India

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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…
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India Declines to Sign SCO Defence Declaration Over Pahalgam Attack Omission

India Declines to Sign SCO Defence Declaration Over Pahalgam Attack Omission

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

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

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…
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Rajnath Singh Calls for Unified Stand Against Terrorism at SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting in China

Rajnath Singh Calls for Unified Stand Against Terrorism at SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting in China

Qingdao (China) (National Times): In a strong and clear message at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' meeting in Qingdao, India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reiterated India’s zero-tolerance stance on terrorism, urging all SCO member states to unite against the menace and reject double standards in combating terror. “We have demonstrated that terrorism's epicentres are no longer safe havens. India will not hesitate to take decisive action against them,” Singh asserted during his address, without naming any country, though the remarks were widely seen as a veiled reference to Pakistan. Singh joined his counterparts, including Chinese Defence Minister Admiral…
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Three Missing After Cloudbursts Trigger Flash Floods in Himachal’s Kullu District

Three Missing After Cloudbursts Trigger Flash Floods in Himachal’s Kullu District

Kullu (Himachal Pradesh), June 25, 2025 — At least three people have gone missing following intense cloudbursts that struck Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu district on Tuesday night, triggering flash floods in several areas. The most affected zone was the remote Gadsa Valley, where gushing waters swept away homes, roads, and vehicles.The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) confirmed that the sudden downpour led to massive surges in rivulets and nullahs, particularly impacting the Chanaun panchayat, where three individuals were reported missing. A large number of houses were damaged, and local infrastructure, including roads and power lines, suffered substantial disruption.Rescue operations are in…
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CBSE Class 10 Exams to Be Held Twice a Year from 2025-26 Academic Session

CBSE Class 10 Exams to Be Held Twice a Year from 2025-26 Academic Session

New Delhi, June 25, 2025 — In a major shift aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced that students of Class 10 will now be allowed to appear for board exams twice a year, starting from the 2025–26 academic session.The announcement, released on the official CBSE website, stated that the two-phase board examination system will help reduce pressure on students by giving them a second chance to improve their scores. It also aligns with the board’s aim to promote continuous and holistic assessment.According to the CBSE notification, the first phase…
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