May 8, 2026

Mamata Banerjee KOLKATA: Bengal governor RN Ravi dissolved the assembly Thursday as the election process for a new legislature concluded, paving the way for installation of BJP’s first govt in the state, reports Debashis Konar. Mamata Banerjee, protesting the results, maintained she wouldn’t resign as CM. The governor’s decision coincided with an Election Commission move to lift the model code of conduct that had been in force since midMarch for the polls. The exception was Falta, where repolls will be held on May 21, followed by the results on May 24.Falta’s April 29 polling was revoked over voting malpractices. The governor said in a notification the assembly had been dissolved “from Thursday in accordance with constitutional provisions of Article 174(2)(b)”. The tenure of the assembly ended and, as new MLAs were elected, the House had to be prorogued, an official said. The new assembly will then be convened by the governor, the official said. The new MLAs will be administered oath soon. The oath is normally administered by the senior-most MLA — called pro-tem speaker — before the speaker is appointed, the official said. The new session of the assembly will begin with the governor’s speech. With the polls over, except for Falta, sources said that EC relieved Thursday two key officials — special poll observer Subrata Gupta and special police observer NK Mishra, from their duties.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosGovernor RN Ravi Dissolves West Bengal Assembly After Mamata Banerjee Refuses To ResignSatadru Dutta Accuses TMC’s Aroop Biswas Of Sabotaging Lionel Messi Kolkata EventWill Vijay Fight In Court For CM Post? | India Destroyed 13 Pakistani Aircraft | Headlines @9’Whatever Requires To Be Done’: Indian Air Force On Recent Missile Tests By Pakistan And China’Pending For Over 5 Yrs…’: India Reacts To Bangladesh’s ‘Pushback’ Remark After BJP’s Bengal Win’It Was Abhishek Banerjee’: BJP Blames TMC Leaders After Suvendu Adhikari’s Close Aide Shot Dead’No Terror Sanctuary Is Safe’: Indian Army Warns Pakistan On Op Sindoor Anniversary’Killed Him Because I Defeated Mamata In Bhabanipur’: Suvendu Adhikari On PA Chandranath’s Killing’Aap Haare Nahi Hain’: Akhilesh Yadav Tells Mamata Banerjee In Kolkata After TMC’s Bengal RoutIn Punjab Money Laundering Case Cash Bags Hurled From Ninth Floor During Raids123PhotostoriesRashtrapati Bhavan treated the Vietnamese President with Punjabi and Haryanvi meal: This is what was served on the menuHow to make Gujarati Kadhi for summer dinner at homeHappy Birthday Sai Pallavi: ‘Amaran’, ‘Premam’, ‘Fidaa’ – Films of the natural star to binge-watch on OTTThings you are not allowed to do in your garden in the USSimple kitchen habits that may attract more lizards indoorsMet Gala 2026: Weirdest red carpet looks that stole the spotlight this year5 beautiful scented plants to add to your garden todayStrengths of being an introvert: 5 unique traits of people who prefer to be alone over socialisingTaking supplements every day? Doctor warns they may be doing more harm than good7 plants that keep away mosquito from your house123Hot PicksBihar ministers listDelhi traffic advisoryDelhi rainPune child rape-murder casePerambur election resultIndia-New Zealand FTASugarcane price hikeTop TrendingKerala CMWest Bengal ViolenceTamil Nadu Class 12 Result 2026Maharashtra Board SSC Result 2026Kerala plus one improvement resultBihar cabinet expansionWBBSE Madhyamik Result 2026Salil AnkolaBihar Ministers ListRCB vs LSG IPL Match Today

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Mamata Banerjee KOLKATA: Bengal governor RN Ravi dissolved the assembly Thursday as the election process for a new legislature concluded, paving the way for installation of BJP’s first govt in the state, reports Debashis Konar. Mamata Banerjee, protesting the results, maintained she wouldn’t resign as CM. The governor’s decision coincided with an Election Commission move to lift the model code of conduct that had been in force since midMarch for the polls. The exception was Falta, where repolls will be held on May 21, followed by the results on May 24.Falta’s April 29 polling was revoked over voting malpractices. The governor said in a notification the assembly had been dissolved “from Thursday in accordance with constitutional provisions of Article 174(2)(b)”. The tenure of the assembly ended and, as new MLAs were elected, the House had to be prorogued, an official said. The new assembly will then be convened by the governor, the official said. The new MLAs will be administered oath soon. The oath is normally administered by the senior-most MLA — called pro-tem speaker — before the speaker is appointed, the official said. The new session of the assembly will begin with the governor’s speech. With the polls over, except for Falta, sources said that EC relieved Thursday two key officials — special poll observer Subrata Gupta and special police observer NK Mishra, from their duties.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosGovernor RN Ravi Dissolves West Bengal Assembly After Mamata Banerjee Refuses To ResignSatadru Dutta Accuses TMC’s Aroop Biswas Of Sabotaging Lionel Messi Kolkata EventWill Vijay Fight In Court For CM Post? | India Destroyed 13 Pakistani Aircraft | Headlines @9’Whatever Requires To Be Done’: Indian Air Force On Recent Missile Tests By Pakistan And China’Pending For Over 5 Yrs…’: India Reacts To Bangladesh’s ‘Pushback’ Remark After BJP’s Bengal Win’It Was Abhishek Banerjee’: BJP Blames TMC Leaders After Suvendu Adhikari’s Close Aide Shot Dead’No Terror Sanctuary Is Safe’: Indian Army Warns Pakistan On Op Sindoor Anniversary’Killed Him Because I Defeated Mamata In Bhabanipur’: Suvendu Adhikari On PA Chandranath’s Killing’Aap Haare Nahi Hain’: Akhilesh Yadav Tells Mamata Banerjee In Kolkata After TMC’s Bengal RoutIn Punjab Money Laundering Case Cash Bags Hurled From Ninth Floor During Raids123PhotostoriesRashtrapati Bhavan treated the Vietnamese President with Punjabi and Haryanvi meal: This is what was served on the menuHow to make Gujarati Kadhi for summer dinner at homeHappy Birthday Sai Pallavi: ‘Amaran’, ‘Premam’, ‘Fidaa’ – Films of the natural star to binge-watch on OTTThings you are not allowed to do in your garden in the USSimple kitchen habits that may attract more lizards indoorsMet Gala 2026: Weirdest red carpet looks that stole the spotlight this year5 beautiful scented plants to add to your garden todayStrengths of being an introvert: 5 unique traits of people who prefer to be alone over socialisingTaking supplements every day? Doctor warns they may be doing more harm than good7 plants that keep away mosquito from your house123Hot PicksBihar ministers listDelhi traffic advisoryDelhi rainPune child rape-murder casePerambur election resultIndia-New Zealand FTASugarcane price hikeTop TrendingKerala CMWest Bengal ViolenceTamil Nadu Class 12 Result 2026Maharashtra Board SSC Result 2026Kerala plus one improvement resultBihar cabinet expansionWBBSE Madhyamik Result 2026Salil AnkolaBihar Ministers ListRCB vs LSG IPL Match Today


West Bengal: Governor dissolves assembly even as Mamata Banerjee refuses to quit

KOLKATA: Bengal governor RN Ravi dissolved the assembly Thursday as the election process for a new legislature concluded, paving the way for installation of BJP’s first govt in the state, reports Debashis Konar. Mamata Banerjee, protesting the results, maintained she wouldn’t resign as CM. The governor’s decision coincided with an Election Commission move to lift the model code of conduct that had been in force since midMarch for the polls. The exception was Falta, where repolls will be held on May 21, followed by the results on May 24.Falta’s April 29 polling was revoked over voting malpractices. The governor said in a notification the assembly had been dissolved “from Thursday in accordance with constitutional provisions of Article 174(2)(b)”. The tenure of the assembly ended and, as new MLAs were elected, the House had to be prorogued, an official said. The new assembly will then be convened by the governor, the official said. The new MLAs will be administered oath soon. The oath is normally administered by the senior-most MLA — called pro-tem speaker — before the speaker is appointed, the official said. The new session of the assembly will begin with the governor’s speech. With the polls over, except for Falta, sources said that EC relieved Thursday two key officials — special poll observer Subrata Gupta and special police observer NK Mishra, from their duties.



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SIR KOLKATA: Calcutta HC’s former chief justice TS Sivagnanam resigned from an SIR tribunal in Bengal on Thursday. He cited personal reasons in his resignation letter to Calcutta HC CJ Sujoy Paul and Election Commission, reports Debashis Konar. After clearing 1,777 appeals over 22 days and rejecting none, Justice Sivagnanam said at its present pace, the tribunal would need four years to clear all Kolkata appeals. Initially, Justice Sivagnanam was appointed to the tribunal for petitioners from North 24 Parganas and Kolkata, but he also conducted hearings for cases from Malda, Murshidabad and Birbhum as they were referred to him by Supreme Court. Md Mahatab Sheikh, who won on a Congress ticket from the Farakka assembly seat, was the first to have his name cleared by the tribunal headed by Justice Sivagnanam. Justice Sivagnanam, who will be flying back to Chennai on Friday, said, “I even heard the appeals of Suprabuddha Sen, the grandson of eminent painter Nandalal Bose, and his wife Deepa Sen and restored their voting rights. I approached the appeals with an open mind.Later, I verified the appeals from Kolkata South and Kolkata North. I operated daily from 8.30am to 5pm to clear as many cases as I could, and even on Sundays, I cleared cases without any staff.” “I heard the appeals of the nuns of Missionaries of Charity and allowed 30 or more of them to vote. Although the certificates of the nuns did not match those from their pre-order lives, I did not reject any appeal,” he added. “There are still one lakh pending appeals. There were some problems with the online appeals; judges are accustomed to giving long orders, but the portal has word-count restrictions, so I started giving orders in four to five lines to accommodate this. I am accustomed to e-court proceedings, but not all ex-judges are tech-savvy… The technical support from the state govt for the 19 tribunals was excellent,” he said. The ex-judge noted there is a need for a special button in the system so that a notice can be sent to the applicants.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosGovernor RN Ravi Dissolves West Bengal Assembly After Mamata Banerjee Refuses To ResignSatadru Dutta Accuses TMC’s Aroop Biswas Of Sabotaging Lionel Messi Kolkata EventWill Vijay Fight In Court For CM Post? | India Destroyed 13 Pakistani Aircraft | Headlines @9’Whatever Requires To Be Done’: Indian Air Force On Recent Missile Tests By Pakistan And China’Pending For Over 5 Yrs…’: India Reacts To Bangladesh’s ‘Pushback’ Remark After BJP’s Bengal Win’It Was Abhishek Banerjee’: BJP Blames TMC Leaders After Suvendu Adhikari’s Close Aide Shot Dead’No Terror Sanctuary Is Safe’: Indian Army Warns Pakistan On Op Sindoor Anniversary’Killed Him Because I Defeated Mamata In Bhabanipur’: Suvendu Adhikari On PA Chandranath’s Killing’Aap Haare Nahi Hain’: Akhilesh Yadav Tells Mamata Banerjee In Kolkata After TMC’s Bengal RoutIn Punjab Money Laundering Case Cash Bags Hurled From Ninth Floor During Raids123PhotostoriesRashtrapati Bhavan treated the Vietnamese President with Punjabi and Haryanvi meal: This is what was served on the menuHow to make Gujarati Kadhi for summer dinner at homeHappy Birthday Sai Pallavi: ‘Amaran’, ‘Premam’, ‘Fidaa’ – Films of the natural star to binge-watch on OTTThings you are not allowed to do in your garden in the USSimple kitchen habits that may attract more lizards indoorsMet Gala 2026: Weirdest red carpet looks that stole the spotlight this year5 beautiful scented plants to add to your garden todayStrengths of being an introvert: 5 unique traits of people who prefer to be alone over socialisingTaking supplements every day? Doctor warns they may be doing more harm than good7 plants that keep away mosquito from your house123Hot PicksBihar ministers listDelhi traffic advisoryDelhi rainPune child rape-murder casePerambur election resultIndia-New Zealand FTASugarcane price hikeTop TrendingKerala CMWest Bengal ViolenceTamil Nadu Class 12 Result 2026Maharashtra Board SSC Result 2026Kerala plus one improvement resultBihar cabinet expansionWBBSE Madhyamik Result 2026Salil AnkolaBihar Ministers ListRCB vs LSG IPL Match Today

SIR KOLKATA: Calcutta HC’s former chief justice TS Sivagnanam resigned from an SIR tribunal in Bengal on Thursday. He cited personal reasons in his resignation letter to Calcutta HC CJ Sujoy Paul and Election Commission, reports Debashis Konar. After clearing 1,777 appeals over 22 days and rejecting none, Justice Sivagnanam said at its present pace, the tribunal would need four years to clear all Kolkata appeals. Initially, Justice Sivagnanam was appointed to the tribunal for petitioners from North 24 Parganas and Kolkata, but he also conducted hearings for cases from Malda, Murshidabad and Birbhum as they were referred to him by Supreme Court. Md Mahatab Sheikh, who won on a Congress ticket from the Farakka assembly seat, was the first to have his name cleared by the tribunal headed by Justice Sivagnanam. Justice Sivagnanam, who will be flying back to Chennai on Friday, said, “I even heard the appeals of Suprabuddha Sen, the grandson of eminent painter Nandalal Bose, and his wife Deepa Sen and restored their voting rights. I approached the appeals with an open mind.Later, I verified the appeals from Kolkata South and Kolkata North. I operated daily from 8.30am to 5pm to clear as many cases as I could, and even on Sundays, I cleared cases without any staff.” “I heard the appeals of the nuns of Missionaries of Charity and allowed 30 or more of them to vote. Although the certificates of the nuns did not match those from their pre-order lives, I did not reject any appeal,” he added. “There are still one lakh pending appeals. There were some problems with the online appeals; judges are accustomed to giving long orders, but the portal has word-count restrictions, so I started giving orders in four to five lines to accommodate this. I am accustomed to e-court proceedings, but not all ex-judges are tech-savvy… The technical support from the state govt for the 19 tribunals was excellent,” he said. The ex-judge noted there is a need for a special button in the system so that a notice can be sent to the applicants.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosGovernor RN Ravi Dissolves West Bengal Assembly After Mamata Banerjee Refuses To ResignSatadru Dutta Accuses TMC’s Aroop Biswas Of Sabotaging Lionel Messi Kolkata EventWill Vijay Fight In Court For CM Post? | India Destroyed 13 Pakistani Aircraft | Headlines @9’Whatever Requires To Be Done’: Indian Air Force On Recent Missile Tests By Pakistan And China’Pending For Over 5 Yrs…’: India Reacts To Bangladesh’s ‘Pushback’ Remark After BJP’s Bengal Win’It Was Abhishek Banerjee’: BJP Blames TMC Leaders After Suvendu Adhikari’s Close Aide Shot Dead’No Terror Sanctuary Is Safe’: Indian Army Warns Pakistan On Op Sindoor Anniversary’Killed Him Because I Defeated Mamata In Bhabanipur’: Suvendu Adhikari On PA Chandranath’s Killing’Aap Haare Nahi Hain’: Akhilesh Yadav Tells Mamata Banerjee In Kolkata After TMC’s Bengal RoutIn Punjab Money Laundering Case Cash Bags Hurled From Ninth Floor During Raids123PhotostoriesRashtrapati Bhavan treated the Vietnamese President with Punjabi and Haryanvi meal: This is what was served on the menuHow to make Gujarati Kadhi for summer dinner at homeHappy Birthday Sai Pallavi: ‘Amaran’, ‘Premam’, ‘Fidaa’ – Films of the natural star to binge-watch on OTTThings you are not allowed to do in your garden in the USSimple kitchen habits that may attract more lizards indoorsMet Gala 2026: Weirdest red carpet looks that stole the spotlight this year5 beautiful scented plants to add to your garden todayStrengths of being an introvert: 5 unique traits of people who prefer to be alone over socialisingTaking supplements every day? Doctor warns they may be doing more harm than good7 plants that keep away mosquito from your house123Hot PicksBihar ministers listDelhi traffic advisoryDelhi rainPune child rape-murder casePerambur election resultIndia-New Zealand FTASugarcane price hikeTop TrendingKerala CMWest Bengal ViolenceTamil Nadu Class 12 Result 2026Maharashtra Board SSC Result 2026Kerala plus one improvement resultBihar cabinet expansionWBBSE Madhyamik Result 2026Salil AnkolaBihar Ministers ListRCB vs LSG IPL Match Today

Vamsikrishna 0
. CHENNAI: Amid reports of talks between DMK and AIADMK for a post-poll tie-up, DMK legislature party has empowered outgoing CM M K Stalin to “study the evolving political situation and take immediate decisions” to ensure the formation of a stable govt. A resolution to this effect was passed at a meeting of DMK MLAs chaired by Stalin in Chennai on Thursday. DMK sources said that Stalin has told the MLAs that they should abide by any decision taken by the high command in the interest of the party. DMK neither denied talks were on for a DMK-AIADMK alliance nor ruled out the possibility of such a pact between the two Dravidian rivals. On being asked about reports on a DMK-AIADMK alliance, DMK organisational secretary T K S Elangovan said, “No such decision has been taken… But we will all abide by any decision taken by our representative (Stalin).” VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan hinted that the two parties were discussing an alliance. “It hasn’t taken shape yet. Once it takes shape, I will comment,” he said when asked on a possible DMK-AIADMK pact. The AIADMK camp, however, remained tight-lipped. DMK’s resolution at the legislature party meeting noted that the assembly election has produced a verdict in which no party has secured a majority. “This is a sensitive and complicated political situation. As Tamil Nadu is not prepared for another election, DMK’s foremost objective is to ensure the formation of a stable govt while keeping away communal forces,” the resolution said.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosGovernor RN Ravi Dissolves West Bengal Assembly After Mamata Banerjee Refuses To ResignSatadru Dutta Accuses TMC’s Aroop Biswas Of Sabotaging Lionel Messi Kolkata EventWill Vijay Fight In Court For CM Post? | India Destroyed 13 Pakistani Aircraft | Headlines @9’Whatever Requires To Be Done’: Indian Air Force On Recent Missile Tests By Pakistan And China’Pending For Over 5 Yrs…’: India Reacts To Bangladesh’s ‘Pushback’ Remark After BJP’s Bengal Win’It Was Abhishek Banerjee’: BJP Blames TMC Leaders After Suvendu Adhikari’s Close Aide Shot Dead’No Terror Sanctuary Is Safe’: Indian Army Warns Pakistan On Op Sindoor Anniversary’Killed Him Because I Defeated Mamata In Bhabanipur’: Suvendu Adhikari On PA Chandranath’s Killing’Aap Haare Nahi Hain’: Akhilesh Yadav Tells Mamata Banerjee In Kolkata After TMC’s Bengal RoutIn Punjab Money Laundering Case Cash Bags Hurled From Ninth Floor During Raids123PhotostoriesRashtrapati Bhavan treated the Vietnamese President with Punjabi and Haryanvi meal: This is what was served on the menuHow to make Gujarati Kadhi for summer dinner at homeHappy Birthday Sai Pallavi: ‘Amaran’, ‘Premam’, ‘Fidaa’ – Films of the natural star to binge-watch on OTTThings you are not allowed to do in your garden in the USSimple kitchen habits that may attract more lizards indoorsMet Gala 2026: Weirdest red carpet looks that stole the spotlight this year5 beautiful scented plants to add to your garden todayStrengths of being an introvert: 5 unique traits of people who prefer to be alone over socialisingTaking supplements every day? Doctor warns they may be doing more harm than good7 plants that keep away mosquito from your house123Hot PicksBihar ministers listDelhi traffic advisoryDelhi rainPune child rape-murder casePerambur election resultIndia-New Zealand FTASugarcane price hikeTop TrendingKerala CMWest Bengal ViolenceTamil Nadu Class 12 Result 2026Maharashtra Board SSC Result 2026Kerala plus one improvement resultBihar cabinet expansionWBBSE Madhyamik Result 2026Salil AnkolaBihar Ministers ListRCB vs LSG IPL Match Today

. CHENNAI: Amid reports of talks between DMK and AIADMK for a post-poll tie-up, DMK legislature party has empowered outgoing CM M K Stalin to “study the evolving political situation and take immediate decisions” to ensure the formation of a stable govt. A resolution to this effect was passed at a meeting of DMK MLAs chaired by Stalin in Chennai on Thursday. DMK sources said that Stalin has told the MLAs that they should abide by any decision taken by the high command in the interest of the party. DMK neither denied talks were on for a DMK-AIADMK alliance nor ruled out the possibility of such a pact between the two Dravidian rivals. On being asked about reports on a DMK-AIADMK alliance, DMK organisational secretary T K S Elangovan said, “No such decision has been taken… But we will all abide by any decision taken by our representative (Stalin).” VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan hinted that the two parties were discussing an alliance. “It hasn’t taken shape yet. Once it takes shape, I will comment,” he said when asked on a possible DMK-AIADMK pact. The AIADMK camp, however, remained tight-lipped. DMK’s resolution at the legislature party meeting noted that the assembly election has produced a verdict in which no party has secured a majority. “This is a sensitive and complicated political situation. As Tamil Nadu is not prepared for another election, DMK’s foremost objective is to ensure the formation of a stable govt while keeping away communal forces,” the resolution said.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosGovernor RN Ravi Dissolves West Bengal Assembly After Mamata Banerjee Refuses To ResignSatadru Dutta Accuses TMC’s Aroop Biswas Of Sabotaging Lionel Messi Kolkata EventWill Vijay Fight In Court For CM Post? | India Destroyed 13 Pakistani Aircraft | Headlines @9’Whatever Requires To Be Done’: Indian Air Force On Recent Missile Tests By Pakistan And China’Pending For Over 5 Yrs…’: India Reacts To Bangladesh’s ‘Pushback’ Remark After BJP’s Bengal Win’It Was Abhishek Banerjee’: BJP Blames TMC Leaders After Suvendu Adhikari’s Close Aide Shot Dead’No Terror Sanctuary Is Safe’: Indian Army Warns Pakistan On Op Sindoor Anniversary’Killed Him Because I Defeated Mamata In Bhabanipur’: Suvendu Adhikari On PA Chandranath’s Killing’Aap Haare Nahi Hain’: Akhilesh Yadav Tells Mamata Banerjee In Kolkata After TMC’s Bengal RoutIn Punjab Money Laundering Case Cash Bags Hurled From Ninth Floor During Raids123PhotostoriesRashtrapati Bhavan treated the Vietnamese President with Punjabi and Haryanvi meal: This is what was served on the menuHow to make Gujarati Kadhi for summer dinner at homeHappy Birthday Sai Pallavi: ‘Amaran’, ‘Premam’, ‘Fidaa’ – Films of the natural star to binge-watch on OTTThings you are not allowed to do in your garden in the USSimple kitchen habits that may attract more lizards indoorsMet Gala 2026: Weirdest red carpet looks that stole the spotlight this year5 beautiful scented plants to add to your garden todayStrengths of being an introvert: 5 unique traits of people who prefer to be alone over socialisingTaking supplements every day? Doctor warns they may be doing more harm than good7 plants that keep away mosquito from your house123Hot PicksBihar ministers listDelhi traffic advisoryDelhi rainPune child rape-murder casePerambur election resultIndia-New Zealand FTASugarcane price hikeTop TrendingKerala CMWest Bengal ViolenceTamil Nadu Class 12 Result 2026Maharashtra Board SSC Result 2026Kerala plus one improvement resultBihar cabinet expansionWBBSE Madhyamik Result 2026Salil AnkolaBihar Ministers ListRCB vs LSG IPL Match Today

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PM Modi’s Somnath visit At the start of 2026, I had gone to Somnath for the Somnath Swabhiman Parv, marking a thousand years since the first attack on the Somnath Temple. Now, I will be back in Somnath on 11th May to mark 75 years since the inauguration of the restored Temple by the then President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad. In less than half a year, it is a privilege to be attending two important milestones relating to Somnath and its journey from ruin to renewal or what we describe as from Vidhvans to Srijan. Somnath gives us a civilisational message. The vast sea before it evokes timelessness. The waves tell us…that no matter how fierce the storms are or how turbulent the tides are, one can always rise again with dignity and strength. The waves return to the shore, as though reminding every generation that the spirit of the people can never be subdued for long. Our ancient scriptures say, a Pradakshina of the divine Prabhasa (Somnath) is equal to a Pradakshina of the whole earth itself ! While people have come here to pray, they have also experienced the remarkable continuity of a civilisation whose flame could never be extinguished. Empires rose and fell, tides changed, history moved through conquest and upheaval, yet Somnath continued to endure in our consciousness. It is time to remember the countless greats who stood firm in the face of tyranny. There were Lakulisha and Soma Sarman, who transformed Prabhasa into a great centre of philosophy. Chakravarti Maharaja Dharasena IV of Vallabhi built the Second Temple there centuries ago. Bhima Deva, Jayapala and Anandapala will always be remembered for defending civilisational honour against invasions. It is said that Raja Bhoja too helped with the reconstruction. Karna Deva and Siddharaja Jayasimha played a vital role in restoring Gujarat’s political and cultural strength. Bhava Brihaspati, Kumarapala Solanki and the Pashupata Acharyas rebuilt and sustained the shrine as a great centre of worship and learning. Vishaladeva Vaghela and Tripurantaka protected its intellectual and spiritual traditions. Mahipaladeva and Ra Khangar were instrumental in reviving worship after destruction. Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar, whose 300th birth centenary is being marked, ensured the continuity of devotion in the most difficult of times. There were the Gaekwads of Baroda, who safeguarded the rights of pilgrims. And of course, our soil is blessed to have nurtured brave personalities like Veer Hamirji Gohil and Veer Vegdaji Bhil, whose sacrifice and courage have become a part of Somnath’s living memory. In the 1940s, when the spirit of freedom swept across India and the foundations of a new republic were being laid under the leadership of towering figures like Sardar Patel, one thing continued to trouble him deeply…the condition of Somnath. On 13th Nov 1947, during Diwali time, he stood next to the dilapidated ruins of the temple with sea-water in his hands and said, “On this auspicious day of the (Gujarati) New Year, we have decided that Somnath should be reconstructed. You, people of Saurashtra, should do your best. This is a holy task in which all should participate.” On one clarion call of Sardar Patel, it was not only the people of Gujarat but also the people of the whole of India that responded enthusiastically. Unfortunately, fate did not allow Sardar Patel to witness the fulfilment of the dream he had so passionately championed. Before the restored Somnath Temple could open its doors to devotees, he had departed from this world. Yet, his impact continued to be felt over the sacred shores of Prabhas Patan. His vision was championed by Shri KM Munshi, ably supported by the Jamsaheb of Nawanagar. In 1951, when the Temple was complete, it was decided to call the President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, for the ceremony. Overcoming strong objections from the then PM Pandit Nehru, Dr. Prasad graced the ceremony, thus making it even more special and historic. My mind also goes back to October 2001, when I had just taken over as CM. On 31st Oct 2001, the Jayanti of Sardar Patel, Gujarat govt had the honour of organising a programme to mark 50 years since the Somnath Temple opened its doors. It also coincided with the 125th birth anniversary celebrations of Sardar Patel. The then PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and the then home minister LK Advani attended the programme. During his speech on 11th May 1951, Dr. Rajendra Prasad said that the Somnath Temple proclaims to the world that anything with unparalleled faith and love cannot be destroyed. He expressed hope that this Temple will live in the hearts of people. He also said that the restoration of the Temple was a fulfilment of Sardar Patel’s dream, but taking that spirit forward, it is important that we restore prosperity to the lives of people. These are important and inspiring messages he gave. This is the path we have been walking for over a decade. I consider it my good fortune that, inspired by the principle of ‘Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi’, from Somnath to Kashi, Kamakhya to Kedarnath, Ayodhya to Ujjain, Trimbakeshwar to Srisailam, our team has had the opportunity to equip our spiritual centres with the latest facilities while at the same time preserving their traditional character. This, along with efforts to improve connectivity, ensures more people can visit them. It boosts the local economy, secures livelihoods and deepens the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.’ The struggles and sacrifices of those who laid down their lives to protect Somnath and those who rebuilt it time and again will never be forgotten. Countless individuals from different corners of India contributed to restoring its glory. They saw every part of Bharat as sacred, bound together by a sense of oneness that transcended geography. In a world often marked by divisions, this spirit of unity is more relevant than ever. Somnath will continue to stand tall in all its glory because the sense of unity and shared civilisational consciousness lives on in the hearts of every Indian. As a tribute to this, remembering the extraordinary courage of a thousand years, there will be special Pujas at Somnath for the next thousand days. It is gladdening to see several people donating for these Pujas as well. I urge my fellow Indians to travel to Somnath in this special time. When you stand on the shores of Somnath, let its ancient echoes speak to you. You will not only be overwhelmed by devotion but will also feel the strong pulse of a civilisational spirit that refuses to fade, that is unbroken and unyielding. You will experience Bharat’s unconquerable spirit and understand why, despite every effort, our culture remained undefeated and you will have the opportunity to behold the vision of eternal triumph. It will surely be unforgettable. Jai SomnathEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosGovernor RN Ravi Dissolves West Bengal Assembly After Mamata Banerjee Refuses To ResignSatadru Dutta Accuses TMC’s Aroop Biswas Of Sabotaging Lionel Messi Kolkata EventWill Vijay Fight In Court For CM Post? | India Destroyed 13 Pakistani Aircraft | Headlines @9’Whatever Requires To Be Done’: Indian Air Force On Recent Missile Tests By Pakistan And China’Pending For Over 5 Yrs…’: India Reacts To Bangladesh’s ‘Pushback’ Remark After BJP’s Bengal Win’It Was Abhishek Banerjee’: BJP Blames TMC Leaders After Suvendu Adhikari’s Close Aide Shot Dead’No Terror Sanctuary Is Safe’: Indian Army Warns Pakistan On Op Sindoor Anniversary’Killed Him Because I Defeated Mamata In Bhabanipur’: Suvendu Adhikari On PA Chandranath’s Killing’Aap Haare Nahi Hain’: Akhilesh Yadav Tells Mamata Banerjee In Kolkata After TMC’s Bengal RoutIn Punjab Money Laundering Case Cash Bags Hurled From Ninth Floor During Raids123PhotostoriesRashtrapati Bhavan treated the Vietnamese President with Punjabi and Haryanvi meal: This is what was served on the menuHow to make Gujarati Kadhi for summer dinner at homeHappy Birthday Sai Pallavi: ‘Amaran’, ‘Premam’, ‘Fidaa’ – Films of the natural star to binge-watch on OTTThings you are not allowed to do in your garden in the USSimple kitchen habits that may attract more lizards indoorsMet Gala 2026: Weirdest red carpet looks that stole the spotlight this year5 beautiful scented plants to add to your garden todayStrengths of being an introvert: 5 unique traits of people who prefer to be alone over socialisingTaking supplements every day? Doctor warns they may be doing more harm than good7 plants that keep away mosquito from your house123Hot PicksBihar ministers listDelhi traffic advisoryDelhi rainPune child rape-murder casePerambur election resultIndia-New Zealand FTASugarcane price hikeTop TrendingKerala CMWest Bengal ViolenceTamil Nadu Class 12 Result 2026Maharashtra Board SSC Result 2026Kerala plus one improvement resultBihar cabinet expansionWBBSE Madhyamik Result 2026Salil AnkolaBihar Ministers ListRCB vs LSG IPL Match Today

PM Modi’s Somnath visit At the start of 2026, I had gone to Somnath for the Somnath Swabhiman Parv, marking a thousand years since the first attack on the Somnath Temple. Now, I will be back in Somnath on 11th May to mark 75 years since the inauguration of the restored Temple by the then President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad. In less than half a year, it is a privilege to be attending two important milestones relating to Somnath and its journey from ruin to renewal or what we describe as from Vidhvans to Srijan. Somnath gives us a civilisational message. The vast sea before it evokes timelessness. The waves tell us…that no matter how fierce the storms are or how turbulent the tides are, one can always rise again with dignity and strength. The waves return to the shore, as though reminding every generation that the spirit of the people can never be subdued for long. Our ancient scriptures say, a Pradakshina of the divine Prabhasa (Somnath) is equal to a Pradakshina of the whole earth itself ! While people have come here to pray, they have also experienced the remarkable continuity of a civilisation whose flame could never be extinguished. Empires rose and fell, tides changed, history moved through conquest and upheaval, yet Somnath continued to endure in our consciousness. It is time to remember the countless greats who stood firm in the face of tyranny. There were Lakulisha and Soma Sarman, who transformed Prabhasa into a great centre of philosophy. Chakravarti Maharaja Dharasena IV of Vallabhi built the Second Temple there centuries ago. Bhima Deva, Jayapala and Anandapala will always be remembered for defending civilisational honour against invasions. It is said that Raja Bhoja too helped with the reconstruction. Karna Deva and Siddharaja Jayasimha played a vital role in restoring Gujarat’s political and cultural strength. Bhava Brihaspati, Kumarapala Solanki and the Pashupata Acharyas rebuilt and sustained the shrine as a great centre of worship and learning. Vishaladeva Vaghela and Tripurantaka protected its intellectual and spiritual traditions. Mahipaladeva and Ra Khangar were instrumental in reviving worship after destruction. Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar, whose 300th birth centenary is being marked, ensured the continuity of devotion in the most difficult of times. There were the Gaekwads of Baroda, who safeguarded the rights of pilgrims. And of course, our soil is blessed to have nurtured brave personalities like Veer Hamirji Gohil and Veer Vegdaji Bhil, whose sacrifice and courage have become a part of Somnath’s living memory. In the 1940s, when the spirit of freedom swept across India and the foundations of a new republic were being laid under the leadership of towering figures like Sardar Patel, one thing continued to trouble him deeply…the condition of Somnath. On 13th Nov 1947, during Diwali time, he stood next to the dilapidated ruins of the temple with sea-water in his hands and said, “On this auspicious day of the (Gujarati) New Year, we have decided that Somnath should be reconstructed. You, people of Saurashtra, should do your best. This is a holy task in which all should participate.” On one clarion call of Sardar Patel, it was not only the people of Gujarat but also the people of the whole of India that responded enthusiastically. Unfortunately, fate did not allow Sardar Patel to witness the fulfilment of the dream he had so passionately championed. Before the restored Somnath Temple could open its doors to devotees, he had departed from this world. Yet, his impact continued to be felt over the sacred shores of Prabhas Patan. His vision was championed by Shri KM Munshi, ably supported by the Jamsaheb of Nawanagar. In 1951, when the Temple was complete, it was decided to call the President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, for the ceremony. Overcoming strong objections from the then PM Pandit Nehru, Dr. Prasad graced the ceremony, thus making it even more special and historic. My mind also goes back to October 2001, when I had just taken over as CM. On 31st Oct 2001, the Jayanti of Sardar Patel, Gujarat govt had the honour of organising a programme to mark 50 years since the Somnath Temple opened its doors. It also coincided with the 125th birth anniversary celebrations of Sardar Patel. The then PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and the then home minister LK Advani attended the programme. During his speech on 11th May 1951, Dr. Rajendra Prasad said that the Somnath Temple proclaims to the world that anything with unparalleled faith and love cannot be destroyed. He expressed hope that this Temple will live in the hearts of people. He also said that the restoration of the Temple was a fulfilment of Sardar Patel’s dream, but taking that spirit forward, it is important that we restore prosperity to the lives of people. These are important and inspiring messages he gave. This is the path we have been walking for over a decade. I consider it my good fortune that, inspired by the principle of ‘Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi’, from Somnath to Kashi, Kamakhya to Kedarnath, Ayodhya to Ujjain, Trimbakeshwar to Srisailam, our team has had the opportunity to equip our spiritual centres with the latest facilities while at the same time preserving their traditional character. This, along with efforts to improve connectivity, ensures more people can visit them. It boosts the local economy, secures livelihoods and deepens the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.’ The struggles and sacrifices of those who laid down their lives to protect Somnath and those who rebuilt it time and again will never be forgotten. Countless individuals from different corners of India contributed to restoring its glory. They saw every part of Bharat as sacred, bound together by a sense of oneness that transcended geography. In a world often marked by divisions, this spirit of unity is more relevant than ever. Somnath will continue to stand tall in all its glory because the sense of unity and shared civilisational consciousness lives on in the hearts of every Indian. As a tribute to this, remembering the extraordinary courage of a thousand years, there will be special Pujas at Somnath for the next thousand days. It is gladdening to see several people donating for these Pujas as well. I urge my fellow Indians to travel to Somnath in this special time. When you stand on the shores of Somnath, let its ancient echoes speak to you. You will not only be overwhelmed by devotion but will also feel the strong pulse of a civilisational spirit that refuses to fade, that is unbroken and unyielding. You will experience Bharat’s unconquerable spirit and understand why, despite every effort, our culture remained undefeated and you will have the opportunity to behold the vision of eternal triumph. It will surely be unforgettable. Jai SomnathEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosGovernor RN Ravi Dissolves West Bengal Assembly After Mamata Banerjee Refuses To ResignSatadru Dutta Accuses TMC’s Aroop Biswas Of Sabotaging Lionel Messi Kolkata EventWill Vijay Fight In Court For CM Post? | India Destroyed 13 Pakistani Aircraft | Headlines @9’Whatever Requires To Be Done’: Indian Air Force On Recent Missile Tests By Pakistan And China’Pending For Over 5 Yrs…’: India Reacts To Bangladesh’s ‘Pushback’ Remark After BJP’s Bengal Win’It Was Abhishek Banerjee’: BJP Blames TMC Leaders After Suvendu Adhikari’s Close Aide Shot Dead’No Terror Sanctuary Is Safe’: Indian Army Warns Pakistan On Op Sindoor Anniversary’Killed Him Because I Defeated Mamata In Bhabanipur’: Suvendu Adhikari On PA Chandranath’s Killing’Aap Haare Nahi Hain’: Akhilesh Yadav Tells Mamata Banerjee In Kolkata After TMC’s Bengal RoutIn Punjab Money Laundering Case Cash Bags Hurled From Ninth Floor During Raids123PhotostoriesRashtrapati Bhavan treated the Vietnamese President with Punjabi and Haryanvi meal: This is what was served on the menuHow to make Gujarati Kadhi for summer dinner at homeHappy Birthday Sai Pallavi: ‘Amaran’, ‘Premam’, ‘Fidaa’ – Films of the natural star to binge-watch on OTTThings you are not allowed to do in your garden in the USSimple kitchen habits that may attract more lizards indoorsMet Gala 2026: Weirdest red carpet looks that stole the spotlight this year5 beautiful scented plants to add to your garden todayStrengths of being an introvert: 5 unique traits of people who prefer to be alone over socialisingTaking supplements every day? Doctor warns they may be doing more harm than good7 plants that keep away mosquito from your house123Hot PicksBihar ministers listDelhi traffic advisoryDelhi rainPune child rape-murder casePerambur election resultIndia-New Zealand FTASugarcane price hikeTop TrendingKerala CMWest Bengal ViolenceTamil Nadu Class 12 Result 2026Maharashtra Board SSC Result 2026Kerala plus one improvement resultBihar cabinet expansionWBBSE Madhyamik Result 2026Salil AnkolaBihar Ministers ListRCB vs LSG IPL Match Today

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. NEW DELHI: Amid reports that Iran and the United States would be returning to negotiating table after weeks of deadlock to try and end the war, which has hit transit of ships through Strait of Hormuz, officials said an early resolution of conflict would come as a huge relief for more than 40 India-bound vessels and the large number of Indian crew members who have been stuck in Persian Gulf for over two months. These vessels are carrying LPG, LNG and crude, fertiliser and other cargo. Govt has said that 13 Indian-flagged ships are still in Persian Gulf. Several foreign-flagged vessels carrying India-bound cargo are also stranded to the west of Hormuz. Govt has drawn up for evacuation a list of 41 priority vessels — 18 are loaded with energy products, another 16 are carrying fertilisers and remaining seven have other items. There is a dire need to evacuate these ships for energy security and for meeting fertiliser requirements, which will go up for the sowing of kharif crops. Officials said that while efforts are on to persuade shipping lines to send their vessels back to Persian Gulf and a list of over 22 such energy vessels has been made and shared with agencies concerned, there can’t be any movement until the strait is open for commercial traffic. On April 30, TOI had reported that Union shipping ministry has shared a list of India-bound “priority vessels” with Ministry of External Affairs, suggesting the option of evacuating them through territorial waters of Oman. “Not just us, every country impacted due to this blockade is waiting for and hopeful of an early resolution,” said an official.About the AuthorAtul MathurAtul Mathur is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India with over 27 years of experience in journalism. Based in Delhi, he has spent much of his career reporting on governance, public policy and politics, churning out researched, data-driven stories that impact daily lives. Atul is known for investigative depth and strong human-interest narratives as he strives to bring clarity and context to complex issues. He currently tracks the energy sector, writing on power, renewable energy, coal and mines.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosGovernor RN Ravi Dissolves West Bengal Assembly After Mamata Banerjee Refuses To ResignSatadru Dutta Accuses TMC’s Aroop Biswas Of Sabotaging Lionel Messi Kolkata EventWill Vijay Fight In Court For CM Post? | India Destroyed 13 Pakistani Aircraft | Headlines @9’Whatever Requires To Be Done’: Indian Air Force On Recent Missile Tests By Pakistan And China’Pending For Over 5 Yrs…’: India Reacts To Bangladesh’s ‘Pushback’ Remark After BJP’s Bengal Win’It Was Abhishek Banerjee’: BJP Blames TMC Leaders After Suvendu Adhikari’s Close Aide Shot Dead’No Terror Sanctuary Is Safe’: Indian Army Warns Pakistan On Op Sindoor Anniversary’Killed Him Because I Defeated Mamata In Bhabanipur’: Suvendu Adhikari On PA Chandranath’s Killing’Aap Haare Nahi Hain’: Akhilesh Yadav Tells Mamata Banerjee In Kolkata After TMC’s Bengal RoutIn Punjab Money Laundering Case Cash Bags Hurled From Ninth Floor During Raids123PhotostoriesHow to make Gujarati Kadhi for summer dinner at homeHappy Birthday Sai Pallavi: ‘Amaran’, ‘Premam’, ‘Fidaa’ – Films of the natural star to binge-watch on OTTThings you are not allowed to do in your garden in the USSimple kitchen habits that may attract more lizards indoorsMet Gala 2026: Weirdest red carpet looks that stole the spotlight this year5 beautiful scented plants to add to your garden todayStrengths of being an introvert: 5 unique traits of people who prefer to be alone over socialisingTaking supplements every day? Doctor warns they may be doing more harm than good7 plants that keep away mosquito from your houseNile monitor lizards: How to keep them away from your home and garden123Hot PicksBihar ministers listDelhi traffic advisoryDelhi rainPune child rape-murder casePerambur election resultIndia-New Zealand FTASugarcane price hikeTop TrendingKerala CMWest Bengal ViolenceTamil Nadu Class 12 Result 2026Maharashtra Board SSC Result 2026Kerala plus one improvement resultBihar cabinet expansionWBBSE Madhyamik Result 2026Salil AnkolaBihar Ministers ListRCB vs LSG IPL Match Today

. NEW DELHI: Amid reports that Iran and the United States would be returning to negotiating table after weeks of deadlock to try and end the war, which has hit transit of ships through Strait of Hormuz, officials said an early resolution of conflict would come as a huge relief for more than 40 India-bound vessels and the large number of Indian crew members who have been stuck in Persian Gulf for over two months. These vessels are carrying LPG, LNG and crude, fertiliser and other cargo. Govt has said that 13 Indian-flagged ships are still in Persian Gulf. Several foreign-flagged vessels carrying India-bound cargo are also stranded to the west of Hormuz. Govt has drawn up for evacuation a list of 41 priority vessels — 18 are loaded with energy products, another 16 are carrying fertilisers and remaining seven have other items. There is a dire need to evacuate these ships for energy security and for meeting fertiliser requirements, which will go up for the sowing of kharif crops. Officials said that while efforts are on to persuade shipping lines to send their vessels back to Persian Gulf and a list of over 22 such energy vessels has been made and shared with agencies concerned, there can’t be any movement until the strait is open for commercial traffic. On April 30, TOI had reported that Union shipping ministry has shared a list of India-bound “priority vessels” with Ministry of External Affairs, suggesting the option of evacuating them through territorial waters of Oman. “Not just us, every country impacted due to this blockade is waiting for and hopeful of an early resolution,” said an official.About the AuthorAtul MathurAtul Mathur is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India with over 27 years of experience in journalism. Based in Delhi, he has spent much of his career reporting on governance, public policy and politics, churning out researched, data-driven stories that impact daily lives. Atul is known for investigative depth and strong human-interest narratives as he strives to bring clarity and context to complex issues. He currently tracks the energy sector, writing on power, renewable energy, coal and mines.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosGovernor RN Ravi Dissolves West Bengal Assembly After Mamata Banerjee Refuses To ResignSatadru Dutta Accuses TMC’s Aroop Biswas Of Sabotaging Lionel Messi Kolkata EventWill Vijay Fight In Court For CM Post? | India Destroyed 13 Pakistani Aircraft | Headlines @9’Whatever Requires To Be Done’: Indian Air Force On Recent Missile Tests By Pakistan And China’Pending For Over 5 Yrs…’: India Reacts To Bangladesh’s ‘Pushback’ Remark After BJP’s Bengal Win’It Was Abhishek Banerjee’: BJP Blames TMC Leaders After Suvendu Adhikari’s Close Aide Shot Dead’No Terror Sanctuary Is Safe’: Indian Army Warns Pakistan On Op Sindoor Anniversary’Killed Him Because I Defeated Mamata In Bhabanipur’: Suvendu Adhikari On PA Chandranath’s Killing’Aap Haare Nahi Hain’: Akhilesh Yadav Tells Mamata Banerjee In Kolkata After TMC’s Bengal RoutIn Punjab Money Laundering Case Cash Bags Hurled From Ninth Floor During Raids123PhotostoriesHow to make Gujarati Kadhi for summer dinner at homeHappy Birthday Sai Pallavi: ‘Amaran’, ‘Premam’, ‘Fidaa’ – Films of the natural star to binge-watch on OTTThings you are not allowed to do in your garden in the USSimple kitchen habits that may attract more lizards indoorsMet Gala 2026: Weirdest red carpet looks that stole the spotlight this year5 beautiful scented plants to add to your garden todayStrengths of being an introvert: 5 unique traits of people who prefer to be alone over socialisingTaking supplements every day? Doctor warns they may be doing more harm than good7 plants that keep away mosquito from your houseNile monitor lizards: How to keep them away from your home and garden123Hot PicksBihar ministers listDelhi traffic advisoryDelhi rainPune child rape-murder casePerambur election resultIndia-New Zealand FTASugarcane price hikeTop TrendingKerala CMWest Bengal ViolenceTamil Nadu Class 12 Result 2026Maharashtra Board SSC Result 2026Kerala plus one improvement resultBihar cabinet expansionWBBSE Madhyamik Result 2026Salil AnkolaBihar Ministers ListRCB vs LSG IPL Match Today

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