Category: INDIA

Jaipur, April 16 (IANS) Gyan Shakti Think Tank (GSTT), under the aegis of Sapta Shakti Command, organised an insightful discussion on the book ‘Redlines Redrawn: Operation Sindoor and India’s New Normal’ at Jaipur Military Station on Thursday.​

The seminar witnessed participation from a large number of serving and retired defence personnel, academicians, and students from prominent universities and schools in Jaipur, said officials on Thursday.​

The distinguished panel featured three of the four authors of the book, Major General (Dr) Bipin Bakshi (Retd), former Ambassador Anil Trigunayat, and Brigadier Akhilesh Bhargava (Retd), who shared their perspectives and insights on the subject. ​

The speakers provided a detailed account of the 88-hour Operation Sindoor and its implications for India’s evolving strategic doctrines. ​

They also elaborated on all eight chapters of the book, explaining how India demonstrated its strategic resolve to impose higher costs on Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.​

The session included an engaging interactive segment, with attendees actively participating in a question-and-answer discussion with the panellists. Since its inaugural seminar in November 2024, the Gyan Shakti Think Tank has held 11 seminars on diverse and contemporary topics, including book discussions such as this one. ​

The platform aims to foster intellectual engagement on strategic and defence-related issues and serves as a forum for meaningful dialogue between veterans, experts, and young scholars.​

In his closing remarks, Lieutenant General P.S. Shekhawat, Chief of Staff, Sapta Shakti Command, complimented the authors for their work and appreciated their comprehensive analysis of Operation Sindoor.

He thanked the speakers for providing valuable insights into the political, military, and diplomatic dimensions that shaped the operation.​

–IANS

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Bhopal, April 16 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Thursday said the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ will mark a transformative step towards empowering women in governance.

“Today is an important day in the history of India’s democracy. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, discussions have begun on the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. This will open new doors of leadership for women in democratic institutions,” CM Yadav said while addressing a public gathering in Seoni district on Thursday.

Describing women as the backbone of nation-building, he added: “Women are not only creators of life but also the real architects of the nation’s progress. A developed India cannot be imagined without their strength, struggle and success.”

He underlined that political empowerment must go hand in hand with economic and infrastructure development.

On the occasion, Yadav noted that Madhya Pradesh already provides 50 per cent reservation for women in local and urban bodies. He also pointed out several beneficiary schemes aimed at empowering women, including the Ladli Behna Yojana, under which more than Rs 55,000 crore has been transferred so far to over 1.25 crore women beneficiaries.

The Chief Minister was addressing a ceremonial event during which he laid the foundation stone for the upgradation of the Narmadapuram–Timarni State Highway-67, a 72-km-long road project worth Rs 972 crore.

On the development front, Yadav termed the Narmadapuram–Timarni highway project a “game changer”, saying it would strengthen connectivity to Indore and Ujjain and accelerate regional growth.

He also announced an irrigation project at Hathnapur village on the Narmada river, expected to benefit over 10,000 farmers across 40 villages.

Other key announcements included road and bridge projects, school infrastructure expansion, and civic upgrades in Seoni-Malwa.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav will inaugurate the five-day ‘Ekatma Parv’ (Festival of Unity) on Friday at Omkareshwar in Khandwa district, bringing together saints, scholars, and artists from across India and abroad.​

According to an official statement, the festival is being organised at Ekatma Dham on Mandhata Hill, associated with Adi Shankaracharya, the proponent of Advaita Vedanta. Scheduled for Vaishakh Shukla Panchami, the event aims to spread the message of unity through a blend of spiritual, intellectual, and cultural activities.​

During the inaugural programme, the Chief Minister will open the ‘Advaita Lok’ and ‘Akshar Brahma’ exhibitions and participate in Vedic rituals. Prominent spiritual leaders, including Swami Sadanand Saraswati, will be present on the occasion. Nivedita Bhide and Swami Shardanand Saraswati are also expected to attend.​

–IANS

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Itanagar, April 16 (IANS) Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Thursday said the state has significantly improved its sports performance over the past decade, including securing the fifth rank nationally and emerging as the top performer in the Northeast during the Khelo India Tribal Games.​

Inaugurating three major infrastructure facilities at Dera Natung Government College in Itanagar, the Chief Minister encouraged students to actively participate in sports, emphasising that sports instil discipline and leadership qualities and promote a healthy lifestyle.​

Khandu also informed students about the state government’s scholarship initiative for those securing admission to the world’s top 150 universities, under which the government provides full sponsorship. He urged students to take full advantage of the scheme and pursue opportunities for global exposure.​

Highlighting the government’s priorities, the Chief Minister said that the education and healthcare sectors have consistently received focused attention, with sustained efforts to bridge infrastructure gaps across educational institutions.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the future needs of Dera Natung Government College, assuring that any emerging infrastructure requirements, including additional classrooms for newly introduced departments, would be addressed in a timely manner.​

Paying tribute to the late Dera Natung, former Education Minister and a prominent leader of the Nyishi community, the Chief Minister said the institution named after him continues to uphold his vision of empowering youth through quality education.

He congratulated the Principal and faculty for maintaining strong academic growth, noting that the college currently caters to over 4,600 students across Arts, Science, and Commerce streams, supported by 14 academic departments.​

Emphasising the importance of sports infrastructure, Khandu stated that the newly inaugurated Badminton-cum-Judo Hall and Recreation Hall would play a crucial role in promoting students’ holistic development.​

Speaking on education reforms, he highlighted the rollout of “Mission Shikshit Arunachal 2029,” aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. He said the government is simultaneously upgrading infrastructure and implementing academic reforms to align education standards with global benchmarks.​

The Chief Minister also underscored the growing importance of technology, artificial intelligence, and machine learning in education, urging students to adopt technological advancements responsibly. He informed that Artificial Intelligence initiatives and Vidya Samiksha Kendras have already been introduced to enable real-time monitoring and improvement of educational outcomes.​

Announcing further initiatives, Khandu said that two science centres with planetariums will be established in Namsai and Dirang, with approvals already granted, to promote scientific curiosity and learning among students.​

Emphasising skill development, he highlighted emerging opportunities in sectors such as hydropower, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), startups, and entrepreneurship. He encouraged students to focus on skill-based education and aspire to become job creators rather than job seekers.​

He also referred to various government initiatives, including the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Swavalamban Yojana, startup support programmes, and the Arunachal Pradesh Investment and Innovation Park.​

The Chief Minister further announced the creation of an “Arunachal Creative Economy” cell within the Chief Minister’s Office to promote local talent in fields such as arts, music, weaving, and other creative sectors, and to provide global platforms for their growth.​

Reiterating the government’s commitment to youth development, Khandu urged students to remain disciplined, focused, and visionary in their pursuits.​

–IANS

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Bhopal, April 16 (IANS) In a move aimed at strengthening safeguards for arrested individuals, the Madhya Pradesh Police have made it mandatory for police personnel to provide written grounds of arrest to every accused person.

To implement this reform, the Madhya Pradesh Police Headquarters (PHQ) in Bhopal has issued directives to all Police Commissioners, Superintendents of Police and field units, in compliance with recent guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court, in its November 6, 2025 order in State of Maharashtra & Ors. vs Criminal Appeal, had underscored that informing an accused of the reasons for arrest is a fundamental right under Article 22(1) of the Constitution.

According to the circular, police officers must furnish clear and specific grounds of arrest in writing, and not merely communicate them verbally. The information must be provided in a language understood by the arrested person to ensure transparency and prevent ambiguity.

“It has been made mandatory for the police, while arresting any individual, to provide the concrete grounds for the arrest to the arrested person in writing; mere oral information shall not be deemed sufficient. Furthermore, it must be ensured that the grounds for arrest are recorded in the local language or in a language that the arrested person can fully comprehend,” the circular stated.

It further states that the written grounds should be given at the time of arrest or, at the latest, at least two hours before the accused is produced before a magistrate. Police personnel are also required to record in the arrest panchnama or official documents that the written grounds have been provided.

The circular refers to provisions under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, aligning the directive with existing legal procedures governing arrests.

Emphasising accountability, the Madhya Pradesh Police Headquarters has warned that failure to comply with these instructions could render an arrest illegal and attract contempt of court proceedings or departmental action. In such cases, the accused may also be entitled to immediate release.

The Police Headquarters has instructed senior officers to ensure strict implementation of these guidelines, aiming to balance effective policing with the protection of citizens’ fundamental rights.

–IANS

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Bhubaneswar, April 16 (IANS) Leaders and workers of 11 opposition parties on Thursday staged a protest in front of the East Coast Railway (ECoR) headquarters in Bhubaneswar, demanding the restoration of the Waltair Division and raising concerns over the alleged neglect of Odisha’s railway interests.​

The demonstration saw participation from senior leaders across parties, who accused the Centre of taking unilateral decisions affecting railway administration and infrastructure in the state. ​

The protesting leaders later submitted a five-point memorandum to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw through the ECoR General Manager. Leaders from all 11 political parties addressed the gathering during the protest.​

The opposition parties targeted the Union government over the bifurcation of the Waltair Division and the shifting of the Palasa-Ichchapuram section from the Khurda Road Division of ECoR to the South Coast Railway.​

“The decision to bifurcate Waltair appears to have been taken under political considerations rather than administrative logic. It indicates a shift by the Government of India and the Ministry of Railways towards a state-centric approach in the structuring of railway zones, departing from the established principle of a unified national railway system. And this position is further reinforced by the recent transfer of the Palasa-Ichchapuram section from the Khurda Road Division of ECOR to the South Coast Railway,” reads the memorandum submitted to the Railway Minister.

​They alleged that these decisions could adversely affect ECoR, which has consistently been a top-performing, high-revenue-generating zone, thereby impacting employment opportunities, operational efficiency, and overall administrative capacity. ​

They further claimed that the cumulative impact may lead to a significant financial setback, with an estimated annual revenue loss of around Rs 10,000 crore. ​

The opposition parties also demanded that railway regions in Odisha currently under other zones be brought under the ECoR.​

“Therefore, we demand that, in the interest of policy consistency and Odisha’s substantial contribution to railway revenue, the railway regions of Odisha currently outside ECOR Baleswar, Mayurbhanj, Sundargarh and Keonjhar under South Eastern Railway and Jharsuguda under South East Central Railway must be brought under ECOR to ensure administrative coherence, efficiency and equity,” demanded the opposition.​

–IANS

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Vadodara, April 16 (IANS) Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi on Thursday said the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Abhiniyam (Act)’, providing 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures, will significantly expand women’s participation in political leadership, describing it as a structural reform that will enable representation from ordinary families in Parliament.​

Addressing the ‘Vikas Sankalp Sabha’ held in Vadodara, Sanghavi said the legislation would transform the composition of elected bodies by ensuring greater participation of women beyond traditional political backgrounds.​

He said, “Earlier, only members of political families would reach Parliament. Now, because of the 33 per cent reservation, daughters and sisters from ordinary families will also reach Parliament and lead the country.”​

He added that India has historically accorded women high cultural and spiritual status and said the legislation further strengthens their position in public life.​

He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for introducing the provision for women’s reservation in legislative bodies.​

Sanghavi also said the reform would enable women from middle-class and non-political families to take part in national decision-making processes, calling it “a significant step towards broader inclusion in governance”.​

During the event, the Deputy Chief Minister announced a series of infrastructure and civic development initiatives for Vadodara.​

These included the construction of a 75-metre ring road to ease traffic congestion, along with upgrades to urban amenities, such as sports complexes and swimming pools, across different zones of the city.​

He also outlined plans for improved public infrastructure, including mega footpaths, drinking water projects, and the redevelopment of Sursagar Lake with enhanced lighting arrangements and a proposed laser show.​

Referring to administrative measures, he said the Disturbed Areas Act had been strengthened to ensure stricter enforcement in matters related to public order and protection of citizens’ rights.​

Commenting on the political environment, he criticised the opposition, saying, “Allegations regarding electronic voting machines had been made in past elections following defeats. The ruling party and the people of Gujarat functioned as a ‘large joint family’.”​

–IANS

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Amaravati, April 16 (IANS) A court in Kuppam town of Andhra Pradesh on Thursday granted bail to YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) General Secretary (Media) Pudi Srihari, who was arrested on Wednesday for an alleged derogatory social media post against Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.

Speaking to the media after a court in Kuppam granted him bail, he stated that he neither created, posted, nor forwarded the content in question. He said he had worked as a senior journalist for over 25 years and had always functioned within the limits of the law.

Srihari said that certain media organisations were trying to damage his reputation and clarified that there were no cases against him earlier. He added that he had cooperated with the police by providing all necessary information and would continue to cooperate with the investigation.

He maintained that even as a political leader, he continued to follow the ethics of journalism and respected the law.

YSRCP General Secretary (Legal) Ponnavolu Sudhakar Reddy alleged that Srihari was illegally detained by police without proper procedure. He said the party leadership ensured legal support and secured bail. He warned that police should not act beyond legal limits and criticised the misuse of legal provisions in social media cases.

MLC K.R.J. Bharat said the arrest was unnecessary and aimed at harassment. He stated that the case would not stand legally and expressed satisfaction that relief was granted. He added that such actions would not deter YSRCP leaders and cadre, who would continue to stand firm.

Srihari, who had served as the Chief Public Relations Officer when Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy was the Chief Minister, was arrested on Wednesday morning at his residence in Vijayawada. He was then shifted to Kuppam.

The police had reportedly seized his mobile phone and laptop.

A case was registered against Srihari in Chittoor for posting a cartoon, showing a knife in the hand of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu.

–IANS

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Pune, April 16 (IANS) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday performed the foundation-laying ceremony for the Lata-Asha Mangeshkar Institute of Medical Sciences at Nandoshi, Pune.​

Speaking at the event, the Chief Minister assured that the state government remains committed to supporting charitable organisations dedicated to public service. ​

He highlighted that the upcoming hospital project by the Lata Mangeshkar Medical Foundation is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for patient care.​

To ensure the project’s success, the Chief Minister announced that the Municipal Corporation will provide adequate road connectivity and water supply to the hospital. ​

The state government is considering reducing premium charges for building permissions for charitable institutions.​

“Affordable and quality healthcare is the need of the hour. While many charitable projects lean towards commercialisation, the Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital has set a benchmark for selfless service. I am confident the Lata-Asha project will carry forward this legacy,” Fadnavis stated.​

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister paid an emotional tribute to the late Asha Bhosle, noting how she transformed life’s hardships into positivity. ​

He said the Mangeshkar family has served the nation through music and philanthropy, adding that even in her 90s, Ashatai’s three-hour performances were “supernatural.” ​

He described the hospital as a testament to their commitment to the country.​

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde described the day as a fortunate one for Maharashtra. He emphasised that the hospital would offer a “warmth of humanity” to patients. ​

“This project will give a new lease of life to thousands. I suggest the hospital incorporate music therapy, using the divine voices of Lata Didi and Asha Tai as a form of healing,” Shinde remarked. ​

He further hailed Asha Bhosle as the “Manbindu” (symbol of pride) of Marathi identity.​

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat, who was also present, emphasised that education and health must be accessible and affordable for all. ​

He said that when there is a sense of belonging, service happens naturally. ​

“Bringing all medical treatments under one roof, as planned here, significantly reduces the burden on patients. Such selfless projects are essential for a cohesive society,” Bhagwat noted.​

Dhananjay Kelkar, Trustee of the Lata Mangeshkar Medical Foundation, provided insights into the project. The institute is being developed across 40 acres in memory of the legendary sisters and aims to be one of the largest and most comprehensive medical facilities in the country, featuring a specialised cancer centre and a rehabilitation hub.​

–IANS​

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Bhubaneswar, April 16 (IANS) The Odisha Science and Technology department on Thursday signed a memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Centre for Coastal Research under the Ministry of Earth Sciences to launch a Marine Spatial Plan (MSP) in the state.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi at the Lok Seva Bhawan here.

The state government in an official statement said that the primary objective behind the implementation of the MSP is to promote coastal economic growth in Odisha while sustaining marine environmental protection.

Speaking on this occasion, the Chief Minister said, “The MSP will not only boost the blue economy but also ensure protection of the marine ecology. It will promote local coastal economies while safeguarding marine biodiversity.”

He added that MSP will set a new benchmark for integrated coastal and marine planning.

It may be noted that Sustainable Ocean Planning has been underway in India since 2019 with cooperation between the governments of India and Norway.

In the first phase, it was implemented in Puducherry and Lakshadweep.

In the second phase, Odisha has become the first state to implement it.

In his address, Chief Minister Majhi also said that Odisha’s coastal and marine regions are rich in biodiversity and provide abundant natural resources.

“These resources play a vital role in livelihoods, economic growth, and environmental balance. However, due to increasing developmental activities, environmental impacts, and rising sectoral demands, there is a need for scientific management of marine ecosystem. MSP is a timely step in this direction,” the Chief Minister noted.

He also said that the MSP will help meet the needs of fisheries, tourism, ports, ocean energy, and other sectors while ensuring the protection of marine ecosystems.

The Chief Minister also mentioned that in August last year, the Odisha Marine Biotechnology Research and Innovation Corridor (OMBRIC) was launched to promote the use of biotechnology for marine environmental protection and economic development.

This will further strengthen the MSP initiative.

He emphasised that achieving the goals of a prosperous Odisha by 2036 and a developed India by 2047 requires strong coastal economic development alongside environmental protection.

Chief Minister Majhi thanked the government of Norway for its support in this programme.

The Chief Minister also acknowledged the continuous support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Odisha’s development, which helped the state become the first in the second phase of Sustainable Ocean Planning.

–IANS

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Imphal, April 16 (IANS) Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Thursday launched four digital platforms aimed at significantly improving governance and service delivery across the state.​

An official from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said the four portals, the Centralised RTI State Portal, e-Seba Manipur, Explore Manipur, and an AI-enabled Scheme Finder, have been developed by the Department of Information Technology. ​

These initiatives underscore the government’s commitment to leveraging digital technologies to enhance transparency, efficiency, and citizen-centric governance.​

According to the official, the Centralised RTI State Portal will allow citizens to file and track Right to Information (RTI) applications online. The platform has been developed in compliance with the Supreme Court’s March 20, 2024, direction mandating the operationalisation of online RTI systems. The portal is expected to strengthen transparency and accountability across all government departments.​

As many as 287 departments and administrative units have already been integrated into the system, with 266 Public Information Officers onboarded, the official stated.​

The e-Seba Manipur platform is a next-generation service delivery system designed to provide seamless and secure access to government services. It builds upon the earlier e-services platform, which successfully delivered 35 services across districts and recorded over 34 lakh transactions.​

Key services from the Revenue Department and the Employment Exchange, including certificates such as domicile, income, Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Other Backwards Class (OBC), as well as employment-related services, have now been integrated into the new platform. ​

The system is designed to ensure both online and assisted access, particularly benefiting citizens in remote and underserved areas.​

Explore Manipur is a comprehensive digital platform designed to help users discover and experience the state more effectively. ​

It offers features such as smart search, interactive maps, and detailed information on tourism, religious sites, markets, transport, and government services. The platform is expected to support smart tourism initiatives while improving access to essential information for both residents and visitors.​

The AI-enabled Scheme Finder is designed to help citizens easily identify government schemes tailored to their needs. ​

By analysing user inputs, the platform recommends relevant central and state government schemes. This initiative aligns with the broader vision of Digital India and “AI for All,” enhancing awareness and ensuring that eligible beneficiaries can access government support more efficiently.​

Together, these initiatives highlight the state government’s continued focus on harnessing technology to improve governance, enhance service delivery, and empower citizens.​

The launch event was attended by Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh, Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel, Additional Chief Secretary Anurag Bajpai, Chief Information Commissioner K. Radhashyam Singh, Commissioner to the Chief Minister N. Ashok Kumar, IT Secretary Somorjit Salam, and other senior officials.

​–IANS

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