec

Shashi Tharoor skips Rahul Gandhi-led meeting for Congress MPs, third time in a row

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaCongress, Shashi Tharoor

National Times Bureau :- Congress MP Shashi Tharoor skipped a meeting of the party’s Lok Sabha MPs chaired by Rahul Gandhi on Friday, raising fresh questions within the party about why he keeps missing important discussions. Party sources said Tharoor had informed the leadership beforehand, though the Congress chief whip said he didn’t know the reason for his absence. Tharoor, the MP from Thiruvananthapuram, has recently faced criticism for comments that some believe were too soft on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP. He missed Friday’s meeting as well as several other Congress Lok Sabha meetings in recent weeks.…

12 Dec

Shivraj Patil, Former Punjab Governor and Veteran Congress Statesman, Passes Away at 90

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndia, Punjab, TrendingShivraj Patil

LATUR (Gurpreet Singh)— Eminent Congress leader and former Union minister Shivraj Patil died at his Latur residence on Friday morning, bringing to a close a political journey that spanned more than five decades. He was 90. According to family members, Patil had been unwell for a short period and passed away peacefully at his home, ‘Devghar’. His funeral has been scheduled for Saturday. He leaves behind his son Shailesh, daughter-in-law Archana, and two granddaughters. Archana Patil had contested the Latur City assembly seat last year but lost to Congress candidate Amit Deshmukh. Born on October 12, 1935, Shivraj Patil began…

12 Dec

Early-Morning Bus Mishap in Andhra Pradesh Leaves 9 Dead, Several Hospitalised

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingAndhra Pradesh

ALLURI SITARAMA RAJU DISTRICT (Rajeev Sharma): A pilgrimage trip turned tragic on Friday when a passenger bus veered off a ghat stretch in the Chintoor region, resulting in nine fatalities and injuries to 22 others, according to district police. The vehicle, travelling from Chittoor to Bhadrachalam in Telangana, was carrying 37 people including staff. Officials said six passengers escaped the crash without major injuries. Superintendent of Police Amit Bardar said the accident unfolded at about 4:30 a.m. on the Chintoor–Maredumilli hill route, not far from a local Durga temple. The bus is believed to have lost control on a steep…