As India prepares to mark its 80th Independence Day on August 15, 2026, the magnificent Red Fort will once again become the centre of the nation's celebrations.
Smriti Singh was alarmed to learn that several girls and women in her village were using ash, wheat stubble and tattered rags during menstruation because they could not afford or access sanitary pads.
The Akali Dal Waris Punjab De has announced Satwant Singh, son of Kehar Singh (convicted in Indira Gandhi's assassination conspiracy), as its candidate for the Bassi Pathana constituency in the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. This move highlights the party's 'Panthic' principles and focus on families who sacrificed for the Sikh Panth.
Shiromani Akali Dal chief Badal, who has a 'Z+' security cover, was injured in a 'kirpan' (ceremonial dagger) attack by Jaspal Singh, around 60-62 years old, inside a gurdwara on the outskirts of Maharashtra's Nanded town on Thursday.
Former Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, injured in a 'kirpan' attack at a Nanded gurdwara, has vowed to prevent 'forces' from disturbing peace in Punjab and the country, asserting his party, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), will not be deterred.
Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal was attacked inside a gurdwara near Nanded, Maharashtra, by a 'sewadar' (volunteer) named Jaspal Singh. The accused, a Pune resident, has been arrested, and police are investigating his motive, though he initially cited anger over the drug menace in Punjab. Badal sustained minor injuries and is stable.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded armed forces athletes for their medal-winning performance at the recently concluded Commonwealth Games, calling them a 'perfect blend of a soldier and a champion'. He highlighted their strong willpower and the inspiration they provide to the nation, especially the youth. Indian Army athletes secured 16 medals, including 8 gold, contributing significantly to India's overall tally.
An alert police officer, Inspector Santosh Kendre, sustained injuries while bravely intervening to protect former Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal from a kirpan attack inside a gurdwara in Nanded. Kendre's timely action blunted the assailant's blow, leading to his own injury but ensuring Badal's safety.
Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal sustained a minor injury to his right hand after being attacked with a kirpan by a Nihang member inside a gurdwara in Nanded, Maharashtra. The assailant has been arrested, and SAD leaders are demanding a CBI probe into what they term an intelligence failure.
Captain Harmanpreet Singh's two goals helped India secure a 3-1 victory over Wales in their first match of the men's Hockey World Cup, with Sanjay also contributing to the scoreline.
FICCI FLO and UP BJP MLA Rajeshwar Singh are collaborating to train 100 women as 'drone pilots' in Lucknow. This initiative aims to provide employment and entrepreneurship opportunities in the burgeoning drone economy. The announcement was made at an event where MLA Singh also highlighted his efforts in public grievance redressal and establishing women's empowerment centres in his constituency.
Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal underwent a 90-minute surgery for a 'kirpan' attack injury sustained inside a gurdwara in Nanded and is now stable, with doctors repairing a tendon and ulnar artery nerve.
Sanju Samson has been dropped from the Indian T20I squad for the upcoming series against Zimbabwe, making way for Punjab Kings' wicketkeeper-batter Prabhsimran Singh.
A domestic cook, Vipendra Singh Tomar, has accused Punjab Kings cricketer Shashank Singh, his father Shailesh Singh, and their driver of assault, intimidation, and wrongful confinement.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered his fourth shortest Independence Day speech on Saturday, lasting 75 minutes, marking his shortest address in four years. This analysis compares his recent speech lengths to his previous addresses and those of other former prime ministers.
Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh has issued a 15-day ultimatum for the voluntary surrender of illegal firearms, warning of strict legal action against non-compliance. The appeal comes as part of ongoing efforts to restore normalcy and peace in the state, which has been affected by ethnic violence since May 2023. Security forces have already seized a significant cache of weapons, and the government is also targeting extortionists and miscreants.
Following the Supreme Court's clean chit in the coal block allocation case, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi has lauded former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's integrity and accountability, drawing a sharp contrast with the Narendra Modi government's operational style and alleged misuse of investigative agencies.
India's men's hockey team, led by captain Harmanpreet Singh, secured a 3-1 victory over Wales in their Hockey World Cup opener. Harmanpreet, who scored two goals, expressed satisfaction with the win, emphasizing the importance of a strong start. Despite conceding a late goal, the team remains confident and focused on a podium finish.
Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has urged the team management and selectors to provide clear communication to senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli regarding their roles and selection for the upcoming ODI World Cup, stressing the importance of backing them fully.
Television actors attended the premiere of the new show on Colors TV, a military medical drama series called 108 Base Hospital, Uri, starring Erica Fernandes and Gashmeer Mahajani.
Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh attributes his illustrious career, including over 400 Test wickets and India's first Test hat-trick, to divine will and the sacrifices of his family, stating, 'To think that I am important was such a big illusion. Because whatever I became was Waheguru's blessing'.
India's premier long-distance runner, Gulveer Singh, is confident of improving his bronze medal performance from the 2022 Asian Games in the upcoming edition. Holding national records in multiple events, Singh is preparing for both the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, focusing on strategic training under his US-based coach and utilising advanced sportswear technology.
Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) leader Devendra Nath Mahto was allegedly prevented by police from joining a Tiranga Yatra while on his 14th day of an indefinite hunger strike against alleged irregularities in state recruitment examinations. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Hemant Soren assured the public that his government is committed to ensuring transparency in examinations conducted by the JPSC and JSSC.
India spin legend Harbhajan Singh has lauded 15-year-old cricket prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, calling his audacious strokeplay unparalleled.
For the first time in Independence Day celebrations, 'Vande Mataram' will be rendered at the Red Fort complex during the 79th anniversary on August 15, followed by the recitation of the National Anthem, marking 150 years of the National Song's legacy.
Indian boxer Jadumani Singh, a silver medallist at the Commonwealth Games 2026, shared his emotional victory over a Pakistani opponent on Kargil Vijay Diwas with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, dedicating his 5-0 win to Indian Army heroes.
The Supreme Court of India has quashed criminal proceedings against comedian Samay Raina and four others who faced charges for remarks about people with disabilities. The court lauded their subsequent efforts in organising events and raising awareness for specially-abled persons and those with rare diseases like Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).
N Chandrasekaran's decision not to seek reappointment when his term as chairman of Tata Sons ends in February 2027 signals a significant shift in leadership amidst an ongoing power struggle and governance disputes within the Tata Group.
A US federal court has postponed the sentencing of Nikhil Gupta, who admitted guilt in a plot to assassinate Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, to November 20. The delay was requested by the "intended murder victim" to allow for their participation in the sentencing hearing.
The Indian fencing team achieved remarkable success on the third day of the Commonwealth Championship in Lagos, Nigeria, securing three gold, one silver, and one bronze medal in senior individual events. This impressive performance boosted India's overall medal tally to 29, including 8 gold, 7 silver, and 14 bronze, showcasing the nation's growing dominance in the sport.
The Indian men's hockey team, led by Harmanpreet Singh, is determined to end a 51-year World Cup drought, beginning their campaign against Wales with genuine optimism following recent Olympic bronze medals and an Asia Cup title.
N Chandrasekaran, chairman of Tata Sons, announced he would not seek reappointment when his term ends in February 2027, following a series of departures by senior figures closely associated with former chairman Ratan Tata, including Vijay Singh and Mehli Mistry, amid a deepening power struggle and governance dispute within the Tata Group.
India's hockey coach Craig Fulton and captain Harmanpreet Singh discuss their approach to the FIH Hockey World Cup opener against Wales. They emphasise respecting opponents, maintaining focus, and the importance of a strong start, especially on Independence Day. The team has prepared extensively, focusing on defence and consistent performance across all quarters.
Former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh is slated to become the batting coach for Delhi Capitals for the 2027 IPL season. This marks his first coaching assignment in the league, joining a revamped support staff under Sourav Ganguly, who will serve as Director of Cricket.
Punjab Kings' Nehal Wadhera said head coach Ricky Ponting personally approached him and offered reassurance at a time when his confidence was affected by his lack of runs during IPL 2026.
Waterlogging at the newly-built Noida International Airport in Jewar after heavy rains has ignited a political dispute between the Samajwadi Party and the BJP government. While SP chief Akhilesh Yadav criticised the infrastructure, airport authorities stated the temporary water accumulation was cleared within 30 minutes without disrupting operations. BJP MLA Dhirendra Singh defended the development, accusing the opposition of politicising the issue.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant secured a dominant 6-0 victory over CISF Protectors in the 135th Durand Cup, with Sahal Abdul Samad scoring a first-half hat-trick.
A man identified as Manish Gupta was arrested in Bihar's Khagaria district for allegedly impersonating an IAS officer and falsely claiming ties to National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Police recovered a Tesla car, an SUV, imported liquor, and other luxury items from his residence, indicating extensive fraudulent operations. An investigation into his assets and alleged fraud is underway.
Seven workers have died and three are currently missing after a tunnel under construction at a hydroelectric project site in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, was inundated with water and debris following landslides and subsidence.
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has called for the immediate passage of the women's reservation bill and the delimitation bill, advocating for a uniform 50 per cent increase in seats for all states to ensure fair and equitable representation.
