Prime Minister Narendra Modi's personal vision and relentless drive turned this idea into a national mission that has bridged the digital divide and empowered citizens like never before.

Two former bureaucrats shared their experiences on the X handle of Modi Story about how "Digital India" came to reality.

Soon after assuming office in 2014, Prime Minister Modi entrusted senior bureaucrat Tapan Ray with steering the Digital India and e-Governance agenda.

His ambition was vast: building robust digital infrastructure, extending broadband connectivity to every village, boosting electronics manufacturing, and ensuring technology benefits reached the last mile.

Ray recalled the Prime Minister's deep personal involvement, noting that PM Modi himself finalised the iconic Digital India logo, reflecting his hands-on approach from the outset.

The formal launch took place on July 1, 2015.

Another former bureaucrat, RS Sharma, who was closely involved in the preparations, remembered briefing the Prime Minister on key components such as DigiLocker, online hospital registrations, and digital KYC (know your customer) processes.

At one point, PM Modi posed a straightforward yet profound question: "How will you explain DigiLocker to an ordinary citizen?"

When officials struggled with technical jargon, the Prime Minister stepped in with a simple, relatable analogy.

He described a job applicant rushing to an interview, fumbling through physical certificates.

"If all documents are safely stored in a DigiLocker on the phone," PM Modi explained, "they can be accessed and shared instantly whenever needed."

This ability to simplify complex technological concepts into everyday language that common citizens use today highlights PM Modi's unique strength.

He not only grasped advanced digital tools but also ensured they were designed with the commoners in mind.

Over the past decade, Digital India has delivered remarkable outcomes.

Villages once cut off from the world now enjoy broadband access.

Revolutionary platforms like UPI have transformed payments, while Direct Benefit Transfer has plugged leakages in welfare schemes.

India has built one of the world's most advanced digital public infrastructures, enabling seamless services in areas ranging from banking and healthcare to education and governance.

What began as a bold vision in 2014 has today become an integral part of Indian life, fostering transparency, efficiency, and inclusion.

As the nation marks another milestone in its digital journey, the story of Digital India remains a powerful testament to visionary leadership that prioritises people-centric innovation.

The woman, mother of a 20-year-old son and a 16-year-old daughter, allegedly lost her mental balance after facing torture from her husband, relatives said.

Thereafter, she started straying from home.

"About six years ago, she was traced to Gujarat and brought back to her matrimonial home in Gangarampur, Uluberia, in the Howrah district of West Bengal. Her husband or in-laws did not bother to get her treated, and she went missing once again," Ambarish Nag Biswas, secretary of the West Bengal Radio Club (WBRC), said.

The WBRC is an organisation of amateur radio operators with an extensive network across the country.

It works with government agencies to create alternative communication networks during natural calamities like cyclones and also helps in reuniting people with mental ailments, who are rescued by the police, with their families.

A few years ago, the woman was spotted by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) at the Shivaji Nagar station in Pune.

She had been drugged by some people, who were attempting to traffic her.

While the miscreants could not be apprehended, the security personnel rescued her and admitted her to a hospital.

A court then sent her to a shelter for such women in Mumbai, where she remained for nearly 10 years.

"As she spoke Bangla, home authorities, the Mumbai Police and others got in touch with the WBRC, requesting us to trace her family. We got to work and tracked her family to Gangarampur. Her daughter was overjoyed when she saw photographs and videos of the woman. However, the husband and other in-laws have refused to take her back," Nag Biswas said.

The family contended that they are not sure what she had "been up to" when missing from home.

The organisation also got in touch with the woman's brother, a government employee, but even he did not seem too keen to accept her.

"We have now requested authorities in Mumbai to arrange for her treatment there. Once her condition improves, we will do whatever is necessary to ensure that she is not deprived of her rights as a married woman," Nag Biswas added.

--IANS

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The measures were reviewed during a video conference chaired by Director General of Police (DGP) G.S. Malik from Police Bhavan on Wednesday. Senior police officers, officers of the Armed Units and Superintendents of Police (SPs) from districts across the state participated in the meeting.

The review focused on monsoon preparedness and disaster management, with emphasis on maintaining uninterrupted communication, coordinated rescue operations and preventive measures to minimise disruption during adverse weather.

Recognising that mobile phone networks can become unreliable during periods of heavy rain, the DGP instructed police units to keep local wireless communication networks fully operational.

Police stations have also been directed to maintain adequate stocks of diesel and petrol to ensure generator sets remain functional in the event of power outages.

The meeting stressed the importance of coordinated action during emergencies involving the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Home Guards, Gram Rakshak Dal (GRD), the Traffic Brigade (TRB) and local administrative authorities.

As part of advance planning, 11 SDRF companies comprising 1,036 personnel have been deployed at identified vulnerable and designated locations across the state since June 28.

Police personnel will also remain on duty to ensure smooth traffic management during heavy rainfall and to carry out rescue operations whenever required.

Officers were informed that personnel have received specialised training in flood rescue operations as well as in removing fallen trees and other road obstructions.

District SPs have been instructed to hold immediate meetings with SDRF platoon commanders deployed in their jurisdictions to review the availability of equipment, deployment locations and communication plans.

They have also been asked to integrate SDRF teams with local wireless communication frequencies wherever necessary.

To strengthen community participation in disaster response, the Gujarat Police will utilise trained 'Aapda Mitras' and selected 'Yuva Aapda Mitras' drawn from the National Service Scheme (NSS) and the National Cadet Corps (NCC).

Details of these trained volunteers will be maintained in district control rooms to enable their rapid mobilisation during emergencies.

The DGP also directed the heads of all police stations, police outposts and government offices to personally inspect and clean the rooftops of their buildings before the onset of heavy rainfall.

Officials were told that leaves and debris blocking rooftop drainage outlets can cause water accumulation and weaken building slabs.

Compliance reports have been sought, and a second round of inspections has been ordered after the first spell of rain.

He also instructed district police chiefs to review SDRF resources and communication plans and to ensure rooftops of police and government buildings are inspected and cleaned before and after the first rains to reduce avoidable risks.

Speaking after the meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Vaghani said the Cabinet reviewed Gujarat's performance under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's TB-Free India Campaign.

Citing the Central government's latest report, he added that compared with 2015, Gujarat recorded a 34 per cent reduction in the rate of new tuberculosis cases and a 37 per cent decline in the TB mortality rate in 2023.

"In recognition of this outstanding performance, Gujarat has secured the first rank in the country in the 'States with Most Improvement' category in 2025," Vaghani said.

He added that, according to the Centre's latest report, Gujarat's estimated incidence of new TB cases during 2024 stood at 186 per one lakh population.

Based on this indicator, the state ranked sixth among the states with the lowest tuberculosis burden in the country and fourth among the large states.

Giving details of the state's performance during the current year, Vaghani said that between January and May 2026, Gujarat identified 57,334 tuberculosis patients against the Central government's pro-rata target of 58,333, achieving 98.3 per cent of the target and bringing those patients under treatment.

"Of these, 50,928 patients, or 91 per cent, became disease-free within a short period," he added.

The Minister also outlined the progress of the Centre's "TB-Free India Campaign - 100-Day Campaign", launched on March 24.

Under the initiative, door-to-door tuberculosis surveillance was carried out in 5,012 high-risk villages across Gujarat.

During the campaign, 23.38 lakh people were screened for tuberculosis, 15.04 lakh underwent chest X-ray examinations, 5.05 lakh received confirmatory NAAT tests, and 32,377 new TB patients were diagnosed and started on treatment.

"Under the Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana, financial assistance amounting to Rs 57.60 crore was provided to 1,05,238 tuberculosis patients during 2025," Vaghani said.

He added that elected representatives, Panchayati Raj institutions, corporate organisations and voluntary groups have joined the Prime Minister TB-Free India Campaign as Nikshay Mitras.

Gujarat has so far registered 30,992 Nikshay Mitras, who have distributed 5,50,184 nutrition kits to TB patients.

The Minister said that 3,971 gram panchayats in Gujarat were recognised as "TB-Free Panchayats" during 2025, accounting for 27 per cent of all gram panchayats in the state.

The protesters allegedly pelted stones at police personnel, prompting the police to resort to a lathi-charge and tear gas shelling to disperse the crowd.

Around a dozen people, including police personnel and local residents, were injured in the violence. Several protesters were also injured during the police action.

A heavy police force was deployed, and authorities said the situation was later brought under control. Around 50 protesters have been detained.

Members of the nomadic and semi-nomadic communities had gathered at Vidyadhar Nagar Stadium for a Mahapanchayat to press their demand for 10 per cent reservation.

After the meeting concluded at around 6 p.m., participants announced a march towards the Chief Minister's residence.

Police had already put extensive security arrangements in place and erected barricades to prevent the march.

When protesters attempted to breach the barricades, a scuffle broke out, which soon turned violent.

DCP (North) Karan Sharma said the police had facilitated a meeting between a delegation of the protesters and senior government officials, and the discussions had been positive.

According to Sharma, despite the talks, some protesters suddenly turned aggressive, attempted to break through the barricades and allegedly misbehaved with local residents.

When police intervened, they allegedly began pelting stones at both police personnel and civilians.

Police then used force, including a lathi-charge and tear gas, to disperse the crowd.

Authorities said more than a dozen people were injured, and around 50 protesters were taken into custody.

Leader of the Opposition Tika Ram Jully condemned the police action, calling the lathi-charge, use of tear gas and stone-pelting during the peaceful protest by the nomadic and semi-nomadic (DNT) community "highly condemnable".

Jully alleged that the government's action against "weaker, deprived and marginalised sections of society" reflected its insensitivity.

He said the BJP government had reduced its response to public grievances to "batons, tear gas and repression" and had failed to resolve issues through dialogue.

He demanded that the state government immediately hold talks with representatives of the DNT community to address their concerns.

Bhubaneswar, July 1 (IANS) The Odisha Cabinet on Wednesday gave its nod to the implementation of the Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission (2026â€"2036), a proposal put forward by the state Fisheries & Animal Resources Development (F&ARD) Department.

According to an official statement, the flagship initiative aims to unlock the vast offshore fisheries potential of the state and accelerate Blue Economy-led growth.

"The Mission seeks to promote sustainable deep-sea fishing, modernise marine fisheries infrastructure, enhance seafood exports, strengthen fisher livelihoods and establish Odisha as a leading Deep-Sea Fishing and Marine Export Hub in Eastern India," the official statement said.

It also added that the state has a coastline of about 575 km and with over five lakh marine fisher population dependent on marine fisheries and allied activities.

Currently, marine fishing in Odisha is largely confined to near-shore waters, putting pressure on coastal fishery resources.

The mission aims to sustainably tap untapped offshore and deep-sea resources, including high-value species such as tuna, billfish and oceanic squid, through scientific management and modern fishing technologies.

The government said the mission envisages modern deep-sea fishing vessels, upgraded mechanised boats, mother vessels, modern fishing harbours and landing centres, seafood parks, cold-chain and processing infrastructure, digital fisheries governance, vessel monitoring, marine conservation, fishers' capacity building and promotion of seafood exports.

"A dedicated Blue Economy Hub (B-Hub) will be established to function as the Mission's knowledge, innovation and coordination centre. The Mission will also strengthen scientific fisheries management through resource assessment, digital monitoring, traceability systems, artificial reefs, sea ranching and ecosystem-based fisheries management while improving marine safety, disaster preparedness and fisher welfare," the government noted.

The officials underscored that the mission aims for the production of 2.0 lakh metric tonnes of marine fish annually, creating 50,000 job opportunities and boosting marine exports to Rs 5,000 crore by 2036.

It will also promote private investment, Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), entrepreneurship and adoption of advanced technologies across the fisheries sector.

The mission will be implemented in phases between 2026 and 2036 under the administrative control of the Fisheries & Animal Resources Development Department at an estimated investment of Rs 2,295.45 crore.

"The Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission is aligned with Odisha Vision 2036, Viksit Bharat 2047, the National Blue Economy framework and Sustainable Development Goal-14 (Life Below Water). The Mission is expected to transform Odisha's marine fisheries sector into a modern, technology-driven, export-oriented and environmentally sustainable industry, while ensuring long-term prosperity and livelihood security for the state's coastal fishing communities," the government stated.

During an interview with a television channel, when directly asked about his alleged hidden hand and the extent of the BJP's involvement in executing the split, he did not deny his support. However, he maintained tactical discretion regarding the specifics of the political manoeuvring.

Responding to queries on whether the split could have succeeded without his structural support, CM Fadnavis stated: "First of all, in such operations, one is not supposed to disclose what exactly transpired, who executed it, or how it was done. All I will say is that the operation was carried out by our ally [Eknath Shinde's faction], and they had our full and proper support."

He further added: "Whatever assistance they required from us as an ally, we provided it to them. Beyond this, it would not be wise or appropriate for a seasoned politician to reveal further details."

While local political circles initially suggested that the MPs switched sides over grievances regarding a lack of development funds, CM Fadnavis pointed to a much deeper systemic collapse within the Uddhav Thackeray camp.

"While development funds for infrastructure, local projects and social issues might be one of the factors -- since being in the opposition naturally impacts your constituency work -- I do not believe it is the primary reason," CM Fadnavis explained.

"The real breakdown happens when the top leadership stops instilling confidence in its rank and file," he remarked.

Elaborating on the psychological and strategic mindset of elected representatives, CM Fadnavis noted that politicians naturally gravitate towards viable political futures.

"In politics, everyone looks out for their future. If an MP or MLA realises that the leader they are working under cannot guarantee a secure future, they begin to lose faith. It isn't always just about being in power, but rather whether their leader is fighting for them, putting in the hard work and showing a clear path forward. When they realise things are just moving aimlessly as usual, they conclude there is no future left there. Naturally, they try to move to where they see a viable future," the Chief Minister concluded.

Together, the initiatives of two Premiers represent a democratic axis in the Indo-Pacific that blends security with development, and deterrence with inclusivity.

In a world order marked by uncertainty, India and Japan are betting that their converging visions will not only secure the seas but also empower nations across the Global South to chart their own course.

Outlining India's policy towards the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), Prime Minister Narendra Modi first articulated SAGAR in March 2015 while commissioning the offshore patrol vessel Barracuda, built in Kolkata's Garden Reach in Mauritius.

It was a maritime outreach strategy aimed at ensuring stability and prosperity in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Prime Minister Modi described SAGAR as India's commitment to act as a "net security provider" and to uphold trust, transparency, and peaceful resolution of maritime disputes.

A decade later, in March 2025, when Prime Minister Modi returned to Mauritius, he unveiled MAHASAGAR. This expanded vision reflects India's ambition to move beyond the Indian Ocean and position itself as a leader of the Global South, offering a framework that blends security with development, trade, and sustainability.

Interestingly, in several Indian languages, "Sagar" means sea, and "Mahasagar" the ocean.

The use marks a strategic evolution from a regional focus on the Indian Ocean to a global maritime vision, with particular emphasis on the Global South, as was pointed out earlier by Suchitra Durai, former Ambassador of India to Thailand.

Prime Minister Modi's engagements with Mauritius, Maldives, Trinidad and Tobago, Ghana and the Philippines, are aligned with the MAHASAGAR vision, she opined.

Incidentally, Prime Minister Sane Takaichi's article aligns her FOIP vision with her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi's initiative.

According to Takaichi, a genuinely free and open region is not one where only the great powers enjoy freedom but one where every nation is able to chart its own course of its own free will, unswayed by external coercion.

She praised India as an indispensable partner, noting that India is a maritime nation that has taken concrete action to provide regional stability and support the resilience of countries in the area.

Her words underscore a convergence, where Japan's FOIP emphasises rule of law and freedom of navigation, and India's MAHASAGAR adds a developmental dimension.

Together, they present a democratic counter-narrative to China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and its "String of Pearls" encircling strategy in the Indian Ocean.

The Indo-Pacific is the geopolitical theatre of the 21st century. China's assertiveness, whether through military expansion in the South China Sea or infrastructure diplomacy in South Asia, has unsettled smaller nations.

Even the United States, being influential, is still recalibrating its commitments. This creates space for middle powers like India and Japan to step up.

For India, MAHASAGAR will establish its role as a responsible power, balancing hard security with soft power. For Japan, FOIP ensures that democratic values and freedom of navigation remain central to regional order.

And for the Global South overall, MAHASAGAR and FOIP offer alternatives to dependency on China, emphasising partnership and autonomy.

India and Japan friendship has a long history of association, with strong cultural and civilisation ties.

In the recent past, the relationship has transformed to a partnership of great substance and purpose.

Regional and broader international ties include the Asia-Africa Growth Corridor (AAGR), and defence ties like the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, a strategic dialogue that also include the United States and Australia.

In the former instance, India and Japan are already collaborating on projects in countries like Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and some African nations.

As Japan's FOIP and India's MAHASAGAR converge, the Indo-Pacific may witness a new axis of cooperation -- one that blends security with development, and deterrence with inclusivity.

In a world order marked by uncertainty, India is betting that its expanded vision will not only secure the seas but also win the trust of nations across the Global South.

Bhubaneswar, July 1 (IANS) The Odisha Cabinet on Wednesday gave its nod to the implementation of the Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission (2026â€"2036), a proposal put forward by the state Fisheries & Animal Resources Development (F&ARD) Department.

According to an official statement, the flagship initiative aims to unlock the vast offshore fisheries potential of the state and accelerate Blue Economy-led growth.

"The Mission seeks to promote sustainable deep-sea fishing, modernise marine fisheries infrastructure, enhance seafood exports, strengthen fisher livelihoods and establish Odisha as a leading Deep-Sea Fishing and Marine Export Hub in Eastern India," the official statement said.

It also added that the state has a coastline of about 575 km and with over five lakh marine fisher population dependent on marine fisheries and allied activities.

Currently, marine fishing in Odisha is largely confined to near-shore waters, putting pressure on coastal fishery resources.

The mission aims to sustainably tap untapped offshore and deep-sea resources, including high-value species such as tuna, billfish and oceanic squid, through scientific management and modern fishing technologies.

The government said the mission envisages modern deep-sea fishing vessels, upgraded mechanised boats, mother vessels, modern fishing harbours and landing centres, seafood parks, cold-chain and processing infrastructure, digital fisheries governance, vessel monitoring, marine conservation, fishers' capacity building and promotion of seafood exports.

"A dedicated Blue Economy Hub (B-Hub) will be established to function as the Mission's knowledge, innovation and coordination centre. The Mission will also strengthen scientific fisheries management through resource assessment, digital monitoring, traceability systems, artificial reefs, sea ranching and ecosystem-based fisheries management while improving marine safety, disaster preparedness and fisher welfare," the government noted.

The officials underscored that the mission aims for the production of 2.0 lakh metric tonnes of marine fish annually, creating 50,000 job opportunities and boosting marine exports to Rs 5,000 crore by 2036.

It will also promote private investment, Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), entrepreneurship and adoption of advanced technologies across the fisheries sector.

The mission will be implemented in phases between 2026 and 2036 under the administrative control of the Fisheries & Animal Resources Development Department at an estimated investment of Rs 2,295.45 crore.

"The Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission is aligned with Odisha Vision 2036, Viksit Bharat 2047, the National Blue Economy framework and Sustainable Development Goal-14 (Life Below Water). The Mission is expected to transform Odisha's marine fisheries sector into a modern, technology-driven, export-oriented and environmentally sustainable industry, while ensuring long-term prosperity and livelihood security for the state's coastal fishing communities," the government stated.

--IANS

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The operation was carried out after the city police intensified surveillance on the illegal trade, storage and transportation of derivatives of protected wildlife species under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Acting on specific intelligence received during patrolling, an LCB Zone-7 team led by Police Sub-Inspector H.D. Vaghela intercepted three men near Sanathal Bridge on S.P. Ring Road in the Sarkhej area.

Police recovered 1.823 kg of ambergris, estimated to be worth Rs 1,82,30,000, along with a mobile phone valued at Rs 5,000. The total value of the seized property was put at Rs 1,82,35,000.

The arrested men were identified as Vishwarajsinh Chudasama, 27, a resident of Limbdi in Surendranagar district; Darshan Sabhad, 24, also from Limbdi; and Veerpalsinh Rathod, 25, a resident of Changodar in Ahmedabad district.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-7) Shivam Verma said the arrests were made as part of a targeted action plan against illegal activities.

"Under the guidance of Ahmedabad City Police Commissioner G.S. Malik, an action plan was prepared to curb illegal activities. As part of this plan, LCB Zone-7 received information that three persons were moving around in the Sarkhej Police Station area to sell ambergris. Since the possession and sale of ambergris are illegal under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, a raid was organised and all three were apprehended," Verma said.

He said the seized material weighed 1.823 kg and had an estimated market value of over Rs one crore.

According to the preliminary investigation, the accused told police they had obtained the ambergris from a man identified as Hasmukh Patel in Morbi.

Verma said the material had allegedly been handed over to them to find a buyer rather than being sold to them outright. "They had brought it from Hasmukh Patel in Morbi and were searching for a buyer in Ahmedabad. During this process, the LCB apprehended them," he said.

Police said ambergris is a rare substance that forms in the digestive system of sperm whales and has historically been used in the perfume industry as a fixative to help fragrances last longer.

Its high value has made it a target for illegal trade, while its possession and sale are prohibited under Indian wildlife laws. Verma said none of the three accused had any previous criminal record.

"Darshan is a third-year BA student, Vishwarajsinh is pursuing the second year of an LLB course, while Veerpalsinh, who has studied B.Com, runs a paan shop in Changodar where Darshan works," he added.

Explaining how the trio came into contact, Verma said: "Darshan and Vishwarajsinh were acquainted as they lived in the Limbdi area, while a labourer working on Darshan's farm allegedly introduced them to Hasmukh Patel, leading to their involvement in the case."

Police have initiated legal proceedings against the three accused and are continuing the investigation to identify others linked to the alleged wildlife trafficking network.

The ACB submitted a chargesheet of nearly 3,000 pages before the court of Special ACB Judge Rajesh Kumar Dadiya.

Public Prosecutor Manjula Jain, appearing for the state government, informed the court that the investigation is still in progress and has not yet been completed.

This is not the first chargesheet in the case. Earlier, the ACB had filed a chargesheet against 10 other accused, including former Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Subodh Agrawal.

The agency has been filing chargesheets in phases as the investigation progresses.

Former Minister Mahesh Joshi, Sanjay Badaya, Dinesh Goyal, Krishnadeep Gupta, Shubhanshu Dixit, Sushil Sharma, Vishal Saxena, D.K. Gaur, Mahendra Prakash Soni, Mukesh Pathak and Niril Kumar are currently lodged in judicial custody in connection with the case.

Accused Arun Srivastava has been granted bail by the Rajasthan High Court.

Meanwhile, standing arrest warrants have been issued against Jitendra Sharma, Mukesh Goyal and Sanjeev Gupta, and efforts are underway to apprehend them.

According to the ACB, the investigation into the alleged irregularities in the tender process, contract awards and financial transactions under the Jal Jeevan Mission is continuing.

The agency has indicated that supplementary chargesheets may be filed as the probe progresses.

Notably, the Rajasthan High Court recently dismissed a habeas corpus petition filed by Rohit Joshi, son of former Minister Mahesh Joshi, challenging the legality of his father's arrest in the JJM scam. While rejecting the plea, the court made strong observations against both the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and the Special Judge, noting serious procedural lapses and expressing concern that certain facts appeared to have been manipulated.

A Division Bench comprising Justice Umashankar Vyas and Justice Ashok Kumar Jain, in its detailed order uploaded on Wednesday, observed that the constitutional requirement of communicating the grounds of arrest had not been properly followed.

The Bench, however, held that as Mahesh Joshi was in judicial custody pursuant to court orders, the legality of his arrest could not be examined through a habeas corpus petition, in line with Supreme Court precedents. The petition was accordingly dismissed, while leaving open the option of challenging the Special Judge's order through appropriate legal remedies.

The court underscored that informing an accused of the grounds of arrest in writing is a constitutional mandate. It found that the ACB had failed to place any document on record showing that Mahesh Joshi had been informed of the actual grounds of his arrest.

He said the state government formulated plans to generate 160 gigawatts of power in the green energy sector and has already signed agreements for 100 gigawatts.

He was speaking after laying the foundation stone for Hero MotoCorp's "Global Parts Centre 2.0" at Madannapalem in Satyavedu, Tirupati district.

He claimed that the government is taking revolutionary decisions to foster industrial growth in the state and is currently implementing 'Speed of Doing Business' protocols.

"To cater to industrial needs, we have road infrastructure, rail, port, and air connectivity. We have initiated measures to supply water for industries alongside agriculture. We are making farmers partners in the state's ongoing development," he said.

Naidu said that going beyond just signing agreements, the government is taking all necessary steps to enable industries to commence production.

"We will provide all the infrastructure required by industries. Companies like Google and others are setting up data centres in Visakhapatnam but are proceeding cautiously regarding data centres, keeping resource availability in mind," the Chief Minister said.

The Chief Minister urged the company to initiate the plant expansion, involving an investment of Rs 3,200 crore as previously announced.

Stating that women constitute 40 per cent of Hero's workforce, Chandrababu Naidu noted that women from Andhra Pradesh are hardworking and possess a quick learning aptitude.

--IANS

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Speaking after talks with European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy Jessika Roswall, Sonowal said India has emerged as the global leader in ship recycling under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and is committed to ensuring safe, environmentally sustainable and responsible recycling practices.

"Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, India has emerged as the world's leading ship recycling nation and is steadily strengthening its position as a global hub for safe, environmentally sustainable and responsible ship recycling," the minister said.

Highlighting India's growing dominance in the sector, Sonowal said the country's share in global ship recycling has increased from 30.1 per cent in 2024 to 35.4 per cent in 2025, according to the latest UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) estimates.

India recycled 2.99 million gross tonnes (GT) of ships in 2025, registering nearly 60 per cent growth over the 1.86 million GT recycled in 2024.

The minister said more than 30 Indian ship recycling yards have applied for recognition under the European Union Ship Recycling Regulation (EUSRR).

Of these, six facilities are currently undergoing the compliance and approval process, while three yards have completed all mandatory compliance procedures and are now eligible to seek inclusion under the EU regulatory framework.

Sonowal said Indian ship recycling facilities have invested heavily in upgrading infrastructure, environmental safeguards and worker welfare to meet global standards.

He noted that the yards are equipped with effluent treatment plants, scientific waste management systems, healthcare facilities and dedicated housing for workers, while periodic and surprise inspections ensure compliance with environmental and safety norms.

The European Commissioner welcomed the progress made by India and proposed setting up a Joint Working Group to facilitate closer regulatory cooperation.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to expanding India-EU collaboration in sustainable ship recycling and promoting environmentally responsible maritime practices.

--IANS

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Itanagar, July 1 (IANS) Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday assured comprehensive Central assistance for flood-hit Arunachal Pradesh, announcing a detailed assessment of the damage and promising new houses for families whose homes were washed away, besides compensation for losses to crops, agricultural land and livestock.

Chouhan, along with Union Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, on Tuesday and Wednesday conducted physical and aerial surveys of the flood-affected areas in Kayi Panyor district and other parts of the state.

Officials said that in Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh, a detailed review of the situation in flood-affected areas and relief efforts was conducted by the Union Minister in the presence of Rijiju, Khandu, state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Kaling Moyong and senior officials.

The visiting Union Minister said that immediate relief in the form of food grains and essential supplies was already being provided to the affected families.

Chouhan stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was personally concerned about the situation and had directed that every possible assistance be extended to the affected people. In line with these directions, the Central Government was working closely with the State Government to carry out relief and rehabilitation operations.

During the visit, the Union Minister appreciated the remarkable community spirit displayed by residents. He joined villagers in repairing a flood-damaged road and constructing a protection wall to prevent river water from re-entering the village.

Describing the initiative as deeply inspiring, Chouhan said that while the floods had caused extensive destruction and damage assessment was still underway, the most commendable aspect was that local communities had not waited for government intervention but had voluntarily come forward to address the crisis.

He noted that villagers had undertaken the construction of a protection wall without waiting for formal approvals or administrative estimates to safeguard their village from further flooding.

Saluting this spirit of collective responsibility, he said that when society remained aware, united and proactive, many significant challenges could be overcome through collective effort.

Chouhan assured the people that the government would discharge its responsibilities with complete sincerity and leave no stone unturned in ensuring effective relief and rehabilitation.

The Union Minister further said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Pema Khandu, both the Central and State Governments were working with utmost urgency. Guided by the Prime Minister, the Central Government would extend every possible assistance to restore normalcy in the affected areas at the earliest.

Following his visit to the flood-affected areas, Chouhan chaired a high-level review meeting in Itanagar late on Tuesday night with Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and senior officials.

The meeting reviewed relief and rehabilitation efforts in detail and issued necessary directions to ensure prompt assistance reached every affected family, expedite damage assessment and accelerate rehabilitation measures.

Chouhan stressed that there should be no laxity at any level in the relief operations and called for close coordination between the Central and State Governments to restore normal life at the earliest.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, he said that he and Union Minister Rijiju had visited Arunachal Pradesh on the directions of the Prime Minister to assess the situation arising from the heavy rains and ensure an effective response in coordination with the State Government.

He said the delegation travelled by road through the affected areas to undertake a first-hand assessment of the damage and interact directly with affected residents to understand the ground situation.

Describing the situation as serious and challenging, Chouhan nevertheless commended the State Government for responding swiftly and conducting relief and rescue operations effectively, which helped minimise the loss of human lives.

The Union Minister said that roads, bridges, electricity infrastructure and communication networks had been severely affected in several places. Crops had been destroyed, houses washed away, and livestock losses had also been reported.

He explained that the response was currently being carried out on two fronts â€" first, ensuring immediate relief by supplying food grains, medicines, drinking water and other essential services to affected people; and second, undertaking a detailed assessment to formulate a comprehensive long-term rehabilitation plan.

Chouhan informed that the Chief Minister had submitted a preliminary report, while a detailed assessment report would be sent to the Central Government after completion.

He added that the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister Amit Shah would be fully apprised of the situation, and the Central Government would extend every possible assistance.

He expressed confidence that the joint efforts of the Centre and the State would restore normalcy at the earliest while also working on scientific and long-term solutions to better manage such natural disasters in the future.

The platform also supports integration with schools, universities, skill institutions, and other education stakeholders, creating a connected education ecosystem.

ABC, from Ministry of Education, is regulated by the University Grants Commission (UGC). It is built to support every learner's journey by providing a digital platform for storing, managing, transferring, and redeeming academic credits earned by students from recognised educational institutions.

It is aimed to create a flexible, learner-friendly education system in which learning achievements can be recognised, stored, and used throughout a person's life.

It supports the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020, and the National Credit Framework (NCrF) by enabling credit transfer, multiple entry and exit options, and recognition of learning across different institutions and disciplines.

The objective of APAAR is 'One Nation, One Student ID'. It was conceptualised under the National Education Policy (NEP, 2020) in which all college, or university-going students are required to register on ABC.

APAAR creates a single academic identity for every learner.

Accessible through DigiLocker, it brings together a student's educational records from school, higher education, skill development, and other learning programmes onto one platform.

APAAR IDs can be generated through the nearest Common Service Centre (CSC), making it accessible in remote and underserved areas too.

As of June 2026, some 26.3 crore verified APAAR IDs have been generated across India.

Together, ABC and a student's APAAR ID helps build their education brick by brick, across institutions, and over time.

ABC has already achieved significant scale across the country. It is a key component of India's Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for education, under the Digital India Programme.

Integration with National Academic Depository (NAD)-DigiLocker allows students secure, anytime access to their own verified academic records.

Additionally, Common Service Centres in remote villages now serve as on-ground points for ABC and APAAR registration, bridging the digital divide.

Students can also register on the ABC portal and receive an APAAR ID linked to Aadhaar and DigiLocker.

Institutions upload credit data directly to the portal, allowing students to accumulate and redeem credits across multiple Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).

Certificates and degrees are issued via the National Academic Depository (NAD), which securely stores all academic awards.

The initiative has already achieved significant scale.

The UGC had mandated that by June 30, all HEIs upload credit data to the ABC portal.

Available data suggest that 1,262 autonomous colleges are registered for ABC, creating 33 lakh APAAR IDs, while more than 100 Institutes of National Importance, like AIIMS, IITs, IIMs, NITs, etc., were registered, with credits and IDs steadily growing.

Central, state, private, and deemed universities together account for more than 4.34 crore of APAAR IDs and educational records.

Schools comprise the largest contributor, with 16.62 crore institutions linked and 71.46 crore records uploaded, while among skill institutions, 96 are registered, generating 1.51 crore IDs and 6.55 crore records.

Therefore, ABC and APAAR are building a trusted digital ecosystem for academic records, making education more flexible, transparent, and accessible for every learner.

By enabling seamless credit mobility, secure record management, and lifelong learning, these initiatives are laying the foundation for a future-ready education system.

As these platforms continue to evolve and scale, emerging technologies offer new opportunities to further strengthen the security and authenticity of digital academic credentials.

In this context, the Bharat Praman Chain provides a promising next step. It is a sovereign blockchain platform for secure, tamper-resistant digital credentials in India.

It is designed to comply with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act and directly operationalises the flexibility principles of NEP 2020.

Bharat Praman Chain aims to provide a unified academic identity infrastructure, which is rare globally. It is designed to facilitate the registration process through the Common Service Center (CSC) and extend access beyond urban higher education institutions.

The initiative is part of India's broader efforts to enhance governance, planning, and socio-economic development through digital means.

The platform also supports integration with schools, universities, skill institutions, and other education stakeholders, creating a connected education ecosystem.

ABC, from Ministry of Education, is regulated by the University Grants Commission (UGC). It is built to support every learner's journey by providing a digital platform for storing, managing, transferring, and redeeming academic credits earned by students from recognised educational institutions.

It is aimed to create a flexible, learner-friendly education system in which learning achievements can be recognised, stored, and used throughout a person's life.

It supports the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020, and the National Credit Framework (NCrF) by enabling credit transfer, multiple entry and exit options, and recognition of learning across different institutions and disciplines.

The objective of APAAR is 'One Nation, One Student ID'. It was conceptualised under the National Education Policy (NEP, 2020) in which all college, or university-going students are required to register on ABC.

APAAR creates a single academic identity for every learner.

Accessible through DigiLocker, it brings together a student's educational records from school, higher education, skill development, and other learning programmes onto one platform.

APAAR IDs can be generated through the nearest Common Service Centre (CSC), making it accessible in remote and underserved areas too.

As of June 2026, some 26.3 crore verified APAAR IDs have been generated across India.

Together, ABC and a student's APAAR ID helps build their education brick by brick, across institutions, and over time.

ABC has already achieved significant scale across the country. It is a key component of India's Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for education, under the Digital India Programme.

Integration with National Academic Depository (NAD)-DigiLocker allows students secure, anytime access to their own verified academic records.

Additionally, Common Service Centres in remote villages now serve as on-ground points for ABC and APAAR registration, bridging the digital divide.

Students can also register on the ABC portal and receive an APAAR ID linked to Aadhaar and DigiLocker.

Institutions upload credit data directly to the portal, allowing students to accumulate and redeem credits across multiple Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).

Certificates and degrees are issued via the National Academic Depository (NAD), which securely stores all academic awards.

The initiative has already achieved significant scale.

The UGC had mandated that by June 30, all HEIs upload credit data to the ABC portal.

Available data suggest that 1,262 autonomous colleges are registered for ABC, creating 33 lakh APAAR IDs, while more than 100 Institutes of National Importance, like AIIMS, IITs, IIMs, NITs, etc., were registered, with credits and IDs steadily growing.

Central, state, private, and deemed universities together account for more than 4.34 crore of APAAR IDs and educational records.

Schools comprise the largest contributor, with 16.62 crore institutions linked and 71.46 crore records uploaded, while among skill institutions, 96 are registered, generating 1.51 crore IDs and 6.55 crore records.

Therefore, ABC and APAAR are building a trusted digital ecosystem for academic records, making education more flexible, transparent, and accessible for every learner.

By enabling seamless credit mobility, secure record management, and lifelong learning, these initiatives are laying the foundation for a future-ready education system.

As these platforms continue to evolve and scale, emerging technologies offer new opportunities to further strengthen the security and authenticity of digital academic credentials.

In this context, the Bharat Praman Chain provides a promising next step. It is a sovereign blockchain platform for secure, tamper-resistant digital credentials in India.

It is designed to comply with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act and directly operationalises the flexibility principles of NEP 2020.

Bharat Praman Chain aims to provide a unified academic identity infrastructure, which is rare globally. It is designed to facilitate the registration process through the Common Service Center (CSC) and extend access beyond urban higher education institutions.

The initiative is part of India's broader efforts to enhance governance, planning, and socio-economic development through digital means.

According to a notification issued by the Home Department, Gahlaut, a 1997-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Gujarat cadre, has been appointed to the vacant cadre post of Commissioner of Police, Ahmedabad City.

The post has been downgraded from an ex-cadre post in the Director General of Police (DGP) grade to a cadre post in the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) grade.

Gahlaut fills the vacancy created after Gyanendra Singh Malik, a 1993-batch IPS officer, was appointed DGP of Gujarat last month.

Malik succeeded K. L. N. Rao, who had been holding additional charge of the state's top police post.

An engineer by training, Gahlaut holds Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) and Master of Technology (M.Tech.) degrees and joined the IPS through the Union Public Service Commission's Civil Services Examination in 1997.

During a policing career spanning nearly three decades, he has served in a variety of operational, intelligence and urban policing assignments across Gujarat.

Earlier in his career, Gahlaut served in district policing before holding key intelligence positions, including Inspector General of Police (Intelligence) and later Additional Director General of Police (CID-Intelligence) at Gandhinagar following his promotion to the ADGP rank in 2022.

He was appointed Vadodara City Police Commissioner in July 2023 and was transferred as Surat City Police Commissioner in April 2024, where he has since overseen policing in one of Gujarat's largest urban centres.

In recognition of his service, he was awarded the Police Medal for Meritorious Service in 2013.

During his tenure in Surat, Gahlaut oversaw several policing initiatives, including measures to strengthen traffic management, improve public grievance redressal and enhance policing of the city's textile industry.

Under his leadership, Surat Police also announced plans to establish a dedicated police station to investigate textile-related offences.

On Tuesday, Trinamool Congress councillor of Rishra Municipality in Hooghly district, Shakir Ali, husband of Aparupa Poddar, was arrested by the NIA in connection with the 2023 Ram Navami violence case. On Wednesday, he was produced before an NIA Special Court, where the central investigation agency sought his custody to question him about his alleged role in the violence.

The NIA claimed in court that Shakir was the main conspirator behind creating chaos in the area on the day of Ram Navami in 2023. The central agency also claimed that the collection of bricks and bombs was carried out on his instructions.

It may be noted that Rishra in Hooghly district witnessed unrest in 2023 during the Ram Navami procession. At that time, panic spread in the area due to bomb attacks, vandalism and arson. The lives of ordinary residents practically came to a standstill. The situation had reached such a point that the administration had to impose a virtual curfew for a few days to maintain law and order.

At the time of the incident, the then BJP leader Dilip Ghosh had left the area after attending a programme. It is alleged that violence broke out shortly after his departure.

The NIA recently arrested Shakir Ali while investigating the case and sought two days' custody from the court. Investigators claimed that 36 rounds of ammunition had been recovered from Shakir's house. Initial investigations revealed that they were not meant for a single type of weapon. As a result, the cartridges will be sent for forensic examination to determine the weapons for which they were intended.

During the hearing, the judge asked the NIA counsel why custody was being sought after such a long period, given that the case was registered in 2023. In response, the NIA claimed that Shakir could not be arrested earlier. It was also alleged that he had not been cooperating with the investigation.

The judge then asked the investigating officer in the case to explain the requirement for custody. The investigator said that, apart from the material seized by the local police, he had personally visited the area and collected CCTV footage.

The footage reportedly showed that many vehicles were vandalised during the unrest, but no one attacked a white car. Investigators claimed that the vehicle was used by Shakir Ali. It was also claimed that he was seen leading the unrest in the CCTV footage.

After the hearing, the court granted two days' NIA custody to Ali.

According to a senior police official, the violence began in the morning when armed men allegedly attacked a Naga village from a nearby Kuki village, setting at least 10 houses on fire.

The situation deteriorated further in the afternoon when suspected militants and armed village volunteers allegedly launched retaliatory attacks on other villages in the area.

Officials said at least 12 more houses belonging to the Naga community were burnt in the subsequent violence.

Security forces were rushed to the affected villages and launched area domination operations to restore normalcy.

Officials said the situation remained tense but under close watch, with additional forces deployed to prevent any further escalation.

The latest clashes come against the backdrop of rising tensions between the Naga and Kuki communities following the killing of six Naga civilians, whose bodies were recovered on June 11 in Kangpokpi district after they were allegedly abducted on May 13.

The incident triggered widespread protests, counter-economic blockades and renewed hostility between the two communities.

The fresh violence also follows recent disputes over the movement of essential commodity convoys to Kuki-inhabited areas and demonstrations by various organisations.

No casualties had been officially reported in Wednesday's incidents.

The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), a leading Kuki organisation, condemned the latest act of terror in which a Kuki village in Kamjong district was reduced to ashes by armed cadres of Naga groups.

"This latest attack is yet another addition to the systematic campaign of violence and destruction targeting Kuki villages in the Tangkhul-dominated hill districts of Manipur. What makes this incident particularly alarming is that the village had been under the protection of the security forces, whose personnel vacated the post only a day before the arson took place. The timing raises serious concerns regarding the security arrangements in vulnerable villages and necessitates an immediate and transparent inquiry into the circumstances that enabled the attack," the KIM claimed in a statement.

Meanwhile, acknowledging and expressing remorse over the killings of six Naga civilians, Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) Chairman Henlianthang Thanglet recently apologised for the incident and called for a fair, transparent and impartial investigation into all acts of violence linked to the continuing ethnic unrest in the state.

Addressing the media at Churachandpur district headquarters along with three other leaders, the KZC Chairman had admitted that the Kuki-Zo people made a grave mistake in killing the six Naga civilians, adding that it was done out of emotion.

However, various Naga groups rejected the apology, terming it "insincere" and demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the crime.

Sharing the development on social media, the Chief Minister said the initiative aims to bring football lovers together, irrespective of their favourite clubs, and promote the spirit of sportsmanship.

"Divided by team loyalty, united by the spirit of football. After Guwahati, Assam's second capital, Dibrugarh, has opened its doors to the CM FIFA Fan Park, which brings an unparalleled match experience on a large screen for people to enjoy their favourite game together," Sarma said in a post.

The newly inaugurated Fan Park has been designed as a public viewing arena where football fans can gather to watch live FIFA Club World Cup matches on large LED screens in a festive atmosphere.

According to the Chief Minister, the initiative seeks to create a shared sporting experience for people of all age groups while encouraging greater public participation in football, one of the world's most popular sports.

The opening of the Dibrugarh Fan Park comes after a similar facility was launched in Guwahati, where football enthusiasts have been gathering to watch live matches and celebrate the tournament.

Officials said the state government intends to promote sports culture by creating public spaces where families and young people can enjoy major international sporting events together.

Assam has witnessed growing interest in football over the past few years, with the government investing in sports infrastructure, organising international-standard events and encouraging youth participation in various disciplines.

The state has also hosted several national and international sporting events in recent years as part of its efforts to position Assam as a sporting destination in the Northeast.

The Chief Minister invited football lovers to visit the newly opened Fan Park in Dibrugarh and experience the excitement of live FIFA Club World Cup action alongside fellow fans, describing it as an opportunity to celebrate the game in a vibrant community setting.

--IANS

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Sharing the development on social media, Sarma said the programme has officially been launched across the state from Wednesday.

"With VB-G RAM-G now underway, our villages are set to benefit from greater employment and stronger livelihoods," the Chief Minister said.

According to the state government, the scheme guarantees 125 days of employment and has been designed to create durable rural assets while improving income opportunities for people living in villages.

The government said the programme will focus on strengthening rural infrastructure through community-based development works.

The initiative is expected to generate large-scale wage employment while supporting long-term economic development in rural Assam.

Officials said the scheme also seeks to encourage greater public participation in developmental activities and improve the quality of village infrastructure through labour-intensive works.

Photographs released by the Chief Minister's Office showed villagers participating in road construction, land development, drainage improvement and other public works under the programme at different locations across the state.

The government believes that the initiative will provide an additional source of income for rural households while creating productive assets that benefit local communities.

The rollout of VB-G RAM-G is part of the Assam government's broader strategy to accelerate rural development, improve employment generation and strengthen village-level infrastructure through targeted interventions.

The state government has in recent years launched several welfare and livelihood programmes aimed at improving the socio-economic condition of rural families, particularly women, farmers and economically weaker sections.

Officials said the implementation of the new scheme would be closely monitored to ensure timely execution of projects and effective utilisation of funds.

The government expects the programme to contribute to sustainable rural growth by combining employment generation with infrastructure creation, while enhancing the quality of life in villages across Assam.

The Chief Minister expressed confidence that the initiative would create meaningful employment and provide a fresh impetus to rural development in the state.

--IANS

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He said it is a matter of pride that Rajasthan is hosting the fifth edition of Lokmanthan, an initiative that began in 2016 with the theme of liberation from colonialism.

Held this year under the theme "Hum Bharat Ke Log" (We, the People of India), the event also reflects the message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family).

The Chief Minister was addressing the curtain-raiser event for Lokmanthan-2026 at the Constitution Club in Jaipur on Wednesday.

He said the objective of Lokmanthan is to provide a common platform for thinkers, social practitioners, folk artists, artisans, academicians, policymakers and youth who are inspired by the spirit of 'Nation First'.

He added that Lokmanthan has evolved into a platform for global dialogue on Indian civilisation, with representatives of Indian culture from across the world participating in this edition. Their participation, he said, will further enhance Rajasthan's cultural stature on the global stage.

The Chief Minister said that PM Modi has transformed politics into a vehicle for nation-building, guided by the resolve of 'Nation First'. According to him, Bharat Mata, the people of India and the nation's future remain at the centre of the Prime Minister's decisions, schemes and campaigns.

He added that initiatives such as Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, Vocal for Local, Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat are rooted in the vision of enabling India to lead the world through its cultural strength, intellectual capabilities and traditional knowledge.

He further said that landmarks such as the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, Mahakal Lok in Ujjain and the Somnath Temple stand as symbols of India's cultural renaissance.

The Chief Minister assured that the Rajasthan government would provide all possible support to ensure the successful organisation of Lokmanthan.

He said the event would further strengthen Rajasthan's identity as a national centre of culture and intellectual discourse, and called upon people to celebrate it as a festival of India's cultural consciousness, intellectual heritage and the spirit of 'Nation First'.

Union Minister for Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that India possesses one of the world's oldest cultural traditions and that Lokmanthan serves as a platform to reconnect people with this enduring heritage.

He said the event is not merely about reflecting on the past but about drawing inspiration to build the future.

Describing the theme "We, the People of India" as more than just the central idea of Lokmanthan, he called it a collective call representing the aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians.

J. Nandakumar, Convener of the Pragya Pravah Committee, said that Lokmanthan brings together people from diverse sections of society to engage in meaningful dialogue on the timeless values of ancient India.

He said the discussions held on this platform are intended not only to exchange knowledge but also to inspire a collective commitment to the welfare and well-being of every individual.

He observed that Rajasthan represents one of the richest expressions of India's cultural diversity.

Recalling that Lokmanthan was launched in Bhopal in 2016 with the theme of 'Liberation from Colonialism', he said hosting its fifth edition in Rajasthan, a state renowned for its vibrant folk traditions, would add new dimensions to the event.

Deputy Chief Ministers Diya Kumari and Dr. Prem Chand Bairwa also addressed the gathering.

During the programme, the official Lokmanthan website was launched, and J. Nandakumar's book, Folk Se Pare Lok (Beyond Folk: The Essence of 'Lok'), was released.

Folk artists from Rajasthan presented cultural performances on the occasion.

Among those present were Dr. Ramesh Chandra Agarwal, Kshetra Sanghchalak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh; Padma Shri awardee and Alghoza maestro Tagaram Bhil; Dhrupad vocalist Dr. Madhu Bhatt Tailang; and a large number of distinguished guests and members of the public.

Speaking after Jagan's funeral in his ancestral village in Dholpur, Komesh alleged that the real masterminds behind his death were being protected and warned of retaliation if the truth was not revealed.

Addressing the media, Komesh said, "Just tell me the name of the real enemy behind this. If the administration fails to reveal the truth and deliver justice within two, four, or even fifteen days, I know how to take revenge myself. I will expose the truth within two days."

She alleged that while a high-profile prisoner had died inside a high-security jail, the authorities were attempting to blame a "small criminal" instead of identifying those actually responsible.

According to her, the administration must disclose who orchestrated Jagan's death and ensure that those involved are punished.

Komesh also warned that if her demands were ignored, she would stage a protest with her children and threatened to die by suicide.

She further claimed that if the administration failed to act, she would personally target the person responsible for her husband's death.

Komesh claimed she had spoken to Jagan over the phone at around 7 a.m. on Monday, shortly before his death.

According to her, Jagan told her he had been involved in an altercation with another inmate inside the jail.

She also questioned the prison's security arrangements, alleging that CCTV cameras were not functioning at the time of the incident.

Komesh maintained that Jagan's known rivalries were confined to Dholpur district and claimed he had no enemies outside the district.

These allegations have not been independently verified, and authorities have not publicly responded to her claims.

Jagan's brother, Pappu Gurjar, who was granted parole to attend the funeral, also alleged that Jagan's death was the result of a planned conspiracy.

He claimed Jagan was first administered a sedative and was later strangled inside the prison.

Pappu further alleged that influential people were involved in the conspiracy and that another inmate was being made a scapegoat.

However, officials have not confirmed these allegations.

During her interaction with the media, Komesh also spoke about her own past.

She said she was initially Jagan Gurjar's girlfriend before later joining his gang.

Recalling her early life, she claimed that she avenged her father's murder when she was 14 years old and later also avenged her brother's death.

She said that after being released from jail, she had been living quietly with her family, but warned that she would not remain silent if justice was denied in Jagan's case.

Jagan Gurjar died under suspicious circumstances inside Ajmer Central Jail earlier this week.

The exact cause of death remains under investigation, and authorities are yet to release their final findings.

Meanwhile, statements made by Jagan's family have intensified public attention on the case, with demands for a transparent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his death.

The weather system is driven by the advancing Southwest monsoon, a seasonal trough, and an active Western disturbance currently influencing the region.

According to the Bhopal centre, significant rainfall was already recorded in several areas on July 1, with Khargone receiving 115 millimetres, Ashta 109 millimetres, Pachmarhi 88.4 millimetres, and other places like Birsinghpur, Satwas, and Balaghat also reporting substantial downpours.

Heavy rainfall has been observed in districts, including Dewas, Sehore, Harda, Narmadapuram, Shivpuri, Betul, Khandwa, Satna, and Balaghat.

For the coming days, warnings are particularly severe in several districts.

Extremely heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places in Raisen, Narmadapuram, Harda, Chhindwara, Balaghat, and Pandhurna on July 2.

Similar intense activity is expected in Barwani, Dhar, Harda, Khargone, Dewas, and Chhindwara on subsequent days.

Many other districts across Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, Rewa, Gwalior, and Chambal divisions face alerts for heavy rainfall, thunderstorms with lightning, and strong winds.

In early night hours on July 1, moderate thunderstorms with lightning and moderate rain along with winds up to 50 kilometre per hour are likely over Sagar, Raisen, including Sanchi and Bhimbetka, Ujjain, Mahakaleshwar, Satna, Chitrakoot, Rewa, Mauganj, Chhindwara, Narsinghpur, Panna, Indore, Dewas, Dhar, including Mandu, Alirajpur, Jhabua, Sidhi, and Singrauli.

Light thunderstorms with lightning and light rain are expected over Bhopal, including Bairagarh, Vidisha, Udaygiri, Maihar, Pandhurna, Pench, Betul, Seoni, Balaghat, Mandla, Kanha, Dindori, Anuppur, including Amarkantak, Shahdol, Umaria, Bandhavgarh, Katni, Jabalpur, including Bhedaghat, Damoh, Chhatarpur, Khajuraho, Tikamgarh, Niwari, including Orchha, Datia, Bhind, Rajgarh, Shajapur, Agar, Guna, Sehore, Narmadapuram including Pachmarhi, Harda, Burhanpur, Khandwa, Khargone, Ratlam, Neemuch, Mandsaur, and Barwani including Bawangaja.

The monsoon has advanced further into parts of Madhya Pradesh, and conditions remain favourable for more progress in the coming days.

An upper air cyclonic circulation and associated troughs are contributing to the unstable weather.

The public is advised to stay indoors during thunderstorms, avoid low-lying areas prone to waterlogging, and exercise caution while travelling due to reduced visibility and strong winds.

Farmers should protect standing crops and avoid spraying pesticides during rainy spells.

Residents should keep emergency kits ready and monitor official updates from the IMD and local administration.

This spell of intense monsoon activity is expected to bring much-needed relief from heat but also raises risks of flooding, traffic disruptions, and waterborne diseases in the affected regions.

The Court also directed the government to produce the original records relating to the appointments of the Commission's current members.

The order was passed by a Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice S.P. Sharma and Justice Manish Sharma while hearing Public Interest Litigations (PILs) filed by the Society for Public Grievance and Subhash Siyag.

The petitions challenge the appointments of RPSC Acting Chairman Lt Col (retired) Kesari Singh and members Kailash Chand Meena and Ayub Khan.

According to the petitions, all three appointments were made by the then Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot just hours before the Model Code of Conduct for the Rajasthan Assembly elections came into effect.

During the hearing, the Bench observed, "We have already observed the functioning of these members during the hearing of the SI recruitment case as well."

It needs to be mentioned here that Kesari Singh and members Kailash Chand Meena and Ayub Khan were appointed as RPSC members in 2023, hours ahead of the announcement of election dates by the Election Commission of India by the then Congress government.

Recently, the state government gave Lt Col (retired) Kesari Singh additional charge as chairman of the Rajasthan Public Service Commission after the retirement of former chairman and ex-DGP Utkal Ranjan Sahoo.

Appearing for the petitioners, advocates Shivcharan Gupta and Himanshu Jain argued that the government had made political appointments to a constitutional body responsible for conducting government recruitments.

They contended that appointments to the RPSC should be based on merit rather than political considerations.

The petitioners also pointed to videos allegedly showing Kesari Singh making political remarks on social media, arguing that such conduct was incompatible with holding a constitutional office.

They alleged that the appointments had been made in an arbitrary manner.

The state government argued that the matter pertains to service appointments and therefore cannot be challenged through a Public Interest Litigation.

However, the High Court observed that it has the power to judicially review constitutional appointments and sought details of the basis on which the appointments were made.

The Bench directed the government to disclose the criteria followed while selecting the Chairman and members of the RPSC.

It also asked whether the appointees had submitted any formal applications before being selected and ordered the production of the original appointment records for examination.

--IANS

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A bureaucrat present at the meeting said that, in his first interaction with state civil service officers, CM Adhikari clearly stated that, unlike the previous Mamata Banerjee-led and Trinamool Congress-ruled state government, the new regime led by him would not use the state government machinery for narrow political purposes.

"The Chief Minister clearly stated that neither he nor the new state government led by him believes in turning bureaucrats into political cadres like the previous regime. Rather, the Chief Minister emphasised that attention should be paid to ensuring that public services are provided without any sort of political bias and that a radical change is brought in the style of administrative functioning witnessed during the previous regime," the bureaucrat from the state civil service cadre present at the meeting with the Chief Minister said.

Similarly, he added, the Chief Minister also said that the new state government led by him would make every effort to accord professional status and respect to state civil service officers in accordance with their seniority in service.

"The Chief Minister emphasised that it was the responsibility of the state government led by him to maintain administrative conduct and professional relations," the bureaucrat said.

It is learnt that at the meeting with the WBCS officers, the Chief Minister also observed that during the previous regime several efficient bureaucrats were unable to function properly because of undue pressure from the erstwhile ruling party.

The Chief Minister reportedly emphasised that bureaucrats from the state civil service cadre should move away from the style of functioning to which they had become accustomed during the previous regime, while he remained open to suggestions from them in the interest of the overall development of the state.

He also hinted that, henceforth, bureaucrats from the state civil service cadre would be rewarded solely on the basis of their performance.

CM Adhikari also advised the WBCS officers present at the meeting to exercise caution while spending from the state exchequer and to avoid unnecessary and unproductive expenditure.

Finally, the Chief Minister specifically instructed the bureaucrats to remain completely free from corruption in matters relating to expenditure from the state exchequer.

The incident occurred in the Riga police station area and was captured on CCTV cameras, police said.

According to the police, the robbery took place at the Central Bank CSP in Anhadi village under the Riga police station limits.

The CSP operator, Rajeshwar Thakur, was inside his shop when three men arrived on an Apache motorcycle.

The suspects allegedly entered the premises, pulled down the shutter to prevent anyone from entering or leaving, and threatened the operator with a pistol.

Police said the accused allegedly looted the cash kept at the counter along with money from the operator's pockets before fleeing with approximately Rs 1.70 lakh.

After receiving information about the robbery, Riga police reached the spot, inspected the scene and launched an investigation.

Officials are examining CCTV footage from the CSP and nearby locations.

According to the preliminary investigation, the entire incident was captured on surveillance cameras, which police are using to identify the suspects and trace their movements.

Rajiv Kumar Singh, the Station House Officer (SHO) of the Riga Police Station, said the police have identified the suspected robbers and are conducting continuous raids to apprehend them.

He expressed confidence that the case would be solved soon, while the investigation remains underway.

The daylight robbery has renewed concerns over security in the area.

Local residents have urged the police to arrest the accused at the earliest and strengthen security measures to prevent similar incidents.

The investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected as police continue their search for the suspects.

"We have registered an FIR based on the written complaint lodged by CSP owner Rajeshwar Thakur against three individuals at Riga Police Station," he said.

L-G Sinha visited the Yatri Niwas at Bhagwati Nagar in Jammu and reviewed arrangements in place for the pilgrims ahead of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026.

The Lieutenant Governor took appraisal of logistics, lodging, security arrangements, health facilities, help desks, sanitation, power and water supply, emergency and other essential services and facilities, ensuring a seamless and hassle-free experience for the devotees.

He directed the officials to enhance manpower management to seamlessly cater to the heavy influx of devotees.

He also emphasised regular public announcements at Bhagwati Nagar and Tawi Riverfront to ensure yatris receive essential information on time.

The Lieutenant Governor also interacted with the devotees of Baba Barfani and wished them a safe, peaceful and blessed pilgrimage.

The 57-day long Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra will commence on July 3 from the base camp on both the routes and will culminate on August 28.

The first batch of the Yatra will be flagged off by Lieutenant Governor Sinha on July 2 from Yatri Niwas at Jammu's Bhagwati Nagar.

The Lieutenant Governor was accompanied by Nalin Prabhat, Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police; S.J.M. Gillani, Special Director General Coordination (Police Headquarters); Ramesh Kumar, Jammu Divisional Commissioner; Bhim Sen Tuti, Jammu Inspector General of Police (IGP); Amol V Homkar, CRPF IGP (Jammu Sector); M. Suleman Choudhary, IGP Traffic; Rakesh Minhas, Jammu Deputy Commissioner; Devansh Yadav, Jammu Municipal Commissioner and senior officials from civil administration, police and security forces.

Chairing a meeting of the Airfield Environment Management Committee at Raja Bhoj Airport, Sharma reviewed security arrangements, environmental management and coordination among various departments.

The meeting was attended by Additional District Magistrates Sumit Pandey and Alok Tripathi, the Airport Director, Airports Authority of India (AAI) officials, and representatives of other departments.

"All departments must work in close coordination to ensure that security, cleanliness and environmental standards around Raja Bhoj Airport are maintained. Every aspect related to airport safety should be reviewed regularly," Sharma said.

To strengthen security, he directed the police to increase patrolling around the airport and asked authorities to install streetlights beneath flyovers and at other vulnerable locations.

A major focus of the meeting was regulating construction near the airport. Sharma directed that no construction work in urban or rural areas falling within the airport's regulated zone should begin without obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Airports Authority of India.

He further instructed that building permissions within the airport zoning map area be issued through the Municipal Corporation's online system only after clearance is received through the Airports Authority's NOCAS platform.

Sharma also directed officials to enforce restrictions on the use of laser beams and high-intensity lights near the airport and along flight approach paths.

Police stations concerned were asked to monitor violations, while marriage gardens operating in the vicinity of the airport will also be inspected to ensure compliance with safety norms.

"No construction should commence without an AAI NOC, and strict compliance with regulations governing laser lights and other activities affecting flight safety must be ensured," Sharma said.

The Divisional Commissioner instructed the Municipal Corporation to identify and regularly clean garbage collection points near the airport to minimise bird activity.

He also ordered the regular deployment of dog squads to prevent stray animals from entering airport areas.

Sharma directed authorities to launch a drive against unauthorised meat and fish shops and illegal roadside vendors operating near the airport.

He also asked officials to ensure that authorised commercial establishments maintain prescribed hygiene and cleanliness standards.

He further directed regular inspection and trimming of trees around the airport through coordinated action between the Municipal Corporation and the Airports Authority to eliminate potential risks to aircraft operations.

He added that it is also the state that receives the maximum benefits from the Central Government in return for this tax collection.

Due to this, Maharashtra is truly the capital of the country within the GST system, he added.

He also highlighted that Maharashtra is the first state in the country to set up an Artificial Intelligence-based system to curb tax evasion.

He was speaking on the occasion of the 9th Goods and Services Tax Day celebrations.

Terming the GST tax system, which established the framework of 'One Nation, One Tax, and One Market', as a historic reform, Fadnavis remarked that GST has transformed India into a society of honest indirect taxpayers.

He described GST as one of the largest financial reforms in the world, implemented by consolidating numerous indirect taxes across the country.

"For a long time, efforts were underway to build a consensus among states regarding GST, but these ideas remained limited to discussions. Previously, both the administration and traders faced heavy pressure due to multiple indirect tax filings and the challenges of stopping tax evasion, which hindered the growth of trade and industry. However, under the firm leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the historic decision to implement GST was successfully taken," he said.

Fadnavis noted that states initially faced uncertainty regarding their revenues under the GST model.

However, the Central Government stepped in with a guarantee to compensate for any shortfalls in state revenues.

Furthermore, the Centre agreed to provide GST compensation with a 14 per cent growth rate for the subsequent five years, which is considered a critical milestone in this transition.

India did not stop there; to make this system more robust and efficient, the Central Government has launched the 'GST 2.0' phase.

He pointed out that the GST Council plays a vital role in this setup, as decisions cannot be finalised without mutual agreement between the Central and State Governments.

Consequently, it has emerged as a highly transparent system.

The GST Council has also lowered tax slabs for items connected to daily life, as well as for those essential to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

Additionally, the Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) serves as a crucial backbone of this ecosystem.

GSTN stands out as one of the greatest examples of 'digital innovation' in the twenty-first century.

While the Constitution mandates that tax revenues must be deposited into the exchequer, GSTN provided the ultimate structural solution to facilitate this within the GST framework, he stated.

Since Maharashtra is the nation's 'Services Leader', the inclusion of services under the GST regime has greatly benefited the state.

The Chief Minister added that Maharashtra received a GST return of Rs 1,87,000 crore in the previous financial year.

The introductory remarks were delivered by State GST Commissioner Ashish Sharma, and Chief Commissioner of Central GST Prachi Swaroop also shared her insights during the event.

During the ceremony, Chief Minister Fadnavis felicitated outstanding taxpayers and officials.

--IANS

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