VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Ric Flair vs Brock Lesnar net worth comparison in 2026: WWE earnings, UFC career, endorsements, investments, lifestyle and financial legacy UK govt temporarily bans sale of disposable barbecues amid rising wildfire risk The organisation has asked all its units across the country to hold demonstrations, rallies and dharnas NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) has called for nationwide protests on August 17 over a range of pending labour issues, including higher minimum pension, revision of EPF and ESI wage ceilings, restoration of the Old Pension Scheme and changes to provisions of the new labour codes.The organisation has asked all its units across the country to hold demonstrations, rallies and dharnas at district headquarters and submit memorandums to the Prime Minister, finance minister and labour minister. A major protest is planned at Jantar Mantar in Delhi from 10am, with workers and representatives of BMS-affiliated unions and federations expected to participate.Among its key demands, BMS has sought an increase in the minimum pension under EPS-95 to Rs 7,500 a month and its linkage with variable dearness allowance and Ayushman Bharat. It has also demanded that the ESI wage ceiling be doubled from Rs 21,000 to Rs 42,000 and the EPF ceiling raised from Rs 15,000 to Rs 30,000.The union has sought bonus on full wages in line with the new labour codes, an increase in the wage ceiling used for bonus calculation and gratuity based on 30 days’ wages instead of 15 days, without any upper limit. It has also demanded inflation-linked minimum wages, higher honorarium for anganwadi, ASHA, mid-day meal and other scheme workers, and equal pay for contract and outsourced workers doing the same work.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesOther demands include a five-day work week in banks, filling vacancies in government services and public establishments, convening the Indian Labour Conference and restoring OPS.BMS has also reiterated its opposition to several provisions of the Industrial Relations Code and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, arguing that they could weaken workers’ rights, job security and social security. It has sought formal consultations between the Centre and central trade unions before amendments are made.The organisation also wants the Centre and states to reconsider the status of more than one crore “scheme workers”, saying many work 10-12 hours a day but remain outside effective labour-law and social-security protection.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorManash Pratim GohainManash Pratim Gohain is a seasoned journalist with over two decades at The Times of India, where he has built a rich body of work spanning education policy, politics, and governance. Renowned for his incisive coverage of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, accreditation reforms, and skilling initiatives, he has also reported on student politics, urban policy, and social movements. His political reportage—both reflective and news-driven—adds depth to his writing, bridging policy with public impact. Through his 2,500 articles and related outlets, he has emerged as a trusted voice in national discourse, particularly in linking education reform to broader societal change.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Why Rockets?’ Jaipur Residents Mock Potholes With Astronaut Protest After Monsoon RainsRajnath Singh Announces Rs 8.75 Lakh Crore Defence Modernisation Push on 80th Independence DayBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks BeginCM Vijay Urges PM Modi To Keep Lok Sabha Strength At 543, Opposes Population-Based DelimitationThey Want To Disturb Punjab’s Peace’: Sukhbir Badal Flags Larger Conspiracy After Nanded Attack’The Great Transshipment Scam’: India Among 40 Nations Aiding China’s Tarrif Evasion, Says USUttarakhand Tunnel Landslide: 7 Workers Dead, 1 Missing; Rescue Operations Continue in Chamoli‘RSS Vs Congress Govt’: Karnataka Cabinet Clears Bill To Curb Events At Public Spaces‘Peaceful Revolution’ Needed: Sonam Wangchuk Seeks New Leaders To Transform India Before 2047Air India Tightens Pilot Safety Checks After AI2379 Altitude Loss And Positive Marijuana Test123Photostories10 unusual baby girl names with fascinating historical roots10 naturally tricolour Indian foods to make this Independence DayInside Ruhaanika Dhawan’s luxury home: A massive living room, elegant decor and moreWhat happens to your brain when you slowly reduce your screen time before bed? Neurologist answers5 red vegetables rich in fibre: Simple ways to add them to Indian mealsIndependence Day Special: 7 historic Delhi eateries that have been serving since before 1947Tara Sutaria’s lace drama meets Kiara Advani’s pantsuit power: Who really won the ‘Toxic’ album launch fashion face-off?5 yellow vegetables that may support eye health, immunity and healthy ageing10 foods that were once considered disgusting but became delicaciesIndependence Day: 10 rare photos that bring India’s freedom struggle to life123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingOil Prices TodayIndiGo Fight CancelledDelhi High Court Bomb ThreatAmbala Sikh Community ProtestManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke Aug 14, 2026, 17:27 IST Trump admin accuses over 40 nations including India of helping China evade tariffs – what it means Male redback spiders somersault directly towards a female’s fangs during mating; scientists found the bizarre behaviour may come from surprisingly simple genetics “I just want to share that with all these little kids”: How Sophie Cunningham’s $10,182 act of kindness turned WNBA frustration into a heartwarming moment for families in need An unthinkable crime shatters an Indian family in US— and raises questions about AI Updated: Aug 14, 2026, 21:22 IST ‘Constant communication’: Shubman Gill denies gap with BCCI CoE amid injury woes ‘Toxic’ star Rukmini Vasanth says she was curious to discover Melissa’s place in the Geetu Mohandas directorial: ‘Being a Yash Sir fan girl and getting to share screen space was incredible’ Focus on Galle, eye on The Oval: ‘Goal is to play WTC final,’ says Shubman Gill The UK ‘PM-in-waiting’ just beat a guy wearing a trash can – and that sums up post-Brexit politics At 80, India is increasingly a country the world has an opinion about. As India completes 79 years of independence, its global standing presents a striking study in contrasts.A Pew Research Center survey conducted across 36 countries between February and May 2026 reveals an international community divided down the middle: a global median of 45% of respondents hold a favorable view of India, while 41% express an unfavorable opinion.Read more: 80 years on, still enemy No. 1: What Indians and Pakistanis think of each otherBehind this median lies a complex tapestry of geopolitical shifts, historical rivalries, and evolving regional alliances.From enthusiasm in Western Europe and East Africa to frosty hostility in parts of the Middle East and South Asia, public perception of the world’s most populous democracy depends heavily on where you ask.Neighbourhood contrasts & global scorecardNowhere is this divergence more intense than in India’s immediate backyard. While proximity can foster cooperation, in South Asia it has produced antithetical attitudes.Sri Lanka has the most favourable view of India, with 79% of adults expressing a positive opinion.Pakistan sits at the opposite end, with just 7% viewing India favourably. The gulf between the two countries reflects decades of conflict, political rivalry and competing national narratives.Turkey is another major outlier. Only 15% of Turks have a favourable opinion of India, while a majority hold an unfavourable view. In the West Bank and East Jerusalem, just 18% express a positive opinion.Yet beyond these pockets of hostility, India finds considerable goodwill across much of the world.as India enters its 80th year as an independent nation, what does the world think of it?Kenya and the United Kingdom rank alongside Sri Lanka among the countries most positive towards India, with roughly seven in 10 adults expressing favourable views.Majorities in Germany, Israel, Italy, Sweden, Japan and Thailand also see India positively.In contrast, Latin American publics express mixed-to-negative views, alongside substantial shares of respondents who offer no opinion.The findings suggest that India’s global image is not simply a reflection of its diplomatic alliances.Economic ties, strategic partnerships, cultural familiarity and perceptions of India’s growing global role all appear to shape how people view the country.India’s image is changingThe bigger story is perhaps not where India stands today, but how its image has changed.In most countries surveyed, opinions have remained relatively stable since Pew last asked the question. But in 10 countries, the change has been statistically significant — and in seven of them, India’s favourability has fallen.Turkey and Nigeria have recorded the sharpest declines since 2025, with the share of people expressing a favourable opinion of India falling by 10 percentage points in both countries.India has also lost ground in the United States, Indonesia, South Africa and Mexico.The decline is particularly striking in Bangladesh.Pew’s previous survey there was conducted in 2024. Since then, the share of Bangladeshis with a favourable opinion of India has fallen by 15 percentage points, leaving fewer than half with a positive view.At the same time, the number of Bangladeshis who do not express an opinion has also fallen sharply, from 24% to just 7%. In other words, more Bangladeshis now appear to have a defined opinion of India — and that opinion has become considerably less favourable.The trend is not uniformly negative, however.India’s image has improved significantly in Germany, Britain and Sri Lanka.The share of Britons with a favourable opinion of India has risen 11 points since 2025, while Germany has recorded a six-point increase. Sri Lanka has seen an even bigger jump, with favourability rising 14 points since 2024.Looking further back to 2023 reveals another interesting divide.Across several European countries, India’s image has strengthened substantially since the first post-pandemic survey. In Germany, for example, only 47% had a favourable opinion of India in 2023. That figure has now climbed to 63%.France has followed a similar trajectory. India’s favourability there has risen from 39% in 2023 to 50% today.Outside Europe, however, the picture is less encouraging.South Korea is one example. In 2023, 59% of South Koreans viewed India favourably. Today, that figure has dropped to 44%.Latin America also tends to lean more negative, although large numbers of people in several European and Latin American countries do not express an opinion at all.Politics matters tooIndia’s global image is also shaped by domestic political ideology in some countries.The United States and Canada show a striking pattern: people on the political left are more likely than conservatives to view India favourably.In the US, 54% of liberals express a positive opinion of India, compared with 40% of conservatives. In Canada, the corresponding figures are 58% and 45%.Israel presents almost the exact opposite picture.There, 68% of people on the political right view India favourably, compared with just 46% on the left.The ideological divide underlines how perceptions of India can be tied not only to India’s own policies, but also to how different political constituencies interpret its role in the world.A mixed but largely positive global imageSo, as India enters its 80th year as an independent nation, what does the world think of it?The answer is neither uniformly celebratory nor overwhelmingly negative.Pakistan and Turkey may give India the stink eye, but they represent the more hostile end of a much broader spectrum.From Sri Lanka and Kenya to Britain, Germany and Israel, India enjoys strong positive sentiment in several strategically important countries.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesAt the same time, the declines in Bangladesh, the US, South Korea, Turkey, Nigeria and other countries show that India’s global image cannot be taken for granted.India’s international reputation is therefore becoming more consequential — and more contested.As New Delhi seeks a larger role in global affairs, its challenge will not simply be to build economic and military power, but also to shape how that power is perceived abroad.At 80, India is increasingly a country the world has an opinion about.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.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 MediaVideos‘Why Rockets?’ Jaipur Residents Mock Potholes With Astronaut Protest After Monsoon RainsRajnath Singh Announces Rs 8.75 Lakh Crore Defence Modernisation Push on 80th Independence DayBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks BeginCM Vijay Urges PM Modi To Keep Lok Sabha Strength At 543, Opposes Population-Based DelimitationThey Want To Disturb Punjab’s Peace’: Sukhbir Badal Flags Larger Conspiracy After Nanded Attack’The Great Transshipment Scam’: India Among 40 Nations Aiding China’s Tarrif Evasion, Says USUttarakhand Tunnel Landslide: 7 Workers Dead, 1 Missing; Rescue Operations Continue in Chamoli‘RSS Vs Congress Govt’: Karnataka Cabinet Clears Bill To Curb Events At Public Spaces‘Peaceful Revolution’ Needed: Sonam Wangchuk Seeks New Leaders To Transform India Before 2047Air India Tightens Pilot Safety Checks After AI2379 Altitude Loss And Positive Marijuana Test123Photostories10 unusual baby girl names with fascinating historical roots10 naturally tricolour Indian foods to make this Independence DayInside Ruhaanika Dhawan’s luxury home: A massive living room, elegant decor and moreWhat happens to your brain when you slowly reduce your screen time before bed? Neurologist answers5 red vegetables rich in fibre: Simple ways to add them to Indian mealsIndependence Day Special: 7 historic Delhi eateries that have been serving since before 1947Tara Sutaria’s lace drama meets Kiara Advani’s pantsuit power: Who really won the ‘Toxic’ album launch fashion face-off?5 yellow vegetables that may support eye health, immunity and healthy ageing10 foods that were once considered disgusting but became delicaciesIndependence Day: 10 rare photos that bring India’s freedom struggle to life123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingOil Prices TodayIndiGo Fight CancelledDelhi High Court Bomb ThreatAmbala Sikh Community ProtestManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke UP Board exam result 2026 likely to be declared soon: Check complete details here When does helping become hurting? The aid trap in Africa In 1974, Vietnam veteran Kenneth Deardorff moved to Alaska looking for work; 14 years later, he became the last person in US history to receive a homestead title Rolls-Royce, Reliance plan to develop indigenous combat engine for AMCA programme In 1870, a former slave and Union soldier staked a homestead in Nebraska; drought and grasshoppers cost him the claim, but he eventually owned more than 2,000 acres Sunil Amrith is the Renu and Anand Dhawan Professor of History at Yale University with a secondary appointment as professor at the Yale School of the Environment. He serves as Director of the Macmillan Centre for International and Area Studies and Yale’s Vice Provost for International Affairs. He has received the 2016 Infosys Prize in Humanities, a 2017 MacArthur Fellowship, and the 2025 Toynbee Prize in Global History, among others. He has authored five books that put Asia at the heart of global history. In this conversation, he discusses his book, ‘The Burning Earth’. Excerpts from the interview.Q: Why did you feel this book needed to be written?A: It was a coming together of my academic life and the rest of my life. For close to 20 years, I had been researching some of the themes that do make it into ‘The Burning Earth’. I’ve particularly been interested in the relationship between migration, the movement of people and environmental change. So I wrote a book more than 10 years ago called ‘Crossing the Bay of Bengal’, which I think was my first foray into environmental history, in which I was really thinking about the enormous movement of people, particularly from Tamil Nadu, to southeast Asia in the 19th and 20th century, many of them to work on rubber plantations, but also to work in port cities, places like Singapore and Penang and Rangoon, and understanding that that was actually a moment of fundamental transformation in the environment… At the same time, as a teacher, but also as a parent, as a citizen, the climate crisis became quite unavoidable in my own consciousness. And so for me, that prompted me to scale things up beyond my areas of specialisation towards perhaps the biggest question, which is how did we get to this point of planetary crisis? And that’s really what’s at the heart of ‘The Burning Earth’.Q: You also bring in a kind of storytelling which positions itself in different geographies as if to say, the inherited narratives of Eurocentric histories are not what we’re going to look at. A: If the question is what is it about my own perspective that may make this book a little bit different from some of the other books out there on this big theme of the environment, it is the fact that my own training is not in European and North American history. And I think most of what is called global history continues to take as its starting point and as its default, a kind of familiar North Atlantic history. And so by starting the book in China and ending it in Indonesia, I was really trying to write it anchored in Asia… Asia has always been home to the majority of humanity. It still is today. And so it seemed to me completely fitting to really think about the history of this planet with a firm anchor in the part of the world, the part of the planet which has been the most inhabited by most people throughout the longest period of time.Q: How do you bring in a methodology which ensures that what you’re positioning and presenting can be as accurate as possible? A: That’s the biggest challenge of a book like this. There’s no possibility that I can have the primary expertise in all of these areas that I write about in the book. And so in some ways that was a leap that I took. Academia is a collective enterprise. And this is very much a book that builds on my own work in some areas. And in other areas, it’s really sort of bringing together my reading in multiple fields of scholarship and different disciplines as well. So I’m a historian, but some of the most exciting new scholarship which I draw on and interpret is actually coming from the physical sciences.There’s some phenomenally interesting work in paleoclimatology, for example, which is trying to reconstruct past climates using ice cores, using lake bed sediment, using tree rings. And of course, these disciplines traditionally and even still within the walls of the university barely meet. But what’s been very interesting about recent work on climate and environment in particular, is you have this forcing together of completely different ideas of what the archive is.Q: You use the word ‘elite’ a few times when you’re talking about social stratification for a very specific economic growth touted as well-being of a community, but usually you see it as exploitative. A: I don’t use the word that many times, but when I do, I think it’s doing a lot of work for me. ‘The Burning Earth’ is not an activist book, which is to say that it is just that bit muddier and less clear about the villains of the piece than activist writing necessarily has to be. And yet there is such a strong core in my own thinking of awareness of just how stark environmental inequalities are and just how much the scale of planetary destruction that has been achieved over the last two centuries has been disproportionately, not exclusively, but disproportionately driven by the elite pursuit of luxuries and of accumulation… There is a story of human need in this book and there’s also a story of human greed… I think we need to think about desire, we need to think about states, we need to think about liberation, we need to think about the genuinely liberatory promises that led to some of this environmental destruction which can’t be reduced to a question of greed or even of capitalism…There’s no question that the social and economic system that has been a driving force in the climate crisis is the capitalist system. But the socialist system in some sense was even more environmentally profligate and wasteful. It was just less successful. And so in terms of its longevity, in terms of the scale on which it was operating, it kind of doesn’t compare with what a particular capitalist mode of production does to our ability to treat all of nature as commodity and to lead to this kind of constantly expanding frontier of production.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines But my question is really a different one, which is, where were the alternatives? Who was thinking differently?Q: You point out that there are these rather horrific incidents which are almost genocidal. A: I think that’s one of the key narratives in the book to show that the moments of the most intensive and accelerated environmental destruction over the last several hundred years have almost always gone together with moments of intense violence. And violence is at the core of ‘The Burning Earth’. Not just violence against the earth or against nature, but against other people… Wars that are going on all around us in the world today are part of a very long pattern where armed violence and militarism and military destruction have been inextricably bound with massive environmental destruction.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosRajnath Singh Announces Rs 8.75 Lakh Crore Defence Modernisation Push on 80th Independence DayBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks BeginCM Vijay Urges PM Modi To Keep Lok Sabha Strength At 543, Opposes Population-Based DelimitationThey Want To Disturb Punjab’s Peace’: Sukhbir Badal Flags Larger Conspiracy After Nanded Attack’The Great Transshipment Scam’: India Among 40 Nations Aiding China’s Tarrif Evasion, Says USUttarakhand Tunnel Landslide: 7 Workers Dead, 1 Missing; Rescue Operations Continue in Chamoli‘RSS Vs Congress Govt’: Karnataka Cabinet Clears Bill To Curb Events At Public Spaces‘Peaceful Revolution’ Needed: Sonam Wangchuk Seeks New Leaders To Transform India Before 2047Air India Tightens Pilot Safety Checks After AI2379 Altitude Loss And Positive Marijuana TestJPSC-JSSC Stir Enters Day 20: Police Book 600 After Assembly March, Students Refuse To Back Down123Photostories10 unusual baby girl names with fascinating historical roots10 naturally tricolour Indian foods to make this Independence DayInside Ruhaanika Dhawan’s luxury home: A massive living room, elegant decor and moreWhat happens to your brain when you slowly reduce your screen time before bed? Neurologist answers5 red vegetables rich in fibre: Simple ways to add them to Indian mealsIndependence Day Special: 7 historic Delhi eateries that have been serving since before 1947Tara Sutaria’s lace drama meets Kiara Advani’s pantsuit power: Who really won the ‘Toxic’ album launch fashion face-off?5 yellow vegetables that may support eye health, immunity and healthy ageing10 foods that were once considered disgusting but became delicaciesIndependence Day: 10 rare photos that bring India’s freedom struggle to life123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingOil Prices TodayIndiGo Fight CancelledDelhi High Court Bomb ThreatAmbala Sikh Community ProtestManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa’s combined net worth in 2026: Inside the WWE stars’ salaries, earnings, merchandise, endorsements and Anoa’i family fortune 5,000-year-old ‘Stargazer’ statuette from ancient Turkey reveals a mysterious early human sculpture Rajnath Singh said he was particularly upset that the comments came from the Lok Sabha LoP. Defence minister Rajnath Singh has hit back at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the government’s foreign policy, calling them “petty and condemnable” and warning that such language could damage democratic discourse.Singh said he was particularly upset that the comments came from the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha. He accused Gandhi of lowering the dignity associated with the post and questioned whether such conduct was appropriate for someone holding a key constitutional position.”The remarks made by LoP Rahul Gandhi on PM Narendra Modi and India’s foreign policy yesterday are petty and condemnable. It is painful for me personally, too. In my long political life, I had never seen such indecent and unimaginable conduct from any LoP. Such conduct is a grave sign of a threat to a healthy democracy,” Singh said.The defence minister also defended Modi’s record as Prime Minister and his standing abroad, while arguing that political differences should not lead to what he described as disrespectful remarks.”Rahul Gandhi might have frustration with PM in his mind, but such indecent remarks are unacceptable, especially when PM Modi has been a Prime Minister who has brought prestige to India nationally and internationally, and paved the way for Viksit Bharat. “”In 12 years, working with full dedication, he did not take any leave. Such indecent remarks against such a PM pain every Indian,” he said.Singh then turned his criticism towards the Congress, questioning whether the party could continue to claim the legacy of several of India’s prominent leaders after Gandhi’s remarks.”I would also like to humbly tell the Congress party that after such language and conduct, can they have any claim over the legacy of Lal-Bal-Pal and Gandhi, Patel and Nehru, from Subhas Babu to Rajendra Babu and Shastri ji and Narasimha Rao ji to Pranab Mukherjee?” Rajnath Singh said.He further accused Gandhi of not only targeting Modi but also damaging India’s image and the dignity of the Leader of Opposition’s office.”With this conduct, Rahul Gandhi has not only insulted PM Narendra Modi but also the international prestige of India. He has shredded the dignity of the post of Lok Sabha LoP. I cannot even imagine that someone with the Gandhi surname can make such a shameful remark.”The exchange followed remarks made by Gandhi at the Congress’s Rachnatmak Congress National Convention in New Delhi on Thursday.Gandhi criticised the government’s approach to foreign policy and argued that India’s international relations should be driven by national interest rather than personal relationships between political leaders.”I don’t know where it came from; this idea got into their heads. I don’t know who put it there or where it came from, the idea that foreign policy means hugging politicians. I was young. We went to America. Since we’re talking about expressions, I’ll share this. We went to America. I was twelve years old. Priyanka, myself, my mother, and my grandmother – my grandmother was the Prime Minister. There was a state dinner – an official dinner. My grandmother and mother went to the official dinner,” he said.He added, “You aren’t just visiting a friend’s house. In this role, the Prime Minister of India doesn’t engage in mere friendship. They have no interest in friendship; their job is to protect the country.”Gandhi also accused the Modi government of damaging India’s foreign policy, using the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the US and Israel as an example.”War broke out in Iran. For India – had it recognised its own strength and had its leader been someone like Indira Gandhi–this presented the greatest opportunity in the world. What kind of opportunity? Iran was our old friend, America was our friend, and Russia was our friend. We could have stepped up, become relevant, and leveraged these friendships. But what actually happened? Nothing of the sort. Instead, Pakistan stepped in and took our place; Pakistan became the mediator, while India and Modi-ji simply looked on,” he said.Rahul Gandhi claimed he receives “information directly from Modi ji’s office these days; there is a full-blown revolt going on inside”.He also referred to certain claims in videos on social media about China’s actions concerning patrolling along the LAC in a border area of Arunachal Pradesh.He also raised allegations concerning Chinese activity along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh and accused the government of pressuring the media not to report certain claims.”In our patrolling areas–specifically in Arunachal–China blocked us from patrolling. They essentially said, ‘Look, all that is fine–it is indeed your land–but you cannot patrol here.’ Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, and Narendra Modi have been completely deflated. They are calling up all the media editors, telling them, ‘Don’t publish this in your newspapers; suppress the story.’ They are causing direct harm to the country without a second thought,” he said.Gandhi also revisited the dispute over India’s handling of the border situation with China following the Galwan clash.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesHe alleged that conflicting statements about whether Indian territory had been lost weakened India’s position during negotiations with China.”After the Galwan incident, the Prime Minister held a meeting–a Zoom call. He stated that China hadn’t taken a single inch of Indian territory. The Army said that our land had been taken. Just think about the message sent to China: Chinese negotiators asked our negotiators, ‘What nonsense are you talking about? Your own Prime Minister said no land was lost.’ So, internally, they have destroyed the country; they have wrecked our foreign policy. And they did all of this solely to finance their political structure, to secure funds from Adaniji,” he alleged.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.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 MediaVideosBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks BeginCM Vijay Urges PM Modi To Keep Lok Sabha Strength At 543, Opposes Population-Based DelimitationThey Want To Disturb Punjab’s Peace’: Sukhbir Badal Flags Larger Conspiracy After Nanded Attack’The Great Transshipment Scam’: India Among 40 Nations Aiding China’s Tarrif Evasion, Says USUttarakhand Tunnel Landslide: 7 Workers Dead, 1 Missing; Rescue Operations Continue in Chamoli‘RSS Vs Congress Govt’: Karnataka Cabinet Clears Bill To Curb Events At Public Spaces‘Peaceful Revolution’ Needed: Sonam Wangchuk Seeks New Leaders To Transform India Before 2047Air India Tightens Pilot Safety Checks After AI2379 Altitude Loss And Positive Marijuana TestJPSC-JSSC Stir Enters Day 20: Police Book 600 After Assembly March, Students Refuse To Back DownAkali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal Near Hazur Sahib Gurdwara, Assailant Uses Sharp Weapon | Watch123Photostories10 unusual baby girl names with fascinating historical roots10 naturally tricolour Indian foods to make this Independence DayInside Ruhaanika Dhawan’s luxury home: A massive living room, elegant decor and moreWhat happens to your brain when you slowly reduce your screen time before bed? Neurologist answers5 red vegetables rich in fibre: Simple ways to add them to Indian mealsIndependence Day Special: 7 historic Delhi eateries that have been serving since before 1947Tara Sutaria’s lace drama meets Kiara Advani’s pantsuit power: Who really won the ‘Toxic’ album launch fashion face-off?5 yellow vegetables that may support eye health, immunity and healthy ageing10 foods that were once considered disgusting but became delicaciesIndependence Day: 10 rare photos that bring India’s freedom struggle to life123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingOil Prices TodayIndiGo Fight CancelledDelhi High Court Bomb ThreatAmbala Sikh Community ProtestManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke R Madhavan treated son Vedaant like an adult ever since he was 5 years old, here’s the one lesson he taught his son: ‘He can become news very quickly, if he doesn’t know how to keep his ducks Why are train coaches blue, red or green? Here’s what their colours actually mean ‘Greatest threat’: How India, Pakistan view each other; data lays bare deep animosity 79-year-old UK grandmother refuses to sell part of her garden for $60m road project to protect a 500-year-old oak tree and local wildlife President Droupadi Murmu has approved 78 gallantry awards for personnel of the defence forces and CAPF. NEW DELHI: President Droupadi Murmu on Friday approved 78 gallantry awards for personnel of the Defence Forces and Central Armed Police Forces on the eve of the 80th Independence Day. Of the 78 awards, 13 have been approved posthumously, according to the Press Information Bureau.The awards include nine Kirti Chakras, of which seven are posthumous, and 19 Shaurya Chakras, including one posthumous award.The President has also approved one Bar to Shaurya Chakra, five Bars to Sena Medals (Gallantry) and 36 Sena Medals (Gallantry), including five posthumous awards. The list also includes three Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry) and five Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).The awards have been approved to recognise gallantry among personnel of the Defence Forces and Central Armed Police Forces.Here’s the full list Underlining that students are the “architects of India’s future,” President Droupadi Murmu on Friday said the government is taking comprehensive steps to reform public examinations to completely curb paper leaks and unfair means, making the system transparent, secure, and trustworthy.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesIn her address to the nation on the eve of the country’s 80th Independence Day, the president stressed that just as government and society remain united to ensure national security, everyone must contribute through joint and concerted efforts to safeguard the present and future of students.”Public examinations become gateways to opportunities for our students. The government is undertaking comprehensive steps to reform these examinations. The objectives of these reforms are to completely curb the use of unfair means in public examinations, make the examination system more transparent, more secure, and more trustworthy for the youth,” she said.Her remarks assume significance in the backdrop of recent nationwide Gen Z and student-led protests demanding systemic overhauls, fast-track investigations, and stringent legal action following high-profile paper leak irregularities in competitive examinations.ALSO READ | ‘Terrorists will face consequences’: President Murmu addresses nation on eve of 80th I-DayGet the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.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 MediaVideosRajnath Singh Announces Rs 8.75 Lakh Crore Defence Modernisation Push on 80th Independence DayBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks BeginCM Vijay Urges PM Modi To Keep Lok Sabha Strength At 543, Opposes Population-Based DelimitationThey Want To Disturb Punjab’s Peace’: Sukhbir Badal Flags Larger Conspiracy After Nanded Attack’The Great Transshipment Scam’: India Among 40 Nations Aiding China’s Tarrif Evasion, Says USUttarakhand Tunnel Landslide: 7 Workers Dead, 1 Missing; Rescue Operations Continue in Chamoli‘RSS Vs Congress Govt’: Karnataka Cabinet Clears Bill To Curb Events At Public Spaces‘Peaceful Revolution’ Needed: Sonam Wangchuk Seeks New Leaders To Transform India Before 2047Air India Tightens Pilot Safety Checks After AI2379 Altitude Loss And Positive Marijuana TestJPSC-JSSC Stir Enters Day 20: Police Book 600 After Assembly March, Students Refuse To Back Down123Photostories10 unusual baby girl names with fascinating historical roots10 naturally tricolour Indian foods to make this Independence DayInside Ruhaanika Dhawan’s luxury home: A massive living room, elegant decor and moreWhat happens to your brain when you slowly reduce your screen time before bed? Neurologist answers5 red vegetables rich in fibre: Simple ways to add them to Indian mealsIndependence Day Special: 7 historic Delhi eateries that have been serving since before 1947Tara Sutaria’s lace drama meets Kiara Advani’s pantsuit power: Who really won the ‘Toxic’ album launch fashion face-off?5 yellow vegetables that may support eye health, immunity and healthy ageing10 foods that were once considered disgusting but became delicaciesIndependence Day: 10 rare photos that bring India’s freedom struggle to life123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingOil Prices TodayIndiGo Fight CancelledDelhi High Court Bomb ThreatAmbala Sikh Community ProtestManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke US stock market today: Wall Street drifts near record highs; economic data in focus Ashmit Patel slams trolls over Sohail Khan’s looks: ‘Don’t you have parents who are aged?’ Super Bowl LXI lands on Valentine’s Day for the first time in history creating an unusual football-versus-romance showdown In 1968, a California landowner demanded $100 an acre for land inside Pinnacles that officials valued at $17; a year later the Park Service paid more than $46 an acre and bought the parcel for $7,400 Ashmit Patel says relationship with sister Ameesha Patel has ups and downs: ‘But blood is thicker than water, I will always protect her till my last breath’ What you see first reveals your hidden superpower Luka Dončić’s future with Los Angeles Lakers questioned following franchise’s record breaking $12.5 bilion sale Another Queen Elizabeth grandchild appears set to give up royal titles as Royal family reveals his future plans President Droupadi Murmu addresses the nation on Independence Day eve NEW DELHI: President Droupadi Murmu on Friday addressed the nation and extended her greetings ahead of the 80th Independence day. On the eve of Independence Day, Murmu praised India’s growth and said that “every citizen is contributing to nation building”.Here’s are some of the key quotes from President Murmu’s national address:Duty of every person associated with judicial system to ensure that no one is deprived of justice due to lack of resources.Citizens across all walks of life are making valuable contributions to nation-building, with the Armed Forces, CAPFs, police personnel, sanitation workers and the Indian diaspora playing a special role. India remains committed to building a Viksit Bharat by 2047 through inclusive development, while drawing inspiration from its rich heritage and the ideals of the freedom struggle.Operation Sindoor demonstrated Indian Armed Forces’ capability for precision strikes against terror networks.People from different ideological streams shared one common goal, India’s independence. During the Swadeshi Movement, Vande Mataram became the song of the masses. Under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, countless Indians joined the freedom struggle, while Dr BR Ambedkar set high ideals of social reform and national commitment.Suspension of Indus Waters Treaty with country harbouring terrorism a decisive step in national interest, particularly for farmers.Terrorists and those supporting them will have to face consequences no matter where they hide.Making India Naxal-free is a major national achievement.Due to communal violence, millions of people had to become refugees and endure the horrors of Partition. Yet, they did not abandon their identity. When our country became independent, along with the serious consequences of Partition, integrating more than 550 princely states with the newly independent India was also an extraordinary challenge. Sardar Patel integrated the princely states into our independent republic.Over 25 cr people lifted out of poverty in past decade through inclusive development initiatives.Free ration programme ensuring food security for more than 80 cr beneficiaries.We are moving forward with a balance between heritage and development. The world’s largest and most advanced digital infrastructure has been developed in our country. Digital payments are being made even at small shops in villages and on roadside stalls. More than half of the world’s real-time digital transactions are taking place in India. Our citizens and the government, working together, have presented an example of a digital revolution to the global community.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.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 MediaVideosBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks BeginCM Vijay Urges PM Modi To Keep Lok Sabha Strength At 543, Opposes Population-Based DelimitationThey Want To Disturb Punjab’s Peace’: Sukhbir Badal Flags Larger Conspiracy After Nanded Attack’The Great Transshipment Scam’: India Among 40 Nations Aiding China’s Tarrif Evasion, Says USUttarakhand Tunnel Landslide: 7 Workers Dead, 1 Missing; Rescue Operations Continue in Chamoli‘RSS Vs Congress Govt’: Karnataka Cabinet Clears Bill To Curb Events At Public Spaces‘Peaceful Revolution’ Needed: Sonam Wangchuk Seeks New Leaders To Transform India Before 2047Air India Tightens Pilot Safety Checks After AI2379 Altitude Loss And Positive Marijuana TestJPSC-JSSC Stir Enters Day 20: Police Book 600 After Assembly March, Students Refuse To Back DownAkali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal Near Hazur Sahib Gurdwara, Assailant Uses Sharp Weapon | Watch123Photostories10 unusual baby girl names with fascinating historical roots10 naturally tricolour Indian foods to make this Independence DayInside Ruhaanika Dhawan’s luxury home: A massive living room, elegant decor and moreWhat happens to your brain when you slowly reduce your screen time before bed? Neurologist answers5 red vegetables rich in fibre: Simple ways to add them to Indian mealsIndependence Day Special: 7 historic Delhi eateries that have been serving since before 1947Tara Sutaria’s lace drama meets Kiara Advani’s pantsuit power: Who really won the ‘Toxic’ album launch fashion face-off?5 yellow vegetables that may support eye health, immunity and healthy ageing10 foods that were once considered disgusting but became delicaciesIndependence Day: 10 rare photos that bring India’s freedom struggle to life123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingOil Prices TodayIndiGo Fight CancelledDelhi High Court Bomb ThreatAmbala Sikh Community ProtestManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke Big blow for India as Jemimah Rodrigues’ injury rules her out of Asia Cup and Asian Games Director Abhijeet Deshpande explains why Vinod Kambli’s life is becoming a series, not a film, ‘So much material and drama’ 10 unusual baby girl names with fascinating historical roots We have strong ties with Italy, should be respectful: MEA on Congress leader’s ‘Meloni’ remark UK sets 24-week target for asylum appeals to speed up deportations Modernisation of the defence forces, driven by a self-reliant and future-ready defence sector is the first and foremost priority of government, Rajnath Singh told the Armed Forces on the eve of 80th Independence Day. NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said India’s defence sector had undergone an “unprecedented transformation” over the past 12 years, with domestic defence production rising nearly fourfold to a record Rs 1.78 lakh crore in 2025-26.In his message to soldiers on the eve of Independence Day, Rajnath said India had reduced its dependence on defence imports while strengthening indigenous manufacturing under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.””You all know that under the leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, our government has always accorded the highest priority to self-reliance in the defence sector. Over the past 12 years, you have witnessed unprecedented transformation in the defence sector through Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India,” he said.“Our domestic defence production, which stood at around Rs 46,000 crore in 2014, reached a record Rs 1.78 lakh crore in FY 2025-26. This means that over the past decade, our domestic defence production has increased nearly fourfold. This is proof of the structural changes that have taken place over the past decade,” the defence minister added.The union minister further highlighted recent tests and developments in indigenous defence technology, including the MIRV-equipped Advanced Agni missile, Rudram-II air-to-surface missile, Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile and Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket.“We have also made major advances in hypersonic technology. The successful demonstration of Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet technology is equally significant,” he said.He also said the first successful test of the indigenous Kusha Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile had strengthened India’s air-defence capabilities.91% indegenisation in Army ammunitionsAs Rajnath hailed the growth in defence sector, the ministry of defence said India’s defence production reached a record Rs 1.78 lakh crore in 2025-26, nearly four times the level of 2014. The government said defence exports have grown 56-fold, from Rs 686 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 38,424 crore in 2025-26, with Indian defence products now reaching more than 80 countries.The defence budget has increased 3.1-fold, from Rs 2.53 lakh crore in 2013-14 to Rs 7.85 lakh crore in 2026-27, while capital expenditure has risen 2.3-fold to Rs 2.19 lakh crore. Defence R&D spending has more than doubled to Rs 29,100 crore in 2026-27 from Rs 13,716 crore in 2014-15.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe ministry said the Indian Army has achieved roughly 91% self-sufficiency in ammunition, having indigenised 159 of 175 ammunition variants.The government is targeting Rs 3 lakh crore in annual defence production and Rs 50,000 crore in defence exports by 2029.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.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 MediaVideosBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks BeginCM Vijay Urges PM Modi To Keep Lok Sabha Strength At 543, Opposes Population-Based DelimitationThey Want To Disturb Punjab’s Peace’: Sukhbir Badal Flags Larger Conspiracy After Nanded Attack’The Great Transshipment Scam’: India Among 40 Nations Aiding China’s Tarrif Evasion, Says USUttarakhand Tunnel Landslide: 7 Workers Dead, 1 Missing; Rescue Operations Continue in Chamoli‘RSS Vs Congress Govt’: Karnataka Cabinet Clears Bill To Curb Events At Public Spaces‘Peaceful Revolution’ Needed: Sonam Wangchuk Seeks New Leaders To Transform India Before 2047Air India Tightens Pilot Safety Checks After AI2379 Altitude Loss And Positive Marijuana TestJPSC-JSSC Stir Enters Day 20: Police Book 600 After Assembly March, Students Refuse To Back DownAkali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal Near Hazur Sahib Gurdwara, Assailant Uses Sharp Weapon | Watch123Photostories10 unusual baby girl names with fascinating historical roots10 naturally tricolour Indian foods to make this Independence DayInside Ruhaanika Dhawan’s luxury home: A massive living room, elegant decor and moreWhat happens to your brain when you slowly reduce your screen time before bed? Neurologist answers5 red vegetables rich in fibre: Simple ways to add them to Indian mealsIndependence Day Special: 7 historic Delhi eateries that have been serving since before 1947Tara Sutaria’s lace drama meets Kiara Advani’s pantsuit power: Who really won the ‘Toxic’ album launch fashion face-off?5 yellow vegetables that may support eye health, immunity and healthy ageing10 foods that were once considered disgusting but became delicaciesIndependence Day: 10 rare photos that bring India’s freedom struggle to life123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingOil Prices TodayIndiGo Fight CancelledDelhi High Court Bomb ThreatAmbala Sikh Community ProtestManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke Ravindra Jadeja two short from 350 Test wickets, set to join Kapil Dev in elite club India’s big chip ambition: Can it become the world’s next semiconductor hub? When will UGC NET 2026 provisional answer key be released? Here’s what we know so far Anurag Kashyap opens up about being age-shamed for dating 20-years-younger Shubhra Shetty: ‘At one point I was so consious, I tried to push her away’ KYC scan fails again and again on Naga man; Nagaland minister’s hilarious video raises a serious question Nigel Farage beats ‘space warrior trashcan’ rival in UK bypoll he triggered Why experts say this is unusual