VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Uttam Kumar birth centenary; PM Narendra Modi pays tribute to Bengali cinema’s ‘Mahanayak’; recalls Satyajit Ray’s ‘Nayak’ connection ‘India doesn’t scare me anymore’: Russian traveller’s first 3AC train ride turns into a life lesson, from culture shock to falling in love with India Janmashtami 2026: Which Krishna Idol Should You Bring Home? 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He began by discussing a digital initiative by Mumbai-based Krishna Sheshadri that uses technology to make Indian history more engaging.PM Modi then called for greater public participation in the campaign for a drug-free India, particularly among young people.He also spoke about the patriotic spirit surrounding August, including Har Ghar Tiranga, National Handloom Day, the Quit India Movement anniversary, Partition Horrors Remembrance Day, Independence Day and National Space Day.He highlighted women street vendors benefiting from PM SVANidhi, citing examples from Ghaziabad and Bengaluru.Cleanliness was another major theme, with PM Modi highlighting young volunteers in Uttar Pradesh and sanitation efforts during the Amarnath Yatra. He then showcased individuals turning personal interests and environmental conservation into livelihoods, including a flower farmer in Nagaland and women involved in ecotourism and forest conservation in Odisha.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe Prime Minister also highlighted Mission ShaktiSAT, which is bringing thousands of girls from across the world into satellite technology and innovation. He discussed the growing cultivation of avocado by Indian farmers, paid tribute to Bengali cinema icon Uttam Kumar ahead of his birth centenary, and ended by speaking about Janmashtami, Vishwakarma Puja, Diwali and the importance of buying Indian-made products under the Vocal for Local campaign.Top quotes from the episodeThe campaign ‘Drug-Free Youth for Developed India’ is rapidly gaining momentum across the country. Its objective is absolutely clear: a drug-free youth, a drug-free India. Drug addiction does not engulf only one person. Its consequences are also suffered by the entire family and society. I would appreciate those who raise awareness among others against drugs and come forward to help people struggling with addiction.In the month of August, we see many colours of patriotism everywhere. From National Handloom Day and the anniversary of the Quit India Movement to Partition Horrors Remembrance Day, these occasions make the month special. The Har Ghar Tiranga campaign strengthens this feeling further. This year has become even more special because 150 years of Vande Mataram are being completed.”PM SVANidhi scheme is giving new strength to millions of such mothers and sisters. This aspect of women’s empowerment does not receive as much discussion as it should. Around 46 per cent of the beneficiaries of PM SVANidhi are women. That means nearly 35 lakh women across the country are connected with this scheme and are taking their businesses forward.This year, we saw a similarly inspiring picture of cleanliness and public participation during the Shri Amarnath Yatra. Thousands of sanitation workers remained engaged in service day and night on difficult routes. More than 400 metric tonnes of waste was collected and processed during the pilgrimage this year. One aspect of this effort particularly pleased me.Vaishalu Puroji from Phek district of Nagaland began growing flowers on a small scale. Gradually, she began to see an opportunity in it. During this journey, she received training in scientific flower cultivation from the local Krishi Vigyan Kendra. She then planted thousands of gladiolus plants on just one-quarter of an acre of land. More than 5,000 flowers bloomed in her very first attempt.Today, the dreams of our daughters are travelling from the Earth all the way into space. And you will be proud to know that India is bringing together thousands of girls from across the world who dream of achieving such things. The name of this effort is Mission ShaktiSAT. Through it, 12,000 female students from 108 countries are getting an opportunity to learn satellite technology and move forward in the field of innovation.”During this festive season, I once again repeat my appeal for Vocal for Local. And Vocal for Local does not simply mean buying earthen lamps. Its vision is much broader. Whatever we buy for our homes, let us check once whether it has been made in India. I appeal to you to adopt Vocal for Local yourself and also inspire others to do the same.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBJP Reprimands Three Delhi MPs Over Visit To Sajjan Kumar’s Home After His DeathKolkata Police Files Case Against Mamata Banerjee Over Rally, TMC Hits Back At BJP Govt | WatchRahul Gandhi Slams BJP-RSS Over Kharge ‘Shuddhikaran’, Demands Action Under SC/ST ActPakistani Drones Spotted Along LoC: Indian Army Intensifies Surveillance In J&K | WatchPM Modi’s 4-Day Central Asia Visit: Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan & SCO Summit | India’s Diplomatic PushB Nagendra Quits Karnataka Cabinet Amid Valmiki Scam Allegations, Calls Charges Politically DrivenBlast Near Manipur BJP MLA’s House; CM Khemchand Singh Calls Attack ‘Barbaric’Fresh Threat To Kashmiri Pandits: Terror Group ULC Warns Over Reopening Exodus Cases | WatchUS Green Card Wait, USCIS Checks, UK Visas: How Immigration Rules Impact IndiansIndia Plans Javelin Missile Buy From US, Giving Infantry A Battle-Tested Tank-Killing Edge | Watch123PhotostoriesHow to clean a burnt pan without scrubbing hard and longBigg Boss Tamil 10: From Joy Crizildaa to Gayathri Sri, rumoured female contestants of Vijay Sethupathi-hosted showDoes microwaving food make it unhealthy? What the science saysStar Singer: Meet the finalists ahead of the grand finale10 baby names that bring the beauty of the seasons to lifePainful periods, changing cycles and menopause: Which symptoms are normal, which need attention and can protein help?Blueberries vs Grapes: What happens to blood sugar when you eat the whole fruit instead of drinking it?Why do some eggs have double yolks? The science behind it explainedUse an old toothbrush to clean your taps: 7 places this tiny tool can reachStrong bones aren’t just about milk: 7 foods that help support bone density as you age123Hot PicksNepal floodUGC NET June 2026 resultCNG Price HikeMumbai milk priceRRB NTPC UG CBT 2 examAnkit Baliyan murderSridhar VembuDelhi murderInflation dataTop TrendingManjeet KaurKim KardashianMaya Higa FianceTravis KelceBrittany MahomesTravis Kelce BusinessKai CenatCoco GauffsNaomi OsakaLebron James Subhash George booked in Rs 99 lakh crypto fraud case; alleged Rs 100 crore scam under probe; ‘Patriot’ funding link examined How to clean a burnt pan without scrubbing hard and long A Milwaukee landlord found a peculiar print hanging in a vacant apartment; it turned out to be an original Picasso that had been missing for eight years A 55-year-old Missouri official reached the 13,804-foot summit of Wyoming’s highest mountain and signed its register; he then disappeared for 5 days before rescuers found him alive and severely dehydrated ‘Pakistan chapter I had before is now closed’: Mohammad Amir calls himself ‘British local’ Academy shares Deepika Padukone and Ranbir Kapoor’s ‘Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani’ scene; Naina-Bunny NOSTALGIA takes over social media UP shocker: Man throws acid on ex-fiancee, her sister after marriage called off ‘Majbooriyan hoti hogi sabki’: Sonam Wangchuk finally REACTS to Salman Khan’s viral ‘Sonam, It’s done bro’ line 70 rounds of fire, 3,000-round endurance: How India turned a Russian AK-203 into its own ‘Sher’ ‘Please, let’s not’: Gavaskar rejects free-hit idea in Tests after India’s no-ball problem Shopping with AI: Consumers ask artificial intelligence for advice but less than half trust it ‘Mirzapur: The Movie’ gets CBFC certificate; Ali Fazal-Pankaj Tripathi starrer clocks 3 hours 17 minutes run time NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman joins Elon Musk and Sundar Pichai in their Space data center plans; says: Let’s take our data centers to … Massachusetts Double Homicide: 17-year-old Indian-origin teen accused of killing mother, brother in the US allegedly used ChatGPT for ‘fantasy stories’ about family killings Aug 30, 2026, 10:57 IST Arshad Warsi on nepotism debate in Bollywood: ‘Kangana Ranaut came out with this idea, and then it got big’ Sock Odour Solution: Spraying vinegar on socks before washing them: What it does and why this simple laundry hack is recommended India becomes key petrol supplier to Russia amid attacks on refineries, fuel shortages Several injured after shots fired at event in Switzerland’s Aarau Kolkata police served a notice on TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee regarding a recent scuffle. He has been asked to appear at the police station on Tuesday noon. NEW DELHI: Senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Abhishek Banerjee has been served a police notice over a scuffle involving private security guards at his office and a team of police personnel and civic body officials, a police officer said on Sunday.”A notice has been served on Abhishek Banerjee in connection with the investigation. He has been asked to appear before the investigating officer on Monday. The investigation is underway, and all aspects of the incident are being examined,” the Kolkata Police officer told PTI.The notice was delivered to Abhishek Banerjee at his residence on Saturday evening. The TMC national general secretary has been asked to appear before the Shakespeare Sarani Police Station on September 1 for questioning.Three FIRs have been registered in connection with the August 27 incident. Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee, nephew of TMC supremo and former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, has been named as an accused in two cases. Other TMC leaders, including Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien and former MLA Humayun Kabir, have also been named in the FIRs.O’Brien was served a notice on Sunday.The incident occurred at Banerjee’s Camac Street office, where private security guards, supporters and some TMC leaders allegedly clashed with police and Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) officials who had arrived to dismantle an “unauthorised” billboard.O’Brien, who was present at the spot during the raid, dismissed reports of resistance by the private guards as “fake news”, claiming they were merely deployed on duty at the building’s entrance.The billboard, which carried TMC signage and was mounted on an iron structure facing the road on the building’s top floor, was dismantled by KMC personnel after police forced their way inside. It was later reinstalled by Abhishek Banerjee and other TMC leaders.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesFourteen people have so far been arrested in connection with the incident. Police are examining CCTV footage and other evidence as part of the ongoing investigation.Meanwhile, police on Saturday registered a suo motu FIR against Mamata Banerjee for allegedly violating conditions laid down by the Calcutta high court for a foundation day event of the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP), the party’s student wing.The FIR was registered at Hastings Police Station against Banerjee and the organisers of the TMCP meeting. The development is likely to further intensify tensions between the BJP and TMC, which was voted out of power in April after 15 years in government.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorKaran ManralKaran Manral is a journalist at the Times of India. He covers politics, social issues, and international affairs, exploring stories that affect people’s everyday lives. He also writes explainers to make these stories easier for readers to follow.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBJP Reprimands Three Delhi MPs Over Visit To Sajjan Kumar’s Home After His DeathKolkata Police Files Case Against Mamata Banerjee Over Rally, TMC Hits Back At BJP Govt | WatchRahul Gandhi Slams BJP-RSS Over Kharge ‘Shuddhikaran’, Demands Action Under SC/ST ActPakistani Drones Spotted Along LoC: Indian Army Intensifies Surveillance In J&K | WatchPM Modi’s 4-Day Central Asia Visit: Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan & SCO Summit | India’s Diplomatic PushB Nagendra Quits Karnataka Cabinet Amid Valmiki Scam Allegations, Calls Charges Politically DrivenBlast Near Manipur BJP MLA’s House; CM Khemchand Singh Calls Attack ‘Barbaric’Fresh Threat To Kashmiri Pandits: Terror Group ULC Warns Over Reopening Exodus Cases | WatchUS Green Card Wait, USCIS Checks, UK Visas: How Immigration Rules Impact IndiansIndia Plans Javelin Missile Buy From US, Giving Infantry A Battle-Tested Tank-Killing Edge | Watch123PhotostoriesDoes microwaving food make it unhealthy? 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