August 28, 2026

July 2026

Representative image NEW DELHI: Government schools have made the sharpest gains in internet connectivity over three years, increasing coverage from 46.2% in 2023-24 to 63.1% in 2025-26 and narrowing their gap with aided and private schools from about 28 percentage points to around 16. Their share of functional smart classrooms also rose from 21.2% to 32.2%, though it remains below aided schools at 41% and private unaided schools at 39.9%.The latest UDISE+ report shows 67.4% of schools had internet facilities, up from 63.5% in 2024-25 and 53.9% in 2023-24, and that all schools in Goa have internet coverage while West Bengal lags at 19.7% in 2025-26.Excluding UTs, Andhra Pradesh followed Goa at 99.2% coverage, ahead of Tamil Nadu at 99%, Gujarat at 96.8% and Kerala at 92.6%. At the bottom, Bengal was followed by Arunachal Pradesh at 36%, Meghalaya at 36.4%, Manipur at 38.8% and Tripura at 42.5%.Goa rose from 87.6% in 2023-24 to full coverage and Andhra Pradesh from 93.9% to 99.2%. Among the bottom five, Meghalaya gained nearly 12 points and Tripura over seven, while Bengal edged up from 17.5% to 19.7%.Management-wise, internet access in govt-aided schools rose from 73.3% to 79.7% and private unaided coverage from 74.3% to 79.2%.A similar gap persists in computer availability. Overall, 69.9% of schools had computers in 2025-26 – 66.9% govt, 76.6% aided and 80% private unaided schools. For computers used for teaching, the shares were lower at 59.4%, 73.7% and 74%, respectively.Smart-classroom coverage nationally rose from 24.4% in 2023-24 to 33.9% in 2025-26. Govt schools posted an 11-point gain, compared with increases from 31% to 41% in aided schools and 34.6% to 39.9% in private schools.Digital libraries remained scarce, available in only 7.1% of schools – 5.7% govt, 10.4% aided and 11.2% private unaided institutions.The report says NE envisages schools equipped with “computing devices, internet, libraries” and other infrastructure to create “a safe, inclusive, and effective learning environment”.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorManash Pratim GohainManash Pratim Gohain is a seasoned journalist with over two decades at The Times of India, where he has built a rich body of work spanning education policy, politics, and governance. Renowned for his incisive coverage of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, accreditation reforms, and skilling initiatives, he has also reported on student politics, urban policy, and social movements. His political reportage—both reflective and news-driven—adds depth to his writing, bridging policy with public impact. Through his 2,500 articles and related outlets, he has emerged as a trusted voice in national discourse, particularly in linking education reform to broader societal change.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Black Magic, Cow Urine’: Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader’s Daughter-In-Law Makes Shocking Allegations’I Lock Up Religion When…’: Annamalai Confirms ‘We The Leaders’ Will Become Political PartyWatch: Assam CM Himanta Sarma Drives Road Roller, Destroys Seized Drugs’1 Indian Missing’: MEA Condemns Attack On Vessel Carrying Indian Crew Off Oman Coast’Do I Have To Ask Trump?’: Omar Abdullah Launches Attack At Modi Govt Over Jammu-Kashmir StatehoodBJP Rejects Omar Abdullah’s ‘Operation Lotus’ Allegation, Demands Proof Or Public ApologyHapur Woman Critical After Allegedly Drinking Acid From Sealed Water Bottle; Police Launch ProbeElection Commission Updates Form 6 With New SIR DeclarationIndian Army Plans To Induct 450 Carl Gustaf M4 Rocket LaunchersDelhi To Get Its First Solar Tree At Secretariat; Pilot Project May Expand Across The City123PhotostoriesThese 4 signs are said to have the highest IQWomen over 30, especially mothers, face these 5 common health problems: Doctor says early prevention can make all the differenceTrying for a baby? This one dental habit could make a difference”Scrambled egg mein crush…aur phir”: Raj Thackeray shares his unique Egg recipe loved by his father and Bal ThackerayForget crash diets and health hacks: Cardiologist reveals 5 simple daily habits that can transform your health, one day at a timeTop 3 eggs in the world and the right way to consume themnside Sudesh Lehri’s luxurious 4-BHK Mumbai home: A private studio, home theatre and moreWhy seemingly healthy young Indians are collapsing without warning: Doctors explain how AEDS can mean the difference between life and deathKate Middleton ditched soft neutrals for a show-stopping red look at Wimbledon 20265 late-night drinks that help support healthy blood sugar, according to dietitians123Hot PicksAgniveer result 2026DU UG Admissions 2026Vietnam boat accidentSonam Wangchuk Hunger strikeIslam makhachevKarnataka Bus newsBengaluru delivery boyKolkata Mosque prayersHamad bin Khalifa Al ThaniTop TrendingUFC 329 HighlightsNHL Player InjuryErling Haaland FatherFIFA World Cup 2026Chhattisgarh Student MurderTS EAMCET Phase 1 seat allotmentRamesh MhatreDelhi NCR rainGurgaon EncounterIran war

Representative image NEW DELHI: Government schools have made the sharpest gains in internet connectivity over three years, increasing coverage from 46.2% in 2023-24 to 63.1% in 2025-26 and narrowing their gap with aided and private schools from about 28 percentage points to around 16. Their share of functional smart classrooms also rose from 21.2% to 32.2%, though it remains below aided schools at 41% and private unaided schools at 39.9%.The latest UDISE+ report shows 67.4% of schools had internet facilities, up from 63.5% in 2024-25 and 53.9% in 2023-24, and that all schools in Goa have internet coverage while West Bengal lags at 19.7% in 2025-26.Excluding UTs, Andhra Pradesh followed Goa at 99.2% coverage, ahead of Tamil Nadu at 99%, Gujarat at 96.8% and Kerala at 92.6%. At the bottom, Bengal was followed by Arunachal Pradesh at 36%, Meghalaya at 36.4%, Manipur at 38.8% and Tripura at 42.5%.Goa rose from 87.6% in 2023-24 to full coverage and Andhra Pradesh from 93.9% to 99.2%. Among the bottom five, Meghalaya gained nearly 12 points and Tripura over seven, while Bengal edged up from 17.5% to 19.7%.Management-wise, internet access in govt-aided schools rose from 73.3% to 79.7% and private unaided coverage from 74.3% to 79.2%.A similar gap persists in computer availability. Overall, 69.9% of schools had computers in 2025-26 – 66.9% govt, 76.6% aided and 80% private unaided schools. For computers used for teaching, the shares were lower at 59.4%, 73.7% and 74%, respectively.Smart-classroom coverage nationally rose from 24.4% in 2023-24 to 33.9% in 2025-26. Govt schools posted an 11-point gain, compared with increases from 31% to 41% in aided schools and 34.6% to 39.9% in private schools.Digital libraries remained scarce, available in only 7.1% of schools – 5.7% govt, 10.4% aided and 11.2% private unaided institutions.The report says NE envisages schools equipped with “computing devices, internet, libraries” and other infrastructure to create “a safe, inclusive, and effective learning environment”.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorManash Pratim GohainManash Pratim Gohain is a seasoned journalist with over two decades at The Times of India, where he has built a rich body of work spanning education policy, politics, and governance. Renowned for his incisive coverage of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, accreditation reforms, and skilling initiatives, he has also reported on student politics, urban policy, and social movements. His political reportage—both reflective and news-driven—adds depth to his writing, bridging policy with public impact. Through his 2,500 articles and related outlets, he has emerged as a trusted voice in national discourse, particularly in linking education reform to broader societal change.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Black Magic, Cow Urine’: Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader’s Daughter-In-Law Makes Shocking Allegations’I Lock Up Religion When…’: Annamalai Confirms ‘We The Leaders’ Will Become Political PartyWatch: Assam CM Himanta Sarma Drives Road Roller, Destroys Seized Drugs’1 Indian Missing’: MEA Condemns Attack On Vessel Carrying Indian Crew Off Oman Coast’Do I Have To Ask Trump?’: Omar Abdullah Launches Attack At Modi Govt Over Jammu-Kashmir StatehoodBJP Rejects Omar Abdullah’s ‘Operation Lotus’ Allegation, Demands Proof Or Public ApologyHapur Woman Critical After Allegedly Drinking Acid From Sealed Water Bottle; Police Launch ProbeElection Commission Updates Form 6 With New SIR DeclarationIndian Army Plans To Induct 450 Carl Gustaf M4 Rocket LaunchersDelhi To Get Its First Solar Tree At Secretariat; Pilot Project May Expand Across The City123PhotostoriesThese 4 signs are said to have the highest IQWomen over 30, especially mothers, face these 5 common health problems: Doctor says early prevention can make all the differenceTrying for a baby? This one dental habit could make a difference”Scrambled egg mein crush…aur phir”: Raj Thackeray shares his unique Egg recipe loved by his father and Bal ThackerayForget crash diets and health hacks: Cardiologist reveals 5 simple daily habits that can transform your health, one day at a timeTop 3 eggs in the world and the right way to consume themnside Sudesh Lehri’s luxurious 4-BHK Mumbai home: A private studio, home theatre and moreWhy seemingly healthy young Indians are collapsing without warning: Doctors explain how AEDS can mean the difference between life and deathKate Middleton ditched soft neutrals for a show-stopping red look at Wimbledon 20265 late-night drinks that help support healthy blood sugar, according to dietitians123Hot PicksAgniveer result 2026DU UG Admissions 2026Vietnam boat accidentSonam Wangchuk Hunger strikeIslam makhachevKarnataka Bus newsBengaluru delivery boyKolkata Mosque prayersHamad bin Khalifa Al ThaniTop TrendingUFC 329 HighlightsNHL Player InjuryErling Haaland FatherFIFA World Cup 2026Chhattisgarh Student MurderTS EAMCET Phase 1 seat allotmentRamesh MhatreDelhi NCR rainGurgaon EncounterIran war

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

NEW DELHI: Government schools have made the sharpest gains in internet connectivity over three years, increasing coverage from 46.2% in 2023-24 to 63.1% in 2025-26 and narrowing their gap with aided and private schools from about 28 percentage points to around 16. Their share of functional smart classrooms also rose from 21.2% to 32.2%, though…

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‘Maa Inti Bangaaram’ OTT release CONFIRMED: When and where to watch Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s action flick

‘Maa Inti Bangaaram’ OTT release CONFIRMED: When and where to watch Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s action flick

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

‘Maa Inti Bangaaram’ OTT release CONFIRMED: When and where to watch Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s action flick Directed by B. V. Nandini Reddy, ‘Maa Inti Bangaaram’ has become the highest-grossing female-led Telugu film. It also marks the biggest box office success of Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s career as a solo lead. Now, the film is all set…

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An excavator undertakes the filling of Harahi pond in Darbhanga Supreme Court has agreed to intervene in a case of alleged encroachment of three iconic water bodies in the Bihar town following a petition by a civil society groupDarbhanga sits at the heart of Mithilanchal, the mythic land of Sita that forms part of Bihar’s northeast. It is a region rich in lore and timeless rituals. And central to those rituals are lakes and ponds, by whose banks people mark and commemorate every landmark from birth to death. Central as the water bodies are to its community life, many of them are facing a slow death. The plight of three such lakes has now prompted an intervention by the Supreme Court itself.The apex court usually refrains from entertaining matters related to local issues and asks petitioners to approach high courts. But it agreed to examine the case in which the petitioners have accused the govt itself of posing a threat to the three water bodies – Ganga Sagar, Digghi, and Harahi, which were built by three local kings and have been around for nearly a millennium – by launching a ‘beautification’ project under the Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation (BUIDCO).A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta has sought an explanation from Bihar govt over the BUIDCO plan. Locals say the govt’s plan to fill parts of the ponds to construct kiosks, restaurants, and pavements is nothing but encroachment in the guise of “beautification”. Eklavya Prasad, who has worked extensively on the conservation of water bodies said “the govt is causing irreversible damage to the ponds in the name of beautification”.Deciding to act on their concerns, a group of retired academics, environmentalists, and citizens under the banner of Talab Bachao Abhiyan (TBA) said in their plea that the filling of ponds violates orders passed by National Green Tribunal (NGT), high court, and Supreme Court itself. The petitioners want the removal of all encroachments around the ponds, and their restoration “to their original position as depicted in the maps of the years 1868 and 1960”.Narayan Chaudhary, who heads TBA and has spent decades fighting legal battles to save water bodies, said the crisis of the Darnbhanga ponds has been unfolding for years, but authorities did not recognise it. “Per the District Gazetteer of 1964, Darbhanga – once called the ‘city of ponds’ – had 350 ponds. The Darbhanga Nagar Nigam now puts the figure at less than 100. That means around 250 ponds have disappeared in 60 years. Now, the govt itself is filling historic ponds in violation of Wetland Rules and judicial orders. Per official records, the three ponds spread over 253 bighas, but more than 25% of the area is under encroachment,” he said.Slamming the BUIDCO project, retired professor of botany Vidya Nath Jha said it would lead to the death of the ponds. “Filling parts of the water bodies will destroy biodiversity and the self-cleaning capacity maintained by insects and aquatic life,” he told TOI.Mithilanchal has a long tradition of constructing ponds as a water management system suited to its flood-prone, riverine landscape. Districts like Madhubani had over 10,000 ponds and Darbhanga around 9,000. These ponds serve as vital rainwater harvesting structures and recharge groundwater, mitigate floods by storing excess water, and provide water during droughts.Sayed Shamim Ahmad, who came to the city as a student in 1964 and retired as a professor, talks of the larger loss that occurs when a pond is filled. “During my PhD research in 1980, I had mapped 108 wetlands where 88 types of birds, including migratory ones, used to come. More than 60% of the wetlands have now vanished. Ponds have gone, groundwater is depleting, and a water crisis is looming. It is high time the govt gave priority to the preservation of water bodies,” he said.The concerns of experts and members of civil society speak to a larger phenomenon visible across Bihar. Per the 2025 water bodies census, the total number of water bodies in Bihar is 36,856, a 19% drop from the 2019 census.As Darbhanga waits on SC to save its water bodies, environmentalist Prasad underlined the issue at stake. “The govt needs to know that revival and preservation is not just about physical structures – it requires maintaining the entire ecosystem, water quality, biodiversity, and making people connect with the ponds. Filling ponds for commercial activity may draw crowds, but will ultimately damage them. Community involvement in preservation is essential to prevent flooding and sustain groundwater levels,” he said.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Black Magic, Cow Urine’: Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader’s Daughter-In-Law Makes Shocking Allegations’I Lock Up Religion When…’: Annamalai Confirms ‘We The Leaders’ Will Become Political PartyWatch: Assam CM Himanta Sarma Drives Road Roller, Destroys Seized Drugs’1 Indian Missing’: MEA Condemns Attack On Vessel Carrying Indian Crew Off Oman Coast’Do I Have To Ask Trump?’: Omar Abdullah Launches Attack At Modi Govt Over Jammu-Kashmir StatehoodBJP Rejects Omar Abdullah’s ‘Operation Lotus’ Allegation, Demands Proof Or Public ApologyHapur Woman Critical After Allegedly Drinking Acid From Sealed Water Bottle; Police Launch ProbeElection Commission Updates Form 6 With New SIR DeclarationIndian Army Plans To Induct 450 Carl Gustaf M4 Rocket LaunchersDelhi To Get Its First Solar Tree At Secretariat; Pilot Project May Expand Across The City123PhotostoriesThese 4 signs are said to have the highest IQWomen over 30, especially mothers, face these 5 common health problems: Doctor says early prevention can make all the differenceTrying for a baby? This one dental habit could make a difference”Scrambled egg mein crush…aur phir”: Raj Thackeray shares his unique Egg recipe loved by his father and Bal ThackerayForget crash diets and health hacks: Cardiologist reveals 5 simple daily habits that can transform your health, one day at a timeTop 3 eggs in the world and the right way to consume themnside Sudesh Lehri’s luxurious 4-BHK Mumbai home: A private studio, home theatre and moreWhy seemingly healthy young Indians are collapsing without warning: Doctors explain how AEDS can mean the difference between life and deathKate Middleton ditched soft neutrals for a show-stopping red look at Wimbledon 20265 late-night drinks that help support healthy blood sugar, according to dietitians123Hot PicksAgniveer result 2026DU UG Admissions 2026Vietnam boat accidentSonam Wangchuk Hunger strikeIslam makhachevKarnataka Bus newsBengaluru delivery boyKolkata Mosque prayersHamad bin Khalifa Al ThaniTop TrendingUFC 329 HighlightsNHL Player InjuryErling Haaland FatherFIFA World Cup 2026Chhattisgarh Student MurderTS EAMCET Phase 1 seat allotmentRamesh MhatreDelhi NCR rainGurgaon EncounterIran war

An excavator undertakes the filling of Harahi pond in Darbhanga Supreme Court has agreed to intervene in a case of alleged encroachment of three iconic water bodies in the Bihar town following a petition by a civil society groupDarbhanga sits at the heart of Mithilanchal, the mythic land of Sita that forms part of Bihar’s northeast. It is a region rich in lore and timeless rituals. And central to those rituals are lakes and ponds, by whose banks people mark and commemorate every landmark from birth to death. Central as the water bodies are to its community life, many of them are facing a slow death. The plight of three such lakes has now prompted an intervention by the Supreme Court itself.The apex court usually refrains from entertaining matters related to local issues and asks petitioners to approach high courts. But it agreed to examine the case in which the petitioners have accused the govt itself of posing a threat to the three water bodies – Ganga Sagar, Digghi, and Harahi, which were built by three local kings and have been around for nearly a millennium – by launching a ‘beautification’ project under the Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation (BUIDCO).A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta has sought an explanation from Bihar govt over the BUIDCO plan. Locals say the govt’s plan to fill parts of the ponds to construct kiosks, restaurants, and pavements is nothing but encroachment in the guise of “beautification”. Eklavya Prasad, who has worked extensively on the conservation of water bodies said “the govt is causing irreversible damage to the ponds in the name of beautification”.Deciding to act on their concerns, a group of retired academics, environmentalists, and citizens under the banner of Talab Bachao Abhiyan (TBA) said in their plea that the filling of ponds violates orders passed by National Green Tribunal (NGT), high court, and Supreme Court itself. The petitioners want the removal of all encroachments around the ponds, and their restoration “to their original position as depicted in the maps of the years 1868 and 1960”.Narayan Chaudhary, who heads TBA and has spent decades fighting legal battles to save water bodies, said the crisis of the Darnbhanga ponds has been unfolding for years, but authorities did not recognise it. “Per the District Gazetteer of 1964, Darbhanga – once called the ‘city of ponds’ – had 350 ponds. The Darbhanga Nagar Nigam now puts the figure at less than 100. That means around 250 ponds have disappeared in 60 years. Now, the govt itself is filling historic ponds in violation of Wetland Rules and judicial orders. Per official records, the three ponds spread over 253 bighas, but more than 25% of the area is under encroachment,” he said.Slamming the BUIDCO project, retired professor of botany Vidya Nath Jha said it would lead to the death of the ponds. “Filling parts of the water bodies will destroy biodiversity and the self-cleaning capacity maintained by insects and aquatic life,” he told TOI.Mithilanchal has a long tradition of constructing ponds as a water management system suited to its flood-prone, riverine landscape. Districts like Madhubani had over 10,000 ponds and Darbhanga around 9,000. These ponds serve as vital rainwater harvesting structures and recharge groundwater, mitigate floods by storing excess water, and provide water during droughts.Sayed Shamim Ahmad, who came to the city as a student in 1964 and retired as a professor, talks of the larger loss that occurs when a pond is filled. “During my PhD research in 1980, I had mapped 108 wetlands where 88 types of birds, including migratory ones, used to come. More than 60% of the wetlands have now vanished. Ponds have gone, groundwater is depleting, and a water crisis is looming. It is high time the govt gave priority to the preservation of water bodies,” he said.The concerns of experts and members of civil society speak to a larger phenomenon visible across Bihar. Per the 2025 water bodies census, the total number of water bodies in Bihar is 36,856, a 19% drop from the 2019 census.As Darbhanga waits on SC to save its water bodies, environmentalist Prasad underlined the issue at stake. “The govt needs to know that revival and preservation is not just about physical structures – it requires maintaining the entire ecosystem, water quality, biodiversity, and making people connect with the ponds. Filling ponds for commercial activity may draw crowds, but will ultimately damage them. Community involvement in preservation is essential to prevent flooding and sustain groundwater levels,” he said.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Black Magic, Cow Urine’: Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader’s Daughter-In-Law Makes Shocking Allegations’I Lock Up Religion When…’: Annamalai Confirms ‘We The Leaders’ Will Become Political PartyWatch: Assam CM Himanta Sarma Drives Road Roller, Destroys Seized Drugs’1 Indian Missing’: MEA Condemns Attack On Vessel Carrying Indian Crew Off Oman Coast’Do I Have To Ask Trump?’: Omar Abdullah Launches Attack At Modi Govt Over Jammu-Kashmir StatehoodBJP Rejects Omar Abdullah’s ‘Operation Lotus’ Allegation, Demands Proof Or Public ApologyHapur Woman Critical After Allegedly Drinking Acid From Sealed Water Bottle; Police Launch ProbeElection Commission Updates Form 6 With New SIR DeclarationIndian Army Plans To Induct 450 Carl Gustaf M4 Rocket LaunchersDelhi To Get Its First Solar Tree At Secretariat; Pilot Project May Expand Across The City123PhotostoriesThese 4 signs are said to have the highest IQWomen over 30, especially mothers, face these 5 common health problems: Doctor says early prevention can make all the differenceTrying for a baby? This one dental habit could make a difference”Scrambled egg mein crush…aur phir”: Raj Thackeray shares his unique Egg recipe loved by his father and Bal ThackerayForget crash diets and health hacks: Cardiologist reveals 5 simple daily habits that can transform your health, one day at a timeTop 3 eggs in the world and the right way to consume themnside Sudesh Lehri’s luxurious 4-BHK Mumbai home: A private studio, home theatre and moreWhy seemingly healthy young Indians are collapsing without warning: Doctors explain how AEDS can mean the difference between life and deathKate Middleton ditched soft neutrals for a show-stopping red look at Wimbledon 20265 late-night drinks that help support healthy blood sugar, according to dietitians123Hot PicksAgniveer result 2026DU UG Admissions 2026Vietnam boat accidentSonam Wangchuk Hunger strikeIslam makhachevKarnataka Bus newsBengaluru delivery boyKolkata Mosque prayersHamad bin Khalifa Al ThaniTop TrendingUFC 329 HighlightsNHL Player InjuryErling Haaland FatherFIFA World Cup 2026Chhattisgarh Student MurderTS EAMCET Phase 1 seat allotmentRamesh MhatreDelhi NCR rainGurgaon EncounterIran war

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins

An excavator undertakes the filling of Harahi pond in Darbhanga Supreme Court has agreed to intervene in a case of alleged encroachment of three iconic water bodies in the Bihar town following a petition by a civil society groupDarbhanga sits at the heart of Mithilanchal, the mythic land of Sita that forms part of Bihar’s…

Read More
Sagittarius Horoscope Today, July 13, 2026: Don’t hurt any female through careless speech or rude behaviour

Sagittarius Horoscope Today, July 13, 2026: Don’t hurt any female through careless speech or rude behaviour

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

There’s support around you today, and much of it comes through your spouse or a close partner figure. You don’t have to carry every load alone. The Moon activates cooperation, while Jupiter, your ruler, opens helpful exchanges. If you’ve been trying to manage work, home, and money all by yourself, today reminds you that shared…

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“The image matches classical descriptions of Gayatri in the Silpasastras,” said archaeologist Ramesh Yadav BHOPAL: Wrong goddess. Wrong identity. Wrong for over 900 years. But a missing veena and a digital deep dive supplied the mantra as a silent stone goddess spoke her true name.A striking 12th-century sculpture from Dhar in southwestern Madhya Pradesh, long worshipped in scholarship as Saraswati, has now been identified as goddess Gayatri, transforming a familiar museum treasure into one of India’s rarest known images of the deity who personifies the Gayatri Mantra and Vedic wisdom.Fresh digital documentation and high-resolution 3D mapping of the red sandstone sculpture at Bhopal’s State Museum helped archaeologists decode iconographic clues that had escaped notice for centuries.What emerged was more than a corrected museum label. It restored a forgotten chapter of India’s sacred art. “The image matches classical descriptions of Gayatri in the Silpasastras,” said archaeologist Ramesh Yadav, associated with the directorate of archaeology, archives and museums.Missing veena proves sculpture is of Gayatri, not of SaraswatiArchaeologist Ramesh Yadav said, “The four-armed goddess sits in lalitasana, holding a rosary, lotus and the Vedas. A finely carved hamsa (swan) beside her symbolises sacred wisdom, while celestial garland bearers affirm her divinity. Together, these attributes identify the deity as Gayatri rather than Saraswati.”It was what the sculptor left out that became the clincher. “From the Gupta period (320–550 CE) onwards, Saraswati is almost invariably shown with a veena,” said historian and archaeologist BK Lokhande. “This image has none. Instead, she holds the Vedas and a lotus exactly as described in Srimad Devi Bhagavata Purana and the Silpasastras. Images of Gayatri are exceptionally rare. While Gayatri, Savitri and Saraswati all embody knowledge, the iconography leaves little doubt that this is Gayatri.”Unearthed in Dhar, capital of the Parmar dynasty (9th to 14th century), the sculpture carries distinct Western Chalukyan influence in its graceful modelling and ornamentation while faithfully reflecting classical descriptions of Gayatri. Rigveda preserves Gayatri Mantra, Satapatha Brahmana celebrates Gayatri as the fountainhead of sacred knowledge, while later Puranas revere her as Vedamata, Mantramata, Brahmavidya and Jaganmata.The rediscovered icon is becoming the poster image for MP’s digital heritage mission. Archaeology commissioner Madan Kumar Nagargoje said authenticated 3D models and digital platforms would allow people to study one of India’s rarest Gayatri images.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Black Magic, Cow Urine’: Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader’s Daughter-In-Law Makes Shocking Allegations’I Lock Up Religion When…’: Annamalai Confirms ‘We The Leaders’ Will Become Political PartyWatch: Assam CM Himanta Sarma Drives Road Roller, Destroys Seized Drugs’1 Indian Missing’: MEA Condemns Attack On Vessel Carrying Indian Crew Off Oman Coast’Do I Have To Ask Trump?’: Omar Abdullah Launches Attack At Modi Govt Over Jammu-Kashmir StatehoodBJP Rejects Omar Abdullah’s ‘Operation Lotus’ Allegation, Demands Proof Or Public ApologyHapur Woman Critical After Allegedly Drinking Acid From Sealed Water Bottle; Police Launch ProbeElection Commission Updates Form 6 With New SIR DeclarationIndian Army Plans To Induct 450 Carl Gustaf M4 Rocket LaunchersDelhi To Get Its First Solar Tree At Secretariat; Pilot Project May Expand Across The City123PhotostoriesThese 4 signs are said to have the highest IQWomen over 30, especially mothers, face these 5 common health problems: Doctor says early prevention can make all the differenceTrying for a baby? This one dental habit could make a difference”Scrambled egg mein crush…aur phir”: Raj Thackeray shares his unique Egg recipe loved by his father and Bal ThackerayForget crash diets and health hacks: Cardiologist reveals 5 simple daily habits that can transform your health, one day at a timeTop 3 eggs in the world and the right way to consume themnside Sudesh Lehri’s luxurious 4-BHK Mumbai home: A private studio, home theatre and moreWhy seemingly healthy young Indians are collapsing without warning: Doctors explain how AEDS can mean the difference between life and deathKate Middleton ditched soft neutrals for a show-stopping red look at Wimbledon 20265 late-night drinks that help support healthy blood sugar, according to dietitians123Hot PicksAgniveer result 2026DU UG Admissions 2026Vietnam boat accidentSonam Wangchuk Hunger strikeIslam makhachevKarnataka Bus newsBengaluru delivery boyKolkata Mosque prayersHamad bin Khalifa Al ThaniTop TrendingUFC 329 HighlightsNHL Player InjuryErling Haaland FatherFIFA World Cup 2026Chhattisgarh Student MurderTS EAMCET Phase 1 seat allotmentRamesh MhatreDelhi NCR rainGurgaon EncounterIran war

“The image matches classical descriptions of Gayatri in the Silpasastras,” said archaeologist Ramesh Yadav BHOPAL: Wrong goddess. Wrong identity. Wrong for over 900 years. But a missing veena and a digital deep dive supplied the mantra as a silent stone goddess spoke her true name.A striking 12th-century sculpture from Dhar in southwestern Madhya Pradesh, long worshipped in scholarship as Saraswati, has now been identified as goddess Gayatri, transforming a familiar museum treasure into one of India’s rarest known images of the deity who personifies the Gayatri Mantra and Vedic wisdom.Fresh digital documentation and high-resolution 3D mapping of the red sandstone sculpture at Bhopal’s State Museum helped archaeologists decode iconographic clues that had escaped notice for centuries.What emerged was more than a corrected museum label. It restored a forgotten chapter of India’s sacred art. “The image matches classical descriptions of Gayatri in the Silpasastras,” said archaeologist Ramesh Yadav, associated with the directorate of archaeology, archives and museums.Missing veena proves sculpture is of Gayatri, not of SaraswatiArchaeologist Ramesh Yadav said, “The four-armed goddess sits in lalitasana, holding a rosary, lotus and the Vedas. A finely carved hamsa (swan) beside her symbolises sacred wisdom, while celestial garland bearers affirm her divinity. Together, these attributes identify the deity as Gayatri rather than Saraswati.”It was what the sculptor left out that became the clincher. “From the Gupta period (320–550 CE) onwards, Saraswati is almost invariably shown with a veena,” said historian and archaeologist BK Lokhande. “This image has none. Instead, she holds the Vedas and a lotus exactly as described in Srimad Devi Bhagavata Purana and the Silpasastras. Images of Gayatri are exceptionally rare. While Gayatri, Savitri and Saraswati all embody knowledge, the iconography leaves little doubt that this is Gayatri.”Unearthed in Dhar, capital of the Parmar dynasty (9th to 14th century), the sculpture carries distinct Western Chalukyan influence in its graceful modelling and ornamentation while faithfully reflecting classical descriptions of Gayatri. Rigveda preserves Gayatri Mantra, Satapatha Brahmana celebrates Gayatri as the fountainhead of sacred knowledge, while later Puranas revere her as Vedamata, Mantramata, Brahmavidya and Jaganmata.The rediscovered icon is becoming the poster image for MP’s digital heritage mission. Archaeology commissioner Madan Kumar Nagargoje said authenticated 3D models and digital platforms would allow people to study one of India’s rarest Gayatri images.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Black Magic, Cow Urine’: Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader’s Daughter-In-Law Makes Shocking Allegations’I Lock Up Religion When…’: Annamalai Confirms ‘We The Leaders’ Will Become Political PartyWatch: Assam CM Himanta Sarma Drives Road Roller, Destroys Seized Drugs’1 Indian Missing’: MEA Condemns Attack On Vessel Carrying Indian Crew Off Oman Coast’Do I Have To Ask Trump?’: Omar Abdullah Launches Attack At Modi Govt Over Jammu-Kashmir StatehoodBJP Rejects Omar Abdullah’s ‘Operation Lotus’ Allegation, Demands Proof Or Public ApologyHapur Woman Critical After Allegedly Drinking Acid From Sealed Water Bottle; Police Launch ProbeElection Commission Updates Form 6 With New SIR DeclarationIndian Army Plans To Induct 450 Carl Gustaf M4 Rocket LaunchersDelhi To Get Its First Solar Tree At Secretariat; Pilot Project May Expand Across The City123PhotostoriesThese 4 signs are said to have the highest IQWomen over 30, especially mothers, face these 5 common health problems: Doctor says early prevention can make all the differenceTrying for a baby? This one dental habit could make a difference”Scrambled egg mein crush…aur phir”: Raj Thackeray shares his unique Egg recipe loved by his father and Bal ThackerayForget crash diets and health hacks: Cardiologist reveals 5 simple daily habits that can transform your health, one day at a timeTop 3 eggs in the world and the right way to consume themnside Sudesh Lehri’s luxurious 4-BHK Mumbai home: A private studio, home theatre and moreWhy seemingly healthy young Indians are collapsing without warning: Doctors explain how AEDS can mean the difference between life and deathKate Middleton ditched soft neutrals for a show-stopping red look at Wimbledon 20265 late-night drinks that help support healthy blood sugar, according to dietitians123Hot PicksAgniveer result 2026DU UG Admissions 2026Vietnam boat accidentSonam Wangchuk Hunger strikeIslam makhachevKarnataka Bus newsBengaluru delivery boyKolkata Mosque prayersHamad bin Khalifa Al ThaniTop TrendingUFC 329 HighlightsNHL Player InjuryErling Haaland FatherFIFA World Cup 2026Chhattisgarh Student MurderTS EAMCET Phase 1 seat allotmentRamesh MhatreDelhi NCR rainGurgaon EncounterIran war

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

“The image matches classical descriptions of Gayatri in the Silpasastras,” said archaeologist Ramesh Yadav BHOPAL: Wrong goddess. Wrong identity. Wrong for over 900 years. But a missing veena and a digital deep dive supplied the mantra as a silent stone goddess spoke her true name.A striking 12th-century sculpture from Dhar in southwestern Madhya Pradesh, long…

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Oil companies plan expanding 10-kg LPG cylinder sales

Oil companies plan expanding 10-kg LPG cylinder sales

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

NEW DELHI: State-run oil marketing companies are considering expanding the use of lightweight 10-kg LPG cylinders beyond domestic consumers, with the cylinders likely to be sold at commercial LPG rates if approved.The move could benefit migrant workers, tenants, students, street vendors, cafes and food kiosks that need LPG but lack space for larger 19-kg commercial…

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The accused has been identified as Vijay Mallikarjun Kamath BENGALURU: A routine parcel delivery turned into a frightening ordeal for a 27-year-old Bengaluru food vlogger after a delivery agent allegedly forced his way into her washroom and flashed her.Based on the woman’s complaint about the episode on Saturday, police arrested the agent, identified as 22-year-old Vijay Mallikarjun Kamat, a native of Belagavi district. Kamat has told investigators he had entered her washroom as he needed to relieve himself but denied having “exposed” himself.Before filing the complaint, the woman shared a video on Instagram recounting her plight. The agent arrived at her home to deliver a parcel and then asked if he could use her washroom. “I politely refused multiple times and told him that I do not allow strangers inside my home. Even when he said it was an emergency, I suggested that he ask the male neighbours next door instead,” she posted.According to the woman, the agent removed his slippers and forcibly entered her flat. “Living alone, I feared for my safety. To protect myself, I switched on my phone camera, kept my main door open, and stood near the entrance throughout.”But what happened next left the woman “completely shaken”. “When he came out of the washroom, he exposed his private parts to me. I felt violated, humiliated, and completely unsafe in my own home,” she said, adding the video was shared to create awareness.Flipkart disclosed that it had fired Kamat. “As soon as the matter came to our attention, we terminated the engagement of the delivery partner,” Flipkart said in a statement.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Black Magic, Cow Urine’: Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader’s Daughter-In-Law Makes Shocking Allegations’I Lock Up Religion When…’: Annamalai Confirms ‘We The Leaders’ Will Become Political PartyWatch: Assam CM Himanta Sarma Drives Road Roller, Destroys Seized Drugs’1 Indian Missing’: MEA Condemns Attack On Vessel Carrying Indian Crew Off Oman Coast’Do I Have To Ask Trump?’: Omar Abdullah Launches Attack At Modi Govt Over Jammu-Kashmir StatehoodBJP Rejects Omar Abdullah’s ‘Operation Lotus’ Allegation, Demands Proof Or Public ApologyHapur Woman Critical After Allegedly Drinking Acid From Sealed Water Bottle; Police Launch ProbeElection Commission Updates Form 6 With New SIR DeclarationIndian Army Plans To Induct 450 Carl Gustaf M4 Rocket LaunchersDelhi To Get Its First Solar Tree At Secretariat; Pilot Project May Expand Across The City123PhotostoriesThese 4 signs are said to have the highest IQWomen over 30, especially mothers, face these 5 common health problems: Doctor says early prevention can make all the differenceTrying for a baby? This one dental habit could make a difference”Scrambled egg mein crush…aur phir”: Raj Thackeray shares his unique Egg recipe loved by his father and Bal ThackerayForget crash diets and health hacks: Cardiologist reveals 5 simple daily habits that can transform your health, one day at a timeTop 3 eggs in the world and the right way to consume themnside Sudesh Lehri’s luxurious 4-BHK Mumbai home: A private studio, home theatre and moreWhy seemingly healthy young Indians are collapsing without warning: Doctors explain how AEDS can mean the difference between life and deathKate Middleton ditched soft neutrals for a show-stopping red look at Wimbledon 20265 late-night drinks that help support healthy blood sugar, according to dietitians123Hot PicksAgniveer result 2026DU UG Admissions 2026Vietnam boat accidentSonam Wangchuk Hunger strikeIslam makhachevKarnataka Bus newsBengaluru delivery boyKolkata Mosque prayersHamad bin Khalifa Al ThaniTop TrendingUFC 329 HighlightsNHL Player InjuryErling Haaland FatherFIFA World Cup 2026Chhattisgarh Student MurderTS EAMCET Phase 1 seat allotmentRamesh MhatreDelhi NCR rainGurgaon EncounterIran war

The accused has been identified as Vijay Mallikarjun Kamath BENGALURU: A routine parcel delivery turned into a frightening ordeal for a 27-year-old Bengaluru food vlogger after a delivery agent allegedly forced his way into her washroom and flashed her.Based on the woman’s complaint about the episode on Saturday, police arrested the agent, identified as 22-year-old Vijay Mallikarjun Kamat, a native of Belagavi district. Kamat has told investigators he had entered her washroom as he needed to relieve himself but denied having “exposed” himself.Before filing the complaint, the woman shared a video on Instagram recounting her plight. The agent arrived at her home to deliver a parcel and then asked if he could use her washroom. “I politely refused multiple times and told him that I do not allow strangers inside my home. Even when he said it was an emergency, I suggested that he ask the male neighbours next door instead,” she posted.According to the woman, the agent removed his slippers and forcibly entered her flat. “Living alone, I feared for my safety. To protect myself, I switched on my phone camera, kept my main door open, and stood near the entrance throughout.”But what happened next left the woman “completely shaken”. “When he came out of the washroom, he exposed his private parts to me. I felt violated, humiliated, and completely unsafe in my own home,” she said, adding the video was shared to create awareness.Flipkart disclosed that it had fired Kamat. “As soon as the matter came to our attention, we terminated the engagement of the delivery partner,” Flipkart said in a statement.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Black Magic, Cow Urine’: Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader’s Daughter-In-Law Makes Shocking Allegations’I Lock Up Religion When…’: Annamalai Confirms ‘We The Leaders’ Will Become Political PartyWatch: Assam CM Himanta Sarma Drives Road Roller, Destroys Seized Drugs’1 Indian Missing’: MEA Condemns Attack On Vessel Carrying Indian Crew Off Oman Coast’Do I Have To Ask Trump?’: Omar Abdullah Launches Attack At Modi Govt Over Jammu-Kashmir StatehoodBJP Rejects Omar Abdullah’s ‘Operation Lotus’ Allegation, Demands Proof Or Public ApologyHapur Woman Critical After Allegedly Drinking Acid From Sealed Water Bottle; Police Launch ProbeElection Commission Updates Form 6 With New SIR DeclarationIndian Army Plans To Induct 450 Carl Gustaf M4 Rocket LaunchersDelhi To Get Its First Solar Tree At Secretariat; Pilot Project May Expand Across The City123PhotostoriesThese 4 signs are said to have the highest IQWomen over 30, especially mothers, face these 5 common health problems: Doctor says early prevention can make all the differenceTrying for a baby? This one dental habit could make a difference”Scrambled egg mein crush…aur phir”: Raj Thackeray shares his unique Egg recipe loved by his father and Bal ThackerayForget crash diets and health hacks: Cardiologist reveals 5 simple daily habits that can transform your health, one day at a timeTop 3 eggs in the world and the right way to consume themnside Sudesh Lehri’s luxurious 4-BHK Mumbai home: A private studio, home theatre and moreWhy seemingly healthy young Indians are collapsing without warning: Doctors explain how AEDS can mean the difference between life and deathKate Middleton ditched soft neutrals for a show-stopping red look at Wimbledon 20265 late-night drinks that help support healthy blood sugar, according to dietitians123Hot PicksAgniveer result 2026DU UG Admissions 2026Vietnam boat accidentSonam Wangchuk Hunger strikeIslam makhachevKarnataka Bus newsBengaluru delivery boyKolkata Mosque prayersHamad bin Khalifa Al ThaniTop TrendingUFC 329 HighlightsNHL Player InjuryErling Haaland FatherFIFA World Cup 2026Chhattisgarh Student MurderTS EAMCET Phase 1 seat allotmentRamesh MhatreDelhi NCR rainGurgaon EncounterIran war

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

The accused has been identified as Vijay Mallikarjun Kamath BENGALURU: A routine parcel delivery turned into a frightening ordeal for a 27-year-old Bengaluru food vlogger after a delivery agent allegedly forced his way into her washroom and flashed her.Based on the woman’s complaint about the episode on Saturday, police arrested the agent, identified as 22-year-old…

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‘To hold Iranian forces accountable’: US launches fresh strikes on Iran as tensions flare over Hormuz attacks

‘To hold Iranian forces accountable’: US launches fresh strikes on Iran as tensions flare over Hormuz attacks

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins

The strikes came after the US accused Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of targeting commercial vessels in Hormuz The United States launched a fresh wave of strikes against Iran on early Monday (Sunday local time), with the Pentagon saying the operation was aimed at degrading Tehran’s ability to attack commercial shipping in the Strait…

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How a New York construction scare exposed the challenges of converting offices into homes |

How a New York construction scare exposed the challenges of converting offices into homes |

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins

A firetruck is parked at the intersection of 3rd Avenue and East 42nd Street after buildings in the area were evacuated The temporary suspension of one of New York City’s largest office-to-residential conversion projects after few steel columns buckled last week drew attention to the engineering complexities of transforming ageing office buildings into housing, a…

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File photo: Strait of Hormuz NEW DELHI: India has condemned the attack on commercial vessel GFS Galaxy off the coast of Oman, which had 11 Indian nationals on board, of whom 10 were rescued, but one remains missing.The Cyprus-flagged tanker was hit apparently by an Iranian strike for ignoring instructions to follow what it called an approved route on the Strait of Hormuz. Oman’s maritime authority said it rescued 23 crew members but one was missing.”Our Embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the situation and proactively coordinating with Omani authorities in the ongoing search and rescue operation. We thank Omani authorities for their support,” said govt in a statement.Government also said that continuing incidents of attacks on commercial shipping were deeply worrisome. It reiterated the call for immediate de-escalation of tensions, and the conclusion of negotiations for a diplomatic solution.‘Stop targeting commercial shipping, civilian infra’Government said, “The targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must end, and free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through international waterways in the region, in keeping with international law, must be restored at the earliest.”US ambassador to India highlighted a social media post by the US Central Command in which it said it had launched the third round of strikes this week against Iran after Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces “blatantly” attacked GFS Galaxy. “A civilian crew member is missing and the vessel is unable to continue the journey due to an onboard fire and significant engine room damage,” said the CENTCOM.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Black Magic, Cow Urine’: Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader’s Daughter-In-Law Makes Shocking Allegations’I Lock Up Religion When…’: Annamalai Confirms ‘We The Leaders’ Will Become Political PartyWatch: Assam CM Himanta Sarma Drives Road Roller, Destroys Seized Drugs’1 Indian Missing’: MEA Condemns Attack On Vessel Carrying Indian Crew Off Oman Coast’Do I Have To Ask Trump?’: Omar Abdullah Launches Attack At Modi Govt Over Jammu-Kashmir StatehoodBJP Rejects Omar Abdullah’s ‘Operation Lotus’ Allegation, Demands Proof Or Public ApologyHapur Woman Critical After Allegedly Drinking Acid From Sealed Water Bottle; Police Launch ProbeElection Commission Updates Form 6 With New SIR DeclarationIndian Army Plans To Induct 450 Carl Gustaf M4 Rocket LaunchersDelhi To Get Its First Solar Tree At Secretariat; Pilot Project May Expand Across The City123PhotostoriesThese 4 signs are said to have the highest IQWomen over 30, especially mothers, face these 5 common health problems: Doctor says early prevention can make all the differenceTrying for a baby? This one dental habit could make a difference”Scrambled egg mein crush…aur phir”: Raj Thackeray shares his unique Egg recipe loved by his father and Bal ThackerayForget crash diets and health hacks: Cardiologist reveals 5 simple daily habits that can transform your health, one day at a timeTop 3 eggs in the world and the right way to consume themnside Sudesh Lehri’s luxurious 4-BHK Mumbai home: A private studio, home theatre and moreWhy seemingly healthy young Indians are collapsing without warning: Doctors explain how AEDS can mean the difference between life and deathKate Middleton ditched soft neutrals for a show-stopping red look at Wimbledon 20265 late-night drinks that help support healthy blood sugar, according to dietitians123Hot PicksAgniveer result 2026DU UG Admissions 2026Vietnam boat accidentSonam Wangchuk Hunger strikeIslam makhachevKarnataka Bus newsBengaluru delivery boyKolkata Mosque prayersHamad bin Khalifa Al ThaniTop TrendingUFC 329 HighlightsNHL Player InjuryErling Haaland FatherFIFA World Cup 2026Chhattisgarh Student MurderTS EAMCET Phase 1 seat allotmentRamesh MhatreDelhi NCR rainGurgaon EncounterIran war

File photo: Strait of Hormuz NEW DELHI: India has condemned the attack on commercial vessel GFS Galaxy off the coast of Oman, which had 11 Indian nationals on board, of whom 10 were rescued, but one remains missing.The Cyprus-flagged tanker was hit apparently by an Iranian strike for ignoring instructions to follow what it called an approved route on the Strait of Hormuz. Oman’s maritime authority said it rescued 23 crew members but one was missing.”Our Embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the situation and proactively coordinating with Omani authorities in the ongoing search and rescue operation. We thank Omani authorities for their support,” said govt in a statement.Government also said that continuing incidents of attacks on commercial shipping were deeply worrisome. It reiterated the call for immediate de-escalation of tensions, and the conclusion of negotiations for a diplomatic solution.‘Stop targeting commercial shipping, civilian infra’Government said, “The targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must end, and free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through international waterways in the region, in keeping with international law, must be restored at the earliest.”US ambassador to India highlighted a social media post by the US Central Command in which it said it had launched the third round of strikes this week against Iran after Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces “blatantly” attacked GFS Galaxy. “A civilian crew member is missing and the vessel is unable to continue the journey due to an onboard fire and significant engine room damage,” said the CENTCOM.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Black Magic, Cow Urine’: Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader’s Daughter-In-Law Makes Shocking Allegations’I Lock Up Religion When…’: Annamalai Confirms ‘We The Leaders’ Will Become Political PartyWatch: Assam CM Himanta Sarma Drives Road Roller, Destroys Seized Drugs’1 Indian Missing’: MEA Condemns Attack On Vessel Carrying Indian Crew Off Oman Coast’Do I Have To Ask Trump?’: Omar Abdullah Launches Attack At Modi Govt Over Jammu-Kashmir StatehoodBJP Rejects Omar Abdullah’s ‘Operation Lotus’ Allegation, Demands Proof Or Public ApologyHapur Woman Critical After Allegedly Drinking Acid From Sealed Water Bottle; Police Launch ProbeElection Commission Updates Form 6 With New SIR DeclarationIndian Army Plans To Induct 450 Carl Gustaf M4 Rocket LaunchersDelhi To Get Its First Solar Tree At Secretariat; Pilot Project May Expand Across The City123PhotostoriesThese 4 signs are said to have the highest IQWomen over 30, especially mothers, face these 5 common health problems: Doctor says early prevention can make all the differenceTrying for a baby? This one dental habit could make a difference”Scrambled egg mein crush…aur phir”: Raj Thackeray shares his unique Egg recipe loved by his father and Bal ThackerayForget crash diets and health hacks: Cardiologist reveals 5 simple daily habits that can transform your health, one day at a timeTop 3 eggs in the world and the right way to consume themnside Sudesh Lehri’s luxurious 4-BHK Mumbai home: A private studio, home theatre and moreWhy seemingly healthy young Indians are collapsing without warning: Doctors explain how AEDS can mean the difference between life and deathKate Middleton ditched soft neutrals for a show-stopping red look at Wimbledon 20265 late-night drinks that help support healthy blood sugar, according to dietitians123Hot PicksAgniveer result 2026DU UG Admissions 2026Vietnam boat accidentSonam Wangchuk Hunger strikeIslam makhachevKarnataka Bus newsBengaluru delivery boyKolkata Mosque prayersHamad bin Khalifa Al ThaniTop TrendingUFC 329 HighlightsNHL Player InjuryErling Haaland FatherFIFA World Cup 2026Chhattisgarh Student MurderTS EAMCET Phase 1 seat allotmentRamesh MhatreDelhi NCR rainGurgaon EncounterIran war

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

File photo: Strait of Hormuz NEW DELHI: India has condemned the attack on commercial vessel GFS Galaxy off the coast of Oman, which had 11 Indian nationals on board, of whom 10 were rescued, but one remains missing.The Cyprus-flagged tanker was hit apparently by an Iranian strike for ignoring instructions to follow what it called…

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Indian Air Force: IAF ranks 3rd-most powerful air force in world, stays ahead of China for 5th straight year: WDMMA rankings

Indian Air Force: IAF ranks 3rd-most powerful air force in world, stays ahead of China for 5th straight year: WDMMA rankings

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

NEW DELHI: For the fifth consecutive time, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has retained third position in the world as the third-most powerful air arm in the World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft (WDMMA) 2026 Global Air Power Rankings, remaining ahead of China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).Only the air forces of the US…

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‘Wife moved in with another man’: Depressed father electrocutes 2 kids, self in Tamil Nadu

‘Wife moved in with another man’: Depressed father electrocutes 2 kids, self in Tamil Nadu

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

TUTICORIN: A 40-year-old man electrocuted his two minor children to death before killing himself at Saveriyarpuram near Pudukottai in Tuticorin district on Friday. Police said the man was distraught after his wife left him for another man.The deceased were identified as Mary Michael, a truck driver, his daughter Mary Nirosha, 14, a Class IX student,…

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File photo: Ram Temple in Ayodhya LUCKNOW: The SIT probing the alleged theft of donations to Ayodhya’s Ram temple has identified nine critical procedural and security lapses that collectively enabled the alleged large-scale embezzlement.The findings suggest that the theft was not the consequence of a single loophole but of the near-total breakdown of the prescribed safeguards governing the handling and counting of donations.The first line of defence collapsed as the counting personnel were not frisked while entering or exiting the cash-counting hall. The investigation found that the mandatory pocketless uniforms prescribed for the counting staff were never enforced.Adding to the security breach, employees were allowed to carry personal belongings into the counting room despite explicit restrictions aimed at preventing the removal of cash or the introduction of unauthorised items. Investigators said that instead of maintaining separate accounts for each donation box, cash from various hundis was mixed before counting, making reconciliation of individual collections impossible.Compounding this, no denomination-wise inventory, vouchers, or certification records were prepared during the counting process. The absence of detailed documentation meant there was no verifiable record of how much currency of each denomination had been received, counted or deposited, making subsequent audits ineffective.The probe found that biometric attendance of the counting personnel was not effectively implemented, which undermined accountability and made it difficult to conclusively establish who was present during each counting session.The SIT found that these lapses did not operate in isolation but reinforced one another, effectively dismantling every layer of financial and physical security.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorPathikrit ChakrabortyWhen not covering crime, he reads fiction, roams around the dark alleys of the city in the dead of night. An MA (English Litt) from University of Lucknow, Pathikrit loves to speak French, well at least a smattering of it. He did his graduation in French language. A recipient of the Road Safety Fellowship of the United Nations, Pathikrit drives cautiously and advises others to do that too.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Black Magic, Cow Urine’: Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader’s Daughter-In-Law Makes Shocking Allegations’I Lock Up Religion When…’: Annamalai Confirms ‘We The Leaders’ Will Become Political PartyWatch: Assam CM Himanta Sarma Drives Road Roller, Destroys Seized Drugs’1 Indian Missing’: MEA Condemns Attack On Vessel Carrying Indian Crew Off Oman Coast’Do I Have To Ask Trump?’: Omar Abdullah Launches Attack At Modi Govt Over Jammu-Kashmir StatehoodBJP Rejects Omar Abdullah’s ‘Operation Lotus’ Allegation, Demands Proof Or Public ApologyHapur Woman Critical After Allegedly Drinking Acid From Sealed Water Bottle; Police Launch ProbeElection Commission Updates Form 6 With New SIR DeclarationIndian Army Plans To Induct 450 Carl Gustaf M4 Rocket LaunchersDelhi To Get Its First Solar Tree At Secretariat; Pilot Project May Expand Across The City123PhotostoriesThese 4 signs are said to have the highest IQWomen over 30, especially mothers, face these 5 common health problems: Doctor says early prevention can make all the differenceTrying for a baby? This one dental habit could make a difference”Scrambled egg mein crush…aur phir”: Raj Thackeray shares his unique Egg recipe loved by his father and Bal ThackerayForget crash diets and health hacks: Cardiologist reveals 5 simple daily habits that can transform your health, one day at a timeTop 3 eggs in the world and the right way to consume themnside Sudesh Lehri’s luxurious 4-BHK Mumbai home: A private studio, home theatre and moreWhy seemingly healthy young Indians are collapsing without warning: Doctors explain how AEDS can mean the difference between life and deathKate Middleton ditched soft neutrals for a show-stopping red look at Wimbledon 20265 late-night drinks that help support healthy blood sugar, according to dietitians123Hot PicksAgniveer result 2026DU UG Admissions 2026Vietnam boat accidentSonam Wangchuk Hunger strikeIslam makhachevKarnataka Bus newsBengaluru delivery boyKolkata Mosque prayersHamad bin Khalifa Al ThaniTop TrendingUFC 329 HighlightsNHL Player InjuryErling Haaland FatherFIFA World Cup 2026Chhattisgarh Student MurderTS EAMCET Phase 1 seat allotmentRamesh MhatreDelhi NCR rainGurgaon EncounterIran war

File photo: Ram Temple in Ayodhya LUCKNOW: The SIT probing the alleged theft of donations to Ayodhya’s Ram temple has identified nine critical procedural and security lapses that collectively enabled the alleged large-scale embezzlement.The findings suggest that the theft was not the consequence of a single loophole but of the near-total breakdown of the prescribed safeguards governing the handling and counting of donations.The first line of defence collapsed as the counting personnel were not frisked while entering or exiting the cash-counting hall. The investigation found that the mandatory pocketless uniforms prescribed for the counting staff were never enforced.Adding to the security breach, employees were allowed to carry personal belongings into the counting room despite explicit restrictions aimed at preventing the removal of cash or the introduction of unauthorised items. Investigators said that instead of maintaining separate accounts for each donation box, cash from various hundis was mixed before counting, making reconciliation of individual collections impossible.Compounding this, no denomination-wise inventory, vouchers, or certification records were prepared during the counting process. The absence of detailed documentation meant there was no verifiable record of how much currency of each denomination had been received, counted or deposited, making subsequent audits ineffective.The probe found that biometric attendance of the counting personnel was not effectively implemented, which undermined accountability and made it difficult to conclusively establish who was present during each counting session.The SIT found that these lapses did not operate in isolation but reinforced one another, effectively dismantling every layer of financial and physical security.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorPathikrit ChakrabortyWhen not covering crime, he reads fiction, roams around the dark alleys of the city in the dead of night. An MA (English Litt) from University of Lucknow, Pathikrit loves to speak French, well at least a smattering of it. He did his graduation in French language. A recipient of the Road Safety Fellowship of the United Nations, Pathikrit drives cautiously and advises others to do that too.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Black Magic, Cow Urine’: Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader’s Daughter-In-Law Makes Shocking Allegations’I Lock Up Religion When…’: Annamalai Confirms ‘We The Leaders’ Will Become Political PartyWatch: Assam CM Himanta Sarma Drives Road Roller, Destroys Seized Drugs’1 Indian Missing’: MEA Condemns Attack On Vessel Carrying Indian Crew Off Oman Coast’Do I Have To Ask Trump?’: Omar Abdullah Launches Attack At Modi Govt Over Jammu-Kashmir StatehoodBJP Rejects Omar Abdullah’s ‘Operation Lotus’ Allegation, Demands Proof Or Public ApologyHapur Woman Critical After Allegedly Drinking Acid From Sealed Water Bottle; Police Launch ProbeElection Commission Updates Form 6 With New SIR DeclarationIndian Army Plans To Induct 450 Carl Gustaf M4 Rocket LaunchersDelhi To Get Its First Solar Tree At Secretariat; Pilot Project May Expand Across The City123PhotostoriesThese 4 signs are said to have the highest IQWomen over 30, especially mothers, face these 5 common health problems: Doctor says early prevention can make all the differenceTrying for a baby? This one dental habit could make a difference”Scrambled egg mein crush…aur phir”: Raj Thackeray shares his unique Egg recipe loved by his father and Bal ThackerayForget crash diets and health hacks: Cardiologist reveals 5 simple daily habits that can transform your health, one day at a timeTop 3 eggs in the world and the right way to consume themnside Sudesh Lehri’s luxurious 4-BHK Mumbai home: A private studio, home theatre and moreWhy seemingly healthy young Indians are collapsing without warning: Doctors explain how AEDS can mean the difference between life and deathKate Middleton ditched soft neutrals for a show-stopping red look at Wimbledon 20265 late-night drinks that help support healthy blood sugar, according to dietitians123Hot PicksAgniveer result 2026DU UG Admissions 2026Vietnam boat accidentSonam Wangchuk Hunger strikeIslam makhachevKarnataka Bus newsBengaluru delivery boyKolkata Mosque prayersHamad bin Khalifa Al ThaniTop TrendingUFC 329 HighlightsNHL Player InjuryErling Haaland FatherFIFA World Cup 2026Chhattisgarh Student MurderTS EAMCET Phase 1 seat allotmentRamesh MhatreDelhi NCR rainGurgaon EncounterIran war

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File photo: Ram Temple in Ayodhya LUCKNOW: The SIT probing the alleged theft of donations to Ayodhya’s Ram temple has identified nine critical procedural and security lapses that collectively enabled the alleged large-scale embezzlement.The findings suggest that the theft was not the consequence of a single loophole but of the near-total breakdown of the prescribed…

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