India Archives - Page 260 of 317

29 Jun

Row Erupts Over Indian Defence Attache’s Remarks on IAF Losses During Operation Sindoor

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaDefence Attache Indonesia, fighter jet losses, Indian Air Force, Operation Sindoor, Shiv Kumar

New Delhi/Jakarta, June 30, 2025 — A political controversy has erupted over remarks made by Captain Shiv Kumar, the Indian defence attache in Indonesia, who indicated that the Indian Air Force lost fighter jets during the initial phase of Operation Sindoor due to restrictions imposed by political leadership against striking Pakistani military targets.A video of Captain Kumar’s comments from a June 10 seminar in Jakarta surfaced on Sunday, prompting sharp reactions from India’s political opposition and clarifications from the Indian embassy in Indonesia.Captain Kumar, a Navy officer, had been speaking at a university seminar titled “Analysis of the Pakistan-India Air…

29 Jun

Maharashtra Withdraws GRs on Hindi in Schools, Sets Up Committee for Language Policy Review

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaDevendra Fadnavis, Maharashtra, three-language policy, Uddhav Thackeray

Mumbai, June 29, 2025 — Facing sharp opposition over introducing Hindi from classes 1 to 5 in Maharashtra schools, the state cabinet on Sunday withdrew two government resolutions (GRs) tied to the three-language policy.Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, addressing a press conference on the eve of the monsoon session of the state legislature, announced a committee under educationist Narendra Jadhav to chart the path forward. The panel has been given three months to submit its report.Fadnavis alleged it was former CM Uddhav Thackeray who originally accepted recommendations from the Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar committee to implement a three-language formula across classes 1…

29 Jun

Indian Railways to Launch Upgraded Reservation System with Seat Selection and Early Charting

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TechnologyIndian Railways, IRCTC, passenger reservation system, seat selection

New Delhi, June 29, 2025 — Indian Railways is poised to revolutionize its passenger reservation system, offering passengers the option to choose their seats much like in airlines, and rolling out several new digital features by the end of this year.A senior Railway Ministry official said the new system will not only enable seat selection but will also introduce a fare calendar to help travelers make cost-effective choices.“It also has integrated facilities for divyangjan, students, patients, etc.,” the official added.In another significant change, reservation charts currently prepared four hours before a train’s departure will now be finalized eight hours in…

29 Jun

Six Bodies Recovered as Rains Trigger Havoc in Himachal Pradesh; Restoration Efforts Underway

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaDharamshala, flash floods, Himachal Pradesh, Jagat Singh Negi, Landslides

Shimla, June 29, 2025 — Torrential rains over the past 24 hours have unleashed widespread destruction across Himachal Pradesh, triggering landslides, flash floods, and significant damage to infrastructure in multiple districts.Revenue and Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi said road connectivity, power lines, and water supply systems have been severely impacted, particularly in Shimla, Kangra, Sirmaur, and parts of Kullu district.“In Dharamshala, at a power project site, nine individuals were caught in flash floods. Eight were swept away, and only one survived. So far, six bodies have been recovered, including one unidentified today,” Negi said, adding that one person remains missing…

29 Jun

India Dismisses Pakistan’s Allegation Over Deadly Waziristan Suicide Attack

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingIndia, Pakistan

New Delhi/Islamabad (National Times): India on Sunday strongly rejected accusations from Pakistan linking it to a deadly suicide car bombing that struck North Waziristan, calling the claims baseless and made “with contempt.” The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in New Delhi issued a stern statement in response to remarks from the Pakistan Army, which blamed India for the June 28 blast that killed at least 14 soldiers and injured over two dozen others. “We have seen an official statement by the Pakistan Army seeking to blame India for the attack in Waziristan on 28 June. We reject this statement with…

28 Jun

PM Modi Hails Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s ISS Mission as Milestone for India’s Space Aspirations

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TechnologyAxiom-4 mission, International Space Station, PM Modi, Shubhanshu Shukla

New Delhi, June 28, 2025 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday spoke via video link with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who is currently orbiting Earth aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission, calling his journey a historic step toward India’s future in human space exploration.In a conversation brimming with national pride, chants of “Bharat Mata ki Jai” echoed on the ISS as Modi praised the Lucknow-born astronaut’s achievement. “You are farthest from India, but closest to the hearts of all Indians,” the Prime Minister told Shukla, emphasizing that his space mission would add momentum…

28 Jun

Security Guard Arrested in Kolkata Law Student Gang-Rape Case

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiacollege security guard, Kolkata gang-rape, law student, Sexual Assault

Kolkata, June 28, 2025 — Police have arrested a college security guard in connection with the alleged gang-rape of a 24-year-old law student on a Kolkata campus.According to initial reports, the woman had visited the college to fill out a form for a test but was allegedly forced to stay back in the union room even after completing her paperwork. It was inside this room that the sexual assault reportedly took place.Investigators said the arrested security guard is being questioned to determine the involvement of others. No further details about additional suspects have been released so far.Senior police officials confirmed…

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…