Category: LATEST NEWS

Tragedy at Tirupati: Stampede Claims Six Lives During Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam

Manish Kumar

A devastating stampede on Wednesday night at the Tirupati temple in Andhra Pradesh claimed the lives of at least six devotees and left dozens injured. The tragic incident occurred as hundreds of pilgrims gathered at Vishnu Nivasam to secure tokens for the much-anticipated Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam at the Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple. This unfortunate event has brought into focus the need for better crowd management and safety measures during significant religious festivals. The Incident The stampede unfolded when the gates were opened for the devotees, resulting in a surge of…

Modi Government Introduces Digital Farmer IDs for PM-Kisan Beneficiaries

Manish Kumar

New Delhi—The Modi government has mandated Digital Farmer IDs (Kisan Pehchaan Patra) for new beneficiaries of the PM-Kisan direct cash transfer scheme starting January 1, 2025. This move aims to modernize welfare delivery for farmers, ensuring transparency, efficiency, and better access to agricultural schemes. What Are Digital Farmer IDs? The Kisan Pehchaan Patra is a unique digital ID linked to a farmer’s land records. It will include: Farmer’s name Landholding information Details of crops grown Other relevant data for welfare schemes These IDs aim to support approximately 110 million farmers…

Tirupati Stampede: Six Dead, Over 40 Injured in Tragic Incident Near Temple

Manish Kumar

Tirupati—A tragic stampede claimed six lives and left over 40 injured on Wednesday evening during the distribution of ‘Vaikunthadwara Darshan’ tokens near the Vishnu Niwasam counter at the Tirumala Srivari Temple. The incident, attributed to overcrowding and poor crowd management, has raised serious concerns about safety protocols during high-attendance religious events. What Happened? The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) began distributing 1.2 lakh darshan tokens at 94 counters across nine centers, including Vishnu Niwasam, Srinivasam, and Padmavati Park, for the Ekadasi darshan on January 10. Around 8 PM, chaos erupted when…

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas: Celebrating the Global Indian Connection

Manish Kumar

Honoring a Legacy of Unity and Progress Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD), celebrated annually since 2003, marks the profound connection between India and its vibrant diaspora. The event commemorates the return of Mahatma Gandhi, India’s greatest Pravasi, from South Africa in 1915—a moment that catalyzed India’s freedom movement. Over the years, PBD has evolved into a vital platform for strengthening ties between Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and their motherland, fostering collaboration for India’s development. The 18th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention, held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, from January 7–10, 2025, has…

Joint Parliamentary Committee Holds First Meeting on ‘One Nation, One Election’ Bills

Manish Kumar

The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), chaired by BJP MP PP Chaudhary, convened its first meeting on Wednesday to examine two bills proposing simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies across India. Officials from the Ministry of Law and Justice provided a comprehensive briefing on the provisions of the proposed legislation. This significant step follows the introduction of the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill during the recent Winter Session of Parliament. These bills aim to streamline governance and reduce electoral expenses by aligning…

Devastating 7.1 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Nepal-Tibet Border

Manish Kumar

On a quiet Tuesday morning, a 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck near the Nepal-Tibet border at around 6:35 am, causing widespread destruction. At least 53 people lost their lives, 62 were injured, and numerous buildings collapsed in the affected regions. The epicenter, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS), was in Tibet, about 93 kilometers northeast of Lobuche, Nepal—a settlement near the Khumbu Glacier and close to Everest Base Camp. Widespread Impact Across Regions The tremors were felt across Nepal, Tibet, and northern India, including Bihar, West Bengal, and Assam. Even Thimphu,…

Lockdown Trends on Social Media After 5 HMPV Cases Reported in India

Manish Kumar

Concerns over the spread of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) have sparked a flurry of activity on social media, with the hashtag #Lockdown trending as netizens share humorous takes and parallels to the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The trend follows reports of five confirmed HMPV cases in India, spanning Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, and Chennai. Social Media Reactions Social media users were quick to draw comparisons to the nationwide lockdown during the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020. One user joked on platform X, “It’s time to buy plates and spoons again,” referencing the…

Woman Attempts to Kill Youth After Refusal to Marry, Police in Noida Investigating

Manish Kumar

A 21-year-old BCom student, Dheeraj, was hospitalized after allegedly being poisoned by a woman, Priya, who had befriended him on social media. The incident occurred in Greater Noida on December 24. The police have registered a case of attempted murder against Priya and her accomplices. Key Details: Incident Overview: Dheeraj, who resides in Ronija village, received a call from Priya asking him to meet her. They had been friends for about six months, having met online. Priya spiked his fruit juice and made him drink it. Later, she allegedly called…

India’s Response to HMPV and Respiratory Illness Concerns Amid Situation in China

Manish Kumar

The Union Health Ministry has reassured the public regarding the spread of HMPV (human metapneumovirus) and rising respiratory illnesses in China, stating that the situation is not unusual. In response to concerns about the potential for these illnesses to spread to India, the ministry emphasized that India is well-prepared to handle respiratory diseases, particularly during the ongoing flu season. Key Points from the Ministry’s Statement: No Unusual Surge in India: The health ministry stated that there is no unusual increase in respiratory illnesses in India, citing data from surveillance systems…

Delhi NCR Weather Update: Rainfall Expected in Several Areas, Cold Wave to Intensify

Manish Kumar

Residents of Delhi NCR are bracing for light to moderate rainfall as predicted by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The showers, accompanied by light thunderstorms and lightning, are expected to bring temporary relief from air pollution but intensify the ongoing cold wave in the region. Rainfall Forecast According to the IMD, several areas of Delhi, including Rohini, Dwarka, Palam, IGI Airport, Mundaka, Pashchim Vihar, Rajouri Garden, and Ayanagar, are likely to experience rainfall over the next few hours. In the National Capital Region (NCR), rainfall is anticipated in locations such…