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.
A cafe in Kolkata has become a global curiosity. It is entirely dedicated to football legend Lionel Messi. The owner, Shamindra Ghosh, built it as a tribute to the player who helped him through depression. He now hopes to meet his idol. Messi is scheduled to visit the city soon. This unique story highlights the profound personal impact global sports icons can have. Shamindra Ghosh opened Cafe Leo several years ago. He was grieving his mother's loss and struggling to find a job. Watching Messi play became his solace and inspiration. He told Livemint that Messi's videos would always cheer him up. The cafe was his way of honoring that help. He calls it his temple and Messi his god. The walls are covered with Messi memorabilia and career highlights. What started as a six-seater spot has grown. It is now a local hub for fans, especially on match days. The news of Messi's upcoming trip to Kolkata ignited Shamindra's hope. He reached out to event organizer Satadru Dutta. Initial contact was made, but he has heard nothing since. He remains hopeful for a chance to meet his hero. He wants to personally tell Messi his story. Shamindra dreams of explaining how the footballer's career dedicated this space. Even without a confirmed meeting, his devotion continues. He has booked a ticket for the main event. He may even go to the airport to catch a glimpse. This story shows how fandom transcends sport. It can provide real emotional support and purpose. For Shamindra, Messi represents resilience and triumph.
A temple locked since 1978 communal riots in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, has been reopened by authorities during an anti-encroachment drive. The Bhasma Shankar temple, containing idols of Lord Hanuman and a Shivling, was rediscovered during an electricity theft inspection. This follows recent violence and heightened tensions in the area, including a mosque survey dispute and loudspeaker fine.The Sambhal administration here on Saturday uncovered and reopened a temple, which is said to have been closed ...Read More >
Kerala Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman on Saturday asserted that Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, will visit the state as announced by the government earlier, and that the sponsor has paid the match fee for the event. He said the World Cup winner is likely to come in October or November this year, and they would be treated as state guests. The government would meet their security, accommodation and other facilities. The news would come as a fresh ray of hope for football fans in one of India's surviving football hubs. Earlier, several media reports had claimed that Argentina's scheduled visit ...Read More >
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 >
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], June 27 (ANI): A female student was allegedly gang-raped inside a law college in Kolkata's Kasba on Wednesday evening. The police have arrested all three accused within 24 hours. The three accused, named as Monojit Mishra (31), Zaib Ahmed (19), and Pramit Mukhopadhyay (20), were former students or staff members of the same law college. Also Read | Student Gang-Raped at South Kolkata Law College: Police Arrest 3 Youths for Sexually Assaulting Young Woman Inside Law College. According to the police, the accused named in the FIR will be produced before the A.C.J. ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: In a distinctive departure from traditional Rath Yatra, the holy trinity of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra embarked on a unique water-borne sojourn at Kankan Sikhari, an islet in Chilika lagoon, on Friday. The deities are placed on a specially designed chariot mounted on three interconnected boats."After the ceremonial Pahandi ritual, we took the deities to the chariot mounted on boats at 1pm. The divine procession circumnavigated the islet while devotees and priests chanted hymns and beat gongs during the journey. At 2.15pm, we brought the deities from the boat ...Read More >
Anantnag/Srinagr: Ancient Hindu idols were recovered during excavation work for the renovation of a spring in south Kashmir's Anantnag district, officials said. The idols and 'Shivlings' were recovered at Karkoot Nag in the Salia area of Aishmuqam in the south Kashmir district. The site holds significance for Kashmiri Pandits, who associate it with the Karkoota dynasty that ruled Kashmir from 625 to 855 CE. The Public Works Department is undertaking revival and restoration works in the spring and the labourers recovered the idols during the excavation work, officials said on Saturday. They ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapuram, June 7 (UNI) Amid swirling speculation over the possible cancellation of an exhibition match involving global football icon Lionel Messi, Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman on Saturday reaffirmed that the much-anticipated event is very much on. "World Champion Argentina football team will visit Kerala," the minister said in a social media post, adding that Messi -- fondly known as King Leo -- is confirmed to participate in the match. His clarification comes in the wake of reports suggesting uncertainty around the event, prompting concern among fans and stakeholders. The ...Read More >
Puri: A day before the :Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, thousands of devotees thronged Puri to witness the reappearance of sibling deities at the 12th-century shrine here on Thursday. They reached the 'Singha Dwar' (Lion's Gate) of the temple before the sun rose to have a 'Nabajouban darshan' (youthful appearance) of Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath on the 'Ratna Bedi' (sacred platform in sanctum sanctorum). The deities appeared before the devotees after a fortnight. The public 'darshan' of the sibling deities was stopped after bathing rituals on June 11. "It is believed that t ...Read More >
BHUBANESWAR: The chariots of the holy Trinity reaching the Gundicha temple notwithstanding, there was no abatement in the political slugfest on the issue even on Saturday. Leader of Opposition and BJD president Naveen Patnaik called for a deep introspection by all in the government over the 'terrible mess' which overshadowed the Rath Yatra this year. The former chief minister, who is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Mumbai, said in a post on X, "We are not here to point fingers or blame the administration for yesterday's inordinate delay in pulling the Nandighosha chariot. But it is imp ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: The National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) has suggested prioritising women in allocation of deceased donor organs.In a letter to the states/UTs, the apex authority for regulating organ donations and transplants in the country, has said a provision should be made to mark additional points for women recipients of donor organs, to address gender disparity. Studies have shown that while women make up a large percentage of donors, they receive fewer organs than men. "Women are equally vulnerable when it comes to end-stage organ failure due to illness, and it is import ...Read More >
New Delhi, Aug 28 (PTI) India's gains from importing discounted Russian oil are estimated to be just USD 2.5 billion per annum, significantly lower than the previously speculated range of USD 10-25 billion, a research report said on Thursday. Stopping Russian oil imports would force India, the world's third-largest oil importer and consumer, to rely on limited alternatives, potentially driving global crude prices up to USD 100 per barrel amid rising demand and tight supply. "Benefit from Russian oil imports is way less than exaggerated media numbers," brokerage CLSA said in a report. While ...Read More >
Puri (Odisha) [India], June 29 (ANI): At least three people have reportedly died in a stampede during the Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha on Sunday. According to Odisha local media reports, several people have also sustained injuries and further details are awaited in the incident that took place this morning near the Gundicha Temple. Visuals from the postmortem centre in Puri showed families of victims gathered outside the facility. A man who lost his wife in the stampede said, 'When this incident happened, no one responded, neither the fire officials, nor the rescue team, nor the hos ...Read More >
Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh) [India], June 6 (ANI): Thousands of devotees rejoice as they make their way to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple today, a momentous occasion in the spiritual and cultural landscape of India. Uttam Kumari Sheluwal, a local from Nepal, said,' We've come to Ayodhya to visit the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, where our beloved Bhagwan Shri Ramchandraji resides. Our family's Ishtadev is Bhagwan Shri Ram, and we worship Mata Janaki too. We're thrilled to be here in Ayodhya, the city of Lord Ram, and can't wait to have Darshan of Prabhu Shri Ram. We're grateful to Chief Minister Yogi ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], June 28 (ANI): Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik raised concerns over the 'inordinate delay' in pulling the Nandighosha chariot on Saturday. Some people experienced suffocation and reportedly fell unconscious due to high humidity during the Rath Yatra in Odisha's Puri on Friday. Taking to 'X', the Biju Janata Dal chief stated that he doesn't want to 'point fingers or blame' the administration for the delay in pulling the Nandighosha chariot, but it is 'impossible' to 'voice' deep concern and anguish on how the things unfolded during the most sacred eve ...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 >
New Delhi [India], July 3 (ANI): Argentina's World Cup-winning legend Lionel Messi paid tribute to Liverpool striker Diogo Jota following his demise in a car accident. Liverpool and Portugal forward Jota died in a car accident on Thursday in Spain at the age of 28. At the time of the accident, Jota was with his brother in the car, as reported by Sky Sports. Premier League and Liverpool Football Club took to their official social media and paid their condolences to the footballer. Also Read | Shubman Gill Records: Here's List of Achievements of Team India Test Captain During His Record-Breaki ...Read More >
Patna, Aug 1 (PTI) Healthcare services were affected at AIIMS-Patna on Friday as resident doctors went on an "indefinite strike" in protest against the alleged high-handedness of Sheohar MLA Chetan Anand. According to a press statement issued by the Resident Doctors' Association (RDA), AIIMS-Patna, on Friday, "The RDA expresses deep disappointment and anguish over the lack of action by the administration following the violent and traumatic incident that occurred on Wednesday, when MLA Chetan Anand, his wife and their armed guards breached hospital security, physically assaulted staff, and thr ...Read More >
During a spring restoration in Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir, ancient Hindu idols and Shivlings were discovered, potentially linked to the Karkoota dynasty. The artefacts, found at the Karkoot Nag spring, are now under the care of the Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums for study. NEW DELHI: Ancient Hindu idols and Shivlings have been discovered during excavation work for a spring restoration project in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district, officials confirmed on Saturday. According t ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar, June 28: Expressing deep anguish over the "terrible mess" in the conduct of Lord Jagannth's Rath Yatra in Puri this year, Leader of Opposition in Odisha Assembly Naveen Patnaik on Saturday prayed to the almighty to forgive those responsible for the development. Patnaik, who is also a former five-time chief minister of Odisha and president of BJD, said that it is impossible not to voice concern and anguish over how things unfolded during the most sacred event in the state. Patnaik, who is recuperating at a hospital in Mumbai after surgery, in a post on X said: "We aren't here to p ...Read More >
Moradabad (Uttar Pradesh) [India], July 13 (ANI): Moradabad Municipal Corporation has made special preparations for the Kanwar Yatra 2025. A huge Shiv Darbar with a 30-foot-long idol of Lord Shiva has been set up to welcome all the Kanwar Yatris. Along with this, a special resting place, a Kanwar Yatra shed, has been made with a capacity of over 100 people. Moradabad Municipal Commissioner Divyanshu Patel said, 'The patchwork on routes to all the significant temples has started by Moradabad Municipal Corporation, and 80 per cent has already been completed... A huge Shiv Darbar with a 30-foot- ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 19 (ANI): Seasoned pacer Mohammed Shami, who missed out on a place in India's squad for the England tour, has been named in Bengal's expanded list of 50 probables for the upcoming domestic season, according to ESPncricinfo. Shami could potentially be a part of the East Zone in the season-opening Duleep Trophy, which kicks off on August 28, which could mark his return to competitive cricket. The 34-year-old, who has 64 Tests, 108 ODIs and 25 T20Is appearances under his belt, hasn't featured for India since the Champions Trophy, which concluded in March earlier this year ...Read More >
Chandigarh: Punjab chief ministerBhagwant Mann on Thursday said the government will table a bill in the assembly on Friday to introduce harsher punishment for religious sacrilege. However, the law will not be enacted immediately, as the government plans to hold consultations with stakeholders before finalising the legislation.Mann said the decision was taken in a meeting of the cabinet earlier in the day. After the legislation is tabled, Punjab govt will gather suggestions on the law from stakeholders, including religious organisations and people, he added.Sources said said the new legislation ...Read More >
Puri: Despite travel uncertainties due to recent conflicts in some parts of the world, people from Europe and elsewhere have reached Puri to witness the annual Ratha Yatra of the sibling deities.As non-Hindus are not allowed inside the 12th-century Jagannath Temple, the Ratha Yatra provides a rare opportunity for devotees across the world to see the deities in their full glory atop their majestic wooden chariots."Back home, we are surrounded by uncertainty and fear. But here, I found peace. I came because this is my only chance to see Lord Jagannath. He comes out for the whole world. This is v ...Read More >
Srinagar, Aug 3: The Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums on Sunday said that an ancient Shivling had been unearthed and safely housed in the SPS Museum Srinagar for public display. A statement of the Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums issued here said that it was pleased to announce the discovery of an ancient Shivling carved from stone, measuring 137 cm in length and 160 cm in width, approximately dating back to the 10th Century CE, recovered during sand extraction by local labourers from the Jhelum River near the Army camp at Khanpora in Baramulla. The statement sa ...Read More >
Lucknow: Umar Ansari, the younger son of gangster-turned-politician late Mukhtar Ansari, was arrested by Ghazipur police from Darul Shafa area of Lucknow late Sunday night.The arrest was made following the registration of a criminal case against him for forgery in Ghazipur. He was taken into custody and transported to Ghazipur for further proceedings.Umar Ansari was booked for allegedly attempting to fraudulently reclaim a property that had been confiscated under the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act. The property was earlier seized under Section 14(1) of the ...Read More >
New Delhi: The Ayodhya Ram Mandir was open to the public in January last year. The first floor of the temple will have Raja Ram installed in his grand, kingly form. This step also involves performing Pran Pratishtha for several deities throughout the complex, including those in seven nearby shrines and seven additional mandapams. As the second phase of the consecration ceremony of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir has started, let us tell you about the beautiful golden top (Shikhar) and the new first floor of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir. About the First Floor of Ayodhya Ram Mandir The Ram Mandir T ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 5 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said Ayodhya has witnessed another proud and historic moment following the consecration of 'Ram Darbar' -- Lord Rama in his royal form -- along with the installation of idols in eight newly built temples inside the Ram Janmabhoomi complex. The ritual was the second major consecration ceremony at the temple, the first being that of Ram Lalla on January 22, 2024, in the presence of the prime minister. In a post on X, Modi said the auspicious occasion of the consecration of the divine and grand 'Ram Darbar' will fill the devotees o ...Read More >
Sagar (Madhya Pradesh): A banyan tree, believed to be 5,000 years old and spread over two acres in the Deori Kalan area, is 16km from the Sagar district headquarters. It is a storehouse of oxygen, say experts. A large number of people from different parts of the country flock to the 64-Yogini temple in this place. The temple is under the banyan tree. It stands as a rare treat to devotees visiting the temple. The pop roots of the tree are touching the ground. Thousands of bells are hanging from the branches of the banyan tree, which shows their faith in the temple and in the tree. The nation ...Read More >
Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh) [India], June 6 (ANI): Thousands of devotees rejoice as they make their way to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple today, a momentous occasion in the spiritual and cultural landscape of India. Uttam Kumari Sheluwal, a local from Nepal, said," We've come to Ayodhya to visit the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, where our beloved Bhagwan Shri Ramchandraji resides. Our family's Ishtadev is Bhagwan Shri Ram, and we worship Mata Janaki too. We're thrilled to be here in Ayodhya, the city of Lord Ram, and can't wait to have Darshan of Prabhu Shri Ram. We're grateful to Chief Minister Yogi ...Read More >