Saturday, December 27, 2025

PM Modi expresses pride and gratitude to scientists, remembers Pokhran tests

By
Tehelka Bureau
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday remembered the 1998 Pokhran nuclear tests, calling them a landmark event in India’s growth trajectory, expressing pride and gratitude towards the Indian scientific community on National Technology Day.

Taking to the social media platform X, PM Modi wrote in a post, “Best wishes on National Technology Day! This is a day to express pride and gratitude to our scientists and remember the 1998 Pokhran tests. They were a landmark event in our nation’s growth trajectory, especially in our quest towards self-reliance.”

The Prime Minister said that India is emerging as a global leader in the field of technology and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to further it.

“Powered by our people, India is emerging as a global leader in different aspects of technology, be it space, AI, digital innovation, green technology and more. We reaffirm our commitment to empowering future generations through science and research. May technology uplift humanity, secure our nation and drive futuristic growth.”

National Technology Day is observed every year on May 11 to commemorate the successful nuclear tests at Pokhran in 1998, a historic moment that established India as a nuclear power and showcased its scientific capabilities to the world.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also extended his wishes and lauded the contributions of Indian scientists.

In his post on X, he stated, “On National Technology Day, India salutes the scientists, engineers and technicians who contribute by developing new technologies for bringing positive change in our lives. We proudly recall the exceptional efforts of our scientists that led to the successful Pokhran tests in 1998. It was a defining moment in India’s history.”

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also took to X to reflect on the bold step taken in 1998.

He wrote, “On this day in 1998, India took a bold leap with the Pokhran tests, a moment etched in our history. Atal Bihari Vajpayee declared 11th May as National Technology Day, a tribute to our scientists & engineers whose brilliance continues to power India’s journey of self-reliance.”

Delhi, Mumbai airport operations normal, security checks taking longer

By
Tehelka Bureau
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Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) said on Sunday that operations at the airport are normal, but some flights may be affected due to airspace restrictions, and the processing time at security checkpoints may take longer on account of more stringent security protocols.

Passengers have been advised to arrive well ahead of the scheduled departure time of the flight to take care of potential delays at security checkpoints. Flyers have also been urged “to rely solely on official sources for accurate information and avoid sharing unverified content on social media.”

Enhanced security measures that were put in place due to the tensions between India and Pakistan are continuing as a precautionary measure. Although an understanding for a ceasefire was reached on Saturday following a call from the Pakistan Director General of Military Operations, there is some lingering uncertainty as Islamabad breached the ceasefire soon after declaring it.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting on Sunday with the three service chiefs and the CSD to take stock of the latest situation.

“Delhi airport operations continue to remain normal. However, due to evolving airspace conditions and enhanced security measures, as per the orders of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, some flight schedules may be impacted and security checkpoint processing times may take longer, ” DIAL said in a post on X.

Air India said that in view of an order by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security on enhanced measures at airports, passengers across India are advised to arrive at their respective airports at least three hours prior to scheduled departure to ensure smooth check-in and boarding. Check-in closes 75 minutes before departure.

Meanwhile, Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport has also issued an advisory asking passengers to arrive well in advance of the scheduled departure time due to enhanced security measures that are in place.

Passengers have been advised to carry Government-issued photo IDs keep their passport, visa, ticket/boarding pass ready and easily accessible for inspection.

Flyers have also been advised to pack smart and light, according to security guidelines and to check the airline or airport’s website before packing so that prohibited items can be excluded.

Liquids are limited to 100ml containers in carry-on bags, placed in a clear zip-lock pouch; electronic goods such as laptops and tablets must be placed separately in trays during screening, the advisory states.

It has also urged passengers to stay close to their luggage, as unattended baggage will be treated as suspicious and may lead to emergency procedures being implemented.

Besides, passengers have been advised to monitor announcements via airport social media handles, airport displays, airline apps/websites to stay informed and report anything unusual, immediately to the nearest CISF officer or airport.

The government on Friday extended the closure of 24 airports across the country, including Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot till 0529 hours on May 15. The airports are located close to the Pakistan border in Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat.

Air India said that its flights to and from Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot are being cancelled till 0529 hours on May 15. However, this is an evolving situation, and we request customers to check our official social media handles for the latest updates.”

“Customers holding valid tickets for travel during this period will be offered a one-time waiver on rescheduling charges or a full refund for cancellations, ” the airline added.

Low-cost carriers IndiGo, SpiceJet and Akasa Air have also issued similar advisories.

Delhi Congress take out  ‘Jai Hind Yatra’ to support Indian Armed Forces

By
Priyanka Tanwer
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Thousands of Congress workers on Friday marched from Jantar Manter to Raisina Road in the  ‘Jai Hind Yatra’ to extend the Congress party’s full support to the country’s armed forces amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of Sindoor Operation in response to the killing 26 of innocent tourists at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22.

The Jai Hind Yatra was flagged off by AICC treasurer Ajay Maken, AICC Organising Secretary KC Venugopal DPCC president Devender Yadav, former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Ghelot and Pawan Khera. AICC general secretary Sachin Pilot, AICC In-charge of Delhi Qazi Nizamuddin were also present on this occasion.

The Congress workers shouted slogans such as “Jai Hind” and “Jai Jawan-Jai Kisan” as they extended their full support to the Indian Armed forces for eliminating terrorist camps and terrorism operating from the Pakistan soil.

Yadav said that every worker of Congress is standing with our country’s armed forces in this difficult time to protect the honour of the Tricolour, and the ‘Jai Hind Yatra’ is in support of our brave warriors who are not only fighting to save the honour of the country, but also to crush the terrorists  operating from across the borders aided and abetted by Pakistan on which the Indian forces have already inflicted deadly blows.

He said that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi have said that rising above politics, Congress party was standing solidly behind the Armed forces and the Government in words, deeds and actions   to protect the honour of the country.

Besides Yadav, prominent others who took part in the ‘Jai Hind Yatra’ were former DPCC president Subhash Chopra, Social Media platform chairperson Supriya Srinathe, Mahila Congress president Alka Lamba, Youth Congress president Uday Bhan Chib, AICC SC Department chairman Rajesh Lilothia, Dr Narendra Nath, ex-MPs Krishna Tirath, Ramesh Kumar,  Sandeep Dikshit and Dr Udit Raj, Ragini Nayak, Gurdeep Singh Sapla, Manish Chatrath, Rohit Chaudhary, Dr Yoganand Shastri, ex-MLAs Anil Bhardwaj, Bisham Sharma, Hassan Ahmed, Surendra Kumar, Kunwar Karan Singh, Delhi Mahila Congress president Pushpa Singh, Sewal chief organizer Sunil Kumar, Delhi Youth Congress president Akshay Lakra and thousands of Congress workers.

Kia India to invest Rs 35 crores in IIT-Tirupati in five years

By
Priyanka Tanwer
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Kia India is planning to invest Rs 35 crores over a five-year period between 2025 and 2029 to support academic infrastructure, collaborative research programmes, and student development initiatives at the Indian Institute of Technology, Tirupati (IIT-Tirupati).  

This comes after the mass premium carmaker signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IIT-Tirupati.  The collaboration aims to establish the institution as a prominent centre of excellence in advanced manufacturing, electric mobility, and sustainable automotive technologies.

Gwanggu Lee, Managing Director and CEO, Kia India said, “This partnership is not merely the signing of an MoU — it is the coming together of shared values and a unified vision for the future of mobility and engineering in India. By joining forces with IIT-Tirupati, we aim to nurture highly skilled engineers and technologists, equipped to lead advancements in sustainable mobility and industrial manufacturing.”

The MoU outlines a comprehensive framework for cooperation, including the introduction of an internship programme with Pre-Placement Offers (PPOs) for students, thereby facilitating seamless industry-academia integration and providing students with meaningful opportunities for professional growth within Kia India.

Additionally, scholarships and financial assistance will be awarded to deserving M.Tech students, based on both academic merit and financial need, ensuring equitable access to advanced education and resources.

A highlight of the partnership includes the creation of a dedicated ‘Makers Laboratory’, a state-of-the-art collaborative space at IIT-Tirupati designed to foster cross-disciplinary innovation. This facility will enable students to conceptualize, design, and develop functional prototypes, further enhancing the institute’s reputation as a hub for cutting-edge research and applied technological development.

Expressing his views, Prof. KN Satyanarayana, Director, IIT-Tirupati said, ” This initiative will provide our students with exposure to global industry practices, global learning opportunities, and advanced infrastructure. Beyond academic benefits, this partnership signifies our joint resolve to contribute to India’s aspirations in sustainable industrial development and technological leadership.”

Tahawwur Rana sent to Jail till June 6 as NIA Questioning Ends

By
Tehelka Bureau
-

New Delhi: A Special NIA Court on Friday sent 26/11 Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Rana to judicial custody till June 6, marking a temporary break in questioning by the federal probe agency.

On May 3, the NIA had collected voice and handwriting samples of Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian national, in court as a precursor to match them with recordings of his telephonic discussions with 26/11 co-accused David Coleman Headley, an official said.

Rana, who was recently extradited from the US, is suspected to have passed on to Headley handwritten notes sharing instructions, coordinates, and maps which were used to scout 26/11 targets.

The NIA also had plans to take Rana to Mumbai and other cities to reconstruct the chain of events preceding the terror attack that left 166 people dead.

Last month, the Special NIA court extended Rana’s NIA custody by 12 more days to allow investigators to question him.

Special Judge Charan Jit Singh accepted Senior Advocate Dayan Krishnan’s plea that the investigating agency needed more time to uncover Rana’s role in the Mumbai attack of 2008.

Rana was presented in court for an extension of his NIA custody after his 18-day remand ended on April 28.

During the court proceedings, the Special Judge was informed by the NIA about the alleged evasive technique adopted by Rana during questioning.

The court had earlier directed the NIA to conduct a medical test of Rana every 24 hours and allow him to speak to his lawyers every second day.

During his NIA remand, Rana was also questioned by Mumbai Police officers. During the interrogation, Rana claimed that he had “no connection whatsoever” with the planning or execution of the attack.

He also claimed that his childhood friend and co-accused Headley was solely responsible for the reconnaissance and planning aspects of 26/11. Headley is currently in a US jail.

Headley, who turned approver in the case, had earlier admitted to conducting recce missions across India, including in Mumbai, on behalf of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

During questioning, Rana said that apart from Mumbai and Delhi, he had also travelled to Kerala. When asked about the purpose of his visit to Kerala, he claimed he had gone there to meet a known acquaintance and had provided the individual’s name and address to the agency.

Rana, a former officer of the Pakistan Army’s Medical Corps, was extradited to India from the US recently to stand trial in the Mumbai attack case.

Delhi on high alert amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan

By
Priyanka Tanwer
-

Two days after the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan followed by the shelling and counter attacks on the neighbouring country, aftermath of Operation Sindoor, the government has put Delhi on high alert.

The security has been reinforced with additional forces, and police are actively monitoring law and order in the national capital.

According to the official release, the director of civil defence on Friday will be testing the Air Raid Sirens installed at PWD HQ, ITO at 3 pm.

“The testing will commence at 3.00 PM and will be carried out for 15-20 minutes. Accordingly, it is requested that adequate publicity may be made through social and electronic media so that the general public is advised to stay calm and not to panic during the said exercise,” the press release stated.

Earlier during the wee hours of intervening night of May 8 and 9, visitors at the India Gate were asked to leave and evacuate the place as soon as possible in the backdrop of attacks by Pakistan in the various areas of the country including Jammu, Punjab, and Rajasthan where heavy shelling was reported while the air defence system of Delhi defused all of the drone missiles and other threat mid air.

Meanwhile, New Delhi Deputy Commissioner Devesh Mahala said that this was the standard practice to keep the C Hexagon traffic jam-free. “There is nothing new. Anyone can come tomorrow and see it. Police will stay alert and will keep active. Night vigil has been intensified,” he said.

He further added, “We will deploy extra force in every sensitive area.”

On May 8, the situation escalated with Pakistan attacking various areas in Punjab and Jammu with missiles which were later unsterilized by the Indian defence system followed by a befitting response by sending drope missiles to the various cities of Pakistan.  

Meanwhile, Pakistan on Friday rejected reports in the Indian media that it had attacked multiple places in India, saying such claims are “entirely unfounded” and part of a “reckless propaganda campaign”. 

India needs to diversify agriculture towards energy and power sectors: Nitin Gadkari

By
Priyanka Tanwer
-

Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday said that it was time for the country to diversify the agriculture sector towards energy and power sectors as without making agriculture economically viable we cannot make Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Addressing the International Summit and Expo on Bioenergy and value chain, he said, “In our GDP growth, the agriculture sector contributes 14 per cent, the manufacturing sector contributes 22 per cent and service sector contributes 52 to 54 per cent. The problem is that the population that belongs to agriculture is 60 per cent. We need to increase the employment potential in the sector.”

He further said, “The agriculture sector is not economically viable and this is the time we need to find the solution to make our agriculture economically viable as without agriculture, the country cannot be Atmanirbhar. At present the problem is we have a surplus of food grains. We don’t have enough storage capacity for the surplus foodgrains and it is time we diversify it towards the energy and power sector.”

The minister also emphasized on reducing the import of fossil fuel which is creating pollution in the country. He said on the line of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, “we need to cut down the import and increase the export to make the country a five trillion economy,” he added.

The summit organized by Indian Biogas Association also launched a white paper in presence of the minister. The white paper advocates for the unification of existing government initiatives SATAT, GOBARDhan, and CBG blending under a single national mission.

It emphasized the need for centralized tracking, standardized performance benchmarking, and integrated funding mechanisms to drive rapid and large-scale deployment of biogas solutions across the country.

According to the white paper that was launched during 2-day summit in New Delhi, there were key recommendations including Mandate Phase-Wise CBG Blending Across Sectors, formulating a Green Certificate ecosystem, fast-tracking Decentralized Biogas Infrastructure, incentivizing Waste Segregation and feedstock supply chains, Strengthening Rural Energy Access with Clean Cooking Fuel, bridging the Skill Gap through dedicated workforce programmes and empowering women through Biogas Micro-Enterprises.

It also highlighted the critical need for robust skill development, technological innovation, and financial incentives to support the growth of the biogas sector.

Gaurav Kedia, Chairman, Indian Biogas Association said, “Approximately 62 million tonnes of municipal solid waste lacks proper scientific treatment and goes underutilized annually, while over 80 per cent of rural households still depend on biomass fuels. Meanwhile, India imports over 85 per cent of its crude oil, exposing the economy to global price volatility and straining foreign reserves. Unifying all three missions under one will bring in synergies and better management and utilization of existing resources.” 

Rajasthan Border with Pakistan Sealed; Armed Forces on High Alert

By
Tehelka Bureau
-

A day after India’s Operation Sindoor, the 1,037 km-long border that Rajasthan shares with Pakistan has been sealed, and the security significantly tightened. The Border Security Force (BSF) and Indian Air Force (IAF) are on maximum alert, conducting round-the-clock surveillance and combat patrols amid escalating regional tensions.

All Western Sector airbases, including Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Nal, Phalodi, and Uttarlai, are on high alert. Fighter jets, including Sukhoi Su-30 MKIs armed with advanced weaponry, are patrolling the skies from Sri Ganganagar to the Rann of Kutch.

On the ground, the BSF has intensified patrolling near the zero line. Additional troops have been deployed to sensitive sectors to ensure a swift response to any suspicious movement. Soldiers have been granted the authority to engage immediately, even at the slightest provocation.

Anti-drone systems have been activated and are operating 24/7 to prevent any aerial intrusion from across the border.

Despite the heightened military presence, villages along the Rajasthan border have not yet been evacuated.

However, BSF Rajasthan Frontier Inspector General M.L. Garg has confirmed that emergency evacuation plans are in place. Additional personnel have been withdrawn from barracks and are stationed strategically as part of preparedness protocols. In response to current threats, fighter aircraft have been conducting frequent sorties from major Western Sector bases.

On Wednesday morning, the roar of jets filled the skies, with multiple aircraft launching and landing throughout the day. These operations are part of a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) issued for intensive aerial exercises over a 48-hour period. Air defence missile systems have been activated in major Indian cities.

In the event of an enemy aircraft entering Indian airspace, these systems are primed to intercept and neutralise aerial threats instantly.

The Indian Army is also on full operational alert, with all border formations mobilised and ready. In light of recent Indian airstrikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), the Bikaner district administration has taken emergency fuel management measures.

According to an official order issued by District Magistrate and Collector Namrata Vrishni, all petrol pumps in Bikaner are required to reserve 2,000 litres of petrol and 5,000 litres of diesel. This fuel stock will be prioritised for emergency response vehicles and essential services to ensure uninterrupted operations during a crisis.

Further, there has been a significant mobilisation of Pakistani Army personnel in villages adjacent to the Rajasthan border, including regions from Khajuwala to Sri Ganganagar.

The build-up has been reported in several key areas across the border, such as Khara Toba, Sirdakhli, Bijnoth, Zahuriwala, Rahimyar Khan, Sadiqabad, Khanpur, Liaqatpur, Yazman Mandi, Fort Abbas, Mujgarh Fort, Fakirwali, Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, KK Tibba, and Lal Saharana National Park.

Five Killed, 2 Injured as Helicopter crashes near Uttarakhand’s Gangnani

By
Tehelka Bureau
-

Five tourists were killed on the spot and two others injured as a helicopter, in which they were travelling, crashed near Gangnani in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi on Thursday.

The incident occurred around 9 a.m. near Gangnani when the helicopter, belonging to a private company, was flying from Dehradun’s Sahastradhara to Harshil.

Seven people were onboard the helicopter, including passengers Vinit Gupta, Arvind Agarwal, Vipin Agarwal, Pinki Agarwal, Rashmi and Kishore Jadhav, and pilot Robin Singh.

Four passengers hailed from Mumbai while two others from Andhra Pradesh.

After hearing about the accident, locals, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Quick Response Teams (QRTs) and 108 ambulance vehicles rushed to the spot.

Two police teams, headed by cops Naveen Kumar from Bhatwadi and Pushar Jeena from Ujeli, rushed to the spot.

The SDRF team spotted the helicopter in a 200-250 metre gorge, after which the rescue operation was launched. The cause of the accident is yet to be identified.

After getting the news of the tragic incident, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed grief over the demise of those killed in the accident. He also prayed for peace to the departed souls and strength to the bereaved families to bear the irreparable loss. The Chief Minister also instructed the administration to provide all possible help to the injured and probe the incident.

In a post on social media platform X, he said: “Got the news of some casualties in a helicopter crash near Gangani in Uttarkashi. SDRF and district administration teams have immediately reached the spot for relief and rescue work.”

“May God grant peace to the departed souls and strength to the bereaved families to bear this immense sorrow. I have instructed the administration to provide all possible help to the injured and probe the accident. I am constantly in touch with the officials and monitoring every situation,” his post read.

Srinagar airport shut for civilian flights amid India-Pakistan tensions

By
Tehelka Bureau
-

Srinagar: Civilian air traffic in Srinagar and several other northern regions has been suspended following heightened tensions between India and Pakistan after ‘Operation Sindoor.’

Director of Srinagar Airport, Javed Anjum, confirmed that the airfield is closed for the day, with no civilian flights operating from Srinagar Airport on Wednesday.

SpiceJet, in a statement on X, said that airports in Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Dharamshala, and other northern areas are shut until further notice due to the ongoing situation. “Departures, arrivals, and connecting flights may be affected. Passengers are advised to plan their journey accordingly,” the airline said.

IndiGo also issued a travel advisory, alerting passengers that flights to and from Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, Dharamshala, and Bikaner have been impacted due to evolving airspace conditions. The airline urged travelers to check flight status updates before heading to the airport.

The measures come in the wake of escalating border tensions following India’s strikes on terror infrastructure across the Line of Control.

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