Monday, December 22

State

Bihar Election 2025: Behind Record-Breaking Voter Turnout, the Hidden Power of 1.4 Crore ‘Jeevika Didis’ — Women Who May Decide the Poll Outcome
Bihar

Bihar Election 2025: Behind Record-Breaking Voter Turnout, the Hidden Power of 1.4 Crore ‘Jeevika Didis’ — Women Who May Decide the Poll Outcome

Patna | Bihar Voting 2025:The first phase of the Bihar Assembly Election 2025 witnessed an unprecedented voter turnout of 64.66% — the highest in the state’s electoral history. But behind this historic participation lies a powerful force that could swing the results either way — the ‘Jeevika Didis’, a network of empowered rural women who form one of Bihar’s largest organized voting blocs. With over 1.4 crore members, these women represent nearly 40% of Bihar’s 3.5 crore female voters. Once confined to household roles, they now stand as self-reliant contributors to their families and communities — a transformation credited to the state’s flagship ‘Jeevika’ livelihood mission. “Earlier, we lived under our father’s or husband’s identity. Today, society knows us as ‘Didis’. We are indep...
Bihar Election 2025: “Gun or Governance?” — PM Modi’s Final Overs Turn the Game for NDA
Bihar

Bihar Election 2025: “Gun or Governance?” — PM Modi’s Final Overs Turn the Game for NDA

Patna:As Bihar enters the decisive phase of its 2025 assembly election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stepped into the campaign’s “final overs” — and turned the contest into a high-stakes battle between “Jungle Raj vs Good Governance.”With voting for the second phase set to end on November 9, the NDA has revived its most enduring political weapon — the specter of the “Jungle Raj.” Just as it worked 28 years ago, the issue seems to resonate again today, especially among first-time voters who never lived through the lawless years but are now being reminded through powerful digital campaigns. Modi’s ‘Final Over’ Strategy In a fiery address in Aurangabad, PM Modi launched a direct attack on the RJD, accusing it of symbolizing crime and corruption. “Do you want the rule of the ...
Mumbai Local Train Accident: RPF–GRP Clash Resurfaces After Mumbra Tragedy FIR — What’s Behind the Rift?
Maharashtra

Mumbai Local Train Accident: RPF–GRP Clash Resurfaces After Mumbra Tragedy FIR — What’s Behind the Rift?

Mumbai: The long-standing tension between the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the Government Railway Police (GRP) has once again come to the forefront — this time following an FIR filed by GRP against two railway engineers in connection with the Mumbra train tragedy that claimed five lives five months ago. While no major confrontation has occurred between the two forces in recent times, conflicts over jurisdiction, investigation rights, and coordination responsibilities have repeatedly strained their relationship. The latest episode has reignited debate over their overlapping duties and accountability within the Indian Railways system. Background: FIR Sparks Union Outrage In the Mumbra accident, five passengers lost their lives earlier this year. The Railway’s internal inquiry ...
Who Will Bring Back My Daughter?” — Grieving Mother’s Cry After Mumbai Train Tragedy
Maharashtra

Who Will Bring Back My Daughter?” — Grieving Mother’s Cry After Mumbai Train Tragedy

“ Mumbai: “Who will bring back my daughter? Was it the police, the protestors, or the railway that failed her?” — these are the haunting words of a heartbroken mother who lost her 19-year-old daughter, Hailey Momaya, in a tragic train accident near Mumbai’s Sandhurst Road railway station on Thursday evening. The incident occurred around 7:15 PM when a Central Railway (CR) local train struck a group of passengers amid chaos triggered by a sudden protest by railway employees. Two people lost their lives, while three others were severely injured. The victims had stepped down from a halted train due to the strike and were walking along the tracks when they were hit by an Ambarnath fast local train heading toward CSMT. The Tragedy Unfolds What began as an hour-long protest by Centra...
Supreme Court Delivers Major Verdict on 200-Year-Old Ujjain Mosque Case — Petition Dismissed, Muslim Side Faces Setback
Andhra Pradesh, DELHI (national capital territory)

Supreme Court Delivers Major Verdict on 200-Year-Old Ujjain Mosque Case — Petition Dismissed, Muslim Side Faces Setback

New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India has delivered a significant verdict in the case concerning the demolition of the 200-year-old Takia Mosque in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. The apex court has refused to interfere with the decision of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, marking a major setback for the Muslim petitioners. A bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta dismissed the plea filed by the Muslim side, which had challenged the demolition of the mosque earlier this year. The petitioners argued that the mosque had been illegally razed to make way for the expansion of parking facilities near the Mahakaleshwar Temple, one of the most revered Hindu shrines in the country. The Supreme Court, however, observed that it found no error in the High Court’s judgment and held ...
Chaos at Delhi Airport: Flight Operations Hit by Major ATC System Glitch, Situation Slowly Returning to Normal
Business, DELHI (national capital territory)

Chaos at Delhi Airport: Flight Operations Hit by Major ATC System Glitch, Situation Slowly Returning to Normal

New Delhi:For the past few days, chaos has prevailed at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) following a major technical failure in the Air Traffic Control (ATC) Flight Planning System. The glitch, which began on Wednesday and intensified through Thursday and Friday, disrupted hundreds of flights, leaving passengers stranded and operations in disarray. According to the latest update issued by the Delhi Airport Authority on Saturday, the situation is now gradually improving. The airport management confirmed that the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS) — the core automation network responsible for transmitting flight plan data to ATC controllers — had developed a severe malfunction, forcing controllers to revert to manual operations. In a statement, the airport said...
India Set to Begin Production of Indigenous Fighter Jet Engines Next Year, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Confirms
DELHI (national capital territory)

India Set to Begin Production of Indigenous Fighter Jet Engines Next Year, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Confirms

New Delhi: In a major boost to India’s defence capabilities, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced that production of indigenous fighter jet engines is likely to commence from early next year. This development marks a significant step forward in the Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiative and addresses a critical bottleneck in the production of Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). Talks With Global Aerospace Giants Speaking to Network18, Rajnath Singh revealed that discussions are underway with several international companies, including General Electric (GE) of the USA and Safran of France, for supply and technology transfer agreements. He emphasized that while foreign engines will continue to be imported, the primary focus is on “Made in India, by Indians” fighter jet en...
PM Modi Fires Up Bhabhua Rally, Warns Against “Jungle Raj” Ahead of Bihar Polls
Bihar, Politics

PM Modi Fires Up Bhabhua Rally, Warns Against “Jungle Raj” Ahead of Bihar Polls

Bhabhua, Bihar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a massive rally in Bhabhua during the second phase of the Bihar Assembly elections, taking a strong dig at the opposition RJD-Congress alliance. Claiming victory for the NDA after the first phase of voting, Modi accused opposition parties of trying to mislead the youth with false promises, warning that a return of “Jungle Raj” under Tejashwi Yadav would revive lawlessness, extortion, and intimidation. Targeting Opposition With Viral Songs Modi highlighted controversial songs circulated by the RJD, including lyrics like “Marab sixer ke chhah goli chhati mein”, accusing them of glorifying violence and lawlessness. He urged voters not to allow the return of “Jungle Raj,” emphasizing that Bihar had suffered under previous misgovernan...
Fear of SIR Prompts Surge in Muslim Couples Registering Marriages in Bengal, Border Districts Lead
West Bengal

Fear of SIR Prompts Surge in Muslim Couples Registering Marriages in Bengal, Border Districts Lead

Kolkata, West Bengal: Following the commencement of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in West Bengal, a notable trend has emerged in the state’s minority-dominated border districts. Many Muslim couples, who traditionally solemnize marriages under Islamic law, are now rushing to register their marriages under the Special Marriage Act, 1954, citing legal and administrative concerns. According to official data, between November 2024 and October 2025, 1,130 Muslim couples in West Bengal applied for marriage registration, with over half of these applications (609) filed between July and October, coinciding with the SIR exercise in the neighboring state of Bihar. Border Districts Lead the Surge The highest number of applications came from North Dinajpur (199) and Malda...
West Bengal Schools to Mandatorily Include Rabindranath Tagore’s ‘Banglar Mati’ in Morning Assemblies; Mamata Takes Big Cultural Step
West Bengal

West Bengal Schools to Mandatorily Include Rabindranath Tagore’s ‘Banglar Mati’ in Morning Assemblies; Mamata Takes Big Cultural Step

**West Bengal Schools to Mandatorily Include Rabindranath Tagore’s ‘Banglar Mati’ in Morning Assemblies; Mamata Takes Big Cultural Step Kolkata, West Bengal: In a major cultural move, the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE) has made it compulsory for all schools across the state to include the state song, ‘Banglar Mati, Banglar Jal’, in their morning assemblies. Written by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore in 1905, the song was officially declared the state anthem in 2023. Official Notification and Implementation The WBBSE issued a notification on Thursday instructing all principals of higher primary and secondary schools to ensure the state song is sung daily during morning prayers. West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu stated, “This renowned song by Tagore, co...