India's political landscape is ablaze with activity! From the ongoing debates surrounding the new farm bills and their impact on rural India, to the upcoming state elections shaping the national narrative, the stakes couldn't be higher. Key political figures are maneuvering strategically, with alliances shifting and power dynamics constantly in flux. The opposition's challenge to the ruling party is intensifying, sparking vigorous debates on crucial policy matters including economic reforms and social justice initiatives. Parliamentary proceedings are filled with heated exchanges, reflecting the deep divisions within the nation. This evolving political climate directly impacts the lives of every Indian citizen, influencing everything from economic opportunities to social welfare programs. Stay informed about the latest developments in Indian politics, from crucial legislative decisions to grassroots movements, by exploring Abtak.com for in-depth analysis and breaking news updates. Understanding the intricacies of our political system is crucial; stay engaged, stay informed, and stay ahead.
Anantnag, Jul 2: As the first convoy of Amarnath pilgrims crossed the Navyug Tunnel into Kashmir on Tuesday, they were greeted with warmth, tradition, and celebration by locals who lined the roads to welcome them. Residents showered flower petals, distributed sweets, and burned wild rue seeds -- known locally as Izbandh -- to ward off evil and offer blessings, a custom rooted in Kashmiri tradition. "We welcome the Yatris with open arms and wish them a peaceful and safe pilgrimage," said Ghulam Hassan, an elderly resident of Qazigund. "People from across the country should come here for tourism and pilgrimage. Kashmir is absolutely safe -- there is nothing to worry about." Ritu Balika, another local, carried a Kangri (traditional fire pot) and burned Izbandh (Harmala-wild rue) to greet the devotees. "We welcome them the way Maharajas were once welcomed. They are our guests, and we want them to feel special," she said. "Let them come without fear -- we are here to assist them." BJP's Jammu and Kashmir President Ravinder Raina joined the reception at Qazigund, where senior administrative and police officials, including Kulgam Deputy Commissioner Athar Aamir Khan and SSP Sahil Sarangal, were also present. Later, in Pahalgam -- one of the main base camps of the annual pilgrimage -- locals again turned out in large numbers, offering water, juice, snacks, and cold drinks to pilgrims,, Yatra Nodal Officer Rahul Yadav; Deputy Commissioner Anantnag Syed Fakhrudin Hamid and SSP Amritpal Singh, were among those who received the pilgrims. "A special Pahalgam Alliance has been formed to ensure the comfort and care of pilgrims," said Mushtaq Pahalgami, a local activist. "This is a message to the enemies of Kashmiriyat who want to divide us. We have always upheld the values of harmony and hospitality." Ponny operators, cab drivers, hoteliers, tourist guides, and shopkeepers also joined the welcome effort. Renuka, 45, a first-time pilgrim from Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, said she was overwhelmed by the reception. "We feel absolutely at home. The hospitality here is unmatched," she said. "The security and arrangements made by the administration are impressive." Raj Kumar, a devotee from Rajasthan, echoed the sentiment. "Everyone should witness this warmth. We are here to pray for peace and prosperity. We hope Bolenath listens to our prayers." Officials said 5,892 pilgrims left Jammu in two escorted convoys on Tuesday. Of them, 3,403 are headed to the Nunwan base camp in Pahalgam, while 2,489 are bound for the Baltal base camp in Sonmarg. The 52-day Amarnath Yatra officially begins Thursday and will conclude on August 9, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan. The pilgrims will trek to the sacred Amarnath cave shrine, located at an altitude of 3,888 meters, either via the traditional Pahalgam route or the shorter Baltal route.
Srinagar, Nov 27 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir's Road Transport Corporation (RTC), a crucial backbone of public transportation, has raised serious concerns over the barring of its buses from entering Srinagar city limits. The move has triggered alarm within the Corporation, with officials cautioning about significant disruptions to public transport services and daily commutes, alongside substantial financial losses for the RTC. The restriction, in effect since November 4 when the maiden session of the Assembly commenced, is causing a daily revenue loss of Rs. 4 lakh to the Corporation. In a lette ...Read More >
Mumbai: The birth of three penguin chicks at Mumbai's Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan and Zoo has sparked an unexpected row not over their care, but their names. BJP functionary Nitin Bankar from the Byculla Assembly constituency has objected to the chicks being given English names, insisting they be named in Marathi instead. The BMC is expected to respond by June 10, after which Bankar will decide his next move. Speaking to The Free Press Journal, Bankar said, "When penguins were brought from abroad, we accepted that their names would be in English. But these chicks were born on the soil of M ...Read More >
Kanpur, January 27: Due to the massive influx of devotees for the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, Varanasi's District Magistrate in Uttar Pradesh has announced that all schools in the district will be closed from Monday, January 27, 2025, to Wednesday, February 5, 2025. The decision is aimed at ensuring the safety of students and managing traffic congestion caused by the large number of pilgrims arriving in Varanasi for the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. Despite the school closures, online classes will continue as usual to maintain the academic schedule, News18 reported. This directive applies to all CBSE, ICSE ...Read More >
Uttarakhand (Dehradun) [India], May 19 (ANI): The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for heavy rain in the hilly districts of Uttarakhand, effective today and tomorrow. In light of this warning, the Uttarakhand Police have issued a safety advisory for pilgrims undertaking the Chardham Yatra. Pilgrims are advised to exercise caution while travelling, consider the weather conditions, and call 112 in case of any emergency." Authorities are working to ensure public safety and minimise disruptions," said the police authorities. In light of the forecast, the Uttarakh ...Read More >
Katra/Jammu, Jun 5 (PTI) Union minister Jitendra Singh on Thursday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ensuring a speedy completion of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) project after taking office in 2014 and said it marks the beginning of a historic journey in setting up the world's highest railway bridge in Jammu and Kashmir. On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the world's highest railway bridge over the Chenab river and the Anji Khad bridge, India's first cable-stayed bridge, before flagging off Vande Bharat trains to mark the completio ...Read More >
Hyderabad: In a significant boost for 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbharta' in the aerospace and defence sector, and Hyderabad's growing stature as a global aerospace hub, the complete fuselage of the Rafale fighter jet will now be made in India at Hyderabad. This move marks the first time that these Rafale components will be manufactured outside France for the Indian as well as global markets.French aerospace major Dassault Aviation has signed four production transfer agreements with Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) for manufacturing key sections of the Rafale fighter jet, including the lateral ...Read More >
Amid Exposition work, tourists throng Basilica of Bom Jesus Roque Dias Old Goa: With the 18th decennial Exposition of the sacred relics of St Francis Xavier set to begin on November 21, Old Goa is bustling with activity as final touches are being given to works taken up by the government authorities. From the attractive pandals of various sizes erected on the premises of the Basilica of Bom Jesus to the tents put up in the area near Se Cathedral, everything is well designed to accommodate the expected huge number of devotees who will visit Old Goa during veneration of the sacred relics. Se ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 18 (PTI) The Pakistan high commission on Wednesday said it issued 84 visas to Indian pilgrims to visit the Shree Katas Raj temples in Punjab province's Chakwal district. The group has been given visas to visit the Katas Raj temples from December 19 to 25. The temples are also known as Qila Katas. It is a complex of several Hindu temples connected to one another by walkways. Under the provision of a bilateral protocol on visits to religious shrines, Sikh and Hindu pilgrims from India visit Pakistan every year.Pakistani pilgrims also visit India every year under the protocol. ...Read More >
SRINAGAR: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday raided and subsequently searched 32 locations across Kashmir Valley as part of its "continuing investigations against terror conspiracy by Pakistan backed proscribed terrorist organisations and their offshoots to destabilise Jammu and Kashmir". The locations, it claimed, were residential premises of hybrid terrorists and overground workers associated with The Resistance Front (TRF), United Liberation Front Jammu & Kashmir (ULFJ&K), Mujahideen Gazwat-ul-Hind (MGH), Jammu & Kashmir Freedom Fighters (JKFF), Kashmir Tigers, PAAF and ot ...Read More >
Haridwar: A woman politician has been arrested for allegedly letting her boyfriend and others repeatedly rape her 13-year-old daughter in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. The horrifying crime, which occurred between January and March, was exposed when the minor bravely confided in her father, prompting a police investigation that led to the arrest of the accused. The accused was arrested with her boyfriend and one more. According to police reports, the minor was gang-raped multiple times, often in the presence of her mother. The minor, who had been living with her father following her parents' separat ...Read More >
Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Union ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw and Jitendra Singh reached Katra in Reasi district on Thursday to review arrangements a day ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit, officials said. On Friday, the prime minister is scheduled to inaugurate the Chenab bridge and the Anji bridge, India's first cable-stayed bridge, the symbol of the country's engineering excellence, before flagging off Vande Bharat trains to mark the completion of the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) that will provide ...Read More >
New Delhi, December 5: Uttar Pradesh's Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh expressed confidence that Mahakumbh 2025 will play a pivotal role in showcasing India's rich cultural heritage and Sanatan traditions globally. Speaking on the progress of preparations, he told IANS, "The arrangements for Mahakumbh are progressing in full swing. We are committed to welcoming all devotees, irrespective of their origin -- whether from different states of India or other countries. We aim to host them with unmatched arrangements that combine magnificence, divinity, and cultural vibrancy." "This gran ...Read More >
Katra (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], June 5 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Union Minister Jitendra Singh inspected the Katra railway station and the Vande Bharat train on Thursday ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit on June 6. PM Modi will flag off the first Vande Bharat train to Kashmir on Friday. CM Omar Abdullah said, 'If I tell you that I have been waiting for this moment for a long time, it will still not be enough. This rail project began when I was in the 7th or 8th class. Now, even my children have started working after completing school and college ...Read More >
Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi stated that the army has shifted Jammu and Kashmir's focus from "terrorism to tourism" while working towards 'Viksit Bharat 2047.' He emphasized the army's contribution to national security, development, and disaster relief, highlighting its role in achieving a "Progressive" and "Peaceful" India.Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Upendra Dwivedi said that while moving towards the goal of 'Viksit Bharat 2047,' the army has been able to transform the idea of Jammu and Kashmir from "terrorism to tourism." While addressing an event at Savitribai Phule Pu ...Read More >
Srinagar: The minimum temperature has plummeted and settled below freezing point across Kashmir with many of the stations including Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir recording the season's coldest night. According to the news agency -- Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the night temperature in Srinagar settled at minus 2.1 degree Celsius. Shopian was the coldest in Kashmir as the mercury plummeted and settled at minus 5.5 degree Celsius. Pahalgam, a famous tourist destination, recorded minus 5.0 degree Celsius while Gulmarg, a famous ski-resort recorded a low of minus 2.5 degree ...Read More >
The gunfight continued between security forces and terrorists in the upper mountain belt of Harwan. In a major breakthrough, the security forces killed a wanted terrorist, who was responsible for terror attack in Ganderbal, during an ongoing encounter in the upper reaches of Dachigam in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. The Kashmir Zone Police in a social media post announced the killing of the terrorist, identified as Junail Ahmed Bhat. The Police said that Bhat was an A category terrorist of Lashkar-e-Taiba terror outfit and was involved in the killing of civilians in Ganderbal, Gagangir and o ...Read More >
Jammu, Jan 14 (VOICE) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said that the BJP government at the Centre treats Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir equally.Addressing the ninth Armed Forces Veterans' Day programme at Tanda Artillery Brigade in Akhnoor, the Defence Minister praised Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for his effort to reduce the distance between the hearts of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Delhi and asserted that the BJP government treats Delhi and Kashmir equally. "Kashmir was treated differently (by previous governments) in the past. As a result, our brothers and s ...Read More >
Gulmarg (JK), May 28 (PTI) Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said the April 22 Pahalgam attack has not stalled the conversation around restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and that he had raised the issue at the recent meeting of NITI Aayog governing council. "No, not at all. If you were to take out the formal speech that circulated in the NITI Aayog meeting, you will find a categorical mention for return of statehood in that ... which was given to the Honourable Prime Minister and all the members of the governing council of the NITI Aayog," Abdullah told reporters in this to ...Read More >
Srinagar, Dec 11: National Conference (NC) President Dr Farooq Abdullah today asked people of Kashmir to come together in prayers to bring an end to the ongoing dry spell that has been plaguing the region. In a statement, he emphasised the importance of offering special prayers at major shrines, mosques, and Khanqahs across Kashmir. The NC President specifically mentioned revered shrines such as Charar-e-Sharief and Maqdoom Sahib, encouraging people to seek relief from the challenging weather co ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], June 5 (ANI): The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday announced that it would streamline its technology-driven system for generating Index Cards and various other post-election statistical reports. The new system will ensure faster reporting through automation and data integration. "This upgraded mechanism replaces the traditional manual methods, which were often time-consuming and prone to delays. By leveraging automation and data integration, the new system ensures faster reporting," the press note issued by the Election Commission read. Also Read | Delhi: Hig ...Read More >
Ghazipur (UP), Jan 31 (PTI) Eight people died and 11 others were injured when a truck collided with a van in Uttar Pradesh's Ghazipur district on Friday, officials said. The accident occurred in Revasa village of Nandganj area when the victims, residents of Haldichok village in Gorakhpur, were returning from the Maha Kumbh fair in Prayagraj, District Magistrate Aryaka Akhoury said. A truck hit the van from the side, causing its passengers to be thrown onto the road, following which the truck ran over them, Akhoury said. She said that Amar Singh (45), Surendra Gupta (54), Pushpa Yadav (40), ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: Gundicha Temple, where the deities of Jagannath temple were born, is being prepared for a visual transformation through enhancement work before Rath Yatra on June 27."The beautification work includes stone-cladding of the outer boundary wall, landscaping and illumination arrangements to welcome the deities at their place of birth during Rath Yatra. The aesthetic transformation will give a visual delight to the deities and devotees," chief administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Arabinda Kumar Padhee told TOI.The temple's exterior boundary wall, previously co ...Read More >
JAMMU: A five-member TMC delegation that visited the cross-border shelling-hit Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday slammed the government for neglecting the families living in border areas. The delegation members said they were returning with "broken hearts" after witnessing the human tragedy caused by Pakistani shelling and expressed solidarity with the people. The region witnessed heightened artillery shelling about two weeks ago following the rise in tensions with Pakistan after India carried out precision strikes on nine terror hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir ( ...Read More >
Katra: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday said the political will shown by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in over a decade led to the completion of the 272-km Udhampur-Baramulla-Srinagar Railway link (USBRL) project to connect Kashmir with rest of the country. On Friday, the prime minister is scheduled to inaugurate the world's tallest railway bridge over Chenab and the country's first cable-stayed railway Anji Bridge before flagging off two Vande Bharat trains - one from Katra to Srinagar and another from Kashmir to Katra. Modi will also lay the foundation of and dedicate to the na ...Read More >
BREAKING: Terrorist Who Killed 7 Civilians Neutralised In J&K's Dachigam | Image: Republic/ADGPI New Delhi: Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir neutralised a wanted Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist in the upper reaches of Dachigam on Tuesday. The terrorist, identified as Junaid Ahmed Bhat, a Category A militant, was responsible for multiple terror attacks, including the killing of civilians in Gagangir and Ganderbal. The operation was led by the Jammu and Kashmir Police in collaboration with the Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and other security forces. According to a statement from the Kashmir Zone P ...Read More >
Srinagar, June 05: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday conducted a series of searches across Kashmir as part of its continuing investigations against terror conspiracy by Pakistan backed proscribed terrorist organizations and their offshoots to destabilise Jammu and Kashmir. A statement issued by the agency said that thirty-two locations in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir were searched as part of today's crackdown. The locations were residential premises of hybrid terrorists and overground workers associated with these Pakistan based offshoots such as The Resistance F ...Read More >
The following article is taken from a spiritual discourse given by Sri Chanchalapathi Dasa, President - Vrindavan Heritage Tower and Vice Chairman & Co-Mentor- Hare Krishna Movement Srila Prabhupada has explained, "When a sincere devotee reads the Bhagavad Gita properly, it is said to be as good as seeing the Lord face-to-face in His presence." Can you imagine this? This is the promise of Lord Krishna. If you read the Bhagavad Gita properly, you will have the experience of seeing Krishna face-t ...Read More >
Srinagar, Jun 02: Former chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president, Mehbooba Mufti Monday batted for the reservation of Kashmiri Pandits in Jammu and Kashmir, stating it was the time to remove blot on Kashmir Muslims over the exodus of Pandits. Addressing a press conference after meeting Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Mehbooba Mufti said she raised several demands, including political empowerment of Kashmiri Pandits, release of people from jails in view of Eid and incorporating locals for the smooth conduct of Amarnath Yatra. "Kashmiri Pandits need to be empowered politic ...Read More >
Srinagar, June 5: Indian Railways will commence regular operations of two new Vande Bharat Express trains between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar from June 7, following their official inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi tomorrow, June 6. The trains will offer passengers a fast, reliable, and modern travel option, running six days a week in both directions, officials said on Thursday. Prime Minister Modi is expected to flag off the two specially designed Vande Bharat trains running between Srinagar and Katra on June 6, marking the completion of the long-awaited project to li ...Read More >
The bridge is part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) project. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the world's tallest railway bridge, an engineering marvel, over the River Chenab in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday. The bridge is part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) project. It is designed to withstand strong winds and earthquakes and has a lifespan of 120 years. The Chenab Bridge is taller than the Eiffel Tower, reaching 1,178 feet above the r ...Read More >