PM Modi Slams Congress, NC, PDP as 'Biggest Enemies of Constitution' at Jammu Rally

Issue to be resolved between India and Pakistan now is only the vacation of illegally occupied Indian territory by Pakistan, said EAM Jaishankar

 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday said Pakistan's cross-border terrorism will never succeed and its actions will "certainly have consequences", stressing that it is "karma" that the country's ills are now consuming its own society. In his address to the General Debate of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, Jaishankar also said that the issue to be resolved between India and Pakistan is now only the vacation of illegally occupied Indian territory by Pakistan, and the abandonment of its long standing attachment to terrorism.

The world cannot be fatalistic about the continuation of violence on a large scale, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar warned on Saturday, asserting that the international community seeks “urgent solutions” to the war in Ukraine and the conflict in Gaza. “The UN has always maintained that peace and development go hand-in-hand, yet when challenges to one have emerged, due regard has not been given to the other,” Jaishankar said in his address to the General Debate of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly.

A self-styled zonal commander of outlawed CPI (Maoists), Ram Dayal Mahato, who was carrying a reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head, surrendered in Jharkhand's Giridih district on Saturday, a police statement said.Ram Dayal Mahato alias Bachchan da alias Nilesh da alias Amar da was influenced by the Jharkhand government's surrender and rehabilitation policy and decided to join the mainstream of the society under the "Nayee Disha-Ek Nayee Pahal" initiative of the state police, it said.

The Bihar government has sounded an alert for floods along swollen rivers such as Kosi, Gandak and Ganga in northern and central parts of the state following the release of water from Valmikinagar and Birpur barrages on Saturday, a senior official said.The development may aggravate the condition of over 16.28 lakh people in 13 districts, who were already affected by inundation following heavy rain.

For the second time in September, mobile internet services in Assam will be disabled for eight hours on Sunday to prevent malpractices during the written examination for a recruitment test to Grade III posts.

A 60-year-old man standing under a passenger shelter was killed when a valley gutter collapsed near a Prayagraj Railway Junction gate during heavy rain on Saturday, officials said. Shahganj police station in-charge Vinay Singh said that the deceased was identified as Gurudin Bhartiya, a resident of Bikapur village under Sarai Inayat police station of Prayagraj.

President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday inaugurated the Bharatiya Kala Mahotsav 2024 at the Rashtrapati Nilayam here.  The eight-day-long Kala Mahotsav showcases the art, culture, crafts, and culinary diversity of the north eastern states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura.

The Calcutta High Court’s Port Blair circuit bench has refused to interfere in the government’s decision to change the name of the capital of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, saying it is the prerogative of the executive.On September 13, the central government renamed Port Blair to Sri Vijaya Puram.

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi accused the BJP on Saturday of "murdering" democracy and claimed that the election of a member of the MCD's standing committee was "illegal and unconstitutional".At a press conference here, Atishi said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will approach the Supreme Court against the election held on Friday.

 The engine of a train hit a stone placed on the railway track in the Bairia area here on Saturday, officials said, adding that no damage was caused.     The incident assumes significance as it was a fresh one amid several cases of gas cylinders, pillars etc being found on railway tracks in Uttar Pradesh.

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority has approved a Rs 8,498 crore slum rehabilitation scheme at Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar and Kamraj Nagar in Ghatkopar East, an official said on Saturday. The moves comes just ahead of Maharashtra assembly polls, which will be held before the term of the House ends on November 26.

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Saturday expressed his concern over the urban voter apathy, and said efforts are being made to ensure maximum polling in the ensuing Maharashtra assembly elections.Addressing a press conference in Mumbai after reviewing poll preparedness for the Maharashtra assembly elections, Kumar singled out areas like Colaba and Kalyan in and around Mumbai which recorded “among the lowest” voter turnout in the Lok Sabha polls held this year.

"The Prime Minister is repeatedly saying that J&K will get its statehood back. So far no one from the BJP has been able to explain to us why our statehood was taken away? What benefit did we get by making it a Union Territory? We will wait to get our statehood back after the elections... If there is any delay, we will go to the Supreme Court... and we have full faith in the court. We will definitely get our statehood," Omar Abdullah said. 

"I am writing to you regarding the arrest of 37 Tamil fishermen, and the seizure of their boats by Sri Lankan authorities on September 21, 2024... I request you to kindly take up this matter with the Sri Lankan authorities and ensure the early release of the fishermen and their boats," read the letter. 

"In Maharashtra, there are 288 constituencies of which ST constituencies are 25 and ST constituencies are 29. The term of the Maharashtra legislative assembly is ending on 26 November so elections have to be completed before that. Total electors in the states are 9.59 crores with male being 4.59 crores and female being 4.64 crores...First-time voters from 18-19 years are quite encouraging, around 19.48 lakhs..." said Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar. 

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said the Congress' "incoming government" in Haryana will end "the decade of pain" and the party has resolved to fulfill the hopes and aspirations of the people of the state. Gandhi made the remarks after the Haryana Congress rolled out its detailed poll manifesto for the October 5 state assembly polls, making a host of promises, including setting up of a commission for the farmers' welfare, Rs 2 crore for the families of martyred soldiers, promoting labour-intensive units for generating employment and reconstitution of the Haryana Minority Commission.

Family members of a man who died in a wall collapse in Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain staged a sit-in protest on Saturday, demanding a compensation of Rs 50 lakh.Ajay Yogi (27) and Farheen Rathore (22) were killed, and two others were injured after part of a boundary wall of a building opposite the famous Mahakal temple here collapsed due to heavy rains on Friday evening.

Asserting that Article 370 can only be restored by the Government of India, chairman of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) Ghulam Nabi Azad, took a dig at the National Conference (NC) and the Congress over the "restoration of statehood" of Jammu and Kashmir.

“Congress knows that Dalits don’t vote for them so this is the reason they have closed  its doors for Backward classes and Dalits,” PM Modi said in Hisar. 

“Leaders here are wondering that even after serving the royal family in Delhi, what was their fault? Here every small faction of Congress in Haryana is fighting among themselves in Haryana,” PM Modi said. 

“Father wants to become CM and then his son wants to become CM. Tension brewing up inside Congress on who will become Haryana CM,” PM Modi takes dig at Bhupinder Hooda and Deepinder Hooda in Hisar. 

As many as 135 people were detained during a demolition drive to clear encroachments from government lands near Somnath Temple in Gujarat's Gir Somnath district on Saturday, officials said.Hundreds of police personnel were deployed for the drive undertaken to remove unauthorised structures on government land at Prabhas Patan in Veraval, the site of Somnath Temple, the district administration said in a statement.

As part of their anti-terror preparedness ahead of the festival season, Mumbai police have stepped up security near religious sites and other crowded places across the city, an official said on Saturday.

All senior police officials have been asked to pay special attention to security arrangements in their jurisdiction. Considering the upcoming festivals and elections, mock drills are being conducted, he said.

Police on Friday conducted mock drills at places like Bhaucha Dhakka, Barkat Ali Road, Iskcon temple in Juhu, and Zaveri Bazar to check their security preparedness in the country’s financial capital, which has experienced terror attacks in the past.

All temples in the city have been asked to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities as a precautionary measure, the official said.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has reaffirmed India’s commitment to wider engagement with the seven-nation grouping BIMSTEC in line with its Neighbourhood First and Act East policies.

Jaishankar, who is in the US to attend the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, on Friday chaired the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation's informal Foreign Ministers’ meeting in New York on the sidelines of the high-level session.

The meeting was held to prepare for the BIMSTEC Leaders’ Summit.

"Took stock of our close cooperation in health, food security, trade, investment, economy and energy. Focused on improving physical, maritime and digital connectivity across the region. Explored opportunities for capacity building, skill development and improving people-to-people ties," Jaishankar said in a post on X.

The shutdown in Manipur's Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts affected normal life on Saturday, officials said.

Markets and other commercial establishments remained shut, while vehicles stayed off the roads, they said.

No untoward incidents have so far been reported, they added.

The shutdown began in the two districts on Friday and would continue till Sunday.

The Bihar government has sounded an alert for floods along swollen Kosi, Gandak and Ganga rivers in northern and central parts of the state following the release of water from Valmikinagar and Birpur barrages on Saturday, a senior official said.

A total of 5.7 cusecs of water was released from Birpur Barrage on Kosi River till noon, the highest in the recent past, Santosh Kumar Mall, Principal Secretary of the state Water Resources Department told PTI.

He added that all safety measures are being ensured for securing the embankments.

Similarly, 4.20 lakh cusecs of water was released from Valmikinagar Barrage till noon.

"The water level of several rivers has been rising across the state, following continuous rainfall over the past two-three days. Incessant rainfall in the catchment areas of Nepal has also led to rivers touching or flowing above the danger level at several places in the bordering districts," the senior official said.

Following the heavy discharge of water from these two barrages, the excess river water entered low-lying areas in Jogapatti, Nautan, Gaunaha, Bagaha-1, Bagaha-2, Ramnagar, Majhaulia and Narkatiaganj blocks in West Champaran and several areas of East Champaran, officials said.

People in Jammu and Kashmir are looking forward to a government free of "corruption, terrorism and separatism" for peace and a better future for their children, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday.

Addressing an election rally in support of BJP candidates at M A M Stadium here, he said this assembly election has given a historic opportunity to the people of Jammu to decide the next government.

They need to seize this moment and choose the BJP, Modi said.

Suspected militants fired at a village in Manipur's Jiribam district on Saturday, police said.

Armed men fired indiscriminately at Mongbung Meitei village from nearby hilltops and surrounding thick forests prompting retaliation from village volunteers in the area, they said.

Quoting villagers, a police officer said several women, children and elderly are being evacuated to safer places.

'Massive Voter Turnout in 2 Phases of J-k Polls, It's Certain BJP Will Form Govt Here': PM Modi at Rally in Jammu 

A total of 27 roads were closed for vehicular traffic in Himachal Pradesh following rains, officials said on Saturday.

Sporadic showers continued in the state with Naina Devi logging the highest rainfall of 84.2 mm followed by 51.2 mm in Raipur Maidan, 28.6 mm in Olinda, 23.4 mm in Una and 9.4 mm in Brahmani, the officials said.

The highest number of 10 roads were closed in Kangra, seven each in Mandi and Sirmaur, two in Kullu and one in Shimla district, according to the state emergency operation centre (SEOC).

The number of power supply schemes affected by the rains in the state stands at 131, the SEOC said.

Jammu and Kashmir: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "Congress can never respect those who die for the country. It is the same Congress which made our army families yearn for 'One Rank, One Pension' for 4 decades.

'Jammu People Are Unhappy with Three Families of Congress, NC and PPD,' says PM Modi

‘People Want Bright Future for their Children That's Why They Want BJP’ says PM Modi at Jammu Rally 

PM Modi Addresses BJP's 'Sankalp Maha Rally' In Jammu & Kashmir.

An alert has been sounded in several districts of Bihar as the IMD predicted heavy rain and warned of low to moderate flash flood risk in parts of the state, officials said on Saturday.

Heavy rain is likely in West and East Champaran, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Muzaffarpur, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran, Vaishali, Patna, Jehanabad, Madhubani and Bhojpur districts, an India Meteorological Department (IMD) bulletin issued on Friday said.

"These districts are at risk of low to moderate flash floods over the next 24 hours," it said.

The state disaster management department asked the administration of the districts to remain on alert and take preventive measures in the wake of the forecast.

Around 12 districts situated along the Ganga, including Buxar, Bhojpur, Saran, Patna, Samastipur, Begusarai, Munger and Bhagalpur, are already experiencing a flood-like situation, and nearly 13.5 lakh people living in low-lying areas have been affected by rising water levels of rivers, following torrential rainfall, officials said.

A large number of people from the affected districts have been evacuated and brought to relief camps, they said.

Foreign investment in Indian stocks surge to record high with Rs 23,600 crore inflows this week.

At least four security forces personnel and a traffic police officer were injured in an encounter with terrorists in the Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, police said.

The gunbattle broke out in Adigam village in the Devsar area of the district after security forces launched a cordon and search operation.

Additional SP (traffic) Mumtaz Ali suffered minor injuries after being struck by a stray bullet near the encounter site, officials said.

Two villages in Naxalite-hit Bastar district of Chhattisgarh have been awarded in separate categories under the 'Best Tourism Village Competition 2024' by the Ministry of Tourism, officials said on Saturday.

The awards were presented to Chitrakote and Dhudmaras villages by Union Minister for Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat during an event on the World Tourism Day held in Delhi on Friday, a government official here said.

While Chitrakote, famous for its magnificent waterfall, was awarded for its community-driven tourism model, Dhudmaras was recognised for its adventure tourism excellence, he said.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai extended his wishes to people of the two villages and the tourism department and said the honour further strengthens his government's commitment to establish Chhattisgarh as a major tourist destination.

The achievement will give more impetus to the tourism industry in the state. Efforts are being made to promote wellness tourism, adventure tourism and cultural heritage in the state, Sai said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday paid tributes to renowned playback singer Lata Mangeshkar on her 95th birth anniversary, and recalled his “special bond” with her.

He said on X, "Remembering Lata Didi on her birth anniversary. She will always live on in the hearts and minds of people due to her soulful songs." "Lata Didi and I had a special bond. I have been fortunate to receive her affection and blessings,” he added.

The prime minister also shared an article written by her brother and music composer Hridaynath Mangeshkar in the Indian Express, which highlighted the bond between Modi and the great singer.

The unchallenged queen of playback singing for several decades, Lata Mangeshkar has been hailed by connoisseurs for her mastery of the intricacies of classical music and adored by the masses for the popular connect of her voice.

She passed away in 2022.

Arvind Kejriwal will vacate the CM residence soon. He has intensified his search for new accommodation

People from all walks of life—MLAs, councilors, party workers, and citizens— are offering him accommodation regardless of their social, economic, or political backgrounds

Arvind Kejriwal is prioritising locations near New Delhi assembly constituency, as he intends to remain connected with his constituency: Aam Admi Party

In a strong retort, India has slammed Pakistan in the UN General Assembly, saying its “fingerprints" are on terrorist incidents across the world and the country should realise that cross-border terrorism against India will “inevitably invite consequences”. India exercised its Right of Reply in the UN General Assembly on Friday in response to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif raising the issue of Jammu and Kashmir in his address at the General Debate of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly.

“This Assembly regrettably witnessed a travesty this morning. A country run by the military, with a global reputation for terrorism, narcotics trade and transnational crime has had the audacity to attack the world's largest democracy,” First Secretary in India’s Permanent Mission to the UN Bhavika Mangalanandan said, delivering India’s Right of Reply.

“It has attacked our Parliament, our financial capital Mumbai, marketplaces and pilgrimage routes,” she said, referring to the 2001 Indian Parliament attack and the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks carried out by Pakistan-based terror groups.

“The list is long. For such a country to speak about violence anywhere is hypocrisy at its worst,” Mangalanandan said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday paid homage to revolutionary freedom fighter Bhagat Singh on his birth anniversary.

Paying tribute to him on X, he said Bhagat Singh sacrificed his life to protect the self-respect of the motherland.

Born in 1907, Singh was hanged by the British at an age of 23 for his involvement in revolutionary activities and is a iconic symbol of India's resistance to the colonial rule. 

An encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces in the Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, police said.

The gunbattle broke out in Adigam village of Devsar area after security personnel launched a cordon and search operation.

"Encounter has started at Adigam Devsar area of Kulgam. Police and security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow," Kashmir Zone Police posted on X.

No casualties have been reported from either side so far. 

Countries like Chile, Canada, Malaysia have shown keen interest for importing the Vande Bharat Trains from India. It is learnt from informed sources that for several reasons external buyers are attracted towards Vande Bharat.

Sources said cost effectiveness is the key factor, trains with similar features manufactured in other countries cost in the range of Rs 160-180 crores, whereas India manufactures the Vande Bharat at much less, at a cost ranging from Rs 120 to 130 crores.

Vande Bharat also beats competitors when it comes to pick up speed. Sources say, Vande Bharat takes just 52 seconds to reach from 0 to 100 kmph; this exceeds Japan's bullet train, that takes 54 second to get from 0-100 Kmph.

Ahead of the third phase of elections in Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that Jammu and Kashmir also has the right to development and cited the example of UP saying that only the double engine government could bring prosperity to the Union Territory.

He was addressing a public rally in Ramnagar on Friday. 

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said on Friday that Bangladesh's situation could not improve without India.

Speaking at a government function on World Tourism Day, he said the people of Bangladesh should remember India's contribution to their independence.

"There is no point in talking about Bangladesh. We thought that flight services to Bangladesh would start by now, but the present situation there... It will happen for sure someday as without India, Bangladesh's situation cannot improve. They should understand the kind of sacrifices our Army made, and the help our people provided for Bangladesh's independence. It shouldn't be forgotten," he said.

"I will ask them repeatedly, remember how the people of Tripura helped for your independence. We provided help in every way possible... It cannot go on like the way things are in Bangladesh," he added.

Highlighting the initiatives taken by his government for promoting tourism, the CM said the government was planning to turn the Old Governor House, Pushpabant Palace, into a five-star hotel keeping its past glory intact.

India reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to improving social determinants of health during the G20 Joint Finance-Health Task Force (JFHTF) High-Level Meeting held at the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, a Union health ministry statement said on Friday.

The session was centred on "prioritising investments in the health sector advancing the development and implementation of debt-for-health swap arrangements and the role of social determinants of health", it said.

Union Minister of State for Health Anupriya Patel, who was a lead speaker at the event, highlighted the "Role of Social Determinants of Health in Supporting Health Investments Priorities", and how leveraging debt-for-health swaps can directly address the SDH.

She also underscored the crucial intersection of health and finance in mitigating the impact of future health emergencies and alleviating economic burdens, the statement said.

The Food Safety and Drug Administration Department on Friday collected samples of 'elaichi daana' or cardamom seeds being distributed as 'prasad' at the Ram Janmabhoomi temple here and sent them for testing, officials said.

The action was taken following a complaint lodged through the Integrated Grievance Redressal System (IGRS), Assistant Food Commissioner Manik Chand Singh said.

Singh said the samples were procured from Haiderganj, where the cardamom seed offerings are prepared and sent to the Jhansi State Laboratory for comprehensive testing and evaluation.

Prakash Gupta, the officer in charge of the Ram Temple trust, revealed that on average, around 80,000 packets of cardamom seeds are distributed daily as a sacred offering.

Amid a row over the alleged presence of animal fat in laddus at the Tirupati Temple in Andhra Pradesh, the chief priest of the Ram temple here on Thursday questioned the purity of ghee being sold nationwide and said 'prasad' should be prepared under the supervision of temple priests only.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, during her address at the Uzbekistan-India Business Forum on Friday, emphasised the vast trade opportunities between India and Uzbekistan.

She pushed for increased trade and urged the chambers of commerce of both countries to create a roadmap to achieve the USD 3 Billion trade set by the leadership of the two countries. 

Asserting that the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls are being held peacefully and without any violence, BJP president J P Nadda on Friday said the people of the Union Territory have rejected bullets and chosen ballots, focusing on peace and development.

Addressing a press conference here, Nadda also said Kashmir's youngsters have joined the national mainstream and rejected terrorism and violence.

"It is a historic occasion when the people of Jammu and Kashmir have rejected bullets and chosen the path of ballots. They have given a befitting reply to bullets," the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president said.

The Centre lifted the ban on the export of non-basmati white rice on Friday with immediate effect, according to a notification.

In July 2023, the government imposed the ban to ensure the domestic supply of rice and keep prices under control.

Exporters hailed the decision, dubbing it a "game-changer" for the sector.

"India's bold decision to lift restrictions on non-basmati white rice exports is a game-changer for the agricultural sector," said Rice Villa CEO Suraj Agarwal.