India Archives - Page 227 of 266

21 May

Gujarat’s Asiatic Lion Population Rises 32% to 891, Expands Beyond Protected Sanctuaries

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaAsiatic Lion Census 2025, Gir sanctuary, Gujarat lions

Gandhinagar, May 21, 2025 — Gujarat’s lion conservation efforts have borne fruit, with the state’s Asiatic lion population rising from 674 in 2020 to 891 in 2025 — a 32% increase over five years, according to the latest 16th Asiatic Lion Census.The census revealed a remarkable shift, with nearly half the lion population now living outside traditional sanctuaries such as Gir, Mitiyala, Girnar, and Pania. While around 430 lions remain within protected areas, others have spread across the broader Saurashtra landscape, including Bhavnagar and the Union Territory of Diu.Conducted between May 10 and 13, the survey covered 35,000 square kilometers…

20 May

Mukesh and Nita Ambani Named in TIME’s 100 Most Influential in Philanthropy for 2025

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaMukesh Ambani, Nita Ambani, TIME 100 Philanthropy

New Delhi, May 20, 2025: Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani and Reliance Foundation Chairperson Nita Ambani have been featured in TIME magazine’s 2025 list of the 100 most influential people in philanthropy.The prestigious list, unveiled on Tuesday, recognizes individuals from across the globe who have made a significant impact through charitable and developmental work. Alongside the Ambanis, figures such as David Beckham, Oprah Winfrey, Dolly Parton, and Darren Walker also appear in this year’s edition.TIME cited the Ambanis’ extensive philanthropic contributions, which reached ₹407 crore (approximately USD 48 million) in 2024, placing them among India’s top donors. Their initiatives span…

20 May

Foreign Secretary Misri Briefs Parliamentarians on Key Foreign Policy Issues

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaIndia foreign policy, Indo-Pak ceasefire, Vikram Misri

New Delhi – Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has conducted a series of detailed briefings with various parliamentary delegations ahead of their upcoming visits abroad, shedding light on several critical foreign policy matters. His discussions spanned tensions with neighboring countries, international operations, and evolving diplomatic challenges with Western powers.Clarifying the situation on the India-Pakistan border, Misri told the Parliamentary Committee on External Affairs that the recent ceasefire was a purely bilateral decision. He emphasized it was achieved through direct communication between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both nations, firmly denying claims made by former U.S. President Donald Trump…

20 May

Madhya Pradesh Govt Forms SIT to Investigate Minister Vijay Shah’s Controversial Remarks

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaMadhya Pradesh, Vijay Shah

Madhya Pradesh (National Times): The Madhya Pradesh government has set up a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe controversial comments made by state Tribal Affairs Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah, a leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The formation of the SIT follows a directive from the Supreme Court, which took strong exception to Shah’s remarks targeting Colonel Sofiya Qureshi. Shah had reportedly referred to Colonel Qureshi as a "sister of terrorists," a statement the court condemned as deeply offensive. A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh ordered that the SIT be composed of three senior…

20 May

Hemkund Sahib Yatra to Begin on May 25; First Pilgrim Group to Depart on May 22

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndia

Chamoli (National Times): The annual pilgrimage to Sri Hemkund Sahib, one of the most revered Sikh shrines located in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district, is set to begin on May 25, 2025. As per tradition, the first jatha (group of pilgrims), led by the Panj Pyare, will depart on May 22, officially marking the commencement of this year's yatra. Army Arrives to Clear Trekking RouteIn preparation for the pilgrimage, personnel from the Indian Army have reached Govindghat and begun the task of clearing snow from the trekking path. Their efforts are focused on ensuring a safe and unobstructed route for thousands of…

19 May

BSF to Resume Flag Retreat Ceremonies at Amritsar and Fazilka Borders from Tuesday

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaAttari-Wagah, BSF, Flag Retreat Ceremony, Sadqi border

National Times Bureau, May 19, 2025: After a temporary suspension due to heightened security concerns, the Border Security Force (BSF) will resume the iconic evening flag retreat ceremonies at both the Attari-Wagah border in Amritsar and the Sadqi border in Fazilka starting Tuesday, May 20, 2025.The move comes nearly two weeks after the BSF halted public access to these ceremonies following the Pahalgam terrorist attack, which had raised nationwide security alarms. The decision to resume was taken following a review of the current security situation.The ceremonies, which showcase the lowering of the national flags of India and Pakistan in a…

19 May

Supreme Court Orders SIT Probe into MP Minister Vijay Shah’s Remarks Against Col. Sofiya Qureshi

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaSIT Probe, Sofiya Qureshi, Supreme Court, Vijay Shah

New Delhi, May 19, 2025: The Supreme Court of India has ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe against Madhya Pradesh minister Kunwar Vijay Shah for his derogatory and communal remarks against Indian Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi. Rejecting Shah’s written apology, the court labeled it “crocodile tears” and criticized it as an insincere attempt to escape accountability.A two-judge bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh delivered a scathing rebuke against Shah during Monday’s hearing. “It’s not merely a gender issue or a caste issue—it’s about the dignity of a serving Indian Army officer who represented the military…

19 May

SC Slams BJP Minister Vijay Shah, Asks If His Apology Was ‘Crocodile Tears’; Orders SIT in Colonel Qureshi Case

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaSofiya Qureshi, Vijay Shah

New Delhi (National Times): The Supreme Court has come down hard on BJP leader and Madhya Pradesh Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah, rejecting his apology for calling Colonel Sofiya Qureshi a "sister of terrorists" and ordering a high-level probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT). The apex court said Shah's apology was nothing but an insincere attempt to escape legal action. “We don’t require your apology. It’s crocodile tears,” Justice Surya Kant said during a scathing observation, adding that the “entire nation is ashamed” of the remarks. The SIT will consist of three senior IPS officers from outside Madhya Pradesh, including…

18 May

Haryana YouTuber Arrested for Alleged Espionage Links with Pakistani Intelligence

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaEspionage, Haryana YouTuber, Jyoti Malhotra

National Times Bureau, May 18 ,2025: A Haryana-based YouTuber and travel vlogger, Jyoti Malhotra, has been arrested for allegedly working with Pakistani intelligence operatives. Known for her channel Travel with Jo, she is accused of being cultivated as an "asset" and transmitting sensitive information through encrypted apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat.Police claim Malhotra had regular contact with Pakistani agents, including Danish, a dismissed staffer from the Pakistan High Commission. In 2023, she traveled to Pakistan, met with intelligence officials, and developed a personal relationship with one operative. They reportedly even traveled together to Indonesia. Her social media content, including…

18 May

Rajya Sabha Dy Chairman Harivansh Represents India at Pope Leo XIV’s Inaugural Mass

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, World NewsPope Leo XIV, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh

Vatican City, May 18, 2025: Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, Harivansh, attended the inaugural mass of Pope Leo XIV at Saint Peter's Square on Sunday, extending best wishes on behalf of the people of India.The historic mass marked the formal beginning of Leo XIV’s papacy, the first American to lead the Roman Catholic Church. His message, delivered before a crowd of nearly 100,000 attendees, emphasized unity within the Church and denounced the exploitation of the poor and the planet.In his first homily as pontiff, Pope Leo XIV called for a Church that rejects power struggles and religious propaganda, urging…