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.
The Nagaland Baptist Church Council has voiced strong opposition to any directive making the singing of 'Vande Mataram' compulsory, especially for Christians. They argue that patriotism should not be reduced to forced conformity and that India's constitutional values of liberty, pluralism, and freedom of conscience must be respected. The council also called for dialogue and sensitivity from state institutions.
Formula One champion Lando Norris won the Hungarian Grand Prix for McLaren's first victory of the season on Sunday while Mercedes's Kimi Antonelli extended his overall lead to 50 points.
McLaren's Lando Norris secured pole position for the Hungarian Grand Prix, narrowly beating Lewis Hamilton, who is now under investigation for potentially impeding another driver during qualifying.
Indian javelin ace Neeraj Chopra is set to renew his rivalry with Sri Lankan star Rumesh Pathirage at the Lausanne Diamond League, with both athletes vying for a spot in the prestigious DL grand finale in Brussels.
Celebrations marking India's 80th Independence Day in the New York tri-state area culminated in a world record, with more than 1,300 US flags surrounded by Indian tricolours arranged to form the number "250", in a tribute to America's semiquincentennial anniversary.
Cook up one of the most elegant desserts of France at home -- it's a cinch to make.
President Droupadi Murmu on Friday approved 78 gallantry awards, including 13 posthumously, to the personnel of the defence forces and central armed police forces on the eve of 80th Independence Day.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and rival Carlos Alcaraz led congratulations for Jannik Sinner after he successfully defended his Wimbledon men's singles title, a victory that also significantly widened his lead over Alcaraz in the 'Big Titles' race.
The foot-worship ceremony of the Ganesh Galli Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, one of Mumbai's oldest, most revered, and iconic public Ganesh mandals, was held with traditional rituals and prayers.
New Delhi must look for formal, institutional statements issued directly from Washington rather than rely on casual pronouncements meant for local audiences, notes Ambassador Rajasekhar.
Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi discusses D Gukesh's mental strength challenge for his World Championship defence against Javokhir Sindarov, highlighting Gukesh's recent inconsistent form. Vidit also assesses India's strong prospects for the upcoming Chess Olympiad, praising the form of players like Praggnanandhaa, Erigaisi, and Sarin, while cautioning against overconfidence. He also reflects on his Arjuna Award and the need for better organisation in chess formats.
Two prominent temples in Madhya Pradesh, the Pashupatinath Temple in Mandsaur and the Bade Ganesh Temple in Ujjain, observed India's Independence Day on August 11, four days ahead of the national celebration. This unique tradition stems from their adherence to the Hindu calendar, specifically Shravan Krishna Chaturdashi, which corresponded to August 15, 1947, and fell on August 11 this year. Special rituals, flag hoisting, and a Tiranga Yatra marked the early celebrations.
Indian Grandmaster Nihal Sarin discusses fellow world champion D Gukesh's recent performance slump, attributing it to a lack of confidence rather than a decline in skill. Sarin expresses hope that the upcoming Chess Olympiad will help Gukesh regain his form. He also shares his views on the increasing role of AI in chess, the evolution towards faster formats, and potential improvements in the chess ecosystem.
This year's Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort uniquely featured the national song 'Vande Mataram', marking 150 years of its profound legacy and historical significance in India's freedom struggle.
Despite contracting conjunctivitis, Ranbir Kapoor is set to attend the grand trailer launch of Ramayana: Pratham Sankalp in New Delhi, marking the beginning of promotions for the highly anticipated two-part epic.
Indian judoka Arun Kumar has been withdrawn from the Glasgow Commonwealth Games after failing an out-of-competition dope test. He has received a provisional suspension from NADA, reducing India's contingent size.
Indian judoka Arun Kumar has been withdrawn from the Glasgow Commonwealth Games after failing an out-of-competition dope test. He has received a provisional suspension from NADA, reducing India's contingent size.
Australian golf sensation Min Woo Lee, a winner on both the DP World Tour and PGA Tour, is set to make his debut at the DP World India Championship in October. He will join an impressive lineup of international stars, including Tommy Fleetwood, Rory McIlroy, and Ryan Fox, at the Delhi Golf Club for the USD 4 million tournament, which also features top Indian golfers.
Tennis legends Serena and Venus Williams have been awarded a wild card to compete in the Cincinnati Open doubles this month, marking their first doubles appearance since the 2022 U.S. Open.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya is advocating for a Formula 1 race in India by 2027, with potential interest from multiple companies to operate the Buddh International Circuit.
Ben Shelton, Learner Tien, Brandon Nakashima, and Rafael Jodar have all secured their spots in the Canadian Open semi-finals, showcasing strong performances and building momentum ahead of the US Open.
Researching Japan was like going down a rabbit hole. There is just so much to see and do, but I finally decided we would stick to the 'Golden Route' of Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, notes Radhika Mittal.
The Chennai Open, a WTA 250 tennis tournament, is scheduled to return in November after the Tamil Nadu government allocated Rs 10 crore for its conduct. The event, which was absent in 2023 and 2024, will be held at the SDAT Tennis Stadium.
Indian Grandmasters Nihal Sarin and Arjun Erigaisi have successfully navigated the lower bracket of the Esports World Cup chess tournament in Paris, securing their spots in the quarter-finals. The duo will now compete in the knockout stage, aiming for the US$1.5 million prize pool.
Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes secured his sixth victory of the season at the Belgian Grand Prix, extending his Formula One championship lead over Lewis Hamilton. The race saw incidents including a collision between George Russell and Hamilton, and Hamilton later faced investigation for an unsafe pitstop release. Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen completed the podium.
Spain is deploying its military to the Ceuta border with Morocco to restore order after thousands of migrants poured into the Spanish territory, resulting in at least nine fatalities during the crossings.
India's World Cup goalkeeper Bichu Devi, inspired by cricketing legend Mahendra Singh Dhoni, emphasises the importance of composure under pressure.
Hyundai India Couture Week 2026 served up two very different visions of couture this weekend. While Falguni Shane Peacock looked beyond India's borders for inspiration, Rohit Bal turned the spotlight firmly onto the artisans who shaped his legacy.
Manas Dhamne has received his first call-up to India's main Davis Cup squad for the Qualifiers Round 2 tie against South Korea in Seoul on September 18-19, joining a core team that recently secured a historic win over the Netherlands.
Jannik Sinner and Linda Noskova captivated tennis fans with their dance moves at the Wimbledon Champions' Ball, upholding a cherished tradition after their respective singles title victories.
Indian cricket captain Shubman Gill has received a prestigious invitation to watch Wimbledon from the Royal Box, joining an exclusive group of Indian cricketers. He also recently attended his first British Grand Prix as a VIP guest, experiencing two major global sporting events in England.
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner successfully defended his Wimbledon men's singles title, defeating Alexander Zverev 6-7(7), 7-6(2), 6-3, 6-4 to lift his fifth Grand Slam trophy and first major title of the 2026 season, becoming only the 10th player in history to retain the Wimbledon men's singles crown.
Commonwealth Games gold-winning boxer Arundhati Chaudhary received an overwhelming welcome in her hometown of Kota, Rajasthan, after her stellar performance in Glasgow, where she defeated world championship bronze-winner Chantelle Reid and defending champion Rosie Eccles.
Seventeen-year-old Janmoni Konwar from Assam won a gold medal at the National Karate Championship in Delhi, a remarkable achievement given her family lost their home and livelihood to devastating floods just weeks before the competition.
From Sanjay Leela Bhansali and S S Rajamouli to Sundar C and Ayan Mukerji, these 15 filmmakers took a wild detour from their comfort zones, with wildly different results.
My family produced a Malayalam movie in 1986. It had big actors in it. The songs were sung by K J Yesudas himself. The film starred two newcomers as the lead pair. It bombed.
Jannik Sinner successfully defended his Wimbledon title, crediting intensive training after a surprising early exit from the French Open. He defeated Alexander Zverev in the final, marking his fifth major title and highlighting his dedication and resilience.
Rahul Gandhi recently connected with Gen Z through an engaging 'Ask Me Anything' session on Instagram, offering candid responses on student protests, his views on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and even his philosophy on pet ownership.
Lachit Borphukan is revered as one of Assam's greatest military commanders and a symbol of courage, patriotism and selfless leadership.
