VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html For the first time, Vande Mataram was rendered from the ramparts of the Red Fort during the Independence Day celebrations on Saturday as the country marked 150 years of the national song.The ceremony also saw 2,500 NCC cadets and MY Bharat volunteers form the words “Vande Mataram” at the venue. Around 5,000 achievers and grassroots workers were invited as special guests for the celebrations.Tricolour at Galle marks 600th TestIndependence Day acquired a sporting milestone for the Indian cricket team in Sri Lanka on Saturday as players and support staff marked the occasion ahead of India’s historic 600th Test.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesHead coach Gautam Gambhir, captain Shubman Gill and members of the Indian team hoisted the Tricolour in Galle before the landmark match, combining the I-day celebrations with a major moment in Indian Test cricket history.Democracy has place for dissent: BhagwatRSS chief Mohan Bhagwat Saturday said democracy allows room for divergent and even conflicting viewpoints, but such expression must not harm the Constitution or the country’s social and cultural fabric.”We are a democracy and there will be dialogue, debate, argument and counter-argument,” Bhagwat said at a flag-hoisting programme in Nagpur. “This difference is an expression of unity,” he said.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosActivist Devendra Mahto Stopped From Tiranga March As Jharkhand Student Protest Escalates On I-Day‘Came From The Top’: Mahua Moitra Alleges Late-Night Pressure, Seeks Speaker Om Birla’s InterventionDid Congress Leaders Signal Stop? Viral Vande Mataram Video Sparks Political Firestorm In New DelhiIndia Signs ₹1,577 Crore Drone Deals As Army Powers Up Precision Strikes And Unmanned WarfareAjit Doval Breaks Silence On Operation Sindoor, Reveals PM Modi’s Immediate Response After PahalgamPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgeRahul Gandhi, Kharge Skip Red Fort Event Again As Congress Flags Threats To Democratic InstitutionsPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgePM Modi From Red Fort On 80th Independence Day: ‘India Must Dream Big And Move Forward’79 Years Of Freedom: What Do Indians Really Want From Their Country, Leaders And Democracy Now?123PhotostoriesYour walk changes after 60, but is it really ‘normal ageing’? What a shuffle, sway or slower step could be telling you7 Foods to eat in the morning for better digestion and easier bowel movementsWant a better relationship with your parents? 8 simple tips every teenager should try10 baby girl names inspired by ancient flowersOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your most irritating personality traitForget Medu Vada: 7 South Indian snacks that are worth a try with filter coffeeWhat happens when you rub lemon on dishes and cutlery? The real chemistry behind this kitchen hackMonsoon food poisoning: 7 everyday foods that can look safe but turn risky because of water, humidity and poor storageAbhishek Malhan’s luxurious mansion: A private swimming pool, home theatre, private lifts and moreTrisha Krishnan keeps it classic in a mustard saree as she attends CM Vijay’s first Independence Day ceremony123Hot 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 India 288/2 in 73.0 Overs Berkshire Hathaway reshuffles portfolio, raises Alphabet and homebuilder stakes ICAI CA September 2026 admit cards released; check dates, download details and steps for discrepancies ‘Frozen 3’ first look: Kristoff and Anna’s wedding kicks off while a new villain comes out of the shadows Top 50 wishes, messages, greetings, card and quotes to share with your friends and family Capricorn Horoscope Today, August 16, 2026: You may earn more than expected, and that is no small blessing Qatar calls Iran’s claim ‘misleading’, denies capturing 3 pilots after March strike New Delhi: For home minister Amit Shah, the defining moment of the 80th Independence Day celebrations came before the policy promises and development targets — with the strains of ‘Vande Mataram’ at the Red Fort.Calling its rendition a “historic” first since Independence, he said the moment gave him “goosebumps” and filled his “entire being with sheer ecstasy”.Shah also hailed PM Modi’s address, saying its emphasis on Swadeshi, prosperity and self-reliance could prove a milestone in India’s journey towards becoming a leading nation across sectors.“Vande Mataram was sung from the ramparts of Red Fort for the first time today, 80 years after independence,” Shah wrote on X. “Witnessing this historic moment not only gave me goosebumps but filled my entire being with sheer ecstasy.” tnnGet the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosActivist Devendra Mahto Stopped From Tiranga March As Jharkhand Student Protest Escalates On I-Day‘Came From The Top’: Mahua Moitra Alleges Late-Night Pressure, Seeks Speaker Om Birla’s InterventionDid Congress Leaders Signal Stop? Viral Vande Mataram Video Sparks Political Firestorm In New DelhiIndia Signs ₹1,577 Crore Drone Deals As Army Powers Up Precision Strikes And Unmanned WarfareAjit Doval Breaks Silence On Operation Sindoor, Reveals PM Modi’s Immediate Response After PahalgamPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgeRahul Gandhi, Kharge Skip Red Fort Event Again As Congress Flags Threats To Democratic InstitutionsPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgePM Modi From Red Fort On 80th Independence Day: ‘India Must Dream Big And Move Forward’79 Years Of Freedom: What Do Indians Really Want From Their Country, Leaders And Democracy Now?123PhotostoriesYour walk changes after 60, but is it really ‘normal ageing’? What a shuffle, sway or slower step could be telling you7 Foods to eat in the morning for better digestion and easier bowel movementsWant a better relationship with your parents? 8 simple tips every teenager should try10 baby girl names inspired by ancient flowersOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your most irritating personality traitForget Medu Vada: 7 South Indian snacks that are worth a try with filter coffeeWhat happens when you rub lemon on dishes and cutlery? The real chemistry behind this kitchen hackMonsoon food poisoning: 7 everyday foods that can look safe but turn risky because of water, humidity and poor storageAbhishek Malhan’s luxurious mansion: A private swimming pool, home theatre, private lifts and moreTrisha Krishnan keeps it classic in a mustard saree as she attends CM Vijay’s first Independence Day ceremony123Hot 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 16, 2026, 07:56 IST ‘Batwara 1947’ box office collection Day 2: Sunny Deol and Preity Zinta starrer witnesses huge jump amid ‘Awarapan 2’ and ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ fever Meet Tara and Sushila, the Dehradun couple in their 50s who went from chronic pain and knee replacements to running 20 kms everyday Moon Transit in Libra 2026: Why these birth dates will demand clarity & commitment now 19-year-old held after Virginia State University shooting leaves 5 wounded, found in dorm closet NEW DELHI/DHAKA: India and Bangladesh are discussing a possible bilateral visit by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman late next week, official sources said. Though the visit has yet to be officially confirmed, Rahman is likely to travel to India between Aug 21 and 25, in what would be his first trip to the country after taking office.PM Narendra Modi had invited Rahman for a bilateral visit and followed it up with another invitation to the Bangladesh PM in the latter’s capacity as the BIMSTEC chair for the BRICS summit that India will host in Sept.The two sides seem to agree that the bilateral visit could be more significant in advancing efforts to reset ties, which remain strained over several issues, including extradition of former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina.According to diplomatic sources, other than Hasina, some of the issues that will likely weigh on Rahman’s mind while finalising his India trip include border management, domestic political optics, trade and visa normalisation, and water-sharing.For India, security concerns, including insurgent groups’ activities, protection of minorities and Dhaka’s potential tilt towards China and Pak, especially in defence and security, remain key issues.Ministry of external affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, when asked about the proposed visit, said “We have extended an invitation to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh for a bilateral visit. We’ve also extended an invitation to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh for a visit to India for the outreach session of the BRICS Summit. Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesSo, these invitations have been extended, and I shall keep you updated if there is any progress in this regard,” Diplomatic sources in Dhaka said that despite opposition from domestic hardliners.Tarique Rahman is likely to visit India for the first time later this month, possibly on Aug 22-23. The dates are expected to be discussed further over the next two days.Sources also said that senior officials from both countries have been discussing a possible window between Aug 20 and 25. An engagement before Aug 28 is also being explored.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosActivist Devendra Mahto Stopped From Tiranga March As Jharkhand Student Protest Escalates On I-Day‘Came From The Top’: Mahua Moitra Alleges Late-Night Pressure, Seeks Speaker Om Birla’s InterventionDid Congress Leaders Signal Stop? Viral Vande Mataram Video Sparks Political Firestorm In New DelhiIndia Signs ₹1,577 Crore Drone Deals As Army Powers Up Precision Strikes And Unmanned WarfareAjit Doval Breaks Silence On Operation Sindoor, Reveals PM Modi’s Immediate Response After PahalgamPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgeRahul Gandhi, Kharge Skip Red Fort Event Again As Congress Flags Threats To Democratic InstitutionsPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgePM Modi From Red Fort On 80th Independence Day: ‘India Must Dream Big And Move Forward’79 Years Of Freedom: What Do Indians Really Want From Their Country, Leaders And Democracy Now?123PhotostoriesYour walk changes after 60, but is it really ‘normal ageing’? What a shuffle, sway or slower step could be telling you7 Foods to eat in the morning for better digestion and easier bowel movementsWant a better relationship with your parents? 8 simple tips every teenager should try10 baby girl names inspired by ancient flowersOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your most irritating personality traitForget Medu Vada: 7 South Indian snacks that are worth a try with filter coffeeWhat happens when you rub lemon on dishes and cutlery? The real chemistry behind this kitchen hackMonsoon food poisoning: 7 everyday foods that can look safe but turn risky because of water, humidity and poor storageAbhishek Malhan’s luxurious mansion: A private swimming pool, home theatre, private lifts and moreTrisha Krishnan keeps it classic in a mustard saree as she attends CM Vijay’s first Independence Day ceremony123Hot 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 ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’ teaser unveiled at D23 Expo: First look at Ryan Gosling and Flynn Gray’s characters Virgo Moon energy helps fix routines & boost efficiency – check your zodiac sign’s lucky color & number for August 16, 2026 NEW DELHI: Identifying agriculture and food production as the “second strength” of the seven streams (Sapta Dhara) of power that can take India to “new heights” in the next 5-7 years, PM Narendra Modi Saturday pitched for transitioning to chemical-free farming and creating integrated farm-to-export supply chains for millets, spices and fruits.”We have to move from the farm to the export market. Whether it is our traditional cuisine, our millets, our spices, our fruits or our flowers, we have so much to offer. These should become global brands. Our farmers should give greater impetus to chemical-free farming, as the demand for such products is only going to increase across the world,” said Modi. He said, “If our agricultural products meet global parameters in every respect, we will be able to reach markets across the world with ease.”Absence of supply chain is currently one of the main obstacles before farmers in moving towards crop diversification. Despite attempts to move towards climate-resilient millets, farmers have not found millets as attractive as water-guzzling sugarcane and paddy in terms of getting an assured income.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesGovt’s focus on tapping the global market through export promotion and creation of adequate supply chains may be an effective step towards crop diversification, to attain the twin goals of increasing farmers’ income and promoting sustainable farming through judicious use of inputs. “We must move forward in the direction of food processing as well… Because of FTAs, we are getting access to a very large market, and we must reach them…,” said the PM while outlining the seven streams (Sapta Dhara) of power before the country. He identified “manufacturing” as the first strength and “technology and innovation” as the third strength of the seven streams that can pave the way for a developed India by 2047.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosActivist Devendra Mahto Stopped From Tiranga March As Jharkhand Student Protest Escalates On I-Day‘Came From The Top’: Mahua Moitra Alleges Late-Night Pressure, Seeks Speaker Om Birla’s InterventionDid Congress Leaders Signal Stop? Viral Vande Mataram Video Sparks Political Firestorm In New DelhiIndia Signs ₹1,577 Crore Drone Deals As Army Powers Up Precision Strikes And Unmanned WarfareAjit Doval Breaks Silence On Operation Sindoor, Reveals PM Modi’s Immediate Response After PahalgamPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgeRahul Gandhi, Kharge Skip Red Fort Event Again As Congress Flags Threats To Democratic InstitutionsPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgePM Modi From Red Fort On 80th Independence Day: ‘India Must Dream Big And Move Forward’79 Years Of Freedom: What Do Indians Really Want From Their Country, Leaders And Democracy Now?123PhotostoriesYour walk changes after 60, but is it really ‘normal ageing’? What a shuffle, sway or slower step could be telling you7 Foods to eat in the morning for better digestion and easier bowel movementsWant a better relationship with your parents? 8 simple tips every teenager should try10 baby girl names inspired by ancient flowersOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your most irritating personality traitForget Medu Vada: 7 South Indian snacks that are worth a try with filter coffeeWhat happens when you rub lemon on dishes and cutlery? The real chemistry behind this kitchen hackMonsoon food poisoning: 7 everyday foods that can look safe but turn risky because of water, humidity and poor storageAbhishek Malhan’s luxurious mansion: A private swimming pool, home theatre, private lifts and moreTrisha Krishnan keeps it classic in a mustard saree as she attends CM Vijay’s first Independence Day ceremony123Hot 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 Why Hurricane Lala is a historic threat to Hawaii’s Big Island Australia 212/7 in 75.0 Overs ‘Awarapan 2’ box office collection Day 2: Emraan Hashmi starrer crosses Rs 66 crore worldwide in two days; surpasses ‘Spider-Man’ in India and ‘Batwara 1947’ Bhagavad Gita Quote Today: “What Feels Wasted Today May Become Your Greatest Strength Tomorrow”- How Sri Krishna’s wisdom heals disappointment ‘DC’ vs ‘GDN’ box office collections day 9: Lokesh Kanagaraj’s movie crosses Rs 50 crore; R. Madhavan’s film earns Rs 4.76 crore Sawan Somwar & Nag Panchami Coincide on August 17: These zodiac signs to receive divine protection Giant screens, screaming fans, Magnus Carlsen: Chess at EWC 2026 gets louder on the esports stage New Delhi: The youth took centre stage in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day address on Saturday as he unveiled a host of initiatives, including free online coaching and AI skilling, but also warned against “dimagi Naxals…looking for ways of violence and anarchy”, who, he said, must be “identified” and “isolated”.The PM’s 13th consecutive speech from the ramparts of Red Fort, over 75 minutes long, was marked by repeated invocations of the youth, who were the face of the most consequential protest his govt has faced since 2014, leading to education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation and a slew of legislative and executive measures to reform the examination system.The PM emphasised the threat “dimagi Naxals” pose even as his govt has largely eliminated “hathiyari Naxals” (armed Naxals). Modi has often used the term “urban Naxals” to describe sympathisers of the Maoist movement. His coinage of “dimagi Naxals” appears to be a nod to the belief in BJP circles that hardcore Left groups, especially AISA, the student wing of CPI(ML), played a key role in mobilising and sustaining support for the Cockroach Janta Party-led protest.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines”These dimagi Naxals are looking for ways of violence and anarchy. They are resorting to various tactics to drag society to the wrong path. We must identify these dimagi Naxals, isolate them, and steer the nation’s youth toward the mainstream effort of transforming India into a developed nation,” he said.The challenge of ‘dimagi Naxals should not be underestimated’ as they used to have presence in “corridors of power”, even as advisers in govt committees, he emphasised. BJP has accused Congress of keeping people with professed Naxal sympathies in committees that shaped policies during UPA’s tenure in 2004-2014.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 MediaVideosActivist Devendra Mahto Stopped From Tiranga March As Jharkhand Student Protest Escalates On I-Day‘Came From The Top’: Mahua Moitra Alleges Late-Night Pressure, Seeks Speaker Om Birla’s InterventionDid Congress Leaders Signal Stop? Viral Vande Mataram Video Sparks Political Firestorm In New DelhiIndia Signs ₹1,577 Crore Drone Deals As Army Powers Up Precision Strikes And Unmanned WarfareAjit Doval Breaks Silence On Operation Sindoor, Reveals PM Modi’s Immediate Response After PahalgamPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgeRahul Gandhi, Kharge Skip Red Fort Event Again As Congress Flags Threats To Democratic InstitutionsPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgePM Modi From Red Fort On 80th Independence Day: ‘India Must Dream Big And Move Forward’79 Years Of Freedom: What Do Indians Really Want From Their Country, Leaders And Democracy Now?123PhotostoriesYour walk changes after 60, but is it really ‘normal ageing’? What a shuffle, sway or slower step could be telling you7 Foods to eat in the morning for better digestion and easier bowel movementsWant a better relationship with your parents? 8 simple tips every teenager should try10 baby girl names inspired by ancient flowersOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your most irritating personality traitForget Medu Vada: 7 South Indian snacks that are worth a try with filter coffeeWhat happens when you rub lemon on dishes and cutlery? The real chemistry behind this kitchen hackMonsoon food poisoning: 7 everyday foods that can look safe but turn risky because of water, humidity and poor storageAbhishek Malhan’s luxurious mansion: A private swimming pool, home theatre, private lifts and moreTrisha Krishnan keeps it classic in a mustard saree as she attends CM Vijay’s first Independence Day ceremony123Hot 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 Nick Reiner appeals for access to his trust fund: Reports reveal his request has been denied under the ‘slayer statute’ Pisces Horoscope Today, August 16, 2026: Business growth is possible through a new partnership or offer Feet moving, mind clear: How Devdutt Padikkal cracked spin puzzle ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ box office collection day 17: Tom Holland starrer sees BIG jump on third Saturday, still lags behind MASSIVE ‘Awarapan 2’ earnings Daily Career Horoscope, August 16, 2026: Success, challenges, and breakthroughs; Know about your career ‘Go after the terrorists wherever they are’: Ajit Doval reveals PM Modi’s brief on Op Sindoor Pezeshkian said the longstanding ties between the two countries could help build a stronger future. NEW DELHI: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday extended greetings to India on its 80th Independence Day, highlighting the countries’ deep historical and cultural ties and expressing Tehran’s readiness to further strengthen bilateral relations.In a message to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pezeshkian said the longstanding ties between the two countries could help build a stronger future for their relationship.”Undoubtedly, the deep historical, cultural, civilizational, and people-to-people ties between the two nations are a valuable asset for drawing brighter horizons in bilateral relations based on common interests,” the Iranian President said, according to his official website.Pezeshkian also stressed Iran’s willingness to expand cooperation with India and make greater use of the existing potential between the two countries.”The Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to take more effective steps to strengthen relations between the two countries and secure the common interests of the two nations, in light of mutual trust and respect and by utilising the extensive existing capacities,” he said.According to the President’s website, Pezeshkian also prayed for India’s “proud, progress, prosperity, and ever-increasing happiness” and for the two countries’ longstanding ties to be further strengthened.Leaders across world greet IndiaJoin conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesPezeshkian was among several world leaders who extended greetings to India as the country marked 80 years of independence, ANI reported.Russian President Vladimir Putin, in messages to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, hailed India’s progress and growing global standing.”Your country is making remarkable progress in the economic, social, scientific and technological spheres, and rightfully commands considerable authority in the international arena,” Putin said.Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also congratulated India, recalling the difficult journey towards independence and describing it as a new beginning filled with hope.French President Emmanuel Macron also extended his warm wishes to the people of India on the occasion, while Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu reaffirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening its partnership and enduring friendship with India.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 MediaVideosActivist Devendra Mahto Stopped From Tiranga March As Jharkhand Student Protest Escalates On I-Day‘Came From The Top’: Mahua Moitra Alleges Late-Night Pressure, Seeks Speaker Om Birla’s InterventionDid Congress Leaders Signal Stop? Viral Vande Mataram Video Sparks Political Firestorm In New DelhiIndia Signs ₹1,577 Crore Drone Deals As Army Powers Up Precision Strikes And Unmanned WarfareAjit Doval Breaks Silence On Operation Sindoor, Reveals PM Modi’s Immediate Response After PahalgamPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgeRahul Gandhi, Kharge Skip Red Fort Event Again As Congress Flags Threats To Democratic InstitutionsPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgePM Modi From Red Fort On 80th Independence Day: ‘India Must Dream Big And Move Forward’79 Years Of Freedom: What Do Indians Really Want From Their Country, Leaders And Democracy Now?123PhotostoriesYour walk changes after 60, but is it really ‘normal ageing’? What a shuffle, sway or slower step could be telling you7 Foods to eat in the morning for better digestion and easier bowel movementsWant a better relationship with your parents? 8 simple tips every teenager should try10 baby girl names inspired by ancient flowersOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your most irritating personality traitForget Medu Vada: 7 South Indian snacks that are worth a try with filter coffeeWhat happens when you rub lemon on dishes and cutlery? The real chemistry behind this kitchen hackMonsoon food poisoning: 7 everyday foods that can look safe but turn risky because of water, humidity and poor storageAbhishek Malhan’s luxurious mansion: A private swimming pool, home theatre, private lifts and moreTrisha Krishnan keeps it classic in a mustard saree as she attends CM Vijay’s first Independence Day ceremony123Hot 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 ‘Fauzi’: Anupam Kher says ‘Proud to be part of this magnum opus’; Prabhas starrer gets new Independence Day poster Aquarius Horoscope Today, August 16, 2026: When it comes to work, be cautious is the word to remember NEW DELHI: A political row erupted after a video from the Independence Day programme at Congress headquarters showed Congress Parliamentary Party (CCP) chairperson Sonia Gandhi gesturing and engaged in an exchange of comments with party president Mallikarjun Kharge, drawing the attention of others, including Rahul Gandhi, who was standing at some distance.BJP MP Anurag Thakur said Sonia, Rahul and Kharge looked “uneasy” as ‘Vande mataram’s’ full version was rendered. “Congress, due to its petty and appeasement politics, has insulted the national song,” said the former minister.”Kharge Ji is said to be party chief, but Sonia Gandhi, by shouting and angrily gesticulating, has shown the world who is the real boss. This is the reality of their belief in Dalit empowerment,” said Thakur, referring to the Congress president’s caste background. Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesHowever, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh said: “As the Congress president was standing for a long time, Sonia ji was asking for a chair for him.” He added the song’s full version was played.Anurag said that since the days of Nehru, Congress has been opposed to the full version and confined its singing to the first two paras. This was reflected in what happened at the Congress headquarters, he added.Ramesh recalled that on Oct 28, 1937, a meeting of the Congress Working Committee was held in Calcutta in the presence of Gandhi, Bose, Sardar Patel, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Nehru, GB Pant and C Rajagopalachari, and at the advice of Tagore, they decided that the initial stanzas of Vande would be sung at Congress sessions. “We have been singing those lines in every session since then,” he added.Rendition of ‘Vande Mataram’ at Congress sessions was restricted to the first two stanzas following objections from Muslims who said the song is idolatrous and against their religious beliefs.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosActivist Devendra Mahto Stopped From Tiranga March As Jharkhand Student Protest Escalates On I-Day‘Came From The Top’: Mahua Moitra Alleges Late-Night Pressure, Seeks Speaker Om Birla’s InterventionDid Congress Leaders Signal Stop? Viral Vande Mataram Video Sparks Political Firestorm In New DelhiIndia Signs ₹1,577 Crore Drone Deals As Army Powers Up Precision Strikes And Unmanned WarfareAjit Doval Breaks Silence On Operation Sindoor, Reveals PM Modi’s Immediate Response After PahalgamPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgeRahul Gandhi, Kharge Skip Red Fort Event Again As Congress Flags Threats To Democratic InstitutionsPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgePM Modi From Red Fort On 80th Independence Day: ‘India Must Dream Big And Move Forward’79 Years Of Freedom: What Do Indians Really Want From Their Country, Leaders And Democracy Now?123PhotostoriesYour walk changes after 60, but is it really ‘normal ageing’? What a shuffle, sway or slower step could be telling you7 Foods to eat in the morning for better digestion and easier bowel movementsWant a better relationship with your parents? 8 simple tips every teenager should try10 baby girl names inspired by ancient flowersOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your most irritating personality traitForget Medu Vada: 7 South Indian snacks that are worth a try with filter coffeeWhat happens when you rub lemon on dishes and cutlery? The real chemistry behind this kitchen hackMonsoon food poisoning: 7 everyday foods that can look safe but turn risky because of water, humidity and poor storageAbhishek Malhan’s luxurious mansion: A private swimming pool, home theatre, private lifts and moreTrisha Krishnan keeps it classic in a mustard saree as she attends CM Vijay’s first Independence Day ceremony123Hot 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 ‘Vishwanath and Sons’ vs ‘Jana Nayagan’ box office collections: Suriya’s film grows 45% on day 2; Vijay’s film earns Rs 196.15 crore in 24 days Feeling lonely in a crowd? Hebrews 13:5 reveals God’s unshakeable promise to you today – Bible Verse of the Day ‘India’s tolerance should not be mistaken for weakness’: NSA Ajit Doval Now, tax amnesty for undisclosed foreign assets Sagittarius Horoscope Today, August 16, 2026: Money looks linked to work improvement and long-term stability rather than sudden gain NEW DELHI: A parliamentary panel has taken note of a curious case involving emergency alert buttons in buses. While the switches cost just Rs 15-20 each, they have largely remained unused because there are no dedicated centres to respond to alerts. Bus operators told the panel they are still required to pay Rs 2,500 to Rs 25,000 per vehicle to have the switches tested during mandatory fitness tests.The latest report of the parliamentary standing committee on transport, tourism and culture, headed by JDU’s Sanjay Jha, noted that the buttons were made mandatory after the 2012 Nirbhaya case as a safety measure for women passengers.The report said the road transport ministry informed the panel that in several states, the system had been connected to emergency response number 112. It also said there were many instances of false alarms, prompting some states to “disengage” them.”The ministry wishes the system restored, while am-ong operators there is a feeling that it should be dispensed with,” the report said. A committee member observed if the system was not effective, it was not fair to charge so much for it. One member asked why CCTV could not be installed. The ministry said cameras were being made mandatory in new buses.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe committee recommended that the programme to install emergency buttons, call facilities and vehicle location tracking devices in public transport vehicles be pursued with states beyond the 16 that have made progress in implementing it.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosActivist Devendra Mahto Stopped From Tiranga March As Jharkhand Student Protest Escalates On I-Day‘Came From The Top’: Mahua Moitra Alleges Late-Night Pressure, Seeks Speaker Om Birla’s InterventionDid Congress Leaders Signal Stop? Viral Vande Mataram Video Sparks Political Firestorm In New DelhiIndia Signs ₹1,577 Crore Drone Deals As Army Powers Up Precision Strikes And Unmanned WarfareAjit Doval Breaks Silence On Operation Sindoor, Reveals PM Modi’s Immediate Response After PahalgamPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgeRahul Gandhi, Kharge Skip Red Fort Event Again As Congress Flags Threats To Democratic InstitutionsPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgePM Modi From Red Fort On 80th Independence Day: ‘India Must Dream Big And Move Forward’79 Years Of Freedom: What Do Indians Really Want From Their Country, Leaders And Democracy Now?123PhotostoriesYour walk changes after 60, but is it really ‘normal ageing’? What a shuffle, sway or slower step could be telling you7 Foods to eat in the morning for better digestion and easier bowel movementsWant a better relationship with your parents? 8 simple tips every teenager should try10 baby girl names inspired by ancient flowersOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your most irritating personality traitForget Medu Vada: 7 South Indian snacks that are worth a try with filter coffeeWhat happens when you rub lemon on dishes and cutlery? The real chemistry behind this kitchen hackMonsoon food poisoning: 7 everyday foods that can look safe but turn risky because of water, humidity and poor storageAbhishek Malhan’s luxurious mansion: A private swimming pool, home theatre, private lifts and moreTrisha Krishnan keeps it classic in a mustard saree as she attends CM Vijay’s first Independence Day ceremony123Hot 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 Scorpio Horoscope Today, August 16, 2026: Business growth stays average, so don’t expect giant leaps by evening In a first, grid power on way to 12 remote villages near border with China NEW DELHI: BCI’s controversial decision to bar 2026 law graduates from Hyderabad’s NALSAR University of Law from being registered as advocate, which it withdrew within hours, brought into focus the regulator’s working which has been headed by senior advocate and BJP MP Manan Kumar Mishra for 14 years.A statutory body established under Advocates Act, 1961, BCI is mandated to regulate legal profession and legal education. It lays down standards of professional conduct for advocates, exercises disciplinary jurisdiction, and recognises universities whose law degrees qualify a person for enrolment. Section 7(1)(g) of the Act also gives it general supervision and control over state bar councils.But no provision of the Act gives it the power to enrol a person as an advocate which is to be done by a state bar council to admit persons as advocates on its roll. Clearly, the regulator ventured into the area beyond its domain by taking punitive measures against students, and upset SC which observed that BCI had no business to intervene in the matter.The controversy has put the spotlight on BCI’s functioning on whether it has over the years been able to discharge its statutory duty to maintain the standard of legal profession and legal education. Going by a statement of Mishra himself, BCI has failed in its duty by a massive margin.An outspoken man who contested polls as nominees of BSP and Congress before drifting into BJP , has said on more than one occasion that 35-40% of advocates have fake degrees, and are practicing in the courts on the basis of fabricated degree certificates. The statement, while believed to be true by many, is an indictment of regulator and clear evidence that guard rails against serious malpractice have not been working.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesAnother failure of BCI is in the field of legal education as it failed to maintain standard in view of proliferation of law colleges; some of them are virtually selling law degrees with students exempted from attending classes. It has regularly faced SC’s ire for not infusing professionalism into the profession and not taking action against erring lawyers who keep resorting to strikes.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosActivist Devendra Mahto Stopped From Tiranga March As Jharkhand Student Protest Escalates On I-Day‘Came From The Top’: Mahua Moitra Alleges Late-Night Pressure, Seeks Speaker Om Birla’s InterventionDid Congress Leaders Signal Stop? Viral Vande Mataram Video Sparks Political Firestorm In New DelhiIndia Signs ₹1,577 Crore Drone Deals As Army Powers Up Precision Strikes And Unmanned WarfareAjit Doval Breaks Silence On Operation Sindoor, Reveals PM Modi’s Immediate Response After PahalgamPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgeRahul Gandhi, Kharge Skip Red Fort Event Again As Congress Flags Threats To Democratic InstitutionsPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgePM Modi From Red Fort On 80th Independence Day: ‘India Must Dream Big And Move Forward’79 Years Of Freedom: What Do Indians Really Want From Their Country, Leaders And Democracy Now?123PhotostoriesYour walk changes after 60, but is it really ‘normal ageing’? What a shuffle, sway or slower step could be telling you7 Foods to eat in the morning for better digestion and easier bowel movementsWant a better relationship with your parents? 8 simple tips every teenager should try10 baby girl names inspired by ancient flowersOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your most irritating personality traitForget Medu Vada: 7 South Indian snacks that are worth a try with filter coffeeWhat happens when you rub lemon on dishes and cutlery? The real chemistry behind this kitchen hackMonsoon food poisoning: 7 everyday foods that can look safe but turn risky because of water, humidity and poor storageAbhishek Malhan’s luxurious mansion: A private swimming pool, home theatre, private lifts and moreTrisha Krishnan keeps it classic in a mustard saree as she attends CM Vijay’s first Independence Day ceremony123Hot 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 PM Narendra Modi New Delhi: PM Narendra Modi chose his Independence Day address Saturday to give a strong indication of of his govt’s intent to revive the Constitution amendment bill to implement one-third reservation for women in Lok Sabha and assemblies, with a 50% jump in their overall strength from 2029, urging all political parties to ensure that it was rolled out as soon as possible.While it was widely speculated in political circles that govt was keen to revive the bill, which was defeated by the opposition in April, Modi put on record that the matter was on the agenda, boosting the prospect of Parliament being summoned as early as next month.”Today, standing here beneath the shadow of the Tricolour on the ramparts of Red Fort, I pray to and urge all political parties to acknowledge the power of women. Let’s step forward to uphold their dignity and ensure our mothers and sisters get 33% representation in assemblies and Lok Sabha as soon as possible,” he said.What has enhanced the likelihood of the bill being passed is the defection of 20 Lok Sabha MPs from Trinamool Congress and six from Sena UBT to NDA and DMK’s assiduous efforts, visible in the recently concluded session, to keep away from the opposition’s ranks after Congress ditched it in Tamil Nadu to ally with Vijay-led TVK. NCP SP is being seen as another potential support.Congress accused Modi of making a “dishonest pitch” for women’s reservation in his address, saying ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ was unanimously passed in Sept 2023, but BJP govt’s “double standards” and “hypocrisy” had made sure it didn’t come into effect from 2024.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesCongress general secretary Jairam Ramesh, in a post on X, said the party had stood firm on its stand to implement women’s reservation from the 2029 Lok Sabha elections by retaining the current strength of 543 seats in LS.Modi said women served as public representatives in large numbers in panchayats to municipalities and municipal corporations, referring to their salience in local bodies on the back of reservation.Despite several efforts to reserve seats in Lok Sabha and assemblies, the idea had fallen victim to political battles for over 40 years, he said.He called it the need of the hour and told parties to join the cause. “You also take the credit, you also take the fame, but give rights to my mothers and sisters,” he said, reiterating the pitch he had made before the failed bid last time.The monsoon session has not been prorogued, keeping open the possibility of govt summoning Parliament.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosActivist Devendra Mahto Stopped From Tiranga March As Jharkhand Student Protest Escalates On I-Day‘Came From The Top’: Mahua Moitra Alleges Late-Night Pressure, Seeks Speaker Om Birla’s InterventionDid Congress Leaders Signal Stop? Viral Vande Mataram Video Sparks Political Firestorm In New DelhiIndia Signs ₹1,577 Crore Drone Deals As Army Powers Up Precision Strikes And Unmanned WarfareAjit Doval Breaks Silence On Operation Sindoor, Reveals PM Modi’s Immediate Response After PahalgamPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgeRahul Gandhi, Kharge Skip Red Fort Event Again As Congress Flags Threats To Democratic InstitutionsPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgePM Modi From Red Fort On 80th Independence Day: ‘India Must Dream Big And Move Forward’79 Years Of Freedom: What Do Indians Really Want From Their Country, Leaders And Democracy Now?123PhotostoriesYour walk changes after 60, but is it really ‘normal ageing’? What a shuffle, sway or slower step could be telling you7 Foods to eat in the morning for better digestion and easier bowel movementsWant a better relationship with your parents? 8 simple tips every teenager should try10 baby girl names inspired by ancient flowersOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your most irritating personality traitForget Medu Vada: 7 South Indian snacks that are worth a try with filter coffeeWhat happens when you rub lemon on dishes and cutlery? The real chemistry behind this kitchen hackMonsoon food poisoning: 7 everyday foods that can look safe but turn risky because of water, humidity and poor storageAbhishek Malhan’s luxurious mansion: A private swimming pool, home theatre, private lifts and moreTrisha Krishnan keeps it classic in a mustard saree as she attends CM Vijay’s first Independence Day ceremony123Hot 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 Libra Horoscope Today, August 16, 2026: Students should not compare their work with those around them Virgo Horoscope Today, August 16, 2026: The day is suitable for speculation, but only if you act with a cool head Leo Horoscope Today, August 16, 2026: Spend on essentials, fuel, commuting, and work needs only Cancer Horoscope Today, August 16, 2026: Beware of spending based on mood