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The implementation of the fuel ban on end-of-life (EOL) or overage vehicles in Delhi-NCR, which was postponed by the central air quality panel in July, will now come into effect from November 1, 2025. The decision, which affects diesel vehicles over 10 years old and petrol vehicles over 15 years old, was deferred after a review by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), sources told PTI.&nbsp;"Direction 89 to be amended. Drive against End-of-Life vehicles in Delhi will now come into force from November 1, along with 5 NCR districts," a CAQM (Commission for Air Quality Management) official previously told the news agency ANI.&nbsp;The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) had earlier ordered to ban such vehicles from getting fuel in Delhi from July 1, regardless of where they were registered.&nbsp;Following the move, Delhi environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa wrote to the CAQM demanding that it hold off on the action. He labelled the move "premature and potentially counterproductive", and pointed to "operational and infrastructural challenges".<h3>How can overage vehicles in Delhi-NCR be checked?</h3>The ban will be imposed on November 1 across Delhi and five adjoining high-vehicle-density districts, which include Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Gautam Budh Nagar and Sonipat.&nbsp;After the CAQM announced its decision, several fuel stations in Delhi had placed Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras to identify EOL vehicles. The installed camera scans the number plate and verifies the details of the vehicle, which include fuel type, age, and registration, through the VAHAN database.&nbsp;In this system, if the camera discovers a vehicle to be EOL, it will send an alert to the fuel station staff to deny refuelling. The violation will be captured, and it will be sent to enforcement agencies, who may initiate action like impounding or scrapping the vehicle.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) had earlier ordered to ban such vehicles from getting fuel in Delhi from July 1, regardless of where they were registered.

The implementation of the fuel ban on end-of-life (EOL) or overage vehicles in Delhi-NCR, which was postponed by the central air quality panel in July, will now come into effect from November 1, 2025. The decision, which affects diesel vehicles over 10 years old and petrol vehicles over 15 years old, was deferred after a review by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), sources told PTI. "Direction 89 to be amended. Drive against End-of-Life vehicles in Delhi will now come into force from November 1, along with 5 NCR districts," a CAQM (Commission for Air Quality Management) official previously told the news agency ANI. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) had earlier ordered to ban such vehicles from getting fuel in Delhi from July 1, regardless of where they were registered. Following the move, Delhi environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa wrote to the CAQM demanding that it hold off on the action. He labelled the move "premature and potentially counterproductive", and pointed to "operational and infrastructural challenges". How can overage vehicles in Delhi-NCR be checked? The ban will be imposed on November 1 across Delhi and five adjoining high-vehicle-density districts, which include Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Gautam Budh Nagar and Sonipat. After the CAQM announced its decision, several fuel stations in Delhi had placed Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras to identify EOL vehicles. The installed camera scans the number plate and verifies the details of the vehicle, which include fuel type, age, and registration, through the VAHAN database. In this system, if the camera discovers a vehicle to be EOL, it will send an alert to the fuel station staff to deny refuelling. The violation will be captured, and it will be sent to enforcement agencies, who may initiate action like impounding or scrapping the vehicle.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) had earlier ordered to ban such vehicles from getting fuel in Delhi from July 1, regardless of where they were registered.

Delhi old vehicles ban to be imposed from November 1: All you need to know to avoid having your car scrapped

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (Oct 20) celebrated Diwali with soldiers aboard India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant. Addressing the Indian soldiers, he said that during Operation Sindoor, INS Vikrant had sent shockwaves across Pakistan and stood as a powerful symbol of India’s growing military might and self-reliance.<h2>Operation Sindoor and INS Vikrant</h2>Onboard INS Vikrant off the coast of Goa and Karwar, Modi praised the armed forces for their coordination and courage during Operation Sindoor, saying their combined strength forced Pakistan to surrender swiftly.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-doubles-down-says-modi-promised-to-end-russian-oil-trade-threatens-new-delhi-for-denying-his-claims-1760929586866">Trump doubles down, says Modi promised to end Russian oil trade, threatens New Delhi for denying his claims</a>"The fear created by the Indian Navy. The amazing skill displayed by the Indian Air Force. The bravery of the Indian Army. The tremendous coordination of the three forces forced Pakistan to surrender so quickly in Operation Sindoor," he said. "Just a few months ago, we witnessed how the very name Vikrant sent waves of fear across Pakistan. Such is its might — a name that shatters the enemy’s courage even before the battle begins. This is the power of INS Vikrant... On this occasion, I especially want to salute our armed forces".<h2>INS Vikrant: A testament to India's power</h2>The Indian prime minister said INS Vikrant was more than just a warship — it was a testament to 21st-century India’s talent, determination, and innovation. "INS Vikrant is a towering symbol of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Made in India. Indigenous (Swadeshi) INS Vikrant, tearing through the oceans, is a reflection of India's military might," he said.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mystery-explosion-hits-lpg-tanker-mv-falcon-near-aden-23-indians-rescued-2-crew-member-missing-1760938040445">Mystery explosion hits LPG tanker MV Falcon near Aden; 23 Indians rescued, 2 crew member missing</a>Celebrating Diwali with naval personnel, Modi said he felt honoured to spend the festival among those who protect the nation’s seas. "Today is an amazing day. This scene is memorable. Today, on one side, I have the ocean, and on the other, I have the strength of the brave soldiers of Mother India. I am fortunate that this time I am celebrating this holy festival of Diwali among all you brave soldiers of the Navy." &nbsp;

PM Modi celebrated Diwali aboard INS Vikrant, hailing it as a symbol of India’s self-reliance and military might. He praised the armed forces for their role in Operation Sindoor, saying their coordination forced Pakistan’s surrender.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (Oct 20) celebrated Diwali with soldiers aboard India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant. Addressing the Indian soldiers, he said that during Operation Sindoor, INS Vikrant had sent shockwaves across Pakistan and stood as a powerful symbol of India’s growing military might and self-reliance. Operation Sindoor and INS Vikrant Onboard INS Vikrant off the coast of Goa and Karwar, Modi praised the armed forces for their coordination and courage during Operation Sindoor, saying their combined strength forced Pakistan to surrender swiftly. Also read | Trump doubles down, says Modi promised to end Russian oil trade, threatens New Delhi for denying his claims "The fear created by the Indian Navy. The amazing skill displayed by the Indian Air Force. The bravery of the Indian Army. The tremendous coordination of the three forces forced Pakistan to surrender so quickly in Operation Sindoor," he said. "Just a few months ago, we witnessed how the very name Vikrant sent waves of fear across Pakistan. Such is its might — a name that shatters the enemy’s courage even before the battle begins. This is the power of INS Vikrant... On this occasion, I especially want to salute our armed forces". INS Vikrant: A testament to India's power The Indian prime minister said INS Vikrant was more than just a warship — it was a testament to 21st-century India’s talent, determination, and innovation. "INS Vikrant is a towering symbol of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Made in India. Indigenous (Swadeshi) INS Vikrant, tearing through the oceans, is a reflection of India's military might," he said. Also read | Mystery explosion hits LPG tanker MV Falcon near Aden; 23 Indians rescued, 2 crew member missing Celebrating Diwali with naval personnel, Modi said he felt honoured to spend the festival among those who protect the nation’s seas. "Today is an amazing day. This scene is memorable. Today, on one side, I have the ocean, and on the other, I have the strength of the brave soldiers of Mother India. I am fortunate that this time I am celebrating this holy festival of Diwali among all you brave soldiers of the Navy."

PM Modi celebrated Diwali aboard INS Vikrant, hailing it as a symbol of India’s self-reliance and military might. He praised the armed forces for their role in Operation Sindoor, saying their coordination forced Pakistan’s surrender.

INS Vikrant sent shockwaves across Pakistan, made sure they don’t sleep at night: PM Modi celebrates Diwali with soldiers

An incident from Jabalpur railway station in India's Madhya Pradesh has gone viral on the internet, sparking outrage over a vendor's behaviour. In the 34-second clip posted on various social media platforms, a samosa vendor is seen grabbing a passenger by the collar, dragging him away, and ultimately taking his smartwatch worth Rs 2,000, for the Rs 20 snack.&nbsp;The incident happened when the passenger after having the samosa at platform no 5 of the station tried to make digital payment to the vendor but the UPI payment failed, reportedly due to network issues.&nbsp;Soon the train began to move and the passenger offered to pay later and also clicked a photo of the vendor's QR code. However, the samosa vendor got infuriated and caught the passenger by his collar, not allowing him to board the train.&nbsp;The passenger made repeated appeals to pay soon after he boards the train but the vendor refused to let go until he handed over his smartwatch.&nbsp;The incident was recorded by fellow passengers but nobody chose to intervene.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">A passenger asked for samosa but phonepe payment failed samosa seller grabbed the collar accusing him of wasting time and forced the money the samosa Train started moving then he removed watch hand over the seller Shameful incident Jabalpur Railway station <a href="https://t.co/RD9wmdBr8d">pic.twitter.com/RD9wmdBr8d</a>&mdash; Ashish Singh (@AshishSinghKiJi) <a href="https://twitter.com/AshishSinghKiJi/status/1979763261101965790?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

After the incident went viral, the Jabalpur Division Railway Manager (DRM) took immediate action and revoked the vendors license. He has been arrested and a case has also been registered against him.&nbsp;"At Jabalpur station, a vendor snatched the watch of a passenger after he made a purchase from him. Taking quick action, the Railway Administration identified the vendor and he was arrested under Railway Act and a case was registered," West Central Railway CPRO Harshit Srivastava was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.&nbsp;

Soon the train began to move and the passenger offered to pay the samosa vendor later and also clicked a photo of the vendors QR code.

An incident from Jabalpur railway station in India's Madhya Pradesh has gone viral on the internet, sparking outrage over a vendor's behaviour. In the 34-second clip posted on various social media platforms, a samosa vendor is seen grabbing a passenger by the collar, dragging him away, and ultimately taking his smartwatch worth Rs 2,000, for the Rs 20 snack. The incident happened when the passenger after having the samosa at platform no 5 of the station tried to make digital payment to the vendor but the UPI payment failed, reportedly due to network issues. Soon the train began to move and the passenger offered to pay later and also clicked a photo of the vendor's QR code. However, the samosa vendor got infuriated and caught the passenger by his collar, not allowing him to board the train. The passenger made repeated appeals to pay soon after he boards the train but the vendor refused to let go until he handed over his smartwatch. The incident was recorded by fellow passengers but nobody chose to intervene.

Soon the train began to move and the passenger offered to pay the samosa vendor later and also clicked a photo of the vendor's QR code.

WATCH: Samosa vendor thrashes passenger, takes away smartwatch for failed transaction

Twenty-three Indians were rescued off the coast of Aden, Yemen, after a fire broke out on an LPG tanker. Reports suggest that the tanker they were onboard, Cameroon-flagged MV Falcon, suffered an explosion on Saturday (Oct 18) at around 7:00 am UTC (local time), following which the crew was forced to abandon ship. The ship, at the time, was sailing about 113 nautical miles southeast of Aden on its way to Djibouti. Early reports suggest that the blast was accidental; however, social media reports suggest that the LPG-loaded tanker may have been hit by an unknown projectile.<h2>What happened?</h2>MV Falcon was sailing about 113 miles (around 181km) southeast of Aden and was on its way to Djibouti when it went adrift after a blast. As per reports, about 15 per cent of the ship was on fire, forcing the crew to abandon the ship, which was loaded with fuel.Early reports suggest that the fire was accidental; however, the exact cause is still under investigation. British security firm Ambrey, in a statement, said that the MV Falcon was travelling from Oman's Sohar Port to Djibouti when the explosion happened.Following the explosion, the EU Naval Force Operation Aspides launched a search and rescue (SAR) operation, and of the 24 crew members who had abandoned ship, 23 people, all Indians, were safely rescued. Two crew members, as per ANI, remain missing. One crew member, as per the last report, remains onboard the MV Falcon.In a statement on X, the Djibouti Ports &amp; Free Zones Authority said that it “assisted in the rescue operation of the survivors from the Cameroon-flagged vessel MV Falcon.” It added that “Following the incident, 24 crew members managed to abandon the vessel and were rescued by the passing gas carrier MV Meda. Sadly, two crew members remain missing.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">On October 19, Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority, assisted in the rescue operation of the survivors from the Cameroon-flagged vessel MV Falcon. The MV Falcon was sailing approximately 113 nautical miles southeast of the Port of Aden, Yemen, en route to Djibouti, when an… <a href="https://t.co/IoxWsx5jVG">pic.twitter.com/IoxWsx5jVG</a>&mdash; Djibouti Ports &amp; Free Zones Authority (@dpfza) <a href="https://twitter.com/dpfza/status/1980015291284271118?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Ships asked to maintain a safe distance</h2>As the MV Falcon is fully loaded with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), Aspides has advised nearby vessels to maintain a safe distance from it. Calling it a "navigational hazard", the EU military operation that was launched in response to Houthi engagements with international shipping in the Red Sea said, "The fire onboard is increasing," adding, "MV Falcon represents a navigational hazard. Everyone in the area must exercise caution."It added that a private company has taken charge of the salvage operation. The incident happened as the Houthis, a pro-Palestinian rebel group, continued to target commercial vessels passing through the Red Sea corridor. &nbsp;&nbsp;

23 Indian crew members were rescued after a fire broke out on LPG tanker MV Falcon off the coast of Aden, Yemen. The Cameroon-flagged vessel suffered an explosion, forcing the crew to abandon ship while en route from Oman’s Sohar Port to Djibouti.

Twenty-three Indians were rescued off the coast of Aden, Yemen, after a fire broke out on an LPG tanker. Reports suggest that the tanker they were onboard, Cameroon-flagged MV Falcon, suffered an explosion on Saturday (Oct 18) at around 7:00 am UTC (local time), following which the crew was forced to abandon ship. The ship, at the time, was sailing about 113 nautical miles southeast of Aden on its way to Djibouti. Early reports suggest that the blast was accidental; however, social media reports suggest that the LPG-loaded tanker may have been hit by an unknown projectile. What happened? MV Falcon was sailing about 113 miles (around 181km) southeast of Aden and was on its way to Djibouti when it went adrift after a blast. As per reports, about 15 per cent of the ship was on fire, forcing the crew to abandon the ship, which was loaded with fuel. Early reports suggest that the fire was accidental; however, the exact cause is still under investigation. British security firm Ambrey, in a statement, said that the MV Falcon was travelling from Oman's Sohar Port to Djibouti when the explosion happened. Following the explosion, the EU Naval Force Operation Aspides launched a search and rescue (SAR) operation, and of the 24 crew members who had abandoned ship, 23 people, all Indians, were safely rescued. Two crew members, as per ANI, remain missing. One crew member, as per the last report, remains onboard the MV Falcon. In a statement on X, the Djibouti Ports & Free Zones Authority said that it “assisted in the rescue operation of the survivors from the Cameroon-flagged vessel MV Falcon.” It added that “Following the incident, 24 crew members managed to abandon the vessel and were rescued by the passing gas carrier MV Meda. Sadly, two crew members remain missing.”

23 Indian crew members were rescued after a fire broke out on LPG tanker MV Falcon off the coast of Aden, Yemen. The Cameroon-flagged vessel suffered an explosion, forcing the crew to abandon ship while en route from Oman’s Sohar Port to Djibouti.

Mystery explosion hits LPG tanker MV Falcon near Aden; 23 Indians rescued, 2 crew member missing

In the icy heights of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, Indian Army soldiers stationed at forward posts along the Line of Control (LoC) celebrated Diwali with fervour, undeterred by freezing temperatures and rugged terrain. The celebrations, filled with the exchange of sweets and festive greetings, showcased the troops' unity, resilience, and unwavering commitment to safeguarding the nation’s borders.&nbsp;Despite being far from their families, the soldiers’ spirits remained high, as the glow of Diwali brought warmth to the remote, high-altitude outposts. "The festival reflects the strength and morale of our jawans, who remain vigilant even in the harshest conditions,” an Army officer said, highlighting the troops’ dedication.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/diwali-in-chennai-disrupted-by-torrential-rain-roads-and-airport-flooded-watch-1760936670479">Diwali in Chennai disrupted by torrential rain; roads and airport flooded | WATCH</a>&nbsp;Security along the LoC has been intensified during the festive season to ensure no disruptions occur, with forces on high alert to counter any potential threats. Local communities near the border expressed heartfelt gratitude for the Army’s tireless service, noting that the soldiers’ celebrations foster a sense of joy, pride, and security in the region. "Their presence and festive spirit reassure us all,” a local resident said. The Diwali celebrations at these forward posts stand as a testament to the Indian Army’s enduring resolve and the unbreakable bond between the soldiers and the people they protect.

Indian Army celebrates Diwali with zeal at LoC posts in Kupwara amid high alert

In the icy heights of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, Indian Army soldiers stationed at forward posts along the Line of Control (LoC) celebrated Diwali with fervour, undeterred by freezing temperatures and rugged terrain. The celebrations, filled with the exchange of sweets and festive greetings, showcased the troops' unity, resilience, and unwavering commitment to safeguarding the nation’s borders. Despite being far from their families, the soldiers’ spirits remained high, as the glow of Diwali brought warmth to the remote, high-altitude outposts. "The festival reflects the strength and morale of our jawans, who remain vigilant even in the harshest conditions,” an Army officer said, highlighting the troops’ dedication. Also Read: Diwali in Chennai disrupted by torrential rain; roads and airport flooded | WATCH Security along the LoC has been intensified during the festive season to ensure no disruptions occur, with forces on high alert to counter any potential threats. Local communities near the border expressed heartfelt gratitude for the Army’s tireless service, noting that the soldiers’ celebrations foster a sense of joy, pride, and security in the region. "Their presence and festive spirit reassure us all,” a local resident said. The Diwali celebrations at these forward posts stand as a testament to the Indian Army’s enduring resolve and the unbreakable bond between the soldiers and the people they protect.

Despite being far from their families, the soldiers’ spirits remained high, as the glow of Diwali brought warmth to the remote, high-altitude outposts

Chennai woke up to a torrential downpour on Monday (October 21), on the day of Diwali, leading to widespread disruptions across the city. Continuous rainfall over the past two days caused significant waterlogging, creating travel chaos and affecting daily routines. Social media footage shows submerged streets and flooded runways at Chennai International Airport. Areas particularly impacted include Velachery, Medavakkam, Pallikaranai, and Neelankarai, located along the East Coast Road (ECR).&nbsp;The relentless rainfall has made key roads nearly impassable, with traffic crawling and residents of low-lying neighborhoods experiencing knee-deep water in some areas. Overflowing drains have added to the inconvenience, while commuters struggle to navigate the flooded streets. Authorities have cautioned the public, with intermittent showers expected to persist throughout the day. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast moderate rain with thunderstorms for Chennai and nearby districts, including Chengalpattu, Cuddalore, Thanjavur, and Puducherry. Coastal Tamil Nadu will continue to face rainfall until at least October 22.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bihar-elections-2025-tej-pratap-yadav-son-of-lalu-prasad-janshakti-janta-dal-chief-booked-for-mcc-violation-1760929477412">Bihar Elections 2025: Tej Pratap Yadav, son of Lalu Prasad, Janshakti Janta Dal chief booked for MCC violation</a><h2>Train services suspended in Nilgiris</h2>In the Nilgiris, train services on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR) were suspended after landslides blocked tracks between Kallar and Coonoor. Earth slips and fallen trees halted three trains, including the Mettupalayam–Udagamandalam route.<h2>Watch the video here</h2>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">VIDEO | Chennai: Heavy rains lash the city and suburbs including Velachery, Medavakkam, Pallikaranai, and ECR Neelankarai. (Full video available on PTI Videos - <a href="https://t.co/n147TvrpG7">https://t.co/n147TvrpG7</a>) <a href="https://t.co/8VWUANiE6I">pic.twitter.com/8VWUANiE6I</a>&mdash; Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) <a href="https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/1980122718067695617?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Coastal areas facing flooding</h2>The heavy rain has particularly affected coastal and delta districts like Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, and Ramanathapuram since Sunday. Despite the weather, local markets in Thoothukudi remained operational, although schools were closed due to flooding. In Cuddalore, authorities have warned fishermen to avoid venturing into the sea as strong waves and rough weather conditions persist. Boats and other vessels are instructed to stay docked until further notice.&nbsp;Chief Minister MK Stalin reviewed the situation and assured that steps had been taken to relocate vulnerable residents from low-lying coastal areas. Though there have been no significant damages so far, he stressed the need for caution as more rainfall is expected on October 21 and 22. Relief camps have been set up, and most of the harvested paddy has been safely stored.&nbsp;In response to the heavy rainfall, the Greater Chennai Corporation has expanded its flood preparedness measures, increasing the number of relief centers across the city. The IMD has also reported that a low-pressure area forming over the southeast Bay of Bengal is expected to strengthen into a deep depression, bringing more rain to the coastal regions of Tamil Nadu.

Diwali in Chennai disrupted by torrential rain; roads and airport flooded | WATCH

Chennai woke up to a torrential downpour on Monday (October 21), on the day of Diwali, leading to widespread disruptions across the city. Continuous rainfall over the past two days caused significant waterlogging, creating travel chaos and affecting daily routines. Social media footage shows submerged streets and flooded runways at Chennai International Airport. Areas particularly impacted include Velachery, Medavakkam, Pallikaranai, and Neelankarai, located along the East Coast Road (ECR). The relentless rainfall has made key roads nearly impassable, with traffic crawling and residents of low-lying neighborhoods experiencing knee-deep water in some areas. Overflowing drains have added to the inconvenience, while commuters struggle to navigate the flooded streets. Authorities have cautioned the public, with intermittent showers expected to persist throughout the day. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast moderate rain with thunderstorms for Chennai and nearby districts, including Chengalpattu, Cuddalore, Thanjavur, and Puducherry. Coastal Tamil Nadu will continue to face rainfall until at least October 22. Also Read: Bihar Elections 2025: Tej Pratap Yadav, son of Lalu Prasad, Janshakti Janta Dal chief booked for MCC violation Train services suspended in Nilgiris In the Nilgiris, train services on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR) were suspended after landslides blocked tracks between Kallar and Coonoor. Earth slips and fallen trees halted three trains, including the Mettupalayam–Udagamandalam route. Watch the video here

Chennai sees heavy rainfall, causing waterlogging, traffic delays, and flooding. Several areas, including Velachery and Medavakkam, face disruptions due to continuous downpour

Tej Pratap Yadav, the elder son of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad and head of the Janshakti Janta Dal, has been charged with breaching the model code of conduct (MCC) during the submission of his nomination papers for the Mahua assembly seat in Vaishali, Bihar. Police confirmed the booking on Sunday (October 19). The district police issued a statement after a video surfaced on social media showing Yadav using an SUV, which had a police emblem and a beacon light, during his procession on October 16. The Circle Officer from Mahua filed a complaint, which led to an investigation. Authorities found that while the vehicle had a police logo and beacon, they were privately installed. Consequently, a case was registered for violating the election guidelines.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bihar-elections-2025-why-party-hoppers-are-becoming-key-strategy-for-electoral-success-1760928726138">Bihar Elections 2025: Why party-hoppers are becoming key strategy for electoral success</a>&nbsp;Tej Pratap, who had been expelled from the RJD by his father Lalu Prasad in May for reportedly admitting to being in a relationship with a woman, later launched his own political party. Following his expulsion, he claimed his Facebook account had been hacked after a controversial post, and denied any involvement in the statements. Lalu Prasad also distanced himself from his son due to what he described as Tej Pratap's 'irresponsible behavior'. Tej Pratap, in a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), suggested that a conspiracy was behind the fallout between him and his younger brother, Tejashwi Yadav, blaming ‘Jaichand’—a term used for traitors in Indian history.<h2>What happened in 2020 Bihar elections?</h2>In the 2020 Bihar state elections, the BJP-JDU alliance narrowly defeated the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan. The BJP-JDU coalition secured 125 seats (with BJP winning 74, JDU 42, and others 9), while the RJD took 75, Congress 19, and other parties claimed 16 seats. Despite JDU being the smaller partner with fewer seats, Nitish Kumar of JDU was appointed as Chief Minister, marking his seventh term in office. However, midway through his tenure, Kumar did what many anticipated—he switched sides and rejoined the Mahagathbandhan in 2022, taking oath as Chief Minister for an eighth term. This time, he played a key role in establishing the INDIA alliance, a new anti-BJP coalition. Yet, in 2024, he once again made a dramatic U-turn, re-aligning with the BJP and taking oath as chief minister for his ninth term.

Bihar Elections 2025: Tej Pratap Yadav, son of Lalu Prasad, Janshakti Janta Dal chief booked for MCC violation

Tej Pratap Yadav, the elder son of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad and head of the Janshakti Janta Dal, has been charged with breaching the model code of conduct (MCC) during the submission of his nomination papers for the Mahua assembly seat in Vaishali, Bihar. Police confirmed the booking on Sunday (October 19). The district police issued a statement after a video surfaced on social media showing Yadav using an SUV, which had a police emblem and a beacon light, during his procession on October 16. The Circle Officer from Mahua filed a complaint, which led to an investigation. Authorities found that while the vehicle had a police logo and beacon, they were privately installed. Consequently, a case was registered for violating the election guidelines. Also Read: Bihar Elections 2025: Why party-hoppers are becoming key strategy for electoral success Tej Pratap, who had been expelled from the RJD by his father Lalu Prasad in May for reportedly admitting to being in a relationship with a woman, later launched his own political party. Following his expulsion, he claimed his Facebook account had been hacked after a controversial post, and denied any involvement in the statements. Lalu Prasad also distanced himself from his son due to what he described as Tej Pratap's 'irresponsible behavior'. Tej Pratap, in a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), suggested that a conspiracy was behind the fallout between him and his younger brother, Tejashwi Yadav, blaming ‘Jaichand’—a term used for traitors in Indian history. What happened in 2020 Bihar elections? In the 2020 Bihar state elections, the BJP-JDU alliance narrowly defeated the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan. The BJP-JDU coalition secured 125 seats (with BJP winning 74, JDU 42, and others 9), while the RJD took 75, Congress 19, and other parties claimed 16 seats. Despite JDU being the smaller partner with fewer seats, Nitish Kumar of JDU was appointed as Chief Minister, marking his seventh term in office. However, midway through his tenure, Kumar did what many anticipated—he switched sides and rejoined the Mahagathbandhan in 2022, taking oath as Chief Minister for an eighth term. This time, he played a key role in establishing the INDIA alliance, a new anti-BJP coalition. Yet, in 2024, he once again made a dramatic U-turn, re-aligning with the BJP and taking oath as chief minister for his ninth term.

Tej Pratap Yadav, RJD leader Lalu Prasad's son, faces a case for using a police-marked SUV during his nomination filing, breaching the election code in Bihar

US President Donald Trump on Monday (Oct 20) repeated his claims that India has assured him that it would stop oil trade with Russia to court US favours. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump, for the third time in five days, repeated his claim that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told him that he was "not going to be doing the Russian oil thing". The POTUS claimed that Modi told him this during a phone call. His claims come after India previously denied that Modi and Trump held a phone call regarding India's purchase of discounted Russian oil or any purported plans to stop the said trade.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-i-don-t-want-to-destroy-his-political-career-trump-makes-bizarre-remark-about-pm-modi-1760580304027">‘I don’t want to destroy his political career’: Trump makes bizarre remark about PM Modi</a><h2>What did Trump say?</h2>In his latest statement regarding India's purchase of Russian oil, Trump claimed, "I spoke with Prime Minister Modi of India, and he said he's not going to be doing the Russian oil thing". His claim was met with questions about New Delhi denying that he and Modi held a phone call last week regarding India's purchase of Russian oil. To this, as reported by Reuters, Trump said, "But if they want to say that, then they'll just continue to pay massive tariffs, and they don't want to do that".Previously, on Thursday (Oct 16) the US President claimed that Modi "assured me there will be no oil purchased from Russia." However, he did not share a timeline for this but said, “You know, you can't do it immediately. It's a little bit of a process, but the process is going to be over with soon." Later, during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, he repeated the claim, "Well, India is not going to be buying Russian oil anymore".Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-pushes-back-after-trump-says-modi-assured-him-on-russian-oil-consumer-interests-are-our-priority-1760591822871">India pushes back after Trump says Modi assured him on Russian oil: ‘Consumer interests are our priority’</a><h2>India pushes back against Trump's claim</h2>On Thursday, just hours after Trump claimed that Modi had "assured" him that New Delhi would soon stop buying oil from Russia, New Delhi, in a statement, said it was its "consistent priority to safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario." While avoiding directly accepting or refuting Trump's claims, the South Asian nation noted, "India is a significant importer of oil and gas. It has been our consistent priority to safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario."&nbsp; However, later, when asked by a reporter, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal refused that such a call happened and said: "I am not aware of any conversation yesterday between the two leaders". &nbsp;

Trump has repeated his claim that India has assured him it would stop buying Russian oil, despite New Delhi denying any such call or commitment. In the latest claim, he said Modi told him, he was "not going to be doing the Russian oil thing".

US President Donald Trump on Monday (Oct 20) repeated his claims that India has assured him that it would stop oil trade with Russia to court US favours. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump, for the third time in five days, repeated his claim that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told him that he was "not going to be doing the Russian oil thing". The POTUS claimed that Modi told him this during a phone call. His claims come after India previously denied that Modi and Trump held a phone call regarding India's purchase of discounted Russian oil or any purported plans to stop the said trade. Also read | ‘I don’t want to destroy his political career’: Trump makes bizarre remark about PM Modi What did Trump say? In his latest statement regarding India's purchase of Russian oil, Trump claimed, "I spoke with Prime Minister Modi of India, and he said he's not going to be doing the Russian oil thing". His claim was met with questions about New Delhi denying that he and Modi held a phone call last week regarding India's purchase of Russian oil. To this, as reported by Reuters, Trump said, "But if they want to say that, then they'll just continue to pay massive tariffs, and they don't want to do that". Previously, on Thursday (Oct 16) the US President claimed that Modi "assured me there will be no oil purchased from Russia." However, he did not share a timeline for this but said, “You know, you can't do it immediately. It's a little bit of a process, but the process is going to be over with soon." Later, during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, he repeated the claim, "Well, India is not going to be buying Russian oil anymore". Also read | India pushes back after Trump says Modi assured him on Russian oil: ‘Consumer interests are our priority’ India pushes back against Trump's claim On Thursday, just hours after Trump claimed that Modi had "assured" him that New Delhi would soon stop buying oil from Russia, New Delhi, in a statement, said it was its "consistent priority to safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario." While avoiding directly accepting or refuting Trump's claims, the South Asian nation noted, "India is a significant importer of oil and gas. It has been our consistent priority to safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario." However, later, when asked by a reporter, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal refused that such a call happened and said: "I am not aware of any conversation yesterday between the two leaders".

Trump has repeated his claim that India has assured him it would stop buying Russian oil, despite New Delhi denying any such call or commitment. In the latest claim, he said Modi told him, he was "not going to be doing the Russian oil thing".

Trump doubles down, says Modi promised to end Russian oil trade, threatens New Delhi for denying his claims

In Bihar’s dynamic political environment, shifting allegiances have become an essential part of the electoral process as the state heads towards its assembly elections. Political defectors, once seen as outcasts, are now viewed as strategic assets. The trend reflects a growing preference for winnability over ideological purity, with political parties increasingly focusing on gaining electoral advantage rather than sticking to traditional loyalties. A case in point is Sarfaraz Alam, a former MP and seasoned MLA from Jokihat, who recently joined the Jan Suraaj Party, headed by Prashant Kishor.&nbsp;&nbsp;Alam’s political journey has taken him through multiple party affiliations—he’s been a part of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Janata Dal (United) (JD(U))—demonstrating the increasingly fluid nature of party politics in the state. As election season intensifies, an increasing number of candidates are switching parties to secure electoral tickets. Nine individuals who had previously won elections under different party banners are now running for office under new affiliations. Seven ex-RJD and Congress legislators, who sided with the National Democratic Alliance after the collapse of the Grand Alliance-led government, have been granted party tickets for the upcoming elections. Notable defectors include Sangeeta Kumari, now contesting for the BJP from Mohania, and Bharat Bind, running for BJP from Bhabhua.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-s-air-quality-deteriorates-to-very-poor-on-diwali-as-pollution-peaks-grap-2-imposed-1760924733388">Delhi's air quality deteriorates to 'very poor' on Diwali as pollution peaks; Grap-2 imposed</a>&nbsp;JD(U) has also welcomed former RJD members into its fold, including candidates such as Kedarnath Singh and Vibha Devi, who are now vying for seats under the JD(U) banner. One of the most significant defections involves Anant Singh, the husband of RJD’s sitting MLA Neelam Devi, who is now fielded by JD(U) from Mokama. In a similar vein, Congress defectors have found their way into the NDA fold, with leaders like Siddharth Saurav contesting on BJP’s ticket and Murari Kumari Gautam representing the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP-R) in the upcoming election.&nbsp;The RJD, on the other hand, has also extended invitations to defectors, welcoming former JD(U) members such as Sanjiv Kumar and Bogo Singh to its ranks, and even offering tickets to independents like Shailendra Pratap Singh. However, not every defector has been guaranteed a ticket, as some have been bypassed in favor of other candidates, signaling the cutthroat nature of ticket allocation. Ashutosh Sharma, a senior Congress leader, notes that in Bihar, the rise of turncoats can often serve as an indicator of the political wind, where the flow of defections is a sign of shifting momentum. “This explains why parties are quick to embrace former adversaries. The rise of turncoats challenges traditional party structures, sidelining loyal workers in favor of newcomers with a proven electoral base.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jain-community-members-buy-190-luxury-cars-get-rs-21-crore-discount-in-bulk-deal-1760891278156">Jain community members buy 190 luxury cars, get Rs 21 crore discount in bulk deal</a> &nbsp;Smaller regional parties are also embracing defectors. In Gopalganj, former MLA Riyazul Haque Raju and Kartar Singh Yadav joined the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), while in Shahabad, several leaders moved to the Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM), a regional outfit led by Upendra Kushwaha. These shifts highlight the diminishing role of ideology in shaping Bihar’s political discourse.&nbsp;Patna-based political analyst Priya Darshan sums up the transformation of Bihar’s political landscape, noting that the state’s politics is increasingly transactional. "In Bihar, loyalty is only valuable if it translates into votes," Darshan says. He adds that political parties now view defectors not through the lens of ideology but as strategic moves to enhance their chances of success in close contests. Parties are evolving into electoral machines, with less focus on traditional party lines and more on maximizing vote banks. For defectors, switching parties offers a chance to revive their political careers with better leverage and bargaining power.

Bihar Elections 2025: Why party-hoppers are becoming key strategy for electoral success

In Bihar’s dynamic political environment, shifting allegiances have become an essential part of the electoral process as the state heads towards its assembly elections. Political defectors, once seen as outcasts, are now viewed as strategic assets. The trend reflects a growing preference for winnability over ideological purity, with political parties increasingly focusing on gaining electoral advantage rather than sticking to traditional loyalties. A case in point is Sarfaraz Alam, a former MP and seasoned MLA from Jokihat, who recently joined the Jan Suraaj Party, headed by Prashant Kishor. Alam’s political journey has taken him through multiple party affiliations—he’s been a part of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Janata Dal (United) (JD(U))—demonstrating the increasingly fluid nature of party politics in the state. As election season intensifies, an increasing number of candidates are switching parties to secure electoral tickets. Nine individuals who had previously won elections under different party banners are now running for office under new affiliations. Seven ex-RJD and Congress legislators, who sided with the National Democratic Alliance after the collapse of the Grand Alliance-led government, have been granted party tickets for the upcoming elections. Notable defectors include Sangeeta Kumari, now contesting for the BJP from Mohania, and Bharat Bind, running for BJP from Bhabhua. Also Read: Delhi's air quality deteriorates to 'very poor' on Diwali as pollution peaks; Grap-2 imposed JD(U) has also welcomed former RJD members into its fold, including candidates such as Kedarnath Singh and Vibha Devi, who are now vying for seats under the JD(U) banner. One of the most significant defections involves Anant Singh, the husband of RJD’s sitting MLA Neelam Devi, who is now fielded by JD(U) from Mokama. In a similar vein, Congress defectors have found their way into the NDA fold, with leaders like Siddharth Saurav contesting on BJP’s ticket and Murari Kumari Gautam representing the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP-R) in the upcoming election. The RJD, on the other hand, has also extended invitations to defectors, welcoming former JD(U) members such as Sanjiv Kumar and Bogo Singh to its ranks, and even offering tickets to independents like Shailendra Pratap Singh. However, not every defector has been guaranteed a ticket, as some have been bypassed in favor of other candidates, signaling the cutthroat nature of ticket allocation. Ashutosh Sharma, a senior Congress leader, notes that in Bihar, the rise of turncoats can often serve as an indicator of the political wind, where the flow of defections is a sign of shifting momentum. “This explains why parties are quick to embrace former adversaries. The rise of turncoats challenges traditional party structures, sidelining loyal workers in favor of newcomers with a proven electoral base.” Also Read: Jain community members buy 190 luxury cars, get Rs 21 crore discount in bulk deal Smaller regional parties are also embracing defectors. In Gopalganj, former MLA Riyazul Haque Raju and Kartar Singh Yadav joined the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), while in Shahabad, several leaders moved to the Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM), a regional outfit led by Upendra Kushwaha. These shifts highlight the diminishing role of ideology in shaping Bihar’s political discourse. Patna-based political analyst Priya Darshan sums up the transformation of Bihar’s political landscape, noting that the state’s politics is increasingly transactional. "In Bihar, loyalty is only valuable if it translates into votes," Darshan says. He adds that political parties now view defectors not through the lens of ideology but as strategic moves to enhance their chances of success in close contests. Parties are evolving into electoral machines, with less focus on traditional party lines and more on maximizing vote banks. For defectors, switching parties offers a chance to revive their political careers with better leverage and bargaining power.

In Bihar’s volatile politics, party defectors are emerging as prized assets in the run-up to assembly elections, with pragmatic alliances taking precedence over ideology

As Delhi prepares for Diwali, the city is engulfed in thick smog and the pungent sting of pollution, prompting the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to implement Stage 2 measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Residents are bracing for another festive season overshadowed by toxic air. The air quality index (AQI) at 4pm was registered at 296 (poor), up from Saturday’s 268, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The number continued to climb post-sunset, crossing the ‘very poor’ mark and reaching 310 by 11pm. Experts predict the situation won’t improve until the week’s end. This marks the first time since February 2 that Delhi’s AQI has entered the ‘very poor’ zone.&nbsp;The Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS) forecasts that Diwali will see AQI levels move into the 'very poor' zone, due to an increase in firecracker emissions. Experts are concerned that these pollutants, combined with local emissions and smoke from stubble fires in Punjab and Haryana, will persist in Delhi’s air throughout the week, as low surface winds hinder dispersal. Stage 2 measures under Grap include tighter controls on diesel generators, restrictions on interstate buses (except EVs, CNG, and BS-VI diesel), and hikes in parking fees to limit private vehicle use.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ayodhya-sets-new-guinness-record-by-lighting-26-lakh-diyas-in-deepotsav-2025-1760898528421">Ayodhya sets new Guinness Record by lighting 26 lakh diyas during Deepotsav 2025</a>&nbsp;The toxic air is the result of multiple factors: stagnant winds, low temperatures, vehicle emissions, and the burning of firecrackers. Experts also point to crop burning in neighboring states as a significant contributor. According to the Decision Support System (DSS), Delhi’s AQI deterioration on Sunday (October 19) was largely due to pollution from surrounding NCR towns, which contributed to 67.89% of the city’s total PM2.5 levels. The remainder came from local sources. “The air quality is expected to remain ‘very poor’ on Monday, Diwali day, and will likely enter the ‘severe’ category by Tuesday due to the increase in firecracker pollution,” the AQEWS said in its report.&nbsp;&nbsp;The CPCB’s AQI classification runs from ‘good’ (0-50) to ‘severe’ (401-500), with values above 300 marking ‘very poor’ conditions. Data on pollution sources revealed that outside Delhi, the largest contributors to pollution were categorised as ‘unaccounted sources’ (26.7%), with stubble fires accounting for only 2-3%. Without wind to disperse the pollutants, these harmful particles are trapped in the city’s air, worsening the already high levels of local emissions.&nbsp;This year, Diwali arrived earlier than usual, while the peak of stubble burning tends to occur in mid-November. On Sunday, Punjab reported 67 stubble fires — the highest single-day count for the season — while Haryana saw seven. So far this season, Punjab has registered 308 farm fires, and Haryana has logged 38. Despite the Supreme Court’s permission for only ‘green’ firecrackers, the bursting of both green and traditional firecrackers was widespread in Delhi.

Delhi's air quality deteriorates to 'very poor' on Diwali as pollution peaks; Grap-2 imposed

As Delhi prepares for Diwali, the city is engulfed in thick smog and the pungent sting of pollution, prompting the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to implement Stage 2 measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Residents are bracing for another festive season overshadowed by toxic air. The air quality index (AQI) at 4pm was registered at 296 (poor), up from Saturday’s 268, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The number continued to climb post-sunset, crossing the ‘very poor’ mark and reaching 310 by 11pm. Experts predict the situation won’t improve until the week’s end. This marks the first time since February 2 that Delhi’s AQI has entered the ‘very poor’ zone. The Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS) forecasts that Diwali will see AQI levels move into the 'very poor' zone, due to an increase in firecracker emissions. Experts are concerned that these pollutants, combined with local emissions and smoke from stubble fires in Punjab and Haryana, will persist in Delhi’s air throughout the week, as low surface winds hinder dispersal. Stage 2 measures under Grap include tighter controls on diesel generators, restrictions on interstate buses (except EVs, CNG, and BS-VI diesel), and hikes in parking fees to limit private vehicle use. Also Read: Ayodhya sets new Guinness Record by lighting 26 lakh diyas during Deepotsav 2025 The toxic air is the result of multiple factors: stagnant winds, low temperatures, vehicle emissions, and the burning of firecrackers. Experts also point to crop burning in neighboring states as a significant contributor. According to the Decision Support System (DSS), Delhi’s AQI deterioration on Sunday (October 19) was largely due to pollution from surrounding NCR towns, which contributed to 67.89% of the city’s total PM2.5 levels. The remainder came from local sources. “The air quality is expected to remain ‘very poor’ on Monday, Diwali day, and will likely enter the ‘severe’ category by Tuesday due to the increase in firecracker pollution,” the AQEWS said in its report. The CPCB’s AQI classification runs from ‘good’ (0-50) to ‘severe’ (401-500), with values above 300 marking ‘very poor’ conditions. Data on pollution sources revealed that outside Delhi, the largest contributors to pollution were categorised as ‘unaccounted sources’ (26.7%), with stubble fires accounting for only 2-3%. Without wind to disperse the pollutants, these harmful particles are trapped in the city’s air, worsening the already high levels of local emissions. This year, Diwali arrived earlier than usual, while the peak of stubble burning tends to occur in mid-November. On Sunday, Punjab reported 67 stubble fires — the highest single-day count for the season — while Haryana saw seven. So far this season, Punjab has registered 308 farm fires, and Haryana has logged 38. Despite the Supreme Court’s permission for only ‘green’ firecrackers, the bursting of both green and traditional firecrackers was widespread in Delhi.

Delhi's air quality turns ‘very poor’ on Diwali, triggering Stage 2 restrictions. Experts warn the situation likely to worsen due to smog, stubble fires, and firecrackers

The holy city of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh witnessed a grand spectacle on Sunday evening as 26,17,215 lamps were lit as part of Deepotsav 2025, marking the ninth edition of the grand celebration. Devotees from across India and abroad were present to witness the spectacle amid holy chants of “Shri Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram.” The state of Uttar Pradesh set two new Guinness World Records: one for lighting 26,17,215 lamps across the city and another for 2,128 Vedacharyas, priests, and seekers performing Maa Saryu Aarti simultaneously. Both achievements were verified through drone counts and certified by representatives of the Guinness World Records.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">&#39;राम भक्तों&#39; की आस्था के केंद्र एवं &#39;सूर्यवंश की राजधानी&#39; श्री अयोध्या धाम आज असंख्य दीपों के निर्मल ज्योति पुंज की अलौकिक आभा से दीप्त है। मर्यादा पुरुषोत्तम प्रभु श्री राम से प्रार्थना है कि असंख्य दीपशिखाओं के प्रकाश से संपूर्ण जगत आलोकित हो एवं प्रत्येक हृदय में सुख, शांति व… <a href="https://t.co/3slUJb42bL">pic.twitter.com/3slUJb42bL</a>&mdash; Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) <a href="https://twitter.com/myogiadityanath/status/1979954674758201578?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Speaking on the occasion, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath hit out at the opposition for their stance on the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and said lamps are being lit now where bullets were once fired.“During the Ram Janmabhoomi movement in this very Ayodhya, Congress said Ram is a myth, while the Samajwadi Party fired bullets at Ram devotees,” Yogi said.“Today, Uttar Pradesh does not have to face an identity crisis. We are now lighting lamps where bullets were once fired,” the UP CM said.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">VIDEO | Informing about records made in Ayodhya on the occasion of Diwali, Guinness World Records Adjudicator Richard Stenning says, &quot;Today two titles have been achieved, one for performance yesterday of the most &#39;diya&#39; rotation performed simultaneously, and today the largest… <a href="https://t.co/hqxneCYsLs">pic.twitter.com/hqxneCYsLs</a>&mdash; Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) <a href="https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/1979935511310463300?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Criticising the opposition for turning down the invitation for the consecration ceremony, Yogi said, “These are the same people who prostrate at Babar’s grave, but when they are invited to the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Ram Mandir, they reject it.” Highlighting the transformation of the city, he said Ayodhya now showcases an “amazing confluence of development and heritage”.“When we first decided to hold the Deepotsav in Ayodhya Dham in 2017, the intention was to show the world how lighting of lamps is done.”This year, more than 26 lakh lamps were lit across 56 ghats in Ayodhya, with around 28 lakh lamps being arranged in advance with the aim of setting a new world record, officials said.

UP set two new Guinness World Records: one for lighting 26,17,215 lamps and another for 2,128 Vedacharyas, priests, and seekers performing Maa Saryu Aarti simultaneously. Both achievements were verified through drone counts and certified by representatives of the Guinness World Records.

The holy city of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh witnessed a grand spectacle on Sunday evening as 26,17,215 lamps were lit as part of Deepotsav 2025, marking the ninth edition of the grand celebration. Devotees from across India and abroad were present to witness the spectacle amid holy chants of “Shri Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram.” The state of Uttar Pradesh set two new Guinness World Records: one for lighting 26,17,215 lamps across the city and another for 2,128 Vedacharyas, priests, and seekers performing Maa Saryu Aarti simultaneously. Both achievements were verified through drone counts and certified by representatives of the Guinness World Records.

UP set two new Guinness World Records: one for lighting 26,17,215 lamps and another for 2,128 Vedacharyas, priests, and seekers performing Maa Saryu Aarti simultaneously. Both achievements were verified through drone counts and certified by representatives of the Guinness World Records.

Ayodhya sets new Guinness Record by lighting 26 lakh diyas during Deepotsav 2025

The Jain community, renowned for its strong business background and proficiency, managed to strike an amazing bulk deal, securing a huge collective discount of over Rs 21 crore on the purchase of 190 luxury vehicles, including brands like Mercedes, BMW, and Audi. The deal with enormous discount was struck in a special initiative by the Jain International Trade Organisation (JITO), a not-for-profit community body with 65,000 members from across India, and highlights the significance of the community’s buying power and business prowess. JITO vice president Himanshu Shah described it as a “one-of-its-kind deal” with the luxury brands. The organisation collaborated with 15 dealers of top brands like BMW and Mercedes and negotiated prices for its members.&nbsp;&nbsp;JITO acted only as a facilitator and did not profit from the deal, Shah told news agency PTI.Shah revealed that most of the luxury cars were bought by Gujarat-based Jains. The cost of the cars ranged between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 1.25 crore and the vehicles were delivered between January and June. “It helped our members save Rs 21 crore in discounts,” said Shah.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Gujarat: Member of Jain International Trade Organisation (JITO) joins hands, buys 186 high-end luxury cars like BMW, Audi, and Mercedes; saves Rs 21 crores. Convener Amit Shah says, &quot;JITO JPoint is a project under JITO. JITO works on three things: service, knowledge,… <a href="https://t.co/HxmHyxqQhZ">pic.twitter.com/HxmHyxqQhZ</a>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1979920433613865417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thieves-used-cherry-picker-angle-grinder-in-7-minute-louvre-museum-heist-pulled-off-like-a-breeze-1760880195775">Thieves used ‘cherry picker’, ‘angle grinder’ in 7-minute Louvre Museum heist, pulled off like a breeze</a>&nbsp;The initiative was driven by Nitin Jain, a community member, after some JITO members came up with the idea that they could negotiate discounts from car dealers by leveraging their purchasing power. Since no marketing cost was involved, even carmakers saw this as a win-win situation.&nbsp;“Since buying power is one of the key strengths of Jains, we came up with this idea of directly contacting the brands to ensure higher discounts on purchases our members make. The carmakers also saw a win-win situation and offered us discounts as this deal eliminated their marketing cost,” Jain said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/anti-trump-rallies-sweep-across-us-states-and-world-as-huge-crowds-turn-up-in-no-kings-protests-1760818449941">Anti-Trump rallies sweep across US and world as huge crowds turn up in No Kings protests</a>&nbsp;The initiative began with a few members, and soon more people from the community got interested after hearing about the hefty discounts.“Soon, other JITO members also started buying cars. In all, 190 cars were bought and over Rs 21 crore was saved. On average, each member saved between Rs 8 lakh and Rs 17 lakh, enough to buy another car for a family member,” said Jain.&nbsp;JITO is now coming with a new initiative called ‘Utsav’ for similar deals with major brands in jewellery, consumer durables and electronics.

Since buying power is one of the key strengths of Jains, they came up with this idea of directly contacting the brands to ensure higher discounts on purchases by members. The carmakers also saw a win-win situation and offered discounts as this deal eliminated their marketing cost.

The Jain community, renowned for its strong business background and proficiency, managed to strike an amazing bulk deal, securing a huge collective discount of over Rs 21 crore on the purchase of 190 luxury vehicles, including brands like Mercedes, BMW, and Audi. The deal with enormous discount was struck in a special initiative by the Jain International Trade Organisation (JITO), a not-for-profit community body with 65,000 members from across India, and highlights the significance of the community’s buying power and business prowess. JITO vice president Himanshu Shah described it as a “one-of-its-kind deal” with the luxury brands. The organisation collaborated with 15 dealers of top brands like BMW and Mercedes and negotiated prices for its members. JITO acted only as a facilitator and did not profit from the deal, Shah told news agency PTI. Shah revealed that most of the luxury cars were bought by Gujarat-based Jains. The cost of the cars ranged between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 1.25 crore and the vehicles were delivered between January and June. “It helped our members save Rs 21 crore in discounts,” said Shah.

Since buying power is one of the key strengths of Jains, they came up with this idea of directly contacting the brands to ensure higher discounts on purchases by members. The carmakers also saw a win-win situation and offered discounts as this deal eliminated their marketing cost.

Jain community members buy 190 luxury cars, get Rs 21 crore discount in bulk deal

The festival of Diwali is here, filled with hope, happiness, and joy. It's a celebration of the victory of good over evil, as per the Hindu epic, Ramayana. The festival marks the homecoming of Lord Rama, who returned to his kingdom of Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, accompanied by his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana, having defeated the demon king Ravana.&nbsp;As we celebrate the festival, here we have curated heartfelt wishes that you can send to your loved ones!&nbsp;<h2>Warm &amp; Traditional Wishes</h2>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/want-to-know-sugar-free-and-diabetes-friendly-desserts-for-a-healthy-diwali-1760851651911">Diwali 2025: Diabetic-friendly dessert recipes for a guilt-free festival</a>&nbsp;<ol><li>Wishing you a very happy Diwali! May the festival be filled with the glow of Diyas, the warmth of love, and the joy of togetherness.&nbsp;</li><li>May the divine light of Diwali bring peace, prosperity, and happiness to your life. Have a blessed and Shubh Deepavali.</li><li>May Goddess Lakshmi bless you with utmost wealth, and Lord Ganesha keep your path clear of obstacles. Wishing you and your family a very Happy Diwali.</li><li>Sending you my best wishes for a year filled with good fortune and great success. Happy Deepavali 2025.</li><li>May this festival of lights illuminate your life and home with joy, health, and endless smiles.</li></ol><h2>Quotes &amp; Messages for WhatsApp</h2>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/diwali-2025-10-stunning-decor-ideas-to-brighten-up-your-home-this-festive-season-1760867557369">Diwali 2025: 10 stunning decor ideas to brighten up your home this festive season</a>&nbsp;<ol><li>May your inner light shine brightest this Diwali, because darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that.&nbsp;</li><li>Happy Diwali 2025. Let the festive lights brighten your home, but also your spirit and your outlook on life. Embrace the new beginnings.&nbsp;</li><li>Diwali is a time to celebrate the victory of good over evil, just like Lord Rama won his victory over Ravan. May you find the strength to overcome all challenges this year.</li><li>Just as the Diyas light up the night, may hope and happiness illuminate your soul forever.</li><li>May this Deepavali be a reminder to seek and spread joy, kindness, and compassion.</li></ol>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/diwali-decoration-ideas-2025-easy-rangoli-designs-ideas-that-you-can-try-1760869267066">Diwali Decoration Ideas 2025: Easy Rangoli designs that you can try</a><h2>Wishes for Friends &amp; Colleagues</h2>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/7-best-non-english-shows-to-stream-this-weekend-on-netflix-prime-and-other-1760700343967">7 Best Non-English shows to stream this weekend on Netflix, Prime and other</a>&nbsp;<ol><li>Wishing my bomb people a very Happy Diwali 2025. Have a fun, safe, and sparkling festival.</li><li>May your festive season be sweet, your card games be lucky, and your new year be even better. Happy Deepavali, my dearest friend.&nbsp;</li><li>Wishing you a Diwali filled with success and new opportunities. Enjoy the festivities to the fullest.&nbsp;</li><li>Thanks for being a shining light in my life. Wishing you a wonderful and Happy Diwali.</li><li>Cheers to an amazing year ahead. May this Diwali bring you everything you wish for and succeed in your life.</li></ol>

Want to send wishes to your family, relatives and the close ones? Check the compilation of wishes, quotes, WhatsApp messages and give your warm, traditional blessings to celebrate the festival of lights. 

The festival of Diwali is here, filled with hope, happiness, and joy. It's a celebration of the victory of good over evil, as per the Hindu epic, Ramayana. The festival marks the homecoming of Lord Rama, who returned to his kingdom of Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, accompanied by his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana, having defeated the demon king Ravana. As we celebrate the festival, here we have curated heartfelt wishes that you can send to your loved ones! Warm & Traditional Wishes Also Read: Diwali 2025: Diabetic-friendly dessert recipes for a guilt-free festival Wishing you a very happy Diwali! May the festival be filled with the glow of Diyas, the warmth of love, and the joy of togetherness. May the divine light of Diwali bring peace, prosperity, and happiness to your life. Have a blessed and Shubh Deepavali. May Goddess Lakshmi bless you with utmost wealth, and Lord Ganesha keep your path clear of obstacles. Wishing you and your family a very Happy Diwali. Sending you my best wishes for a year filled with good fortune and great success. Happy Deepavali 2025. May this festival of lights illuminate your life and home with joy, health, and endless smiles. Quotes & Messages for WhatsApp Also Read: Diwali 2025: 10 stunning decor ideas to brighten up your home this festive season May your inner light shine brightest this Diwali, because darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Happy Diwali 2025. Let the festive lights brighten your home, but also your spirit and your outlook on life. Embrace the new beginnings. Diwali is a time to celebrate the victory of good over evil, just like Lord Rama won his victory over Ravan. May you find the strength to overcome all challenges this year. Just as the Diyas light up the night, may hope and happiness illuminate your soul forever. May this Deepavali be a reminder to seek and spread joy, kindness, and compassion. Also Read: Diwali Decoration Ideas 2025: Easy Rangoli designs that you can try Wishes for Friends & Colleagues Also Read: 7 Best Non-English shows to stream this weekend on Netflix, Prime and other Wishing my bomb people a very Happy Diwali 2025. Have a fun, safe, and sparkling festival. May your festive season be sweet, your card games be lucky, and your new year be even better. Happy Deepavali, my dearest friend. Wishing you a Diwali filled with success and new opportunities. Enjoy the festivities to the fullest. Thanks for being a shining light in my life. Wishing you a wonderful and Happy Diwali. Cheers to an amazing year ahead. May this Diwali bring you everything you wish for and succeed in your life.

Want to send wishes to your family, relatives and the close ones? Check the compilation of wishes, quotes, WhatsApp messages and give your warm, traditional blessings to celebrate the festival of lights.&nbsp;

Happy Diwali 2025 wishes: 100+ quotes, images, WhatsApp messages and more

In a transformative stride toward sustainable development and empowerment, Project Roshni was inaugurated in Keran village close to the Line of Control, bringing clean energy, fuel, and water solutions to this border community through a collaborative effort by the Indian Army and State Government.Under the PM Surya Ghar, Muft Bijli Yojana, the ASEEM Foundation has solarised nine clusters, covering 107 households. Each home now boasts two LED bulbs, two power sockets, complete internal and external wiring, solar panels, inverters, batteries, connectors, lightning conductors, power converters, and limiters. This initiative ensures a reliable renewable energy supply, critical during Keran’s harsh winters, enabling students to study and families to live comfortably.As part of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, 40 households received LPG connections through the clean fuel project. Each household was equipped with a gas cylinder, double-burner stove, regulator, pipe, and lighter, with documentation facilitated by the Rashtriya Rifles Battalion. This shift to clean cooking reduces reliance on firewood, curbing health risks associated with traditional fuels.Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, &nbsp;a 2,000-litre-per-day water filtration plant, developed in partnership with the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), now provides safe drinking water. The system includes two 2,000-litre storage tanks, a steady water supply, continuous power backup, and advanced filtration infrastructure.Enhancing both safety and the village’s scenic appeal, the Atal Jyoti Yojana has introduced 90 solar-powered street lights along the banks of the Kishanganga River. Executed by the Rural Development Department, this initiative improves night-time visibility and boosts Keran’s tourism potential.The inauguration was graced by Smt. Chinta Devi, Veer Nari and the wife of Late Nb Sub Chuni Lal, AC (P), VrC, SM, one of the Indian Army’s most decorated soldiers.Project Roshni stands as a beacon of collaboration, driving inclusive growth and sustainable development in India’s border regions.

As part of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, 40 households received LPG connections through the clean fuel project.

In a transformative stride toward sustainable development and empowerment, Project Roshni was inaugurated in Keran village close to the Line of Control, bringing clean energy, fuel, and water solutions to this border community through a collaborative effort by the Indian Army and State Government. Under the PM Surya Ghar, Muft Bijli Yojana, the ASEEM Foundation has solarised nine clusters, covering 107 households. Each home now boasts two LED bulbs, two power sockets, complete internal and external wiring, solar panels, inverters, batteries, connectors, lightning conductors, power converters, and limiters. This initiative ensures a reliable renewable energy supply, critical during Keran’s harsh winters, enabling students to study and families to live comfortably. As part of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, 40 households received LPG connections through the clean fuel project. Each household was equipped with a gas cylinder, double-burner stove, regulator, pipe, and lighter, with documentation facilitated by the Rashtriya Rifles Battalion. This shift to clean cooking reduces reliance on firewood, curbing health risks associated with traditional fuels. Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, a 2,000-litre-per-day water filtration plant, developed in partnership with the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), now provides safe drinking water. The system includes two 2,000-litre storage tanks, a steady water supply, continuous power backup, and advanced filtration infrastructure. Enhancing both safety and the village’s scenic appeal, the Atal Jyoti Yojana has introduced 90 solar-powered street lights along the banks of the Kishanganga River. Executed by the Rural Development Department, this initiative improves night-time visibility and boosts Keran’s tourism potential. The inauguration was graced by Smt. Chinta Devi, Veer Nari and the wife of Late Nb Sub Chuni Lal, AC (P), VrC, SM, one of the Indian Army’s most decorated soldiers. Project Roshni stands as a beacon of collaboration, driving inclusive growth and sustainable development in India’s border regions.

As part of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, 40 households received LPG connections through the clean fuel project.

Indian Army’s Project Roshni illuminates bordering Keran village with clean energy, fuel, and water solutions

In a shocking incident, a pregnant woman was reportedly stabbed to death by her lover in the Ram Nagar area of Delhi before the husband of the woman overpowered the lover and killed him with the same knife on Saturday night (Oct). The police called the incident a love triangle where a dispute over an extramarital affair left them dead.&nbsp;The deceased individuals were identified were Shalini, a 22-year-old homemaker and a mother to two daughters and the 34-year-old Aashu alias Shailendra, who was a local criminal and had an affair with Shalini. Meanwhile, Shalini's 23-year-old husband, Akash, an e-rickshaw driver, is currently battling for life in the hospital.&nbsp;According to a report by NDTV, Aashu claimed that Shalini was pregnant with his child, and he was mad at her for staying with her husband. That's why he attacked Akash and Shalini when they had gone to meet the latter's mother at Qutub Road. At first, Aashu attacked Akash with a knife, but he managed to escape the attack. Amid this, when he noticed Shalini in the e-rickshaw then Aashu launched the attack and stabbed her multiple times.&nbsp;When Akash rushed to protect his wife, Aashu attacked him as well, leaving him with several stab wounds. However, Akash managed to fight back, seize the knife, and stab Aashu to death.<h3>Love triangle</h3>Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Nidhin Valsan said Shalini’s brother, Rohit, quickly took the couple to the hospital, while police brought Aashu to the same facility. Doctors declared Shalini and Aashu dead on arrival, while Akash sustained multiple injuries while trying to save his wife.&nbsp;Sheila revealed that Shalini and Akash’s marriage had gone through a rough phase a few years earlier, during which Shalini became involved with Aashu, and the two briefly lived together. After reconciling, Shalini and Akash resumed living with their two children, a development that reportedly enraged Aashu.&nbsp;Police confirmed that Aashu claimed he was the father of Shalini’s unborn child, while Shalini maintained it was Akash’s. This dispute is believed to have driven Aashu to attack the couple.&nbsp;A case of murder and attempted murder has been filed against the incident based on a statement from Shalini’s mother, Sheila. The bodies have been sent for postmortem examination.&nbsp;

A case of murder and attempted murder has been filed against the incident based on a statement from Shalini’s mother, Sheila. The bodies have been sent for postmortem examination.

In a shocking incident, a pregnant woman was reportedly stabbed to death by her lover in the Ram Nagar area of Delhi before the husband of the woman overpowered the lover and killed him with the same knife on Saturday night (Oct). The police called the incident a love triangle where a dispute over an extramarital affair left them dead. The deceased individuals were identified were Shalini, a 22-year-old homemaker and a mother to two daughters and the 34-year-old Aashu alias Shailendra, who was a local criminal and had an affair with Shalini. Meanwhile, Shalini's 23-year-old husband, Akash, an e-rickshaw driver, is currently battling for life in the hospital. According to a report by NDTV, Aashu claimed that Shalini was pregnant with his child, and he was mad at her for staying with her husband. That's why he attacked Akash and Shalini when they had gone to meet the latter's mother at Qutub Road. At first, Aashu attacked Akash with a knife, but he managed to escape the attack. Amid this, when he noticed Shalini in the e-rickshaw then Aashu launched the attack and stabbed her multiple times. When Akash rushed to protect his wife, Aashu attacked him as well, leaving him with several stab wounds. However, Akash managed to fight back, seize the knife, and stab Aashu to death. Love triangle Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Nidhin Valsan said Shalini’s brother, Rohit, quickly took the couple to the hospital, while police brought Aashu to the same facility. Doctors declared Shalini and Aashu dead on arrival, while Akash sustained multiple injuries while trying to save his wife. Sheila revealed that Shalini and Akash’s marriage had gone through a rough phase a few years earlier, during which Shalini became involved with Aashu, and the two briefly lived together. After reconciling, Shalini and Akash resumed living with their two children, a development that reportedly enraged Aashu. Police confirmed that Aashu claimed he was the father of Shalini’s unborn child, while Shalini maintained it was Akash’s. This dispute is believed to have driven Aashu to attack the couple. A case of murder and attempted murder has been filed against the incident based on a statement from Shalini’s mother, Sheila. The bodies have been sent for postmortem examination.

A case of murder and attempted murder has been filed against the incident based on a statement from Shalini’s mother, Sheila. The bodies have been sent for postmortem examination.

Delhi shocker: Pregnant woman stabbed to death by her lover, husband kills assailant in counterattack

North Western Railway has put in special arrangements for Diwali and Chhath Puja, with 44 pairs of special trains running to and from high-demand stations like Mumbai, Pune, Howrah, and nearby regions in Bihar. Captain Shashi Kiran, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of North Western Railway, told ANI that extra coaches, volunteers, and Railway Protection Force (RPF) staff have been deployed at stations to manage passenger rush and ensure smooth travel. "For Diwali and Chhath festivals, North Western Railways organised special arrangements. Currently, 44 pairs of special trains are operating from stations with high demand, such as Mumbai, Pune, Howrah, and nearby regions in Bihar... We are assessing the need for more special trains. With approval, we can operate additional trains. Additionally, we have added 174 coaches to nearly 60 regular trains, which are currently running... We are arranging holding areas in major stations, such as Jaipur, to reduce platform crowding," he said. He also highlighted the additional measures to manage crowds and facilitate smooth travel. "We have deployed volunteers from NGOs, scouts, guides, and the Railway Protection Force, and also assigned train conductors to specific duties... We advise people to arrive at the station as per schedule; early arrivals should wait in the holding area. Entry is limited to the station's incoming and outgoing points. Platform ticket sales are temporarily halted, but may be issued in special cases. We believe these measures will control the rush and encourage travel," the CPRO added. Earlier in the day, Central Railway announced that it will operate 1,702 special trains for the Diwali and Chhath Puja festivals in an effort to help passengers travel to their destinations and join their families on the festival. CPRO, Central Railway, Swapnil Nila told ANI on Saturday, "The Central Railway is preparing for the upcoming Chhath and Diwali festivals by operating 1,702 special trains to help passengers travel to their destinations to celebrate with their families... These trains will start from stations such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, Pune, Kolhapur, and Nagpur... Over 800 of these trains will serve routes to Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and the northeastern states... Trains will connect various other locations within the country." CPRO added that Extra counters have been set up at major stations for the convenience and safety of the passengers. He further added, "To ensure passenger comfort and safety, holding areas with a capacity of over 3,000 passengers each have been established at major stations, equipped with amenities such as food, water, toilets, and fans... Mobile UTS services are available for ticket booking, and additional ticket counters have been opened to reduce waiting time..." On Saturday, the Indian Railways has decided to take strict action against social media handles sharing'misleading' videos related to railway operations. During this festive season, some social media handles have been circulating old or misleading videos, creating confusion among passengers, said the railways in a statement. The railway administration stated that over 20 such social media handles have been identified, and the process of filing FIRs has been initiated. A 24x7 social media monitoring mechanism has been put in place to keep a close watch on such antisocial elements. The railway has appealed to all social media users to refrain from sharing videos of crowds or other incidents at stations without verifying the facts. Passengers are urged to rely only on official Railway notifications and verified social media handles of the Ministry of Railways, i.e., @RailMinIndia on X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for authentic information.&nbsp;&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience. &nbsp;

The railway has appealed to all social media users to refrain from sharing videos of crowds or other incidents at stations without verifying the facts.

North Western Railway has put in special arrangements for Diwali and Chhath Puja, with 44 pairs of special trains running to and from high-demand stations like Mumbai, Pune, Howrah, and nearby regions in Bihar. Captain Shashi Kiran, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of North Western Railway, told ANI that extra coaches, volunteers, and Railway Protection Force (RPF) staff have been deployed at stations to manage passenger rush and ensure smooth travel. "For Diwali and Chhath festivals, North Western Railways organised special arrangements. Currently, 44 pairs of special trains are operating from stations with high demand, such as Mumbai, Pune, Howrah, and nearby regions in Bihar... We are assessing the need for more special trains. With approval, we can operate additional trains. Additionally, we have added 174 coaches to nearly 60 regular trains, which are currently running... We are arranging holding areas in major stations, such as Jaipur, to reduce platform crowding," he said. He also highlighted the additional measures to manage crowds and facilitate smooth travel. "We have deployed volunteers from NGOs, scouts, guides, and the Railway Protection Force, and also assigned train conductors to specific duties... We advise people to arrive at the station as per schedule; early arrivals should wait in the holding area. Entry is limited to the station's incoming and outgoing points. Platform ticket sales are temporarily halted, but may be issued in special cases. We believe these measures will control the rush and encourage travel," the CPRO added. Earlier in the day, Central Railway announced that it will operate 1,702 special trains for the Diwali and Chhath Puja festivals in an effort to help passengers travel to their destinations and join their families on the festival. CPRO, Central Railway, Swapnil Nila told ANI on Saturday, "The Central Railway is preparing for the upcoming Chhath and Diwali festivals by operating 1,702 special trains to help passengers travel to their destinations to celebrate with their families... These trains will start from stations such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, Pune, Kolhapur, and Nagpur... Over 800 of these trains will serve routes to Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and the northeastern states... Trains will connect various other locations within the country." CPRO added that Extra counters have been set up at major stations for the convenience and safety of the passengers. He further added, "To ensure passenger comfort and safety, holding areas with a capacity of over 3,000 passengers each have been established at major stations, equipped with amenities such as food, water, toilets, and fans... Mobile UTS services are available for ticket booking, and additional ticket counters have been opened to reduce waiting time..." On Saturday, the Indian Railways has decided to take strict action against social media handles sharing'misleading' videos related to railway operations. During this festive season, some social media handles have been circulating old or misleading videos, creating confusion among passengers, said the railways in a statement. The railway administration stated that over 20 such social media handles have been identified, and the process of filing FIRs has been initiated. A 24x7 social media monitoring mechanism has been put in place to keep a close watch on such antisocial elements. The railway has appealed to all social media users to refrain from sharing videos of crowds or other incidents at stations without verifying the facts. Passengers are urged to rely only on official Railway notifications and verified social media handles of the Ministry of Railways, i.e., @RailMinIndia on X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for authentic information. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

The railway has appealed to all social media users to refrain from sharing videos of crowds or other incidents at stations without verifying the facts.

North Western Railway runs 44 pairs of special trains for Diwali and Chhath puja

Deepavali is the time when people living abroad want to come back home and celebrate the festival with their family members. But for 256 Air India passengers who were hoping to join their families in India for the festival met with a rude shock when their Air India flight AI138 from Italy's Milan to Delhi was abruptly cancelled on Friday.&nbsp;According to the airline, the flight was cancelled due to an "extended technical requirement" and to "prioritise the safety of all passengers and crew" in such a condition.&nbsp;“Flight AI138 from Milan to Delhi on 17 October was cancelled due to an extended technical requirement on the aircraft scheduled to operate the flight, prioritising the safety of all passengers and crew,” Air India said in the statement.&nbsp;The airline also said that all affected passengers were provided hotel accommodation but limited availability led to some being accommodated outside the airport area.&nbsp;Passengers were rebooked on alternative flights on or after October 20, based on seat availability with Air India and other airlines, claimed the airline.&nbsp;Notably, the Schengen visa of one of the passengers of the flight was due to expire on October 20 to which the airlines responded by rebooking him on another airline’s flight departing Milan on October 19 to ensure compliance with her visa validity.&nbsp;This however, disrupted the plans of several passengers who were looking to reach home for Deepavali, which is on Monday (Oct 20)&nbsp;&nbsp;

256 Air India passengers who were hoping to join their families in India for the Deepavali festival met with a rude shock when their flight from Italys Milan to Delhi was abruptly cancelled.

Deepavali is the time when people living abroad want to come back home and celebrate the festival with their family members. But for 256 Air India passengers who were hoping to join their families in India for the festival met with a rude shock when their Air India flight AI138 from Italy's Milan to Delhi was abruptly cancelled on Friday. According to the airline, the flight was cancelled due to an "extended technical requirement" and to "prioritise the safety of all passengers and crew" in such a condition. “Flight AI138 from Milan to Delhi on 17 October was cancelled due to an extended technical requirement on the aircraft scheduled to operate the flight, prioritising the safety of all passengers and crew,” Air India said in the statement. The airline also said that all affected passengers were provided hotel accommodation but limited availability led to some being accommodated outside the airport area. Passengers were rebooked on alternative flights on or after October 20, based on seat availability with Air India and other airlines, claimed the airline. Notably, the Schengen visa of one of the passengers of the flight was due to expire on October 20 to which the airlines responded by rebooking him on another airline’s flight departing Milan on October 19 to ensure compliance with her visa validity. This however, disrupted the plans of several passengers who were looking to reach home for Deepavali, which is on Monday (Oct 20)

256 Air India passengers who were hoping to join their families in India for the Diwali festival met with a rude shock when their flight from Italy's Milan to Delhi was abruptly cancelled.

Air India passengers returning to India for Deepavali get stranded in Milan

Fugitive Indian diamantaire Nirav Modi, who is in prison for over six years, has told a United Kingdom court that "sensational developments” will emerge when his extradition case in fraud and money laundering charges reopens for a hearing in London next month. Modi is wanted in India for the $2 billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud and alleged money laundering.&nbsp;Appearing before High Court Judge Simon Tinkler at the Royal Courts of Justice in London on Friday (October 17, 2025) to present his defence in a separate case, involving an over $8 million unpaid Bank of India debt, the 54-year-old made the claim.&nbsp;During a pre-trial review hearing Modi said, "They (Bank of India) refer to my extradition… I’m still here. There will be some sensational developments, and I have never used these words before".He also claimed that he was “extremely hopeful” of either being discharged or granted bail in the case after the court agreed to accept new evidence despite a “high bar” in such matters, reported news agency PTI.&nbsp;A hearing in the case is expected towards the end of November after Modi lodged an application to reopen his (extradition) appeal and the Indian authorities submitting their response.&nbsp;Defending himself as a “litigant in person”, and read from copious handwritten notes Modi seemed to lose cool at one point by saying “I understand this is an adversarial process, and they (Bank of India) can say anything against me. But they keep on making assumptions; I would say, spend one day in prison… There needs to be some basic common sense".&nbsp;Bank of India are pursuing Modi’s personal guarantee related to a loan to Dubai-incorporated Firestar Diamond FZE. They argued that a stay on the proceedings would be unfair to the bank, as it would push the long-pending claim off indefinitely, reported PTI.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

A hearing in the case is expected towards the end of November after Modi lodged an application to reopen his (extradition) appeal and the Indian authorities submitting their response.

Fugitive Indian diamantaire Nirav Modi, who is in prison for over six years, has told a United Kingdom court that "sensational developments” will emerge when his extradition case in fraud and money laundering charges reopens for a hearing in London next month. Modi is wanted in India for the $2 billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud and alleged money laundering. Appearing before High Court Judge Simon Tinkler at the Royal Courts of Justice in London on Friday (October 17, 2025) to present his defence in a separate case, involving an over $8 million unpaid Bank of India debt, the 54-year-old made the claim. During a pre-trial review hearing Modi said, "They (Bank of India) refer to my extradition… I’m still here. There will be some sensational developments, and I have never used these words before". He also claimed that he was “extremely hopeful” of either being discharged or granted bail in the case after the court agreed to accept new evidence despite a “high bar” in such matters, reported news agency PTI. A hearing in the case is expected towards the end of November after Modi lodged an application to reopen his (extradition) appeal and the Indian authorities submitting their response. Defending himself as a “litigant in person”, and read from copious handwritten notes Modi seemed to lose cool at one point by saying “I understand this is an adversarial process, and they (Bank of India) can say anything against me. But they keep on making assumptions; I would say, spend one day in prison… There needs to be some basic common sense". Bank of India are pursuing Modi’s personal guarantee related to a loan to Dubai-incorporated Firestar Diamond FZE. They argued that a stay on the proceedings would be unfair to the bank, as it would push the long-pending claim off indefinitely, reported PTI.

A hearing in the case is expected towards the end of November after Modi lodged an application to reopen his (extradition) appeal and the Indian authorities submitting their response.

'Sensational developments' to come, claims Nirav Modi in UK extradition case

The Delhi government on Sunday (Oct 19) deployed water sprinklers at the India Gate as pollution levels continue to rise in the Indian national capital ahead of Diwali. The Air Quality Index around India Gate was recorded at 269 on Wednesday morning, placing it firmly in the ‘Poor’ category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). This comes as the NCR region gears up for its first artificial rain experiment as authorities step up measures to tackle the city’s persistent air pollution. You can watch a video of it here:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Delhi | Water sprinklers deployed at the India Gate to maintain the pollution levels The Air Quality Index (AQI) around India Gate was recorded at 269, in the &#39;Poor&#39; category, in Delhi this morning as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). <a href="https://t.co/1r5Bup65Dc">pic.twitter.com/1r5Bup65Dc</a>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1979737639319470548?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Artificial rain</h2>On Wednesday (Oct 15), Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced that cloud seeding — a method of inducing artificial rain — is ready to be carried out as soon as the Meteorological Department gives the go-ahead, likely a day or so after Diwali. Addressing a press conference, Sirsa said that the Delhi government has "got everything" it needs to carry out cloud seeding. He added that two pilots have already familiarised themselves with the designated area during a four-day trial.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-pushes-back-after-trump-says-modi-assured-him-on-russian-oil-consumer-interests-are-our-priority-1760591822871">India pushes back after Trump says Modi assured him on Russian oil: ‘Consumer interests are our priority’</a>He explained the process in detail: "When the Meteorological Department gives us the green signal in the next 2-3 days, a sample of the cloud seeding will be taken after blasting/spraying it. We're waiting for clouds to appear soon.""The day after Diwali, or the next day, whenever the weather department gives us permission, we will do it. Whenever they give us permission, we'll take a plane and get permission to fly within three hours. We've already got everything we need to do the cloud seeding," Sirsa added.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-i-don-t-want-to-destroy-his-political-career-trump-makes-bizarre-remark-about-pm-modi-1760580304027">‘I don’t want to destroy his political career’: Trump makes bizarre remark about PM Modi</a>This initiative follows months of planning, after Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta had earlier promised that the national capital would soon experience artificial rain. The experiment is part of a pilot project in collaboration with IIT Kanpur, formalised through a memorandum of understanding. &nbsp;

Watch video: Delhi has ramped up its anti-pollution measures ahead of Diwali, deploying water sprinklers at India Gate with its first artificial rain experiment via cloud seeding planned for the coming days.

The Delhi government on Sunday (Oct 19) deployed water sprinklers at the India Gate as pollution levels continue to rise in the Indian national capital ahead of Diwali. The Air Quality Index around India Gate was recorded at 269 on Wednesday morning, placing it firmly in the ‘Poor’ category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). This comes as the NCR region gears up for its first artificial rain experiment as authorities step up measures to tackle the city’s persistent air pollution. You can watch a video of it here:

Watch video: Delhi has ramped up its anti-pollution measures ahead of Diwali, deploying water sprinklers at India Gate with its first artificial rain experiment via cloud seeding planned for the coming days.

Watch | Delhi deploys water sprinklers at India Gate as air quality worsens ahead of Diwali

New Delhi: Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, on a three-day visit to India, positioned her nation’s strategic deep-water ports as vital gateways to bolster India’s burgeoning trade ambitions and firm up economic ties between the two countries. Sri Lanka has three key ports: Colombo in the southwest, Hambantota in the south, and Trincomalee in the northeastthat handle the country’s trade with the world but also are strategically located on key global shipping lines in the Indian Ocean. Speaking at a civic reception hosted by the Think Tank, India Foundation, she said, “Sri Lanka seeks to develop as a maritime hub for the Indian Ocean Region” and the country can be a “natural cost-efficient hub" for India’s export and import trade with the world using the “deep-water and efficient ports located in the east-west shipping lanes”.&nbsp;While Colombo port handles the largest amount of trade in the country, Hambantota has become the emerging hub, and Trincomalee is one of the world’s deepest natural harbours. India is playing a pivotal role in Trincomalee, developing its deep-water port and oil tank farm as a regional energy and trade hub. The PM pointed out, “Our ports can continue to be developed further as gateways to India’s trade. Being India’s closest maritime neighbour, Sri Lanka can be a natural complement and partner to India achieving its ‘Viksit Bharat’ goal.”&nbsp;PM Amarasuriya met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visited IIT Delhi and her alma mater, the Hindu College.&nbsp;She emphasised that Colombo is committed to “deepening our economic partnership” through negotiations on the Economic and Technological Cooperation Agreement which “we are hopeful of recommencing soon”. The Economic and Technological Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) is a proposed bilateral pact between India and Sri Lanka aimed at deepening economic ties beyond the existing India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (ISFTA). The ISFTA, signed in 1998 and operational since March 2000, was the first such agreement for both nations and has boosted bilateral trade, with India’s exports to Sri Lanka reaching approximately USD 4.1 billion and Sri Lanka’s exports to India at USD 1.4 billion in FY 2023-24. ETCA seeks to expand this framework by emphasising services trade, investments, technology transfer etc. India is Sri Lanka’s largest trading partner, largest source of tourism, and a significant investor.&nbsp;The PM fondly recalled her visit to the Hindu College in Delhi University, pointing how her visit to the Indian national capital has been “a personal homecoming” because of this. She was a student of Sociology at Hindu College from 1991-1994 after she got Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) scholarship. She said, “The classrooms in Delhi taught me as much about society as the city itself through its diversity, its debates, and its deep sense of history.” PM Amarasuriya, who also holds the education portfolio pointed to “India’s sense of generosity in choosing to invest in the education of students from different countries including Sri Lanka” and by “educating and empowering our youth and through capacity building” India helps “us to strengthen understanding between our peoples and strengthen our institutions which is important for shared growth, peace, and prosperity”.&nbsp;She also highlighted the “deep concerns” of Colombo over Indian fishermen fishing in Sri Lankan waters and said that this matter “requires sensitive handling and sustainable solutions” with the Indian side. Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu state frequently cross into Sri Lankan waters, leading to arrests by the Sri Lankan Navy for illegal fishing. Sri Lanka;s concerns regarding the Indian fishermen issue include the ecological damage from Indian bottom trawling, which depletes fish stocks and harms marine habitats, threatening the livelihoods of northern Sri Lankan Tamil fishermen.

While Colombo port handles the largest amount of trade in the island nation, the Hambantota port has become the emerging hub, and Trincomalee is one of the world’s deepest natural harbours. The ports are strategically located on key global shipping lines in the Indian Ocean.

New Delhi: Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, on a three-day visit to India, positioned her nation’s strategic deep-water ports as vital gateways to bolster India’s burgeoning trade ambitions and firm up economic ties between the two countries. Sri Lanka has three key ports: Colombo in the southwest, Hambantota in the south, and Trincomalee in the northeastthat handle the country’s trade with the world but also are strategically located on key global shipping lines in the Indian Ocean. Speaking at a civic reception hosted by the Think Tank, India Foundation, she said, “Sri Lanka seeks to develop as a maritime hub for the Indian Ocean Region” and the country can be a “natural cost-efficient hub" for India’s export and import trade with the world using the “deep-water and efficient ports located in the east-west shipping lanes”. While Colombo port handles the largest amount of trade in the country, Hambantota has become the emerging hub, and Trincomalee is one of the world’s deepest natural harbours. India is playing a pivotal role in Trincomalee, developing its deep-water port and oil tank farm as a regional energy and trade hub. The PM pointed out, “Our ports can continue to be developed further as gateways to India’s trade. Being India’s closest maritime neighbour, Sri Lanka can be a natural complement and partner to India achieving its ‘Viksit Bharat’ goal.” PM Amarasuriya met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visited IIT Delhi and her alma mater, the Hindu College. She emphasised that Colombo is committed to “deepening our economic partnership” through negotiations on the Economic and Technological Cooperation Agreement which “we are hopeful of recommencing soon”. The Economic and Technological Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) is a proposed bilateral pact between India and Sri Lanka aimed at deepening economic ties beyond the existing India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (ISFTA). The ISFTA, signed in 1998 and operational since March 2000, was the first such agreement for both nations and has boosted bilateral trade, with India’s exports to Sri Lanka reaching approximately USD 4.1 billion and Sri Lanka’s exports to India at USD 1.4 billion in FY 2023-24. ETCA seeks to expand this framework by emphasising services trade, investments, technology transfer etc. India is Sri Lanka’s largest trading partner, largest source of tourism, and a significant investor. The PM fondly recalled her visit to the Hindu College in Delhi University, pointing how her visit to the Indian national capital has been “a personal homecoming” because of this. She was a student of Sociology at Hindu College from 1991-1994 after she got Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) scholarship. She said, “The classrooms in Delhi taught me as much about society as the city itself through its diversity, its debates, and its deep sense of history.” PM Amarasuriya, who also holds the education portfolio pointed to “India’s sense of generosity in choosing to invest in the education of students from different countries including Sri Lanka” and by “educating and empowering our youth and through capacity building” India helps “us to strengthen understanding between our peoples and strengthen our institutions which is important for shared growth, peace, and prosperity”. She also highlighted the “deep concerns” of Colombo over Indian fishermen fishing in Sri Lankan waters and said that this matter “requires sensitive handling and sustainable solutions” with the Indian side. Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu state frequently cross into Sri Lankan waters, leading to arrests by the Sri Lankan Navy for illegal fishing. Sri Lanka;s concerns regarding the Indian fishermen issue include the ecological damage from Indian bottom trawling, which depletes fish stocks and harms marine habitats, threatening the livelihoods of northern Sri Lankan Tamil fishermen.

While Colombo port handles the largest amount of trade in the island nation, the Hambantota port has become the emerging hub, and Trincomalee is one of the world’s deepest natural harbours. The ports are strategically located on key global shipping lines in the Indian Ocean.

Sri Lanka PM Amarasuriya pitches deep-water ports as gateways to India’s global trade ambitions

China Eastern Airlines has announced that it will resume round-trip flights between Shanghai and New Delhi from November 9 after the governments of the two nations announced normalisation of ties. The airline has also started the sale of tickets for the route.&nbsp;Both India and China had announced resuming direct flights between selected cities after a five-year hiatus following a meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin in August this year.&nbsp;The flights between the two cities will operate every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. The outbound flight from Shanghai’s Pudong Airport will depart at 12:50 pm and arrive at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport at 5:45 pm (local time).&nbsp;The return flight will depart from Delhi at 7:55 pm and arrive in Shanghai Pudong at 4:10 am the next day.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/massive-fire-breaks-out-at-dhaka-s-international-airport-all-flight-operations-suspended-1760789887198">Massive fire breaks out at Dhaka’s international airport; all flight operations suspended</a>&nbsp;The Chinese airline has selected the A330-200 aircraft for the route, which is known for its long-range performance and comfortable cabin environment, a company statement said.Earlier this month, IndiGo announced daily flights from Kolkata to China’s Guangzhou from October 26. The airline is also expected to launch flights between Delhi and Guangzhou.&nbsp;Direct flights to China stopped during the Covid-19 pandemic and continued after border skirmishes between Indian and Chinese troops in April-May 2020 took bilateral ties to a new low.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/impressed-by-india-s-aadhaar-pm-keir-starmer-plans-brit-card-for-uk-citizens-1760794820972">‘Impressed’ by India’s Aadhaar, PM Keir Starmer plans Brit Card for UK citizens</a>&nbsp;The border standoff continued between the two countries amid heavy troop deployment on both sides in the Ladakh sector of the LAC.&nbsp;An understanding was reached between the two sides last October, after which both the armies disengaged from the “friction points” of Demchok and Depsang.

The Chinese airline has selected the A330-200 aircraft for the route, which is known for its long-range performance and comfortable cabin environment. Earlier this month, India’s IndiGo Airlines had announced daily flights from Kolkata to China’s Guangzhou from October 26. 

China Eastern Airlines has announced that it will resume round-trip flights between Shanghai and New Delhi from November 9 after the governments of the two nations announced normalisation of ties. The airline has also started the sale of tickets for the route. Both India and China had announced resuming direct flights between selected cities after a five-year hiatus following a meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin in August this year. The flights between the two cities will operate every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. The outbound flight from Shanghai’s Pudong Airport will depart at 12:50 pm and arrive at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport at 5:45 pm (local time). The return flight will depart from Delhi at 7:55 pm and arrive in Shanghai Pudong at 4:10 am the next day. Also Read: Massive fire breaks out at Dhaka’s international airport; all flight operations suspended The Chinese airline has selected the A330-200 aircraft for the route, which is known for its long-range performance and comfortable cabin environment, a company statement said. Earlier this month, IndiGo announced daily flights from Kolkata to China’s Guangzhou from October 26. The airline is also expected to launch flights between Delhi and Guangzhou. Direct flights to China stopped during the Covid-19 pandemic and continued after border skirmishes between Indian and Chinese troops in April-May 2020 took bilateral ties to a new low. Also Read: ‘Impressed’ by India’s Aadhaar, PM Keir Starmer plans Brit Card for UK citizens The border standoff continued between the two countries amid heavy troop deployment on both sides in the Ladakh sector of the LAC. An understanding was reached between the two sides last October, after which both the armies disengaged from the “friction points” of Demchok and Depsang.

The Chinese airline has selected the A330-200 aircraft for the route, which is known for its long-range performance and comfortable cabin environment. Earlier this month, India’s IndiGo Airlines had announced daily flights from Kolkata to China’s Guangzhou from October 26.&nbsp;

China Eastern Airlines to resume Shanghai-Delhi flights from November 9

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday (Oct 18) called for the reopening of the tourist spots that were closed after the deadly April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26. Abdullah said that these places haven’t been shut in 35 years, even when militancy was at its peak in region. He added that some courage is needed to be shown and open tourist spots and promote them effectively.“First, we have to reopen those places which have been shut. We did not shut these places in 35 years. When the militancy was at its peak, Drang or Doodhpathri were not closed, the upper areas of Gulmarg were not shut, Aru valley was not closed,” he told reporters.“We are trying at our own level despite the fact that we are subjected to taunts that why are we doing so much tourism promotion?” he added, referring to the criticism that his government is focusing too much on tourism.“We know that homes of lakhs of people depend on it and we want tourism to be restored to the level that was there before the Pahalgam attack,” Abdullah said.The chief minister said that his government has sent teams abroad to promote tourism, noting that a big delegation is in Singapore in a bid to restore tourism from Southeast Asia. He added that the representatives will also travel to Berlin and London next month for promoting tourism.“If we talk about within the country, Nasir (Aslam Wani) had recently gone to Udaipur for promotions. We are not leaving any stone unturned. I cannot say that the Centre has not supported us, but, the reality is that unfortunately, we are talking in two voices from within J-K,” he said.Abdullah further added, “On one hand, the elected government talks about tourism promotion, but on the other, the unelected government has kept a large part of Kashmir closed for tourism.” He said that if the Centre is afraid to reopen popular destinations like Doodhpathri, Drang and some parts of Gulmarg, “it means there is danger. That is the reason the tourists are not coming.”

The chief minister said that his government has sent teams abroad to promote tourism, noting that a big delegation is in Singapore in a bid to restore tourism from Southeast Asia.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday (Oct 18) called for the reopening of the tourist spots that were closed after the deadly April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26. Abdullah said that these places haven’t been shut in 35 years, even when militancy was at its peak in region. He added that some courage is needed to be shown and open tourist spots and promote them effectively. “First, we have to reopen those places which have been shut. We did not shut these places in 35 years. When the militancy was at its peak, Drang or Doodhpathri were not closed, the upper areas of Gulmarg were not shut, Aru valley was not closed,” he told reporters. “We are trying at our own level despite the fact that we are subjected to taunts that why are we doing so much tourism promotion?” he added, referring to the criticism that his government is focusing too much on tourism. “We know that homes of lakhs of people depend on it and we want tourism to be restored to the level that was there before the Pahalgam attack,” Abdullah said. The chief minister said that his government has sent teams abroad to promote tourism, noting that a big delegation is in Singapore in a bid to restore tourism from Southeast Asia. He added that the representatives will also travel to Berlin and London next month for promoting tourism. “If we talk about within the country, Nasir (Aslam Wani) had recently gone to Udaipur for promotions. We are not leaving any stone unturned. I cannot say that the Centre has not supported us, but, the reality is that unfortunately, we are talking in two voices from within J-K,” he said. Abdullah further added, “On one hand, the elected government talks about tourism promotion, but on the other, the unelected government has kept a large part of Kashmir closed for tourism.” He said that if the Centre is afraid to reopen popular destinations like Doodhpathri, Drang and some parts of Gulmarg, “it means there is danger. That is the reason the tourists are not coming.”

The chief minister said that his government has sent teams abroad to promote tourism, noting that a big delegation is in Singapore in a bid to restore tourism from Southeast Asia.

‘We want tourism to be restored’: J&K’s Omar Abdullah calls for reopening of tourist sites closed after Pahalgam attack

The French Embassy in India has joined the fun debate about the date of Diwali 2025, one of the biggest festivals of the country. This year, the tithi, or the auspicious timing of Diwali, is falling on both October 20 and 21, resulting in confusion among people. While people are confused which day to celebrate the festival of lights, the French Embassy took to social media to wish Diwali in a playful way, winning hearts from netizens.In a “special video” shared on its official X handle, the embassy shows its employees asking each other when is Diwali. “Confused about the Diwali date? So are we! But one thing’s certain: lights, joy, and sweets await! Watch our special video on Deepavali - the festival of lights,” the embassy wrote on X.In the clip, one says he ordered two kurtas, traditional Indian shirt, as he was not sure which day is Diwali. A second person is seen ordering flowers for Diwali on 20th. But when the florist claims that Diwali is on 21st, he says send half on both days.Another woman is seen confused when to arrive at a Diwali party she’s been invited to as she is confused whether Diwali is on 20th or 21st. To this, her friend suggests to celebrate both days. In another scene, two chefs are confused for when do they have to make Kaju Katli, a popular Indian sweet made with cashews. To this, another person comes and says make enough for both days.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Confused about the Diwali date? So are we! But one thing’s certain: lights, joy, and sweets await! Watch our special video on Deepavali - the festival of lights: 🪔🇫🇷🤝🇮🇳 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HappyDiwali?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HappyDiwali</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%80?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#शुभदीपावली</a> <a href="https://t.co/LgY2igoNWO">pic.twitter.com/LgY2igoNWO</a>&mdash; French Embassy in India 🇫🇷🇪🇺 (@FranceinIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/FranceinIndia/status/1979184852437201127?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“Whether its on the 20th or on the 21st October, the lights of Diwali always shine bright! Let’s celebrate on both days,” the embassy staff concludes. “Shubh Deepawali.”<h2>Social media reacts</h2>Reacting to the video, some users appreciated the gesture of the embassy and wished Diwali, some still seemed to engage in the debate on when is Diwali.&nbsp;one user wrote, “Ohh god. You guys got caught in the Great Indian Panchang debate.” Another said, “Such a sweet message... all of us are asking the sane question!! And now we have the answer too.”&nbsp;One user said, “it's 21,” while another wrote, “Diwali is on 20th. Don’t get confused. Whoever is saying otherwise is fooling you.” One explained, “Votre vidéo est très bien! (Your video is very good!) As per Telugu calendar, Deepaavali is on Oct 21. Naraka Chaturthi is on Oct 20. And my spouse says we will have it on Oct 20!” &nbsp;

In a “special video” shared on its official X handle, the embassy shows its employees asking each other when is Diwali.

The French Embassy in India has joined the fun debate about the date of Diwali 2025, one of the biggest festivals of the country. This year, the tithi, or the auspicious timing of Diwali, is falling on both October 20 and 21, resulting in confusion among people. While people are confused which day to celebrate the festival of lights, the French Embassy took to social media to wish Diwali in a playful way, winning hearts from netizens. In a “special video” shared on its official X handle, the embassy shows its employees asking each other when is Diwali. “Confused about the Diwali date? So are we! But one thing’s certain: lights, joy, and sweets await! Watch our special video on Deepavali - the festival of lights,” the embassy wrote on X. In the clip, one says he ordered two kurtas, traditional Indian shirt, as he was not sure which day is Diwali. A second person is seen ordering flowers for Diwali on 20th. But when the florist claims that Diwali is on 21st, he says send half on both days. Another woman is seen confused when to arrive at a Diwali party she’s been invited to as she is confused whether Diwali is on 20th or 21st. To this, her friend suggests to celebrate both days. In another scene, two chefs are confused for when do they have to make Kaju Katli, a popular Indian sweet made with cashews. To this, another person comes and says make enough for both days.

In a “special video” shared on its official X handle, the embassy shows its employees asking each other when is Diwali.

Is Diwali on Oct 20 or 21? French embassy joins confusion with quirky ‘special video’ | WATCH

A massive fire erupted in Delhi’s Brahmaputra Apartments on Saturday (Oct 18). Several fire tenders rushed to the spot to put out the fire. The cause of the blaze is not known yet. The building, which is located about 200 metres from the Parliament, is one of the official residences of several Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs.&nbsp;The incident was reported around 1:20 pm, following which the emergency services dispatched 14 vehicles, including a Turntable Ladder (TTL), as the building is multi-storey. There were no immediate reports of any casualties. The apartments are located near Pandit Pant Marg.&nbsp;ADO Delhi Fire Service, Bhupender said, “At 1.22 pm, we received a call reporting a fire at Brahmaputra Apartments, located near Pandit Pant Marg... We immediately dispatched 14 vehicles, including TTL, as this is a high-rise building. So far, the damage is mostly on the stilt floor, and the upper floors are damaged externally. The fire has been brought under control, but our work is still ongoing... There is no casualty report yet…”

ADO Delhi Fire Service, Bhupender said, “At 1.22 pm, we received a call reporting a fire at Brahmaputra Apartments, located near Pandit Pant Marg... We immediately dispatched 14 vehicles, including TTL, as this is a high-rise building. So far, the damage is mostly on the stilt floor, and the upper floors are damaged externally. The fire has been brought under control, but our work is still ongoing... There is no casualty report yet…”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | A fire broke out at Brahmaputra Apartments in New Delhi. Six vehicles have been dispatched to the spot. Efforts are underway to put out the fire. <a href="https://t.co/QfqJWbteUi">https://t.co/QfqJWbteUi</a> <a href="https://t.co/0RY9JOzGbq">pic.twitter.com/0RY9JOzGbq</a>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1979469100234469377?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | A fire broke out at Brahmaputra Apartments in New Delhi. Six vehicles have been dispatched to the spot More details awaited <a href="https://t.co/eEk0UUyZzU">pic.twitter.com/eEk0UUyZzU</a>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1979465333997211761?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Trinamool Congress MP Saket Gokhale expressed concern at the incident and slammed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of late response to the fire, claiming that there was no fire brigade at the spot for 30 minutes. &nbsp;“HUGE FIRE at Brahmaputra Apartments at BD Marg in Delhi. All residents are Rajya Sabha MPs. The building is 200 meters from Parliament. NO FIRE BRIGADE SINCE 30 mins. The fire is still burning &amp; RISING. Fire engines are missing despite repeated calls. Have some shame Delhi Government,” he wrote on X.

Following the information, the authorities dispatched several fire tenders to put out the fire. The cause of the blaze is not known yet.

A massive fire erupted in Delhi’s Brahmaputra Apartments on Saturday (Oct 18). Several fire tenders rushed to the spot to put out the fire. The cause of the blaze is not known yet. The building, which is located about 200 metres from the Parliament, is one of the official residences of several Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs. The incident was reported around 1:20 pm, following which the emergency services dispatched 14 vehicles, including a Turntable Ladder (TTL), as the building is multi-storey. There were no immediate reports of any casualties. The apartments are located near Pandit Pant Marg. ADO Delhi Fire Service, Bhupender said, “At 1.22 pm, we received a call reporting a fire at Brahmaputra Apartments, located near Pandit Pant Marg... We immediately dispatched 14 vehicles, including TTL, as this is a high-rise building. So far, the damage is mostly on the stilt floor, and the upper floors are damaged externally. The fire has been brought under control, but our work is still ongoing... There is no casualty report yet…”

Following the information, the authorities dispatched several fire tenders to put out the fire. The cause of the blaze is not known yet.

Massive fire erupts at MPs’ Brahmaputra Apartments in Delhi, several fire tenders deployed

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday once again spoke about the success of Operation Sindoor and said that every inch of Pakistani land is now within the reach of the BrahMos missile. Speaking at the flagging-off ceremony of the first batch of BrahMos missiles manufactured at the BrahMos Aerospace unit in Lucknow's Sarojini Nagar, the Defence Minister said that Operation Sindoor displayed India’s growing defence prowess and that winning has become a habit for the Indian defence forces.&nbsp;"Operation Sindoor has proven that victory is no longer a minor incident for us. Victory has become our habit," said Singh speaking at the flagging off ceremony.&nbsp;Praising the armed forces for their precision and preparedness, Rajnath Singh also said that the country’s advanced missile capabilities would be a matter of worry for adversaries and that every inch of Pakistani land will be within the striking range of the BrahMos missiles.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/khawaja-asif-threatens-afghans-residing-in-pakistan-says-must-go-back-home-amid-clashes-with-taliban-1760772321720">Khawaja Asif threatens Afghans residing in Pakistan, says 'must go back home' amid clashes with Taliban</a>&nbsp;“Every inch of Pakistan’s land is within the reach of BrahMos. What happened in ‘Operation Sindoor’ was just a trailer, but that trailer alone made Pakistan realise that if India can give birth to Pakistan, then when the time comes, it can also… Now, I don’t need to tell you further, you all are wise," the Defence Minister said at the event.<h2>&nbsp;First Batch Of BrahMos Missiles Delivered</h2>The first batch of BrahMos missiles was flagged off by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Lucknow on Saturday, under the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ mission.&nbsp;The &nbsp;BrahMos Aerospace unit in Lucknow's Sarojini Nagar manufactured the BrahMos missiles. This state-of-the-art unit, was inaugurated on May 11, 2025 and it houses all modern facilities for missile integration, testing and final quality checks.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Praising the armed forces for their precision and preparedness, Rajnath Singh also said that the country’s advanced missile capabilities would be a matter of worry for adversaries like Pakistan.

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday once again spoke about the success of Operation Sindoor and said that every inch of Pakistani land is now within the reach of the BrahMos missile. Speaking at the flagging-off ceremony of the first batch of BrahMos missiles manufactured at the BrahMos Aerospace unit in Lucknow's Sarojini Nagar, the Defence Minister said that Operation Sindoor displayed India’s growing defence prowess and that winning has become a habit for the Indian defence forces. "Operation Sindoor has proven that victory is no longer a minor incident for us. Victory has become our habit," said Singh speaking at the flagging off ceremony. Praising the armed forces for their precision and preparedness, Rajnath Singh also said that the country’s advanced missile capabilities would be a matter of worry for adversaries and that every inch of Pakistani land will be within the striking range of the BrahMos missiles. Also Read: Khawaja Asif threatens Afghans residing in Pakistan, says 'must go back home' amid clashes with Taliban “Every inch of Pakistan’s land is within the reach of BrahMos. What happened in ‘Operation Sindoor’ was just a trailer, but that trailer alone made Pakistan realise that if India can give birth to Pakistan, then when the time comes, it can also… Now, I don’t need to tell you further, you all are wise," the Defence Minister said at the event. First Batch Of BrahMos Missiles Delivered The first batch of BrahMos missiles was flagged off by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Lucknow on Saturday, under the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ mission. The BrahMos Aerospace unit in Lucknow's Sarojini Nagar manufactured the BrahMos missiles. This state-of-the-art unit, was inaugurated on May 11, 2025 and it houses all modern facilities for missile integration, testing and final quality checks.

Praising the armed forces for their precision and preparedness, Rajnath Singh also said that the country’s advanced missile capabilities would be a matter of worry for adversaries like Pakistan.

‘Operation Sindoor a trailer, every inch of Pakistan within range of BrahMos missile', says Indian Defence Minister

According to the Indian Meteorological Department(IMD), a low-pressure area has formed off India's southwest coast, over the Lakshadweep area, off Kerala-Karnataka coasts, as of Saturday, 18th&nbsp;October. It is expected to intensify into a depsression during the next 48hours.&nbsp;&nbsp;In meteorology, a low-pressure area is one where the atmospheric pressure is lower than the surrounding areas.It is associated with cloud formation, increased, humidity and rainfall. It causes moderate rain, cloudy skies. A depression is an intense low-pressure area that brins moderate to heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, gusty winds.&nbsp;&nbsp;Fishermen have been advised not to venture out along the Kerala-Karnataka coast, South Tamil Nadu coast until 20th October, Monday. Windspeeds in the region are likely to exceed 55-60kmph.&nbsp;&nbsp;Further, the IMD has also forecast that the a low pressure area is likely to form over India's southeast coast next week, around 24th&nbsp;October. It is expected to move west-northwestwards and intensify further.&nbsp;&nbsp;It is on Thursday, 16th&nbsp;October that the IMD announced the &nbsp;start of Northeast Monsoon rainfall activity over India's Southeastern coastal region including Tamil Nadu, Puducherry &amp; Karaikal, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, and Southwestern regions such as South Interior Karnataka and Kerala-Mahe.&nbsp;&nbsp;Active between June and September, the southwest monsoon brings in the vast majority of India's annual rainfall. Likewise, the Northeast monsoon brings rains across parts of southeastern coast of India, in the final three months of the year. Also known as the retreating monsoon, the Northeast monsoon is the second major rainfall season in India, and is crucial for large parts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry.&nbsp;&nbsp;The two are related in such a way that the Northeast monsoon occurs when the southwest monsoon withdrawal, and the wind direction reverses. The Northeast monsoon sets in around mid-October and goes on till mid-December.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Northeast monsoon caters for about 50% or more of the annual rainfall in Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh. This season is known for cyclonic storms or weather systems that form in the Bay of Bengal, which can lead to very heavy rainfall and potential flooding in parts of Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh. These rains are also crucial for recharging the water table and the reservoirs.&nbsp;

A low-pressure area has formed near Lakshadweep and may intensify into a depression within 48 hours, bringing rain and strong winds. Fishermen are advised to avoid the Kerala-Karnataka-South TN coast. IMD also forecasts another system near SE India by Oct 24, as the Northeast Monsoon begins.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department(IMD), a low-pressure area has formed off India's southwest coast, over the Lakshadweep area, off Kerala-Karnataka coasts, as of Saturday, 18th October. It is expected to intensify into a depsression during the next 48hours. In meteorology, a low-pressure area is one where the atmospheric pressure is lower than the surrounding areas.It is associated with cloud formation, increased, humidity and rainfall. It causes moderate rain, cloudy skies. A depression is an intense low-pressure area that brins moderate to heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, gusty winds. Fishermen have been advised not to venture out along the Kerala-Karnataka coast, South Tamil Nadu coast until 20th October, Monday. Windspeeds in the region are likely to exceed 55-60kmph. Further, the IMD has also forecast that the a low pressure area is likely to form over India's southeast coast next week, around 24th October. It is expected to move west-northwestwards and intensify further. It is on Thursday, 16th October that the IMD announced the start of Northeast Monsoon rainfall activity over India's Southeastern coastal region including Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & Karaikal, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, and Southwestern regions such as South Interior Karnataka and Kerala-Mahe. Active between June and September, the southwest monsoon brings in the vast majority of India's annual rainfall. Likewise, the Northeast monsoon brings rains across parts of southeastern coast of India, in the final three months of the year. Also known as the retreating monsoon, the Northeast monsoon is the second major rainfall season in India, and is crucial for large parts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry. The two are related in such a way that the Northeast monsoon occurs when the southwest monsoon withdrawal, and the wind direction reverses. The Northeast monsoon sets in around mid-October and goes on till mid-December. The Northeast monsoon caters for about 50% or more of the annual rainfall in Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh. This season is known for cyclonic storms or weather systems that form in the Bay of Bengal, which can lead to very heavy rainfall and potential flooding in parts of Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh. These rains are also crucial for recharging the water table and the reservoirs.

A low-pressure area has formed near Lakshadweep and may intensify into a depression within 48 hours, bringing rain and strong winds. Fishermen are advised to avoid the Kerala-Karnataka-South TN coast. IMD also forecasts another system near SE India by Oct 24, as the Northeast Monsoon begins.

Weather system off Kerala-Karnataka coasts

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Weather system off Kerala-Karnataka coasts