VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Aries Horoscope Today, August 9, 2026: This is a workday in the truest sense Quote of the day by Albert Einstein: “I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.” Too far, too late: Why pregnant women are still dying en route to care Florida dumped millions of tyres into the ocean to build a reef. More than 50 years later, it is still cleaning them up | World News The spokesman said the surge in tourist arrivals during June and July has also been supported by a calendar of cultural, spiritual and experiential events organised across Ladakh SRINAGAR: Ladakh continues to witness a surge in tourist arrivals, with the union territory recording 330,332 tourists from Jan to July this year, already reaching 98.35% of the 335,872 tourists recorded last year, a govt spokesman said.Air travel remained the most popular mode of reaching Ladakh, accounting for 47.64% of the total arrivals. Among tourists arriving by road, the Kashmir route continued to be more popular than the Manali route, with 35.27% entering Ladakh through Kashmir compared with 17.09% through Manali, according to the latest figures released by the Ladakh govt.“The surge in tourism numbers has been particularly noticeable in June and July, when more than 2.12 lakh tourists visited Ladakh, accounting for nearly 65% of the total 3.30 lakh tourist arrivals recorded so far this year,” the spokesman said.He said the growth in tourism coincides with a major and rapid transformation in Ladakh’s connectivity infrastructure since the formation of the UT. “The total road network has increased from 1,799 km in 2019 to over 4,200 km in 2026, while the number of bridges has increased from 19 to 72,” he added.He said the period of seasonal disruption on key routes has also reduced substantially. Zoji La, the gateway to Ladakh from Kashmir, which earlier remained closed for around 127 days annually, now remains closed for only 16 days. “Similarly, the annual closure of the Kargil-Zanskar Road has declined from 154 days to 11 days, significantly improving near-year-round connectivity for tourists,” he said, adding that the number of homestays has increased from 128 in 2019 to 2,275 in 2026, creating new livelihood opportunities for local households.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe spokesman said the surge in tourist arrivals during June and July has also been supported by a calendar of cultural, spiritual and experiential events organised across Ladakh.Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, in a statement, attributed the growing tourist footfall, particularly domestic tourism, to the sustained infrastructure development in Ladakh and the appeal of PM Narendra Modi to citizens to visit tourist places in India and promote domestic tourism.“The fact that Ladakh has crossed the 1 lakh mark in tourist arrivals for two successive months and has already achieved more than 98% of the entire 2025 footfall by the end of July is a very encouraging milestone,” Saxena said.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosWATCH: Uttarakhand Innovator’s Electric Flying Vehicle Takes Maiden Test FlightUPI To Remain Free For Users, But Some Merchants May Face Nominal Fees In Future: GovtArunachal CM Rejects Chinese Encroachment As India Assigns Official Names To 27 Places‘If You Don’t Kill My Husband, I Will’: Telangana Man Uncovers Wife’s Shocking Chats With Lover‘Brahmins Joining BSP’: Mayawati SLAMS Akhilesh Yadav Over PDA’s ‘P Change’ From Pichhde To Pandit‘I Am Proud Of All Of You’: PM Modi’s Big Msg To Students At First Public Speech After CJP ProtestsKashmir Tourist Security To Get Major Upgrade With CCTV, Command Centres And Security AuditsUS Senate Passes Russia Sanctions Bill, India Faces Potential 100% Tariff Over Russian Oil Purchases’Did We Fail To Listen’: Tharoor Admits CJP Protest Resonated More Than Congress ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’JPSC Protest Enters Day 14: Students Demand Exam Cancellation, CBI Probe After First Talks With Govt123PhotostoriesHow Sridevi turned the chiffon saree into Bollywood’s most iconic fashion statement10 unique baby girl names inspired by rare and lesser-known flowersFrom pig trotters to sprouting mushrooms: 5 bizarre luxury shoes breaking the internetOptical illusion personality test: What you spot first says everything about your hidden desiresRed or white patch in your mouth that won’t go away? Doctor explains the warning signs you should not ignore10 best monsoon snacks to enjoy on rainy daysFrom tiny forest jewels to giant river hunters: 12 kingfishers species to spot in IndiaDelhi must stay ahead of dengue this monsoon: Why rain, stagnant water and delayed diagnosis can turn a seasonal threat serious5 things stylish women always remove from their closetsDia Mirza’s mother’s maroon Banarasi saree is a generational love letter that fast fashion could never match123Hot PicksThailand School ShootingUPI TransactionsAsk Me AnythingJharkhand protestGurgaon rainNICL Assistant RecruitmentAnkur WarikooIndia Labour CodesGold rate todayTop TrendingJapanese Quote of the dayNagpur Rape CaseAbhijeet DipkeGujarat Mystery WellJPSC ProtestDelhi RainDelhi Wife MurderEknath ShindeTamil Nadu BudgetPraveen Nettaru Murder Case ‘Rajesh Khanna abused me, I was very upset,’ recalls veteran actor Tej Sapru: ‘I think his downfall came earlier because of that arrogance’ This food package can tell when meat is spoiling by changing colour from purple-red to yellow-green before the damage is obvious ‘My body’s organs unable to cope’: Jharkhand student leader’s health worsens after 15-day hunger strike ‘He did not make it’: Death of PhD student Vikram Mubayi after California hike leaves family seeking answers The forum also backed statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. SRINAGAR: The Forum for Human Rights in J&K has called for full restoration of statehood and repeal of 2019 Reorganisation Act, cautioning that linking statehood to the security situation and terrorist attacks could erode democratic rights in the Union territory.It presented its annual report “Seven Years Under Union Rule — With a Special Section on Ladakh & Pakistan-held Territories of J&K (Aug 2025–July 2026)” to National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, PDP president and former J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti, CPM’s MY Tarigami and Congress’s J&K president Tariq Hamid Karra.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe forum said arguments that restoration of statehood is “not appropriate” because of security concerns and terrorist attacks are dangerous and could be used to undermine people’s democratic rights.It also backed statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.It praised J&K HC for a series of orders quashing detentions under Public Safety Act and granting bail under UAPA and PSA “…but we are constrained to note that its repeated strictures do not appear to have led to course correction by police,” the report said.The forum, an informal group of concerned citizens, is co-chaired by former Union home secretary Gopal Pillai and Radha Kumar, a former member of the group of interlocutors for J&K. The report also alleged a familiar backlash against Kashmiris after terrorist attacks, including the recent Red Fort blast in New Delhi, saying they faced housing discrimination, forced evictions, aggressive verification and hostility from neighbours, shopkeepers, and co-workers.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosWATCH: Uttarakhand Innovator’s Electric Flying Vehicle Takes Maiden Test FlightUPI To Remain Free For Users, But Some Merchants May Face Nominal Fees In Future: GovtArunachal CM Rejects Chinese Encroachment As India Assigns Official Names To 27 Places‘If You Don’t Kill My Husband, I Will’: Telangana Man Uncovers Wife’s Shocking Chats With Lover‘Brahmins Joining BSP’: Mayawati SLAMS Akhilesh Yadav Over PDA’s ‘P Change’ From Pichhde To Pandit‘I Am Proud Of All Of You’: PM Modi’s Big Msg To Students At First Public Speech After CJP ProtestsKashmir Tourist Security To Get Major Upgrade With CCTV, Command Centres And Security AuditsUS Senate Passes Russia Sanctions Bill, India Faces Potential 100% Tariff Over Russian Oil Purchases’Did We Fail To Listen’: Tharoor Admits CJP Protest Resonated More Than Congress ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’JPSC Protest Enters Day 14: Students Demand Exam Cancellation, CBI Probe After First Talks With Govt123PhotostoriesHow Sridevi turned the chiffon saree into Bollywood’s most iconic fashion statement10 unique baby girl names inspired by rare and lesser-known flowersFrom pig trotters to sprouting mushrooms: 5 bizarre luxury shoes breaking the internetOptical illusion personality test: What you spot first says everything about your hidden desiresRed or white patch in your mouth that won’t go away? Doctor explains the warning signs you should not ignore10 best monsoon snacks to enjoy on rainy daysFrom tiny forest jewels to giant river hunters: 12 kingfishers species to spot in IndiaDelhi must stay ahead of dengue this monsoon: Why rain, stagnant water and delayed diagnosis can turn a seasonal threat serious5 things stylish women always remove from their closetsDia Mirza’s mother’s maroon Banarasi saree is a generational love letter that fast fashion could never match123Hot PicksThailand School ShootingUPI TransactionsAsk Me AnythingJharkhand protestGurgaon rainNICL Assistant RecruitmentAnkur WarikooIndia Labour CodesGold rate todayTop TrendingJapanese Quote of the dayNagpur Rape CaseAbhijeet DipkeGujarat Mystery WellJPSC ProtestDelhi RainDelhi Wife MurderEknath ShindeTamil Nadu BudgetPraveen Nettaru Murder Case Venus clouds may contain 60% water, challenging decades-old theories about the planet’s sulfuric acid aerosols Affordable Housing: Affordable housing stock shrinks, premium home inventory jumps 43%: Report Quote of the day by Neymar: “Messi is a great player. Playing against him is not good, it is…” – a candid lesson that teaches about competition, pressure and respect | World News Anantnag: Security personnel conduct a raid to crack down on alleged terror-related activities , in Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir. (PTI Photo) SRINAGAR: J&K Police’s Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) unit Saturday conducted searches at five locations across four districts of the Valley in a case involving allegations of posting content aimed at building an anti-national narrative.The searches were carried out at two locations in Baramulla district and one each in Bandipora, Anantnag and Shopian districts. Electronic and digital storage devices and other material linked to the case were seized during the raids, police said. No arrests have been made so far.The case was registered at the CIK police station under various sections of IPC and UAPA.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosWATCH: Uttarakhand Innovator’s Electric Flying Vehicle Takes Maiden Test FlightUPI To Remain Free For Users, But Some Merchants May Face Nominal Fees In Future: GovtArunachal CM Rejects Chinese Encroachment As India Assigns Official Names To 27 Places‘If You Don’t Kill My Husband, I Will’: Telangana Man Uncovers Wife’s Shocking Chats With Lover‘Brahmins Joining BSP’: Mayawati SLAMS Akhilesh Yadav Over PDA’s ‘P Change’ From Pichhde To Pandit‘I Am Proud Of All Of You’: PM Modi’s Big Msg To Students At First Public Speech After CJP ProtestsKashmir Tourist Security To Get Major Upgrade With CCTV, Command Centres And Security AuditsUS Senate Passes Russia Sanctions Bill, India Faces Potential 100% Tariff Over Russian Oil Purchases’Did We Fail To Listen’: Tharoor Admits CJP Protest Resonated More Than Congress ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’JPSC Protest Enters Day 14: Students Demand Exam Cancellation, CBI Probe After First Talks With Govt123PhotostoriesHow Sridevi turned the chiffon saree into Bollywood’s most iconic fashion statement10 unique baby girl names inspired by rare and lesser-known flowersFrom pig trotters to sprouting mushrooms: 5 bizarre luxury shoes breaking the internetOptical illusion personality test: What you spot first says everything about your hidden desiresRed or white patch in your mouth that won’t go away? Doctor explains the warning signs you should not ignore10 best monsoon snacks to enjoy on rainy daysFrom tiny forest jewels to giant river hunters: 12 kingfishers species to spot in IndiaDelhi must stay ahead of dengue this monsoon: Why rain, stagnant water and delayed diagnosis can turn a seasonal threat serious5 things stylish women always remove from their closetsDia Mirza’s mother’s maroon Banarasi saree is a generational love letter that fast fashion could never match123Hot PicksThailand School ShootingUPI TransactionsAsk Me AnythingJharkhand protestGurgaon rainNICL Assistant RecruitmentAnkur WarikooIndia Labour CodesGold rate todayTop TrendingJapanese Quote of the dayNagpur Rape CaseAbhijeet DipkeGujarat Mystery WellJPSC ProtestDelhi RainDelhi Wife MurderEknath ShindeTamil Nadu BudgetPraveen Nettaru Murder Case Horoscope Today: Daily astrological predictions for August 9, 2026 In 1876, Alexander Graham Bell patented the telephone, but an Italian inventor had already built the Telettrofono years earlier ‘Shouldn’t be exclusive club’: Pak minister seeks Nato-like Islamic military alliance Quote of the day by Marco Polo: ‘I did not write half of what I saw, for I knew I would not be believed’, and how reality could be much larger than human imagination (representative image) Based on the complaint, an FIR has been lodged against the accused for allegedly wrongfully restraining, abusing, and assaulting the men. JAMMU: Police have registered an FIR against 17 alleged cow vigilantes for assaulting four men transporting bovines in J&K’s Ramban on Aug 4 night, leaving one critically injured. This is the second such incident in the district in five months.Shakeel Ahmed filed a police complaint the next day, stating that he and his three associates, Gafoor, Altaf and Fika, were transporting bovines bought in a police auction from Ramban’s Kariya Post to Maitra Govindpura when some cow vigilantes intercepted their vehicle and assaulted them.Based on the complaint, an FIR has been lodged against the accused for allegedly wrongfully restraining, abusing, and assaulting the men.Earlier, on April 12, Tanveer Ahmad Chopan (23), transporting a milch cow and two calves from Jammu, died after he jumped into the fast-flowing Bishlari nullah in Ramban while trying to escape a group of alleged cow vigilantes.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosWATCH: Uttarakhand Innovator’s Electric Flying Vehicle Takes Maiden Test FlightUPI To Remain Free For Users, But Some Merchants May Face Nominal Fees In Future: GovtArunachal CM Rejects Chinese Encroachment As India Assigns Official Names To 27 Places‘If You Don’t Kill My Husband, I Will’: Telangana Man Uncovers Wife’s Shocking Chats With Lover‘Brahmins Joining BSP’: Mayawati SLAMS Akhilesh Yadav Over PDA’s ‘P Change’ From Pichhde To Pandit‘I Am Proud Of All Of You’: PM Modi’s Big Msg To Students At First Public Speech After CJP ProtestsKashmir Tourist Security To Get Major Upgrade With CCTV, Command Centres And Security AuditsUS Senate Passes Russia Sanctions Bill, India Faces Potential 100% Tariff Over Russian Oil Purchases’Did We Fail To Listen’: Tharoor Admits CJP Protest Resonated More Than Congress ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’JPSC Protest Enters Day 14: Students Demand Exam Cancellation, CBI Probe After First Talks With Govt123PhotostoriesHow Sridevi turned the chiffon saree into Bollywood’s most iconic fashion statement10 unique baby girl names inspired by rare and lesser-known flowersFrom pig trotters to sprouting mushrooms: 5 bizarre luxury shoes breaking the internetOptical illusion personality test: What you spot first says everything about your hidden desiresRed or white patch in your mouth that won’t go away? Doctor explains the warning signs you should not ignore10 best monsoon snacks to enjoy on rainy daysFrom tiny forest jewels to giant river hunters: 12 kingfishers species to spot in IndiaDelhi must stay ahead of dengue this monsoon: Why rain, stagnant water and delayed diagnosis can turn a seasonal threat serious5 things stylish women always remove from their closetsDia Mirza’s mother’s maroon Banarasi saree is a generational love letter that fast fashion could never match123Hot PicksThailand School ShootingUPI TransactionsAsk Me AnythingJharkhand protestGurgaon rainNICL Assistant RecruitmentAnkur WarikooIndia Labour CodesGold rate todayTop TrendingJapanese Quote of the dayNagpur Rape CaseAbhijeet DipkeGujarat Mystery WellJPSC ProtestDelhi RainDelhi Wife MurderEknath ShindeTamil Nadu BudgetPraveen Nettaru Murder Case Yash lauds Kiara Advani, calls her ‘tabahi’, tells her to not get bothered by what people say amid the controversy: ‘Don’t care, whatever you believe in, you should do’ In 1999, a dinosaur bone was found on Japan’s Fukushima coast and left unstudied; in 2026, scientists identified it belonged to a 3-metre iguanodontian that lived 90 million years ago Spain replaces its India ambassador after controversy over use of funds for cultural events: Report Indian-origin trans MSP Q Manivannan under fire after calling rape a ‘spectrum’ in viral podcast clip | World News Odd jobs that stars like Harry Styles and Christopher Walken used to do before their careers kicked-started Scientists uncover the aluminium shield that helps a tiny crustacean survive darkness, near-freezing water and crushing pressure in the Mariana Trench Eggs thrown at Kosovo PM in parliament; House suspended amid political crisis Major US university to hide letter grades for first-semester students, cites ‘mental health crisis’ File photo: PM Modi with US vice president JD Vance (Picture credit: PTI) NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on late Saturday spoke to US vice president JD Vance over the phone and discussed ways to further deepen the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership across key areas.In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, “Received a phone call from US Vice President JD Vance. We discussed ways to further deepen India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership across key areas.”PM Modi also congratulated Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, on the birth of their son and conveyed his best wishes to the family.(This is a developing story)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 MediaVideosWATCH: Uttarakhand Innovator’s Electric Flying Vehicle Takes Maiden Test FlightUPI To Remain Free For Users, But Some Merchants May Face Nominal Fees In Future: GovtArunachal CM Rejects Chinese Encroachment As India Assigns Official Names To 27 Places‘If You Don’t Kill My Husband, I Will’: Telangana Man Uncovers Wife’s Shocking Chats With Lover‘Brahmins Joining BSP’: Mayawati SLAMS Akhilesh Yadav Over PDA’s ‘P Change’ From Pichhde To Pandit‘I Am Proud Of All Of You’: PM Modi’s Big Msg To Students At First Public Speech After CJP ProtestsKashmir Tourist Security To Get Major Upgrade With CCTV, Command Centres And Security AuditsUS Senate Passes Russia Sanctions Bill, India Faces Potential 100% Tariff Over Russian Oil Purchases’Did We Fail To Listen’: Tharoor Admits CJP Protest Resonated More Than Congress ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’JPSC Protest Enters Day 14: Students Demand Exam Cancellation, CBI Probe After First Talks With Govt123PhotostoriesHow Sridevi turned the chiffon saree into Bollywood’s most iconic fashion statement10 unique baby girl names inspired by rare and lesser-known flowersFrom pig trotters to sprouting mushrooms: 5 bizarre luxury shoes breaking the internetOptical illusion personality test: What you spot first says everything about your hidden desiresRed or white patch in your mouth that won’t go away? Doctor explains the warning signs you should not ignore10 best monsoon snacks to enjoy on rainy daysFrom tiny forest jewels to giant river hunters: 12 kingfishers species to spot in IndiaDelhi must stay ahead of dengue this monsoon: Why rain, stagnant water and delayed diagnosis can turn a seasonal threat serious5 things stylish women always remove from their closetsDia Mirza’s mother’s maroon Banarasi saree is a generational love letter that fast fashion could never match123Hot PicksThailand School ShootingUPI TransactionsAsk Me AnythingJharkhand protestGurgaon rainNICL Assistant RecruitmentAnkur WarikooIndia Labour CodesGold rate todayTop TrendingJapanese Quote of the dayNagpur Rape CaseAbhijeet DipkeGujarat Mystery WellJPSC ProtestDelhi RainDelhi Wife MurderEknath ShindeTamil Nadu BudgetPraveen Nettaru Murder Case Aug 08, 2026, 23:12 IST Yash breaks silence on ‘Toxic’ delay and rumours of the film being shelved: ‘When you want to do something in life, nothing should stop you’ Horoscope Today, August 08, 2026: Luck May Rise for These Chinese Zodiac Signs; Others Should Stay Alert Meet Costa Rica’s tiny ‘coffee frog,’ a nocturnal species found living among coffee shrubs A moth outbreak has killed off forests across Siberia, now the flammable wood is causing wildfires that humans are unable to contain Inside Portugal’s 19th-century goat tower, where dwarf goats climb a spiral ramp to a three-storey home | World News Donald Trump shoots from Senate shoulders to punish Russia, by making India and China pay ICE arrests at airports: Immigration lawyers share these 6 tips if you are stopped, questioned or detained Uttarakhand CM Dhami transfers Rs 146.32 crore pension benefits to 9.87 lakh beneficiaries Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday transferred Rs 146.32 crore in pension benefits through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to 9,87,017 beneficiaries under various pension schemes of the social welfare department for July 2026.The chief minister said the state government is committed to the welfare of every section of society. He said pension amounts are being transferred directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts in a timely and transparent manner, ensuring that eligible citizens receive the benefits of government schemes directly. He added that the government’s objective is to ensure that welfare schemes reach the people at the last mile.CM Dhami said that vulnerable sections of society are an integral part of the government’s family. He stressed that the government is working to ensure that elderly parents, widows and persons with disabilities do not have to make repeated visits to government offices to receive their pensions.”Our resolve is to ensure that every eligible citizen receives their rightful benefits with dignity, on time and without any inconvenience,” he said.CM further said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state government is working continuously to strengthen and make Uttarakhand self-reliant, following the spirit of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas. He said the development of the state is possible only through the development and welfare of every section of society.Social Welfare Minister Khajan Das said that the pension instalment for July 2026 has been disbursed by the Social Welfare Department. This month, pension benefits were provided to 9,87,017 beneficiaries under various pension schemes. The beneficiaries include around 2.15 lakh pensioners covered under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) of the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, whose payments are currently being processed through the new SNA-SPARSH system.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesAccording to the department, a total of 9,87,017 beneficiaries received pension benefits in July 2026, with Rs 146.32 crore disbursed under various schemesOf these, 6,15,628 beneficiaries under the Old Age Pension Scheme received Rs 1,500 per month, amounting to Rs 92.34 crore. Widow Pension was provided to 2,36,983 beneficiaries at the rate of Rs 1,500 per month, with Rs 35.54 crore disbursed.Under the Disability Pension Scheme, 89,128 beneficiaries received Rs 1,500 each, amounting to Rs 13.36 crore. 27,288 beneficiaries under the Farmer Pension Scheme received Rs 1,200 each, with Rs 3.20 crore disbursed.Additionally, 8,284 beneficiaries under the Abandoned Women’s Pension Scheme received Rs 1,200 each, amounting to Rs 99.408 lakh. 7,383 beneficiaries receiving Maintenance Grant were provided Rs 700 each, totalling Rs 51.68 lakh.Under the Teelu Rauteli Pension Scheme, 2,196 beneficiaries received Rs 1,200 each, amounting to Rs 26.35 lakh, while 127 beneficiaries under the Dwarf Pension Scheme received Rs 1,200 each, totalling Rs 1.524 lakh. (ANI)Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosWATCH: Uttarakhand Innovator’s Electric Flying Vehicle Takes Maiden Test FlightUPI To Remain Free For Users, But Some Merchants May Face Nominal Fees In Future: GovtArunachal CM Rejects Chinese Encroachment As India Assigns Official Names To 27 Places‘If You Don’t Kill My Husband, I Will’: Telangana Man Uncovers Wife’s Shocking Chats With Lover‘Brahmins Joining BSP’: Mayawati SLAMS Akhilesh Yadav Over PDA’s ‘P Change’ From Pichhde To Pandit‘I Am Proud Of All Of You’: PM Modi’s Big Msg To Students At First Public Speech After CJP ProtestsKashmir Tourist Security To Get Major Upgrade With CCTV, Command Centres And Security AuditsUS Senate Passes Russia Sanctions Bill, India Faces Potential 100% Tariff Over Russian Oil Purchases’Did We Fail To Listen’: Tharoor Admits CJP Protest Resonated More Than Congress ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’JPSC Protest Enters Day 14: Students Demand Exam Cancellation, CBI Probe After First Talks With Govt123Photostories10 unique baby girl names inspired by rare and lesser-known flowersFrom pig trotters to sprouting mushrooms: 5 bizarre luxury shoes breaking the internetOptical illusion personality test: What you spot first says everything about your hidden desiresRed or white patch in your mouth that won’t go away? Doctor explains the warning signs you should not ignore10 best monsoon snacks to enjoy on rainy daysFrom tiny forest jewels to giant river hunters: 12 kingfishers species to spot in IndiaDelhi must stay ahead of dengue this monsoon: Why rain, stagnant water and delayed diagnosis can turn a seasonal threat serious5 things stylish women always remove from their closetsDia Mirza’s mother’s maroon Banarasi saree is a generational love letter that fast fashion could never match7 extraordinary animals travellers can see in some of Earth’s harshest places123Hot PicksThailand School ShootingUPI TransactionsAsk Me AnythingJharkhand protestGurgaon rainNICL Assistant RecruitmentAnkur WarikooIndia Labour CodesGold rate todayTop TrendingJapanese Quote of the dayNagpur Rape CaseAbhijeet DipkeGujarat Mystery WellJPSC ProtestDelhi RainDelhi Wife MurderEknath ShindeTamil Nadu BudgetPraveen Nettaru Murder Case 10 bullets in her pocket, minor girl visits UP jail to meet lover, cops outwit her In 2002, a Kansas landowner began restoring 320 neglected acres with winter burns; 20 years later, native tallgrass and wildflowers had returned | World News Weekly Horoscope, 10th to 16th August 2026: These Chinese Zodiac Signs May Attract Money and Support CAG flags Rs 29.45 crore unfruitful expenditure as 81 acres of Delhi’s Baprola land remain unused for 17 years Australia pacer takes 8/25 as Bangladesh bowled out for 54, lose match by an innings Utah girl Emma Meline was diagnosed with severe aplastic anemia days before Christmas; her 2-year-old sister became her perfect bone marrow match NEW DELHI: Union minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday took a dig at leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj, saying he should have travelled to Ranchi, where students are protesting over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations.In a post on X, Rijiju said, “Rahul Gandhi ji should have gone to Ranchi instead of Prayagraj.”The remarks came after Rahul, during his address at the event, attacked the government over what he described as a lack of jobs, expensive education, paper leaks, poor access to credit and the growing use of artificial intelligence, which he said were holding India’s youth back.”You are told to watch as many reels as you like, send as many WhatsApp messages as you wish, and browse or create content on Instagram. This is the addiction of the 21st century, and then you are told to work for Blinkit or Uber, or to do manual labour. You can indulge in this 21st-century addiction, but you cannot get a job; you cannot find employment in this country,” Rahul said.He also criticised the government’s economic policies, arguing that demonetisation and what he called “wrong GST” had damaged India’s manufacturing sector.”The first door is manufacturing. Today, in the world, you’ll see ‘Made in China’, ‘Made in Vietnam’, ‘Made in Bangladesh’, but you won’t see ‘Made in India’. The reason is that demonetisation and the wrong GST have destroyed our manufacturing system. Small businessmen who used to provide employment, and industries like leather, textile, and automobile that used to manufacture in India… all that has been finished. The first door is closed,” he added.Meanwhile, in Jharkhand, the state government held talks with several student groups amid protests over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations but failed to break the deadlock, with the protesting aspirants deciding to continue their agitation until their demands are met.A five-member government panel, comprising state ministers, first met a faction of protesters led by JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto, whose hunger strike over the issue entered its seventh day. The panel then separately met delegations of the Congress-backed NSUI, Adivasi Chhatra Sangh (ACS) and Jharkhand Chhatra Morcha (JCM).Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesOn Friday night, the government had held similar talks with a delegation of the JPSC/JSSC Reforms Manch.The ruling JMM’s student wing, JCM, placed five demands before the panel, including cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand PSC Civil Services Examination.The NSUI submitted six demands, including a CID probe into all JPSC and JSSC examinations under suspicion within 90 days and the establishment of a Jharkhand Testing Agency (JTA) on the lines of the National Testing Agency, its spokesperson Sanjiv Shah said.Another round of talks between the government and the students is scheduled for Sunday.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 MediaVideosArunachal CM Rejects Chinese Encroachment As India Assigns Official Names To 27 Places‘If You Don’t Kill My Husband, I Will’: Telangana Man Uncovers Wife’s Shocking Chats With Lover‘Brahmins Joining BSP’: Mayawati SLAMS Akhilesh Yadav Over PDA’s ‘P Change’ From Pichhde To Pandit‘I Am Proud Of All Of You’: PM Modi’s Big Msg To Students At First Public Speech After CJP ProtestsKashmir Tourist Security To Get Major Upgrade With CCTV, Command Centres And Security AuditsUS Senate Passes Russia Sanctions Bill, India Faces Potential 100% Tariff Over Russian Oil Purchases’Did We Fail To Listen’: Tharoor Admits CJP Protest Resonated More Than Congress ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’JPSC Protest Enters Day 14: Students Demand Exam Cancellation, CBI Probe After First Talks With GovtSonam Wangchuk Says Wife Sought Rahul Gandhi’s Help To End His 26-Day Hunger Strike At Jantar MantarOMCs Say E20 Petrol Meets Quality Standards After Nationwide Testing, Reject Contamination Claims123PhotostoriesFrom pig trotters to sprouting mushrooms: 5 bizarre luxury shoes breaking the internetOptical illusion personality test: What you spot first says everything about your hidden desiresRed or white patch in your mouth that won’t go away? Doctor explains the warning signs you should not ignore10 best monsoon snacks to enjoy on rainy daysFrom tiny forest jewels to giant river hunters: 12 kingfishers species to spot in IndiaDelhi must stay ahead of dengue this monsoon: Why rain, stagnant water and delayed diagnosis can turn a seasonal threat serious5 things stylish women always remove from their closetsDia Mirza’s mother’s maroon Banarasi saree is a generational love letter that fast fashion could never match7 extraordinary animals travellers can see in some of Earth’s harshest placesYour liver can repair itself, but not forever: Doctor explains when early liver damage can be reversed and what happens if scarring progresses123Hot PicksThailand School ShootingUPI TransactionsAsk Me AnythingJharkhand protestGurgaon rainNICL Assistant RecruitmentAnkur WarikooIndia Labour CodesGold rate todayTop TrendingJapanese Quote of the dayNagpur Rape CaseAbhijeet DipkeGujarat Mystery WellJPSC ProtestDelhi RainDelhi Wife MurderEknath ShindeTamil Nadu BudgetPraveen Nettaru Murder Case Berkshire Hathaway Q2 earnings: Profit rises 16% to $12.98 billion as buybacks accelerate Pisces, Weekly Horoscope, August 09 to August 15, 2026: Week sets the stage for cherished family moments and romantic adventures No weekly offs, leave and workplace harassment: Mysuru woman dies by suicide, accuses manager Live insects in pistachios, rodent droppings, fungal growth and unhygienic processing among serious violations, FSSAI suspends licences NEW DELHI: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has suspended the licences of two food manufacturers in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra after inspections uncovered serious food safety violations, including live insects in pistachios, rodent droppings, fungal growth, unhygienic processing conditions and ineffective pest control.The action was taken against VKC Nuts Private Limited (Uttar Pradesh) and Chheda Specialities Foods Pvt Ltd (Maharashtra), with FSSAI saying the deficiencies posed a potential risk to public health.At VKC Nuts, inspectors found live insects in stored pistachios, heavy black mould on storage walls and ceilings, rodent droppings across the premises, rusted machinery, damaged flooring, houseflies on food products and a live lizard near open crates of figs. They also found a food handler sorting figs with a bandaged hand and another handling dry fruits without prescribed corrective spectacles. The unit scored 38% in FSSAI’s compliance assessment, following which its licence was partially suspended with immediate effect.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesAt Chheda Specialities Foods, inspectors found workers mixing besan dough with bare hands and peeling bananas on contaminated floors beside decomposing waste. The inspection also found fungal growth around edible oil tanks, wastewater on the processing floor, broken insect-proof mesh, dead houseflies, poor waste management and raw materials stored on wet, dusty floors. Multiple food samples collected during earlier inspections had already been declared unsafe or misbranded, with legal proceedings still underway. The unit recorded a compliance score of 42%.FSSAI said the licences have been suspended in the interest of public health and food safety. Chheda Specialities Foods will remain under suspension until it implements corrective measures and demonstrates full compliance with food safety regulations, while VKC Nuts’ partial suspension will continue until further orders.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorAnuja JaiswalAnuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. Over the years, she has worked in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and West UP, gaining diverse on-ground experience that shapes her storytelling.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘If You Don’t Kill My Husband, I Will’: Telangana Man Uncovers Wife’s Shocking Chats With Lover‘Brahmins Joining BSP’: Mayawati SLAMS Akhilesh Yadav Over PDA’s ‘P Change’ From Pichhde To Pandit‘I Am Proud Of All Of You’: PM Modi’s Big Msg To Students At First Public Speech After CJP ProtestsKashmir Tourist Security To Get Major Upgrade With CCTV, Command Centres And Security AuditsUS Senate Passes Russia Sanctions Bill, India Faces Potential 100% Tariff Over Russian Oil Purchases’Did We Fail To Listen’: Tharoor Admits CJP Protest Resonated More Than Congress ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’JPSC Protest Enters Day 14: Students Demand Exam Cancellation, CBI Probe After First Talks With GovtSonam Wangchuk Says Wife Sought Rahul Gandhi’s Help To End His 26-Day Hunger Strike At Jantar MantarOMCs Say E20 Petrol Meets Quality Standards After Nationwide Testing, Reject Contamination ClaimsNeha Bora Inked During Jharkhand Student Protest: AISA Alleges Political Attack, Accused Detained123PhotostoriesFrom pig trotters to sprouting mushrooms: 5 bizarre luxury shoes breaking the internetOptical illusion personality test: What you spot first says everything about your hidden desiresRed or white patch in your mouth that won’t go away? Doctor explains the warning signs you should not ignore10 best monsoon snacks to enjoy on rainy daysFrom tiny forest jewels to giant river hunters: 12 kingfishers species to spot in IndiaDelhi must stay ahead of dengue this monsoon: Why rain, stagnant water and delayed diagnosis can turn a seasonal threat serious5 things stylish women always remove from their closetsDia Mirza’s mother’s maroon Banarasi saree is a generational love letter that fast fashion could never match7 extraordinary animals travellers can see in some of Earth’s harshest placesYour liver can repair itself, but not forever: Doctor explains when early liver damage can be reversed and what happens if scarring progresses123Hot PicksThailand School ShootingUPI TransactionsAsk Me AnythingJharkhand protestGurgaon rainNICL Assistant RecruitmentAnkur WarikooIndia Labour CodesGold rate todayTop TrendingJapanese Quote of the dayNagpur Rape CaseAbhijeet DipkeGujarat Mystery WellJPSC ProtestDelhi RainDelhi Wife MurderEknath ShindeTamil Nadu BudgetPraveen Nettaru Murder Case Aquarius, Weekly Horoscope, August 09 to August 15, 2026: Clarity of thought and an uplifted sense of confidence pave the way for productivity 16-year-old leaves MP home, travels to Mumbai seeking role in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah show