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.
Patna: The Bihar assembly election has transcended state and national boundaries, finding mention not just among the Indian diaspora abroad but also among artists in the United States.In one such instance, BJP candidate and folk singer Maithili Thakur, contesting from the Alinagar assembly constituency in Darbhanga district against RJD's Vinod Mishra, has received warm wishes from American singer and long-time admirer of India, Mary Millben.Maithili on Monday expressed gratitude to Millben for extending her wishes ahead of the Bihar assembly elections scheduled in two phases on Nov 6 and 11.In a post on Oct 25, Millben wrote, "I'm certainly supportive of Mr (Nitish) Kumar and his leadership now, and how his contributions and his position have contributed to the success of the Prime Minister and the BJP. But yes, I hope to see great success for the Prime Minister's agenda in Bihar. And, you know, I certainly look forward to visiting Bihar when I come... There's also a young girl (Maithili Thakur) that I was sent some information about. I don't know if this is the area where she's running. She's a young artist. I think she is a folk singer. And I was very excited to see that she has entered politics. I love her singing and I love her artistry. I think it's beautiful that she has dedicated so much of her life at a young age to continuing the traditional music and the sounds of India. But I was so elated and excited to see her enter politics. And so, I wish her well."In her reply on Monday, Maithili said she had spoken with Millben around two years ago. "I am not using social media much right now. I thank her for her wishes and support," she told reporters.Millben, the first African-American artist invited to India by the ministry of external affairs and ICCR to participate in the 75th Independence Day celebrations, rose to prominence in 2020 after performing the bhajan 'Om Jai Jagdish Hare'. She recently re-shared the rendition on Oct 20 to mark five years since its first virtual performance during Diwali in 2020.Expressing her deep affection for India, Millben said, "Since my introduction to India at a high level through music, and certainly through my advocacy for pro-India policies and for PM Modi, I feel blessed to now call India and its people a part of my heart, not only for the music and culture, but for the shared values... Growing up, we had a wonderful woman in our home, Smita Patil, of Indian origin, who helped take care of us while my mother had a busy life as a pastor. She became like a big sister and helped raise us, immersing us in Indian culture, cuisine, and even music from a very young age. I credit Smita a lot because she introduced us to many aspects of Indian culture."
PRAYAGRAJ, India (AP) -- Millions of Hindu devotees, mystics and holy men and women from all across India flocked to the northern city of Prayagraj on Monday to kickstart the Maha Kumbh festival, which is being touted as the world's largest religious gathering. Over about the next six weeks, Hindu pilgrims will gather at the confluence of three sacred rivers -- the Ganges, the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati -- where they will take part in elaborate rituals, hoping to begin a journey to achieve Hindu philosophy's ultimate goal: the release from the cycle of rebirth. Here's what to know abo ...Read More >
Gurgaon: The city could play host to India's Disneyland amusement park, chief minister Nayab Singh Saini has said, unveiling ambitious plans to develop areas off the Western Peripheral (KMP) Expressway as tourist destinations. Saini said govt was in talks with officials from Disney and has identified 500 acres of land near Pachgaon Chowk in Manesar for the project. A Disneyland in NCR will be "game-changing", the CM said, after meeting Union culture and tourism minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in Delhi on Wednesday.He said the entertainment hub will bring economic, cultural and social benefit ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi charmed lawmakers in Trinidad and Tobago with a mix of heartfelt diplomacy and light-hearted cricket banter during his address to the joint sitting of the country's Parliament on Friday. Highlighting the shared love for the game, PM Modi joked, "I must say, Indians are among the most passionate fans of the West Indies cricket team. We cheer for them with all our heart, except when they are playing against India." His remark sparked laughter across the chamber.PM Modi, on his first bilateral visit to the Caribbean nation as Prime Minister, was conferred w ...Read More >
Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced several pre-election promises targeting auto drivers. These include a ₹10 lakh insurance policy, ₹1 lakh for daughters' marriages, a biannual ₹2,500 uniform allowance, free coaching for their children, and the relaunch of the 'PoochO' ride-booking app. Kejriwal and the AAP are campaigning to secure a third term in the upcoming February elections.Ahead of crucial Delhi assembly polls, Arvind Kejriwal promised several measures for auto dri ...Read More >
Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) [India], February 7 (ANI): Bihar Governor Arif Mohammed Khan arrived at the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj on Friday and said that the 'Sanatana' culture embodies the oneness of being and that all the differences dissolve in it. Speaking to the media here, Arif Khan highlighted the Indian culture of seeing divinity in humanity, asserting that "manav" (humans) are a reflection of "Madhav" (God). Khan also noted that India's heritage, values, and ideals continue to be celebrated at the Mahakumbh, fostering unity among people beyond personal familiarity. "We should always not ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 29 (PTI) Amid the row over RSS leader Dattatreya Hosabale's remarks on the Constitution's Preamble, CPI MP P Sandosh Kumar on Sunday wrote to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, questioning if the organisation "truly accept the Indian Constitution". Hosabale, the general secretary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideologue mentor of the ruling BJP, on Thursday called for a review of the words "secular" and "socialist" inserted into the Preamble by way of the 42nd Amendment. He said the words were added during the Emergency and were not part of the original text drafted by B ...Read More >
Patna (Bihar) [India], July 2 (ANI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday took a jibe at opposition parties in Bihar while addressing the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) state executive meeting and said that India has always been secular. The Defence Minister questioned the opposition regarding the definition of secular amid the ongoing controversy over Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Dattatreya Hosabale's suggestion to reconsider the inclusion of words 'secular and socialist' in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution. 'India is a country whose very culture embodies the spirit of Sa ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a vibrant welcome from the Indian community upon his arrival in Brazil, with on of the highlights being a cultural dance inspired by Operation Sindoor. The room in Rio de Janeiro came alive with the traditional Indian dance and folk music as members of the Indian diaspora celebrated the Prime Minister's visit. The stirring rendition themed on Operation Sindoor stood out- with the song"Saugandh Mujhe Iss Mitti Ki" playing in the background, the performance drew praises and applause from the PM. The Prime minister also took pictures with the dance ...Read More >
Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh govt is going to move a motion during the upcoming monsoon session of the legislative assembly to introduce a law prohibiting constructions near rivers and torrential streams -- a move that stems from the Rs 750-crore loss the state has suffered due to damage to houses constructed in such locations this monsoon.With the move, the state govt hopes to reduce losses caused by damage to buildings constructed near rivers and torrential streams every monsoon. "There is a need to come up with a law and to also get it implemented strictly," said revenue, horticulture and t ...Read More >
Jodhpur/Jaipur: In a sharp escalation of political wrangling, former chief minister Ashok Gehlot Friday accused BJP and RSS of harbouring a long-standing agenda to amend India's Constitution. His remarks came in response to controversial statements made by RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale, who suggested changes to the Preamble.Speaking in Jodhpur, Gehlot cited multiple Supreme Court judgments, including the landmark 1973 Kesavananda Bharati case, to emphasise the legal sanctity of the Constitution's Preamble. "This interpretation was further fortified in 1976 by then Prime Minister In ...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 >
Hyderabad: The first glimpse of Ramayana, directed by Nitesh Tiwari and starring Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, and Yash, has just dropped. And it's already making waves in the industry. The teaser introduces yet another cinematic vision of India's most cherished epic. But amid the grandeur, one small phrase stood out to us: "Filmed for IMAX." For casual moviegoers, this might sound like just another buzzword. But in reality, it hints at a promise of a cinematic experience that's larger, sharper, louder and more immersive than ever before. So what does "Filmed for IMAX" actually mean, and why is ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 8 (PTI) Aam Aadmi Party's Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh and Delhi unit chief Saurabh Bharadwaj on Sunday visited the demolition site of the Madrasi Camp slum cluster, where they met with displaced residents, and intensified their attack on the BJP over the recent eviction drive. They alleged that Prime Minister Modi's promise to slum dwellers of 'jahan jhuggi wahan makan' - house at the site of their hutment - has "proved to be hollow like many others". There was no immediate response available from the BJP or the Delhi government over the accusations. The Madrasi Camp -- a jhu ...Read More >
New Delhi: Senior BJP leader and Union agriculture minister Shivraj Chouhan on Friday suggested that it is time for a thoughtful debate about the words "socialism and secularism" in the Constitution's Preamble while asserting that these two terms do not reflect India's core cultural values. Chouhan's remarks came a day after RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale called for a review of addition of socialism and secularism in the Constitution's Preamble, saying these two words were not in the Constitution drafted by BR Ambedkar. However, Chouhan underlined that harmony among all religions i ...Read More >
Digha: A day after Rath Yatra, the festive fervour continues in Digha as the seaside town is now gearing up to host Ulta Rath or the return journey of the deities from the 'Masir Bari' or the old Jagannath temple. On July 5 -- the Ulta Rath day -- hotels are hoping for fresh tourist influx. Though the deities are currently in Masir Bari, a large queue of devotees visited the newly-constructed Jagannath temple on Saturday. They offered prayers to the stone idol permanently installed there. It is the wooden idols of Jagannath, Balaram and Subhadra that have taken the chairot rides. Bipradash Cha ...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 >
Agartala (Tripura) [India], June 27 (ANI): Joining the nation in celebrating the auspicious festival of Rath Yatra, the ISKCON temple and Hare Krishna Mandir in Tripura's Agartala on Friday hosted a grand celebration, drawing thousands of devotees from across Tripura. The vibrant and spiritually uplifting procession was marked by chanting, devotional songs, cultural performances, and traditional rituals. The streets of Agartala came alive as Lord Jagannath, along with his siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra, embarked on the annual chariot journey amid joyous cries of "Jai Jagannath." The holy ch ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: PM Modi will reach Port of Spain Thursday on the first visit by an Indian PM to Trinidad and Tobago since 1999. While this will be his first official visit, part of the focus on strengthening engagement with the Carribean nation's Indian diaspora, Modi's ties with Trinidad and Tobago, stretch back 25 years.In Aug 2000, as BJP general secretary, he attended World Hindu Conference. The gathering had brought together over 1,000 delegates from across the globe. Modi's keynote address focused on the ancient Indian concept of prioritising the lager social good over one's personal interest ...Read More >
Bhopal: The Gita recitation programme by the Madhya Pradesh government has found a place in the Guinness World Records. "More than 7,200 'acharyas' and 'vatuks' collectively recited the third chapter 'Karma Yoga' on Wednesday, making a record," a statement issued by the government said. The event was parallely organised at Bhopal's Lal Parade Ground and Ujjain to mark the sacred occasion of Gita Jayanti. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said that the collective recitation of the Gita by thousands of Acharyas in Bhopal and Ujjain has been registered in the 'Guinness Book of World Records'. He con ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 29 (PTI) Amid the row over RSS leader Dattatreya Hosabale's remarks on the Constitution's Preamble, CPI MP P Sandosh Kumar on Sunday wrote to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, questioning if the organisation "truly accept the Indian Constitution". Hosabale, the general secretary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideologue mentor of the ruling BJP, on Thursday called for a review of the words "secular" and "socialist" inserted into the Preamble by way of the 42nd Amendment. Also Read | Hindi Row: Maharashtra Govt Forms Committee To Submit Report on Trilingual Policy Formula ...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 >
Mumbai: Senior BJP leader Ravindra Chavan is all set to become the next Maharashtra BJP chief as he filed his nomination for the post of party's state president on Monday. Mr. Chavan presented the nomination forms to Union Minister Kiran Rijiju, who has been appointed as a central observer for the elections by the BJP. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and outgoing party chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule were present on this occasion. With no other nomination being filed for the post, Mr. Chavan is certain to become the next state president of Maharashtra BJP, said party leaders. The ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 1 (ANI): The Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday announced the appointment of Jayant Khobragade of the Indian Foreign Service batch of 1995, as the next Ambassador of India to Spain. Khobragade is currently serving as the Ambassador of India to ASEAN, is expected to assume his new role in Spain shortly, according to an official statement from the MEA. 'Shri Jayant Khobragade (IFS: 1995), presently Ambassador of India to ASEAN, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Spain. He is expected to take up the assignment shortly,' the statemen ...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 >
Mumbai, July 8 (PTI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday termed BJP MP Nishikant Dubey's recent comments as "ill-advised," warning they could sow "confusion in the minds of people", as leaders cutting across party lines condemned the Jharkhand politician's statement. Fadnavis's reaction comes as Dubey's "inappropriate" remarks on the language issue drew sharp condemnation from across the political spectrum, including strong disapproval from within the state BJP and ruling alliance. Also Read | PM Modi in Brasilia: PM Narendra Modi Receives Grand Welcome From Brazil Presid ...Read More >
Jaipur: The much-awaited first AC train under the Senior Citizens Pilgrimage Scheme left for Rameswaram from Jaipur's Durgapura railway station on Friday. About 600 passengers left for Rameswaram-Madurai from Jaipur and 176 from Sawai Madhopur. Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma flagged off the Rajasthan Vahini Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train. The elderly passengers had to wait for several hours at the railway station due to an inordinate delay. After reaching the station at the scheduled reporting time between 7 am and 8 am, the elderly tourists had to wait till 3:45 pm there in the scorching heat ...Read More >
Jodhpur/Jaipur: The political battle between former chief minister Ashok Gehlot and Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat intensified Friday as both leaders traded accusations over the controversial Sanjivani credit cooperative society scam.In a pointed statement, Gehlot challenged Shekhawat to meet with victims of the scam rather than pursuing legal action through defamation suit against him. "I urge Shekhawat ji -- you are a cabinet minister, it's a big responsibility. Come forward, hold a di ...Read More >
The sacred coastal city of Puri is bustling with devotional energy as preparations intensify for the Bahuda Yatra 2025, the revered return journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Chakraraj Sudarshan from the Gundicha Temple to the Shree Jagannath Temple. After the completion of the important Hera Panchami ritual on Tuesday night, the focus shifted to the Dakshina Moda (southward turning) of the three grand Rath Yatra chariots. On Wednesday, July 2, the chariots of Devi Sub ...Read More >
Singrauli, July 5: More than 1.27 crore women beneficiaries of Madhya Pradesh government's flagship Ladli Behna Yojana will get a monthly aid of Rs 1,500 after Diwali, up from the current Rs 1,250, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said. He said a special budget of Rs 27,147 crore has been earmarked for women, including Rs 18,699 crore for the Ladli Behna scheme. "Ladli Behna Yojana beneficiaries would receive Rs 1,250 plus an additional Rs 250 on Raksha Bandhan. After Diwali, the monthly benefit would be hiked to Rs 1,500," he said at a women's empowerment and tribal pride conference in Sarai here ...Read More >
Bhopal, June 5 (SocialNews.XYZ) Senior BJP leader and Madhya Pradesh Cabinet Minister for Urban Development, Housing and Parliamentary affairs, Kailash Vijayvargiya stirred controversy on Thursday with remarks disapproving of women wearing short outfits, asserting that such a trend is a foreign concept of beauty and not aligned with Indian tradition. A six-time legislator and a state government minister, Vijayvargiya emphasised that in Indian culture, women are regarded as a form of Goddess and should dress in a manner that reflects grace and dignity. Comparing cultural perspectives, he stat ...Read More >