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.
New Delhi: The confusion around uncertainty over observation of Muharram on either July 06 or July 07 has lead to several speculations on office holidays including banks. It must be noted that Muharram was observed on July 06 for which public holiday was also maintained on the same day. As to whether bank branches will be working or operational Monday, 07 July 2025, customers must know that today is a normal working day for banks. Branch activities and business hours will remain the same as normal business days today. - July 3 (Thursday): Banks in Tripura (Agartala) will remain shut for Kharchi Puja. - July 5 (Saturday): Jammu & Kashmir observes a holiday for Guru Harobind Ji's Birth Anniversary. - July 14 (Monday): Shillong (Meghalaya) will see bank closures for the Beh Deinkhlam Festival. - July 16 (Wednesday): It's Harela Festival in Dehradun (Uttarakhand) - banks to stay closed. - July 17 (Thursday): Another holiday in Shillong (Meghalaya) for U Tirot Singh's Death Anniversary. - July 19 (Saturday): Tripura (Agartala) banks to remain closed again for Ker Puja. - July 28 (Monday): Gangtok (Sikkim) will observe a holiday on account of Drukpa Tshe-ji. It must be noted that the banks will NOT be closed for all the days consecutively in all states or regions. This is the total number of days when banks in different parts of the country will remain closed for state-observed holidays. For instance banks will be closed for Ker Puja in Agartala, but in other states it will NOT be closed for the same reason. Reserve Bank of India places its Holidays under three brackets --Holiday under Negotiable Instruments Act; Holiday under Negotiable Instruments Act and Real Time Gross Settlement Holiday; and Banks' Closing of Accounts. However, it must be noted that the bank holidays vary in various states as well not observed by all the banking companies. Banking holidays also depend on the festivals being observed in specific states or notification of specific occasions in those states.
NEW DELHI: Axiom-4 crew members, including Shubhanshu Shukla, were welcomed with hugs and drinks as they stepped into the International Space Station on Thursday. The newly launched spacecraft -- the fifth in the Dragon series and named Grace -- successfully completed a soft docking with the International Space Station at 4.01pm while orbiting above the North Atlantic Ocean."At 6:31 am EDT (4:01 IST) on Thursday, the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft docked to the International Space Station for the fourth private astronaut mission to the orbiting laboratory, Axiom Mission 4," the National Aeronautics ...Read More >
Mumbai, July 7: Every year, the Islamic calendar begins not with a fixed date, but with eyes toward the sky. This year followed tradition, as the crescent moon was sighted in India on June 26. This marked June 27 as the first day of Muharram, setting Ashura, the 10th day and the most solemn day of mourning, on July 6. Now, there is growing uncertainty over whether Monday, July 7, will be declared a public holiday across India for Ashura. As mentioned, the new Islamic year began on June 27, following the moon sighting on June 26. This places Ashura, the 10th day of Muharram and the most signif ...Read More >
VISAKHAPATNAM: Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar inaugurated Andhra Pradesh's first Super ECBC (Energy Conservation Building Code) compliant building at Sagar Nagar in Visakhapatnam on Friday. Terming it a landmark in sustainable infrastructure, he emphasised the government's commitment to energy efficiency and green design in public facilities. The facility will serve as a national-level training hub for power sector staff. He urged power utilities to expedite 20 lakh rooftop solar connections, targeting 10,000 in each Assembly segment. He reaffirmed nine-hour uninterrupted power for agri ...Read More >
Jaipur: Police in Didwana have stepped up their probe into a cross-border smuggling case in which they arrested two arms and drug smugglers on June 27 for supplying Austrian Glock and Chinese Norinco pistols. It has emerged that the case has links to a massive Rs 300-crore heroin consignment seized by Punjab's Amritsar police near the India-Pakistan border in Barmer on June 30. Canada-based Joben Kaler was identified as the main overseas handler of the heroin consignment. Didwana-Kuchaman police had arrested Mohammad Ilyas from Khunkhuna and Amarjeet Singh Takhar, alias Prince, from Jalandhar ...Read More >
Jhansi: A bomb threat delayed the Durg-bound Chhattisgarh Sampark Kranti Express on Friday night, when it was halted at Virangana Laxmibai Jhansi railway station for nearly an hour. The threat turned out to be a hoax, and the train resumed its journey after a thorough inspection. According to SP, GRP, Vipul Srivastav, after the train left Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station in Delhi around 6pm on Friday, a call was recieved at the railway helpline 139, claiming that a bomb had been planted in a sleeper coach of the train. The railway control room in Lucknow started preparations for search of the ...Read More >
Bhilwara: Communal tensions flared Saturday in Jahazpur town of Bhilwara district after a minor car collision with a vegetable vendor's cart led to violence in which a young man was beaten to death the previous night.A key temple event was postponed Saturday and permissions for weekend Muharram processions revoked after threats from Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal not to allow any such events in this area of the BJP-governed state. Police deployments were stepped up and markets in Jahazpur town were shut Saturday.The trouble began when Sitaram Keer (25) was headed to Jahazpur with ...Read More >
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], July 10 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said that he stands firmly in favour of holding elections, following the Supreme Court's decision allowing the Election Commission of India (ECI) to carry on with the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. He urged those involved in the case to explore alternative legal avenues for justice and 'wait for the consequences' for the time being. 'The matter was in the Supreme Court. The court has given its decision. Now, we have to wait for the consequences. Those who we ...Read More >
Katra (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], July 13 (ANI): In an initiative aimed at fostering spirituality and preserving cultural heritage, the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, during its 75th Meeting held under the chairmanship of Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, approved the dedication of five newly constructed temples to the public in the month of July along with the construction of five additional temples in District Reasi. According to a release, as part of this initiative, the Shrine Board has formally dedicated the five temples today at each location in distinct villages acro ...Read More >
Digha (West Bengal) [India], June 27 (ANI): The first-ever Rath Yatra at the Lord Jagannath temple in Digha is set to begin soon on a 1 km route on Friday. ISKCON Kolkata Vice President Radharamn Das said the festival is inspired by the Puri Rath Yatra and added that West Bengal Chief Minister will join the event at 2 pm. Also Read | Shillong Teer Results Today, June 27 2025: Winning Numbers, Result Chart for Shillong Morning Teer, Shillong Night Teer, Khanapara Teer, Juwai Teer and Jowai Ladrymbai. Speaking to ANI, Radharamn Das said, "Digha Jagannath Yatra is inspired by Puri Rath Yatra. ...Read More >
Srinagar- Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Saturday said foreign countries were told clearly during the post-Operation Sindoor diplomatic outreach that in case of a fresh provocation, India would repeat its action. Speaking at a discussion at the Ahmedabad Management Association, Tharoor said Indian delegations which visited foreign countries in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor managed to convey that India acted with restraint and responsibility. "In other places, we actually were able to get some very high-placed people to say not only that they respected and supported India's right of self- ...Read More >
SRINAGAR/JAMMU: Chants of "Bam Bam Bhole" and "Har Har Mahadev" echoed through Kashmir valley Wednesday as the first convoy of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims crossed Qazigund-Banihal tunnel, marking the start of the annual Himalayan pilgrimage under unprecedented security.Garlanded with flowers and greeted with traditional Kashmiri hospitality, the pilgrims -- part of a 5,892-strong batch -- were flagged off from the Jammu base camp at Bhagwati Nagar early morning by lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha. A convoy of 310 vehicles carried the devotees toward the sacred Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir. ...Read More >
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that nearly five lakh homeless individuals in Jammu and Kashmir will soon receive housing under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. With Chief Minister Omar Abdullah present, Chouhan highlighted the near completion of existing allotments and plans for verification of newly identified beneficiaries. SRINAGAR: With chief minister Omar Abdullah sitting next to him, Union minister for agriculture and rural development Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday said ...Read More >
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday joined the Ashura, the 10th and concluding day of Muharram and joined thousands of Shia mourners (azadars) who commemorated martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS) in the battle of Karbala. On Youm-e-Ashura, the 10th day of Muharram, a large mourning procession is taken out in Srinagar's Bota Kadal in the Downtown part of the city. Mourners, wearing black dresses, recite elegies and flagellate their chests to show solidarity with the Karbala martyrs. LG Sinha joined the procession and draped the Zuljena(the symbolic holy horse) wit ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Former head of Air India and chairman of the Railway Board Ashwani Lohani is the new Prime Ministers Museum and Library (PMML) director. The official order for his appointment was issued on Wednesday. A 1980-batch officer of the Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineering (IRSME), Lohani is known for turning around various organisations during his illustrious career. Following his retirement from IRSME service, he joined the GMR Group as the CEO. According to the order dated June 4, his appointment to the post of director, Prime Ministers Museum and Library in the rank and pa ...Read More >
MADURAI: Likening the custodial murder of Ajith Kumar in Tiruppuvanam to an 'organised crime by police where the state kills its own citizens,' Madras high court lambasted the Tamil Nadu police and said the action against the perpetrators should be more stringent than in normal murder cases.A division bench of Justice S M Subramaniam and Justice A D Maria Clete pointed to 44 external injuries on the person of Ajith Kumar and said no part of the body was spared by the delinquent cops. "Even an ordinary murderer would not have inflicted such kind of injuries," the bench said on Tuesday.The natur ...Read More >
SRINAGAR, July 5: On the eve of Ashura, the 10th day of Muharram, the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha recalled the sacrifices made by Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS). In his message, the Lieutenant Governor said, "the sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions at Karbala and their steadfast commitment to the universal ideals of justice and human dignity continue to inspire the humanity to uphold the values of unity, social harmony and righteousness." "On this solemn occasion, let us imbibe the eternal ideals of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and rededicate ourselves to build a just and equ ...Read More >
Indian bank holidays depend on the region. Observances change by state, influenced by local events. Scheduled and non-scheduled banks close on the second and fourth Saturdays. National holidays are consistent across India. In July 2025, holidays include Kharchi Puja in Tripura on July 3. Guru Hargobind Ji's Birthday will be celebrated in Jammu and Srinagar on July 5. Bank holidays in India vary from one region to another. They differ from one state to the next and are often influenced by local f ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapuram: Ravada A Chandrasekhar took charge as the new State Police Chief on Tuesday. He succeeds Shaik Darvesh Saheb, who retired on June 30. His tenure will run until July 1, 2027. A 1991-batch IPS officer currently serving as Special Director with the Intelligence Bureau, Chandrasekhar is on central deputation. He was selected over Nitin Agarwal, who topped the official list of probables. The appointment order, issued by Kerala Chief Secretary Dr A Jayathilak on behalf of the Governor, was released soon after a cabinet meeting held on Monday. Hailing from Andhra Pradesh's Godav ...Read More >
Kargil , Jul 2: Pursuant to putting in place a comprehensive legal framework to ensure fair, inclusive, and transparent recruitment to public services, the Administration of the Union Territory of Ladakh has initiated a large-scale recruitment drive for 359 Gazetted posts through the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). This marks the first-ever recruitment of Gazetted posts through UPSC since the formation of the Union Territory, officials said. This follows the establishment of a unique and dedicated legal framework specifically designed for Ladakh. The framework ensures maximum local re ...Read More >
Moradabad (Uttar Pradesh) [India], July 3 (ANI): Ahead of Muharram and Kanwar Yatra, security has been heightened and CCTVs installed in Moradabad. SP City, Ranvijay Singh, said that arrangements had been made for both occasions using technology. SP City, Ranvijay Singh said, "We have made all the arrangements for the Muharram and Kanwar Yatra. All the homework has been done. All the peace committee meetings have been held in all police stations. We have held a meeting with all the stakeholders. Internal departmental coordination has also been done. We have accessed the route for Tazia, and t ...Read More >
Anantnag, July 07: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday accused Pakistan of trying to destroy the J&K's development and unity, saying the neighbouring country cannot tolerate the peace and progress achieved over the past five years. "Pakistan wants to destroy the five-year-long development of Jammu and Kashmir. It wants to break our unity. We must not allow its nefarious designs to succeed," Sinha said, while addressing devotees at the HarbahUtsav held at Mata Sidh Lakshmi Temple in LokBhawan and later during a religious gathering in LarkiporaAishmuqam area of Anantnag. Calling Pakistan ...Read More >
Katra, July 13: In a significant step toward promoting spiritual development and preserving cultural heritage, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) has dedicated five newly constructed temples to the public across Reasi district. The decision was approved during the 75th Meeting of the Board, chaired by Shri Manoj Sinha, Hon'ble Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir and Chairman of the Shrine Board.In addition to the dedication of these temples, the Board has also approved the construction of five more temples in Reasi, further expanding the region's spiritual infrastructure.The ...Read More >
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Thursday took strong action against the police officers allegedly responsible for the Bengaluru stampede, suspending several high-ranking officials, including the city's police commissioner. Addressing a press conference, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also announced a one-man commission to probe the lapses that triggered the deadly stampede. "Cubbon Park Police Station police inspector, station house master, station house officer, ACP, Central Division DCP, cricket stadium in-charge, additional commissioner of police, commissioner of police have been susp ...Read More >
Haridwar: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Sakshi Maharaj on Sunday demanded that hotel, dhaba and eatery owners on the Kanwar Yatra routes should display their names and identities on boards outside their business establishments. The owners, who hide their identities under fake names, on the Kanwar Yatra routes should not be spared, he told reporters here. "Tampering with faith of the Hindu devotees during the Kanwar Yatra will not be tolerated," said the Unnao MP. The food shops on the Kanwar Yatra routes should have a board outside with the names of their owners clearly written on them, h ...Read More >
Baramulla, Jul 5: Hundreds of mourners from Delina and its neighbouring villages Saturday participated in the Muharram procession, the 9th day of the month of Muharram-Ul-Haram at Delina area of north Kashmir's Baramulla district. The procession was one of the series of processions being held in the month of Muharram, the first month of Islamic calendar. Dressed in black and carrying flags bearing religious inscriptions, participants from the villages of Hygam, Bulgam, Bohripora, Syedpora, Uri, Boniyar and other villages marched from new Imambargah through the National Highway NH-1 to the ma ...Read More >
Srinagar, July 6 (SocialNews.XYZ) As Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha joined Muslim mourners during the 10th Muharram procession in Srinagar city, two loud and powerful statements of communal harmony, co-existence and religious brotherhood reflecting the true spirit of 'Kashmiriyat' were made in Kashmir on Sunday. Lt Governor (L-G) Manoj Sinha served drinking water and refreshments to mourners when he saw off the 10th Muharram procession at Bota Kadal area of Srinagar. Hundreds of Shia mourners welcomed the Lt Governor as he joined the procession. In addition to offering water to th ...Read More >
Hyderabad, July 6 (Maxim News): In a major boost to employment opportunities in the banking sector, public sector banks (PSBs) are set to recruit around 50,000 personnel during the current financial year (FY2025), according to data compiled from various banks. The move is aimed at supporting expanding business operations, enhancing customer services, and strengthening digital and physical infrastructure. The State Bank of India (SBI), the country's largest lender, is leading the hiring wave with plans to employ nearly 20,000 people in FY2025. This includes both probationary officers and speci ...Read More >
Guwahati: The East Khasi Hills district administration will enforce a new set of parking regulations from August 1 to improve urban mobility across Shillong in Meghalaya. The initiative, which spans seven key traffic zones including Sadar, Madanrting, Laban, Mawlai, Rynjah, Lumdiengjri, and Laitumkhrah, aims to organize parking in critical stretches of the city. Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge! The Urban Affairs Department has introduced standard hourly parking fees, setting the rate at Rs 20 for two-wheelers and Rs 40 for four-wheelers, with z ...Read More >
Srinagar, July 09: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said that Jammu & Kashmir's tourism sector is witnessing a strong revival, with a steady rise in the number of tourists visiting the Union Territory each day.Abdullah, while addressing reporters in West Bengal ahead of the Kolkata Tourism Fair, said, "Tourists are coming back to Kashmir in good numbers. The ongoingAmarnathYatra is proceeding smoothly with heavy footfall on both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes, he said."I spoke to several pilgrims, and they are all happy and satisfied with the arrangements. I have come to Kolkata to ta ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jun 8 (PTI) Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Sunday said his party is ready to come together with anyone who will work to protect the interests of Maharashtra and Marathi manoos, his statement coming amid the rapprochement buzz between the Uddhav Thackeray-led party and Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). Talking to reporters here, Thackeray accused the BJP of "swallowing" Mumbai and Maharashtra. He said injustice is being meted out to Maharashtra by the BJP. "We have been saying this consistently. We are ready to work with anyone, any party that is ready to ...Read More >