Stay updated with the latest Other news, articles, and insights from trusted sources. Explore in-depth coverage and expert analysis on Other topics.
Srinagar: Ladakh has unveiled its first detailed roadmap for Census 2027 since becoming a Union Territory, with officials calling the exercise a major step toward sharper grassroots planning and data-driven governance in the high-altitude region. At a press orientation meet in Leh, Chief Principal Census Officer and Director of Census Operations for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, Amit Sharma, said the upcoming census would be a "transformative exercise" for Ladakh, marking the first full census operation in the Union Territory after its creation in 2019. The exercise, he said, is expected to generate the first comprehensive post-UT demographic and socio-economic database for Ladakh, a development likely to shape future decisions on infrastructure, public services, welfare delivery and local development priorities. Sharma said Census 2027 would also mark India's first fully digital census, with the entire process relying on advanced technology for data collection, validation and monitoring. The census in Ladakh will be carried out in two phases. The first phase, House Listing Operations, is scheduled from June 1 to June 30, 2026. Before that, residents will get a 15-day self-enumeration window from May 17 to May 31, allowing them to submit household details online through the official self-enumeration portal. Officials said the portal, se.census.gov.in, will carry a 33-question form and will be widely publicized across Ladakh to encourage public participation, including in remote and difficult-to-access areas. The second phase, Population Enumeration, is scheduled for September 2026 in Ladakh, alongside other notified snow-bound areas in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. A separate notification for self-enumeration and the questionnaire for this phase will be issued later. In what officials described as a major institutional step for the Union Territory, Sharma also announced the establishment of two dedicated Census workstations in the offices of the Planning, Development and Monitoring Department.
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 >
Srinagar: The Centre on Tuesday announced new reservation and domicile policies for Ladakh, reserving 85% jobs for locals and one-third of the total number of seats in the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils for women. Both Kargil Democratic Alliance (KBL) and Apex Body Leh (ABL), which are fighting for implementation of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution in the Union Territory (UT), statehood, a separate public service commission and two Lok Sabha seats for Ladakh, welcomed the noti ...Read More >
Ahmedabad, June 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) The MSC IRINA, recognised as the world's largest container ship by TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) capacity, is set to dock at the Adani Group's Vizhinjam International Seaport on Monday and will be berthed till Tuesday. The monumental arrival marks a significant milestone for the seaport, which was dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 2. The MSC IRINA boasts an impressive capacity of 24,346 TEUs, making it a formidable player in global shipping. With a length of 399.9 metres and a width of 61.3 metres, the vessel is approximate ...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 >
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 >
Srinagar, Jun 6 (PTI) The Jammu and Kashmir unit of BJP on Friday described the completion of the Udhampur-Baramulla rail link as a "historic moment", and called the project a "precious Eid gift" for the people of the Union Territory. "The Udhampur-Baramulla railway connectivity is not just a feat of engineering, but a symbol of hope, development, and national integration.This is truly a historic moment for Jammu and Kashmir," BJP's J-K spokesperson Altaf Thakur said here. He said the ambitious rail project will revolutionise travel in the region, boost tourism, and open up economic opportun ...Read More >
Itanagar, Jun 7 (PTI) The flood situation in Arunachal Pradesh improved on Saturday with water levels of most rivers receding, even as 33,000 people in 24 districts remained affected, officials said. Twelve people lost their lives and one person went missing in rain-related incidents, including landslides, after the monsoon set in, they said. In its daily report, the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) said 33,200 people in 215 villages remained affected due to floods and landslides in the state. The water levels of most major rivers and their tributaries were showing a receding trend o ...Read More >
New Delhi, December 15: The 'One Nation, One Election' Bill, officially known as the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, will not be tabled in the Lok Sabha on Monday. The Revised Business List of the Lower House for the day does not mention the Bill. The first list had scheduled the Bill for Monday. It mentioned, "... Arjun Ram Meghwal to move for leave to introduce a Bill further to amend the Constitution of India. Also to introduce the Bill." One Nation, One Election: Union Cabinet Approves Bills for Simultaneous Lok Sabha, State Assembly Elections, Say Source ...Read More >
Rajouri: State Health Department teams are continuing door-to-door surveillance in Badhal village as the mystery illness in Rajouri district in Jammu and Kashmir continues to claim lives. This after an 'unidentified' disease has claimed 16 reported fatalities and 38 affected individuals According to reports, NCDC (National Centre for Disease Control), ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) teams have been deployed for investigation as 16 deaths have been reported in Budhal village since December 2024 due to a 'mysterious illness.' Dilmir Choudhary, ADC Kotranka said, "Since December, we h ...Read More >
KATRA, Jun 5: Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha inspected arrangements in Katra on Thursday ahead of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's scheduled Public Meeting on 06th June. The Lieutenant Governor reviewed the preparations to ensure the smooth conduct of the event and directed the officials for strict security, safety measures and seamless coordination among all departments. Hon'ble Prime Minister will dedicate the iconic Chenab Bridge, the tallest railway bridge in the world, Country's first cable-stayed Anji rail bridge and Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project ...Read More >
Srinagar: Railway stations across the Kashmir Valley have been beautifully decked out as preparations peak for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to flag off the inaugural Delhi-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express -- the first-ever train connecting the valley directly to the rest of India. This landmark train will depart from Delhi and travel through Katra, the gateway to the revered Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, before reaching Srinagar. The event marks the successful culmination of one of India's most ambitious infrastructure projects, featuring two engineering marvels: the world's highest railway bridge o ...Read More >
New Delhi: Three Indian citizens vanished mysteriously in Tehran. Darkness closed in as hope seemed lost. A ruthless Pakistani gang with potential links to ISI snatched them away, casting a shadow of fear. But relentless Indian diplomats refused to back down. Against all odds, a daring rescue mission ignited. Now, the captives are free, and a chilling game of espionage comes to light. The Punjab-based trio - Amritpal Singh from Hoshiarpur, Jaspal Singh from SBS Nagar and Hushnapreet Singh from Sangrur - had landed in Iran on May 1. Promised a clandestine route to Australia via Dubai and Tehra ...Read More >
Hyderabad: The Union government announced on June 4 that it will conduct the long-pending nationwide census, starting on March 1, 2027, as the reference point. It is one of the most ambitious exercises undertaken by any democracy, as the nation's population according to the 2011 census was 121 crore (1.21 billion). Though it was supposed to be done in 2021, COVID caused a delay that extended to 6 years. The 2027 census would also take into account caste, an issue that has been politically contentious. Census is not just about counting people. It's about understanding who we are as a nation -- ...Read More >
SRINAGAR/KATRA: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday expressed optimism about Jammu and Kashmir's statehood being restored sooner than later. Terming the Centre's splitting the erstwhile state of J&K into two Union territories in August 2019 as "demotion", Abdullah said, "I was the Chief Minister of a state. Now I'm the Chief Minister of a Union Territory. But I firmly believe that this will be corrected very soon -- and it will be under your leadership and with your support, Mr. Prime Minister, that Jammu and Kashmir will once again regain the status of a full-fledged state." The Chief Min ...Read More >
Patna (Bihar) [India] June 6 (ANI): Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi attended the 'Samvidhan Sabha' in Rajgir, Nalanda, on Friday. Addressing the gathering, Gandhi emphasised the need for a caste census and criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's stance on the issue. He questioned PM Modi's claim of being an OBC while asserting that the BJP denies the existence of caste in India, emphasising the need for a genuine caste census. 'Narendra Modi used to say in every speech, I am OBC. Then, on the caste census, they say that there is no caste in India. If there is ...Read More >
Katra, June 06: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday described the launch of the Vande Bha-rat Express to Kashmir as a "historic accomplishment," saying the new railway link connecting the Valley with the rest of India will transform tourism, boost trade, and improve the daily lives of people across the region. Speaking at a large gathering in Katra after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Che-nab and Anji bridges and flagged off the first Vande Bharat Express between Katra and Srina-gar, Abdullah said, "The benefits to Jammu and Kashmir will be substantial. Tourism will receive a ...Read More >
Srinagar, Jun 06: Political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir have extended greetings to the people on the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Adha. They expressed hope that the revered occasion brings peace and prosperity to the region. Dr Farooq Abdullah National Conference (NC) president, Dr Farooq Abdullah conveyed his heartfelt greetings to the people on Eid-ul-Adha, wishing them peace, prosperity and unity. In his message, Dr Abdullah reflected on the profound significance of the day, saying, "As the Muslim Ummah comes together in celebration of Eid-ul-Azha, I extend my warmest greetings to ever ...Read More >
Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday termed the inauguration of the Chenab and Anji rail bridges by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "historic moment" in the region's development journey."What a momentous day! June 6, 2025, will go down in history. Hon'ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji inaugurated the Chenab Bridge, the world's highest railway arch bridge, and the Anji Bridge, India's first cable-stayed rail bridge -- making the dream of connecting Kashmir to Kanyakumari a reality," Sinha said in a post on X. Sinha declared that the long-held vision of connecting Ka ...Read More >
Srinagar: Before towering cranes and cutting-edge engineering transformed the Himalayan landscape, the monumental dream of connecting "Kashmir to Kanyakumari" by rail began with the plodding footsteps of humble mules. This extraordinary backstory underpins the official realization of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6, 2025, a project crowned by the awe-inspiring Chenab Bridge. According to Afcons Infrastructure Limited, the company behind the Chenab Bridge, the earliest and most formidable hurdle wasn't just the design of ...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 >
Katra: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Jammu and Kashmir on Friday to inaugurate multiple rail projects, including the world's highest Chenab Rail Bridge, the Anji Khad Bridge, and the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express, as part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link. These railway projects directly connect Jammu and Kashmir to the rest of the country. The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link is an all-weather railway corridor designed to provide seamless connectivity to the region through the rail network. During his visit, PM Modi reviewed the Chenab bridge, world's highest ra ...Read More >
Srinagar: Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday said that if the Prime Minister truly seeks to reduce the 'Dil Ki Doori' then humanitarian steps like release of prisoners need to be taken immediately. Mirwaiz while addressing a Friday gathering here at historic Jama Masjid in downtown Srinagar said that train links are a welcome, but it is the human links that truly matter and endure. On the eve of Eid-ul-Adha, Mirwaiz said that for thousands of families in J&K, the festival brings no joy. "Their sons, husbands, fathers and brothers have been incarcerated for years -- many without tr ...Read More >
Srinagar, June 7: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, on Saturday, congratulated the University of Kashmir for getting an A++ grade in the NAAC inspection. The Lt Governor extended his heartiest congratulations to the Vice Chancellor, faculty, staff, and students of the University of Kashmir for attaining the prestigious A++ Grade by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), and securing an outstanding Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.68 on a seven-point scale. Calling it a proud moment for J&K UT, the Lt Governor said, "The A++ Grade places the Un ...Read More >
Jammu, June 8 (PTI) Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday laid the foundation stone of a mega industrial unit in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district, saying that massive infrastructure development is stimulating rapid economic growth of the region. He said that the union territory will soon become a manufacturing hub, a principal market of north, and a competitive provider of services. Also Read | Chennai Shocker: Doctor Kills Woman Who Blackmailed Him With Nude Photos, Arrested After CCTV, Call Records Reveal Truth. The LG reiterated his commitment to decentralising the industrial infr ...Read More >
Srinagar, June 26: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday expressed hope that ongoing discussions on the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir would yield a positive outcome, saying the people of the Union Territory are looking forward to the return of their identity and dignity. "We want the discussions to conclude soon and bring the outcome the people of Jammu and Kashmir desire," Omar said while speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a National Cadet Corps (NCC) event at BadamiBagh Cantonment, Srinagar. He stressed that the demand for statehood is not merely political but a q ...Read More >
Jammu: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday described the completion of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) as a historic milestone and a symbol of national integration, as he flagged off the first Vande Bharat train between Katra and Srinagar. Speaking at a massive public gathering in Katra, Modi called the moment "a grand celebration of India's unity and willpower." "With the blessings of Mata Vaishno Devi, Kashmir has now been connected to India's vast railway network," he said. "For decades, the phrase 'Kashmir to Kanyakumari' has represented a dream of national unity -- ...Read More >
SRINAGAR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the iconic Chenab Bridge, Anji rail bridge and Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project and flagged off Vande Bharat Trains, connecting Kashmir to Kanyakumari. Speaking on the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha called it a momentous occasion that will go down in history. In his address, the Lieutenant Governor expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for dedicating the historic railway projects to the people of Jammu Kashmir and the nation. "Kashmir to Kanyakumari is no longer a ...Read More >
Officials say the train will help the troubled region, but many Kashmiris see it as a tool to entrench the Indian government's control. After decades of highly complex engineering work and billions of dollars in investment, India has finally connected the Himalayan region of Kashmir by rail to the rest of the country. The train link, which was officially inaugurated on Friday, fulfilled a dream dating back to the British colonial era. Indian officials called it a transformative leap for the res ...Read More >
Silchar: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday visited the flood-ravaged districts of Hailakandi and Sribhumi in the Barak Valley. He assured affected residents of providing timely disbursement of rehabilitation grants and swift repair of damaged infrastructure.This marks Sarma's second visit to the flood-hit region within four days, underscoring the gravity of the situation. Speaking to the media in Sribhumi after inspecting multiple relief camps, the CM said, "Flood-related problems may persist till July. I will return before Durga Puja to ensure that roads and infrastructure ar ...Read More >
Census 2027: India's largest data exercise returns with digital tools and caste focus | Illustration: Binay Sinha After a nearly six-year delay, India's decennial census is finally back on the agenda. It would be conducted in two phases along with the enumeration of castes. India's population census is expected to be released on March 1, 2027. Here is everything known so far. What is the census and why it matters India's census is the largest population count in the world, conducted every 10 years by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, under the Ministry of Home Aff ...Read More >