Budget Speech 2019 LIVE: Piyush Goyal says Rs 60,000 crore set aside for MGNREGA, leaves room for more allocation

Budget Speech 2019 LIVE: Among the first major announcements in budget speech 2019, Finance Minister Piyush Goyal says Rs 60,000 crore has been set aside for MGNREGA, the rural employment scheme, adding that the allocation can be increased further.

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Budget 2019: From lowering personal income tax rate to rationalisation of GST rates, industry hopes Piyush Goyal can tackle pending issues

Startup founders want the government removes the startup tax in all forms from the Budget

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Five Hindu Mahasabha members arrested over charges of burning Mahatma Gandhi effigy; accused charged with 'promoting hatred'

Five people have been arrested for allegedly burning an effigy of Mahatma Gandhi, in an enactment of his assassination on his death anniversary, officials said on Thursday. The suspects, allegedly belonging to the right-wing All India Hindu Mahasabha, fired at the effigy before setting it ablaze on Wednesday, police said.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2RvHJth

Two militants killed during search operation by security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama

Two unidentified militants were killed in an encounter with security forces on Friday in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district, police said.

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RSS on Sabarimala row: Mohan Bhagwat says Supreme Court didn't consider sentiments of Hindus in its 28 September verdict

The RSS leader, who spoke in Hindi, also hit out at the Kerala government over the Sabarimala row and blamed it for "facilitating the entry of women through the back door."

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2RxFXbb

Union Budget 2019: Essential glossary of terms to decode Piyush Goyal's Interim Budget speech at 11 am

Finance Minister Piyush Goyal will present the the Interim Budget for 2019, the last financial exercise by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Central government before the general election, on Friday at 11 am.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2GeXov5

Piyush Goyal to present Union Budget 2019 today: Difference between Vote on Account and a full Budget

A Vote on Account is a formal request for approval of funds for essential government spending for a limited period. This is sought in an election year, while a full-fledged Budget is presented by the new government.

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AgustaWestland case: No one who cheats India can hide and escape, says Arun Jaitley after Dubai deports accused Rajeev Saxena

Union Minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has introduced a culture of honesty in governance and no one who "cheats" India can "hide" anywhere in the world and "escape".

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Budget 2019 expectations: Farm relief package, tax exemptions, discount on loans for business; hopes abound from Piyush Goyal

In Union Budget 2019, the government is expected to project economic growth of around 7.5% for the next financial year, while expanding capital spending on railways, roads and ports by 7-8%

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2G0hr0N

Piyush Goyal to present Budget 2019 at 11 am today: When and where to watch

Finance Minister Piyush Goyal will present the Narendra Modi government's sixth and final Budget for the fiscal year 2019-20 on Friday. Watch it live on the Press Information Bureau's YouTube channel.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2GcWYFw

Budget 2019: Piyush Goyal arrives at Ministry of Finance ahead of 11 am speech, expected to address media at 3.30 pm

Piyush Goyal, also serving as the railway minister, examined the final copy of the document on Thursday evening in New Delhi. He will present the Interim Budget in the Lok Sabha at 11 am. He is also expected to address the media around 3.30 pm.

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Difference between full and interim Budget: What is a vote-on-account and why is Congress alleging that BJP is violating tradition

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has given strong indication that he would like to present a full budget instead of a vote-on-account which is traditionally called for in an election year, by an outgoing government, triggering outrage by the Congress.

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200% Ram Temple will be built, says Giriraj Singh after religious leaders announce ceremony to 'mark' construction in Ayodhya

Union minister Giriraj Singh on Thursday said no power in the world can stop the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya. He said Lord Ram's identity is linked to the country and those viewing him with a religious lens are doing injustice to the nation.

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In Maharashtra's Golavali village, a farmer-artist is inspiring her community to turn scrap into art

Sharmila Kinjalkar is a farmer, agricultural labourer and a self-taught craftswoman in rural Maharashtra who is turning items of trash into things like lanterns, garlands and dormats

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2GdhLsp

Narendra Modi in Surat: Speaking of rape as a function of capital punishment numbers is reductive, insensitive

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave tips to students about coping with exams but, as it turns out, marks have not been his friend as the week progressed

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2S0PnRz

Underworld don Ravi Pujari, protege of Chhota Rajan, arrested in Senegal; gangster known for threatening Bollywood actors

Ravi Pujari, a known protege of Chhota Rajan, has been absconding for decades, and is wanted in India in a number of cases, including extortion, threat calls to Bollywood stars and other prominent personalities.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2GgaYhQ

Budget 2019: Take this quiz to check your knowledge of traditions, history and issues Piyush Goyal may focus on Friday

Union Budget 2019: Finance Minister Piyush Goyal will present the Narendra Modi government's sixth and final Budget, which will be an interim one

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2G1bXmH

Narendra Modi eyes budget 2019-20 to shore up political base: Centre is set to step up rural welfare spending by 16%

The budget, which is interim and is likely to be followed by a full one in July, is expected to project economic growth of around 7.5 percent for the next financial year

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Daily Bulletin: NDA's final Union Budget to be announced before Lok Sabha polls; Selection Committee to meet to appoint CBI chief; day's top stories

Daily bulletin: Finance Minister Piyush Goyal will announce the interim Budget today; Selection Committee, led by Narendra Modi, will meet to discuss the appoinment of a CBI chief; day's top stories

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'It's a draft report': Ahead of Union Budget 2019-20, Centre says NSSO report citing high unemployment rate not final

NSSO's periodic labour force survey (PLFS), according to the Business Standard, states that unemployment was last this high in 1972-73. The unemployment rate was 2.2 percent in 2011-12, it said. The report generated a lot of controversy, with Congress president Rahul Gandhi saying the Modi government had promised two crore jobs, but five years later a "leaked job creation report card" has revealed a "national disaster".

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Union Budget 2019-20 today: Narendra Modi says for common man resentment grows if MPs don't hold meaningful debate

Ahead of the Budget Session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his government is eager to debate on all important issues and hoped for a meaningful discussion by all MPs.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2G0heL3

Arctic air brings sub-zero misery to US Northeast after causing at least 12 deaths in Midwest

The Arctic cold has caused at least 12 deaths since Saturday across the Midwest. Some died in weather-related traffic accidents, others from apparent exposure to the elements.

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JNU writes to Sumitra Mahajan, Venkaiah Naidu after some MPs participate in campus protest against dilution of reservation

The protest meeting was called by the JNU Teachers' Association to resist dilution of reservations in public education which was attended by MPs Manoj Jha, Jitendra Choudhury and L Hanumanthaiah, among others.

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Omar Abdullah promises to revoke Public Safety Act if his party comes to power in Jammu and Kashmir

National Conference (NC) vice-president Omar Abdullah said on Thursday the controversial Public Safety Act (PSA), under which a person can be detained without trial for six months, would be revoked if his party was voted to power in Jammu and Kashmir.

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Last Frame: Goldfinch With Snow And Buds

Hubble Accidentally Discovers a New Galaxy

via NASA Image of the Day https://go.nasa.gov/2D1HosS

Photo Of The Day By Archie Tucker

Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot announces hike in youth unemployment allowance; girls to now get Rs 3,500, boys Rs 3,000

From 1 March, the Rajasthan government will pay the hiked unemployment allowance to the youth of the state, announced chief minister Ashok Gehlot.

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Congress' win in Ramgarh Assembly bypoll was much needed, says Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot

Gehlot said Congress' victory in Ramgarh Assembly by-election will encourage the party ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2TvylHC

NDFB chief gets life imprisonment in 2008 Assam blasts case: Tracing Ranjan Daimary's journey to achieve 'sovereignty'

Ranjan Daimary, former rebel chief of the proscribed National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) in Assam, has been found guilty.

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AgustaWestland chopper deal case: ED produces Dubai-based businessman Rajeev Saxena before Delhi court

A Delhi court Thursday granted Enforcement Directorate (ED) four days custody of Rajeev Saxena, a Dubai-based businessman wanted in the VVIP chopper case.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2Tvyfje

ED raids seven locations in Uttar Pradesh in connection with Rs 111-crore memorials scam during Mayawati's tenure

ED conducted searches in connection with alleged irregularities of over Rs 111 crore in construction of memorials in Uttar Pradesh during Mayawati's tenure

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2BeiIgH

Rajiv Saxena-Deepak Talwar deportation gives BJP a potent weapon against Rahul Gandhi's Rafale guns

The deportations of Rajiv Saxena (linked to AgustaWestland scam) and Deepak Talwar (an economic offender) give BJP the chance to highlight Narendra Modi's image as an "anti-corruption crusader" and a "doer" who "keeps his word"

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Activists accuse Latur Police, child welfare panel of inaction against maulavi accused of sexually exploiting minors

Questions are being raised about why authorities are not taking action against the maulavi of a madrasa in Maharashtra's Latur district who is accused of sexually exploiting minor girls at the school. Social activists have questioned the inaction despite the complaints they registered with both the district Child Welfare Committee (CWC) and the Latur Police.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2Becq0A

#HowsTheJobs: Congress hits out at Narendra Modi govt over NSSO unemployment data, says Centre failed to fulfil promises

Citing the NSSO report, which states that the unemployment rate between July 2017-June 2018 stood at 6.1 percent, the highest since 1972-73, Congress leaders across the spectrum noted the BJP government's various missteps during its tenure.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2HCAekq

Shooting Gandhi's effigy was not the only time the Hindu Mahasabha has been 'anti-Indian': A look at past instances

On Mahatma Gandhi's 71st death anniversary on Wednesday, the general secretary of the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha recreated Gandhi's assassination by shooting at an effigy with a toy gun but this was not the first situation where the Hindu Mahasabha has gone against India and its national symbols.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2SeLKH0

Sabarimala violence is second disaster in Kerala after floods, says state finance minister Thomas Isaac

Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Isaac described the violence over entry into the Sabarimala Temple as the "second disaster" following the devastating floods

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2HFZTsD

'Kerala Cyber Warriors' hack Hindu Mahasabha's website, ask right-wing group's leader to 'lose your weight before losing your brain'

Thursday's incident is not the first time that the Kerala Cyber Warriors have hacked the Hindu Mahasabha's website. In an August 2018 hacking attempt, the landing page of the website displayed a recipe to make 'Kerala Spicy Nadan Beef Curry'.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2SeLDv4

Twitter erupts over Narendra Modi's 'rapists hanged in three days' claim; Omar Abdullah says he will 'eat his hat' if true

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's claim in Surat on Wednesday that rapists are hanged within three days, seven days, 11 days and a month under his administration was met with counter-claims from Opposition leaders and other prominent figures on social media, many of whom called him out for what they say is a blatant lie.

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Maoists allegedly set six vehicles on fire in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district, leave banners on the spot

Naxals allegedly torched six vehicles, including tractors brought for construction work, in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district on Thursday

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2HFzOK0

Video of Telangana man seeking return of money paid to voters after wife loses panchayat polls surfaces; inquiry underway

After the clip purportedly showing the man seeking return of the money from people in Jajireddygudem village in Suryapet district surfaced, district officials said an inquiry was on into the episode

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2Sc72oA

Saudi crown prince to visit India in February: MBS' first State visit is opportunity to push warm bilateral to higher level

Growing India-Saudi ties serve as an unmistakable reminder that international relations are based on national interest, and not on religious ideology

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2HGZiH5

Militants launch grenade attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag; two CRPF jawans and five civilians injured

Militants hurled a grenade on security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district, injuring seven people, including three women and two CRPF jawans

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2SfVvVe

Pakistan rejects India's objections to Shah Mehmood Qureshi's telephonic conversation with Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq

Pakistan's Foreign Office said that the government of Pakistan "categorically rejects" India's claim that Qureshi's telephonic conversation with Mirwaiz was a "brazen attempt" to subvert India's unity and violate its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2HGZdmL

Interim Budget 2019: Political considerations shouldn't derail Rajya Sabha proceedings, says Venkaiah Naidu

Invoking the spirit and principles of republicanism, Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu appealed to leaders of various parties that their political considerations should not derail the proceedings of the House in the Budget Session.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2SfVqRq

Mexico declares end of war on drugs; govt won't use army to capture cartel kingpins, says President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador declared Mexico's war on drugs over, saying his govt would not prioritise using the army to capture cartel kingpins

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2HGqp4V

66 organisations call for 24-hour strike against Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in Manipur; schools remain shut, vehicles stay off roads

Manipur People Against Citizenship Amendment Bill (MPACAB), with representation from 66 organisations, has demanded the withdrawal of the Bill

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2SfUOLC

Interim Budget 2019: Narendra Modi govt working for 'New India'', says Ram Nath Kovind at joint Parliament sitting

Addressing the joint session of Parliament at the beginning of the Budget Session, Kovind said the Narendra Modi-led government has been working to fulfil hopes and aspirations of all sections of people.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2HKhcbY

Ahead of Interim Budget, Narendra Modi says all eyes on Parliament, MPs should hold meaningful debate

Ahead of the Budget Session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his government is eager to debate on all important issues and hoped for a meaningful discussion by all MPs.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2SfVj8s

Chhattisgarh authorities surprised at Maoists demand for development, police cautious on intent, authenticity of note

The ultra-Left cadre has asked the state government to open schools, primary health centres and provide employment to youths in Paamed.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2Ghktgm

NV Ramana becomes third SC judge to recuse from hearing plea against M Nageswara Rao's appointment as interim CBI director

Supreme Court judge NV Ramana recused himself from hearing a plea challenging the Centre's decision to appoint M Nageswara Rao as interim CBI Director

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2HJHZ8f

Govt should not introduce a full-fledged Budget in the name of an Interim Budget, says Mallikarjun Kharge

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said he has demanded that during the Budget Session, there should be discussion on the Rafale deal and farmers issues.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2SfVfpe

Attributing 'political colours' to verdicts amounts to sheer contempt, cases can't be decided by 'media trial': Supreme Court

While referring to various attacks made on the judicial system from time to time, the Supreme Court said a lot of sacrifices are made to serve the judiciary, which is not less than call of military service.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2HGZ02X

Nandini Krishnan's Invisible Men does many of us a personal and political disservice, writes interviewee featured in the book

Three of the many criticisms of Nandini Krishnan's book Invisible Men are that she maintains a voyeuristic curiosity about the bodies of transmen, that she consistently misgenders them, and that she sets herself up as the judge of whether people pass as the gender they identify with

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2G5Li7t

Supreme Court dismisses PIL against appointment of former CBI special director Rakesh Asthana as DG civil aviation security

A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi refused to entertain the plea filed by lawyer M L Sharma challenging Asthana's appointment in Bureau of Civil Aviation Security

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2HHENKo

Ram Temple 'foundation ceremony' in Ayodhya on 21 Feb: Swami Swaroopanand says 'ready to face bullets'

Religious leader Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati on Wednesday said a ceremony to mark the start of construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya will take place on 21 February, even if those gathering there have to "face bullets".

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2SkMCtq

NEET PG Result 2019 to be released today at nbe.edu.in; Candidates can check updates here

National Board of Examination (NBE) is expected to declare the results of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for Postgraduate today. The results will be declared on the NBE's official website nbe.edu.in.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2HDOdX5

'What a makeover': Twitterati applaud Piyush Goyal on Uttar Pradesh's Mathura Junction revamp with new booking hall, circulation area

The Mathura Junction in Uttar Pradesh has undergone a complete makeover, and has revamped entry and exit doors, a fully upgraded first class waiting room, a newly renovated booking hall and VIP room, as well as an improved circulating area

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2Sj4e9g

Meghalaya minister says rescue ops for trapped miners will continue as per SC orders; no details of expenses yet

Meghalaya home minister James K Sangma on Wednesday said the multi-agency operation to search for the remaining 13 miners trapped inside a 370-foot-deep coal mine in East Jaintia Hills district will continue, as per directions of the Supreme Court.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2HFyJCb

ED arrests AgustaWestland case-accused Rajeev Saxena, aviation lobbyist Deepak Talwar after deportation from Dubai

The Enforcement Directorate has arrested Dubai-based businessman wanted in the VVIP choppers case Rajeev Saxena and corporate aviation lobbyist Deepak Talwar, who were deported to India from Dubai.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2Slwcku

Venezuelans take to streets in walkout to push Nicolas Maduro out: Juan Guaido transforms into commanding force with Trump's backing

The latest walkout comes after Juan Guaido proclaimed himself the nation's rightful president, hurling nation into political tumult as the anti-Maduro movement tries to establish a transitional government and the socialist leader clings to power.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2HFyE1l

Thithurta Hua Gantantra: Reading Harishankar Parsai's satirical reflections on our democratic 'climate'

Extreme income inequality, neglected socialist manifestos, communal politics and populist schemes - nothing much has changed for India since 1970, when Harishankar Parsai's satire Thithurta Hua Gantantra was first published. The sun of progress and development is yet to dawn upon India's shivering democracy. Here's a reading of an excerpt from Parsai's much-relevant social commentary.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2TgtOZF

8 Indians, Indian-Americans arrested in US in fake student visa racket; accused indicted of facilitating foreigners' illegal stay

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested eight persons - all of whom are either Indian nationals or Indian-Americans - on charges of fraudulently facilitating hundreds of immigrants to illegally remain in the US as students.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2HFytTJ

Daily Bulletin: Jind, Ramgarh bypoll results today; Budget Session to begin, but no Economic Survey this time; day's top stories

Today's top stories: Centre expected to lock horns with Opposition at the Budget Session; Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro says Donald Trump ordered his murder; Facebook is shutting down the iOS version of its controversial VPN Research app; and more.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2SndVDL

Donald Trump Govt unveils new H-1B visa lottery rules effective 1 April; advanced degree holders top priority for US

It's official. The Donald Trump administration, via the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced new rules favoring advanced US advanced degree holders filing H1B visas that go into effect 1 April and will be published in the US federal register Thursday. The revised scenario beginning this Spring recalibrates the educational qualification requirements of who (all) can be counted towards the regular, yearly stream of 65,000 visas in a move that will filter out more bachelor's degree holders from the H1B program, raise the probability of more US Master's degree holders filling the first wave of total available slots which analysts sat will eventually squeeze incoming batches of H1B workers.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2HFymYj

MEA summons Pakistani envoy over Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi's phone call to Hurriyat leader

The MEA said the Foreign Secretary "underscored that by this action Pakistan has confirmed yet again that it officially abets and encourages individuals associated with terrorism and anti-India activities.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2SmIKsc

Madras HC quashes Tamil Nadu govt order forcing minority institutions to admit 50% students from community, says state has no such power

The Madras High Court Wednesday quashed a government order mandating minority educational institutions to admit not less than 50 percent of students belonging to the community every year to retain their minority status

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2HFxQtl

Narendra Modi in Surat: 'Fainted due to unavailability of water, glad PM paid attention,' says cameraman who fell during rally

Modi had paused his speech in between after he saw that a cameraman had fainted.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2Si5d9F

Rakesh Asthana bribery case: CBI moves application in court seeking polygraph test of Manoj Prasad, SS Babu

The CBI moved an application in a Delhi court seeking consent for conducting polygraph test of accused Manoj Prasad and complainant Satish Sana Babu.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2MIs9d4

Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora says electronic voting machines cannot be tampered with

Asked whether there are any chances of simultaneous polls of the Lok Sabha and the Jharkhand Assembly, the CEC said there was neither formal nor informal information on it

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2Sj4bKC

Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha leader, 12 others booked for firing at Mahatma Gandhi's effigy, 'recreating' his assassination

The police on Wednesday registered cases against 13 persons, including a woman leader of Hindu Mahasabha, in Aligarh for firing at an effigy of Mahatma Gandhi with an air pistol

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2HFxGCf

Sanjay Sachdev, owner of NGO 'Love Commandos' arrested for confining, extorting money from runaway couples

The owner of the popular 'Love Commandos' NGO, who gained popularity after appearing in actor Aamir Khan's television show Satyamev Jayate, has been arrested for allegedly confining, intimidating and extorting money from couples, police said on Wednesday.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2Sib0Mi

Kerala Police books Congress leader accused of raping a tribal minor girl for over an year; party suspends membership

A local Congress leader in Wayanad has been booked for allegedly raping a minor tribal girl for nearly a year, police said on Wednesday

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2HI266Z

AgustaWestland scam: After Christian Michel, now co-accused Rajiv Saxena extradited to India from UAE

According to the lawyers when they demanded to understand the situation, the UAE state security told that Saxena was already at the Dubai International Airport and for further query they should "ask the Indian Government".

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2Sff9Rf

Hindu Mahasabha leader 'recreates' Mahatma Gandhi's assassination in Uttar Pradesh, garlands Nathuram Godse's statue

Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha (ABHM) leader Puja Shakun Pandey decided to 'celebrate' the occasion by shooting at an effigy of Gandhi from a toy gun.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2HFxFhF

US warning of communal violence ahead of LS polls worrying, but singling out India amid global rise of hate crime is a stretch

The US ODNI intelligence singling out India, warning communal violence ahead of General Election to Lok Sabha, may indicate a certain bias, but a global rise of hate only makes that threat more serious, not less

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2SmIMjO

Next meeting of PM-led selection committee to pick new CBI chief on 1 Feb, says Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge

The last meeting of the panel took place on 24 January, but it was inconclusive.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2HFxD9x

National Archives releases rare footage depicting immersion of Mahatma Gandhi's ashes at Jabalpur in 1948

The footage depicting the immersion of Gandhi's ashes in Jabalpur was released by the National Cultural Audiovisual Archives, and can be viewed in its entirety here.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2HCJC7x

Firstpost Editor's Picks: West Bengal violence, Karnataka rift and Cummins' summer of fun; today's must-read stories

Which side cast the first stone in West Bengal cannot, obviously, be ascertained at this juncture, but it is clear that both parties were guilty of lawlessness

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2DIEgDQ

Gandhi and self-transformation: The Mahatma's life is an example of philosophy as the art of living

Mahatma Gandhi is arguably the only individual, after the Buddha, who provides a measure of man's potential to cultivate a rich inner life and attain self-transformation

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2HFxl2r

Photo Of The Day By Dawn Wilson

Government Shutdown Results In Lasting Damage To National Parks

Sailing Over the Caribbean From the International Space Station

via NASA Image of the Day https://go.nasa.gov/2GbJQ3d

Cameraman faints during Narendra Modi's speech in Surat; PM stops talking and calls for an ambulance

Prime Minister Narendra Modi while delivering a speech at Surat in Gujarat, suddenly stopped as one of the cameramen had fainted.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2TnXTq8

Rahul Gandhi claims Manohar Parrikar told him he was kept in dark about Rafale deal; says Narendra Modi 'talks too much'

Launching a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday equated Modi's speeches with "gas" and said Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar had claimed that Modi had changed the Rafale fighter deal and not informed him.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2BaZXuB

DSP Raj Singh, among 6 cops, booked for failing to take action after daughter of retired Haryana policeman filed dowry complaint

On the direction of a court here, police registered a case against the policemen and doctor on Tuesday for not taking appropriate action on the complaint related to dowry harassment and torture made by the daughter of a retired police sub-inspector

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2TmlQOT

Manipur CM N Biren Singh asks people not to panic as anti-citizenship bill group calls 24-hr strike from midnight

Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh appealed to the people not to panic over the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019, even as a 24-hour general strike has been called from Wednesday midnight demanding withdrawal of the bill

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2B9X0uy

Amit Shah takes jibe at Opposition, says if grand alliance forms govt, 'we will have different prime ministers each day'

Motivating his party workers Shah said, "We started the campaign for 2014 from Kanpur and the first meeting with booth president for the 2019 elections also happened here today."

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2Toherw

'Didn't discuss Rafale': Manohar Parrikar slams Rahul Gandhi in letter, accuses him of using visit for petty political gains

Parrikar, the senior BJP leader wrote a letter to the Congress chief and accused him of making a "false statement for petty political gains" on Wednesday.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2BdwSyL

High on 'josh', ailing Goa CM Manohar Parrikar presents state budget; focus on agriculture, education, health, employment

Taking a swipe at political opponents before presenting the state budget, ailing Goa CM Manohar Parrikar said he was high in spirit and fully in his senses

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2TkWzEt

Attributing political colours to judgments and attacking judges in media is contempt of gravest form: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court came down heavily on activist lawyers for attacking judges and attributing political colours to judgments, calling it the contempt of gravest form.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2B7KXO8

Day after 10 North East parties oppose citizenship bill, Tripura CM Biplab Deb says claims that 'BJP on backfoot in region' are false

Tripura chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb claimed that the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019, had not put the BJP on the backfoot in the Northeast even though ten political parties of the region, along with the JD(U) had unanimously decided to oppose the Bill a day ago.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2TkRA6U

Kamal Nath says 15 years of BJP rule in Madhya Pradesh saw Rs 2,000-crore farmer loan scam; vows action against those responsible

Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath on Wednesday alleged a Rs 2,000 crore farmers' loan scam during the previous 15-year-old BJP rule and vowed strict action against those involved in falsifying the list of beneficiaries.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2B5aDen

India's melting pot struggling to assimilate Kashmiri youth because politics keeps getting in the way

Anyone who has lived outside the Valley for a significant amount of time will acknowledge that there is no widespread discrimination against Kashmiris.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2TkRxYM

Indigenous languages get a much-needed boost thanks to StoryWeaver, an online platform

Storybooks in tribal languages are an excellent tool for primary education in those languages. This is where an online platform like StoryWeaver - developed by Pratham Books with support from Google - comes in.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2BaSKux

Rich Amethi farmers, who gave up land to Samrat Bicycles in 1984, now face destitution: Plot was later 'auctioned' to Rajiv Gandhi trust

Amethi farmer Yogendra, 65, had surrendered 100 bighas of land in 1984. The Uttar Pradesh government had paid him Rs 5,000 per bigha as compensation and provided him a job in the manufacturing unit of Samrat Bicylces private Limited. Two years later, the factory ceased operations, and salaries were stopped. Since then, he has been living in penury.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2TrD4dL

BJP to complain to Election Commission over violent clashes at Kanthi, 11 people arrested

BJP's West Bengal leadership has decided to inform the Election Commission (EC) about the clashes that broke out between workers of it and the TMC.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2BaSFad

Shashi Tharoor comes under fire for 'everyone is naked' jibe at Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath's Ganga dip

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has come under fire from the BJP for his "everyone in naked in this Sangam" jibe at Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath's holy dip in the Sangam at Prayagraj on Tuesday.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2TlD131

India may face communal violence if BJP pushes Hindu nationalist agenda ahead of LS election, warns US intelligence chief

Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats, in a written statement to the US Senate Select Committee, said that BJP policies during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first term have deepened communal tensions in some BJP-governed states, and Hindu nationalist state leaders might view a Hindu-nationalist campaign as a signal to incite low-level violence to animate their supporters.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2BaSxaJ

Gujarat minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama praises rape-convict Asaram's ashram for planning 'Matru-Pitru Divas' on 14 February

In a controversial move, a Gujarat minister has written to rape-convict Asaram's ashram lauding them for celebrating 14 February, popularly known for Valentine's Day celebrations, as 'Matru-Pitru Divas'.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2TlCs9p

Rescue home in-charge in Tamil Nadu held for sexually abusing 15 minor girls; victims forced to watch pornographic content

The home in-charge reportedly made them watch pornographic content before abusing them

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2BdlMd5

Stats ministry calls PC Mohanan, JV Meenakshi for meeting after duo quit National Statistical Commission

PC Mohanan and JV Meenakshi were the only remaining non-government members in the National Statistical Commission. Mohanan said the disagreement with the Centre on the release of the annual jobs report of 2017-18 was one of their reasons.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2TlCmP5

CBI books five HAL employees in Odisha's Koraput for misappropriating funds worth Rs 13.28 crore

It is alleged that Bhaben Mitra, Senior Manager Finance at HAL in Odisha, in conspiracy with other employees misappropriated amounts by committing forgery of documents, siphoning off Rs 13.28 crore from the coffers of the cash-strapped PSU between 2013 and 2017.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2B8ZNEg

Protestors block Manik Sarkar's convoy in Tripura to stop him from attending party meet, ask former CM to 'go back'

The protestors, around 20 in number, raised slogans against Manik Sarkar on Tuesday on National Highway-8 in the district, asking him to "go back"

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2TlCcXZ

2008 Assam serial blasts case: Life imprisonment to NDFB chief, nine others; three other convicts to be released after paying fine

NDFB chief Ranjan Daimary and nine others were sentenced to life imprisonment by a CBI special court in the 2008 Assam serial blasts case

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2UtCcVJ

Anna Hazare begins hunger strike over Lokpal, Lokayukta Act; activist 'disappointed' with Maharashtra govt, says aide

Social activist Anna Hazare offered prayers at a Ralegan Siddhi temple and began a hunger strike over "non-fulfilment" of assurances by the Centre and the Maharashtra government on the appointment of Lokpal and passage of the Lokayukta Act in the state.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2WqgZy5

Karnataka: Women-led march to Bengaluru, demanding liquor ban in state, to end with silent protest at Vidhana Soudha today

The 200-kilometre march, where protestors were demanding a liquor ban in Karnataka, was held under the banner of the Madya Nisheda Andolana, a women-led anti-alcohol movement. It started from Chitradurga on 19 January.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2RsY6H7

Three civilians injured in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district after militants lob grenade at police station

At least three persons were injured on Wednesday in a grenade attack by militants on a police station in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2WC7xHY

Prayers at Kendriya Vidyalayas: Identifying Sanskrit with Hinduism puts many State-run institutions under scanner

The moot point is if reciting three sentences in Sanskrit followed by a prayer which only invokes the divinity without any specific reference to any Hindu deity amounts to imparting religious instructions.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2RqLf8f

Failure of a biometric machine leaves thisUP village stranded for ration

The push to digitalise the ration system and the integration of it with the Aadhar card have created a new host of issues.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2WvjDlS

SC allows Karti Chidambaram to travel abroad after submitting Rs 10 crore deposit; ask him to cooperate in INX Media, Aircel Maxis probes

Supreme Court allows Karti Chidambaram to travel abroad after depositing Rs 10 crore; asked him to cooperate with the probe in INX Media, Aircel Maxis cases

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2RnrWfT

Defence ministry to discuss Indian Navy's proposal to acquire torpedoes for nuclear submarine INS Arihant

Already delayed by many years, the Ministry of Defence is expected to discuss a proposal for acquiring heavyweight torpedoes for the nuclear submarine INS Arihant and the six Scorpene-class submarines being built for the Indian Navy.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2Wu9Ooz

Ousted CBI special director Rakesh Asthana among names being considered by selection committee, claims petitioner ML Sharma

Petitioner ML Sharma claimed that ousted CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana's name is in the list of names that will be considered for the post

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2RqL2BZ

Supreme Court refuses stay to amendments to SC/ST Act, will hear all matters on issue on 19 February

The bench refused to stay the amendments after senior advocate Vikas Singh, appearing for one of the petitioners who had challenged the changes made to the Act, sought an immediate stay on it.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2WqGX4m

Marathas and Kunbis not separate castes, says Maharashtra Backward Class panel; demands inclusion of Marathas among OBCs

The Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission in its report has said that Marathas and Kunbis are one and the same community and as the Kunbis are already included in the Other Backward Class (OBC), the Marathas too should be categorised as a Backward Class.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2RqKVX5

Panel led by Narendra Modi likely to pick new CBI director today at 6.30 pm, day before ousted chief Alok Verma's tenure ends

The 24 January meeting of the selection committee had remained inconclusive. The meeting, held at the prime minister's official residence, was attended by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2Wuotjm

Amid Brexit uncertainty, British Jews seek German citizenship; embassy received 3,380 applications since June 2016 referendum

With UK due to leave the European Union on 29 March, i.e. Brexit, British Jews have more emotional reasons to acquire German citizenship than just retaining the ability to travel easily or maintain business ties.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2SddnAc

Martyrs' Day: Narendra Modi, Ram Nath Kovind, several political leaders remember Mahatma Gandhi on social media

President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu and several Union ministers, political leaders and prominent figures took to social media to remember Mahatma Gandhi on his 71st death anniversary, observed as Martyrs' Day.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2HFOsRw

Modi-led panel to pick new CBI chief today: YC Modi, who probed Gujarat riots, IPS Rina Mitra among top contenders

Amid the controversies surrounding the post of Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) director, the high powered selection committee led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet on Wednesday to discuss probable candidates and pick a name for the coveted post.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2Sd9FGJ

World Leprosy Day: India accounts for over half of 2 lakh cases recorded worldwide; disease curable if diagnosed early

World Leprosy Day is observed across the globe on the last Sunday of January, but India observes it on 30 January to commemorate the death of Mahatma Gandhi, who understood the seriousness of the disease.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2HEudnp

Nayantara Sahgal feted at Mumbai cultural event, after Marathi Sahitya Sammelan row

Sahgal, who was not allowed to inaugurate the sammelan following threats made by the Maharashtra Navanirman Sena (MNS) cadre, addressed those gathered at the park in Mumbai and talked about the infringement on their freedom of speech.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2SeKMdE

Laxmi Narayan Tripathi claims a place for trans people at Kumbh Mela, pushes for recognition of her Kinnar akhara

Unlike other akharas at the Kumbh Mela, which are only open to Hindu men, the Kinnar akhara is open to all genders and religions. On the Kumbh's first bathing day, Tripathi led a train of 21 tractor chariots from their tent camp to the bathing ghats.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2HFnolC

Pakistan-backed militant groups to continue attacks in India and Afghanistan, warns US National Intelligence

Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats and heads of other top American intelligence agencies appeared before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence on their worldwide threat assessment.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2Sg56vh

Calcutta High Court rejects woman's plea to abort 26-week-old foetus with Down Syndrome, says 'no harm to mother's life'

The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday refused permission to a woman to terminate her 26-week-old pregnancy on the ground of possible abnormality since the foetus has already developed most of its organs, and that the mother's life is not at risk.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2HBA90t

Narendra Modi to inaugurate Salt Satyagraha Memorial at Dandi, lay foundation stone for Surat airport building extension today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate to the nation the National Salt Satyagraha Memorial at Dandi in Gujarat on Mahatma Gandhi's death anniversary on Wednesday.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2SiCfGw

India improves ranking on global corruption index by 3 points in 2018; US out of top 20 performers, says report

The Transparency International said in its Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for 2018, "As India gears up for its upcoming elections, we see little significant movement in its CPI score, which moved from 40 in 2017 to 41 in 2018."

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2HRAaO7

Red-flagging universities in Intelligence Bureau note a reminder of growing shadow of government surveillance

Apparently, the Intelligence Bureau (IB) has sent a note to the HRD Ministry 'red-flagging' universities, because key stakeholders in them were critical of the Narendra Modi government. This has made the HRD ministry hesitant to award the Institute of Excellence (IoE) status to these private universities.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2SlkMO1

Swine flu: Toll rises to 169 across India as 4,571 test positive for H1N1 virus; Rajasthan accounts for 75 deaths

With the swine flu numbers going up, the health ministry recently held a meeting with the states and asked them to strengthen their surveillance for early detection. It also asked them to keep beds reserved in hospitals to deal with acute cases.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2HRA8pt

Daily Bulletin: Modi to inaugurate Satyagraha Memorial in Dandi; fuel prices decline; Apple disables Group FaceTime; day's top stories

Today's top stories: Narendra Modi to inaugurate Salt Satyagraha Memorial at Dandi today; Venezuela targets Juan Guaido with probe, travel ban; Apple temporarily disables Group FaceTime; and more.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2Sddmw8

Rajdev Ranjan murder case: Charges framed against RJD leader Shahabuddin, seven others in connection with killing of journalist

A Bihar court on Tuesday framed charges against former MP Shahabuddin and seven others in connection with journalist Rajdev Ranjan's murder case

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2HCKARy

Two members of National Statistical Commission quit; PC Mohanan and JV Meenakshi resign over disagreement with govt

Two independent members of the National Statistical Commission, PC Mohanan and JV Meenakshi, have resigned over a disagreement with the government on certain issues, an official said on Tuesday.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2SclJYS

BJP's Sambit Patra calls Mamata Banerjee 'Talibani Didi', accuses TMC chief of unleashing terror in West Bengal

BJP national secretary Rahul Sinha alleged that the attack was the handiwork of TMC supporters. He alleged that the TMC supporters also attacked women travelling in these vehicles.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2HFDrQt

Budget Session of sixth Delhi Legislative Assembly to commence from 22-28 February

The AAP government on Tuesday decided to convene a seven-day Budget Session of the Delhi Assembly starting 22 February

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2Sg56eL

Already started preparations for minimum income guarantee as promised by Rahul Gandhi, says Ashok Gehlot

Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday said he has already started preparations about the scheme. Gehlot said that the country is capable of providing such a guarantee to its citizens.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2HEuabd

Maharashtra CMO to come under jurisdiction of Lokayukta, says Girish Mahajan, says new bill will bring transparency in govt

The Chief Minister's Office (CMO) of Maharashtra will come under the jurisdiction of Lokayukta, said Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2ScinVE

Broken benches, walls and drainage in NIT Manipur: Students threaten to quit comparing campus conditions to living in jungle

Fed up with lack of basic amenities and proper infrastructure at NIT Manipur, all the 912 students of the technical institute have threatened to quit if the authorities fail to address their grievances

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2HFSmd9

Marathas and Kunbis not separate castes, both should be under OBC: Maharashtra Backward Class panel report

The Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission in its report has said that Marathas and Kunbis are one and the same community. As the Kunbis are already included in the Other Backward Class (OBC), the Marathas too should have been categorised as a Backward Class long ago, it said.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2SlkKFT

Anna Hazare to fast for formation of Lokpal and Lokayuktas from 30 January; says strike not against 'a party or person'

Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare on Tuesday announced to start his fast for the formation of Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayuktas in the states from 30 January, also the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, which is observed as Martyrs' Day.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2HGEwqY

George Fernandes dead at 88: Ex-defence minister's tenure defined by attention to detail, fierce commitment

This piece recalls George Fernandes' tenure as defence minister of National Democratic Alliance-I

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2SdNXSU

The many species of ants and their similarities with humans: How the tiny insects showcase brutal survival skills and warfare tactics

Ants tend to separate the world in a rather simple way, into two classes: colony members and everybody else. Somewhat like humans.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2HG1Aq1

Photo Of The Day By Lurie Belegurschi

Falcon 9, Crew Dragon Roll to Launch Pad

via NASA Image of the Day https://go.nasa.gov/2FSI0VC

reCOMPOSE Podcast 046: Juan and Andy Answer Your Questions

In this podcast, Juan Pons and Andy Williams answer questions submitted by listeners. Have a question you’d like to have answered on a future podcast? They don’t always have all the answers, but if they don’t they will research it and try to give you the best answer they can. Send in your questions to them at contact@recompose.photo.

The post reCOMPOSE Podcast 046: Juan and Andy Answer Your Questions appeared first on Outdoor Photographer.

from Outdoor Photographer http://bit.ly/2sPzeiO
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Fresh plea on 'non-disputed' Ayodhya land best way for BJP to appease Hindu groups, core constituencies

By moving the Supreme Court seeking to restore, revert and hand over 67 acre 'superfluous or excess' land outside of disputed 0.333 acre land in Ayodhya to those who owned and occupied same chunk of land prior to its acquisition in 1993, the Narendra Modi government has addressed a long pending demand of Hindutva groups and its core social constituency.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2G5YOrI

'Time to tell our side of story', says journalist Priya Ramani after Delhi court's summon in defamation case filed by MJ Akbar

Priya Ramani was one of the first women to come forward about the MJ Akbar's harassment

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2FVWofQ

Kumbh Mela 2019: Yogi Adityanath takes holy dip in Sangam after Uttar Pradesh cabinet meet in Prayagraj

According to officials almost all the Uttar Pardesh ministers present at the cabinet meeting took the holy dip.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2G7h5EX

The politics of Kumbh: Does the costliest Mela have a vote bank agenda?

It's a surreal sight, and yet in a state that has been on a renaming overdrive, it is perhaps the very image of a Hindutava culture being embodied. Approximately 200 people set off from various parts of Bundelkhand, in what is essentially a state-sponsored caravan, to the ongoing Kumbh Mela in erstwhile Allahabad, now Prayagraj.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2FUwBVj

Nagpur cop suspended for showering money on girls dancing at school's Republic Day celebrations

A police head constable was suspended for showering money on girl students performing at a Republic Day function in a Nagpur school

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2G5YIjQ

Nitin Gadkari set to launch seven road and river development projects worth Rs 872 crore in Bihar on Wednesday

Nitin Gadkari will also initiate the development of 300 km long river route from Hajipur to Triveni Ghat at a cost of Rs 12.9 crore under dredging work in river Gandak for facilitating water transport

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2FVRoIk

George Fernandes was 'giant killer' who defeated 'Bombay's uncrowned king' SK Patil in 1967: Prakash Reddy

George Fernandes had also shared a close relationship with Shiv Sena supremo late Bal Thackeray. He was also among the very few to refer the Sena patriarch as 'Bal', city-based senior journalist Yogesh Trivedi remembered

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2G5YER8

National Investigation Agency arrests two, including JMB operative wanted in Burdwan blast case, in West Bengal's Hooghly district

A Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) operative, who was wanted in the 2014 Burdwan blast case, was arrested by the NIA in West Bengal's Hooghly district

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2FZhYQG

Unhappy with Yamuna cleaning, NGT asks Delhi, UP and Haryana govts to deposit Rs 10 crore each

The National Green Tribunal Tuesday expressed dissatisfaction over the cleaning of river Yamuna and directed Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh governments to submit a performance guarantee of Rs 10 crore each within a month

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2G5Zm0K

BJP sweeping the Assam tribal council polls highlights huge gap between electoral narratives and reality

The tribal council elections have just ended in Assam, and the BJP has swept the polls. This may have come as a surprise for those who expected the BJP to be punished for its misadventures with the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. News emerging from Assam painted a bleak picture of the BJP's 'mismanagement' and blunders with a bill that apparently further marginalises the indigenous tribes of Assam and endangers their identity.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2MCsD4d

Demolition halted at PNB scam accused Nirav Modi's Alibaug bungalow; to resume after removal of costly fittings

Authorities stopped the ongoing demolition work at the PNB scam accused Nirav Modi's posh bungalow in Maharashtra's Alibaug in order to remove the valuable fittings

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2sOSdKm

Centre sanctions Rs 7,214 cr as relief for damage by natural disasters; Maharashtra gets Rs 4,714 crore

Centre approved the release of Rs 7,214 crore to Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, UP, Gujarat, Puducherry following disasters

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2MEgfRj

Rain, thunderstorms likely to hit Delhi on Wednesday; cold wave conditions expected to abate

Delhi and its surrounding regions have been witnessing minimum temperatures hovering around 5 degrees Celsius which is against the normal of 8 degrees Celcius of the past two days. Such weather conditions are expected to last for another 24 hours, said Skymet, a private weather forecasting agency.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2sOS6yq

Delhi court summons journalist Priya Ramani to appear on 25 February in defamation case filed by MJ Akbar

MJ Akbar, who resigned as Union minister on 17 October, 2018, filed a private criminal defamation complaint against Ramani after his name cropped up on social media as the #MeToo campaign raged on in India

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2MEh4cS

10 North East political parties, JD(U) oppose Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 'in one voice' after meeting in Guwahati

A meeting among representatives of ten political parties of the northeast along with the Janata Dal (United) at Guwahati, unanimously decided that the parties would oppose the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma said.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2sORWXQ

Illegal sand mining: Congress govt in Madhya Pradesh fails to address menace despite tall pre-poll promises; state rivers suffer

Although the new government in Madhya Pradesh promised a slew of measures to tackle the problem, theground reality is much grimmer.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2MCCRBx

Delhi court orders further investigation into 2014 hate speech case against Asaduddin Owaisi after police files closure report

Delhi's Karkardooma court on Tuesday ordered further investigation in an FIR filed against AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi in the alleged hate speech delivered by him in 2014.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2sORTLE

Delhi High Court dismisses plea asking for SIT or CBI investigations into sexual abuse in Catholic churches

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking directions to the Centre and Delhi government to order investigations by a special investigation team (SIT) or the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) under the supervision of the court into incidents of sexual abuse of children and nuns allegedly by members of the Catholic clergy.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2MCCQ0r

Last rites of George Fernandes to take place on Wednesday; ex-defence minister had been suffering from Alzheimer's

The last rites of former defence minister George Fernandes, who passed away on Tuesday morning at the age of 88, will be performed on Wednesday, said social activist and former Samata Party president Jaya Jaitly. Jaitly is currently at Fernandes' residence.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2sSGeeF

Nagaland Cabinet reiterates stand, rejects Citizenship (Amendment) Bill; CM Neiphiu Rio says peoples' desires taken into account

The Citizenship (Amendment) BIll, which was passed in the Lok Sabha earlier in January, has been an issue of concern in Nagaland and triggered protests across the northeastern region, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Chief Secretary Temjen Toy said.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2MFPrQD

Army joins navy, NDRF in rescue ops to locate trapped miners in Meghalaya; murky water hampers effort to recover decomposed body

The Indian Army has joined Navy, NDRF in operations to search for miners trapped inside a coal mine in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills district

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2sWdUIc

Fresh Ayodhya plea shows BJP's desperation for verdict in Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri case before Lok Sabha polls

The Centre's writ petition in the Supreme Court maintains that the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas had sought the return of this "excess" land to it. In 2003, the court had ordered that the status quo be maintained on this 67-acre plot.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2MCC7fS

Stray cattle still crowding roads, Uttar Pradesh govt issues fresh notice to local bodies asking to build temporary shelters

The 10 January deadline for shifting stray cattle into shelter homes in all Uttar Pradesh districts having come and gone, the Department of Animal Husbandry issued a fresh notice to authorities to build temporary shelters.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2BbuvfI

At Pariksha Pe Charcha 2.0, Narendra Modi says parents should not expect children to fulfil their own unfulfilled dreams

Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked parents not to expect their children to fulfil their unfulfilled dreams as he interacted with a number of students, teachers and parents in the second edition of the Pariksha Pe Charcha event at New Delhi's Talkatora Stadium.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2TlU2da

Brexit: British govt still struggling for solution to keep Irish border open; All you need to know about backstop measure

Brexit: How to keep the Irish border free-flowing has proved to be the toughest issue to resolve in negotiating Britain's exit from the European Union.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2BaL9Mw

Centre wants 'excess' land acquired in Ayodhya returned to Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas: What is the 'non-disputed' area?

The Centre has filed a writ petition in SC, requesting it to modify a 2003 order so it can transfer the "non-disputed" parts of land acquired in Ayodhya to the Ram Janmabhoomi trust.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2TfMmcE

Domestic help, minor son held for killing elderly couple in South Delhi home; duo robbed victims of Rs 9 lakh cash, gold jewellery

A police team had reached the couple's house at Mount Kailash where they found the flat locked from inside

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2BchRx7

How George Fernandes, the wily, fiery, idealist leader defied Indira Gandhi during Emergency

George Fernandes had many strategies for waging war against 'that woman', as he referred to Indira Gandhi. He felt the primary objective was to remove fear from the minds of the people.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2TiNkVj

On the road: A school teacher's travels in the Himalayas on a scooter, amid breakdowns and bad weather

Though a scooter is not really fit for high altitudes or tough conditions, Narender Kumar Gautam chose the vehicle because of its charm and storage capacity. He has named the scooter Shaan, which means snow leopard in Ladakhi

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2B9jXhn

A true socialist: George Fernandes was one of the few leaders who rose above caste, religious identity divides in India

A firebrand trade unionist and socialist, George Fernandes belonged to a rare bunch of political leaders who rose above caste, religious and regional identities to leave an indelible mark on Indian politics.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2TfMl8A

Rahul Gandhi's minimum income guarantee scheme based on idea of Universal Basic Income: The concept and its feasibility

A Universal Basic Income scheme involves paying all citizens a certain monthly sum unconditionally, regardless of whether they work and how much they earn.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2B9iuHA

Ayodhya row: VHP says Centre's plea in Supreme Court for transfer of excess land is 'a step in right direction'

The Centre's plea said that the Ram Janambhoomi Nyas, which is a trust to promote the construction of Ram Temple, had sought return of excess land acquired in 1991 to original owners.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2Tkkcx8

George Fernandes wanted to be reborn in Vietnam; called its people 'a disciplined, committed and determined lot'

George Fernandes, when he was defence minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Cabinet, called the people of Vietnam "a disciplined, committed, determined lot"

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2B9isPY

Tax evasion probe: I-T Department launches searches at 74 places in Tamil Nadu's Chennai and Coimbatore

The Income Tax Department launched searches at 74 places in Tamil Nadu, including Chennai and Coimbatore, in connection with a tax evasion probe

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2Tlapqv

12 dead after two cars collide at Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh; Kamal Nath announces Rs 2 lakh compensation for families

Twelve people, including three children, died after two cars had a head-on collision at Ujjain's Ramgarh village late on Monday night.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2B98D4F

Watch: Director- producer Prakash Jha speaks about #MeToo in Bollywood

Director-producer Prakash Jha speaks to Firstpost's Sheena Oberoi about #MeToo and the gender issues in the film industry today.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2sQJYx8

'Anything is justified to save democracy': Firebrand trade unionist George Fernandes, who locked horns with Indira Gandhi, dead

Known best for his role as the anti-Emergency crusader and a firebrand socialist leader of Independent India, former defence minister George Fernandes passed away in his Delhi residence on Tuesday

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2MBlocZ

EVM tampering: Case pertaining to Syed Shuja's allegations at London event transferred to Delhi Police's Special Cell

The EVM tampering case pertaining to Syed Shuja's allegations at a London event, attended by Kapil Sibal, was transferred to Delhi Police Special Cell

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2RpJb00

Himachal govt urges locals to avoid venturing near avalanche-prone slopes after fresh snowfall, 413 roads shut down in state

Shimla, Chamba, Lahaul-Spiti, Kullu and Kinnaur received fresh snowfall, triggering an advisory from the Himachal Pradesh government which asked locals not to venture close to avalanche-prone slopes.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2Woq2zm

Ayodhya row: Centre files writ petition in Supreme Court to transfer 'excess', undisputed land to Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas

The Modi government has filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court, asking it to release the "excess" land the government had acquired in Ayodhya around the disputed Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid site in Uttar Pradesh.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2RohswL

Five suspected Maoists killed in encounter with security forces in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum district, no cops injured

On Tuesday, Central Reserve Police Force's 209 CoBRA battalion and Jharkhand Police launched a special operation to target Maoists in several areas of West Singhbhum district in the state.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2WnCGih

Daily Bulletin: Rahul guarantees minimum income to poor if Congress comes to power; Modi to hold Pariksha Pe Charcha 2.0; day's top stories

Day's top stories: Rahul promises minimum income guarantee for poor if Congress returns to power at Centre; Shiv Sena hints alliance with BJP for 2019 elections possible; Delhi court to decide on Priya Ramani in defamation case by MJ Akbar; and more.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2RpujPg

George Fernandes passes away at 88: Family awaits son's arrival from US; ex-defence minister's funeral to be held in New Delhi

George Fernandes served as the defence minister in the NDA government between 1998 and 2004. He was out of the public glare after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2WnCEqF

Maharashtra BJP taunts Rahul Gandhi, asks whether Congress president is 'joker' if Priyanka is Opposition's 'trump card'

A senior BJP leader on Monday took a swipe at Congress chief Rahul Gandhi with a card game reference by asking whether the latter was a "joker" if his sister Priyanka Gandhi was the opposition party's "trump card".

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2Rngzoj

Amid Rafale row, Narendra Modi says defence projects pending for decades have materialised under his govt

Addressing the NCC cadets in New Delhi, Narendra Modi said a lot of important decisions have been taken for defence and security in the last four-and-a-half years.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2WnCC21

Mahesh Sharma slams Rahul Gandhi for Goa vacation, claims Narendra Modi didn't take even a single day off

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not taken a day's leave during his tenure so far, Union Culture minister Mahesh Sharma claimed as he took a swipe at Congress president Rahul Gandhi and his mother and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi for their vacation in Goa.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2RohoNx

Congress dubs as 'manufactured controversy' reports of inviting Kanhaiya Kumar, Shehla Rashid for party event

The Congress on Monday dubbed as "manufactured controversy" the reports that it had withdrawn invites to former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students Kanhaiya Kumar and Shehla Rashid to an event organised by the party's minority cell.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2WrGWgs

Two more die due to swine flu in Rajasthan; state govt makes H1N1 test available in 50 places as toll rises to 75

With the arrangement in five new colleges in Rajasthan, swine flu tests will now be conducted at 50 places across the state.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2Rq2Gpo

Meghalaya tragedy: Navy, NDRF struggle to retrieve decomposed body of second miner found 300 feet inside coal mine

The Navy and the NDRF teams are struggling to retrieve the decomposed body of the second miner found deep inside the 370-foot-deep coal mine in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills district

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2WqYiu1

Senior diplomat Sunjay Sudhir appointed as India's envoy to Maldives; 1993 batch IFS officer to take charge shortly

Senior diplomat Sunjay Sudhir has been appointed as India's Ambassador to the Maldives, the Ministry of External Affairs announced on Monday.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2RohiFF

Siddaramaiah terms pulling woman's dupatta 'accident'; Congress leader says complainant 'like my sister'

Meanwhile, National Commission for Women has taken cognisance of Siddaramaiah's 'misbehaviour' and have urged the Karnataka Police for an investigation of the incident.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2WnCP5j

Republic Day ban on Kashmiri journalists part of state government's longstanding effort to scare scribes into silence

On Republic Day, several veteran journalists were denied entry into the stadium in Srinagar, where Khursheed Ganai, unfurled the National Flag and saluted it

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2RnGD2w

Words Count Festival 2019: Smriti Irani, Prasoon Joshi, Pavan Varma to speak at day-long event

At the Words Count Festival, Pavan Varma, the author of works such as Being Indian and Adi Shankaracharya: Hinduism's Greatest Thinker will be awarded the WordSmith 2019 prize

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2WnCO1f

Have no issues, Siddaramaiah was best chief minister, says woman complainant with whom ex-Karnataka CM misbehaved

In the video, Siddaramaiah could be seen furiously snatching a mike from her, in the process of which her dupatta also fell.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2RohbtJ

Firstpost Editor's picks: BJP overusing 'dynast' narrative; AAP's rollercoaster ride; living and loving queer India; today's must-read stories

From why BJP's dynast attacks on Priyanka Gandhi reeks of laziness to AAP's roller-coaster ride since its formation to India post-Section 377 verdict; today's must-read stories

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2WsERkk

NCW will write to Karnataka Police to probe 'misbehaviour' of former CM Siddaramaiah with a woman

Taking suo motu cognisance of Siddaramaiah's behaviour, NCW chief Rekha Sharma said the commission will write to the Karnataka Police to thoroughly investigate the matter and take appropriate action, as per law.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2RkDG2F

Delhi's air quality remains 'poor', authorities warn of pollution increasing over next three days

Delhi's air quality was recorded in the 'poor' category on Monday and is expected to deteriorate slightly over the next three days, according to the authorities. As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, the overall air quality index (AQI) in the city was 267, which falls in the 'poor' category.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2DGpn51

Tik Tok videos take saffron turn as Twitter users put up videos praising Narendra Modi, Yogi Adityanath, Hindutva

Tik Tok videos shared by a Twitter user show people's views about Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and sing the RSS prayer

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2Roh6pV

SC gives ED time till 30 January to specify dates on which Karti Chidambaram will be interrogated in Aircel, INX cases

Karti Chidambaram has sought the court's nod to travel to France, Spain, Germany and the United Kingdom for the next few months for international tennis tournaments organised by 'Totus Tennis Ltd'

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2Wzj36W

Photo Of The Day By Mickey Rebecchi

Remembering Space Shuttle Challenger

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Western Railway provides segways to RPF personnel to enable stricter patrolling at Mumbai suburban stations

Western Railway provided segways to Railway Protection Force cops at railway stations, like Churchgate, Mumbai Central, Bandra Terminus, Andheri, Borivali

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2FRMYlD

Maharashtra ATS arrests Mumbra man on suspected Islamic State links: A look at issues plaguing the township

In a fresh arrest in the bid to bust the alleged Islamic State-inspired group, Maharashtra ATS picked up a 34-year-old man from Mumbra, a township on the outskirts of Mumbai. So far, the intelligence agency has taken ten people into custody.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2G9bVZf

Pakistan to resume talks with India only after elections with no big decisions expected from present govt, says Islamabad

Fawad Chaudhry, Minister of Information of Pakistan, said the Pakistan government would respect any Indian leader and the party elected by the Indian people

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2FQrTIp

Nandini Krishnan's Invisible Men does many of us a personal and political disservice, writes interviewee featured in the book

Three of the many criticisms of Nandini Krishnan's book Invisible Men are that she maintains a voyeuristic curiosity about the bodies of transmen, that she consistently misgenders them, and that she sets herself up as the judge of whether people pass as the gender they identify with

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2G5Li7t

Siddaramaiah yells at woman in Varuna, snatches mic and pulls her dupatta for raising complaint against son Yathindra

Former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramiah lost his cool at a woman complainant in Varuna, snatching the mic from her and in the process pulling her dupatta for raising complaints against his son Yathindra, also the MLA of the constituency

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2RSnYRC

Temperatures continue to dip in J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana; fog delays 16 Delhi-bound trains

A cold wave swept over the northern states of India - namely Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana and New Delhi

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2CZBnNF

Ayodhya case: Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad laments cancellation of Supreme Court hearing, appeals for expeditious decision

Ravi Shankar Prasad disapproved of the slow pace of hearing on the Ayodhya title suit in the Supreme Court, and appealed to it for an expeditious decision

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2RXyerJ

Ravi Shankar Prasad urges SC to expedite Ayodhya hearing; law minister appears to echo Modi's 'solution after verdict' stand

Ravi Shankar Prasad has urged the Supreme Court to show the Ayodhya matter the same urgency it had extended to cases related to Sabarimala, adultery and 'Urban Naxals'.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2CNAt6G

Accounting for lowest proportion of Scheduled Tribes in country, Adivasis in UP struggle for their rights

While Uttar Pradesh has the lowest proportion of individuals that fall under the Scheduled Tribes - only 0.57% of the most populous state in the country - by most indicators, this minuscule section of society is disproportionately suffering.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2B6aHKK

Editor's Guild issues statement on barring of Kashmiri journalists from R-Day event; calls it 'State-sponsored attack on press freedom'

The Kashmiri journalist community, following this, boycotted the ceremony on Saturday in protest against the police action.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2TjeGKW

Indian Air Force's Jaguar fighter jet crashes in Uttar Pradesh's Kushinagar; pilot ejects to safety

An Indian Air Force Jaguar fighter jet crashed in Uttar Pradesh's Kushinagar on Monday afternoon

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2B6aqYe

IRCTC case: Delhi court grants bail to Lalu Prasad, Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Yadav; RJD chief to remain in jail over fodder scam

A Delhi court granted regular bail to RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav in the IRCTC scam

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2TicXps

2008 Assam serial blast case: CBI court convicts 15, including NDFB chief Ranjan Daimary; quantum of sentence to be announced on 30 Jan

A CBI court on Monday convicted 15 people, including National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) chairman Ranjan Daimary, in the 2008 serial blasts across Assam and said that the quantum of punishment will be pronounced on Wednesday.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2B1deGb

JACTTO-GEO protests in Tamil Nadu enter day 7: 150 striking govt teachers arrested as state deadline comes to an end

Members of the JACTTO GEO launched an indefinite strike on 22 January to press for nine demands, which include reverting to the old pension scheme, settling a 21-month pay arrears according to the new pay commission guidelines, and hike in pay for secondary grade teachers.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2TkB1YI

SC refers PIL against Hindi hymns in Kendriya Vidyalayas to Constitution Bench; says 'religious instruction is of seminal importance'

The Supreme Court on Monday referred a PIL challenging the compulsory recitation of Sanskrit and Hindi hymns as 'morning prayers' of Kendriya Vidyalayas to a Constitution Bench.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2B96fuW

Kerala's women are marching so we can run: The corporeal revolution that's propelling gender equality in India

Kerala's women know what it means to place your body at the site of protest: To know that it is derided, unwanted and hated, but somehow finding the strength to soldier on.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2sK1Olr

Hate crimes in UP have changed lives forever: When I walk past, people shut their doors, says Muslim man falsely accused of cow slaughter

In this concluding part of the six-part series investigating 13 hate crimes in Uttar Pradesh, the series aims to examine how often, hate crimes change lives, and entire ways of living.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2B7sUYx

Chennai Kalai Theru Vizha: Police stops Casteless Collective's performance over mention of word 'Modi' in a song

Casteless Collective has clarified that the song was not a reference to Narendra Modi. The Chennai Police reportedly said that the artists had sought permission to perform songs without any communal or caste-wise discrimination

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2TgDaEQ

MDMK's Sathiyaraj Balu arrested for sharing 'defamatory' Facebook post on Narendra Modi ahead of PM's Madurai visit

Sathiyaraj Balu, a functionary of the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), has been arrested by the police for uploading a defamatory post about Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2B9J2IT

Supreme Court tells Centre to submit information on detention centres in Assam, foreigners detained there in past decade

The Supreme Court has asked the Centre to provide various details about the detention centres in Assam, the period of detention of detainees and the status of their cases before the foreigners' tribunal.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2Tj2k5w

Fall Sunsets Assignment Winner Wendy Gedack

Moody Wildlife

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Decomposed bodies of elderly couple found in Delhi flat; investigators find no signs of forced entry

The elderly couple in Delhi was registered under the senior citizen category in the police records of southeast district. The beat officials used to visit them frequently. The staff had last visited them on 15 January and fixed their water issues

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2UmbKgG

Bharat Ratna given to BR Ambedkar out of compulsion, not heart, says AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi said the Bharat Ratna was conferred upon BR Ambedkar out of compulsion, not heart

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2DEadxm

Uttar Pradesh Police constable killed in encounter in Amroha; Yogi Adityanath announces Rs 50 lakh compensation for family

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced a compensation for the family of UP constable Harsh Chaudhary who was killed in an encounter in Amroha on Sunday.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2UmbEpk

Teachers can't be asked to perform non-educational duties outside RTE Act, rules Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court has taken authorities to task for assigning duties to teachers and principals which are "not remotely" connected to imparting education and beyond the purview of the RTE Act.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2DEabWg

SC Judges AK Sikri, DY Chandrachud reiterate need for strong gender rights, democracy; say country facing 'disturbing inequalities'

Addressing the gathering, Justice Sikri called for the need to "uphold the law and Constitution and save democracy" at a time when its values were "at stake" the world over

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2UmbA94

Cabinet may announce relief package for farmers before interim budget; plan includes waiving premium for crop insurance

Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh had recently indicated that the government would announce an agriculture package before the 2019-20 budget. The NDA government will present an interim budget on 1 February.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2DFtNsT

US federal agencies to resume operations today as government shutdown ends, logistical delays expected

It will take US federal agencies days to dig out from weeks of unread emails and deal with other logistical issues like expired email passwords or ID badges, agency officials said. Furloughed workers were told not to read emails or answer phone calls while off duty.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2UmbxtU

Supreme Court cancels 29 January Ayodhya land dispute hearing due to non-availability of Justice SA Bobde

The five-judge bench hearing the Ayodhya case was reconstituted on 25 January as Justice UU Lalit, who was a member of the original bench, had recused himself from hearing the matter.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2DEa7pu

Pilot smoking in cockpit was reason for US-Bangla plane crash in Nepal, say authorities; 51 people died in accident

The US-Bangla airline Bombardier UBG-211 crash that occurred in March last year, took place as the pilot, who was in charge of the flight had smoked inside the cockpit despite restrictions, authorities confirmed on Sunday.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2UmbvlM

Comment against Bharat Ratna Bhupen Hazarika lands Mallikarjun Kharge in soup; Assam police files case against Congress leader

Police have registered a case against senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge over his remark on Assam's legendary singer-composer Bhupen Hazarika, officials said on Sunday.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2DEpHkP

Daily Bulletin: Supreme Court cancels 29 Jan Ayodhya hearing; Manipur all-party meet on citizenship bill today; day's top stories

Today's top stories: Supreme Court cancels 29 January hearing on Ayodhya dispute; voting for the Jind bypoll has begun; Biren Singh to convene Manipur all-party meet on citizenship bill; Cabinet likely to announce agri-package for farmers soon; and more.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2UmbsGC

If Hindu girl touched by hand, that hand should not exist, says Union minister Ananth Kumar Hegde

Hegde had recently stoked a controversy with his 'daylight rape' comment which he had made in the context of persistent violence in Kerala

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2DCPwBM

I-League 2018-19: East Bengal complete double over arch-rivals Mohun Bagan to maintain title hopes; Neroca hold Aizawl

Kerala youngster Jobby Justin once again emerged as a game-changer with an assist followed by an opportunistic strike that enabled East Bengal defeat arch rivals Mohun Bagan 2-0 to remain in I-League title contention.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2Unn78l

Militants attack 44 Rashtriya Rifles army camp in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian; no loss of life reported

Till now no loss of life or property has been reported from Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian area. More details of the incident are awaited.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2DE9Ene

Firstpost Editor's Picks: Narendra Modi's Bollywood blitz, Arun Jaitley on CBI, Maharashtra govt's panel on bullet train; today's must-read stories

The MMRDA had raised its objection at the proposed terminus, for it could have an impact on the development potential at BKC.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2UlfK1i

Supreme Court cancels 29 January hearing in Ayodhya land dispute case due to non-availability of Justice SA Bobde

The Supreme Court on Sunday cancelled the 29 January hearing in the politically sensitive Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid land title dispute case.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2DD4urx

Uttar Pradesh govt to withdraw 18 cases related to Muzaffarnagar riots, asks district authorities to approach court

The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to withdraw 18 cases related to the Muzaffarnagar riots and asked the district authorities to approach the court.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2Unn6RP

2019 Padma awardees include tea-seller putting profits towards education, 'Canal man of Odisha' Daitari Naik

Among the "unsung heroes" who were given the Padma awards this year is a tea-seller who donates profits for the education of slum children, a doctor couple who charge Re 1 from patients and a retired IPS officer who set up a school for a Mahadalit community.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2DF5jjH

Photo Of The Day By Riccardo Zambelloni

Narendra Modi in Tamil Nadu: Prime minister calls for vigilance against 'mistrust' regarding 10 percent quota

Asserting that 10 percent reservation in jobs and education for the economically weaker section of general category is testimony of Union government's commitment for welfare of all sections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged people to remain vigilant against negativity being spread around it.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2RQvz33

US federal agencies to resume operations tomorrow as government shutdown ends, logistical delays expected

It will take US federal agencies days to dig out from weeks of unread emails and deal with other logistical issues like expired email passwords or ID badges, agency officials said. Furloughed workers were told not to read emails or answer phone calls while off duty.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2CRFong

Jind bypoll scheduled for Monday: 21 candidates in the fray, 3,000 police personnel deployed

As many as 1,71,113 people, including nearly 80,000 women, are eligible to vote in the Jind bypoll, and 158 polling stations have been set up, of which 67 are in rural areas. The votes will be polled between 7 am and 5 pm, Election Commission officials said.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2RSSKJZ

Goa Tamil Sangam urges transport minister Nitin Gadkari to name Mandovi bridge after Manohar Parrikar

Parrikar is suffering from a pancreatic ailment and has been in and out of hospitals in Goa, Mumbai, Delhi, and New York since February, 2018.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2COSZeY

Indian Railways named Train 18 made under 'Make in India' Vande Bharat Express, says Piyush Goyal

The fully air-conditioned train will stop at Kanpur and Allahabad and will have two executive chair cars.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2RRiF4N

India, Pakistan in touch over construction of Kartarpur Corridor, says high commissioner in Islamabad Ajay Bisaria

Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria has said that the two sides were in contact on the Kartarpur corridor and that New Delhi has already appointed a focal person for the purpose.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2CMWX7N

Fifty labourers return to manual scavenging despite participating in Delhi govt's skill development programme

Three months after the Delhi administration completed a first-of-its-kind skill development programme for 50 manual scavengers and provided them with alternative means of livelihood, many have returned to cleaning sewers, citing lack of regular income and harassment at workplace.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2FQdNqk

Maharashtra govt says panel on bullet train project met twice, but sub-committee didn't address most objections

The government of Maharashtra has clarified that the state-appointed subcommittee met twice before clearing the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2RPjyuE

Narendra Modi dedicates Bharat Petroleum's refinery expansion complex in Kochi to nation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday dedicated to the nation an integrated refinery expansion complex of the public sector Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited at the Kochi Refinery.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2CQ80NH

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat says anti-national elements are trying to 'destroy peace with nefarious designs'

Bhagwat said: "We do not pray for someone's misfortune; while only pray for happiness to all. But the anti-national elements are trying every bid to destroy the peace and virtues and are working on their nefarious designs."

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2WjvH9U

Madhya Pradesh seeks Centre's help to get lions from Gujarat's Gir forest; state spent Rs 14 crore to relocate villagers

The Madhya Pradesh government has sought the Centre's help in getting Asiatic lions from Gujarat's Gir, which has been delayed by over five years despite a Supreme Court order, according to official documents.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2Rio1kz

Mann ki Baat: Narendra Modi praises EC for strengthening democracy; says India will mark presence on moon with Chandrayaan-2

Addressing the nation in the 52nd episode of his Mann Ki Baat radio programme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the EC for its meticulous organising abilities.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2WlzvHH

Nearly 4,500 cases pending per high court judge, shows law ministry data; pendency caused by delay in judicial appointments

Each high court judge is saddled with nearly 4,500 pending cases, according to the law ministry. At the same time, each judge of the subordinate judiciary has nearly 1,300 cases pending, the same data shows.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2RjB7hA

Maharashtra ATS arrests Thane man with suspected link to IS-inspired group; outfit planned 'chemical attacks' at big events

According to an official, "The Maharashtra ATS had earlier arrested eight people, and detained a minor, from Aurangabad and Thane after several teams carried out searches through 21-22 January."

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2WmuJKb

Bulandshahr violence: UP Police recovers murdered inspector Subodh Singh's phone from home of prime accused Prashant Natt

The Uttar Pradesh Police on Sunday made a breakthrough in the Bulandshahr violence case, in which police inspector Subodh Kumar Singh had been killed. According to reports, the police have recovered Subodh's mobile phone based on information from sources.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2RfqPPq

Toll rises to two as another devotee dies after eating 'prasad' at Karnataka temple; cook arrested

Temple's priests told Karnataka Police that the Kesari bath was not prepared inside the temple premises, but was brought by devotees from outside.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2WuBAkO

Ahead of Narendra Modi's visit, MDMK holds 'black flag' protests in Madurai; party says Centre not addressing Tamil Nadu's concerns

MDMK party leaders and volunteers walked with black flags, black balloons and festoons through the streets of Madurai, expressing their displeasure against the government at the Centre for not looking after the interests of the state. The protesters had written down their demands on placards.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2Rlmjix

Tejaswi Yadav endorses Rahul Gandhi for prime minister, says Congress chief has 'won hearts' despite BJP's counter efforts

When asked if Rahul was the obvious choice to lead a pan-India alliance, Tejaswi said India is a democracy, in which people choose their representatives and they in turn choose the leader who becomes the prime minister.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2WjCikE

Narendra Modi's Bollywood blitz, and a bandwagon of political films begs the question: Are we citizens or fans?

January 2019 has come to be known as the month when PM Narendra Modi hobnobbed with Bollywood and captured the national conversation.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2G3uDkH

Arun Jaitley advises CBI to steer clear of 'adventurism', but finance minister doesn't practise what he preaches

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is upset because he believes the CBI action against ICICI Bank is "investigative adventurism", not a "professional investigation".

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2FSkRTb

Save Our Sisters writes to Pinarayi Vijayan, urges Kerala CM to stall transfer order of nuns protesting against rape accused bishop

On 19 January, Sister Anupama along with three other nuns who had pledged support for the Kerala nun rape case, also penned down a letter to the chief minister seeking his intervention in the matter.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2G3uAFx

Hate crimes in Uttar Pradesh caused by combination of petty politics, gender issues and economics

Investigation from the site of many of these crimes found that hate crimes are not motivated by religious hatred alone.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2FNtVsw

Parades, events mark Republic Day across India, but boycott call over citizenship bill mars celebrations in North East

A kaleidoscope of rich cultural heritage of states and their journey towards development was on display as colourful parades marked the 70th Republic Day which passed off peacefully amid tight security, though celebrations were marred in some parts of North East following a boycott call by outfits against the citizenship bill.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2G4DKSu

Delhi's air quality worsens; visibility drops below 50 meters; fog disrupts rail traffic, derails 13 trains

Railways said that the Rewa-Anand Vihar Superfast Express, Guwahati-New Delhi Express and Hyderabad-Delhi-Telangana Express were delayed by two hours each owing to low visibility due to fog.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2FQ3e6B

Narendra Modi lays foundation stone for AIIMS in Madurai; Edappadi Palaniswami, O Panneerselvam praise PM

Palaniswami had assured Tamil Nadu's full support to facilitate early commencement and completion of the project in Madurai for realising late chief minister J Jayalalithaa's dream.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2FTGPoQ

Crocodiles to be relocated from ponds near Statue of Unity in Gujarat; officials say move aimed at tourist safety, not new seaplane service

As many 20 cages have been set up along the banks of the two ponds to capture the crocodiles, but there is no specific target for the number of them that needs to be captured.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2G10FxY

Bulandshahr violence: Uttar Pradesh Police recovers Subodh Singh Kumar's phone; search still on for murdered policeman's pistol

The Uttar Pradesh Police on Sunday made a breakthrough in the Bulandshahr violence case, in which police inspector Subodh Kumar Singh had been killed. According to reports, the police have recovered Subodh's mobile phone based on information from sources.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2FPXb1W

Mann ki Baat: Narendra Modi pays tribute to Lingayat seer Shivakumara Swami, urges youth to register to vote in Lok Sabha elections

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing the first edition of Mann ki Baat of this year, on Sunday paid tribute to late Shivakumar Swami, the pontiff of Sree Siddaganga Matha who recently passed away after a prolonged illness in Karnataka's Tumkur, saying that he had dedicated his entire life to social service, working for the social and educational welfare of scores of people.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2G10D9k

ICICI Bank case: CBI officer transferred days after signing FIR against Chanda Kochhar, husband Deepak, other industry bigwigs

The CBI investigating officer in the ICICI Bank case involving Chanda Kochhar, Sudhanshu Dhar Mishra, was transferred to the agency's Economic Offences Branch in Ranchi days after signing the FIR in the case.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2FNtUos

Yogi Adityanath claims Uttar Pradesh govt will resolve Ayodhya issue 'within 24 hours' if SC can't provide solution 'quickly'

Claiming that people's patience on the Ayodhya dispute was running out, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath claimed the state government would be able to resolve the issue within 24 hours if the Supreme Court was unable to give an early verdict.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2G10zq6

ISL 2019, NorthEast United vs Chennaiyin, Highlights: Highlanders strengthen top-four bid with victory

Catch Live score and updates from Indian Super League (ISL) encounter between NorthEast United and Chennaiyin

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2SaWYMq

Former CEC Navin Chawla says Parliament full of 'rich people', questions whether they represent 'voice of the people'

Former chief election commissioner of India Navin Chawla on Saturday posed several questions regarding the election processes in the country, ranging from conflict of interest to need for reforms.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2HAgRbQ

Amid row over Rahul Gandhi's Kailash Mansarovar visit, Chinese envoy says all pilgrims from India will be welcomed

BJP accused Rahul of acting as a "Chinese propagandist"

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2SaWYfo

Daily Bulletin: Modi to address first Mann ki Baat of 2019; Adityanath says can resolve Ram Temple issue in 24 hrs; day's top stories

Daily Bulletin: Narendra Modi will address the first Mann ki Baat of 2019 today, he will also visit Tamil Nadu and Kerala; ED was granted two-day custody of Gautam Khaitan; day's top stories

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2Huxwxk

Oxford Dictionaries names 'Nari Shakti' Hindi word of 2018; JLF director says it 'encapsulates spirit of our times'

Oxford Dictionaries on Saturday declared "Nari Shakti" the Hindi word for the year 2018. The announcement was made during a session at the ongoing Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) at Diggi Palace.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2SaXERY

Pakistani foreign minister reiterates demand for implementation of UNSC resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir

Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has stressed the need for implementation of United Nations Security Council's resolutions on Kashmir.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2HwhJOA

One person dead, nine others injured after consuming 'prasad' served outside Karnataka temple

A woman died and nine others, including two children, were hospitalised after they allegedly consumed 'prasadam' (offering) served outside a temple in Chikkaballapura district

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2SaXDgS

After 2018 fiasco, Congress president Rahul Gandhi gets front row seat at 70th Republic Day in New Delhi

While Rahul Gandhi got a front row seat, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad was seen seated in the second row

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2HzYunm

'Happy my work is finally recognised': Ex-ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan on being awarded Padma Bhushan

Nambi Narayanan played a critical role in the development of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2SaXB8K

Nazir Wani, militant-turned-soldier who died fighting insurgents in Kashmir, awarded Ashok Chakra on Republic Day

Nazir Ahmad Wani, a militant-turned-soldier who laid down his life fighting terrorists in Shopian in Kashmir in November, was awarded the Ashoka Chakra.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2HM0yZJ

Republic Day 2019: Manmohan Singh and Rahul Gandhi meet South African president Cyril Ramaphosa

Cyril Ramaphosa discussed issues of mutual interest with Rahul Gandhi and Manmohan Singh

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2SaXytA

Day after being posthumously awarded Bharat Ratna, Bhupen Hazarika's voice resonates at Rajpath

Bhupen Hazarika provided music for acclaimed Bollywood movies

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2HwZb0Q

Fancy a roach-milk shake?

Next superFood? Cockroach protein could bring about a revolution by joining the fight against nutritional deficiencies and disorders.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2SaXwSu

Firstpost Editor's Picks: R-Day parade, Bharat Ratna for Pranab Mukherjee, Rohit Shetty's Simmba; today's must-read stories

The award to Pranab Mukherjee by the Narendra Modi government is intended to deliver several messages at once

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2UhV7Tt

70th Republic Day: Prime Minister Narendra Modi wishes fellow Indians, tweets 'Jai Hind'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday wished the countrymen on the occasion of the 70th Republic Day. "Happy Republic Day to all fellow Indians," Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted both in Hindi and English.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2DAR1Ai

Photo Of The Day By Beth Young

Modi govt subtly jabs Congress with Bharat Ratna for Pranab Mukherjee, seeks to gain ground in West Bengal

The Bharat Ratna for Pranab babu carries even greater significance beyond the BJP-Congress political rivalry

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2UjAqqi

Arun Jaitley targets CBI over Chanda Kochhar probe, says 'adventurism overtaking professionalism' in investigators

A day after the CBI named banking doyen K V Kamath and virtual who's who of the sector for questioning in the alleged fraud case against former ICICI Bank CEO Chanda Kochhar, Union minister Arun Jaitley Friday advised investigating agency to avoid "adventurism" and concentrate only on the bull's eye.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2DAlZJ2

'Must preserve ethics of Constitution,' ex-president Pranab Mukherjee sends Republic Day message

A day after his name was announced for the Bharat Ratna award, former president Pranab Mukherjee called upon countrymen to strive to protect and preserve the foundational ethics of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity as enshrined in the Constitution.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2Uhi5Kz

Nirmala Sitharaman defends Modicare on Facebook, says it's unfortunate that some states have opted out due to politics

Observing that the Centre's ambitious Ayushman Bharat healthcare scheme achieved a paradigm shift within three months of its launch, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said it was "unfortunate" that some states chose to opt out for reasons of political expediency.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2DAoUkL

Meghalaya mine tragedy: Navy divers find second body 280 feet in rat hole, rescue efforts continue

Navy divers on Saturday recovered a second body today from the flooded rat-hole coal mine in Meghalaya where over 13 workers remain trapped since 13 December, 2018.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2MAiNQc

Mobile internet services suspended in Jammu and Kashmir as precautionary measure for Republic Day

Mobile internet services were suspended across Kashmir on Saturday as a precautionary measure on the occasion of Republic Day, but mobile phone services functioned as usual.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2sNpVQv

A note from the editors: Why Firstpost, an avowedly-online animal, is going to arrive at your doorstep as a weekly newspaper

Each weekend, Firstpost will bring a carefully-curated collection of original reportage, opinion and analysis.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2MwvuLW

Hundreds of tourists stuck in Himachal Pradesh's Bir Billing landslide rescued by district authority

Hundred of tourists stuck in a landslide in Bir Billing in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district have been rescued, a district official said Saturday.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2sLa7xB

Pakistani troops violate ceasefire along LoC in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch, Indian army retaliates

Pakistani troops on Saturday violated ceasefire by targeting forward posts and villages along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, promoting "strong and effective retaliation" by the Indian army.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2Mz7at9

President Kovind confers Bal Puraskar 2019 on Republic Day; 26 children receive award at Rashtrapati Bhavan

The children awarded with Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar were all smiles as they greeted President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi with folded hands as they passed the Rajpath during the Republic Day parade.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2sNpSEj

UN claims climate change is major security threat to all nations; warns of 'multitude of security impacts'

The UN system's chief scientist on weather and climate warned on Friday that climate change has "a multitude of security impacts" and is increasingly regarded as a national security threat - with global warming records broken in 20 of the last 22 years.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2MxBjJe

Shimla, Dalhousie, Chail in Himachal Pradesh see continuous snowfall; hilly areas reeling under sub-zero temperatures

Several tourist places in Himachal Pradesh continued to get snowfall on Saturday, further dipping the temperature in the areas, the meteorological department said.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2DADetq

BJP claims Congress threatening CBI officials to stop working against corruption, says move 'shows mentality' of party

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said Congress leader Anand Sharma has threatened officers to stop working against corruption which only shows the mentality of Congress party. His comments come after Sharma had issued a veiled warning to government officials after the CBI raided former Haryana chief minister BS Hooda's residence on Friday.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2sLa3On

Andhra Pradesh Assemby's Budget Session to begin on 30 January; govt to present vote-only budget on 5 February

The Budget session of the Andhra Pradesh Legislature will begin in Amaravati on 30 January, with Governor ESL Narasimhan addressing a joint sitting of the two Houses. Assembly Speaker Kodela Sivaprasada Rao said there will also be a general discussion on the budget from 6 February.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2MxBi88

AgustaWestland VVIP chopper case: ED arrests lawyer Gautam Khaitan in fresh case of money laundering

Gautam Khaitan, the accused in the AgustaWestland scam case, has been accused of routing money through countries like Dubai, UK, Zambia, Tunisia, Kenya, Mauritius, Singapore, Switzerland and others.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2UoRECT

70th Republic Day celebrations: India showcases military strength, cultural diversity in presence of SA President Cyril Ramaphosa

India celebrated its 70th Republic Day with a grand display of its military might and rich cultural diversity as the ceremonial parade rolled down the majestic Rajpath in Delhi in presence of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa as the chief guest.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2DAwzPW

50 youngsters to 'auction' themselves on Republic Day to protest against water scarcity in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras

Fifty youngsters in the Nagla Maya village of Uttar Pradesh's Hathras district have, in a desperate measure, proposed to auction themselves to raise money to provide for drinking water in their village.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2UkrKAa

Day before inauguration, Goa Congress asks PM to name two bridges after state's first CM Dayanand Bandodkar, leader Jack Sequeira

Goa Pradesh Congress Committee chief Girish Chodankar requested PM Narendra Modi to honour the two great Goan heroes of the yesteryear, Dayanand Bandodkar and Dr Jack Sequeira by naming the two bridges that will be inaugurated on Sunday by Nitin Gadkari, after them.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2DzyaWq

Republic Day 2019: Mizoram Governor addresses nearly empty hall amid boycott calls as protests rage against Citizenship (Amendment) Bill

Mizoram Governor Kummanam Rajasekharan on Saturday addressed an almost-empty venue on the 70th Republic Day, due to a statewide boycott call given by an umbrella organisation against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2UhJvQA

Republic Day 2019 highlights: 58 tribal guests, 22 tableaux mark 90-minute iconic parade at Rajpath

Republic Day 2019 LIVE updates: Celebrations for the 70th Republic Day concluded on Saturday after the ceremonial parade rolled down the majestic Rajpath in Delhi with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in attendance as the chief guest, amid unprecedented security deployment in the city.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2DBbLrN

Google Doddle showcases Rashtrapati Bhavan, India's rich heritage to mark country's 70th Republic Day

Search giant Google on Saturday dedicated a special doodle to mark India's 70th Republic Day, which captured the country's architectural and cultural legacy as well as its rich bio-diversity.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2UiFueq

Ananga Ranga: The ancient roots of #MeToo rage

The pursuit of pleasure, in the Ananga Ranga, involves the subjugation of women for the pleasure of men.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2DzNfHr

The murder of a black magician

The killing exposes a deep vein of blind faith and violence that runs through India's most forward-looking state, which prides itself in its high-90s literacy rate and gender ratio

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2UgvJNS

A Twist in the e-Tail

Flipkart and Amazon are now lobbying to get the deadline for the new rules extended beyond February 1 giving them enough time to refit the operational contours.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2DzNbrb

Priyanka's entry helps avoid Hobson's choice

Rahul's inability to impress voters and inspire trust in his leadership could hobble his party

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2Ujd5Fc

In South Asia, jihad is a mix of three ideologies

From living rooms to newspaper columns to security gatherings, jihad is a much debated topic.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2DB4LLu

Kashmir's new age of terror

Boys still in their teens are increasingly being recruited by jihadist outfits to little resistance from families, separatists or the government as a new gun culture gains ground in the troubled Valley.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2Uhaont

It's time to stop the great Indian EVM hoaxathon

Remotely impossible: Hacking even one voting machine requires access to the unit, hardware and a killer algorithm. Mass wireless hacking is pure fantasy.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2DzN6nn

Republic Day 2019: 23 Delhi police officers, including six women, to be awarded medals for exemplary service

23 Delhi Police officers, including six women, will be conferred Police Medals for their exemplary service on India's 70th Republic Day.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2Ui6bjn

Lights, Camera, Votebank!

Mainstream cinema finds a new formula in the run-up to Lok Sabha polls 2019, as films about politics and politicians keep the box-office busy

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2DzN1A5

President Ram Nath Kovind confers Ashoka Chakra on Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani, who quit militancy to join army

Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani, a militant-turned-soldier who laid down his life fighting a group of terrorists in Shopian in Kashmir in November, was awarded the Ashoka Chakra by President Ram Nath Kovind Saturday.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2UhabRd

On Republic Day, security forces foil attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar; 3 policemen injured, 2 militants gunned down in encounter

Hours before India will celebrate the 70th Republic Day, an encounter broke out between militants and security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar. Three police personnel have sustained injuries in an ongoing encounter.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2TewDKH

'Aboslutely no idea who recommended my name', says HS Phoolka; dedicates Padma Shri to those working for human rights

Senior advocate and activist HS Phoolka, while admitting he did not know why recommended him for the Padma Shri award, dedicated it to human rights workers.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2B3DRtY

Republic Day 2019 LIVE updates: President Kovind honours 26 children, including 6 girls, with Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puruskar at iconic parade

Republic Day 2019 LIVE updates: President Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday honoured 26 children, including 6 girls, with Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puruskar at an iconic parade at the Rajapth on the occassion of India's 70th Republic Day.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2TfhIA9

Narendra Modi's popularity at all-time low amid concerns over unemployment, weakening farm economy, says India Today's pre-poll survey

According to the India Today poll, Narendra Modi is facing discontent over lack of jobs for young people and a weak farm economy, and polls have forecast his ruling alliance will fall short of a majority in the election due by May.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2B2OgX2

Thithurta Hua Gantantra: Reading Harishankar Parsai's satirical reflections on our democratic 'climate'

Extreme income inequality, neglected socialist manifestos, communal politics and populist schemes - nothing much has changed for India since 1970, when Harishankar Parsai's satire Thithurta Hua Gantantra was first published. The sun of progress and development is yet to dawn upon India's shivering democracy. Here's a reading of an excerpt from Parsai's much-relevant social commentary.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2TgtOZF

Delhi sees cold morning on 70th Republic Day as minimum temperature settles at six degrees Celsius

Residents of Delhi braved cold weather conditions to throng to Rajpath to witness the 70th Republic Day celebrations as the minimum temperature settled at six degrees Celsius, three notches below the season's average.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2B1MMw0

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik's sister Gita Mehta declines Padma Shri, author says timing may be 'misconstrued' with polls on horizon

In a statement, Gita Mehta said she is deeply honoured to be a recipient of a Padma Shri, but declined the offer as "there is a general election looming and timing might be misconstrued, causing embarrassment both to the government and me, which I would regret."

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2Tb7osK

India defined in 117,369 words

2 years, 11 months, and 17 days. That's how long it took to draft the Indian constitution.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2B4etEl

Republic Day 2019: At least 4 Delhi Metro stations to be closed until noon today; police warns of traffic restrictions

In light of Republic Day, Central Secretariat and Udyog Bhawan stations of the Delhi Metro will remain closed from 6 am until noon, and Patel Chowk and Lok Kalyan Marg stations from 8.45 until noon.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2TdZ6Ah

The savage in the mirror? It's We the People

This Republic Day, as we celebrate the promise of democratic India, this one fact is inescapable: savage violence is our national language.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2B3DPSS

A parade of militarism, with no place for soldier or citizen

Symbolic militarism, including that on display at the Republic Day Parade, is a salve to past injuries and a proclamation of contemporary prowess

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2TewBm3

A Republic Day sans the military?

Republic Day Parade would be out of step without the military

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2B6A4vV

Daily Bulletin: 70th Republic Day celebrations to take place in Delhi amid tight security; President to give out top civilian, military awards; day's top stories

The iconic Republic Day parade, which will see 22 tableaus of states and central government departments, will begin with the laying of a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. South African president Cyril Ramaphosa will be the chief guest at the event in Delhi.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2TeTyFV

Republic Day parade offers citizens only chance to thank soldiers, there's no need to demilitarise it

Republic Day parade gives the people only opportunity to turn out in large numbers to cheer, respect, and show an indebtedness to the men and women in uniform

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2B2oJx2

Republic Day Parade: Tanks and artillery are passe, 26 Jan celebrations require renewed focus on power of people

Even a good thing can be dulled by repetition and need not necessarily stay in step with the times

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2TmUt6Y

Gautam Gambhir, Kader Khan, Prabhu Deva to be awarded Padma Shri; L&T chairman AM Naik gets Padma Vibushan; list of winners

President of Djibouti Ismail Omar Guelleh, L&T chairman AM Naik, late journalist Kuldip Nayar, late actor Kadar Khan and cricketer Gautam Gambhir were among the 112 prominent personalities who were named on Friday for conferment of this year's Padma awards.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2B57KKB

Pranab Mukherjee, Nanaji Deshmukh and Bhupen Hazarika awarded Bharat Ratna; 112 Padma awards this year

Bharatiya Jana Sangh leader and social activist late Nanaji Deshmukh, singer Bhupen Hazarika and former president Pranab Mukherjee were on Friday conferred the country's highest civilian award Bharat Ratna.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2TeTw0L

Full-text of Ram Nath Kovind's speech on Republic Day eve: President urges people to vote, invokes Gandhi ji as moral compass of India

In his address to the nation on Republic Day eve, President Ram Nath Kovind urged people to vote in large numbers in the upcoming Lok Sabha election; here's full-text of his speech

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2Bf7MQf

Ahead of 70th Republic Day, President Ram Nath Kovind urges people to perform 'sacred act' of voting

President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday gave a clarion call to people to perform the "sacred act" of voting.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2TgGdg6

Nikon Offers Limited-Time Trade-In Program on Z Series

The Story Behind: Milky Way Falls

Photo Of The Day By Craig Stocks

Firstpost-Ipsos National Trust Survey 2019: A look at methodology followed, numbers involved

Firstpost and Ipsos recently conducted National Trust Survey during which it asked 'burnning questions' to 34,470 individuals from 291 urban wards and 690 villages covering 320 parliamentary constituencies to assess the direction of the political wind in the country before the 2019 Lok Sabha Election

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2CMw7Nf

Firstpost National Trust Survey: Modi most trusted leader with 52.8% mandate, 26.8% favour Rahul; development trumps caste

The National Trust Survey conducted by Firspost and Ipsos involved 34,470 individuals from 291 urban wards and 690 villages across 320 parliamentary constituencies

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2RTF81q

CISF jawans train to use 'gulels' after monkeys attack tourists at Agra's Taj Mahal; wildlife activist defends simians

The CISF personnel manning Agra's Taj Mahal are undergoing training to use 'gulels' (catapults) to tackle the monkey menace

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2CHHLca

Chidambaram slams BJP for alleged encounter killings in Uttar Pradesh, says state second victim of party's 'muscular' policies

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram Friday slammed the BJP for alleged encounter killings in Uttar Pradesh, saying the country's most-populated state is the victim of "muscular" policies of the saffron party after Jammu and Kashmir

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2RNtOn7

Shakti Mills rape case: Bombay High Court pulls up Maharashtra govt over delay in death penalty confirmation

Bombay High Court pulled up the Maharashtra govt for its "insensitivity" in the Shakti Mills gangrape case in April 2014

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2CMw6c9

Yogi Adityanath inaugurates new Metro line linking Noida and Greater Noida; fares to range between Rs 9 and Rs 50

The Metro's Aqua Line between Noida and Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddh Nagar was opened Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2RLm2dH

What is a vote-on-account and why is Congress alleging that BJP is violating tradition by seeking to present a full budget?

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has given strong indication that he would like to present a full budget instead of a vote-on-account which is traditionally called for in an election year, by an outgoing government, triggering outrage by the Congress.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2CMw2sV

Amarinder Singh urges transport minister Nitin Gadkari to fast-track road development projects in Punjab

Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh has sought transport minister Nitin Gadkari's personal intervention particularly in expediting the Kartarpur Corridor project, given its historic and religious importance.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2RLRHvm

MEA says India 'closely following' situation in Venezuela, crisis can be resolved through constructive dialogue

India on Friday said it was closely monitoring the emerging situation in Venezuela and favoured resolution of the political crisis through constructive dialogue. Spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs Raveesh Kumar said that the crisis in Venezuela can be resolved without resorting to violence.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2CJ19Wg

Republic Day 2019: Security beefed up across Delhi following arrest of JeM suspects; over 25,000 personnel deployed

Around 25,000 security personnel have been deployed across the city and security beefed up at strategic locations in central Delhi, which were on the target of two arrested terrorists planning strikes during the Republic Day celebrations

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2RQNvL4

'My husband was my guiding light, inspiration to many,' says wife of Ashok Chakra awardee Nazir Wani

Nazir Ahmad Wani, a militant-turned-soldier who had joined the Army's 162 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry in 2004, will be conferred the award posthumously on Saturday by President Ram Nath Kovind

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2CUjnUT

Aligarh MP flays AMU authorities for issuing notice to ABVP leader over organising Tiranga yatra during classroom hours

BJP MP Satish Gautam Friday slammed AMU authorities for issuing a show cause notice to an ABVP student leader for organising a 'Tiranga yatra' on the campus

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2RNqvfS

Citizenship Amendment Bill fails to address key questions on Section 6A of existing Act, sidelines Assam Accord

For dominant Assamese-speaking groups in the Brahmaputra Valley, particularly, who have been opposing illegal immigration from Bangladesh for decades now, this is a downright unacceptable prospect and a turnaround of the BJP's election agenda to expel all 'illegals' from Assam.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2CMoqX9

Maharashtra Gramin Bank and Bajaj Allianz officials dupe debt-ridden farmers: Bank promises crop loan only if farmers buy insurance policy

Yogesh Shelke, former employee of Bajaj Allianz and a resident of Beed in Marathwada, blew the whistle on the nexus between Bajaj Allianz and Maharashtra Gramin Bank. They had a tie up, which meant the bank could sell Bajaj Allianz policies to its customers.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2Udc1CI

Republic Day 2019: 22 tableaux, all-women paramilitary contingent, INA veterans and other notable features of parade

Republic Day 2019 will see a tribute to the departed soldiers by PM Narendra Modi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa as chief guest

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2Dyfwy3

Jammu-Srinagar highway remains closed for fifth consecutive day as fresh landslides hit roadway, 1,500 vehicles stranded

Five fresh landslides hit the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway on Friday, which remained closed for the fifth consecutive day. The highway's closing has led to over 1,500 vehicles being stranded at various places in Kathua, Jammu, Udhampur, Chennai, Patnitop, Ramban, Batote Banihal.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2UjNtbp

India, South Africa seal 3-year strategic programme to boost trade, defence cooperation and tourism

After signing a three-year strategic programme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed hope to expand cooperation in various areas.

from Latest News India on Firstpost http://bit.ly/2DyOGGc