India Archives - Page 210 of 267

28 Jun

PM Modi Interacts With IAF’s Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla Aboard ISS in Historic First for India

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaPM Modi, Shubhanshu Shukla

New Delhi (National Times): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday made history by holding a live video interaction with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian Air Force officer and Indian national to be stationed aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Group Captain Shukla, part of the Axiom-4 mission, became the first Indian to ever step onto the ISS, a moment hailed by PM Modi as “a proud chapter in India’s space journey.” During their interaction, PM Modi lauded the officer’s courage and achievements, saying, “Group Captain Shukla, you have taken the tricolor into a new orbit — literally. Your…

28 Jun

Neighbourhood specialist, spy craft master Parag Jain appointed new RAW chief

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingParag Jain

New Delhi (National Times): Parag Jain, one of the brains behind the meticulous planning of 'Operation Sindoor', has been appointed as the new Chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), according to an official order issued here on Saturday.The two-year tenure of Jain, an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the 1989 batch of the Punjab cadre, officially begins on July 1. He takes over from Ravi Sinha, who retires on June 30."The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Shri Parag Jain, IPS to the post of Secretary, Research & Analysis Wing (R&AW) under Cabinet…

28 Jun

Prada Admits Indian Inspiration Behind Sandal Design After Kolhapuri Chappal Row

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, Trendingcultural appropriation, Kolhapuri chappals, Maharashtra artisans, Prada

Mumbai, June 29, 2025 — Italian luxury fashion giant Prada has acknowledged that its men’s sandals showcased in the brand’s 2026 fashion show were “inspired” by traditional Indian handcrafted footwear, following a backlash in India over the use of designs resembling Kolhapuri chappals without credit.Prada’s statement comes after the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (MACCIA) raised concerns about the fashion house’s depiction of the sandals simply as “leather sandals,” omitting any reference to their Indian roots. The omission sparked outrage among India’s fashion community and artisans in western Maharashtra, who accused Prada of cultural appropriation.“Kolhapuri Chappals represent centuries-old…

27 Jun

IBC to Celebrate Dalai Lama’s 90th Birthday with Global Event in New Delhi

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, World NewsBuddhism and science, Dalai Lama 90th birthday, International Buddhist Confederation

New Delhi, June 27, 2025 — The International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) will host a significant event on Sunday, July 13, at the Ashoka Hotel in New Delhi to mark the 90th birth anniversary of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, honouring his profound influence, spiritual leadership, and enduring contributions to global peace and compassion.The full-day event is set to draw an array of international scholars, Buddhist leaders, and experts with long-standing ties to the Dalai Lama, underscoring the global resonance of his teachings and humanitarian efforts.Among the key highlights will be panel discussions exploring critical themes that reflect the Dalai…

27 Jun

India Plans Major Upgrade of Sukhoi-30MKI Fleet with Advanced Avionics and Indigenous Systems

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaIndo-Russian defence ties, Rajnath Singh, Sukhoi-30MKI upgrade

New Delhi, June 28, 2025 — India is set to undertake a significant upgrade of its fleet of Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets, integrating advanced avionics, modern radars, and indigenous systems, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh confirmed following discussions with his Russian counterpart, Andrey Belousov.The proposed upgrade, aimed at enhancing the operational capabilities of the Indian Air Force (IAF), will involve 78 per cent indigenous content, a major push toward self-reliance in defence manufacturing.Singh met Belousov on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meeting in Qingdao, China, where both leaders held wide-ranging discussions on geopolitical developments, cross-border terrorism, and…

27 Jun

PM Modi to Embark on Five-Nation Tour from July 2, Attend BRICS Summit in Brazil

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaBRICS 2025, Global South diplomacy, India Brazil Argentina Ghana visit, PM Modi BRICS tour

New Delhi, June 27, 2025 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a five-nation tour beginning July 2, aimed at strengthening India’s engagement with key nations of the Global South and attending the 17th BRICS Summit in Brazil. The eight-day diplomatic tour will include visits to Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia.According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the visit reflects India’s commitment to deepening bilateral ties and expanding cooperation on strategic and multilateral fronts.In the first leg of the trip, PM Modi will visit Ghana from July 2 to 3 marking the first…

27 Jun

India’s Post Offices to Accept Digital Payments Nationwide by August

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaDynamic QR code, India Post digital payments, UPI rollout post offices

New Delhi, June 27, 2025 — Post offices across India will begin accepting digital payments from August as the Department of Posts completes the rollout of a new IT application integrating advanced digital transaction features, official sources confirmed.Until now, post offices have struggled to accept digital payments because their accounts were not synced with the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) system. The new initiative aims to change that by equipping counters with technology to support transactions using Dynamic QR codes.“The Department of Posts is implementing its IT infrastructure which will have new applications that are enabled to perform transactions with Dynamic…

27 Jun

Odisha’s Rath Yatra Begins: Lord Jagannath Embarks on Sacred Journey Amid Devotion and Grandeur

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaLord Jagannath, Puri chariot festival, Rath Yatra 2025

Puri, June 27, 2025 — The sacred Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath began in Puri on Friday, drawing tens of thousands of devotees onto the Grand Road as the deities embarked on their nine-day journey to the Gundicha Temple. The streets echoed with devotional chants, rhythmic drumbeats, and an overwhelming sense of spiritual energy as chariots carrying Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra rolled forward in one of Hinduism's most revered festivals. The ceremonial highlight was the 'Chhera Pahanra' ritual — a symbolic act of humility where Puri’s titular king, Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, swept around the chariots with…

26 Jun

India Declines to Sign SCO Defence Declaration Over Pahalgam Attack Omission

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaBalochistan reference, India SCO refusal, Pahalgam attack, Rajnath Singh, SCO declaration 2025

New Delhi, June 26, 2025 — India refused to sign the joint defence declaration of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Qingdao, China, citing the deliberate omission of the Pahalgam terror attack while referencing Pakistan’s internal conflict in Balochistan. The move marks a strong diplomatic statement against selective acknowledgment of terrorism.Defence Minister Rajnath Singh represented India at the summit and objected to the exclusion of the April 2025 Pahalgam attack, where 26 Indian soldiers lost their lives. In contrast, the draft declaration explicitly mentioned militant activity in Pakistan’s Balochistan region, including the March hijacking of the Jaffar Express train.Calling it…

26 Jun

No Toll Tax for Two-Wheelers, Confirms Gadkari; FASTag-Based Annual Pass Coming from August 15

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaFASTag annual pass, NHAI, Nitin Gadkari, two-wheeler toll tax rumour, ₹3000 toll pass

New Delhi, June 26, 2025 — Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday dismissed media reports suggesting that the government is planning to impose toll taxes on two-wheeler vehicles. Calling the reports misleading, Gadkari clarified on X (formerly Twitter) that no such proposal has been made and the current exemption for two-wheelers at toll plazas will continue.“Some media outlets are spreading false news about toll tax on two-wheelers. There is no such plan. I condemn this kind of irresponsible journalism,” Gadkari stated firmly.The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) also issued a separate statement confirming that no toll is being considered…