Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma has advocated for a bamboo-based economy to drive sustainable development, create rural livelihoods, and offer green alternatives to plastic. Speaking at a summit, he highlighted bamboo's crucial role in climate change mitigation, its potential to empower local communities, and its benefits for farmers.
A 'Punjab Bandh' was observed on Thursday, leading to widespread closures of shops and private schools and road blockades across several districts, following the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa on Tuesday. Jhota was shot by a chemist owner for questioning the sale of addictive drugs. The incident has triggered significant political backlash against the Aam Aadmi Party government, with various organisations and opposition parties demanding accountability and a CBI probe.
Praveen Kumar secured a gold medal with a Games record in the men's high jump T44/64 at the Asian Para Games, while Banti added a silver.
A recent IIT Indore study highlights the evolving landscape of protest sites in Delhi, from Rajpath to Jantar Mantar, and now to more distant locations like Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground, and CBD Ground. This shift, driven by authorities, raises concerns about the visibility, accessibility, and effectiveness of democratic protests, as moving demonstrations further away from power centres can diminish their impact and public engagement.
India's Agriculture Secretary Atish Chandra has warned that the upcoming rabi (winter) crop season is likely to be challenging for rainfed areas due to the strengthening El Nio weather pattern, potentially affecting foodgrain production. This comes as Maharashtra declares drought in nearly 74 per cent of its talukas, highlighting the immediate impact of climate change.
'If the temperature remains very high, which is likely to be the case because of El Nino, it may lead to a shortfall in wheat production.' 'If that happens, we will be in a very, very difficult situation as far as food security is concerned.'
The Indian Army has launched 'Bharat Rice', a superior-quality rice for defence forces, aimed at improving ration quality and logistics. This initiative, spearheaded by the Directorate General of Supplies and Transport, involves direct supply to Army Supply Depots, including remote areas, and an MoU with FCI for infrastructure utilisation during contingencies. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted its significance for soldier welfare, operational readiness, and national security, emphasising logistics as combat power.
Former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has been invited as a guest to the RSS' annual Vijayadashmi event in Nagpur next week, which also marks the closing of the organisation's centenary year. The event will feature Sanjay Gupta as chief guest and an address by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. The Congress has criticised the government regarding Dhankhar's housing situation despite the RSS invite.
Indian para track and field athletes secured 14 medals, including five gold, at the Asian Para Games. Nishad Kumar became the third Indian to win two gold medals in a single edition, triumphing in high jump and long jump. Deepthi Jeevanji and Pranav Soorma also clinched gold, setting new Games and Asian records respectively, highlighting India's strong performance.
Indian para track and field athletes delivered a spectacular performance at the Asian Para Games, securing 22 medals, including five gold, on Wednesday. Sprinter Simran Sharma was a standout, clinching her second gold medal in the women's 100m T12 event, making her only the fourth Indian to win two golds in the same edition. Other gold medallists included Dilip Gavit, Praveen Kumar, Ayush Verma, and Sachin Khilari, contributing to India's total of 42 para-athletics medals.
Instead of simply choosing the drink, you are encouraged to choose the coffee bean first. How much roast do you like? What kind of acidity suits your palate? Do you want something brighter, more delicate or richer?
Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara announced that over 200 taluks are likely to be declared drought-affected after phased assessments. The state has convened a special legislative session to discuss the crisis, farmer assistance, and seek significant financial relief and loan waivers from the Union government, while also alleging a "step-motherly attitude" from the Centre regarding fund releases.
The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet has officially approved the renaming of the Noida International Airport at Jewar to 'Narendra Modi International Airport, Noida-Jewar', a move Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath described as a "major gift" to the state.
'Nana left Mumbai, its luxuries and all the roles he could have played, and moved to Pune, where he lived like a farmer.'
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a significant waiver of approximately Rs 48,000 crore in pending electricity dues for farmers, aiming to facilitate new agricultural power connections and support the state's agricultural sector.
India's para track and field athletes delivered a stellar performance at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games, securing six medals, including three gold, on the opening day of athletics competitions. Long jumper Nishad Kumar, javelin thrower Rinku Hooda, and visually impaired middle-distance runner Soumya each won gold in their respective events, contributing to India's strong start.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's visit to India this week underscores the complex dynamics of global energy policy, as Washington re-evaluates sanctions on Russian oil buyers amidst India's continued reliance on Russian crude.
The Supreme Court has requested a report from the Allahabad High Court Chief Justice regarding the conduct of the presiding officer in the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence case. This follows allegations by an eyewitness's advocate, Prashant Bhushan, that the officer improperly transferred cases, acquitted accused, and issued a non-bailable warrant against his ill client. The apex court also directed the Uttar Pradesh government to appoint an experienced public prosecutor for the trial.
Regional OTT platform STAGE is set to release India's first AI-made biopic on farmer leader Sir Chhotu Ram. The project leverages artificial intelligence for various aspects of filmmaking, from visualisation to character generation, aiming to reduce production costs and expand storytelling possibilities for underserved cultures and languages.
Praveen Chithravel battled freezing conditions to win Commonwealth Games 2026 triple jump silver, ending his 2022 heartbreak and setting sights on the Asian Games.
Former IAS officer Divya Mittal has launched her new political party, Jan Neeti Bharat, with the aim of contesting the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections and redefining governance by making people central to policymaking and ensuring government accountability.
A state-wide bandh was observed across Punjab on Thursday following the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa. Markets and educational institutions remained shut, and roads were blocked by protesters, disrupting traffic. Jhota was shot on Tuesday for questioning the illegal sale of addictive drugs. His family, supported by various political parties and farmer unions, has refused to perform his last rites until justice is delivered, demanding resignations of top officials and a CBI probe. The incident has intensified the political debate on drug menace and law and order in Punjab.
Navigating this geopolitical minefield requires a cold-blooded blend of immediate tactical pleading, structural domestic diversification, and aggressive collective resistance, suggests Ambassador Rajasekhar.
Google has chosen four Indian startups -- Terrastack, Varaha Climate, Farmers for Forests, and Climitra Carbon -- for its inaugural Google DeepMind Accelerator: AI for the Planet programme.
On the morning of September 8, Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar paid a surprise visit to the Agricultural Produce Market Committee at Yeshwanthpur in Bengaluru.
A flash flood in Nepal's Budhi Gandaki River in Gorkha district has swept away houses, damaged two hydropower projects, and left at least 10 people missing. Authorities have rescued nearly 50 people and mobilised security agencies for search and rescue operations, urging riverside villagers to move to safer locations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged for a global framework to combat cross-border cyber frauds and deepfakes, highlighting the need for governments, tech companies, telecom operators, and financial institutions to collaborate. Speaking at the India Mobile Congress 2026, Modi stressed that technology thrives on trust and that India is ready to share its expertise in tackling cyber threats. He also noted the rapid expansion of 5G and the success of digital governance initiatives like Direct Benefit Transfer.
Jantar Mantar, a historic protest site in New Delhi, is facing de-notification by Delhi Police, raising concerns about its future as a space for public dissent. The site has been central to numerous significant movements, from Anna Hazare's anti-corruption fast and the Nirbhaya protests to recent agitations over NEET paper leaks and wrestlers' grievances. Its proximity to power centres made it a crucial platform for citizens to voice concerns and demand accountability, a role now threatened by its potential loss of status.
Economic think tank GTRI has urged the Indian government to withdraw the proposed UPI charges, set to begin on October 15, arguing that the digital payment system should remain free for merchants and consumers. GTRI warns that these charges could lead to higher prices, reduced earnings for small businesses, and weakened household demand, while also benefiting international card networks by eroding UPI's price advantage. The think tank also called for an independent audit of UPI's running costs.
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) has ended its protest at the Chandigarh-Mohali border after receiving written assurances from the Punjab government. The government has pledged to convene a state Assembly session within a month to address issues concerning river waters, agriculture, and farmer loans, including resolutions against old water agreements and certain central bills.
Asian Games bronze medallist Salman Khan received a grand welcome in his ancestral village of Pure Singai Kherouna, Amethi. He credited his achievement to his parents, coach, and community support, urging local youth to embrace sports, discipline, and hard work for success.
A University of Delhi study has found significant heavy metal contamination in agricultural soil and vegetables grown along the Yamuna river in the capital. The research highlights potential non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks to consumers due to crops irrigated with polluted wastewater, with specific vegetables showing dangerously high levels of metals like nickel, chromium, and molybdenum.
Nana Patekar's anger and intensity were as real in life as they were in his performances. He was as brutally honest as the characters he portrayed.
With the anti-Gyanesh Kumar campaign, Rahul Gandhi is showing he is determined to not let anyone else claim credit for what follows, notes Saisuresh Sivaswamy.
Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded his three-day visit to the US, stating that his discussions with President Donald Trump had injected "new substance" into the China-US relationship. Both leaders expressed optimism for future cooperation, with agreements reached on certain trade goods and discussions held on AI capabilities.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman expressed strong confidence in India achieving over 10 per cent economic growth, advocating for increased technology adoption and innovation. She urged overcoming scepticism and highlighted technology's transformative role in agriculture and public sector reforms, while also launching a new fund and book at an IIT Madras event.
When it pretends to be deaf, a situation can snowball into something it cannot contain. The government cannot dismiss public anger merely because protests are inconvenient or politically embarrassing, asserts Ramesh Menon.
Sources have refuted Rahul Gandhi's claims regarding President Droupadi Murmu's response to 'vote chori' allegations, stating it's 'unfortunate' she's being drawn into the controversy. Meanwhile, the INDIA bloc, after meeting the President, has vowed to provide a 'mountain of proof' to support their claims of electoral malpractice and demand for the CEC's resignation.
Researchers from IIIT-Delhi and MS Swaminathan Research Foundation have developed SICKLE, a multi-satellite dataset designed to enhance AI systems' ability to monitor crops, identify growth, and estimate yields across vast agricultural areas. This dataset combines satellite imagery with field-level information, enabling machine learning models to understand various aspects of crop cultivation and predict key parameters like phenology and productivity.
If the new MDR regime is rolled out from the middle of this month, as scheduled, it should count as one of the boldest political actions by the Modi government on an economic-policy issue, and a signal that it is less worried about erosion of political capital it draws from one of its key constituencies, notes A K Bhattacharya.
