National Handloom Day 2026: From Alia Bhatt to Samantha Ruth Prabhu; Actresses who celebrated India's textile heritage as brides

The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS

Unitree Robotics targets $9 billion valuation in landmark IPO backed by DeepSeek and Tencent

India names 27 sites in Arunachal Pradesh

Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata OTT: When will Kangana Ranaut's film stream online?

How many soldiers operate one S-400 battery?

Shakib Al Hasan ready to return to Bangladesh—under one condition

‘Fake news’: MEA rejects report claiming India sought defence pact with Israel after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey deal

Rockstar to unveil GTA 6 extended look ahead of November launch

Russia forms Ukrainian Volunteer Spetsnaz Brigade to fight Ukraine

Drug-resistant fungus that hides in hair and enters bloodstream reported in 23 US states

Technology transfer deal boosts India's defence manufacturing ambitions

Border row erupts in Europe after Ceuta crossings, Spain imposes border controls on Italy

Morale plummets on USS Abraham Lincoln: Are US sailors reaching a breaking point? | GRAVITAS

'Security can't be bought with Pakistan, Turkey deal': Iran tells Saudi Arabia

Baba Vanga's 2026 prophecy: 2 predictions 'already came true', 3 terrifying ones remain. Details inside

Colombia’s new president Abelardo de la Espriella vows to ‘defeat narco-terrorists’, signals hardline shift

New Friday OTT releases (August 7, 2026): Operation Safed Sagar, Vadhandhi, Main Vaapis Aaunga- 6 movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more

Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth scripts history as Indian Air Force gets its first woman ‘Top Gun’ pilot

RSS says Gen Z protests reflect genuine distress

Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'

IAF officer held for sharing sensitive information in 'honey trap' case, booked under Official Secrets Act

Stray Kids under scrutiny? Fans react to Grammy submission silence after BTS boycott

Why the Su-30MKI doesn't need external fuel tanks to fly vast distances

Jugal Hansraj reunites with Shekhar Kapur after 40 years for Masoom: The Next Generation

New speed limits, automatic challans: Big traffic change coming to Delhi-Meerut Expressway. All you need to know

India officially names 27 places in Arunachal to counter China's renaming claims

Trump calls White House ballroom ruling a 'national disgrace' as court says Congress approval needed

US sanctions Iran’s crypto network after Strait of Hormuz attacks, offers $15m bounty for intel on IRGC finance

Why the Su-30MKI is one of the heaviest fighters ever built

Uttarakhand young innovator builds India's own flying vehicle, conducts first test flight: WATCH

Chilling video shows students take cover as teen opens fire at Thai school

Reese Witherspoon's father hospitalised after poolside incident in Nashville: Report

<p>Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will embark on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir on July 4 and 5.</p>

<p>Singh will visit Amarnath shrine on July 5 and will also chair a security review meeting in Srinagar city.</p>

<p>Since few days, the state has witnessed a huge spurt in terror activity.</p>

<p>The first batch of Amarnath yatra flagged off on June 27. It was, however, halted on June 28 due to heavy rainfall at the Baltal base camp.</p>

<p>The yatra was resumed a few hours after the water cleared out and weather condition improved.</p>

<p>Nearly two lakh pilgrims from across the country have reportedly registered themselves for the Yatra.</p>

<p>Security measures have been taken keeping in mind the ceasefire violations from across the border and various other terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir.</p>

<p>On July 10 last year, at least nine Amarnath pilgrims were killed and 19 others got injured in an attack on the bus in Anantnag district. (ANI)</p>


Singh will visit Amarnath shrine on July 5 and will also chair a security review meeting in Srinagar city

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will embark on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir on July 4 and 5. Singh will visit Amarnath shrine on July 5 and will also chair a security review meeting in Srinagar city. Since few days, the state has witnessed a huge spurt in terror activity. The first batch of Amarnath yatra flagged off on June 27. It was, however, halted on June 28 due to heavy rainfall at the Baltal base camp. The yatra was resumed a few hours after the water cleared out and weather condition improved. Nearly two lakh pilgrims from across the country have reportedly registered themselves for the Yatra. Security measures have been taken keeping in mind the ceasefire violations from across the border and various other terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir. On July 10 last year, at least nine Amarnath pilgrims were killed and 19 others got injured in an attack on the bus in Anantnag district. (ANI)

Rajnath Singh to begin two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir tomorrow

<p>Supreme Court's bench of justice AK Goel and Abdul Nazeer issued a notice to Attorney General KK Venugopal examining the question of long-term sexual relationship's treatment as de facto marriages.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
While hearing an appeal, that was made by a rape accused who said he was falsely implicated in the case, the bench observed that "even if the relationship is held to be consensual and the petitioner is not held liable for the offence alleged, the petitioner can be fastened the civil liability treating the relationship to be de facto marriage in view of long cohabitation"&nbsp;</p>

<p>The top court has maintained that a woman, in any case, should not be rendered "remediless" and subjected to any kind of exploitation.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;After coming across several cases where a man was not held convicted of rape if a live-in relationship was involved, the apex court observed that such relationships could be accompanied by liabilities similar to marriages.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Senior lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi has been appointed as 'amicus curiae' and the matter will next be heard on September 12.</p>


The apex court observed that such relationships could be accompanied by liabilities similar to marriages

Supreme Court's bench of justice AK Goel and Abdul Nazeer issued a notice to Attorney General KK Venugopal examining the question of long-term sexual relationship's treatment as de facto marriages. While hearing an appeal, that was made by a rape accused who said he was falsely implicated in the case, the bench observed that "even if the relationship is held to be consensual and the petitioner is not held liable for the offence alleged, the petitioner can be fastened the civil liability treating the relationship to be de facto marriage in view of long cohabitation" The top court has maintained that a woman, in any case, should not be rendered "remediless" and subjected to any kind of exploitation. After coming across several cases where a man was not held convicted of rape if a live-in relationship was involved, the apex court observed that such relationships could be accompanied by liabilities similar to marriages. Senior lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi has been appointed as 'amicus curiae' and the matter will next be heard on September 12.

Live-in relations to be considered as de-facto marriages? Supreme Court will decide

<p>Congress leader and former diplomat, Shashi Tharoor filed an anticipatory bail plea in Delhi's Patiala House Court on Tuesday in relation to the Sunanda Pushkar death case.</p>

<p>News agency ANI quoted the counsel of Shashi Tharoor saying, Special Investigation Team categorically stated in the charge sheet that probe is concluded & no custodial interrogation of any person is required. Law is very clear that if charge sheet is filed without arrest, bail is inevitable."</p>

<p>The Matter has now been fixed for consideration at 10 am tomorrow (July 04), the council informed.</p>

<p>Earlier Shashi Tharoor who is currently in London and is expected to return India soon was <a href="wionews.com/india-news/delhi-court-summons-shashi-tharoor-in-sunanda-pushkar-case--142361">summoned by the Patiala House court</a>. He was asked to appear before the court on July 7.</p>

<p>Delhi Police had on May 14 accused Tharoor, the Lok Sabha MP from Thiruvananthapuram, of abetting his wife Sunanda Pushkar's suicide and told a city court that he should be summoned as an accused in the four-and-a-half-year-old case, claiming there was sufficient evidence against him.</p>

<p>In a nearly 3,000-page charge sheet, the police named Tharoor as the only accused while also alleging that he had subjected his wife to cruelty. &nbsp;</p>

<p>In the charge sheet filed before a Delhi court in the death case, Delhi Police has accused Congress leader Shashi Tharoor of ignoring his wife Sunanda Pushkar while she was "slipping into depression".</p>

<p>The charge sheet states that Shashi Tharoor "as a husband ignored Sunanda when she was sliding or slipping into depression and she had Alprax". It also mentions that they had frequent fights.</p>

<p>Sunanda Pushkar was found dead in her suite at a luxury hotel in Delhi on January 17, 2014.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Tharoor had also issued a statement on June five calling the charges against him "preposterous and baseless, the product of a malicious and vindictive campaign against myself".</p>


The Matter has now been fixed for consideration at 10 am tomorrow (July 04), the council informed

Congress leader and former diplomat, Shashi Tharoor filed an anticipatory bail plea in Delhi's Patiala House Court on Tuesday in relation to the Sunanda Pushkar death case. News agency ANI quoted the counsel of Shashi Tharoor saying, Special Investigation Team categorically stated in the charge sheet that probe is concluded & no custodial interrogation of any person is required. Law is very clear that if charge sheet is filed without arrest, bail is inevitable." The Matter has now been fixed for consideration at 10 am tomorrow (July 04), the council informed. Earlier Shashi Tharoor who is currently in London and is expected to return India soon was summoned by the Patiala House court. He was asked to appear before the court on July 7. Delhi Police had on May 14 accused Tharoor, the Lok Sabha MP from Thiruvananthapuram, of abetting his wife Sunanda Pushkar's suicide and told a city court that he should be summoned as an accused in the four-and-a-half-year-old case, claiming there was sufficient evidence against him. In a nearly 3,000-page charge sheet, the police named Tharoor as the only accused while also alleging that he had subjected his wife to cruelty. In the charge sheet filed before a Delhi court in the death case, Delhi Police has accused Congress leader Shashi Tharoor of ignoring his wife Sunanda Pushkar while she was "slipping into depression". The charge sheet states that Shashi Tharoor "as a husband ignored Sunanda when she was sliding or slipping into depression and she had Alprax". It also mentions that they had frequent fights. Sunanda Pushkar was found dead in her suite at a luxury hotel in Delhi on January 17, 2014. Tharoor had also issued a statement on June five calling the charges against him "preposterous and baseless, the product of a malicious and vindictive campaign against myself".

Sunanda Pushkar death case: Shashi Tharoor files anticipatory bail in Patiala House court

<p>External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday said that the ministry has requested the Government of Nepal to provide army helicopters in order to evacuate stranded Indian nationals along the route of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra.</p>

<p>"We have requested Government of Nepal for army helicopters to evacuate stranded Indian nationals. #IndiansStrandedInNepal," Swaraj said on Twitter.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We have requested Government of Nepal for army helicopters to evacuate stranded Indian nationals. /4 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndiansStrandedInNepal?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndiansStrandedInNepal</a></p>
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj/status/1014002509340266497?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>In a series of tweets, Swaraj said that the Indian Embassy in Nepal has deployed representatives in Nepalganj and Simikot to provide help to the stranded pilgrims at Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.</p>

<p>"Indian Embassy in Nepal has deployed representatives in Nepalganj and Simikot. They are in touch with the pilgrims and ensuring that food and lodging facilities are available to all the pilgrims. /2 #IndiansStrandedInNepal," Swaraj said.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Indian Embassy in Nepal has deployed representatives in Nepalganj and Simikot. They are touch with the pilgrims and ensuring that food and lodging facilities are available to all the pilgrims. /2 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndiansStrandedInNepal?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndiansStrandedInNepal</a></p>
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj/status/1013999670501113857?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>The Minister also confirmed that about 525 pilgrims are stranded in Simikot, 550 in Hilsa and another 500 in Tibet side.</p>

<p>"Indian pilgrims stranded in Nepal - There are about 525 pilgrims stranded in Simikot, 550 in Hilsa and another 500 in Tibet side. #IndiansStrandedInNepal," she said on Twitter.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Indian pilgrims stranded in Nepal - There are about 525 pilgrims stranded in Simikot, 550 in Hilsa and another 500 in Tibet side. /1 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndiansStrandedInNepal?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndiansStrandedInNepal</a></p>
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj/status/1013998876582277120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>She further assured people that the concerned officials are in constant touch with the pilgrims while also ensuring that food and lodging facilities should be available to all.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, a proper medical help is being provided to the needy in Simikot, she added.</p>

<p>"In Simikot a health check-up has been done on all the elderly pilgrims. They are being provided required medical help. In Hilsa we have requested police authorities for necessary assistance. /3 #IndiansStrandedInNepal," she added.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">In Simikot a health check up has been done on all the elderly pilgrims. They are being provided required medical help. In Hilsa we have requested police authorities for necessary assistance. /3 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndiansStrandedInNepal?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndiansStrandedInNepal</a></p>
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj/status/1014001181868240897?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>She further said, "We have set up hotlines for pilgrims and their family members who will provide information in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam languages. /5 #IndiansStrandedInNepal"</p>

<p>However, the Embassy of India in Kathmandu has assured all possible support to pilgrims stranded in Nepal following a heavy downpour.</p>

<p>The embassy has stationed its representatives in Nepal's Nepalganj and Simikot, who are personally in touch with all the stranded pilgrims and have ensured arrangements for best possible stay and availability of food and water.</p>

<p>According to the sources, the local airlines operating in the route have been requested to ensure availability of extra aircraft to have maximum possible sorties as soon as the weather clears up so that all stranded pilgrims can be taken back home.</p>

<p>The mission is also looking at the possibility of helicopter evacuation for critical cases.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We have set up hotlines for pilgrims and their family members who will provide information in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam languages. /5 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndiansStrandedInNepal?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndiansStrandedInNepal</a></p>
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj/status/1014003264998686720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Nearly 250 pilgrims from Karnataka are stranded in Nepal's Simikot after heavy rains caused landslips along the route of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra.</p>

<p>Thousands of Indian pilgrims take part in the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra every year via Nepal in the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China ahead of the monsoon season.</p>

<p>The tour is organised by the Ministry of External Affairs each year between June and September in cooperation with the government of People's Republic of China through two different routes - Lipulekh Pass (Uttarakhand) and Nathu La Pass in Sikkim.&nbsp;</p>


The Minister also confirmed that about 525 pilgrims are stranded in Simikot, 550 in Hilsa and another 500 in Tibet side

External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday said that the ministry has requested the Government of Nepal to provide army helicopters in order to evacuate stranded Indian nationals along the route of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra. "We have requested Government of Nepal for army helicopters to evacuate stranded Indian nationals. #IndiansStrandedInNepal," Swaraj said on Twitter. We have requested Government of Nepal for army helicopters to evacuate stranded Indian nationals. /4 #IndiansStrandedInNepal — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 3, 2018 × In a series of tweets, Swaraj said that the Indian Embassy in Nepal has deployed representatives in Nepalganj and Simikot to provide help to the stranded pilgrims at Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. "Indian Embassy in Nepal has deployed representatives in Nepalganj and Simikot. They are in touch with the pilgrims and ensuring that food and lodging facilities are available to all the pilgrims. /2 #IndiansStrandedInNepal," Swaraj said. Indian Embassy in Nepal has deployed representatives in Nepalganj and Simikot. They are touch with the pilgrims and ensuring that food and lodging facilities are available to all the pilgrims. /2 #IndiansStrandedInNepal — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 3, 2018 × The Minister also confirmed that about 525 pilgrims are stranded in Simikot, 550 in Hilsa and another 500 in Tibet side. "Indian pilgrims stranded in Nepal - There are about 525 pilgrims stranded in Simikot, 550 in Hilsa and another 500 in Tibet side. #IndiansStrandedInNepal," she said on Twitter. Indian pilgrims stranded in Nepal - There are about 525 pilgrims stranded in Simikot, 550 in Hilsa and another 500 in Tibet side. /1 #IndiansStrandedInNepal — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 3, 2018 × She further assured people that the concerned officials are in constant touch with the pilgrims while also ensuring that food and lodging facilities should be available to all. Meanwhile, a proper medical help is being provided to the needy in Simikot, she added. "In Simikot a health check-up has been done on all the elderly pilgrims. They are being provided required medical help. In Hilsa we have requested police authorities for necessary assistance. /3 #IndiansStrandedInNepal," she added. In Simikot a health check up has been done on all the elderly pilgrims. They are being provided required medical help. In Hilsa we have requested police authorities for necessary assistance. /3 #IndiansStrandedInNepal — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 3, 2018 × She further said, "We have set up hotlines for pilgrims and their family members who will provide information in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam languages. /5 #IndiansStrandedInNepal" However, the Embassy of India in Kathmandu has assured all possible support to pilgrims stranded in Nepal following a heavy downpour. The embassy has stationed its representatives in Nepal's Nepalganj and Simikot, who are personally in touch with all the stranded pilgrims and have ensured arrangements for best possible stay and availability of food and water. According to the sources, the local airlines operating in the route have been requested to ensure availability of extra aircraft to have maximum possible sorties as soon as the weather clears up so that all stranded pilgrims can be taken back home. The mission is also looking at the possibility of helicopter evacuation for critical cases. We have set up hotlines for pilgrims and their family members who will provide information in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam languages. /5 #IndiansStrandedInNepal — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 3, 2018 × Nearly 250 pilgrims from Karnataka are stranded in Nepal's Simikot after heavy rains caused landslips along the route of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra. Thousands of Indian pilgrims take part in the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra every year via Nepal in the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China ahead of the monsoon season. The tour is organised by the Ministry of External Affairs each year between June and September in cooperation with the government of People's Republic of China through two different routes - Lipulekh Pass (Uttarakhand) and Nathu La Pass in Sikkim.

Sushma Swaraj requests Nepal for army helicopters to evacuate stranded pilgrims

<p>In an unprecedented show of solidarity, Afghan diplomats today joined protesting Sikhs in India's capital Delhi. Delhi's Sikhs and a number of Afghan Sikhs had been protesting against the Jalalabad terror attack in Delhi's diplomatic area.</p>

<p>The protesters had wanted to march to the Afghan embassy and protest in front of it but were stopped midway. It was then that the Afghan diplomats walked out to meet the protersters and calm them down.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The diplomats assured the protesters of support and discussed the terror challenge Afghanistan is facing.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Unprecedented show of solidarity! Afghan embassy officials reach out to protesting sikhs in Delhi meet the protestors, assure them all support <a href="https://t.co/cE4IkXx2h1">pic.twitter.com/cE4IkXx2h1</a></p>
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/1014081870399791104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>The protesting Sikhs had been carrying placards which said "Sikhs have always helped people in distress without discrimination. Is this how you repay them", and waving back flags.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Security was also tight in the area but despite the protests, the Sikhs made certain the public did not suffer. All litter was removed and a langar was organised after the protest.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Sikh protest in delhi against killings in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jalalabad?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jalalabad</a> <a href="https://t.co/v901XDlor1">pic.twitter.com/v901XDlor1</a></p>
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/1014036021128957952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>A palpable anger can be felt in Delhi's Sikh community. Ardas or prayers have been held in memory of the Jalalabad terror attack victims.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Ardas being done in a Delhi Afghan Sikh Gurudwara for the Sikhs martyred in the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jalalabad?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jalalabad</a> terror attack. <a href="https://t.co/eVQ8h0Lhl2">pic.twitter.com/eVQ8h0Lhl2</a></p>
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/1013787610442027010?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee have announced Rs 1 lakh rupees each in compensation to the victims' next of kin.&nbsp;</p>

<p>India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj met the relatives of the Sikhs killed in the Jalalabad attack on Monday and assured them all help. India's High Commissioner to Pakistan AJay Bisaria and India's HIgh Commissioner to Afghanistan Vinay Kumar were both present at the meet.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Both Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani condemned the attack.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We strongly condemn the terror attacks in Afghanistan yesterday. They are an attack on Afghanistan's multicultural fabric. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. I pray that the injured recover soon. India stands ready to assist the Afghanistan government in this sad hour.</p>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1013610293514170369?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>A massive terror attack in Afghanistan's eastern city of Jalalabad killed 13 Afghan Sikhs on Sunday. The dead included Avtar Singh, the man who was to represent the minority Sikh and Hindu community in Afghanistan's parliament.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The terror attack wiped out Afghanistan's Sikh political leadership. Afghanistan goes to the polls on October 20.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Monday, in an exclusive conversation with WION, Afghanistan's ambassador to India Shaida Abdali lauded Avtar Singh, calling him a true patriot. Abdali said that the attack was a blow to Afghanistan's diversity.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Afghanistan's ambassador to India <a href="https://twitter.com/ShaidaAbdali?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShaidaAbdali</a> spoke exclusively to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WION?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WION</a>'s <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sidhant</a> on the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JalalabadAttack?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JalalabadAttack</a> saying the attack was very "tragic". <a href="https://twitter.com/IndianEmbKabul?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IndianEmbKabul</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/IndianConsHerat?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IndianConsHerat</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AfghanistanInIN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AfghanistanInIN</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ashrafghani?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ashrafghani</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PMOIndia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MEAIndia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SushmaSwaraj</a> <a href="https://t.co/mKjt7Hpu1u">pic.twitter.com/mKjt7Hpu1u</a></p>
— WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/1013724633202229250?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Avtar Singh had been in touch with WION and was to give us an interview ahead of the Afghan elections. His last words to me were "(I am) standing on behalf of all Sikh and Hindu community who lives in Afghanistan. Minorities are in bad conditions. We haven't got any help from anyone. We want to ask our rights from the government."</p>

<p>The local Muslim community has joined in the grieving. The governor of Nangarhar province met members of the Sikh community in Jalalabad. He offered condolences from President Ghani.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Nangarhar?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Nangarhar</a> governor met Sikh community members in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jalalabad?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jalalabad</a> and offered condolence from Pres <a href="https://twitter.com/ashrafghani?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ashrafghani</a> and the government. <a href="https://t.co/aqNALTxqlZ">pic.twitter.com/aqNALTxqlZ</a></p>
— Pajhwok Afghan News (@pajhwok) <a href="https://twitter.com/pajhwok/status/1014002836231815168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Only recently, a delegation of Afghan Sikhs led by Avtar Singh had India's ambassador to Afghanistan Vinay Kumar to discuss the issues the community was facing.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I took this photograph about 2 weeks back and little did I know that such fine people would leave us soon.Saddened, heartbroken and gutted at the loss of such fine people from the Afghan Sikh & Hindu Community in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jalalabad?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jalalabad</a> today. <a href="https://t.co/CTEdKhfRru">pic.twitter.com/CTEdKhfRru</a></p>
— Vasudev Ravi (@vasudev_ravi) <a href="https://twitter.com/vasudev_ravi/status/1013488872217567233?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Ever since the terror attack, both Afghanistan and India have been pointing fingers at Pakistan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Afghan ambassador in Delhi said the terror attacks came from across the border. In a strongly-worded statement, the Indian mission in Kabul said "the attack again underlines the need for a united global fight against international terrorism without discrimination and accountability of those who support terrorists in any manner".</p>

<p>The situation in Afghanisatn remains precarious for minority Sikhs and Hindus. Once a thriving community, their population has declined to just 1,000. Many have returned to India.&nbsp;</p>

<p>India has become a home away from home. But a love for Afghanistan remains, as does a flicker of hope that stability will return one day to the land which once was home.</p>


The attack wiped out Afghanistan's Sikh political leadership. Thirteen Sikhs and a total of 19 people were killed in the attack

In an unprecedented show of solidarity, Afghan diplomats today joined protesting Sikhs in India's capital Delhi. Delhi's Sikhs and a number of Afghan Sikhs had been protesting against the Jalalabad terror attack in Delhi's diplomatic area. The protesters had wanted to march to the Afghan embassy and protest in front of it but were stopped midway. It was then that the Afghan diplomats walked out to meet the protersters and calm them down. The diplomats assured the protesters of support and discussed the terror challenge Afghanistan is facing. Unprecedented show of solidarity! Afghan embassy officials reach out to protesting sikhs in Delhi meet the protestors, assure them all support pic.twitter.com/cE4IkXx2h1 — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) July 3, 2018 × The protesting Sikhs had been carrying placards which said "Sikhs have always helped people in distress without discrimination. Is this how you repay them", and waving back flags. Security was also tight in the area but despite the protests, the Sikhs made certain the public did not suffer. All litter was removed and a langar was organised after the protest. Sikh protest in delhi against killings in #Jalalabad pic.twitter.com/v901XDlor1 — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) July 3, 2018 × A palpable anger can be felt in Delhi's Sikh community. Ardas or prayers have been held in memory of the Jalalabad terror attack victims. Ardas being done in a Delhi Afghan Sikh Gurudwara for the Sikhs martyred in the #Jalalabad terror attack. pic.twitter.com/eVQ8h0Lhl2 — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) July 2, 2018 × The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee have announced Rs 1 lakh rupees each in compensation to the victims' next of kin. India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj met the relatives of the Sikhs killed in the Jalalabad attack on Monday and assured them all help. India's High Commissioner to Pakistan AJay Bisaria and India's HIgh Commissioner to Afghanistan Vinay Kumar were both present at the meet. Both Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani condemned the attack. We strongly condemn the terror attacks in Afghanistan yesterday. They are an attack on Afghanistan's multicultural fabric. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. I pray that the injured recover soon. India stands ready to assist the Afghanistan government in this sad hour. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 2, 2018 × A massive terror attack in Afghanistan's eastern city of Jalalabad killed 13 Afghan Sikhs on Sunday. The dead included Avtar Singh, the man who was to represent the minority Sikh and Hindu community in Afghanistan's parliament. The terror attack wiped out Afghanistan's Sikh political leadership. Afghanistan goes to the polls on October 20. On Monday, in an exclusive conversation with WION, Afghanistan's ambassador to India Shaida Abdali lauded Avtar Singh, calling him a true patriot. Abdali said that the attack was a blow to Afghanistan's diversity. Afghanistan's ambassador to India @ShaidaAbdali spoke exclusively to #WION's @sidhant on the #JalalabadAttack saying the attack was very "tragic". @IndianEmbKabul @IndianConsHerat @AfghanistanInIN @ashrafghani @PMOIndia @MEAIndia @SushmaSwaraj pic.twitter.com/mKjt7Hpu1u — WION (@WIONews) July 2, 2018 × Avtar Singh had been in touch with WION and was to give us an interview ahead of the Afghan elections. His last words to me were "(I am) standing on behalf of all Sikh and Hindu community who lives in Afghanistan. Minorities are in bad conditions. We haven't got any help from anyone. We want to ask our rights from the government." The local Muslim community has joined in the grieving. The governor of Nangarhar province met members of the Sikh community in Jalalabad. He offered condolences from President Ghani. #Nangarhar governor met Sikh community members in #Jalalabad and offered condolence from Pres @ashrafghani and the government. pic.twitter.com/aqNALTxqlZ — Pajhwok Afghan News (@pajhwok) July 3, 2018 × Only recently, a delegation of Afghan Sikhs led by Avtar Singh had India's ambassador to Afghanistan Vinay Kumar to discuss the issues the community was facing. I took this photograph about 2 weeks back and little did I know that such fine people would leave us soon.Saddened, heartbroken and gutted at the loss of such fine people from the Afghan Sikh & Hindu Community in #Jalalabad today. pic.twitter.com/CTEdKhfRru — Vasudev Ravi (@vasudev_ravi) July 1, 2018 × Ever since the terror attack, both Afghanistan and India have been pointing fingers at Pakistan. The Afghan ambassador in Delhi said the terror attacks came from across the border. In a strongly-worded statement, the Indian mission in Kabul said "the attack again underlines the need for a united global fight against international terrorism without discrimination and accountability of those who support terrorists in any manner". The situation in Afghanisatn remains precarious for minority Sikhs and Hindus. Once a thriving community, their population has declined to just 1,000. Many have returned to India. India has become a home away from home. But a love for Afghanistan remains, as does a flicker of hope that stability will return one day to the land which once was home.

Delhi: Afghan diplomats reach out to Sikhs protesting Jalalabad terror attack

As heavy rains lashed Mumbai on Monday evening, a part of a bridge connecting Andheri east to west collapsed on the railway track.

Heavy rain in Mumbai leads to bridge collapse; 4 injured

<p>Looks like Mumbai misses Priyanka Chopra already as she reached New York today and posted photos and videos of herself enjoying in her posh NYC home. Coming to the Mumbai connection, BMC authority issued Priyanka a notice for unauthorised construction at Oshiwara in Andheri (West) in the premises of her office and other adjoining commercial premises that she has rented out.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to BMC officials, they received five complaints from people who visited the Charisma Beauty Spa and Salon along with a municipal corporator. When they acted upon the complaint and visited the concerned areas, they did find violations.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Now, BMC has issued two separate notices to the owners as well as occupants of both the said premises. In their notice, the authorities have asked them to either remove the illegal alteration and restore the original structure according to the BMC sanctioned plan in June 2013 or they will demolish the structure after a month of the notice being issued.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Priyanka has been in news for her alleged <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-priyanka-chopra-and-nick-jonas-land-in-mumbai-avoid-getting-clicked-together-146250">link-up</a> with American singer Nick Jonas --whom she took on a <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-inside-priyanka-chopras-goa-vacation-with-beau-nick-jonas-and-cousin-parineeti-chopra-147072">vacation to Goa</a> with family. She also made an <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/in-pics-akash-ambani-shloka-mehtas-engagement-ceremony-rumoured-couple-priyanka-nick-steal-limelight-148287">appearance</a> with the singer at Akash Ambani-Shloka Mehta pre-engagement bash.</p>

<p>The two made <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-priyanka-chopra-just-made-her-relationship-with-nick-jonas-official-on-instagram-147435">news</a> again when they left together for the States. Priyanka then also posted some <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/priyanka-chopras-instagram-post-rakes-link-up-rumours-with-nick-jonas-148186">pictures</a> of the singer performing at a concert while she cheered him on.&nbsp;</p>


Priyanka has now returned to her New York home as she posted pics and videos from the city of skyscrapers

Looks like Mumbai misses Priyanka Chopra already as she reached New York today and posted photos and videos of herself enjoying in her posh NYC home. Coming to the Mumbai connection, BMC authority issued Priyanka a notice for unauthorised construction at Oshiwara in Andheri (West) in the premises of her office and other adjoining commercial premises that she has rented out. According to BMC officials, they received five complaints from people who visited the Charisma Beauty Spa and Salon along with a municipal corporator. When they acted upon the complaint and visited the concerned areas, they did find violations. Now, BMC has issued two separate notices to the owners as well as occupants of both the said premises. In their notice, the authorities have asked them to either remove the illegal alteration and restore the original structure according to the BMC sanctioned plan in June 2013 or they will demolish the structure after a month of the notice being issued. Meanwhile, Priyanka has been in news for her alleged link-up with American singer Nick Jonas --whom she took on a vacation to Goa with family. She also made an appearance with the singer at Akash Ambani-Shloka Mehta pre-engagement bash. The two made news again when they left together for the States. Priyanka then also posted some pictures of the singer performing at a concert while she cheered him on.

BMC sends notice to Priyanka Chopra for illegal construction

<p>According to reports, the Supreme Court will determine if a woman is liable to compensation in case her live-in partner refuses to marry her. The apex court will decide whether live-in relationships can be treated as "de-facto" marriage.</p>

<p>In many cases, it is observed that after the relationship falls apart, a woman is usually not in a situation to prove an incident of a criminal offence against the man.</p>

<p>The top court maintained that a woman, in any case, should not be rendered "remediless" and subjected to any kind of exploitation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The court noted that a question which arose for consideration was whether, on account of long cohabitation (live-in), even if the relationship was held to be consensual, and the petitioner is not held liable for the alleged offence, he can be held responsible under civil liability by treating the relationship to be a de facto marriage.</p>

<p>"This interpretation may have to be considered so that a girl is not subjected to any exploitation and is not rendered remediless even if a criminal offence is not made out. Somewhat identical issue has been the subject matter of consideration in several decisions...," the Supreme Court bench said referring to other cases.&nbsp;</p>


It is often observed that after the relationship falls apart, a woman is usually not in a situation to prove an incident of a criminal offence against the man

According to reports, the Supreme Court will determine if a woman is liable to compensation in case her live-in partner refuses to marry her. The apex court will decide whether live-in relationships can be treated as "de-facto" marriage. In many cases, it is observed that after the relationship falls apart, a woman is usually not in a situation to prove an incident of a criminal offence against the man. The top court maintained that a woman, in any case, should not be rendered "remediless" and subjected to any kind of exploitation. The court noted that a question which arose for consideration was whether, on account of long cohabitation (live-in), even if the relationship was held to be consensual, and the petitioner is not held liable for the alleged offence, he can be held responsible under civil liability by treating the relationship to be a de facto marriage. "This interpretation may have to be considered so that a girl is not subjected to any exploitation and is not rendered remediless even if a criminal offence is not made out. Somewhat identical issue has been the subject matter of consideration in several decisions...," the Supreme Court bench said referring to other cases.

Supreme Court to decide if live-in relations can be treated as 'de-facto' marriage

<p>Congress leaders met in Srinagar on Wedneday, a day after the party's top leadership met in the capital New Delhi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Senior Congress leader Ambika Soni, AICC general secretary in-charge of J&K, Ghulam Nabi Azad, former chief minister of the state, and other Congress leaders from the state's three regions attended the meeting.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Congress said the main aim of the meeting was to chalk out a roadmap in the Valley. &nbsp;</p>

<p>After the meeting, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee president Ghulam Ahmad Mir told reporters that PDP-BJP had left the state with scars, and held the parties responsible for forcing the state into Governor's rule.</p>

<p>Mir denied any support to a party or the formation of a coalition with any party in the state.&nbsp;"Governor should improve the ground situation in the valley and early election should be held in the state," he said.</p>

<p>"We had told the governor in the all-parties meeting that if any party gives in writing to form the government, then it should be done immediately, otherwise there is a scope of horsetrading which will make the state suffer more," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Mir had earlier said the BJP was making "desperate attempts" to form a government in the state.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Soni said the Congress has sought a reply from the Centre as well as the former state government as to why they had forged an alliance and what they had accomplished during their tenure.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, amid speculation that a third front was being formed by the BJP with PDP and independent MLAs, senior PDP leader Imran Abbas Ansari said the People's Democratic Party has been turned into "Family Democratic Party".</p>

<p>On being asked if a government should be formed in the sate, he said he stood for fresh elections.&nbsp;</p>


Congress leaders including Ambika Soni and Ghulam Nabi Azad met in Srinagar on Wednesday to chalk out a roadmap in the Valley

Congress leaders met in Srinagar on Wedneday, a day after the party's top leadership met in the capital New Delhi. Senior Congress leader Ambika Soni, AICC general secretary in-charge of J&K, Ghulam Nabi Azad, former chief minister of the state, and other Congress leaders from the state's three regions attended the meeting. The Congress said the main aim of the meeting was to chalk out a roadmap in the Valley. After the meeting, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee president Ghulam Ahmad Mir told reporters that PDP-BJP had left the state with scars, and held the parties responsible for forcing the state into Governor's rule. Mir denied any support to a party or the formation of a coalition with any party in the state. "Governor should improve the ground situation in the valley and early election should be held in the state," he said. "We had told the governor in the all-parties meeting that if any party gives in writing to form the government, then it should be done immediately, otherwise there is a scope of horsetrading which will make the state suffer more," he added. Mir had earlier said the BJP was making "desperate attempts" to form a government in the state. Soni said the Congress has sought a reply from the Centre as well as the former state government as to why they had forged an alliance and what they had accomplished during their tenure. Meanwhile, amid speculation that a third front was being formed by the BJP with PDP and independent MLAs, senior PDP leader Imran Abbas Ansari said the People's Democratic Party has been turned into "Family Democratic Party". On being asked if a government should be formed in the sate, he said he stood for fresh elections.

Congress wants answer from former Kashmir govt: What did you accomplish?

<p>The situation remains precarious for the over 1,000 Indian pilgrims stranded in Nepal and Tibet.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The pilgrims were on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra but found themselves stranded because of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/over-1500-indian-kailash-yatra-pilgrims-stranded-in-nepal-due-to-heavy-rains-148622">heavy rains</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Indian high commission in Kathmandu has been able to evacuate about 150 pilgrims from Hilsa, a Nepalese town on the border with Tibet, to Simikot.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Nine commercial flights were then operated and 158 pilgrims evacuated from Simikot to Nepalganj.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Nepalganj is in the Terai plains and borders UP's Bahraich district. From there, Lucknow, is a three-hour drive.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Indian high commission is also in touch with the Nepalese Army, which has kept a helicopter in a state of readiness.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Conditions remain dire in the region because of the rains.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Mansarovar Yatris being rescued in Nepal's Simikot. Remember over a 1000 Indian Yatris are stranded in Nepal due to heavy rains. Indian Mission is working overtime to rescue them. <a href="https://t.co/2z6VDjEDQn">pic.twitter.com/2z6VDjEDQn</a></p>
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/1014082103540174848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Meanwhile, 2 Indian pilgrims have died in Nepal. They were identified as Leela Narayanan Mandredath of Kerala and Satya Lakshmi Narayana Subba Rao of Andhra Pradesh.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Mandredath died in Simikot on the morning of July 2, possibly due to high-altitude sickness, while Subba Rao died from a heart attack in Tibert.&nbsp;</p>

<p>All necessary assistance is being provided by the high commission for early repatriation of the bodies.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Indian mission is leaving no stone unturned to make certain the Indian pilgrims return home safely.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The mission, in liaison with civil authorities, is providing medical facilities to the stranded pilgrims.&nbsp;<br />
The Indian mission sent a four-member team to Nepalganj on the evening of July 3. The team will reach Simikot and Hilsa at the earliest and set up camp offices to assist the stranded pilgrims.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The mission has also set up a hotline for pilgrims and their families. The hotline is available ??? in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam.</p>

<p>In an exclusive conversation with WION, the Nepalese goverment assured all help required to the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims stranded in the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The chargé d’affaires of the Nepalese embassy Bharat Kumar Regmi said his government is doing its best to help the pilgrims and to provide them with shelter and medical facilities.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">WION Exclusive | Nepal's envoy says government assures of all help to Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndiansStrandedInNepal?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndiansStrandedInNepal</a><a href="https://t.co/TqE9weeE79">https://t.co/TqE9weeE79</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZA36h2zjIk">pic.twitter.com/ZA36h2zjIk</a></p>
— WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/1014105756310724608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>India's Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj has tweeted about the situation and said India has requested the Nepalese government for army helicopters to help evacuate stranded Indian nationals.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="in">Pl RT<br />
Pranav Ganesh First Secy +977-9851107006<br />
Tashi Khampa +977-98511550077<br />
Tarun Raheja +977 9851107021<br />
Rajesh Jha +977 9818832398<br />
Yogananda +977 9823672371 (Kannada)<br />
Pindi Naresh +977 9808082292 (Telugu)<br />
R Murugan +977 98085006 (Tamil)<br />
Ranjith +977 9808500644 (Malayalam)</p>
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj/status/1014005705890643969?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Prime Minister Modi meanwhile is in touch with the MEA and other top officials regarding the well-being of Indian pilgrims stranded in Nepal. He has asked officials to extend all possible assistance to those affected.&nbsp;</p>

<p>India is hopeful all its citizens will be evacuated over the next three to four days so long as the weather continues to improve.</p>


Over a 1,000 Indian pilgrims are stranded in Nepal and Tibet because of heavy rains. The 150 pilgrims were evacuated from Hilsa, a Nepalese town on the border with Tibet, to Simikot, and then on to Nepalganj

The situation remains precarious for the over 1,000 Indian pilgrims stranded in Nepal and Tibet. The pilgrims were on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra but found themselves stranded because of heavy rains. The Indian high commission in Kathmandu has been able to evacuate about 150 pilgrims from Hilsa, a Nepalese town on the border with Tibet, to Simikot. Nine commercial flights were then operated and 158 pilgrims evacuated from Simikot to Nepalganj. Nepalganj is in the Terai plains and borders UP's Bahraich district. From there, Lucknow, is a three-hour drive. The Indian high commission is also in touch with the Nepalese Army, which has kept a helicopter in a state of readiness. Conditions remain dire in the region because of the rains. Mansarovar Yatris being rescued in Nepal's Simikot. Remember over a 1000 Indian Yatris are stranded in Nepal due to heavy rains. Indian Mission is working overtime to rescue them. pic.twitter.com/2z6VDjEDQn — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) July 3, 2018 × Meanwhile, 2 Indian pilgrims have died in Nepal. They were identified as Leela Narayanan Mandredath of Kerala and Satya Lakshmi Narayana Subba Rao of Andhra Pradesh. Mandredath died in Simikot on the morning of July 2, possibly due to high-altitude sickness, while Subba Rao died from a heart attack in Tibert. All necessary assistance is being provided by the high commission for early repatriation of the bodies. The Indian mission is leaving no stone unturned to make certain the Indian pilgrims return home safely. The mission, in liaison with civil authorities, is providing medical facilities to the stranded pilgrims. The Indian mission sent a four-member team to Nepalganj on the evening of July 3. The team will reach Simikot and Hilsa at the earliest and set up camp offices to assist the stranded pilgrims. The mission has also set up a hotline for pilgrims and their families. The hotline is available ??? in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam. In an exclusive conversation with WION, the Nepalese goverment assured all help required to the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims stranded in the country. The chargé d’affaires of the Nepalese embassy Bharat Kumar Regmi said his government is doing its best to help the pilgrims and to provide them with shelter and medical facilities. WION Exclusive | Nepal's envoy says government assures of all help to Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims. #IndiansStrandedInNepalhttps://t.co/TqE9weeE79 pic.twitter.com/ZA36h2zjIk — WION (@WIONews) July 3, 2018 × India's Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj has tweeted about the situation and said India has requested the Nepalese government for army helicopters to help evacuate stranded Indian nationals. Pl RT Pranav Ganesh First Secy +977-9851107006 Tashi Khampa +977-98511550077 Tarun Raheja +977 9851107021 Rajesh Jha +977 9818832398 Yogananda +977 9823672371 (Kannada) Pindi Naresh +977 9808082292 (Telugu) R Murugan +977 98085006 (Tamil) Ranjith +977 9808500644 (Malayalam) — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 3, 2018 × Prime Minister Modi meanwhile is in touch with the MEA and other top officials regarding the well-being of Indian pilgrims stranded in Nepal. He has asked officials to extend all possible assistance to those affected. India is hopeful all its citizens will be evacuated over the next three to four days so long as the weather continues to improve.

Kailash Mansarovar yatra: India evacuates 150 citizens stranded in Nepal

<p>Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, who has been quite vocal about issues facing the country’s farmers, was Tuesday challenged by a BJP leader to identify common crops like wheat and paddy.</p>

<p>“If the Congress president Rahul Gandhi can identify wheat, paddy, jwar, bajra (pearl millet) then I in the capacity of president of BJP’s Kisan Morcha will go to his office and honour him,” Virendra Singh ‘Mast’ who heads the BJP’s Kisan Morcha told reporters.</p>

<p>BJP’s Kisan Morcha president Virendra Singh said that both the Centre and state governments were committed to double the income of farmers by 2022.</p>

<p>Singh also said that both the Centre and state governments were committed to double the income of farmers by 2022. Singh, who is also a Lok Sabha MP from Bhadohi (UP) said, “In this country agriculture is not a vyavsaaye (business) but a jeevan dhara (stream of life). The BJP believes that social, economic and cultural development of the farmers is very essential for the prosperity of the nation.”</p>

<p>He further said that the Kisan Morcha will be holding six ‘krishi-rishi’ programmes in the state to honour Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, whose government has launched several farmer-welfare schemes.</p>


BJP's Kisan Morcha president Virendra Singh said that both the Centre and state governments were committed to double the income of farmers by 2022.

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, who has been quite vocal about issues facing the country’s farmers, was Tuesday challenged by a BJP leader to identify common crops like wheat and paddy. “If the Congress president Rahul Gandhi can identify wheat, paddy, jwar, bajra (pearl millet) then I in the capacity of president of BJP’s Kisan Morcha will go to his office and honour him,” Virendra Singh ‘Mast’ who heads the BJP’s Kisan Morcha told reporters. BJP’s Kisan Morcha president Virendra Singh said that both the Centre and state governments were committed to double the income of farmers by 2022. Singh also said that both the Centre and state governments were committed to double the income of farmers by 2022. Singh, who is also a Lok Sabha MP from Bhadohi (UP) said, “In this country agriculture is not a vyavsaaye (business) but a jeevan dhara (stream of life). The BJP believes that social, economic and cultural development of the farmers is very essential for the prosperity of the nation.” He further said that the Kisan Morcha will be holding six ‘krishi-rishi’ programmes in the state to honour Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, whose government has launched several farmer-welfare schemes.

Will honour Rahul Gandhi if he can identify wheat and paddy: BJP leader

<p>In perhaps his strongest defence of handling of the economy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his government steered the Indian economy out of "unbelievable" decay left by an "economist prime minister and a 'know-it-all' finance minister".</p>

<p>India is now the fastest growing large economy in the world with strong fundamentals to propel further growth, Modi added.</p>

<p>Rejecting criticism of jobless growth, he said if state after state is creating a good number of jobs, how can the Centre be creating joblessness?</p>

<p>He said problems in banks were identified in 2014 itself and they were freed from political interference in giving loans. The government brought the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code to ensure defaulters lose their companies, the Prime Minister said.</p>

<p>In an interview to Swarajya magazine, he said when the BJP government came to power, the state of the economy was much worse than expected. "Things were terrible. Even the budget figures were suspicious," he said.</p>

<p>Modi said he chose '<em>rashtraneeti</em>' (putting the interests of India first) over '<em>rajneeti</em>' (political considerations) in not bringing out a white paper on the state of the economy when his government came to power.</p>

<p>While playing politics on the state of the economy in 2014 would have been extremely simple and politically advantageous, the government thought reforms were needed and "we preferred to think of 'India First'."</p>

<p>"We did not want to push the issues under the carpet, but we were more interested in addressing the issue. We focused on reforming, strengthening and transforming the Indian economy," he said.</p>

<p>Stating that the details about the "decay in the Indian economy were unbelievable" with a potential to stir a crisis "under an 'economist' prime minister and a 'know-it-all' finance minister", he said India was in the Fragile Five economies of the world and "there were several landmines laid in various sectors."</p>

<p>"We accepted this uncomfortable truth and hit the ground running from the very first day to stabilise things so that the Indian economy can be strengthened for the long haul.&nbsp</p>

<p>"We tolerated a number of political allegations, we accepted political damage but ensured no damage to our country," he said, adding India is the fastest growing large economy now with strong fundamentals to propel further growth.</p>

<p>Foreign investment is at an all-time high, GST has revolutionised the tax regime and India is an easier place to do business in than ever before, he said.</p>

<p>Asked about lack of jobs in the economy, he said the issue at hand is more to do with a lack of data on jobs.</p>

<p>"Our opponents will naturally exploit this opportunity to paint a picture of their choice and blame us. I don't blame our opponents for blaming us on the issue of jobs after all no one has an accurate data on jobs. Our traditional matrix of measuring jobs is simply not good enough to measure new jobs in the new economy of New India," he said.</p>

<p>He reeled out data on jobs being created at 3 lakh village-level common service centres, 15,000 start-ups, registration of 48 lakh new enterprises and in the construction of houses, railways and highways. Modi said 41 lakh formal jobs were created from September 2017 to April 2017 as reflected in EPFO payroll data.</p>

<p>"There is a lack of consistency in the political debate around job creation. We have data put out by state governments on employment.&nbsp</p>

<p>"For example, the previous Karnataka government claimed to have created 53 lakh jobs. The West Bengal government said it created 68 lakh jobs in the last term. Now, if states are all creating good numbers of jobs, is it possible that the country is not creating jobs? Is it possible that states are creating jobs but the Centre is creating joblessness?" he asked.</p>

<p>The Prime Minister said his government was working on doubling farmers' income by 2022 by decreasing input costs, ensuring proper prices for the produce, increasing productivity and creating more avenues for income generation.</p>

<p>"The previous government allocated Rs 1.21 lakh crore to agriculture while we have allocated Rs 2.12 lakh crore in the five-year period. But unlike them, our initiatives do not stay limited to the files, but enter the field," he said, citing crop insurance schemes, higher minimum support price, soil health card and neem-coated urea as the cornerstone of his government's rural focus.</p>


India is now the fastest growing large economy in the world, PM Modi added

In perhaps his strongest defence of handling of the economy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his government steered the Indian economy out of "unbelievable" decay left by an "economist prime minister and a 'know-it-all' finance minister". India is now the fastest growing large economy in the world with strong fundamentals to propel further growth, Modi added. Rejecting criticism of jobless growth, he said if state after state is creating a good number of jobs, how can the Centre be creating joblessness? He said problems in banks were identified in 2014 itself and they were freed from political interference in giving loans. The government brought the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code to ensure defaulters lose their companies, the Prime Minister said. In an interview to Swarajya magazine, he said when the BJP government came to power, the state of the economy was much worse than expected. "Things were terrible. Even the budget figures were suspicious," he said. Modi said he chose 'rashtraneeti' (putting the interests of India first) over 'rajneeti' (political considerations) in not bringing out a white paper on the state of the economy when his government came to power. While playing politics on the state of the economy in 2014 would have been extremely simple and politically advantageous, the government thought reforms were needed and "we preferred to think of 'India First'." "We did not want to push the issues under the carpet, but we were more interested in addressing the issue. We focused on reforming, strengthening and transforming the Indian economy," he said. Stating that the details about the "decay in the Indian economy were unbelievable" with a potential to stir a crisis "under an 'economist' prime minister and a 'know-it-all' finance minister", he said India was in the Fragile Five economies of the world and "there were several landmines laid in various sectors." "We accepted this uncomfortable truth and hit the ground running from the very first day to stabilise things so that the Indian economy can be strengthened for the long haul. "We tolerated a number of political allegations, we accepted political damage but ensured no damage to our country," he said, adding India is the fastest growing large economy now with strong fundamentals to propel further growth. Foreign investment is at an all-time high, GST has revolutionised the tax regime and India is an easier place to do business in than ever before, he said. Asked about lack of jobs in the economy, he said the issue at hand is more to do with a lack of data on jobs. "Our opponents will naturally exploit this opportunity to paint a picture of their choice and blame us. I don't blame our opponents for blaming us on the issue of jobs after all no one has an accurate data on jobs. Our traditional matrix of measuring jobs is simply not good enough to measure new jobs in the new economy of New India," he said. He reeled out data on jobs being created at 3 lakh village-level common service centres, 15,000 start-ups, registration of 48 lakh new enterprises and in the construction of houses, railways and highways. Modi said 41 lakh formal jobs were created from September 2017 to April 2017 as reflected in EPFO payroll data. "There is a lack of consistency in the political debate around job creation. We have data put out by state governments on employment. "For example, the previous Karnataka government claimed to have created 53 lakh jobs. The West Bengal government said it created 68 lakh jobs in the last term. Now, if states are all creating good numbers of jobs, is it possible that the country is not creating jobs? Is it possible that states are creating jobs but the Centre is creating joblessness?" he asked. The Prime Minister said his government was working on doubling farmers' income by 2022 by decreasing input costs, ensuring proper prices for the produce, increasing productivity and creating more avenues for income generation. "The previous government allocated Rs 1.21 lakh crore to agriculture while we have allocated Rs 2.12 lakh crore in the five-year period. But unlike them, our initiatives do not stay limited to the files, but enter the field," he said, citing crop insurance schemes, higher minimum support price, soil health card and neem-coated urea as the cornerstone of his government's rural focus.

Steered economy out of decay: PM Modi attacks ex-PM Manmohan Singh, Chidambaram

<p>Bollywood actress Kim Sharma whose claim to fame was Yash Raj film <em>Mohabbatein</em> in the year 2000 is now in legal trouble as a non-cognisable offence is filed against her for allegedly assaulting her former house help. The said offence was registered under sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to a report published in a Mumbai-based daily, Kim’s ex-help named Esther Khes started working for the actress at her Mumbai residence from April 27, 2018. Engaged in her daily chores, Esther, apparently had a laundry mix-up when she forgot to separate the whites from coloured clothes and a white t-shirt of Kim’s was spoilt.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per Esther in the report, she immediately told Kim about the mistake who then reacted violently -- abused, manhandled her and threw her out of the house. Kim also refused to settle Esther’s payments despite repeated requests.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Esther filed a complaint against the actor subsequently on June 27.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Kim, on the other hand, has denied assault charges and said that Esther’s payments would be cleared by the 7th of the month. In her reply, Kim said, “Khes has been told that her dues would be cleared on the seventh. I did not beat her. She ruined my clothes worth over Rs 70,000. I only asked her to leave after she did that.”</p>

<p>This is the second time when Kim has run into legal trouble as she and her estranged husband Ali Punjani was served a notice from the Mumbai Police under section 41(A) of CrPC for allegedly driving someone’s SUV and refusing to return it.&nbsp;</p>


This has not been a great year for Kim as she was earlier served a notice by Mumbai Police in an SUV case for allegedly driving someone else's car and refusing to return it.

Bollywood actress Kim Sharma whose claim to fame was Yash Raj film Mohabbatein in the year 2000 is now in legal trouble as a non-cognisable offence is filed against her for allegedly assaulting her former house help. The said offence was registered under sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). According to a report published in a Mumbai-based daily, Kim’s ex-help named Esther Khes started working for the actress at her Mumbai residence from April 27, 2018. Engaged in her daily chores, Esther, apparently had a laundry mix-up when she forgot to separate the whites from coloured clothes and a white t-shirt of Kim’s was spoilt. As per Esther in the report, she immediately told Kim about the mistake who then reacted violently -- abused, manhandled her and threw her out of the house. Kim also refused to settle Esther’s payments despite repeated requests. Esther filed a complaint against the actor subsequently on June 27. Kim, on the other hand, has denied assault charges and said that Esther’s payments would be cleared by the 7th of the month. In her reply, Kim said, “Khes has been told that her dues would be cleared on the seventh. I did not beat her. She ruined my clothes worth over Rs 70,000. I only asked her to leave after she did that.” This is the second time when Kim has run into legal trouble as she and her estranged husband Ali Punjani was served a notice from the Mumbai Police under section 41(A) of CrPC for allegedly driving someone’s SUV and refusing to return it.

Bollywood actress Kim Sharma accused of assaulting ex-domestic help

<p>The Supreme Court will pronounce its verdict on Wednesday on a batch of petitions filed by the Kejriwal government questioning the overriding powers of the Lt Governor of Delhi under Article 239 AA of the Constitution.</p>

<p>A Constitution Bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices AK Sikri, AM Khanwilkar, DY Chandrachud, and Ashok Bhushan had reserved the verdict on the contentious issue between the Centre and the AAP government on 6 December last year after hearing the matter for 15 days.</p>

<p>Kejriwal has been locked in the power tussle with the Centre ever since the AAP swept to power in Delhi in 2015.</p>

<p>The verdict will hopefully end the bitterness between the L-G, which by extension means the Centre, and the AAP Government. The clash between them, over almost every issue, is played out in the media, on the streets and in the government, affecting governance.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from Agencies)</em></p>


The AAP had moved Supreme Court to challenge a Delhi High Court verdict that held that the L-G held primacy over an elected government in the administration of Delhi

The Supreme Court will pronounce its verdict on Wednesday on a batch of petitions filed by the Kejriwal government questioning the overriding powers of the Lt Governor of Delhi under Article 239 AA of the Constitution. A Constitution Bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices AK Sikri, AM Khanwilkar, DY Chandrachud, and Ashok Bhushan had reserved the verdict on the contentious issue between the Centre and the AAP government on 6 December last year after hearing the matter for 15 days. Kejriwal has been locked in the power tussle with the Centre ever since the AAP swept to power in Delhi in 2015. The verdict will hopefully end the bitterness between the L-G, which by extension means the Centre, and the AAP Government. The clash between them, over almost every issue, is played out in the media, on the streets and in the government, affecting governance. (With inputs from Agencies)

Supreme Court to pronounce the verdict on AAP vs Centre power tussle on July 4

<p>Now is not the time to get over Bollywood parties as Aamir Khan hosted a lavish dinner party yesterday for his friends from the entertainment industry, just two days apart from the grand engagement bash hosted by Mukesh Ambani in his Mumbai residence for son Akash Ambani.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The party saw many familiar faces as Varun Dhawan, cricketer Sachin Tendulkar with wife, filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker with wife and others were spotted mingling with the star.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Instagram, a celebrity identified as Magic Singh shared photos of him partying with the likes of Aamir and Sachin. He kept the guests entertained with his tricks. He later posted all photos of self with the celebrities.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BkvkR1ygc65/" data-instgrm-version="8" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:8px;">
<div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;">
<div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BkvkR1ygc65/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">An absolute pleasure being hosted by Aamir Khan for a private dinner party. Thank you @avigowariker and @shaziaqg for arranging such a lovely fun evening ??❤️ @_aamirkhan #aamirkhan#bollywood#lagaan#jodhaakbar#mumbaimagic</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/magicsingh/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Magic Singh</a> (@magicsingh) on <time datetime="2018-07-02T20:47:45+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Jul 2, 2018 at 1:47pm PDT</time></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async defer src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bkvltg7A5_I/" data-instgrm-version="8" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:8px;">
<div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;">
<div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bkvltg7A5_I/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Such a lovely surprise by Aamir Khan to invite the Legendary @sachintendulkar to watch my private show! Big Love to @avigowariker and @shaziaqg for making this happen:) ??? @_aamirkhan #sachintendulkar#cricketlegend#mumbaimagic</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/magicsingh/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Magic Singh</a> (@magicsingh) on <time datetime="2018-07-02T21:00:16+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Jul 2, 2018 at 2:00pm PDT</time></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async defer src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>As she went to attend Khan’s party, his co-star of <em>Dangal </em>posted: “@magicsinghamazing!!!” Fatima Sana Shaikh also posted videos from the bash in which Varun Dhawan and Aamir Khan are watching Magic Singh’s tricks with awe. Magic Singh posted on his social media account, “An absolute pleasure being hosted by Aamir Khan for a private dinner party. Thank you @avigowariker and @shaziaqgfor arranging such a lovely fun evening”</p>

<p>Aamir will next be seen in <em>Thugs of Hindostan</em> with Amitabh Bachchan and Fatima Sana Sheikh in Vijay Krishna Acharya’s next film. The film is slated to release on Diwali and also stars Katrina Kaif and Amitabh Bachchan.</p>


Aamir hosted the party at his residence in Mumbai

Now is not the time to get over Bollywood parties as Aamir Khan hosted a lavish dinner party yesterday for his friends from the entertainment industry, just two days apart from the grand engagement bash hosted by Mukesh Ambani in his Mumbai residence for son Akash Ambani. The party saw many familiar faces as Varun Dhawan, cricketer Sachin Tendulkar with wife, filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker with wife and others were spotted mingling with the star. On Instagram, a celebrity identified as Magic Singh shared photos of him partying with the likes of Aamir and Sachin. He kept the guests entertained with his tricks. He later posted all photos of self with the celebrities. An absolute pleasure being hosted by Aamir Khan for a private dinner party. Thank you @avigowariker and @shaziaqg for arranging such a lovely fun evening ??❤️ @_aamirkhan #aamirkhan#bollywood#lagaan#jodhaakbar#mumbaimagic A post shared by Magic Singh (@magicsingh) on Jul 2, 2018 at 1:47pm PDT × Such a lovely surprise by Aamir Khan to invite the Legendary @sachintendulkar to watch my private show! Big Love to @avigowariker and @shaziaqg for making this happen:) ??? @_aamirkhan #sachintendulkar#cricketlegend#mumbaimagic A post shared by Magic Singh (@magicsingh) on Jul 2, 2018 at 2:00pm PDT × As she went to attend Khan’s party, his co-star of Dangal posted: “@magicsinghamazing!!!” Fatima Sana Shaikh also posted videos from the bash in which Varun Dhawan and Aamir Khan are watching Magic Singh’s tricks with awe. Magic Singh posted on his social media account, “An absolute pleasure being hosted by Aamir Khan for a private dinner party. Thank you @avigowariker and @shaziaqgfor arranging such a lovely fun evening” Aamir will next be seen in Thugs of Hindostan with Amitabh Bachchan and Fatima Sana Sheikh in Vijay Krishna Acharya’s next film. The film is slated to release on Diwali and also stars Katrina Kaif and Amitabh Bachchan.

Aamir Khan throws dinner party; Sachin Tendulkar, Varun Dhawan attend

<p>No money was spent on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's fitness video, Information and Broadcasting Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said Monday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Rathore was replying to a Shashi Tharoor tweet in which the former minister of state for external affairs said Rs 20 crore were spent on ads for Yoga Day, and Rs 35 lakh on Modi's fitness video.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Tharoor attached a news report to his tweet which had originally made the Rs 35 lakh claim.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Not surprised Mr @ShashiTharoor, falsehoods is ur substitute 4 facts," Rathore replied on Twitter.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"No money ws spent 4 PM’s fitness vid. It ws recorded by PMO videographer. This article is based on 'solid proof' of hearsay," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Not surprised Mr <a href="https://twitter.com/ShashiTharoor?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShashiTharoor</a>, falsehoods is ur substitute 4 facts<br />
<br />
No money ws spent 4 PM’s fitness vid. It ws recorded by PMO videographer. This article is based on 'solid proof' of hearsay<br />
<br />
And I assure you sir,not a single 'lamb' was sacrificed for the vid, let alone 35! ? <a href="https://t.co/xiC52ak7iw">https://t.co/xiC52ak7iw</a></p>
— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ra_THORe/status/1013752154564235264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">20 crore rupees in ads for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YogaDay?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YogaDay</a>, 35 lambs for <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PMOIndia</a>'s fitness video! Disgraceful. This government is all about smoke & mirrors. Hype is their substitute for hope -- the hopes they have destroyed.<a href="https://t.co/vmYZINkRD2">https://t.co/vmYZINkRD2</a></p>
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShashiTharoor/status/1013717245321760768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Modi's fitness video — in which he can be seen meditating and doing yoga — was released in June. The video came after Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli threw him a fitness challenge.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Modi in turn tagged Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy in his video.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Kumaraswamy replied that while he supported physical fitness, he was more concerned about the development of his state.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


The clarification was made by i&B Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore after a news report Sunday claimed Rs 35 lakh had been spent on the video

No money was spent on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's fitness video, Information and Broadcasting Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said Monday. Rathore was replying to a Shashi Tharoor tweet in which the former minister of state for external affairs said Rs 20 crore were spent on ads for Yoga Day, and Rs 35 lakh on Modi's fitness video. Tharoor attached a news report to his tweet which had originally made the Rs 35 lakh claim. "Not surprised Mr @ShashiTharoor, falsehoods is ur substitute 4 facts," Rathore replied on Twitter. "No money ws spent 4 PM’s fitness vid. It ws recorded by PMO videographer. This article is based on 'solid proof' of hearsay," he added. Not surprised Mr @ShashiTharoor, falsehoods is ur substitute 4 facts No money ws spent 4 PM’s fitness vid. It ws recorded by PMO videographer. This article is based on 'solid proof' of hearsay And I assure you sir,not a single 'lamb' was sacrificed for the vid, let alone 35! ? https://t.co/xiC52ak7iw — Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) July 2, 2018 × 20 crore rupees in ads for #YogaDay, 35 lambs for @PMOIndia's fitness video! Disgraceful. This government is all about smoke & mirrors. Hype is their substitute for hope -- the hopes they have destroyed.https://t.co/vmYZINkRD2 — Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) July 2, 2018 × Modi's fitness video — in which he can be seen meditating and doing yoga — was released in June. The video came after Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli threw him a fitness challenge. Modi in turn tagged Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy in his video. Kumaraswamy replied that while he supported physical fitness, he was more concerned about the development of his state.

'No money was spent on PM Modi's fitness video'

<p>Actor Ranbir Kapoor says he views competition as a healthy and beneficial exercise, amid the buzz that the upcoming award season will be a face-off between his and Ranveer Singh's performances.<br />
<br />
The year began with Ranveer garnering critical acclaim for his portrayal of Sultan Alauddin Khilji in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Padmaavat", that released on January 25.<br />
<br />
Ranbir, who has been through a dull box office phase in the last couple of years, bounced back last Friday as his latest "Sanju", a biopic on actor Sanjay Dutt, has registered a strong opening at the ticket window.<br />
The Rajkumar Hirani-directed film has fetched immense praise for Ranbir slipping into the role of Dutt effortlessly.<br />
<br />
Asked about the comparisons between him and Ranveer, Ranbir told PTI, "I've seen Ranveer in 'Padmaavat' and I was really bowled over by his performance. I thought he was phenomenal. I've now been pitted against Ranveer as 'competition'. It's amazing to have that. It only pushes us to do better work."<br />
<br />
"He (Ranveer) inspires and excites me. There are times his films do better business than mine and hopefully there will be a time when my films will be doing better business. It will be an interesting pattern," he adds.<br />
<br />
Ranbir made his debut 11 years ago with Bhansali's "Saawariya", which bombed at the box office. However, the 35-year-old actor later cemented his identity as one of the best performers in the current generations with films such as "Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year", "Wake Up! Sid", "Raajneeti", "Barfi!" and "Rockstar".<br />
<br />
Ranveer, on the other hand, had a breakthrough with his debut "Band Baaja Baarat" before finding his perfect mix of box office success and critical acclaim in Bhansali's "Ram Leela", "Bajirao Mastani" and "Padmaavat".<br />
<br />
Ranbir says both Ranveer and him have received offers to co-star in films but they do not want to do a project which does injustice to either of their acting chops.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
"We are two actors who have their own sensibilities. We can't come together just as a project. It has to be liked by both of us, individually. I am really looking forward to working with him and also Varun and Tiger.&nbsp;"When you do a two-hero film, you share the burden. It's also easier because you have a partner-in-crime and you can have a lot of fun on sets too," he says.&nbsp;</p>


Ranbir Kapoor says he views competition as a healthy and beneficial exercise

Actor Ranbir Kapoor says he views competition as a healthy and beneficial exercise, amid the buzz that the upcoming award season will be a face-off between his and Ranveer Singh's performances. The year began with Ranveer garnering critical acclaim for his portrayal of Sultan Alauddin Khilji in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Padmaavat", that released on January 25. Ranbir, who has been through a dull box office phase in the last couple of years, bounced back last Friday as his latest "Sanju", a biopic on actor Sanjay Dutt, has registered a strong opening at the ticket window. The Rajkumar Hirani-directed film has fetched immense praise for Ranbir slipping into the role of Dutt effortlessly. Asked about the comparisons between him and Ranveer, Ranbir told PTI, "I've seen Ranveer in 'Padmaavat' and I was really bowled over by his performance. I thought he was phenomenal. I've now been pitted against Ranveer as 'competition'. It's amazing to have that. It only pushes us to do better work." "He (Ranveer) inspires and excites me. There are times his films do better business than mine and hopefully there will be a time when my films will be doing better business. It will be an interesting pattern," he adds. Ranbir made his debut 11 years ago with Bhansali's "Saawariya", which bombed at the box office. However, the 35-year-old actor later cemented his identity as one of the best performers in the current generations with films such as "Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year", "Wake Up! Sid", "Raajneeti", "Barfi!" and "Rockstar". Ranveer, on the other hand, had a breakthrough with his debut "Band Baaja Baarat" before finding his perfect mix of box office success and critical acclaim in Bhansali's "Ram Leela", "Bajirao Mastani" and "Padmaavat". Ranbir says both Ranveer and him have received offers to co-star in films but they do not want to do a project which does injustice to either of their acting chops. "We are two actors who have their own sensibilities. We can't come together just as a project. It has to be liked by both of us, individually. I am really looking forward to working with him and also Varun and Tiger. "When you do a two-hero film, you share the burden. It's also easier because you have a partner-in-crime and you can have a lot of fun on sets too," he says.

'He inspires and excites me': Ranbir Kapoor on competing with Ranveer Singh

<p>During the past 24 hours, Chamba, Kangra and Mandi districts here have received heavy rainfall.</p>

<p>The visibility condition has also slipped to 1000 meters, just a month after a severe water crisis hit Shimla.</p>

<p>The state's Indian Meteorological Department has issued a warning to visitors in the region not to park vehicles on the hillside.</p>

<p>The department has also issued advisories on the possibilities of uprooting of trees on the hills.</p>

<p>"Heavy rain warning has been issued for mid hills and low hills areas," IMD Himachal Pradesh's Director Manmohan Singh told ANI.</p>

<p>The state faced acute water shortage earlier last month, leading to a severe crisis.</p>

<p>Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said the decline in rain and snowfall in 2018 was the reason for the acute water shortage in Shimla.</p>

<p>Owing to the water crisis, the tourism industry in the hill station was massively hampered, with tourist influx witnessing a drop of nearly 60 percent.</p>

<p>Bottled water prices in the town had also inflated sharply due to the crisis, and the hotels resorted to supplying water to their guests in buckets.</p>

<p>The Shimla administration had also postponed a major tourist attraction, International Shimla Summer Festival, scheduled from June 1 to 5 due to the scarcity of water.</p>

<p>However, with normality restored in the state, hoteliers are urging tourists to visit Shimla without any apprehensions.&nbsp</p>


The department has also issued advisories on the possibilities of uprooting of trees on the hills

During the past 24 hours, Chamba, Kangra and Mandi districts here have received heavy rainfall. The visibility condition has also slipped to 1000 meters, just a month after a severe water crisis hit Shimla. The state's Indian Meteorological Department has issued a warning to visitors in the region not to park vehicles on the hillside. The department has also issued advisories on the possibilities of uprooting of trees on the hills. "Heavy rain warning has been issued for mid hills and low hills areas," IMD Himachal Pradesh's Director Manmohan Singh told ANI. The state faced acute water shortage earlier last month, leading to a severe crisis. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said the decline in rain and snowfall in 2018 was the reason for the acute water shortage in Shimla. Owing to the water crisis, the tourism industry in the hill station was massively hampered, with tourist influx witnessing a drop of nearly 60 percent. Bottled water prices in the town had also inflated sharply due to the crisis, and the hotels resorted to supplying water to their guests in buckets. The Shimla administration had also postponed a major tourist attraction, International Shimla Summer Festival, scheduled from June 1 to 5 due to the scarcity of water. However, with normality restored in the state, hoteliers are urging tourists to visit Shimla without any apprehensions.

Heavy flooding, low visibility in Himachal

<p>The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has sought a detailed report from the police regarding the rape of an eight-year-old girl in Mandsaur district.</p>

<p>"The commission and the victim's family are satisfied with the medical treatment and facilities provided to the victim. We have asked Mandsaur Superintendent of Police to submit a detailed report on the incident," Priyank Kanungo, a member of the NCPCR told ANI.</p>

<p>Kanungo further added that the strict actions being taken against the accused will set an example for the rest of the nation.</p>

<p>The eight-year-old victim was abducted from her school in Hafiz Colony here and raped before being abandoned at a secluded place in Mandsaur.</p>

<p>Following the incident, two people, namely Irfan and Asif were arrested.</p>

<p>Earlier, a local court on Monday extended the police remand of Irfan, one of the accused in the Mandsaur rape case, by three days.</p>

<p>"We are investigating the matter with top-most priority. A SIT has also been constituted. The second accused has also been sent to police remand. We are doing everything to get them the punishment they deserve," said Mandsaur Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Rakesh Mohan Shukla.&nbsp;</p>


The eight-year-old victim was abducted from her school in Hafiz Colony and raped before being abandoned at a secluded place in Mandsaur

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has sought a detailed report from the police regarding the rape of an eight-year-old girl in Mandsaur district. "The commission and the victim's family are satisfied with the medical treatment and facilities provided to the victim. We have asked Mandsaur Superintendent of Police to submit a detailed report on the incident," Priyank Kanungo, a member of the NCPCR told ANI. Kanungo further added that the strict actions being taken against the accused will set an example for the rest of the nation. The eight-year-old victim was abducted from her school in Hafiz Colony here and raped before being abandoned at a secluded place in Mandsaur. Following the incident, two people, namely Irfan and Asif were arrested. Earlier, a local court on Monday extended the police remand of Irfan, one of the accused in the Mandsaur rape case, by three days. "We are investigating the matter with top-most priority. A SIT has also been constituted. The second accused has also been sent to police remand. We are doing everything to get them the punishment they deserve," said Mandsaur Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Rakesh Mohan Shukla.

Mandsaur rape: NCPCR seeks detailed report from police

<p>Remember <em>Aankhen,</em> the 2002 film that pitted Amitabh Bachchan with Akshay Kumar and Arjun Rampal in a heist thriller? There will now be a sequel to the film, after a gap of 16 years as <em>Aankhen 2 w</em>ill return with Amitabh Bachchan in the sequel and two new male faces.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a report, a source close to the film revealed to a website: "Talks with Sushant Singh Rajput and Kartik Aaryan are in the final stages. The rest of the names will be in place soon as well."&nbsp;</p>

<p>The source added that Amitabh has to be a part of the film as he drives the central plot in the film.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The sequel to the film&nbsp;has, however, taken longer than usual as it was supposed to return in 2016 instead of 2018. Earlier, the decided star cast for the sequel was Amitabh Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Arjun, Arshad Warsi and south actress Regina Cassandra. The film blocked as it got entangled in a legal battle.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The legal battle ended in March last year when the High Court knocked the producer for not following its order. He was also stripped off of all the rights to make the sequel of the film.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
The film will be now produced by RajTaru Studios.</p>


'Aankhen 2' is the sequel of the 2002 film 'Aankhen'.

Remember Aankhen, the 2002 film that pitted Amitabh Bachchan with Akshay Kumar and Arjun Rampal in a heist thriller? There will now be a sequel to the film, after a gap of 16 years as Aankhen 2 will return with Amitabh Bachchan in the sequel and two new male faces. In a report, a source close to the film revealed to a website: "Talks with Sushant Singh Rajput and Kartik Aaryan are in the final stages. The rest of the names will be in place soon as well." The source added that Amitabh has to be a part of the film as he drives the central plot in the film. The sequel to the film has, however, taken longer than usual as it was supposed to return in 2016 instead of 2018. Earlier, the decided star cast for the sequel was Amitabh Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Arjun, Arshad Warsi and south actress Regina Cassandra. The film blocked as it got entangled in a legal battle. The legal battle ended in March last year when the High Court knocked the producer for not following its order. He was also stripped off of all the rights to make the sequel of the film. The film will be now produced by RajTaru Studios.

'Aankhen 2': Amitabh Bachchan, Sushant Singh, Kartik Aaryan to come together for film?

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/heavy-rains-in-mumbai-leads-to-bridge-collapse-no-casualties-148603">Another Mumbai bridge collapses after rain, 5 injured</a></p>

<p>As heavy rains lashed Mumbai Monday evening, part of a bridge connecting Andheri East to West collapsed on the&nbsprailway tracks beneath it.</p>

<p>Although reports had earlier claimed that no one was injured, it later emerged that at least 5 people were injured.</p>

<p><br />
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/hatred-for-modi-oppositions-only-agenda-people-will-vote-bjp-back-to-power-pm-148767">'Hatred for Modi' opposition's only agenda, people will vote BJP back to power: PM</a></p>

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the proposed grand opposition alliance is merely a "grand race" by his rivals to be the prime minister and is driven by "personal survival and power politics".</p>

<p>In an interview to Swarajya magazine, he said the opposition has no agenda except to remove him and that "hatred for Modi" is their "sole glueing force" as he expressed confidence that people will vote the BJP back to power in the next Lok Sabha elections.</p>

<p><br />
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cow-vigilantism-a-crime-states-must-stop-it-supreme-court-148710">Cow vigilantism a crime, states must stop it: Supreme Court</a></p>

<p>Putting the onus on the states to check cow vigilantism, the Supreme Court today reserved its verdict on pleas seeking directions to formulate guidelines to curb such violence, saying no one can take law into their hands.</p>

<p>A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud said this was a law and order issue and each state has to be responsible.</p>

<p><br />
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/maharashtra-relaxes-plastic-ban-after-intense-lobbying-by-mncs-148773">Maharashtra relaxes plastic ban after intense lobbying by MNCs</a></p>

<p>Maharashtra has eased a ban against single-use plastic, just over a week after it was imposed, following what sources said was intense lobbying by multinational companies and plastic industry bodies for softer rules and extensions.</p>

<p>Maharashtra, home to India's financial capital of Mumbai, has allowed e-commerce companies to use plastic packaging for three more months, according to a government order dated June 30, which was published on Tuesday.</p>

<p><br />
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/after-world-cup-exit-maradona-offers-to-coach-argentina-for-free--148721">After World Cup exit, Maradona offers to coach Argentina for free</a></p>

<p>Football legend Diego Maradona offered Tuesday to coach Argentina for free, eight years after his last attempt ended in World Cup failure.</p>

<p>Maradona, who watched his country crashed out 4-3 to France, was asked if he fancied another shot at the job – even though current coach Jorge Sampaoli has a contract until 2022.</p>

<p>"Yes, and I would do it for free," Maradona said in an interview. I wouldn't ask for anything in return."</p>


Another Mumbai bridge collapses after rain, 5 injured As heavy rains lashed Mumbai Monday evening, part of a bridge connecting Andheri East to West collapsed on the&nbsprailway tracks beneath it. Although reports had earlier claimed that no one was injured, it later emerged that at least 5 people were injured. 'Hatred for Modi' opposition's only agenda, people will vote BJP back to power: PM Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the proposed grand opposition alliance is merely a "grand race" by his rivals to be the prime minister and is driven by "personal survival and power politics". In an interview to Swarajya magazine, he said the opposition has no agenda except to remove him and that "hatred for Modi" is their "sole glueing force" as he expressed confidence that people will vote the BJP back to power in the next Lok Sabha elections. Cow vigilantism a crime, states must stop it: Supreme Court Putting the onus on the states to check cow vigilantism, the Supreme Court today reserved its verdict on pleas seeking directions to formulate guidelines to curb such violence, saying no one can take law into their hands. A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud said this was a law and order issue and each state has to be responsible. Maharashtra relaxes plastic ban after intense lobbying by MNCs Maharashtra has eased a ban against single-use plastic, just over a week after it was imposed, following what sources said was intense lobbying by multinational companies and plastic industry bodies for softer rules and extensions. Maharashtra, home to India's financial capital of Mumbai, has allowed e-commerce companies to use plastic packaging for three more months, according to a government order dated June 30, which was published on Tuesday. After World Cup exit, Maradona offers to coach Argentina for free Football legend Diego Maradona offered Tuesday to coach Argentina for free, eight years after his last attempt ended in World Cup failure. Maradona, who watched his country crashed out 4-3 to France, was asked if he fancied another shot at the job – even though current coach Jorge Sampaoli has a contract until 2022. "Yes, and I would do it for free," Maradona said in an interview. I wouldn't ask for anything in return."

News brief: Big stories of the day

<p>A total of six Amarnath pilgrims have lost their lives owing to various causes while they were en route to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir Himalayas. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The six deceased include two from Andhra Pradesh and one from Uttarakhand.</p>

<p>The sixth batch of 3,489 Amarnath pilgrims left Jammu for the 3,888-metre-high cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas on Tuesday. The pilgrims, including 774 women and 237 sadhus, left for the cave shrine in 114 vehicles from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Thota Radhnam, a 75-year-old woman from Fiwalayam in Andhra Pradesh, died of suspected cardiac arrest in a community kitchen at Baltal base camp this morning, a police official said.</p>

<p>Radha Krishna Sastry (65), hailing from Anantpora in Andhra Pradesh, also died due to cardiac arrest at Sangam near the holy cave, the official said.</p>

<p>He said the bodies of the deceased pilgrims have been kept at the Baltal base camp hospital for further legal proceedings.</p>

<p>A pilgrim, Pushkar Joshi, a resident of Uttarakhand, who was injured due to a shooting stone between Brarimarg and Railpathri yesterday, succumbed at a hospital in Srinagar early today, the official said.</p>

<p>With these, the death toll in this year's Yatra has gone up to six including three pilgrims, one BSF officer, one palanquin carrier and one Yatra volunteer.</p>


the death toll in this year's Yatra has gone up to six including three pilgrims, one BSF officer, one palanquin carrier and one Yatra volunteer.

A total of six Amarnath pilgrims have lost their lives owing to various causes while they were en route to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir Himalayas. The six deceased include two from Andhra Pradesh and one from Uttarakhand. The sixth batch of 3,489 Amarnath pilgrims left Jammu for the 3,888-metre-high cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas on Tuesday. The pilgrims, including 774 women and 237 sadhus, left for the cave shrine in 114 vehicles from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp. Thota Radhnam, a 75-year-old woman from Fiwalayam in Andhra Pradesh, died of suspected cardiac arrest in a community kitchen at Baltal base camp this morning, a police official said. Radha Krishna Sastry (65), hailing from Anantpora in Andhra Pradesh, also died due to cardiac arrest at Sangam near the holy cave, the official said. He said the bodies of the deceased pilgrims have been kept at the Baltal base camp hospital for further legal proceedings. A pilgrim, Pushkar Joshi, a resident of Uttarakhand, who was injured due to a shooting stone between Brarimarg and Railpathri yesterday, succumbed at a hospital in Srinagar early today, the official said. With these, the death toll in this year's Yatra has gone up to six including three pilgrims, one BSF officer, one palanquin carrier and one Yatra volunteer.

Amarnath yatra 2018: Six dead en route to the holy cave shrine

<p>Maharashtra has eased a ban against single-use plastic, just over a week after it was imposed, following what sources said was intense lobbying by multinational companies and plastic industry bodies for softer rules and extensions.</p>

<p>Maharashtra, home to India's financial capital of Mumbai, has allowed e-commerce companies to use plastic packaging for three more months, according to a government order dated June 30, which was published on Tuesday.</p>

<p>During these three months, e-commerce firms will have to come up with a buyback plan to collect used plastic packaging material, ensure its recycling and disposal as well as source alternative packaging material.</p>

<p>The ban, which came into effect on June 23, had threatened a sharp rise in costs for retailers, beverage makers and sellers of bottled water, among other companies that rely on plastic for packaging.</p>

<p>Representatives of companies including Amazon, H&M, Pepsi and Coca-Cola, as well as plastic lobby groups, met Maharashtra government officials days before the ban, urging them to implement the rule in phases and relax some norms, Reuters quoted four sources as saying on Friday.</p>

<p>A senior government official, who was involved in the talks and did not wish to be identified due to government rules, said changes to the ban had been made after considering the industry demands.</p>

<p>Maharashtra's top environment official Anil Diggikar did not answer calls or texts seeking comment.</p>

<p>In its latest order, the government banned the sale of plastic bottles containing drinking water less under 200 millilitres. It also did not specify a buyback price for empty bottles used for selling beverages other than water, a move that could potentially help soft drink makers.</p>

<p>Amazon, Pepsi and Coca-Cola declined to comment on the modifications to the ban. H&M did not immediately respond to a request for comment.</p>

<p>The latest rules also exempt the use of plastic packaging of medical equipment and drugs.</p>

<p>Plastic could be used for wrapping products by manufacturers, if the material used was thicker than 50 microns, comprised at least 20 percent recyclable material and had the manufacturer's details and buyback price printed on it, the order said.</p>

<p>Maharashtra's move to ban plastic, the first such broad action against the material by an Indian state, comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi pushes a plan to completely end the use of single-use plastic in India by 2022.</p>

<p>Plastic packaging accounts for nearly half of all plastic waste globally, and much of it is thrown away within just a few minutes of its first use, according to the United Nations.</p>


Maharashtra banned single-use plastic on June 23. It has now allowed e-commerce companies to use plastic packaging for three more months

Maharashtra has eased a ban against single-use plastic, just over a week after it was imposed, following what sources said was intense lobbying by multinational companies and plastic industry bodies for softer rules and extensions. Maharashtra, home to India's financial capital of Mumbai, has allowed e-commerce companies to use plastic packaging for three more months, according to a government order dated June 30, which was published on Tuesday. During these three months, e-commerce firms will have to come up with a buyback plan to collect used plastic packaging material, ensure its recycling and disposal as well as source alternative packaging material. The ban, which came into effect on June 23, had threatened a sharp rise in costs for retailers, beverage makers and sellers of bottled water, among other companies that rely on plastic for packaging. Representatives of companies including Amazon, H&M, Pepsi and Coca-Cola, as well as plastic lobby groups, met Maharashtra government officials days before the ban, urging them to implement the rule in phases and relax some norms, Reuters quoted four sources as saying on Friday. A senior government official, who was involved in the talks and did not wish to be identified due to government rules, said changes to the ban had been made after considering the industry demands. Maharashtra's top environment official Anil Diggikar did not answer calls or texts seeking comment. In its latest order, the government banned the sale of plastic bottles containing drinking water less under 200 millilitres. It also did not specify a buyback price for empty bottles used for selling beverages other than water, a move that could potentially help soft drink makers. Amazon, Pepsi and Coca-Cola declined to comment on the modifications to the ban. H&M did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The latest rules also exempt the use of plastic packaging of medical equipment and drugs. Plastic could be used for wrapping products by manufacturers, if the material used was thicker than 50 microns, comprised at least 20 percent recyclable material and had the manufacturer's details and buyback price printed on it, the order said. Maharashtra's move to ban plastic, the first such broad action against the material by an Indian state, comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi pushes a plan to completely end the use of single-use plastic in India by 2022. Plastic packaging accounts for nearly half of all plastic waste globally, and much of it is thrown away within just a few minutes of its first use, according to the United Nations.

Maharashtra relaxes plastic ban after intense lobbying by MNCs

<p>It has been 20 long years since Bhiku Mhatre declared Mumbai as his kingdom in Ram Gopal Varma's 'Satya'. A cult classic, Satya captured Mumbai underworld in all its glory and gave the country an insight into how things work with the mafia in the city.<br />
<br />
The film was directed by Ram Gopal Varma and written by Saurabh Shukla and <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-20-years-of-satya--a-life-changing-experience-for-anurag-kashyap-148730">Anurag Kashyap</a>. Southern star JD Chakravarthy played the lead role in the film and Manoj Bajpayee, then a popular face on TV, made his debut as Bhiku Mhatre.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
As the film completes 20 years, here is a look at some lesser-known facts about the film.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
- Manoj Bajpayee was offered the lead role initially. However, as the roles were developed RGV felt the character of Bhiku Mhatre needed an actor with a good command over Hindi and eventually offered Bajpayee the role.&nbsp;</p>

<p><img alt="satya1.jpg" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="430" src="http://images.wionews.com/iniline-images/satya1.jpg" width="770" /></p>

<p>- Mahima Chaudhary was earlier offered to play the female lead. It was eventually played by Urmila Matondkar</p>

<p>- Ram Gopal Varma regretted casting Bajpayee in a small role in 'Daud' and post the film's release promised Bajpayee a bigger, meatier role in his next project.&nbsp;</p>

<p>- It was Manoj Bajpayee who introduced RGV to Kashyap and he was roped in to write the screenplay for the film. RGV also convinced Saurabh Shukla to co-write the screenplay along with Kashyap. Interstingly Shukla initially did not want to write, but RGV also offered him a role and Shukla eventually agreed to write as he said he was 'hooked' by RGV's narration.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Me with Kallu Mama and Inspector Khandilkar during the climax shoot of SATYA <a href="https://t.co/J1C47nVCls">pic.twitter.com/J1C47nVCls</a></p>
— Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) <a href="https://twitter.com/RGVzoomin/status/1014062391447859207?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>- Actor JD Chakravarthy had earlier worked with RGV in 'Shiva'. RGV wanted to cast an unknown face in the lead role because he did not want the actor to have a set image in public's mind. It also helped that Chakravarthy did not speak fluent Hindi much like his character in the film.&nbsp;</p>

<p>- Chakravarthy later stated that he copied Ram Gopal Varma while playing Satya on screen.&nbsp;</p>

<p>- Not just Manoj Bajpayee, but actor Sushant Singh too made his Bollywood debut with the film.&nbsp;</p>

<p>- Anurag Kashyap composed and directed the opening scene of Satya when the protagonist arrives in Mumbai.&nbsp;</p>

<p>- The scene at the beginning of the film where Manjrekar and Bappu murder a film producer on a busy street was actually shot on a set. The street was was created inside the studio, with parked cars belonging to the film crew.&nbsp;</p>

<p>- The scene where Sushant Singh's face is slashed by Chakravarthy was supposed to end there, but Varma forgot to say "cut" and the rest of the scene was improvised by the actors.</p>

<p>-&nbsp;Bajpayee is scared of heights and in the famous scene 'Mumbai Ka King Kaun' Bajpayee took too much time to prepare. He was to stand on a cliff for a half a minute and say the dialogue and come back but it took Bajpayee a long time to get ready. Instead of the dialogue, he said 'Please get me out of here'. The actual dialogue was dubbed later.</p>


Did you know that Manoj Bajpayee was earlier considered for the lead role but eventually played Bhiku Mhatre in the film?

It has been 20 long years since Bhiku Mhatre declared Mumbai as his kingdom in Ram Gopal Varma's 'Satya'. A cult classic, Satya captured Mumbai underworld in all its glory and gave the country an insight into how things work with the mafia in the city. The film was directed by Ram Gopal Varma and written by Saurabh Shukla and Anurag Kashyap. Southern star JD Chakravarthy played the lead role in the film and Manoj Bajpayee, then a popular face on TV, made his debut as Bhiku Mhatre. As the film completes 20 years, here is a look at some lesser-known facts about the film. - Manoj Bajpayee was offered the lead role initially. However, as the roles were developed RGV felt the character of Bhiku Mhatre needed an actor with a good command over Hindi and eventually offered Bajpayee the role. - Mahima Chaudhary was earlier offered to play the female lead. It was eventually played by Urmila Matondkar - Ram Gopal Varma regretted casting Bajpayee in a small role in 'Daud' and post the film's release promised Bajpayee a bigger, meatier role in his next project. - It was Manoj Bajpayee who introduced RGV to Kashyap and he was roped in to write the screenplay for the film. RGV also convinced Saurabh Shukla to co-write the screenplay along with Kashyap. Interstingly Shukla initially did not want to write, but RGV also offered him a role and Shukla eventually agreed to write as he said he was 'hooked' by RGV's narration. Me with Kallu Mama and Inspector Khandilkar during the climax shoot of SATYA pic.twitter.com/J1C47nVCls — Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) July 3, 2018 × - Actor JD Chakravarthy had earlier worked with RGV in 'Shiva'. RGV wanted to cast an unknown face in the lead role because he did not want the actor to have a set image in public's mind. It also helped that Chakravarthy did not speak fluent Hindi much like his character in the film. - Chakravarthy later stated that he copied Ram Gopal Varma while playing Satya on screen. - Not just Manoj Bajpayee, but actor Sushant Singh too made his Bollywood debut with the film. - Anurag Kashyap composed and directed the opening scene of Satya when the protagonist arrives in Mumbai. - The scene at the beginning of the film where Manjrekar and Bappu murder a film producer on a busy street was actually shot on a set. The street was was created inside the studio, with parked cars belonging to the film crew. - The scene where Sushant Singh's face is slashed by Chakravarthy was supposed to end there, but Varma forgot to say "cut" and the rest of the scene was improvised by the actors. - Bajpayee is scared of heights and in the famous scene 'Mumbai Ka King Kaun' Bajpayee took too much time to prepare. He was to stand on a cliff for a half a minute and say the dialogue and come back but it took Bajpayee a long time to get ready. Instead of the dialogue, he said 'Please get me out of here'. The actual dialogue was dubbed later.

20 years of 'Satya': Lesser known facts about Ram Gopal Varma's classic

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the proposed grand opposition alliance is merely a "grand race" by his rivals to be the prime minister and is driven by "personal survival and power politics".</p>

<p>In an interview to Swarajya magazine, he said the opposition has no agenda except to remove him and that "hatred for Modi" is their "sole glueing force" as he expressed confidence that people will vote the BJP back to power in the next Lok Sabha elections.</p>

<p>In a swipe at the Congress, he said the main opposition party is fighting a battle for its survival ("astitva ki ladai") and is now running from pillar to post looking for allies after people rejected its "high-handedness".</p>

<p>Ridiculing the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modis-fitness-video-bizarre-ridiculous-says-rahul-gandhi-144243">Rahul Gandhi</a>-led party, the prime minister said it is now like a regional party and cannot become a cementing force or anchor for any alliance of opposition parties against him.</p>

<p>Dubbing the next election a choice between governance and development on one side and chaos on the other, the prime minister cited the example of Karnataka, where the Congress-JD(S) alliance "stole the mandate" to form government with "development taking a back seat".</p>

<p>"In any election, a non-ideological and opportunist coalition is the best guarantee for chaos," he said, describing Karnataka as "a trailer of what is possibly in store".</p>

<p>You would expect ministers meeting each other to solve development issues but in Karnataka they meet only to quell infighting, he said.</p>

<p>The BJP, he said, contests elections on the issues of development and good governance and the mandates it has received in state after state are historic.</p>

<p>"Hence, we are confident that people will repose their trust in us. They (opposition) have no agenda except to remove Modi. Hatred for Modi is the sole gluing force for the opposition," he said.</p>

<p>Modi rejected the comparison of an opposition alliance with a similar alliance of the then opposition in the 1977 and 1989 elections.</p>

<p>While the common motive in 1977 was to protect democracy following the Emergency, the opposition joined hands 12 years later after the "record-breaking corruption" of Bofors had hurt the entire nation, he said.</p>

<p>"Today, these alliances are not motivated by national good but they are about personal survival and power politics. They have no agenda except to remove Modi," he said.</p>

<p>The entire focus in the opposition is on power politics with Rahul Gandhi saying he is ready to be prime minister while TMC chief <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/mamata-banerjee-seeks-pms-intervention-to-solve-constitutional-crisis-in-delhi-144866">Mamata Banerjee</a> is also eying the top post but the Left has a "problem" with her, the prime minister said.</p>

<p>The Samajwadi Party, he added, thinks its <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/defeat-for-those-who-do-not-believe-in-democracy-akhilesh-yadav--141317">leader</a> more than anyone else deserves to be prime minister.</p>

<p>"The whole focus is power politics, not people's progress." "How long will the dislike and mistrust these parties and leaders have for each other keep them together? They are in direct bitter contests against each other in various states like West Bengal and Kerala.</p>

<p>The last time these parties formed a government in Uttar Pradesh (in 1993), it could not even last two years. Such instability adversely impacts the growth trajectory of our nation," he said.</p>

<p>To a question on whether the BJP's allies are on the same page with it and if the NDA is weaker today, Modi asserted that his party views the alliance not as a compulsion but as an article of faith.</p>

<p>A large and diverse NDA is good for India's democracy, he said, adding that it is most important to respect regional aspirations and the NDA is committed to fulfilling them.</p>

<p>In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, some people would ask if he can get allies even though the BJP was leading an alliance of over 20 parties, Modi said.</p>

<p>The BJP could have easily formed the government after winning a majority of seats but it took its allies along and made them a part of the new dispensation.</p>

<p>"The NDA is a large and happy family of over 20 parties. It is leading strong coalitions in various states of India. Which other alliance has such an impressive membership and is serving in so many states?" he said.</p>

<p>He also played down his party's losses in the bypolls, especially in Uttar Pradesh, saying the BJP had not done well in some local elections in Gujarat before the 1998 assembly polls but went on to win a two-thirds majority.&nbsp;</p>


Modi said the opposition has no agenda other than to remove him and that 'hatred for Modi' is their 'sole glueing force'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the proposed grand opposition alliance is merely a "grand race" by his rivals to be the prime minister and is driven by "personal survival and power politics". In an interview to Swarajya magazine, he said the opposition has no agenda except to remove him and that "hatred for Modi" is their "sole glueing force" as he expressed confidence that people will vote the BJP back to power in the next Lok Sabha elections. In a swipe at the Congress, he said the main opposition party is fighting a battle for its survival ("astitva ki ladai") and is now running from pillar to post looking for allies after people rejected its "high-handedness". Ridiculing the Rahul Gandhi-led party, the prime minister said it is now like a regional party and cannot become a cementing force or anchor for any alliance of opposition parties against him. Dubbing the next election a choice between governance and development on one side and chaos on the other, the prime minister cited the example of Karnataka, where the Congress-JD(S) alliance "stole the mandate" to form government with "development taking a back seat". "In any election, a non-ideological and opportunist coalition is the best guarantee for chaos," he said, describing Karnataka as "a trailer of what is possibly in store". You would expect ministers meeting each other to solve development issues but in Karnataka they meet only to quell infighting, he said. The BJP, he said, contests elections on the issues of development and good governance and the mandates it has received in state after state are historic. "Hence, we are confident that people will repose their trust in us. They (opposition) have no agenda except to remove Modi. Hatred for Modi is the sole gluing force for the opposition," he said. Modi rejected the comparison of an opposition alliance with a similar alliance of the then opposition in the 1977 and 1989 elections. While the common motive in 1977 was to protect democracy following the Emergency, the opposition joined hands 12 years later after the "record-breaking corruption" of Bofors had hurt the entire nation, he said. "Today, these alliances are not motivated by national good but they are about personal survival and power politics. They have no agenda except to remove Modi," he said. The entire focus in the opposition is on power politics with Rahul Gandhi saying he is ready to be prime minister while TMC chief Mamata Banerjee is also eying the top post but the Left has a "problem" with her, the prime minister said. The Samajwadi Party, he added, thinks its leader more than anyone else deserves to be prime minister. "The whole focus is power politics, not people's progress." "How long will the dislike and mistrust these parties and leaders have for each other keep them together? They are in direct bitter contests against each other in various states like West Bengal and Kerala. The last time these parties formed a government in Uttar Pradesh (in 1993), it could not even last two years. Such instability adversely impacts the growth trajectory of our nation," he said. To a question on whether the BJP's allies are on the same page with it and if the NDA is weaker today, Modi asserted that his party views the alliance not as a compulsion but as an article of faith. A large and diverse NDA is good for India's democracy, he said, adding that it is most important to respect regional aspirations and the NDA is committed to fulfilling them. In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, some people would ask if he can get allies even though the BJP was leading an alliance of over 20 parties, Modi said. The BJP could have easily formed the government after winning a majority of seats but it took its allies along and made them a part of the new dispensation. "The NDA is a large and happy family of over 20 parties. It is leading strong coalitions in various states of India. Which other alliance has such an impressive membership and is serving in so many states?" he said. He also played down his party's losses in the bypolls, especially in Uttar Pradesh, saying the BJP had not done well in some local elections in Gujarat before the 1998 assembly polls but went on to win a two-thirds majority.

'Hatred for Modi' opposition's only agenda, people will vote BJP back to power: PM

<p>Uttar Pradesh government is planning to introduce a formal dress code in state's madrassas.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The move comes days after BJP leader Mohsin Raza, who heads the Ministry of Minority Affairs, said the government would be taking concrete steps towards revamping the quality of education imparted to Muslim children in the madrassas.</p>

<p>Under the 'madrassa modernisation' plan, the State Minority Affairs Ministry is mulling over replacing kurta pyjama with pant shirts.</p>

<p>"Our aim is to bring madrasas at par with other educational institutions. Till now, students in madrasas have been wearing 'kurta-pyjama'. A dress code will make it more formal. We will provide them with the uniform," said Uttar Pradesh Minister Mohsin Raza.</p>

<p>The Opposition has, however, marked its dissent calling it "unnecessary intervention". Samajwadi Party spokesperson Naved Siddiqui said it is another "ploy" by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to vitiate the state of communal harmony.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Our aim is to bring madrasas at par with other educational institutions. Till now, students in madrasas have been wearing 'kurta-payjama'. A dress code will make it more formal. We will provide them the uniform: Uttar Pradesh Minister Mohsin Raza <a href="https://t.co/SyjMfUAgkv">pic.twitter.com/SyjMfUAgkv</a></p>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1014117708491902976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Under the 'madrassa modernisation' plan, the State Minority Affairs Ministry is mulling over replacing kurta pyjama with pant shirts.

Uttar Pradesh government is planning to introduce a formal dress code in state's madrassas. The move comes days after BJP leader Mohsin Raza, who heads the Ministry of Minority Affairs, said the government would be taking concrete steps towards revamping the quality of education imparted to Muslim children in the madrassas. Under the 'madrassa modernisation' plan, the State Minority Affairs Ministry is mulling over replacing kurta pyjama with pant shirts. "Our aim is to bring madrasas at par with other educational institutions. Till now, students in madrasas have been wearing 'kurta-pyjama'. A dress code will make it more formal. We will provide them with the uniform," said Uttar Pradesh Minister Mohsin Raza. The Opposition has, however, marked its dissent calling it "unnecessary intervention". Samajwadi Party spokesperson Naved Siddiqui said it is another "ploy" by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to vitiate the state of communal harmony. Our aim is to bring madrasas at par with other educational institutions. Till now, students in madrasas have been wearing 'kurta-payjama'. A dress code will make it more formal. We will provide them the uniform: Uttar Pradesh Minister Mohsin Raza pic.twitter.com/SyjMfUAgkv — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) July 3, 2018 ×

Dress code for madrassas in UP: Yogi government plans to replace kurta pyjama with formals

india-news

India, News on India, stories on India, articles on India, India stories at Wion, India news, India latest news

india news