May 20, 2026

. JAGDALPUR: Home minister Amit Shah, who wound up his first visit to this erstwhile ‘Red’ pocket borough since Left-wing extremism was eliminated, on Tuesday listed four dates as milestones in the journey to making Bastar Naxal-free, the first being Dec 23, 2024, when a BJP govt was elected in Chhattisgarh; Aug 24, 2024, when the March 31, 2026, deadline for uprooting Naxalism was announced; March 31, 2026, before which Naxalism was completely uprooted; and May 19, 2026, which marked the launch of an initiative aimed at doorstep delivery of all govt benefits to the tribals of Bastar by repurposing security camps into one-stop public service centres. “It is a matter of great pride that Naxalism had been completely eradicated,” Shah said but added that a key obstacle in this journey until Dec 13, 2023, was the lack of cooperation from the erstwhile Congress govt in Chhattisgarh (headed by Bhupesh Baghel). “I can now say without any hesitation that while other non-BJP govts have cooperated in the fight against Naxalism, the Congress govt in Chhattisgarh did not,” he said at a press conference in Jagdalpur. “After the BJP govt was elected in Chhattisgarh on Dec 13, 2024, we stepped up our efforts. On Aug 24, 2024, after reviewing the LWE situation at the annual conference of police chiefs of all states, March 31, 2026, was declared the deadline for making the country Naxalism-free. The goal was achieved before the deadline ended.” The latest milestone he mentioned is May 19, 2026, when an initiative to create 70 Veer Saheed Gunda Dhur ‘seva dera’ (public service camps) and push integrated development across Bastar stands launched. “Contrary to the narrative peddled by the left-leaning intelligentsia that Naxalism was due to the lack of development in affected areas, the reality is that Naxalism was an outcome of lack of development,” he said. “There were far more backward areas in the country… why is it that Naxalism did not raise its head in these areas? The other areas eventually saw development, but Bastar remained backward with locals denied basic development…” “Now that Bastar is Naxal-free, an initiative to push integrated development has been launched… The aim is to compensate locals, denied benefits for the last five decades, with doorstep delivery of govt schemes and benefits.” About the AuthorBharti JainBharti Jain is senior editor with The Times of India, New Delhi. She has been writing on security matters since 1996. Having covered the Union home ministry, security agencies, Election Commission and the ‘prime’ political beat, the Congress, for The Economic Times all these years, she moved to TOI in August 2012. Her repertoire of news stories delves into the whole gamut of issues related to terrorism and internal strife, besides probing strategic affairs in India’s neighbourhood.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTMC MP Saayoni Ghosh Reacts After BJP Leader’s Alleged Rs 1 Crore Beheading Remark‘The World Needs More Sambandh’: Iceland PM Kristrún Frostadóttir Praises PM Modi At Oslo SummitTMC Candidate Jahangir Khan Pulls Out Of Falta Re-Poll 2 Days Before Voting | Headlines@9Out On Bail, Rape Accused Gets Grand Welcome In UP’s GhaziabadKanpur: ITBP Soldier Carries Mother’s Severed Hand to Police HQ After Alleged Hospital NegligenceFrom Islampura Back To Krishan Nagar: Pakistan Moves To Restore Lahore’s Pre-Partition Names’New Sunrise’: Amit Shah Unveils Bastar Development Push, Slams Previous Congress GovtDelhi Court Rejects Umar Khalid’s Interim Bail Plea In 2020 Riots CaseTMC Candidate Jahangir Khan Withdraws From Falta Repoll Days After ‘Pushpa’ Face-Off10 Arrests, 3 States: Meet The ‘Masterminds’ Of NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak Now In CBI Custody123PhotostoriesJacqueline Fernandez turns Cannes 2026 into a vintage fashion fantasy with her glamorous sequin lookInside the Jolie-Pitt family: All about Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s six childrenThink they’re polar bears? These 5 dogs can easily fool youDelhi records 44°C temperature: Ministry of Ayush recommends 12 foods and drinks for protection against heat-related illnessesVaping vs cigarettes: Why cancer doctors say young adults should stop believing the “safer alternative” mythSummer skincare tips: Natural ingredients to treat tanning and breakoutsMovies that were turned into popular web series: ‘LOTR,’ ‘Cobra Kai,’ ‘Dune: Prophecy,’ and moreInside Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s Rs. 96 crore net worth: Bungalow named after his father, pay packages, cars and everything you need to know10 surprising facts about gharials that make them different from other crocodiliansMeet the eyelash viper: One of nature’s most striking snakes123Hot PicksSBI apprentice recruitment 2026US Iran warCBSE Class 12 re-evaluation 2026Gold price predictionAdani Group stocksNEET exam cancelledTamil Nadu assemblyTop TrendingTwisha SharmaJEE AdvancedFifa World Cup 2026Subnautica 2 Enameled Glass GuideWWE Raw HighlightsIPL 2026IPL Orange Cap 2026India VS Afghanistan Squad AnnouncementLeviathan in Subnautica 2Fuel Price Hike

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins
. JAGDALPUR: Home minister Amit Shah, who wound up his first visit to this erstwhile ‘Red’ pocket borough since Left-wing extremism was eliminated, on Tuesday listed four dates as milestones in the journey to making Bastar Naxal-free, the first being Dec 23, 2024, when a BJP govt was elected in Chhattisgarh; Aug 24, 2024, when the March 31, 2026, deadline for uprooting Naxalism was announced; March 31, 2026, before which Naxalism was completely uprooted; and May 19, 2026, which marked the launch of an initiative aimed at doorstep delivery of all govt benefits to the tribals of Bastar by repurposing security camps into one-stop public service centres. “It is a matter of great pride that Naxalism had been completely eradicated,” Shah said but added that a key obstacle in this journey until Dec 13, 2023, was the lack of cooperation from the erstwhile Congress govt in Chhattisgarh (headed by Bhupesh Baghel). “I can now say without any hesitation that while other non-BJP govts have cooperated in the fight against Naxalism, the Congress govt in Chhattisgarh did not,” he said at a press conference in Jagdalpur. “After the BJP govt was elected in Chhattisgarh on Dec 13, 2024, we stepped up our efforts. On Aug 24, 2024, after reviewing the LWE situation at the annual conference of police chiefs of all states, March 31, 2026, was declared the deadline for making the country Naxalism-free. The goal was achieved before the deadline ended.” The latest milestone he mentioned is May 19, 2026, when an initiative to create 70 Veer Saheed Gunda Dhur ‘seva dera’ (public service camps) and push integrated development across Bastar stands launched. “Contrary to the narrative peddled by the left-leaning intelligentsia that Naxalism was due to the lack of development in affected areas, the reality is that Naxalism was an outcome of lack of development,” he said. “There were far more backward areas in the country… why is it that Naxalism did not raise its head in these areas? The other areas eventually saw development, but Bastar remained backward with locals denied basic development…” “Now that Bastar is Naxal-free, an initiative to push integrated development has been launched… The aim is to compensate locals, denied benefits for the last five decades, with doorstep delivery of govt schemes and benefits.” About the AuthorBharti JainBharti Jain is senior editor with The Times of India, New Delhi. She has been writing on security matters since 1996. Having covered the Union home ministry, security agencies, Election Commission and the ‘prime’ political beat, the Congress, for The Economic Times all these years, she moved to TOI in August 2012. Her repertoire of news stories delves into the whole gamut of issues related to terrorism and internal strife, besides probing strategic affairs in India’s neighbourhood.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTMC MP Saayoni Ghosh Reacts After BJP Leader’s Alleged Rs 1 Crore Beheading Remark‘The World Needs More Sambandh’: Iceland PM Kristrún Frostadóttir Praises PM Modi At Oslo SummitTMC Candidate Jahangir Khan Pulls Out Of Falta Re-Poll 2 Days Before Voting | Headlines@9Out On Bail, Rape Accused Gets Grand Welcome In UP’s GhaziabadKanpur: ITBP Soldier Carries Mother’s Severed Hand to Police HQ After Alleged Hospital NegligenceFrom Islampura Back To Krishan Nagar: Pakistan Moves To Restore Lahore’s Pre-Partition Names’New Sunrise’: Amit Shah Unveils Bastar Development Push, Slams Previous Congress GovtDelhi Court Rejects Umar Khalid’s Interim Bail Plea In 2020 Riots CaseTMC Candidate Jahangir Khan Withdraws From Falta Repoll Days After ‘Pushpa’ Face-Off10 Arrests, 3 States: Meet The ‘Masterminds’ Of NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak Now In CBI Custody123PhotostoriesJacqueline Fernandez turns Cannes 2026 into a vintage fashion fantasy with her glamorous sequin lookInside the Jolie-Pitt family: All about Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s six childrenThink they’re polar bears? These 5 dogs can easily fool youDelhi records 44°C temperature: Ministry of Ayush recommends 12 foods and drinks for protection against heat-related illnessesVaping vs cigarettes: Why cancer doctors say young adults should stop believing the “safer alternative” mythSummer skincare tips: Natural ingredients to treat tanning and breakoutsMovies that were turned into popular web series: ‘LOTR,’ ‘Cobra Kai,’ ‘Dune: Prophecy,’ and moreInside Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s Rs. 96 crore net worth: Bungalow named after his father, pay packages, cars and everything you need to know10 surprising facts about gharials that make them different from other crocodiliansMeet the eyelash viper: One of nature’s most striking snakes123Hot PicksSBI apprentice recruitment 2026US Iran warCBSE Class 12 re-evaluation 2026Gold price predictionAdani Group stocksNEET exam cancelledTamil Nadu assemblyTop TrendingTwisha SharmaJEE AdvancedFifa World Cup 2026Subnautica 2 Enameled Glass GuideWWE Raw HighlightsIPL 2026IPL Orange Cap 2026India VS Afghanistan Squad AnnouncementLeviathan in Subnautica 2Fuel Price Hike


Naxalism in Bastar an outcome of lack of development, says Amit Shah

JAGDALPUR: Home minister Amit Shah, who wound up his first visit to this erstwhile ‘Red’ pocket borough since Left-wing extremism was eliminated, on Tuesday listed four dates as milestones in the journey to making Bastar Naxal-free, the first being Dec 23, 2024, when a BJP govt was elected in Chhattisgarh; Aug 24, 2024, when the March 31, 2026, deadline for uprooting Naxalism was announced; March 31, 2026, before which Naxalism was completely uprooted; and May 19, 2026, which marked the launch of an initiative aimed at doorstep delivery of all govt benefits to the tribals of Bastar by repurposing security camps into one-stop public service centres. “It is a matter of great pride that Naxalism had been completely eradicated,” Shah said but added that a key obstacle in this journey until Dec 13, 2023, was the lack of cooperation from the erstwhile Congress govt in Chhattisgarh (headed by Bhupesh Baghel). “I can now say without any hesitation that while other non-BJP govts have cooperated in the fight against Naxalism, the Congress govt in Chhattisgarh did not,” he said at a press conference in Jagdalpur. “After the BJP govt was elected in Chhattisgarh on Dec 13, 2024, we stepped up our efforts. On Aug 24, 2024, after reviewing the LWE situation at the annual conference of police chiefs of all states, March 31, 2026, was declared the deadline for making the country Naxalism-free. The goal was achieved before the deadline ended.” The latest milestone he mentioned is May 19, 2026, when an initiative to create 70 Veer Saheed Gunda Dhur ‘seva dera’ (public service camps) and push integrated development across Bastar stands launched. “Contrary to the narrative peddled by the left-leaning intelligentsia that Naxalism was due to the lack of development in affected areas, the reality is that Naxalism was an outcome of lack of development,” he said. “There were far more backward areas in the country… why is it that Naxalism did not raise its head in these areas? The other areas eventually saw development, but Bastar remained backward with locals denied basic development...” “Now that Bastar is Naxal-free, an initiative to push integrated development has been launched… The aim is to compensate locals, denied benefits for the last five decades, with doorstep delivery of govt schemes and benefits.”



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. Security forces combing Porahat forest in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum in search for wanted Maoist Saluka Kayam were ambushed by Naxals, triggering retaliatory firing for around 30 minutes on Tuesday. “No casualty has been reported so far in the gunfight. However, security personnel are camping at the site,” SP Amit Renu said, adding the Maoists fled the area. Active in the Kudburu-Kedabir stretch of Porahat forest, Kayan is tasked with reviving the outfit in the mineral-rich forest. tnnEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTMC MP Saayoni Ghosh Reacts After BJP Leader’s Alleged Rs 1 Crore Beheading Remark‘The World Needs More Sambandh’: Iceland PM Kristrún Frostadóttir Praises PM Modi At Oslo SummitTMC Candidate Jahangir Khan Pulls Out Of Falta Re-Poll 2 Days Before Voting | Headlines@9Out On Bail, Rape Accused Gets Grand Welcome In UP’s GhaziabadKanpur: ITBP Soldier Carries Mother’s Severed Hand to Police HQ After Alleged Hospital NegligenceFrom Islampura Back To Krishan Nagar: Pakistan Moves To Restore Lahore’s Pre-Partition Names’New Sunrise’: Amit Shah Unveils Bastar Development Push, Slams Previous Congress GovtDelhi Court Rejects Umar Khalid’s Interim Bail Plea In 2020 Riots CaseTMC Candidate Jahangir Khan Withdraws From Falta Repoll Days After ‘Pushpa’ Face-Off10 Arrests, 3 States: Meet The ‘Masterminds’ Of NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak Now In CBI Custody123PhotostoriesJacqueline Fernandez turns Cannes 2026 into a vintage fashion fantasy with her glamorous sequin lookInside the Jolie-Pitt family: All about Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s six childrenThink they’re polar bears? These 5 dogs can easily fool youDelhi records 44°C temperature: Ministry of Ayush recommends 12 foods and drinks for protection against heat-related illnessesVaping vs cigarettes: Why cancer doctors say young adults should stop believing the “safer alternative” mythSummer skincare tips: Natural ingredients to treat tanning and breakoutsMovies that were turned into popular web series: ‘LOTR,’ ‘Cobra Kai,’ ‘Dune: Prophecy,’ and moreInside Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s Rs. 96 crore net worth: Bungalow named after his father, pay packages, cars and everything you need to know10 surprising facts about gharials that make them different from other crocodiliansMeet the eyelash viper: One of nature’s most striking snakes123Hot PicksSBI apprentice recruitment 2026US Iran warCBSE Class 12 re-evaluation 2026Gold price predictionAdani Group stocksNEET exam cancelledTamil Nadu assemblyTop TrendingTwisha SharmaJEE AdvancedFifa World Cup 2026Subnautica 2 Enameled Glass GuideWWE Raw HighlightsIPL 2026IPL Orange Cap 2026India VS Afghanistan Squad AnnouncementLeviathan in Subnautica 2Fuel Price Hike

. Security forces combing Porahat forest in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum in search for wanted Maoist Saluka Kayam were ambushed by Naxals, triggering retaliatory firing for around 30 minutes on Tuesday. “No casualty has been reported so far in the gunfight. However, security personnel are camping at the site,” SP Amit Renu said, adding the Maoists fled the area. Active in the Kudburu-Kedabir stretch of Porahat forest, Kayan is tasked with reviving the outfit in the mineral-rich forest. tnnEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTMC MP Saayoni Ghosh Reacts After BJP Leader’s Alleged Rs 1 Crore Beheading Remark‘The World Needs More Sambandh’: Iceland PM Kristrún Frostadóttir Praises PM Modi At Oslo SummitTMC Candidate Jahangir Khan Pulls Out Of Falta Re-Poll 2 Days Before Voting | Headlines@9Out On Bail, Rape Accused Gets Grand Welcome In UP’s GhaziabadKanpur: ITBP Soldier Carries Mother’s Severed Hand to Police HQ After Alleged Hospital NegligenceFrom Islampura Back To Krishan Nagar: Pakistan Moves To Restore Lahore’s Pre-Partition Names’New Sunrise’: Amit Shah Unveils Bastar Development Push, Slams Previous Congress GovtDelhi Court Rejects Umar Khalid’s Interim Bail Plea In 2020 Riots CaseTMC Candidate Jahangir Khan Withdraws From Falta Repoll Days After ‘Pushpa’ Face-Off10 Arrests, 3 States: Meet The ‘Masterminds’ Of NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak Now In CBI Custody123PhotostoriesJacqueline Fernandez turns Cannes 2026 into a vintage fashion fantasy with her glamorous sequin lookInside the Jolie-Pitt family: All about Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s six childrenThink they’re polar bears? These 5 dogs can easily fool youDelhi records 44°C temperature: Ministry of Ayush recommends 12 foods and drinks for protection against heat-related illnessesVaping vs cigarettes: Why cancer doctors say young adults should stop believing the “safer alternative” mythSummer skincare tips: Natural ingredients to treat tanning and breakoutsMovies that were turned into popular web series: ‘LOTR,’ ‘Cobra Kai,’ ‘Dune: Prophecy,’ and moreInside Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s Rs. 96 crore net worth: Bungalow named after his father, pay packages, cars and everything you need to know10 surprising facts about gharials that make them different from other crocodiliansMeet the eyelash viper: One of nature’s most striking snakes123Hot PicksSBI apprentice recruitment 2026US Iran warCBSE Class 12 re-evaluation 2026Gold price predictionAdani Group stocksNEET exam cancelledTamil Nadu assemblyTop TrendingTwisha SharmaJEE AdvancedFifa World Cup 2026Subnautica 2 Enameled Glass GuideWWE Raw HighlightsIPL 2026IPL Orange Cap 2026India VS Afghanistan Squad AnnouncementLeviathan in Subnautica 2Fuel Price Hike

Vamsikrishna 0
SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha led a march in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Tuesday under Nasha Mukt Abhiyan, a 100-day anti-drug campaign he launched on April 11.“This past month, J&K has witnessed public spirit awaken. In Baramulla, I saw thousands raising their voices against drugs. Similarly, in Jammu, Samba, Udhampur, Kathua, Srinagar and other districts, I found young people and parents resolutely committed to this fight,” Sinha said.“In Pulwama alone, more than 11,000 local events have been organised in recent days. FIRs have been registered against 48 drug smugglers, and 56 drug traffickers have been arrested. These figures show we are striking directly at the roots of terror,” Sinha said.For many decades, drug smuggling in J&K had been treated as a petty crime, LG Sinha said. “But now, people must realise that a drug smuggler and a terrorist are two sides of the same coin. Drug smugglers profit by destroying the futures of our youth while terror outfits use that money to fuel terrorism and radicalisation in J&K,” he added.Sinha’s anti-drug campaign saw large-scale awareness programmes organised by police and civil administration, destruction of poppy cultivation, random urine testing of drivers and intensified crackdowns on drug networks. Awareness drives were also conducted in schools and govt institutions.“Since April 11, around 897 drug smugglers and peddlers have been arrested. Recommendations have been made to cancel passports of 18 drug traffickers. Additionally, driving licenses of 382 traffickers and peddlers, and registrations of 386 vehicles have been cancelled. As many as 49 immovable properties have been seized and 45 properties demolished,” LG Sinha said. “Stay vigilant. Stay united. I want people of J&K to remember that stopping one peddler saves a life, and every life saved weakens terror in the valley,” he added.“To block drug trafficking, strengthen ground-level monitoring and rehabilitation, 6,646 village women’s committees and 2,997 youth clubs have been formed across J&K. More than 100 helpline calls are being received each day, and over 52,000 patients have received treatment in addiction treatment facilities so far,” a Lok Bhawan spokesperson said.Meanwhile, some political parties objected to the demolition of properties during the drive. Health minister Sakina Itoo condemned the bulldozing of homes. “If a child is addicted to drugs, our responsibility is to rehabilitate him. If a property is in the father’s name, why should it be demolished or seized?” she questioned.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTMC MP Saayoni Ghosh Reacts After BJP Leader’s Alleged Rs 1 Crore Beheading Remark‘The World Needs More Sambandh’: Iceland PM Kristrún Frostadóttir Praises PM Modi At Oslo SummitTMC Candidate Jahangir Khan Pulls Out Of Falta Re-Poll 2 Days Before Voting | Headlines@9Out On Bail, Rape Accused Gets Grand Welcome In UP’s GhaziabadKanpur: ITBP Soldier Carries Mother’s Severed Hand to Police HQ After Alleged Hospital NegligenceFrom Islampura Back To Krishan Nagar: Pakistan Moves To Restore Lahore’s Pre-Partition Names’New Sunrise’: Amit Shah Unveils Bastar Development Push, Slams Previous Congress GovtDelhi Court Rejects Umar Khalid’s Interim Bail Plea In 2020 Riots CaseTMC Candidate Jahangir Khan Withdraws From Falta Repoll Days After ‘Pushpa’ Face-Off10 Arrests, 3 States: Meet The ‘Masterminds’ Of NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak Now In CBI Custody123PhotostoriesJacqueline Fernandez turns Cannes 2026 into a vintage fashion fantasy with her glamorous sequin lookInside the Jolie-Pitt family: All about Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s six childrenThink they’re polar bears? These 5 dogs can easily fool youDelhi records 44°C temperature: Ministry of Ayush recommends 12 foods and drinks for protection against heat-related illnessesVaping vs cigarettes: Why cancer doctors say young adults should stop believing the “safer alternative” mythSummer skincare tips: Natural ingredients to treat tanning and breakoutsMovies that were turned into popular web series: ‘LOTR,’ ‘Cobra Kai,’ ‘Dune: Prophecy,’ and moreInside Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s Rs. 96 crore net worth: Bungalow named after his father, pay packages, cars and everything you need to know10 surprising facts about gharials that make them different from other crocodiliansMeet the eyelash viper: One of nature’s most striking snakes123Hot PicksSBI apprentice recruitment 2026US Iran warCBSE Class 12 re-evaluation 2026Gold price predictionAdani Group stocksNEET exam cancelledTamil Nadu assemblyTop TrendingTwisha SharmaJEE AdvancedFifa World Cup 2026Subnautica 2 Enameled Glass GuideWWE Raw HighlightsIPL 2026IPL Orange Cap 2026India VS Afghanistan Squad AnnouncementLeviathan in Subnautica 2Fuel Price Hike

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha led a march in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Tuesday under Nasha Mukt Abhiyan, a 100-day anti-drug campaign he launched on April 11.“This past month, J&K has witnessed public spirit awaken. In Baramulla, I saw thousands raising their voices against drugs. Similarly, in Jammu, Samba, Udhampur, Kathua, Srinagar and other districts, I found young people and parents resolutely committed to this fight,” Sinha said.“In Pulwama alone, more than 11,000 local events have been organised in recent days. FIRs have been registered against 48 drug smugglers, and 56 drug traffickers have been arrested. These figures show we are striking directly at the roots of terror,” Sinha said.For many decades, drug smuggling in J&K had been treated as a petty crime, LG Sinha said. “But now, people must realise that a drug smuggler and a terrorist are two sides of the same coin. Drug smugglers profit by destroying the futures of our youth while terror outfits use that money to fuel terrorism and radicalisation in J&K,” he added.Sinha’s anti-drug campaign saw large-scale awareness programmes organised by police and civil administration, destruction of poppy cultivation, random urine testing of drivers and intensified crackdowns on drug networks. Awareness drives were also conducted in schools and govt institutions.“Since April 11, around 897 drug smugglers and peddlers have been arrested. Recommendations have been made to cancel passports of 18 drug traffickers. Additionally, driving licenses of 382 traffickers and peddlers, and registrations of 386 vehicles have been cancelled. As many as 49 immovable properties have been seized and 45 properties demolished,” LG Sinha said. “Stay vigilant. Stay united. I want people of J&K to remember that stopping one peddler saves a life, and every life saved weakens terror in the valley,” he added.“To block drug trafficking, strengthen ground-level monitoring and rehabilitation, 6,646 village women’s committees and 2,997 youth clubs have been formed across J&K. More than 100 helpline calls are being received each day, and over 52,000 patients have received treatment in addiction treatment facilities so far,” a Lok Bhawan spokesperson said.Meanwhile, some political parties objected to the demolition of properties during the drive. Health minister Sakina Itoo condemned the bulldozing of homes. “If a child is addicted to drugs, our responsibility is to rehabilitate him. If a property is in the father’s name, why should it be demolished or seized?” she questioned.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTMC MP Saayoni Ghosh Reacts After BJP Leader’s Alleged Rs 1 Crore Beheading Remark‘The World Needs More Sambandh’: Iceland PM Kristrún Frostadóttir Praises PM Modi At Oslo SummitTMC Candidate Jahangir Khan Pulls Out Of Falta Re-Poll 2 Days Before Voting | Headlines@9Out On Bail, Rape Accused Gets Grand Welcome In UP’s GhaziabadKanpur: ITBP Soldier Carries Mother’s Severed Hand to Police HQ After Alleged Hospital NegligenceFrom Islampura Back To Krishan Nagar: Pakistan Moves To Restore Lahore’s Pre-Partition Names’New Sunrise’: Amit Shah Unveils Bastar Development Push, Slams Previous Congress GovtDelhi Court Rejects Umar Khalid’s Interim Bail Plea In 2020 Riots CaseTMC Candidate Jahangir Khan Withdraws From Falta Repoll Days After ‘Pushpa’ Face-Off10 Arrests, 3 States: Meet The ‘Masterminds’ Of NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak Now In CBI Custody123PhotostoriesJacqueline Fernandez turns Cannes 2026 into a vintage fashion fantasy with her glamorous sequin lookInside the Jolie-Pitt family: All about Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s six childrenThink they’re polar bears? These 5 dogs can easily fool youDelhi records 44°C temperature: Ministry of Ayush recommends 12 foods and drinks for protection against heat-related illnessesVaping vs cigarettes: Why cancer doctors say young adults should stop believing the “safer alternative” mythSummer skincare tips: Natural ingredients to treat tanning and breakoutsMovies that were turned into popular web series: ‘LOTR,’ ‘Cobra Kai,’ ‘Dune: Prophecy,’ and moreInside Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s Rs. 96 crore net worth: Bungalow named after his father, pay packages, cars and everything you need to know10 surprising facts about gharials that make them different from other crocodiliansMeet the eyelash viper: One of nature’s most striking snakes123Hot PicksSBI apprentice recruitment 2026US Iran warCBSE Class 12 re-evaluation 2026Gold price predictionAdani Group stocksNEET exam cancelledTamil Nadu assemblyTop TrendingTwisha SharmaJEE AdvancedFifa World Cup 2026Subnautica 2 Enameled Glass GuideWWE Raw HighlightsIPL 2026IPL Orange Cap 2026India VS Afghanistan Squad AnnouncementLeviathan in Subnautica 2Fuel Price Hike

Vamsikrishna 0
(ANI) NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Rome on Tuesday (local time) for the final leg of his five-nation tour, where he is scheduled to meet Italian President Sergio Mattarella, hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and participate in diplomatic engagements before departing for India on Wednesday.In a post on X, PM Modi said, “Landed in Rome, Italy. I will be meeting President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and holding discussions with them. This visit will focus on how to boost India-Italy cooperation, especially focusing on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). The Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029 will also be reviewed. I will also be visiting the Headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and strengthening India’s commitment to multilateralism as well as global food security.”The visit comes at a time when India and Italy are expanding cooperation across trade, investment, defence and security, clean energy, innovation, science and technology, and people-to-people exchanges under the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029. Bilateral trade between the two countries reached USD 16.77 billion in 2025, while cumulative FDI stood at USD 3.66 billion between April 2000 and September 2025.PM Modi had previously visited Italy in June 2024 to attend the G7 Summit.Before arriving in Rome, the prime minister was in Oslo, Norway, where he participated in the 3rd India-Nordic Summit and held engagements aimed at strengthening India’s partnership with Nordic nations.The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in a post on X, said, “PM Narendra Modi departs from Oslo after a successful visit encompassing important outcomes which opens a new chapter in India-Nordic and India-Norway partnerships. Prime Minister Narendra Modi emplanes for Rome for his last leg of the 5-country visit.”During the summit in Oslo, PM Modi met leaders from Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland and Sweden. Discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in green technology, climate action, trade, innovation, artificial intelligence, Arctic research and defence collaboration.India and the Nordic countries also elevated their ties to a “Green Technology and Innovation Strategic Partnership”, reaffirming their commitment to deeper cooperation based on shared democratic values and sustainable development goals.Norway marked the fourth leg of PM Modi’s five-nation visit. Before visiting Oslo, he had travelled to the UAE, the Netherlands and Sweden.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTMC MP Saayoni Ghosh Reacts After BJP Leader’s Alleged Rs 1 Crore Beheading Remark‘The World Needs More Sambandh’: Iceland PM Kristrún Frostadóttir Praises PM Modi At Oslo SummitTMC Candidate Jahangir Khan Pulls Out Of Falta Re-Poll 2 Days Before Voting | Headlines@9Out On Bail, Rape Accused Gets Grand Welcome In UP’s GhaziabadKanpur: ITBP Soldier Carries Mother’s Severed Hand to Police HQ After Alleged Hospital NegligenceFrom Islampura Back To Krishan Nagar: Pakistan Moves To Restore Lahore’s Pre-Partition Names’New Sunrise’: Amit Shah Unveils Bastar Development Push, Slams Previous Congress GovtDelhi Court Rejects Umar Khalid’s Interim Bail Plea In 2020 Riots CaseTMC Candidate Jahangir Khan Withdraws From Falta Repoll Days After ‘Pushpa’ Face-Off10 Arrests, 3 States: Meet The ‘Masterminds’ Of NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak Now In CBI Custody123PhotostoriesJacqueline Fernandez turns Cannes 2026 into a vintage fashion fantasy with her glamorous sequin lookInside the Jolie-Pitt family: All about Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s six childrenThink they’re polar bears? These 5 dogs can easily fool youDelhi records 44°C temperature: Ministry of Ayush recommends 12 foods and drinks for protection against heat-related illnessesVaping vs cigarettes: Why cancer doctors say young adults should stop believing the “safer alternative” mythSummer skincare tips: Natural ingredients to treat tanning and breakoutsMovies that were turned into popular web series: ‘LOTR,’ ‘Cobra Kai,’ ‘Dune: Prophecy,’ and moreInside Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s Rs. 96 crore net worth: Bungalow named after his father, pay packages, cars and everything you need to know10 surprising facts about gharials that make them different from other crocodiliansMeet the eyelash viper: One of nature’s most striking snakes123Hot PicksSBI apprentice recruitment 2026US Iran warCBSE Class 12 re-evaluation 2026Gold price predictionAdani Group stocksNEET exam cancelledTamil Nadu assemblyTop TrendingTwisha SharmaJEE AdvancedFifa World Cup 2026Subnautica 2 Enameled Glass GuideWWE Raw HighlightsIPL 2026IPL Orange Cap 2026India VS Afghanistan Squad AnnouncementLeviathan in Subnautica 2Fuel Price Hike

(ANI) NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Rome on Tuesday (local time) for the final leg of his five-nation tour, where he is scheduled to meet Italian President Sergio Mattarella, hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and participate in diplomatic engagements before departing for India on Wednesday.In a post on X, PM Modi said, “Landed in Rome, Italy. I will be meeting President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and holding discussions with them. This visit will focus on how to boost India-Italy cooperation, especially focusing on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). The Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029 will also be reviewed. I will also be visiting the Headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and strengthening India’s commitment to multilateralism as well as global food security.”The visit comes at a time when India and Italy are expanding cooperation across trade, investment, defence and security, clean energy, innovation, science and technology, and people-to-people exchanges under the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029. Bilateral trade between the two countries reached USD 16.77 billion in 2025, while cumulative FDI stood at USD 3.66 billion between April 2000 and September 2025.PM Modi had previously visited Italy in June 2024 to attend the G7 Summit.Before arriving in Rome, the prime minister was in Oslo, Norway, where he participated in the 3rd India-Nordic Summit and held engagements aimed at strengthening India’s partnership with Nordic nations.The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in a post on X, said, “PM Narendra Modi departs from Oslo after a successful visit encompassing important outcomes which opens a new chapter in India-Nordic and India-Norway partnerships. Prime Minister Narendra Modi emplanes for Rome for his last leg of the 5-country visit.”During the summit in Oslo, PM Modi met leaders from Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland and Sweden. Discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in green technology, climate action, trade, innovation, artificial intelligence, Arctic research and defence collaboration.India and the Nordic countries also elevated their ties to a “Green Technology and Innovation Strategic Partnership”, reaffirming their commitment to deeper cooperation based on shared democratic values and sustainable development goals.Norway marked the fourth leg of PM Modi’s five-nation visit. Before visiting Oslo, he had travelled to the UAE, the Netherlands and Sweden.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTMC MP Saayoni Ghosh Reacts After BJP Leader’s Alleged Rs 1 Crore Beheading Remark‘The World Needs More Sambandh’: Iceland PM Kristrún Frostadóttir Praises PM Modi At Oslo SummitTMC Candidate Jahangir Khan Pulls Out Of Falta Re-Poll 2 Days Before Voting | Headlines@9Out On Bail, Rape Accused Gets Grand Welcome In UP’s GhaziabadKanpur: ITBP Soldier Carries Mother’s Severed Hand to Police HQ After Alleged Hospital NegligenceFrom Islampura Back To Krishan Nagar: Pakistan Moves To Restore Lahore’s Pre-Partition Names’New Sunrise’: Amit Shah Unveils Bastar Development Push, Slams Previous Congress GovtDelhi Court Rejects Umar Khalid’s Interim Bail Plea In 2020 Riots CaseTMC Candidate Jahangir Khan Withdraws From Falta Repoll Days After ‘Pushpa’ Face-Off10 Arrests, 3 States: Meet The ‘Masterminds’ Of NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak Now In CBI Custody123PhotostoriesJacqueline Fernandez turns Cannes 2026 into a vintage fashion fantasy with her glamorous sequin lookInside the Jolie-Pitt family: All about Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s six childrenThink they’re polar bears? These 5 dogs can easily fool youDelhi records 44°C temperature: Ministry of Ayush recommends 12 foods and drinks for protection against heat-related illnessesVaping vs cigarettes: Why cancer doctors say young adults should stop believing the “safer alternative” mythSummer skincare tips: Natural ingredients to treat tanning and breakoutsMovies that were turned into popular web series: ‘LOTR,’ ‘Cobra Kai,’ ‘Dune: Prophecy,’ and moreInside Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s Rs. 96 crore net worth: Bungalow named after his father, pay packages, cars and everything you need to know10 surprising facts about gharials that make them different from other crocodiliansMeet the eyelash viper: One of nature’s most striking snakes123Hot PicksSBI apprentice recruitment 2026US Iran warCBSE Class 12 re-evaluation 2026Gold price predictionAdani Group stocksNEET exam cancelledTamil Nadu assemblyTop TrendingTwisha SharmaJEE AdvancedFifa World Cup 2026Subnautica 2 Enameled Glass GuideWWE Raw HighlightsIPL 2026IPL Orange Cap 2026India VS Afghanistan Squad AnnouncementLeviathan in Subnautica 2Fuel Price Hike

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. SRINAGAR: Panzath Nag has been flowing for ages. So have celebrations. Now, bigger ripples of prominence and excitement course through the brook in south Kashmir’s Qazigund after a 400-year-old community cleaning and fishing festival tied to it seeped into an episode of PM Narendra Modi’s Mann Ki Baat.This time, the Panzath fest fervour crested last weekend on May 17 when hundreds fanned out across the stream, dipping wicker baskets and lifting them out with fish, weeds and debris before emptying them along the banks.The dip-and-lift desilting drill wasn’t desultory — the participants sent up lusty cheers, peppering them with local folk songs. Some tuned in with Bollywood chartbusters. Hundreds more, who had come from various parts of the Valley, stood by the banks, egging on the filth fighters.Rao Farman Ali, an environmental activist and author, said Panzath Nag originates in Qazigund’s Panzath village, feeding a wider network of springs and helping irrigate dozens of villages. “The festival is an occasion for celebration but, more importantly, a community service as it helps desilt the spring. We can say it is an agricultural festival ahead of the paddy sowing season in mid-May,” Ali said.The word Panzath is believed to have originated from Paanch Haath, meaning five hundred. Legend has it that 500 springs once flowed through the area. Though most have disappeared over time, the community’s commitment to preserving its water heritage continues through this unique annual fishing-and-cleaning festival.The effort gained national recognition when PM Modi mentioned it in Mann Ki Baat in 2023, praising the villagers for taking collective responsibility for protecting and restoring vital water sources.Since then, enthusiasm has grown, as have participants and spectators. “I have seen this (celebration) every year since childhood and heard from elders that it began nearly 400 years ago,” said local villager Abdul Aziz (70).Gul Wani, former head of political science department at University of Kashmir, travelled 75km from Srinagar to witness the festival. “My sense is that it dates back to the Mughal era. What was once seen largely as a celebration has acquired more importance in modern times amid growing concerns over climate change and shrinking water bodies,” Wani said. He emphasised that the stream is the lifeline of the area and called for govt efforts to help protect the spring from gradual erosion and declining capacity.Amid the swirl of joy, a much-awaited bonus is fishing, more so as it is allowed only once a year — on Panzath festival day. “Hundreds spend an entire day cleaning and if they catch some fish along the way, it needs to be appreciated,” Wani said, urging authorities to allow fishing at least twice a year.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTMC MP Saayoni Ghosh Reacts After BJP Leader’s Alleged Rs 1 Crore Beheading Remark‘The World Needs More Sambandh’: Iceland PM Kristrún Frostadóttir Praises PM Modi At Oslo SummitTMC Candidate Jahangir Khan Pulls Out Of Falta Re-Poll 2 Days Before Voting | Headlines@9Out On Bail, Rape Accused Gets Grand Welcome In UP’s GhaziabadKanpur: ITBP Soldier Carries Mother’s Severed Hand to Police HQ After Alleged Hospital NegligenceFrom Islampura Back To Krishan Nagar: Pakistan Moves To Restore Lahore’s Pre-Partition Names’New Sunrise’: Amit Shah Unveils Bastar Development Push, Slams Previous Congress GovtDelhi Court Rejects Umar Khalid’s Interim Bail Plea In 2020 Riots CaseTMC Candidate Jahangir Khan Withdraws From Falta Repoll Days After ‘Pushpa’ Face-Off10 Arrests, 3 States: Meet The ‘Masterminds’ Of NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak Now In CBI Custody123PhotostoriesJacqueline Fernandez turns Cannes 2026 into a vintage fashion fantasy with her glamorous sequin lookInside the Jolie-Pitt family: All about Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s six childrenThink they’re polar bears? These 5 dogs can easily fool youDelhi records 44°C temperature: Ministry of Ayush recommends 12 foods and drinks for protection against heat-related illnessesVaping vs cigarettes: Why cancer doctors say young adults should stop believing the “safer alternative” mythSummer skincare tips: Natural ingredients to treat tanning and breakoutsMovies that were turned into popular web series: ‘LOTR,’ ‘Cobra Kai,’ ‘Dune: Prophecy,’ and moreInside Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s Rs. 96 crore net worth: Bungalow named after his father, pay packages, cars and everything you need to know10 surprising facts about gharials that make them different from other crocodiliansMeet the eyelash viper: One of nature’s most striking snakes123Hot PicksSBI apprentice recruitment 2026US Iran warCBSE Class 12 re-evaluation 2026Gold price predictionAdani Group stocksNEET exam cancelledTamil Nadu assemblyTop TrendingTwisha SharmaJEE AdvancedFifa World Cup 2026Subnautica 2 Enameled Glass GuideWWE Raw HighlightsIPL 2026IPL Orange Cap 2026India VS Afghanistan Squad AnnouncementLeviathan in Subnautica 2Fuel Price Hike

. SRINAGAR: Panzath Nag has been flowing for ages. So have celebrations. Now, bigger ripples of prominence and excitement course through the brook in south Kashmir’s Qazigund after a 400-year-old community cleaning and fishing festival tied to it seeped into an episode of PM Narendra Modi’s Mann Ki Baat.This time, the Panzath fest fervour crested last weekend on May 17 when hundreds fanned out across the stream, dipping wicker baskets and lifting them out with fish, weeds and debris before emptying them along the banks.The dip-and-lift desilting drill wasn’t desultory — the participants sent up lusty cheers, peppering them with local folk songs. Some tuned in with Bollywood chartbusters. Hundreds more, who had come from various parts of the Valley, stood by the banks, egging on the filth fighters.Rao Farman Ali, an environmental activist and author, said Panzath Nag originates in Qazigund’s Panzath village, feeding a wider network of springs and helping irrigate dozens of villages. “The festival is an occasion for celebration but, more importantly, a community service as it helps desilt the spring. We can say it is an agricultural festival ahead of the paddy sowing season in mid-May,” Ali said.The word Panzath is believed to have originated from Paanch Haath, meaning five hundred. Legend has it that 500 springs once flowed through the area. Though most have disappeared over time, the community’s commitment to preserving its water heritage continues through this unique annual fishing-and-cleaning festival.The effort gained national recognition when PM Modi mentioned it in Mann Ki Baat in 2023, praising the villagers for taking collective responsibility for protecting and restoring vital water sources.Since then, enthusiasm has grown, as have participants and spectators. “I have seen this (celebration) every year since childhood and heard from elders that it began nearly 400 years ago,” said local villager Abdul Aziz (70).Gul Wani, former head of political science department at University of Kashmir, travelled 75km from Srinagar to witness the festival. “My sense is that it dates back to the Mughal era. What was once seen largely as a celebration has acquired more importance in modern times amid growing concerns over climate change and shrinking water bodies,” Wani said. He emphasised that the stream is the lifeline of the area and called for govt efforts to help protect the spring from gradual erosion and declining capacity.Amid the swirl of joy, a much-awaited bonus is fishing, more so as it is allowed only once a year — on Panzath festival day. “Hundreds spend an entire day cleaning and if they catch some fish along the way, it needs to be appreciated,” Wani said, urging authorities to allow fishing at least twice a year.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTMC MP Saayoni Ghosh Reacts After BJP Leader’s Alleged Rs 1 Crore Beheading Remark‘The World Needs More Sambandh’: Iceland PM Kristrún Frostadóttir Praises PM Modi At Oslo SummitTMC Candidate Jahangir Khan Pulls Out Of Falta Re-Poll 2 Days Before Voting | Headlines@9Out On Bail, Rape Accused Gets Grand Welcome In UP’s GhaziabadKanpur: ITBP Soldier Carries Mother’s Severed Hand to Police HQ After Alleged Hospital NegligenceFrom Islampura Back To Krishan Nagar: Pakistan Moves To Restore Lahore’s Pre-Partition Names’New Sunrise’: Amit Shah Unveils Bastar Development Push, Slams Previous Congress GovtDelhi Court Rejects Umar Khalid’s Interim Bail Plea In 2020 Riots CaseTMC Candidate Jahangir Khan Withdraws From Falta Repoll Days After ‘Pushpa’ Face-Off10 Arrests, 3 States: Meet The ‘Masterminds’ Of NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak Now In CBI Custody123PhotostoriesJacqueline Fernandez turns Cannes 2026 into a vintage fashion fantasy with her glamorous sequin lookInside the Jolie-Pitt family: All about Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s six childrenThink they’re polar bears? These 5 dogs can easily fool youDelhi records 44°C temperature: Ministry of Ayush recommends 12 foods and drinks for protection against heat-related illnessesVaping vs cigarettes: Why cancer doctors say young adults should stop believing the “safer alternative” mythSummer skincare tips: Natural ingredients to treat tanning and breakoutsMovies that were turned into popular web series: ‘LOTR,’ ‘Cobra Kai,’ ‘Dune: Prophecy,’ and moreInside Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s Rs. 96 crore net worth: Bungalow named after his father, pay packages, cars and everything you need to know10 surprising facts about gharials that make them different from other crocodiliansMeet the eyelash viper: One of nature’s most striking snakes123Hot PicksSBI apprentice recruitment 2026US Iran warCBSE Class 12 re-evaluation 2026Gold price predictionAdani Group stocksNEET exam cancelledTamil Nadu assemblyTop TrendingTwisha SharmaJEE AdvancedFifa World Cup 2026Subnautica 2 Enameled Glass GuideWWE Raw HighlightsIPL 2026IPL Orange Cap 2026India VS Afghanistan Squad AnnouncementLeviathan in Subnautica 2Fuel Price Hike

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