New Delhi, July 14 (SocialNews.XYZ) A Delhi Police constable, who had allegedly shot his wife dead in east Delhi's Kalyanpuri area following a domestic dispute and went absconding, committed suicide on Tuesday, police said.

The accused had been absconding since the incident.

According to investigators, at around 6.10 p.m. on Tuesday, the Mayur Vihar Police Station received a call reporting that a man was lying in a pool of blood in a park behind the Crowne Plaza. A police team rushed to the spot, where the deceased was identified as Manish Bhati.

The cop's service revolver was found lying beside him. According to the police, the accused constable died by suicide after shooting himself with his service weapon.

The deceased constable was posted with the Anti Auto Theft Squad (AATS) of the East district at the time of the incident. Police said he is believed to have shot himself at around 6 p.m.

A crime team and the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team were called to the scene. The body has been taken into custody and sent to the mortuary at Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

Preliminary investigation into the woman's murder had suggested that the couple had been experiencing frequent marital discord for some time and were often involved in arguments over personal issues.

According to the police, the incident took place after another altercation broke out between the couple on Sunday.

The officials said the husband and wife had left their residence together on a scooter, but the argument reportedly continued while they were travelling.

During the course of the investigation, police recovered CCTV footage that allegedly captured the couple stopping their scooter on the roadside before stepping off the vehicle.

The footage is said to show them engaging in a heated argument moments before the shooting took place.

According to sources, the CCTV footage shows the constable and his wife stopping their scooter and stepping off the vehicle. They were seen arguing when the constable took out his service pistol and shot his wife.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, July 14 (SocialNews.XYZ) India's net direct tax collections recorded a robust 16.4 per cent year-on-year growth to Rs 6.51 lakh crore as of July 13 in the current financial year, driven by higher corporate tax, non-corporate tax, and securities transaction tax (STT) collections, according to figures released by the Income Tax Department on Tuesday.

Net corporate tax collection grew over 22 per cent to around Rs 2.40 lakh crore, while net non-corporate tax collection recorded an increase of around 12 per cent to Rs 3.85 lakh crore. Securities Transaction Tax (STT) jumped over 44 per cent to over Rs 26,000 crore, the figures showed.

Gross direct tax collections increased 16.11 per cent to Rs 7.74 lakh crore during the period, while refunds issued rose 14.57 per cent to Rs 1.22 lakh crore, the data showed.

On a gross basis, corporate tax collections increased to Rs 3.35 lakh crore from Rs 2.90 lakh crore, while non-corporate tax collections rose to Rs 4.12 lakh crore from Rs 3.58 lakh crore.

Gross STT collections also increased to Rs 26,428.96 crore from Rs 17,875.88 crore.

The figures include taxes paid by corporates as well as non-corporate entities such as individuals, Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs), firms, associations of persons (AoPs), bodies of individuals (BoIs), local authorities, and artificial juridical persons.

The government has budgeted to collect Rs 26.97 lakh crore from direct taxes in the current fiscal year, a 15 per cent growth over the Rs 23.40 lakh crore collected in FY26.

Meanwhile, India’s fiscal deficit stood at Rs 1.624 lakh crore in April-May of financial year 206-27 which accounts for 9.6 per cent of the full-year target, according to the latest data compiled by the Controller General of Accounts.

The government has fixed a fiscal deficit target of Rs 16.96 lakh crore for the full financial year, which shows that the figures for the first two months reflect a strong fiscal position with the country on track to meet the target set in the Budget for 2026-27.

Source: IANS

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Chennai, July 12 (SocialNews.XYZ) Actress Samantha's 'Maa Inti Bangaram' has become the first female-led Telugu film to gross a whopping Rs 100 crores worldwide, its makers claimed on Sunday.

Tralala Moving pictures, the production house of actress Samantha which has produced this film, took to its Instagram timeline to announce that the film had emerged a blockbuster.

It wrote, "GOLDEN CENTURY FOR #MaaIntiBangaaram. #MiB creates HISTORY by becoming THE FIRST EVER FEMALE LED TELUGU FILM to gross 100 CRORES Worldwide."

The action enterainer, which hit screens on June 19, featured Samantha Ruth Prabhu in the lead and was directed by Nandini Reddy.

In fact, Samantha, just before the release of the film, had disclosed how she had taken quite a few blows while performing the action sequences in the film and how she had even bled while performing the stunts in the film.

At a pre-release event that was held at Chennai, Samantha was asked about the action sequences in the film being realistic. Responding to the question, Samantha had said, "If you see in the film, there are no slow motion sequences, no flying shots, no build up shots. It's extremely realistic. It's real punches. I too have suffered blows. I've bled. They are extremely realistic action sequences. I did all the action sequences myself. That is why everybody likes the action and it looks like I did it."

'Maa Inti Bangaaram' is a family action comedy drama created by Raj Nidimoru and directed by Nandini Reddy.

Apart from Samantha, the film featured Diganth and Gulshan Devaiah in key roles. Actors Sree Mukhi, Gautami, Anand, Lakshmi, Srinivas Gavireddy, and Manjusha too were seen in pivotal roles in the film.

Samantha, in January this year, had said: “Maa Inti Bangaaram tells the story of a woman whose strength comes as much from her vulnerability as from her courage. Playing this character and nurturing this film as a producer has been an incredibly fulfilling journey for me.”

Source: IANS

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Mumbai, July 9 (SocialNews.XYZ) Launching a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership, the Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) on Thursday accused Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of running a "rumour-manufacturing factory" to cause political instability and deflect attention from core issues plaguing the state.

In a strongly worded editorial in the party's mouthpiece 'Saamana', the Thackeray camp reacted sharply to the Chief Minister’s recent announcement that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) layout in Maharashtra will remain unchanged, with no new parties joining. It claimed that the statement exposed how "helpless and confused" the Chief Minister has become due to commands dictated by central leaders in Delhi.

The editorial directly accused the BJP camp of deliberately spreading a narrative that the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP SP) was considering an entry into the NDA.

Labelling the BJP as a "rumour-manufacturing factory" and naming the Chief Minister as its "Chairman", the editorial took aim at the ruling party’s IT operations. "At least two thousand salaried individuals work in this factory, commonly known as the IT Cell, costing millions of rupees monthly. It is because the Chief Minister has successfully built these rumour factories that he has ironically earned the title of 'Inframan'. Whenever there is a need to deflect from Maharashtra's core issues, this factory pumps out misinformation to trigger chaos in the state," the editorial stated.

The Thackeray faction outlined what it called a calculated sequence of false narratives generated by the "Devendra Factory" concerning the NCP(SP). “First, claiming that NCP(SP) Members of Parliament (MPs) were breaking away. When that failed, generating rumors of a total party merger with the NDA. Finally, claiming a merger between both factions of the NCP while excluding Sunetra Pawar and Parth Pawar,” it said.

The editorial asserted that only Sharad Pawar himself could state the absolute truth, while dismissing the narrative surrounding recent political meetings. Addressing specific reports of political crossovers, the editorial clarified recent interactions involving top Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders. It stated that a recent meeting between Sharad Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis was an official assembly dedicated entirely to the Maharashtra-Karnataka border dispute, attended by a 20-to-25-member delegation, including the Maharashtra Ekikiaran Samiti of Belagavi.

The editorial termed the narrative of secret NDA merger talks taking place during such a meeting as "ridiculous". Similarly, the editorial defended NCP(SP) leader Jayant Patil following rumours regarding his brief interaction with BJP leader Vinod Tawde at a Mumbai hotel. Quoting Patil’s clarification, the editorial explained that Patil had simply gone to meet MP Supriya Sule during a recess of a Parliamentary Committee meeting, where Tawde was also present as a member.

The Uddhav Thackeray faction lamented that standard public interactions among elected representatives are being weaponised with fake news to sow seeds of suspicion within the MVA alliance. It noted that Shiv Sena(UBT) MP Arvind Sawant is also on the same committee, meaning leaders routinely sit next to each other as part of standard parliamentary

The editorial underscored what it described as a fundamental, deteriorating shift in Maharashtra's governance, claiming that decisions are dictated entirely from Delhi while local leaders are merely instructed at the final hour. It alleged that the BJP breaks opposition parties and splits sitting MPs and MLAs not through goodwill, but through "fund bullying", financial muscle, and the deployment of central investigative agencies.

The editorial declared that aligning with the National Democratic Alliance at this stage would be nothing short of "political suicide" for any regional force. It dismissed the possibility of Union Home Minister Amit Shah welcoming the original NCP(SP) while Ajit Pawar’s faction is already part of the Mahayuti alliance, calling the logic "senseless".

Turning its focus to national and local governance, the Thackeray camp highlighted a broader decline for the ruling party, alleging that the BJP is facing nationwide embarrassment over corruption and looting accusations related to the Ram Temple, which it claims has alienated its core voter base. It further took aim at federal leadership, stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popularity is "sliding down like the rupee" while Amit Shah faces internal opposition.

The Thackeray camp expressed astonishment at the Chief Minister's functioning style. It strongly criticised Fadnavis for remaining tight-lipped on serious issues, specifically pointing to a recent "murderous assault" on a female doctor in the Thane district by individuals allegedly linked to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Instead of prioritising critical law-and-order and ethical situations, the editorial concluded, the Chief Minister is speaking "with relish" on trivial political manoeuvres, a behaviour it attributed to intense frustration over being bypassed by high-command decisions made in Delhi.

Source: IANS

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Thiruvananthapuram, July 7 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Kerala government has removed V.A. Arun Kumar, son of former Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan, from the post of Director of the Institute of Human Resources Development (IHRD), ending a tenure that had been mired in controversy over his eligibility.

Prof. M.V. Rajesh, Principal of the IHRD College of Engineering at Poonjar, has been appointed as the new Director.

Rajesh, an alumnus of IHRD, replaces Arun Kumar, who had been serving as Director-in-Charge for the past three years.

Arun Kumar's appointment had triggered widespread criticism and multiple petitions before the Kerala High Court, questioning whether he possessed the qualifications prescribed for the post.

Taking suo motu cognisance of the issue, the High Court had last June ordered an inquiry into his eligibility and whether political influence had enabled him to secure the appointment by bypassing the prescribed norms.

The court observed that the post of IHRD Director is equivalent to that of a university Vice-Chancellor and noted that, under the 2018 University Grants Commission (UGC) Regulations, a candidate must have a minimum of seven years of teaching experience to be eligible for appointment.

It expressed doubts over whether Arun Kumar fulfilled these criteria.

The court also directed that the investigation examine whether political influence had played a role in the appointment, remarking that appointing a person who had been serving in a clerical post to a position equivalent to that of a university Vice-Chancellor appeared highly unusual.

The observations came while considering a petition filed by Dr Vinu Thomas, former Principal of the Model Engineering College, Thrikkakara, and currently Dean of Kerala Technical University.

This was not the first time Arun Kumar's appointment had come under legal scrutiny.

His earlier appointment as Assistant Director of IHRD and subsequent promotion, made during the tenure of the E.K. Nayanar-led Left government, had also been challenged.

In that case, however, a Vigilance inquiry concluded that the appointment and promotion had been made in accordance with the prescribed norms.

Based on the investigation report, the Vigilance Court accepted the agency's closure report and gave Arun Kumar a clean chit.

He was also acquitted by a special court in Thiruvananthapuram in the related proceedings.

The latest government decision brings to a close a prolonged controversy over the leadership of the higher education institution.

Source: IANS

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Mumbai, July 7 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Maharashtra Congress will launch a statewide protest from Tuesday against the BJP and the RSS over the alleged theft of donations at the Ayodhya Ram temple.

State Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal earlier on Monday said, “Ram devotees have donated millions of rupees, along with gold and silver jewellery, to the Lord Ram Temple in Ayodhya."

However, he alleged that the donations made by devotees were plundered and also slammed the BJP and the RSS.

"This is not just a robbery of money or donations, but a robbery committed in the name of Shri Ram against the faith of millions of devotees,” the Congress leader said.

He said the Congress party would demand strict punishment for those responsible, alleging that the BJP and the RSS had plundered Lord Ram. He added that the protest would be officially launched on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the historic Kalaram Temple in Nashik. Following the launch, a statewide 'Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram' Satyagraha will be organised across all districts from July 9 to July 14. The Satyagraha will be held at local Ram, Shiva or Hanuman temples at the district headquarters, Sapkal said.

During the protest, Sapkal stated that prayers would be offered to the deity to "grant sanity and good sense to the deceptive people who have pocketed money in the name of Maryada Purushottam Lord Ram".

The Congress party's announcement comes a day after the Shiv Sena (UBT) launched a statewide "Ram Raksha Andolan" on July 5, protesting alleged large-scale financial irregularities and the embezzlement of donations at the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir in Ayodhya.

Party chief Uddhav Thackeray kicked off the agitation at the historic Hanuman Temple in Dadar, Mumbai, where he led a Ram Raksha Maha Aarti alongside party workers and a group of sadhus visiting from Ayodhya.

The protest centred around the simultaneous chanting of the Ram Raksha Stotra and the Hanuman Chalisa, which the party intends to replicate across various districts.

Prominent UBT spokespersons and leaders demanded the immediate dissolution of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, asserting that standard administrative accountability must be enforced over holy funds. Uddhav Thackeray and MP Sanjay Raut mounted a fierce offensive against the ruling party.

Raut levelled specific accusations, claiming that, beyond cash, valuable gold ornaments, a golden Ramcharitmanas and a gold mangalsutra offered by devotees to Mother Sita had gone missing.

Thackeray reminded the public of the Shiv Sena's history in the original Ram Janmabhoomi movement, stating, “We are staunch and patriotic Hindus. Hindus are innocent, but they are not fools. If someone loots a temple by taking advantage of our faith, Hindus won't forgive."

Source: IANS

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Chennai, July 6 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Congress's Tamil Nadu unit onn Monday reaffirmed its support for the C. Joseph Vijay-led state government, resolved to intensify its opposition to Karnataka’s proposed Mekedatu dam project, and demanded a Supreme Court-supervised probe into the alleged misappropriation of donations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple.

At its state Executive Committee meeting, chaired by new state President and MP B. Manickam Tagore, at Satyamurthy Bhavan, seven key resolutions covering political strategy, organisational restructuring, governance, corruption, fuel prices and inter-state water disputes were adopted.

The executive committee also resolved to celebrate the birth anniversary of former Chief Minister K. Kamaraj with week-long programmes across Tamil Nadu and strengthen the party’s grassroots organisational structure ahead of future elections.

Several senior Congress leaders attended the meeting, including former Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, Congress Legislature Party leader and Tourism Minister S. Rajeshkumar, former state unit chiefs K.V. Thangabalu, M. Krishnasamy, Selvaperunthagai, and K.S. Alagiri, Congress state in-charge Nivedita Alva, former Union Minister Thirunavukkarasar, Members of Parliament Vijay Vasanth, Praveen Chakravarty, Vishnu Prasad, Sudha Ramakrishnan, Gopinath and Christopher Tilak, AICC Permanent Member Dr. Chellakumar, AICC national Secretaries Aravazhi, Mayura Jayakumar and Mohan Kumaramangalam, besides several senior office-bearers and district leaders.

One of the major political resolutions passed by the executive committee formally endorsed the Congress decision to support the formation of the TVK government following the political developments in Tamil Nadu after the Assembly election. The resolution said the Congress Political Affairs Committee had decided on May 5 to support a government led by TVK President C. Joseph Vijay in order to prevent what it described as attempts by the BJP to install a government through the Governor.

The committee also congratulated Rajeshkumar on assuming office as Tourism Minister and P. Viswanathan on becoming Higher Education Minister in the Vijay-led government. T

It resolved to celebrate the July 15 birth anniversary of former Chief Minister Kamaraj with week-long programmes throughout Tamil Nadu. District, city, town, panchayat and village Congress units have been asked to organise welfare activities, hoist the party flag and pay floral tributes to Kamaraj.

The meeting also directed district units to conduct anti-corruption campaigns under the slogan "Nenjam Nimir, Lancham Thavir (Stand Tall with Self-respect, Avoid Bribery)".

The party also decided to accelerate its organisational restructuring programme. Observers will be deputed to every district to reorganise taluk, city, circle, and town panchayat Congress committees under the second phase of the organisational exercise. The meeting further resolved to establish Mandal Congress Committees for every five polling booths in accordance with the directives of the party's top leadership to strengthen the party’s booth-level network.

On national issues, the executive committee demanded a Supreme Court-monitored Special Investigation Team probe into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya. Referring to the ongoing police investigation into the alleged diversion of temple donations, the resolution alleged that several crores of rupees had been siphoned off and sought greater transparency in the functioning of the temple trust.

It also demanded that information relating to the Ram Temple administration be brought within the ambit of the Right to Information Act so that the public could scrutinise the utilisation of donations.

The meeting also criticised the Union BJP government over fuel pricing, alleging that while petrol and diesel prices are increased whenever international crude oil prices rise, reductions in global crude prices are not passed on to consumers. The executive committee claimed that the Centre had collected massive revenues through excise duty over the past 12 years while consumers continued to bear the burden of high fuel prices. It also urged the Centre to ensure that private oil companies reduce retail fuel prices in line with public sector oil marketing companies.

On the Cauvery issue, the executive committee strongly opposed Karnataka’s attempts to construct the proposed Mekedatu dam, describing the project as being contrary to the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal’s final award and the 2018 Supreme Court judgment. The resolution endorsed Manickam Tagore’s recent statement that not "even a single brick" should be laid for the project without Tamil Nadu’s consent and pledged that the Tamil Nadu Congress would launch agitations to safeguard the interests of Cauvery delta farmers.

Apart from adopting the resolutions, the meeting also discussed strategies for the forthcoming local body elections and other organisational matters.

Source: IANS

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Mumbai, July 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) As actor and filmmaker Sohail Khan is set to enter the reality show 'Alliance' sister Aprita Khan got a little emotional.

She revealed that she misses her brother as she has not been able to call Sohail for the last few days, something she earlier took for granted.

Arpita further wished the 'Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya?' actor all the best for his journey on the show.

On Thursday, Aprita took to her Insta Stories, and poured her heart out in a heartfelt note that read, “Always took it for granted your one call away & then got lazy to make that calling only today to realise I want to talk to you about so many things & for the past few days I haven't been able to call you miss you so much. Can wait to watch you won the show. Shine on bhai we love you (sic).”

Earlier, shedding light on his latest journey, Sohail admitted that he is not someone who likes to play games and manipulate people, so he is scared that he might be out of the show in the first week itself.

Sohail said, "Mein matlab zyaada sochta nahi hu mann mein jo sach hai wohi karta hu, toh mera ek hi thodha sa fear hai ke meko Jhoot bolna, aur games khelna nahi aata ya manipulation nahi aata toh Mujhe lagta hai mein Pehele hafte hi out ho jaunga because mein straight raging a seedhe rahunga toh koi bhi mujhe aise pakad le sakta hai (I mean, I don’t overthink, I just do what's in my heart, so I have just a small fear that I don’t know how to lie, play games, or manipulate, so I feel like I’ll be out in the first week because I’ll stay straightforward and honest, and anyone can catch me like that.)”

Hosted by actor Kunal Kemmu, 'Alliance' streams every day at 12 noon, exclusively on Prime Video.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, July 1 (SocialNews.XYZ) As the country marks 11 years of the 'Digital India' initiative, the Modi Archive highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's long-standing advocacy for technology and innovation, explaining how his vision for digital governance and espousal of the idea for two decades before its national launch in 2015, proved instrumental in grassroots empowerment across the country.

Sharing archival footage of Prime Minister's speeches from as early as 2003, Modi Archive traces his emphasis on technology-driven governance, showcasing addresses delivered at a 2003 event at Nirma University and the 2011 e-India ICT Conference, where he described e-governance as "effective, easy and economical".

"Long before the launch of the Digital India mission on July 1, 2015, PM Narendra Modi viewed technology as a tool of absolute empowerment for the grassroots, rather than a luxury for the few," Modi Archive wrote in a post.

The archival video also documents PM Modi's consistent focus over two decades on using technology for grassroots empowerment and mobile governance. It features moments from the launch of the Digital India initiative on July 1, 2015, as well as his address in Silicon Valley later that year.

According to the Modi archive, the Prime Minister's emphasis on information technology during his tenure in Gujarat laid the foundation for India's subsequent expansion of digital infrastructure and large-scale digitisation of public services.

"The roots of India's unmatched digital transformation go back over two decades. On 11 Years of Digital India, watch how a decades-long digital blueprint laid the foundation for the governance model of tomorrow," it added.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi said the successful completion of 11 years of the Digital India initiative had given the country a new identity on the global stage and reflected the determination of Indians to embrace innovation and technology to take the nation to greater heights.

"Digital India is the strong foundation of a developed and self-reliant India. Over the past 11 years, it has played a crucial role in empowering the poor and deprived, while making the lives of citizens easier," the Prime Minister said in a post on X.

"When over a billion people embrace technology, the impact is transformative," PM Modi added.

From the expansion of optical fibre networks to digital transactions, the unprecedented success of this campaign has drawn the attention of the entire world towards India.

"Today, we mark 11 years since the Digital India initiative was launched. This initiative has redefined governance, empowered citizens, and accelerated all-round development. It has touched every aspect of life," PM Modi emphasised.

From seamless digital payments and direct benefit transfers reaching beneficiaries with transparency to the expanding digital public infrastructure, technology has become a powerful instrument for furthering ‘Ease of Living,’ said the Prime Minister.

Digital India has taken the wave of innovation to all parts of India, especially villages and Tier 2 and 3 cities. Young entrepreneurs, startups, and innovators from every corner of the country are creating solutions to the pressing challenges that our planet faces.

Source: IANS

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Vadodara, June 30 (SocialNews.XYZ) Gujarat secured investment proposals worth more than Rs 3.34 lakh crore through the signing of 3,759 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) at the fourth and final edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC), with the projects expected to generate more than 1.97 lakh potential employment opportunities in the coming years.

The Central Gujarat edition of the conference concluded in Vadodara in the presence of Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, completing the state government's series of four regional conferences organised under the theme "Regional Aspiration, Global Ambition".

Announcing the conference's outcome, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said the investment commitments reflected the growing confidence of industry in Gujarat and would contribute to balanced regional development across the state.

"The Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference had translated Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of inclusive development into action by taking local strengths, traditions and talent to the global stage through the concepts of 'Vocal for Local' and 'Local to Global'," he said.

He said the policy environment created under the Prime Minister's "Reform, Perform and Transform" mantra had strengthened industry and the economy, enabling Gujarat to remain an attractive investment destination.

"The Vibrant Gujarat Summit and VGRC have emerged as take-off platforms for the growth of industries and entrepreneurs in Gujarat," Patel said.

He added that the state government remained committed to keeping Gujarat at the forefront of the country's journey towards "Viksit Bharat 2047" through balanced regional development and collaboration with industry.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the Vibrant Gujarat Summit, launched in 2003 by Narendra Modi during his tenure as state Chief Minister, had evolved over the past two decades into a wider movement supporting the vision of "Viksit Bharat 2047".

He said Gujarat's industrial ecosystem, entrepreneurial culture and skilled workforce had enabled the state to convert challenges into opportunities.

"The people of Gujarat possess a unique mindset and an exceptional ability to convert challenges into opportunities," Singh said.

The Defence Minister said Gujarat was well placed to play a larger role in India's industrial growth, particularly through its manufacturing base, technological capabilities, ports, maritime infrastructure and emerging sectors.

During the valedictory ceremony, Additional Chief Secretary for Industries, Mamta Verma, presented a report on the planning, implementation and outcomes of the regional conference series.

Artisans and entrepreneurs from different sectors were also honoured for their contributions.

Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Minister of State, Dr Manisha Vakil, industrialists, representatives of industry associations, delegates and senior government officials attended the event.

Source: IANS

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Mumbai, June 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) HDFC Bank has appointed former Finance Secretary Rajiv Kumar as its new part-time Chairman for a period of three years, according to a regulatory filing made by the private sector lender on Monday.

The appointment brings an experienced policymaker and former bureaucrat to the helm of the bank's board at a time when the institution is focusing on strengthening governance and oversight.

Kumar succeeds former chairman Atanu Chakraborty, who stepped down earlier this year citing concerns over practices that he said were not aligned with his personal values and ethics.

In his resignation letter, Chakraborty emphasised that his decision was driven purely by matters of principle and that there were no other material reasons behind his exit.

His abrupt resignation had sparked considerable discussion within the banking sector.

Following Chakraborty's departure in March 2026, Keki Mistry was appointed as interim part-time chairman. His appointment was widely viewed as a temporary arrangement intended to ensure continuity in board leadership. Given Mistry's long association with the HDFC group, industry observers had pointed to potential conflict-of-interest concerns if the interim arrangement had continued for an extended period.

Rajiv Kumar brings with him more than three decades of administrative and financial sector experience. A 1984-batch Indian Administrative Service officer, he retired as Finance Secretary to the Government of India in February 2020. After retirement, he briefly served as the Chairman of the Public Enterprises Selection Board.

During his tenure in the Finance Ministry, Kumar played a pivotal role in several major banking reforms. He was instrumental in the 2019 consolidation of 10 public sector banks into four larger entities, a landmark restructuring exercise aimed at improving efficiency and strengthening the banking system. He also led initiatives related to bank recapitalisation, governance reforms and financial sector oversight.

Kumar is credited with strengthening risk management and regulatory frameworks across the banking sector by promoting specialised monitoring of large exposures and introducing technology-driven risk assessment systems. He also focused on depositor protection and financial stability measures, including the enhancement of deposit insurance coverage from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 28 (SocialNews.XYZ) Delhi BJP President Harsh Malhotra joined East Delhi workers of the party's OBC Morcha in felicitating Alka Gurjar on being elected to the Rajya Sabha, a party leader said on Sunday.

Malhotra and MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri addressed a large gathering of OBC Morcha workers and Shahdara district BJP office-bearers, expressing gratitude towards Alka Gurjar, Delhi BJP Co-Incharge, for her successful organisational guidance to the city BJP over the last four years.

The function was organised under the chairmanship of OBC Morcha Delhi President Sunil Yadav.

Malhotra said in his address that Alka Gurjar has understood Delhi BJP workers very well during the last nearly four years and has strengthened the organisation like a guardian.

He said that with the inspiration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the hard work of Alka Gurjar, the OBC community has also become a part of the BJP’s traditional support base in Delhi.

Bidhuri said that for the first time in history after Independence, there are four MPs from the Gurjar community. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken several steps for the OBC community, which have provided leadership to society, and from the Assembly to the Lok Sabha, trust has been placed in the OBC community.

He said that when the BJP entered the Delhi Assembly last time with eight MLAs, he was the only representative from the backward class, yet the party gave him the responsibility of Leader of the Opposition.

Today, the people of Delhi feel proud because Delhi has a leader like Harsh Malhotra who has both the intention and the policy to work, Bidhuri said.

On behalf of OBC workers from East and North-East Delhi, Alka Gurjar was given a grand felicitation along with former MLA Naseeb Singh, 360 Village Panchayat President Surendra Solanki, Ram Khiladi Yadav, U.K. Chaudhary, Manish Chaudhary, Lokesh Numberdar, Amit Yadav, Tapasi Pradhan, Akash Jailedar, Shyam Kumar, Himanshu Yadav, Varun Saini, Vikas Yadav, Manoj Chaudhary, Gaurav Doda, Sompal Panchal, Mohit Nagar, Pushpendra Rathore, Mayur Vihar District President Vijender Dhama, Shahdara District BJP President Deepak Gaba and Mahila Morcha President Richa Pandey.

Alka Gurjar thanked the OBC community as well as the Delhi organisation and said the BJP is the only party where every worker is respected because he or she contributes to PM Modi’s vision of a developed India.

She said the Delhi unit has a dual responsibility because, along with a developed India, the responsibility of a developed Delhi is also with us.

Alka Gurjar said that after the BJP government was formed in Delhi after 27 years, the responsibilities have increased twofold. With the same dedication with which the government was formed, workers now need to ensure that government schemes reach every person.

She said the Gurjar community has continuously struggled for its rights after Independence, but PM Modi has not only ensured their rights but also worked to connect the community with the mainstream.

Source: IANS

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Victoria, June 28 (SocialNews.XYZ) Ties between India and Seychelles are not "transactional relationships", Foreign Secretary (FS) Vikram Misri stressed on Sunday.

“These are not transactional relationships, these are relationships based on respect, based on trust and based on friendship... if you were to really press me hard and ask me what do I expect, I would say friendship and that's really the last word," the Foreign Secretary said at special briefing by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to the archipelagic island in response to a question regarding what India expects in return from all what it has given to Seychelles.

India has gifted Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) PS Lespwar to the Seychelles, to help strengthen the country's maritime security capabilities, enhancing maritime surveillance, search-and-rescue operations, and the protection of Seychelles' territorial waters.

India handed over 10 utility vehicles and 5 sets of Laser Radial class boats to the Seychelles Defence Force and provided 6 ambulances to the government.

It also gave 500 MT of rice to strengthen the country’s food security, as well as 8,500 MT of cement to address the infrastructure sector challenges.

Two paramedics from India also arrived in Seychelles to train and integrate people into the healthcare system.

PM Modi and Seychelles President Patrick Herminie did a virtual ground-breaking ceremony for the Professional and Technical Education Centre being constructed under the special economic package announced earlier this year.

"This will further contribute to the efforts which are already underway in the human resource development sector between the two countries," FS Misri noted during the briefing.

An Umbrella Line of Credit Agreement between Seychelles and the Export-Import Bank of India was signed, which will extend Rs 1,250 crore rupees to support priority development projects in Seychelles.

In this package of $175 million, $125 million is concessional finance assistance, and $50 million is a grant assistance.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed between National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), International Payments Ltd., and the Central Bank of Seychelles to facilitate the deployment of Unified Payments Interface (UPI) digital payment infrastructure in Seychelles and identify avenues for broader collaboration in the payments ecosystem.

President Herminie made a proposal requesting Indian assistance in the provision of an advanced light helicopter and in setting up centres devoted to cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence during his meeting with PM Modi.

PM Modi assured that India would look into these proposals and take them forward with a positive frame of mind. The two sides will further discuss these proposals.

Source: IANS

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Shimla, June 27 (SocialNews.XYZ) Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi on Saturday flagged off the first export consignment of 400 kg of cherries and 400 kg of plums to Oman from Chandigarh via air cargo.

The fruits were produced by six progressive farmers from the Jadol-Tikkar and Bagi areas of Shimla district. This marks a historic and proud moment for the state's horticulture sector.

On the occasion, the minister said the Middle East and Gulf countries are emerging as large and promising export markets for the state's fruits.

He added that this initiative would open new international market opportunities for the state's stone fruits and would play a significant role in ensuring better, more remunerative prices for farmers.

Negi urged farmers to cultivate high-quality fruit varieties in line with international market demand so that the state's fruits could establish a distinct identity in global markets.

He said this is only the beginning, and efforts would be expanded in the future to explore export opportunities for apples and other horticultural produce.

He added that the Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation (HPMC) would continue to prioritise the interests of orchardists by developing new export opportunities.

The minister expressed confidence that this initiative would not only increase the income of the state's fruit growers but also help establish Himachal Pradesh as a prominent player on the global fruit export map.

The initiative has been undertaken by the HPMC in collaboration with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.

The costs associated with grading, packing, quality testing and other export-related arrangements have been borne by the HPMC with the APEDA's support, ensuring that farmers receive the necessary assistance to access international markets.

Air transportation would enable the fruits to reach overseas markets quickly while maintaining their freshness and premium quality.

Source: IANS

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Ottawa, June 26 (SocialNews.XYZ) The 1985 Kanishka bombing, also known as the Air India Flight 182 bombing, serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of ignoring or underestimating the threat of extremism, while also underscoring the need for Canada -- and all nations -- to strike a careful balance between tolerance and national security to prevent such attacks from recurring, according to a report.

The tragedy remains one of the worst terrorist attacks in the history of civil aviation. On June 23, 1985, a Boeing 747 exploded midair off the coast of Ireland while operating on the Montreal–London–Delhi route, killing all 329 passengers and crew. Most of those killed were Canadian citizens of Indian origin. The bombing was attributed to the terrorist outfit Babbar Khalsa, which advocates for a separate Khalistan, as per a report in Khalsa Vox.

"The incident raises profound and uncomfortable questions about Canada’s stance towards extremist elements operating within its borders. Some argue that Canada’s permissive approach to these extremist factions contributed to this tragic event. The Canadian government’s subsequent handling of the incident has also been a point of contention and disappointment for the Indian and Sikh diaspora, who feel that justice was not adequately served,” it noted.

According to the report, Canadian intelligence agencies had received warnings about the potential threat posed by pro-Khalistan extremist groups in the lead-up to the bombing. However, the warnings were not acted upon effectively, contributing to one of the deadliest terrorist attacks.

"Why did Canada fail to take these threats seriously? Some suggest that the country’s commitment to multiculturalism and tolerance may have blinded it to the potential dangers lurking within its borders. This tolerance, in turn, may have been exploited by extremist groups, leading to tragic consequences," it mentioned.

The report stated that the Kanishka bombing was not only an attack targeting India but also one of the deadliest acts of terrorism against Canadian citizens, with 280 of the 329 victims being Canadians, most of them of Indian origin.

This fact, it said, has raised uncomfortable questions about whether the victims' ethnicity contributed to the perceived lack of a thorough investigation into the incident by the Canadian authorities.

"While we may never have a definitive answer, the disappointment and dissatisfaction expressed by the Sikh and Indian diaspora suggest a perceived lack of urgency and dedication in the investigation," the report stated.

Emphasising the lasting impact of the Kanishka bombing, the report said the tragedy left a deep scar on the Indian and Sikh diaspora in Canada, who felt the Canadian government had failed them in the handling of the incident.

Despite the devastating loss of lives, it said, the case resulted in only one conviction, that of Inderjit Singh Reyat, leaving families of the victims with a lingering sense of injustice.

"Adding to this sense of disappointment is the perceived ongoing support of Khalistan elements by Canadian politicians. This support is often seen as a vote-bank strategy aimed at garnering the favour of certain sections of the Sikh community. However, this approach is viewed by many as short-sighted and potentially harmful," the report highlighted.

Source: IANS

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New Jersey Stadium, June 26 (SocialNews.XYZ) Ecuador came from behind to beat four-time champions Germany 2-1 through Gonzalo Plata's late strike to secure their spot in the Round of 32, only the second time in their history after a similar achievement in 2006.

The victory has confirmed Ecuador's place in the knockouts as one of the best eight third-placed teams. Germany, despite defeat, still top the section thanks to their superior goal difference over Ivory Coast, who also finished with six points.

Germany took the lead after just two minutes through Leroy Sane, although the goal was surrounded by controversy. Sane's second-minute strike was Germany's second-fastest World Cup goal, behind only Ernst Lehner's first-minute effort in the 1934 third-place match against Austria (a 3-2 German victory).

Ecuador took just seven minutes to respond as they finally broke their duck at the FIFA World Cup 2026. The source was not Enner Valencia, making a record ninth World Cup appearance for his country. Rather, it was midfielder Nilson Angulo, brought in for his first start here in North America.

Pablo Vite picked up a loose ball in Germany’s half and fed Angulo who, finding space to shoot just outside the D, fired through the legs of Aleksandar Pavlovic and beyond the dive of Manuel Neuer.

The second half began with a Germany penalty award that referee Tori Penso overturned after a VAR review owing to an earlier foul by Sane on Vite. It took until the last quarter, though, for the real drama to arrive.

After a mix-up between Neuer and Jonathan Tah, Plata turned a Moises Caicedo cross over the bar from close range. Sane then shot at Galindez after racing through at the other end, yet Ecuador would not be denied.

Moments after substitute Kevin Rodriguez had seen his shot deflected over, he flicked on a corner at the near post for Plata to get his foot to the ball ahead of Neuer and steer it into the roof of the net.

Source: IANS

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Mumbai, June 25 (SocialNews.XYZ) Mumbai North-East MP Sanjay Dina Patil, who recently defected from the Shiv Sena (UBT) to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, has sparked a massive political controversy after hurling expletives and openly threatening media personnel. Following a severe backlash from various quarters, the parliamentarian issued an unconditional public apology.

The incident occurred when reporters approached Patil to seek his reaction on sensitive political developments, including his recent defection and questions surrounding his daughter, Rajul Patil, who has chosen to remain with the Uddhav Thackeray faction.

Losing his temper on camera, Patil launched a verbal assault against the journalists, telling them to keep their microphones away from his face. "If you come here again, I will beat you up and send you back. Record this on camera. I am telling you this right in front of the police. Do whatever you want to do," Patil was caught saying on video.

The MP's aggressive outburst and abusive language drew widespread condemnation from media unions and political leaders across Maharashtra, who criticised the intimidation of working journalists. As the backlash intensified, Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde intervened, advising the MP to express regret.

Shinde noted that, while political tensions have been running high and personal attacks have been directed at families since the party split, elected representatives must maintain decorum with the press.

Following the top leadership's intervention, Patil backtracked on his remarks and released a formal apology statement, claiming his outburst was a result of immense mental stress. Patil claimed that ever since his switch to the Shinde faction, he and his family, including his wife, daughter, and deceased father, were being repeatedly targeted with malicious fabrications and abusive queries.

Patil maintained that he had politely asked the reporters not to press further, as he had already made his stance clear, but their persistent questioning about his family caused him to lose control. "I express my deepest, heartfelt regrets to the entire journalistic community for the words that inadvertently slipped out during the argument," Patil stated.

He added that he remains completely open to any police investigation or inquiry regarding the incident.

Source: IANS

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Guwahati, June 25 (SocialNews.XYZ) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said that 17.6 per cent of households that have installed rooftop solar panels under the Centre's PM Surya Ghar-Muft Bijli Yojana are now paying zero electricity bills, highlighting the growing impact of the flagship renewable energy programme in the state.

In a post on social media platform X, the Chief Minister said the scheme has brought about a significant transformation in Assam by reducing electricity expenses for thousands of households while strengthening the state's clean energy transition.

"Seventeen-point-six per cent of Assam's solar households have paid zero electricity bills. This is the transformation which PM Surya Ghar has brought about in Assam, which stands among the top five states in the country in implementing the scheme," CM Sarma said.

According to the Chief Minister, the PM Surya Ghar initiative is ensuring both energy security and economic benefits for consumers by enabling households to generate electricity through rooftop solar installations.

The scheme has helped beneficiaries substantially cut their monthly power bills, with a sizeable section recording zero expenditure on electricity.

The state government has been actively promoting rooftop solar adoption in coordination with the Centre, encouraging eligible households to install solar panels and avail themselves of financial assistance under the scheme.

Officials believe the programme will not only reduce dependence on conventional sources of power but also contribute to Assam's long-term renewable energy goals.

CM Sarma's remarks come as Assam continues to expand its renewable energy footprint and improve access to clean and affordable power.

The Chief Minister asserted that the state's performance in implementing the PM Surya Ghar scheme has placed Assam among the country's leading performers.

The PM Surya Ghar-Muft Bijli Yojana aims to accelerate rooftop solar adoption across India by providing subsidies for residential solar installations, reducing household electricity costs and promoting sustainable energy generation.

The Centre has projected the scheme as a key initiative to increase renewable energy capacity while easing the financial burden on consumers.

Source: IANS

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Kolkata, June 25 (SocialNews.XYZ) West Bengal Police stated on Thursday morning that three people have been held since Wednesday night in connection with the murder of a minor girl, Tamanna Khatun, at Kaliganj in Nadia district of West Bengal in June last year. With the arrest of these three people, the total number of arrests in the matter has increased to 16.

Significantly, five arrests were made in the last 24 hours from Tuesday night to Thursday morning. First on Tuesday night, two absconding accused persons in the case namely Sabit Sheikh and Ziarul Sheikh were arrested.

Then again between Wednesday night and Thursday morning three other absconding accused persons namely Ismail Sheikh, Hafizul Sheikh and Minarul Sheikh were arrested.

A state police officer said that the trio had been arrested from Gurugram in Haryana and they escaped there after the police started an investigation in the murder of the child.

The trio is being brought back to Kolkata on transit remand and will be presented at a district court in Nadia later in the day. The public prosecutor will seek their police custody, the state police officer said.

The minor girl from Kaliganj in Nadia district, who belonged to a family of CPI(M) supporters, was killed in a blast on June 23 last year.

On that day, the result of the bypolls for Kaliganj Assembly Constituency in the district had been announced, which marked a landslide victory for the then Trinamool Congress candidate Alifa Ahmed.

Some Trinamool Congress activists reportedly hurled crude bombs at the residence of the minor girl during a victory procession, killing Tamanna Khatun on the spot.

Tamanna’s mother Sabina Iyasmin Sheikh contested as a CPI(M) candidate from Kaliganj in the recently-concluded West Bengal Assembly polls, but was defeated by Trinamool Congress’ Alifa Ahmed, who got elected for the second-consecutive term.

Incidentally, West Bengal Chief Minister, Suvendu Adhikari assured Tamanna’s mother of justice during a meeting with her on Tuesday evening.

Immediately after that, the police sprang into action and in the last 24 hours a total of five people were arrested.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 22 (SocialNews.XYZ) The successful conduct of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination on June 21 stands as one of the most remarkable examples of administrative coordination and national commitment in recent years.

More than 20 lakh medical aspirants appeared for the examination across 5,440 centres in India and 14 centres abroad, making it one of the largest and most closely monitored examinations ever conducted in the country.

What unfolded on June 21 was far more than an examination. Many analysts are of the view that the successful conduct of the exam demonstrated how India's institutions can come together with a singular purpose of ensuring that every deserving student receives a fair opportunity to pursue their dreams.

Undoubtedly, the National Testing Agency (NTA) was at the heart of this massive effort. It successfully organised the re-examination within a record 37 days. It goes without saying that NTA faced an enormous challenge after the earlier examination was cancelled amid concerns about irregularities. There is no doubt that the agency responded with determination and transparency. The agency also displayed a commitment to restoring trust in the examination process.

This achievement was not, at the same time, the work of the NTA alone. Experts say that it was all a "Team Bharat" effort that involved multiple ministries, government departments, security agencies, state administrations and educational institutions. Thousands of dedicated officials worked tirelessly.

Officials say that the scale of the operation was massive and extraordinary. Nearly seven lakh officials, including examination staff, police personnel, observers, and administrators, were mobilised across the country. According to information, more than 95,000 examination rooms were monitored through over 1.38 lakh CCTV cameras. Likewise, more than 51,000 signal jammers were deployed to eliminate the possibility of electronic malpractice.

According to experts, security arrangements reflected the seriousness with which the government approached the examination. Aadhaar-based biometric verification, facial authentication, two-layer frisking, extensive CCTV surveillance, and real-time monitoring through command-and-control centres ensured that the examination was conducted with integrity and transparency, say experts.

Experts say that the arrangements helped strengthen the confidence of the public. Students were reassured that merit alone would determine success.

The Ministry of Education provided leadership and oversight throughout the process. Support also came from a wide range of institutions that included the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Railways, Department of Posts, National Informatics Centre (NIC), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), and several banking partners. Such a massive coordination across departments demonstrated the strength of India's governance ecosystem.

The role of State Governments was equally admirable. It was ensured that examination centres were equipped with drinking water, shaded waiting areas and refreshments. Moreover, ambulances and emergency medical support were also put in place. Free transportation facilities were arranged for candidates in various states. Experts pointed out that these measures transformed a national protocol into a compassionate, student-centric exercise.

Care extended to candidates with special needs was also one of the most inspiring aspects of the re-examination. Officials informed that more than 10,000 Persons with Disabilities were provided with the necessary support and accommodations.

Similarly, special arrangements were also made for around 81 candidates who were facing serious medical conditions. Among them were students recovering from road accidents and those undergoing intensive medical treatment, including chemotherapy.

These young aspirants were given every possible opportunity to appear for the examination, irrespective of whatever challenges they were facing. It reflects the human side of public administration. It also demonstrates a deep commitment to inclusivity.

What was seen was police personnel helping candidates reach the correct centres on time. Moreover, transport authorities arranged special services. Administrative staff worked relentlessly to address disruptions stemming from bad weather conditions and other challenges.

Perhaps the strongest endorsement of the arrangements came from the candidates themselves. Students from various parts of the country acknowledged the improved security measures. Efficient management at examination centres was also lauded by them. Students were heard appreciating the “orderly conduct of the examination and the fairness of the process”. For thousands of aspirants who had faced uncertainty following the earlier controversy, the re-examination offered a fresh start and renewed confidence.

The successful conduct of the exam showcased what can be achieved when institutions work with a shared purpose, say experts. What was also on display was the dedication of public servants, educators, security personnel, and countless others who remained focused on safeguarding the aspirations of millions of young Indians.

Many say that June 21 will be remembered not merely as an examination day but as a day when India's robust administrative machinery rose to an extraordinary challenge and delivered. The NTA, government agencies, state administrations, and all stakeholders involved deserve appreciation for their commitment, professionalism, and tireless efforts.

“For more than 20 lakh students, the examination was about a question paper. For Team Bharat, it was about ensuring fairness, trust, and opportunity. And together, they made it possible,” say analysts.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 22 (SocialNews.XYZ) After the International Cricket Council unveiled a comprehensive set of 'Return to Play Post-Pregnancy Guidelines' to safeguard the welfare of female cricketers who choose to start a family and return to competitive cricket, Chairman Jay Shah said the policies are a reminder that no player should have to choose between motherhood and representing her country at the highest level.

"The continued growth of women's cricket must be built on opportunity, inclusion, and care for our players at every stage of their lives and careers. No player should have to choose between motherhood and representing her country at the highest level,” said Shah in a statement on Monday.

The guidelines aim to normalise conversations around women’s health and ensure that motherhood and professional cricket are not seen as mutually exclusive. The guidelines feature a six‑step ‘6 Rs’ pathway – Ready, Review, Restore, Recondition, Return, and Refine.

The likes of West Indies leg-spinner Afy Fletcher, former New Zealand captain Amy Satterthwaite, ex-Pakistan skipper Bismah Maroof, and former Australia batter Sarah Elliot are examples of female cricketers who took the field after giving birth to their kids.

Shah also stressed the fact that the guidelines would empower ICC’s member boards to better manage the careers of elite female athletes who are also mothers. "The ICC's Return to Play Post-Pregnancy Guidelines are an important step in creating a more supportive and informed environment across the game.

“By providing Members with practical guidance, we want to ensure that female cricketers are supported through pregnancy and empowered to return to cricket with confidence,” he said.

The document also recommends the appointment of dedicated case managers to oversee a player's return-to-play journey, regular management reviews at critical stages of pregnancy, and a strict policy stating that boards must not mandate pregnancy testing, ensuring the decision to announce a pregnancy rests entirely with the player.

"As women's cricket continues to grow globally, it is essential that we protect player welfare, retain talented athletes, and strengthen pathways for current and future generations. These Guidelines reflect our commitment to building a game where women can thrive, both on and off the field," added Shah.

Source: IANS

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Kolkata, June 22 (SocialNews.XYZ) The West Bengal Budget proposals for the financial year 2026-27, presented by the state Finance Minister, Swapan Dasgupta, earlier in the day, underline the commitment of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government in the state to adopt a three-pronged strategy to address the pressing issue of unemployment in West Bengal, Chief Minister Adhikari said after the Budget was tabled in the West Bengal Assembly.

“I have been speaking of this three-pronged strategy to address the unemployment issue for a long time. The first part of the strategy is increased state government employment through a transparent recruitment process. The second part is to attract big-ticket investments and generate employment opportunities. The third aspect is to open avenues for self-employment by encouraging the micro and small enterprises sector. All these three aspects have been addressed in the Budget proposals tabled in the House today,” CM Adhikari said at a joint press conference with Dasgupta after the latter’s Budget speech.

He also said that, in the case of state government recruitments, the model followed by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in central government recruitments would be adopted in West Bengal.

The Chief Minister said the Budget proposals had also stressed the issue of “ease of doing business” in West Bengal by proposing that all necessary clearances for investments of Rs 100 crore or above be provided through a government single-window system.

Speaking on the occasion, both the Chief Minister and the state Finance Minister said that the announcement of a 20-percentage-point hike in dearness allowance (DA) for state government employees and pensioners, from 18 per cent to 38 per cent, was only the beginning of the process to address the grievances of long-deprived employees and pensioners on this count.

“Our next priority is to ensure that DA for state government employees and pensioners is brought at par with that of central government employees. As a friend, I request state government employees and pensioners to give me some time on this count. The new state Finance Minister has taken charge only recently. He will need some time to understand the entire issue,” the Chief Minister said.

Speaking about the Budget proposals, Leader of the Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee said that although his party does not believe in blindly opposing the proposals, it wanted to caution the government that measures aimed at improving the ease of doing business should not ultimately encourage crony capitalism.

“At the same time, we also oppose the steep cut in minority allocation. We shall fight it tooth and nail during the Budget discussion,” Banerjee said.

Source: IANS

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Ahmedabad, June 19 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Directorate General of Taxpayer Services (DGTS), in association with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Gujarat organised a seminar in Ahmedabad on Friday to increase industry awareness of the Authorised Economic Operators (AEO) programme and the Manufacture and Other Operations in Warehouse Regulations (MOOWR), two key initiatives aimed at facilitating trade and improving business efficiency.

The seminar, held in Ahmedabad, brought together customs officials, industry representatives and stakeholders to discuss the operational and regulatory aspects of the schemes and their role in strengthening India's trade ecosystem.

Addressing the gathering, Sumit Kumar, Principal Additional Director General of the DGTS Ahmedabad Zonal Unit, highlighted the taxpayer-centric role of the organisation and reiterated its commitment to facilitating trade and addressing taxpayer concerns.

He told the participants that taxpayers can directly approach the DGTS Ahmedabad Zonal Unit with grievances, suggestions and difficulties relating to Customs and GST matters.

Manish Kulhary, Ahmedabad Commissioner of Customs, delivered the keynote presentation on the AEO programme and MOOWR regulations.

He outlined the policy framework, eligibility criteria, operational benefits and procedural requirements of both schemes, noting their contribution to trade facilitation and the competitiveness of domestic industry.

The speakers emphasised that AEO and MOOWR support secure and compliant supply chains, reduce transaction costs and help Indian businesses compete more effectively in international markets.

Samir Shah, Convenor of the CII Gujarat Logistics Panel, said the initiatives had gained increasing relevance alongside national programmes such as "Make in India, PM Gati Shakti and the National Logistics Policy".

He noted that AEO and MOOWR had become important tools for facilitating trade and supporting manufacturing growth.

The technical session featured presentations and discussions led by senior customs officers and industry experts covering AEO certification, compliance requirements, procedural benefits and operational advantages available under the MOOWR framework.

Participants received guidance on how businesses can utilise these schemes to optimise supply chains and improve operational efficiency.

An interactive question-and-answer session was conducted by Shree Ram Vishnoi, Ahmedabad Additional Commissioner of Customs; Naveen Chowdhary; and Samir Shah.

Participants sought clarifications on operational, procedural and compliance-related issues concerning both schemes, with the panel addressing industry concerns and sharing practical insights.

DGTS thanked the speakers, customs officials, CII representatives, sponsors and participants for their contribution to the event.

The seminar also highlighted the broader role of the Directorate General of Taxpayer Services, which was established by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs in August 2015 to strengthen taxpayer facilitation.

The Ahmedabad Zonal Unit, formed in November 2015, oversees operations across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, as well as the Union Territories of Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

According to DGTS, the zonal unit conducted more than 100 outreach programmes during the past year, engaging with over 1.5 lakh taxpayers across the region.

The organisation said taxpayer education, grievance redressal, stakeholder engagement and public outreach remain central to its efforts to improve voluntary compliance and facilitate trade.

Source: IANS

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Mumbai, June 18 (SocialNews.XYZ) Bollywood star Jackie Shroff seems to have taken a trip down memory lane as he celebrated 33 years of his 1993 romantic drama ‘Aaina’, on Thursday morning.

Taking to his social media account, Jackie Shroff shared a collage of many stills and moments from the movie featuring himself alongside actresses Juhi Chawla and Amrita Singh.

The montage included many iconic scenes from the movie, accompanied by the hashtag ‘#Celebrating33YearsOfAaina’. One of the slides also featured the film's poster, while the song ‘Meri Saanson Mein’ played in the background.

Talking about the movie, released on June 18, 1993, ‘Aaina’ was directed by Deepak Sareen and produced by Yash Chopra and Pamela Chopra under the banner of Yash Raj Films.

The romantic family drama starred Jackie Shroff as Ravi Saxena, Juhi Chawla as Reema Mathur and Amrita Singh as Roma Mathur, with Deepak Tijori, Saeed Jaffrey, Maya Alagh and Dina Pathak playing pivotal roles.

Juhi Chawla and Amrita Singh essayed the roles of sisters in the movie.

Talking about the storyline of the film, it revolved around Roma and Reema, who find themselves in love with the same man. Roma, the ambitious and glamourous chooses career over love and leaves her fiance Ravi just a few moments before tying the knot.

The shy and selfless Reema is forced to step in to save her family's honour by marrying him. The story takes an emotional turn when Roma returns after failing in her career, determined to reclaim Ravi and everything else what she believes belongs to her.

For the uninitiated, ‘Aaina’ was widely appreciated for its strong performances, particularly Amrita Singh's portrayal of the ambitious Roma and Juhi Chawla's emotionally layered performance as Reema.

The movie's music, composed by Dilip Sen and Sameer Sen, also played a significant role in its popularity. Songs such as "Meri Saanson Mein," "Yeh Raat Khushnaseeb Hai," "Goriya Re Goriya" and "Dil Ne Dil Se Kya Kaha" played a vital role in making the movie a superhit.

–IANS

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Source: IANS

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Washington, June 18 (SocialNews.XYZ) The first bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump in more than a year underscored the growing strategic importance of the India-US partnership, with both leaders signalling progress on a trade deal, reaffirming defence ties and discussing security challenges from West Asia to global shipping routes.

Held on the sidelines of the G7 outreach meetings in Evian, France, the talks also highlighted India's expanding role in international affairs and Trump's continued emphasis on his personal rapport with PM Modi.

Here are nine major takeaways from the meeting:

1. A trade deal may be close

The strongest policy signal from the meeting came on trade.

Asked how close Washington and New Delhi were to a deal, Trump replied: "Very close. We've been there for a little while." He also described PM Modi as "one of the toughest" negotiators he has dealt with.

1. Trump offers strong defence backing

In one of the most striking comments of the meeting, Trump suggested the United States would stand by India in the event of an attack.

"If they were attacked, we would be there to help them," he said while discussing defence ties.

1. PM Modi backs Trump's West Asia diplomacy

PM Modi publicly praised Trump's efforts to restore stability in West Asia.

"Thanks to your efforts, Mr President, new hope for peace and stability in the region has been rekindled," PM Modi said.

The endorsement came as Trump seeks support for a new understanding involving Iran and regional security.

1. Hormuz remains a shared priority

Both leaders stressed the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open.

"You and I agree that keeping the Strait of Hormuz open is vital for the global economy," PM Modi said.

The issue is critical for India, which depends heavily on energy supplies moving through the strategic waterway.

1. India's seafarers moved to the forefront

PM Modi specifically raised concerns about Indian sailors working across global shipping routes.

"Their safety is of utmost importance to us," he said.

Trump later expressed sympathy over the recent deaths of Indian sailors, saying, "We love all of those people, they're great people."

1. Trump sees a larger global role for India

Asked whether India could play a role in West Asia, Trump responded: "I think India plays a big role in everything."

He added: "As long as he's the leader, India is going to play a big role."

1. A future Trump visit to India is on the cards

Trump indicated he plans to travel to India again.

"Then we'll be going to India sometime in the future," he said while recalling his previous visit.

1. Skilled Indian professionals remain welcome

On opportunities for highly skilled Indians in the United States, Trump struck a positive tone.

"We've always had tremendous relationships in terms of employment with India. Very talented people," he said.

1. Energy ties remain a key pillar

Trump signalled support for deeper energy cooperation.

"India can do anything they want with us," he said when asked about India's energy purchases from the United States.

He added: "We have the best relationship. We cannot be closer than we are."

The meeting marked the first formal PM Modi-Trump bilateral engagement since their Washington talks last year. Both leaders emphasised continuity in a relationship that has expanded across defence, trade, technology, energy and maritime security.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 18 (SocialNews.XYZ)Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed condolences over the death of Padm Shri awardee Robert A. F. Thurman and said that Thurman was an "eminent scholar of Buddhism, a distinguished teacher and a lifelong friend of India".

"Through his works, Thurman popularised Buddhist thoughts globally and also built enduring bridges of understanding Between various cultures across the world," the Prime Minister wrote in a post on social media platform X.

Taking to his official X account, PM Modi wrote: "Deeply saddened by the passing of Mr. Robert A. F. Thurman, an eminent scholar of Buddhism, a distinguished teacher and a lifelong friend of India. Through his works, he popularised Buddhist thoughts globally and also built enduring bridges of understanding between cultures. I fondly recall our meeting in New York City a few years ago, where we had an excellent conversation. My thoughts are with his family, friends and admirers in this hour of grief."

One of the renowned international scholars of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, Professor Robert Thurman, who was conferred one of India’s highest civilian awards, the Padma Shri, and a longtime friend of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, died at the age of 84, Tibet House US said on Wednesday.

“We are deeply saddened to announce that Robert A.F. Thurman @bob__thurman, prominent American Buddhist scholar, co-founder of Tibet House US, author and translator whose teachings shaped countless lives, died Tuesday morning, June 16, in Woodstock, New York,” a post said.

“The Thurman family requests privacy at this time,” it added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Prof Thurman in New York on June 21, 2023. At the meeting, Prime Minister Modi and Prof Thurman exchanged perspectives on how Buddhist values can act as a guiding light for finding solutions to global challenges.

They also discussed India’s Buddhist connect and efforts being made by India for preservation of Buddhist heritage, reads a government of India statement.

“Deeply saddened by the passing of Professor Robert Thurman, one of the world’s foremost scholars of Buddhism and a great friend of India,” the Consulate General of India in New York said in a post on X.

“Professor Thurman’s lifelong dedication to Indo-Tibetan Buddhist studies helped to bring the timeless wisdom of Lord Buddha to generations across the world and deepened appreciation of India’s rich spiritual heritage. We extend our sincere condolences to Mrs. Nena Thurman and the bereaved family,” the Consulate General added.

According to the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), headquartered in this Himachal Pradesh hill station, Prof Thurman has written, edited, and translated several books on Tibetan Buddhism.

Prof Thurman, the father of actress Uma Thurman, is the Jey Tsong Khapa Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies in the Department of Religion at Columbia University.

He was also the president of the Tibet House US and the American Institute of Buddhist Studies. He translated the Vimalakirti Sutra from the Tibetan Kagyur into English.

Prof Thurman is highly known for translations and explanations of Tibetan Buddhist religious and philosophical materials. He was named one of the 25 most influential Americans of 1997. In 2006, New York Magazine named him as one of the “Influentials” in religion.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 17 (SocialNews.XYZ) Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) Secretary and Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Chairman, inaugurated the Primary Coolant Pump Test Facility at the Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS) on Wednesday and reviewed the recently granted 10 years' life-extension of the world's oldest operating twin reactors, TAPS 1 and 2.

Mohanty interacted with scientists, engineers and personnel of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), and commended their dedication towards ensuring the safe, reliable and efficient operation of India's first nuclear power station.

Speaking on the occasion, the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) Secretary and Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Chairman said: "The continued operation of the world's oldest running nuclear reactors TAPS Units 1 and 2 is a testimony to the dedication of generations of scientists, engineers and operators, and the maturity of our regulatory and technological capabilities. The life-extension of a decade reflects India's transformation from technology acquisition to technological self-reliance and inspires confidence in our ability to build a sustainable and energy-independent 'Viksit Bharat'."

Commissioned in 1969, TAPS 1 and 2 marked the beginning of commercial nuclear power generation in the country and established Tarapur as the first nuclear power station in Asia outside the Soviet bloc.

Over the past five-and-a-half decades, the station has played a foundational role in shaping India's nuclear engineering capabilities, operational practices and safety culture.

V. Rajesh, NPCIL Chairman and Managing Director (Additional Charge), said that "Tarapur Atomic Power Station Units 1 and 2 stand as a testament to India's enduring commitment to nuclear safety and engineering excellence. Through continuous upgrades, innovation, and a strong safety culture, these units have successfully transitioned from pioneering installations to resilient assets supporting the nation's clean energy goals."

The recent approval by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board for continued operation of TAPS 1 and 2 follows an extensive life-extension and modernisation programme undertaken under stringent regulatory oversight and guided by a strong safety-first philosophy.

Ajay Kumar Bhole, Tarapur Maharashtra Site Director, said, "The successful life-extension and modernisation of TAPS 1 and 2 reflect NPCIL's technical maturity and its unwavering focus on safety. The project-mode execution with a 'Zero Harm' philosophy demonstrates how legacy nuclear assets can be revitalised to meet present-day regulatory and technological expectations."

The life-extension programme involved comprehensive inspection, refurbishment, replacement and renewal of critical systems and components, deployment of advanced indigenous technologies for reactor integrity assessment, modernisation of electrical systems and implementation of measures to further enhance long-term operational reliability and safety.

Over the years, TAPS 1 and 2 have generated more than 100 billion units of clean electricity, contributing significantly to the nation's energy security while avoiding more than 86 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions.

"As India advances towards the vision of 'Viksit Bharat', nuclear power will play an increasingly important role in delivering reliable, round-the-clock and low-carbon electricity," Ajay Kumar Bhole added.

Source: IANS

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Mumbai, June 16 (SocialNews.XYZ) During her appearance on "The Kapil Sharma Show", actress Ameesha Patel shared a hilarious incident involving the Deol brothers, Bobby and Sunny.

Ameesha revealed she was shooting for "Humraaz" with Bobby in Jaipur when she was confronted by some 'Gadar' fans.

She shared the hilarious incident in her own words, saying, "It was the climax sequence, where Bobby had to come and hug me as we had finally defeated the villain. We were shooting in the Jaipur fort, and there was a massive crowd. They were looking at us from a height"

Ameesha recalled that as soon as Bobby hugged her, the crowd started screaming, "Leave her, she is your brother (Sunny Deol)'s girl."

Referring to Ameesha and Sunny starrer 'Gadar', the crowd added, "Tara Singh got her back from Pakistan".

On a related note, "Gadar" recently completed 25 years of release and commemorating the milestone moment, Sunny shared a heartfelt gratitude note for the viewers on his social media handle. He thanked the moviegoers for showering his film with so much love and affection over the years.

Posting a few photos from the period action drama on his Instagram handle, Sunny shared, "25 Years Ago Gadar and Tara Singh conquered your hearts...25 saal se pyaar ke rishte ki gaddi chall rahi aur aage bhi chalti hi rahegi...Thank you all for giving all of us 25 years of abundant love and making us stay in your hearts, hope we keep staying there."

Sunny even signed off the note as his iconic character from "Gadar", "Tara Singh".

Made under the direction of Anil Sharma, "Gadar" also featured Ameesha as Sakeena, Amrish Puri as Asharraff Ali, Vivek Shauq as Darmiyaan Singh, and Utkarsh Sharma as Jeete, along with others.

Backed by Zee Telefilms, "Gadar" turned out to be a major commercial hit.

The makers also released the sequel to the blockbuster, "Gadar 2", in August 2023.

Source: IANS

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Bengaluru, June 14 (SocialNews.XYZ) Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday said that while Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was repeatedly criticising the country's economic performance, "on the contrary, quarter after quarter, year after year India has been the fastest growing economy".

Addressing the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) 'Viksit Bharat' event here, Union Minister Sitharaman noted that it is not the Central government, which is claiming that India is the fastest-growing economy, but the GDP numbers were indicative of this.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) also said India was the world's fastest growing major economy, she said.

She also added that the Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi keeps saying that there is a big disaster awaiting, but there is none awaiting India.

The Union Minister said that repeated criticism by the Congress leader could create a false perception among citizens about the country's economic condition.

"The Leader of the Opposition (Rahul Gandhi) and his party try to make people believe that India is in trouble. Yet even amidst crises in West Asia and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz, India continues to move forward," Union Minister Sitharaman remarked.

Commenting on the impact of geopolitical tensions on fuel supplies and global trade, she said the challenges extended beyond fluctuations in crude oil and LPG prices.

"These challenges affect not only crude oil prices and LPG prices but global shipping as well. Shipping companies hesitate to send vessels through conflict zones. Insurance premiums increase because ships risk being attacked. Whether a vessel is empty or carrying crude oil, insurance costs rise significantly, and those costs ultimately have to be paid to ensure supplies reach the country," she noted.

"Despite these global headwinds, the Narendra Modi government has ensured uninterrupted supplies of petroleum products," she said.

Union Minister Sitharaman said the BJP's 12-year journey under Prime Minister Modi was marked by both development and welfare.

She highlighted the reduction in multidimensional poverty, expansion of tap water connections, sanitation coverage, free LPG connections and food security programmes as the achievements of the Narendra Modi-led Union government.

"Twenty-five crore Indians have come out of multidimensional poverty. Extreme poverty has declined from 29.17 per cent in 2013-14 to about 11.28 per cent. Twelve crore household toilets have been built under rural sanitation programmes, achieving near-universal coverage," the Union Finance Minister said.

She added that the government benefits were directly reaching the poor through the digital public infrastructure ecosystem built around the JAM trinity -- Jan Dhan accounts, Aadhaar and mobile connectivity.

Union Minister Sitharaman said that India now has 58 crore Jan Dhan accounts, 144 crore Aadhaar identities and 125 crore mobile connections while UPI had become a global model for digital transactions.

She also rejected the Congress' claims that the Centre had neglected Karnataka and cited tax devolution, grants and infrastructure investments to back her argument.

Union Minister Sitharaman said, "The Karnataka government frequently claims that the Centre is not giving the state its due share. Let us look at the facts. Tax devolution to Karnataka between 2014 and 2026 amounted to about Rs four lakh crore -- five times more than the Rs 82,000 crore received in the comparable pre-2014 period."

"Grants-in-aid to Karnataka between 2014 and 2026 stood at about Rs 2.71 lakh crore and that the state had also received more than Rs 18,000 crore under the Centre's 50-year interest-free loan scheme," the Union Finance Minister added.

Source: IANS

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Jabalpur, June 14 (SocialNews.XYZ) A dispute arising out of a relationship of young couple escalated into a violent clash between two families in Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur district, with vehicles being torched and around 16 people booked under serious charges, police said.

The incident occurred late Friday night in Majhauli, about 48 km from Jabalpur city.

According to the police on Saturday, a young man and a woman from the area had been in a relationship for some time.

However, the woman later refused to marry him, saying she would take a decision only with her family's consent.

Police said the woman's marriage was subsequently fixed elsewhere, which allegedly angered the young man. He is accused of sending photographs and messages related to the woman to the family with whom her marriage had been arranged, resulting in the alliance being called off.

The development triggered tensions between the two families.

Members of the Saraf and Tiwari families later met to resolve the issue, but the discussion failed to produce a settlement and instead deepened the dispute.

According to Majhauli police station In-charge Nehru Khadte, members of both families gathered at the market square in front of the police station late Friday night, where an argument soon turned violent.

"The dispute escalated into a clash and members of both groups attacked each other with sticks and clubs. During the violence, two vehicles parked nearby were set on fire," Khadte said.

The burning vehicles created panic in the area, drawing a large mob.

Police personnel rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control, while the fire brigade extinguished the blaze.

Jabalpur Superintendent of Police (SP) Sampat Upadhyay, later briefing the press, said the dispute stemmed from differences between the two families over the relationship between the young man and woman.

"Counter-cases have been registered against both sides. Around 16 persons have been named as accused under charges, including rioting and other relevant provisions of law. The matter is under investigation,” the SP said.

He informed the situation was under control, though additional police personnel have been deployed in the area as a precautionary measure.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 12 (SocialNews.XYZ) The government on Friday introduced temporary restrictions on diesel sales through retail outlets to curb hoarding and black marketing, as public sector oil marketing companies (OMCs) continue to absorb losses of around Rs 500 crore per day to shield consumers from global fuel price volatility.

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said that the ‘Motor Spirit and High-Speed Diesel (Temporary Regulation of Supply through Retail Outlets) Order, 2026' introduces temporary measures initially valid for up to 90 days.

The move is aimed at ensuring uninterrupted diesel availability for retail consumers and preventing diversion of subsidised retail fuel supplies to bulk users, the ministry said.

Under the new rules, retail outlets will dispense diesel only into vehicle tanks or Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO)-approved containers, with a maximum limit of 200 litres per day per customer or vehicle.

However, diesel purchased from retail outlets cannot be resold

In addition, industrial, institutional, commercial and direct consumers have been prohibited from sourcing diesel from retail outlets and must instead procure supplies through designated consumer pumps.

The restrictions follow an unusual rise in diesel demand at retail outlets as bulk consumers increasingly shifted purchases to PSU fuel stations to benefit from lower retail prices, according to the government.

Moreover, retail diesel is currently around Rs 40 per litre cheaper than bulk diesel, as PSU OMCs continue to provide price support despite elevated global energy prices.

According to the government, public sector fuel retailers are currently absorbing losses of nearly Rs 500 crore every day on the sale of petrol, diesel and domestic LPG to protect households, farmers and other end-users amid ongoing disruptions in West Asia.

Data for May 2026 showed a sharp rise in diesel sales through PSU retail outlets, with 327 districts reporting growth of more than 10 per cent compared with the year-ago period and 80 districts recording growth above 30 per cent.

At the same time, private oil marketing companies witnessed a decline of around 58 per cent in high-speed diesel (HSD) sales during May due to higher pricing.

The ministry said instances of procurement of large quantities of diesel in jerry cans and subsequent resale had come to the government’s notice, prompting the latest intervention.

OMCs and retail outlet dealers will be responsible for enforcing compliance and preventing circumvention of the order, while state governments and Union Territories have been directed to act against black marketing and unauthorised diversion, the government stated.

Source: IANS

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Mumbai, June 10 (SocialNews.XYZ) SOBO Mumbai Falcons kept their semifinal hopes alive with a commanding seven-wicket victory over table-toppers North Mumbai Panthers in the penultimate league-stage match of the T20 Mumbai League 2026 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday.

The defeat, however, had no bearing on the Panthers, who had already booked their place in the last four, winning four out of five matches.

Chasing 158 for victory, the Falcons produced a composed batting performance, powered by opener Ishan Mulchandani’s fluent 65, to reach the target with 11 balls to spare. The result means the battle for the remaining semi-final berths will now hinge on the outcome of the clash between Arcs Andheri and Mumbai South Central Maratha Royals later tonight.

The Falcons made a cautious start, with Mulchandani and Awais Khan (6) adding 26 runs before the latter was trapped leg-before. Mulchandani then combined with Naman Jhawar (22) for a steady 28-run stand, ensuring the chase remained on course.

While Jhawar was unable to capitalise on his start, Mulchandani continued to anchor the innings, rotating the strike effectively and punishing loose deliveries. The opener later stitched together a decisive 77-run partnership with Gautam Waghela (45 not out), taking the Falcons within touching distance of victory.

Mulchandani eventually departed in the 15th over while attempting a big hit, but not before virtually sealing the contest. His 65-run knock featured two boundaries and five towering sixes. Waghela, along with captain Aditya Tare (10 not out), then calmly guided the Falcons home.

Earlier, Panthers were restricted to 157, thanks largely to a superb four-wicket haul from Mayuresh Tandel. After losing an early wicket, Abhigyan Kundu (45) and Anish Chaudhery (32) rebuilt the innings with a 78-run partnership for the second wicket.

However, the momentum shifted dramatically after Chaudhery’s dismissal. Tandel struck at regular intervals to trigger a middle-order collapse, while Kundu too fell short of converting his promising start into a substantial score. The rest of the batting line-up struggled to make an impact as the Panthers were eventually bowled out for 157.

Tandel starred with the ball, while Yash Dicholkar (2/17) and Vedant Gore (2/33) chipped in with two wickets each to complete an impressive all-round performance for the Falcons.

Semifinals will be played on Thursday.

Brief scores:

North Mumbai Panthers 157 all out in 19.2 overs (Abhigyan Kundu 45, Anish Chaudhery 32; Mayuresh Tandel 4/30) lost to SOBO Mumbai Falcons 158/3 in 18.1 overs (Ishan Mulchandani 65, Gautam Waghela 45 not out; Pratik Mishra 1/20) by 7 wickets.

Source: IANS

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