President Murmu approves 78 gallantry awards

President Droupadi Murmu has approved a total of seventy-eight gallantry awards, including nine Kirti Chakras and nineteen Shaurya Chakras, recognizing the exceptional bravery of defence personnel and central armed police forces. Many of these awards are awarded posthumously. This recognition underscores the remarkable commitment and courage displayed by individuals across the Army, Navy, and Air Force, emphasizing the nation's deep respect and appreciation for their service.

Chairing the monthly Pragati meeting on Tuesday, Modi is learned to have told the top bureaucrats that such things are “unacceptable” and the system won’t work like this. Modi reviewed six infrastructure projects across railway, road and power sectors, spanning nine states with a cumulative cost of over Rs 30,000 crore. He said infrastructure projects should be viewed and monitored as an integrated whole, rather than as isolated sections, stretches or packages.

Delivering a keynote statement at the opening ceremony of the Small Island Developing States Global Business Network (SIDS GBN) Forum 2026, Muizzu outlined an economic modernization plan aimed at turning geographic constraints into digital and strategic advantages. With the global dialogue surrounding small island nations focused on their acute climate risk, geographical isolation, and structural economic constraints, Muizzu stressed that vulnerability represents only half the story.

Home Minister Amit Shah has announced a strategic vision to rid India of illegal immigration in the near future. This initiative involves collaborating with border states through a four-pronged strategy aimed at bolstering security. The plan includes the participation of border forces, state administrations, central agencies, and local communities. Shah further highlighted the commitment to tackle terrorism and drug issues with proactive interventions, aiming for a developed nation by 2047.

Rahul Gandhi has publicly supported Kriti Sanon over her outfit in a Raksha Bandhan ad, asserting that women's clothing choices should be respected as personal. Sanon further pondered the absurdity of judging cultural values based on attire, affirming that genuine traditions stem from the heart rather than the neck. Earlier, Kangana Ranaut also attacked Sanon's fashion choice and the advertisement's overall styling.

Rahul Gandhi has publicly supported Kriti Sanon over her outfit in a Raksha Bandhan ad, asserting that women's clothing choices should be respected as personal. Sanon further pondered the absurdity of judging cultural values based on attire, affirming that genuine traditions stem from the heart rather than the neck. Earlier, Kangana Ranaut also attacked Sanon's fashion choice and the advertisement's overall styling.

The Congress party's choice to sing two stanzas of Vande Mataram sparked intense backlash from the BJP, with Union ministers accusing them of engaging in appeasement politics and being responsible for the partition. Congress leaders defended their actions by invoking historical importance, while they criticized the BJP for politicizing the issue. This controversy underscores Congress's struggle to navigate its revival strategy amidst opposing pressures.

India's food regulator FSSAI has taken action against several major food business operators. Companies like Amway India and Juza Foods have removed misleading claims from their products. These corrective actions follow notices issued over regulatory violations and consumer safety concerns. FSSAI's enforcement drive targets false advertisements and labelling discrepancies across the industry. Many businesses are now revising packaging and withdrawing problematic advertisements.

The Aam Aadmi Party criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party after waterlogging occurred at Talkatora Stadium. BJP leaders had gathered there to flag off "Pavan Mati Kalash" processions for Sant Ravidas' birth anniversary. AAP MLA Kuldeep Kumar shared a video showing the event amidst flooded stadium grounds. He sarcastically congratulated Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta for the arrangements. The BJP stated the campaign aims to spread Sant Ravidas' teachings across society.

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram argued against simultaneous elections in 2029. He stated the proposed legislation violates constitutional basics and federal democracy principles. Chidambaram believes the bill's text prevents elections in 2029, which he sees as fortunate. The parliamentary committee received suggestions to define grounds for deferring state polls. Opposition parties plan a nationwide campaign against the "constitutional monstrosity" legislation.

Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged Prime Minister Narendra Modi's role in strengthening bilateral ties.He noted that trade turnover between Russia and India has significantly increased this year.External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar conveyed good wishes and discussed economic cooperation details.Both leaders anticipate future meetings at upcoming international summits.The India-Russia partnership demonstrates resilience and adaptability amidst global complexities.

Abhijeet Dipke is on a mission to uncover the state of government school infrastructure and staffing. He is probing ministers about the conditions of renovations and the number of teacher vacancies across various states. Additionally, he seeks insights on school funding and emphasizes the pressing need for more institutions. With an urge for immediate enhancements in public education, he raises flags about basic facilities and the workloads faced by educators.