VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html When Sonu Nigam sang on Mumbai streets for 3 hours as beggar: ‘A boy gave me Rs 12 and asked, “Uncle, did you have breakfast? ”’ Leo Daily Nadi Horoscope (20th August 2026): A Home Decision May Expose an Old Financial Responsibility Jinnah, Partition and a secret: Why Pakistan is honouring 2 Mumbai doctors 79 years later In 2016, an Indiana family bought a former bishop’s residence with its own private chapel; after nine years restoring it, the century-old home is listed for $1.28 million The initiative was also discussed at the Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (File photo) NEW DELHI: The Modi government is preparing a nationwide programme under which a Union minister will visit a university every day to interact directly with students and understand their concerns, sources familiar with the plan told news agency PTI.The proposed initiative, called ‘One Day, One University’, is aimed at strengthening the government’s engagement with young people. During these visits, ministers are expected to hold discussions with students, hear their views on issues affecting the country and explain government schemes meant for students and young people.The plan comes at a time when student protests over the NEET paper leak issue intensified in Delhi and other parts of the country. The protests have also become a political issue, with opposition parties raising the matter in Parliament.Sources said education minister Pralhad Joshi and youth affairs and sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya have been tasked with coordinating the programme with universities and other Union ministers.The initiative was also discussed at the Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, the sources said.The scale of the proposed outreach is significant. Data from the University Grants Commission shows that India has around 1,300 universities. These include 57 central universities and 522 state universities, while the remaining institutions are either deemed-to-be universities or private universities.The government’s focus on students comes after a series of protests linked to the NEET controversy. On July 20, police action against protesting students in Delhi triggered a strong reaction from the opposition, which subsequently disrupted proceedings during the monsoon session of Parliament.Amid the protests, Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as education minister on July 25. Prime Minister Modi also made several direct appeals to students through social media.The government has continued to highlight initiatives aimed at young people. In his Independence Day address, PM Modi announced several measures focused on education, skills and employment, including free online coaching and an artificial intelligence skilling programme.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesHe also announced a sports talent hunt and plans to expand the civil defence network. The Prime Minister highlighted opportunities for young Indians in sectors including manufacturing, space, nuclear energy and semiconductor production.The proposed university visits are intended to add a direct, face-to-face element to this outreach by giving students an opportunity to interact with members of the Union government at their own institutions.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorRajeev SinghRajeev Singh is a Digital Content Producer with The Times of India. He covers politics, policies, defence, and conflicts for readers curious to know their implications. He loves digging into legal maxims and political trivia. On off days, when not turning pages or learning русский, he lives in the reverie of “what ifs” and “how abouts.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosUS Envoy Calls J&K ‘Important Part Of India’ During 1st Kashmir Visit After Article 370 AbrogationPatna Erupts As Tejashwi Yadav Detained During RJD March Over Siwan AK-47 And Paper Leak RowPakistan’s 2 AM Panic Over Operation Sindoor Documentary: Pak Army Calls It ‘Tragedy & Comedy’Kolkata Hotel Fire Kills 9, Six Injured; 80 Rescued As Safety Norms Face Serious QuestionsSupreme Court To Form Panel On July 20 Clash, Examine Police Force And Alleged Pellet Gun UseManipur Shuts Down For 48 Hours As NRC Demand Intensifies Ahead Of 2027 Census DeadlineAAP Leader Satyendar Jain Arrested In Delhi Jal Board ‘Corruption’ Case; Kejriwal Hits Out At BJPTrump Praises India’s Voter ID System, Pushes Same In US, Puts CEC Gyanesh Kumar In SpotlightBihar Transfers 18 Top Cops, Including Siwan SP, Amid Row Over AK-47 Use During Student Protest‘Join Republican Party’: Union Minister’s Big NDA Offer To CJP Founder Abhijeet Dipke123PhotostoriesBigg Boss Malayalam 8: Celebrities who can shine in the showStop saying sorry for choosing yourself: 7 things every woman should never feel guilty about, according to Ankur WarikooWhy do Indian brides wear black beads on their mangalsutra? The tradition, belief, and symbolism explainedFrom Orry to Rubina Dilaik, Gaurav Khanna and others: Net worth of popular Khatron Ke Khiladi 15 contestantsLung cancer story is changing in India: Why doctors are looking at the air we breathe, not just the habits we have7 Signs your body is telling you to get more restSnake in the house during monsoon? 7 things you should NEVER doSharvari’s powder-blue Stella McCartney’s look is proof that power dressing can be soft and striking10 foods that naturally produce their own alcoholTiger vs leopard: 7 differences you can spot in the wild123Hot PicksSugar importBank holidays this weekAzam KhanCSBC resultJharkhand ProtestJSSC-CGL exam cancelledGold rate todayZepto internshipTN maternity leaveTop TrendingKiren RijijuBengaluru MurderRahul GandhiBhopal MurderKerala MurderKiren RijijuAbhijeet DipkeSatyaki SavarkarBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir ‘Toxic’ gets adult certificate in UK: Did Yash starrer received stronger adult rating than Ranveer Singh’s ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’? Jharkhand students suspend 26-day protest over JPSC-JSSC exam; give 2-month ultimatum to Soren govt At 14, Sheri Lynch received a small grey hippo as a birthday gift. 40 years later, her collection had grown into a world-record collection of 1,086 items | World News Kiren Rijiju rejects China incursion claim; Sergio Gor visits Srinagar; while Mahua Moitra faces arrest warrant in hate speech case (Photos: ANI) Union minister Kiren Rijiju said there is a problem at the Arunachal Pradesh border due to the lack of delineation, while rejecting reports of a 60-km Chinese incursion.US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor visited Srinagar and said the US would review its travel advisory for Jammu and Kashmir.A Bengal court issued an arrest warrant against TMC MP Mahua Moitra in a hate speech case over her alleged failure to respond to multiple summons.Rahul Gandhi backed tribal residents of MP’s Bundelkhand region protesting against the Ken-Betwa River Link Project and said he would visit the protest site.The Tamil Nadu government withdrew a directive that barred students from participating in protests organised by Left-wing parties and the Cockroach Janata Party.Here are the top five stories of the day’There’s a problem at the border’: Rijiju admits delineation issue in Arunachal, rejects China incursion claimUnion minister Kiren Rijiju rejected reports of incursion by Chinese troops into Arunachal Pradesh, saying there is a problem at the border because the boundary has not been clearly delineated. Rijiju said concerns raised by villagers in the frontier region are valid, but cautioned against misinformation that could create unnecessary alarm or tension. He said reports of Chinese military presence on Indian territory were inaccurate. Read full story’Important part of India’: US envoy Sergio Gor visits Srinagar, says ‘will review’ travel advisoryUS Ambassador to India Sergio Gor visited Srinagar and met Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah. Gor said Jammu and Kashmir is an important part of India and that the United States would review its travel advisory for the Union Territory. The visit was Gor’s first trip to Jammu and Kashmir since assuming office. Read full story’Series of disobedience’: Arrest warrant against Mahua Moitra in hate speech caseA Bengal court issued an arrest warrant against Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra for allegedly failing to respond to multiple summonses in connection with a hate speech case. The court described her actions as a “series of disobedience”. Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesRead full story’I stand with them’: Rahul Gandhi backs protest by Bundelkhand tribals against ‘Ken-Betwa project’Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi expressed support for tribal residents of Madhya Pradesh’s Bundelkhand region who are protesting against the Ken-Betwa River Link Project. Gandhi said the Congress stands with the protesters and announced that he would visit the protest site to demonstrate solidarity and press the government over their demands. Read full storyVijay govt revokes order barring students from Left, CJP protests in Tamil NaduThe Tamil Nadu government on August 19, 2026, withdrew a directive that had barred students from participating in protests organised by Left-wing parties and the Cockroach Janata Party. The earlier order had faced criticism, following which the government revoked it. Read full storyGet 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 MediaVideosUS Envoy Calls J&K ‘Important Part Of India’ During 1st Kashmir Visit After Article 370 AbrogationPatna Erupts As Tejashwi Yadav Detained During RJD March Over Siwan AK-47 And Paper Leak RowPakistan’s 2 AM Panic Over Operation Sindoor Documentary: Pak Army Calls It ‘Tragedy & Comedy’Kolkata Hotel Fire Kills 9, Six Injured; 80 Rescued As Safety Norms Face Serious QuestionsSupreme Court To Form Panel On July 20 Clash, Examine Police Force And Alleged Pellet Gun UseManipur Shuts Down For 48 Hours As NRC Demand Intensifies Ahead Of 2027 Census DeadlineAAP Leader Satyendar Jain Arrested In Delhi Jal Board ‘Corruption’ Case; Kejriwal Hits Out At BJPTrump Praises India’s Voter ID System, Pushes Same In US, Puts CEC Gyanesh Kumar In SpotlightBihar Transfers 18 Top Cops, Including Siwan SP, Amid Row Over AK-47 Use During Student Protest‘Join Republican Party’: Union Minister’s Big NDA Offer To CJP Founder Abhijeet Dipke123PhotostoriesBigg Boss Malayalam 8: Celebrities who can shine in the showStop saying sorry for choosing yourself: 7 things every woman should never feel guilty about, according to Ankur WarikooWhy do Indian brides wear black beads on their mangalsutra? The tradition, belief, and symbolism explainedFrom Orry to Rubina Dilaik, Gaurav Khanna and others: Net worth of popular Khatron Ke Khiladi 15 contestantsLung cancer story is changing in India: Why doctors are looking at the air we breathe, not just the habits we have7 Signs your body is telling you to get more restSnake in the house during monsoon? 7 things you should NEVER doSharvari’s powder-blue Stella McCartney’s look is proof that power dressing can be soft and striking10 foods that naturally produce their own alcoholTiger vs leopard: 7 differences you can spot in the wild123Hot PicksSugar importBank holidays this weekAzam KhanCSBC resultJharkhand ProtestJSSC-CGL exam cancelledGold rate todayZepto internshipTN maternity leaveTop TrendingKiren RijijuBengaluru MurderRahul GandhiBhopal MurderKerala MurderKiren RijijuAbhijeet DipkeSatyaki SavarkarBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir Watch: English singer Laura Wright performs Pakistan’s national anthem ahead of 1st Test against England Jennifer Hudson joins the ‘PAW Patrol’ universe; says ‘Every child has a superpower’ Gemini Daily Nadi Horoscope (20th August 2026): A Work Problem May Be Easier to Solve Than It First Appears “I know how quickly dreams can disappear”: How Luka Dončić’s $25,000 move is helping young athletes stay in sports and keep chasing their dreams despite financial barriers “I never felt fully proud”: YouTuber Eden Masliah owns a $740,000 N.Y.C. apartment at 21, yet struggles to call it her accomplishment In the video, the woman is heard saying, “We are Gen-Z and we won’t tolerate this nonsense”, NEW DELHI: Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday reacted to a viral video showing a female tourist arguing with security personnel at a checkpoint in Kargil, saying the phrase “we are Gen Z” could become a new form of entitlement if used as a threat.Also read: Tourist confronts security personnel over Kargil traffic halt“This ‘we are Gen Z’ has become the new ‘jaantay nahin ho mera baap kaun hai’. The quickest way to erode any Gen Z goodwill is to start using it as a threat at the slightest perceived affront,” Abdullah wrote on X.The video, which surfaced on social media on Wednesday, shows a woman at the Minimarg checkpoint in Kargil, Ladakh, arguing with security personnel over restrictions on the movement of traffic.In the video, the woman is heard saying, “We are Gen-Z and we won’t tolerate this nonsense”, while questioning why tourists were being subjected to restrictions. She also alleged, “Kashmiriyo ke sath toh karte hi the ab tourist ke sath bhi karne lagye.”According to police sources, the incident took place on July 25, when the movement of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Army chief General Dhiraj Seth along the Zojila-Gumri route led to temporary traffic restrictions.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe two senior officials were initially scheduled to travel by air, but bad weather forced them to fly by helicopter to Gumri, from where they travelled by road towards Kargil, police sources said.Traffic was stopped to facilitate their movement, causing delays for tourists and other travellers in the area. The restrictions came a day before Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations on July 26, which commemorate India’s victory in the 1999 Kargil War and honour soldiers who fought during Operation Vijay.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorVivek DubeyA digital news desk journalist at The Times of India with over two years of experience. Closely tracks foreign affairs and international politics. Fondness for precise language and clever headlines. When not editing news, he is usually refining a turn of phrase.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPatna Erupts As Tejashwi Yadav Detained During RJD March Over Siwan AK-47 And Paper Leak RowPakistan’s 2 AM Panic Over Operation Sindoor Documentary: Pak Army Calls It ‘Tragedy & Comedy’Kolkata Hotel Fire Kills 9, Six Injured; 80 Rescued As Safety Norms Face Serious QuestionsSupreme Court To Form Panel On July 20 Clash, Examine Police Force And Alleged Pellet Gun UseManipur Shuts Down For 48 Hours As NRC Demand Intensifies Ahead Of 2027 Census DeadlineAAP Leader Satyendar Jain Arrested In Delhi Jal Board ‘Corruption’ Case; Kejriwal Hits Out At BJPTrump Praises India’s Voter ID System, Pushes Same In US, Puts CEC Gyanesh Kumar In SpotlightBihar Transfers 18 Top Cops, Including Siwan SP, Amid Row Over AK-47 Use During Student Protest‘Join Republican Party’: Union Minister’s Big NDA Offer To CJP Founder Abhijeet Dipke30,000 Protesters, 5,000 Cops: Delhi Police Defends Force Before Supreme Court In Protest Case123PhotostoriesBigg Boss Malayalam 8: Celebrities who can shine in the showStop saying sorry for choosing yourself: 7 things every woman should never feel guilty about, according to Ankur WarikooWhy do Indian brides wear black beads on their mangalsutra? The tradition, belief, and symbolism explainedFrom Orry to Rubina Dilaik, Gaurav Khanna and others: Net worth of popular Khatron Ke Khiladi 15 contestantsLung cancer story is changing in India: Why doctors are looking at the air we breathe, not just the habits we have7 Signs your body is telling you to get more restSnake in the house during monsoon? 7 things you should NEVER doSharvari’s powder-blue Stella McCartney’s look is proof that power dressing can be soft and striking10 foods that naturally produce their own alcoholTiger vs leopard: 7 differences you can spot in the wild123Hot PicksSugar importBank holidays this weekAzam KhanCSBC resultJharkhand ProtestJSSC-CGL exam cancelledGold rate todayZepto internshipTN maternity leaveTop TrendingKiren RijijuBengaluru MurderRahul GandhiBhopal MurderKerala MurderKiren RijijuAbhijeet DipkeSatyaki SavarkarBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir Duleep Trophy final shifted from Bengaluru to Chennai to allow spectators Mumbai University makes APAAR ID mandatory for 2026-27 exams; students may need it to download hall tickets Chiranjeevi’s ‘Mega158’ first half edit locked after 40-day shoot; Bobby Kolli directorial to feature big action block Cancer Daily Nadi Horoscope (20th August 2026): Don’t Make A Romantic Decision While You’re Insecure ‘Message to Europe: it can receive missiles’: Iran warns of wider war if Trump attacks – report Quote of the day by John Cena: “A man’s character is not judged after he celebrates a victory, but by…” – a powerful lesson about failure and responsibility | World News Professor Sumit Sarkar significantly impacted the understanding of Indian nationalism, illuminating its intricacies through comprehensive analysis. He explored the evolution of nationalism, internal disputes, and collective movements, while challenging conventional binaries. His focus on ordinary people’s cravings for justice defined his contributions as a public thinker and citizen historian. This article pays tribute to his influential teaching and the lasting academic heritage he leaves behind. Professor Sumit Sarkar, widely regarded as among the finest historians of modern Indian history, was educated at Presidency College and the University of Calcutta, and went on to teach for 30 years in the Department of History, University of Delhi. While his scholarship ranged and roamed over the vast canvas of modern Indian history, some indication of the originality of his vision and the painstaking rigour of his scholarship might be gathered by examining one particular facet. There was a recursive quality to the way he returned to the question of nationalism in colonial India, its critique as much as its self-critique. One sees this in his early essays on the 19th-century Bengali intelligentsia, the path-breaking study of the Swadeshi movement in Bengal, as well as the singularly important essays on Gandhian nationalism.Sarkar was a Marxist historian and, it might surprise some that his scholarship was aimed at democratising the scope of nationalism, in terms of method as much as archive. Nationalism could only be understood in terms of popular aspirations and struggles for justice, be they about land, labour, dignity or representation. In the words of Sarkar, “what was remarkable [about the national movement] was the capacity for internal debate, change and auto-critique…combined with a persistent concern for mass poverty…and the need for mass mobilization [leading] to a progressive broadening of the meanings of freedom. One need only note that none of the four features central to the [Indian] constitution…democracy based on universal suffrage, secularism, elements of federalism and social justice through affirmative action had been present in the early programs of mainstream nationalism”.His study of the Swadeshi movement in Bengal captured this complexity by analysing its radical agenda of complete independence, the rapid connections made between individuals and organisations nationally and internationally, the granular contestations over ideology, and the challenges of mass mobilisation. While Hindu religious symbols and imagery were employed by some for mobilisation, Sarkar shows us that even at the time of the Swadeshi movement, there was a recognition that such invocations of Hindu identity could be read in ways that reinforced narratives of Muslim tyranny or caste privilege.Sarkar documents the efforts made at the time to combat this possibility and to discover cult figures that would appeal to both communities, so as to broaden the scope of the national, with the revolutionary journal Yugantar suggesting a festival to honour Mir Kasim, not unlike those around Shivaji. Sarkar also discusses tensions within the revolutionary movement, including Hemchandra Kanungo’s writings of the late 1920s, which critiqued the invocation of Hindu religious imagery as much as arguments of a Hindu golden past in the Swadeshi movement, since this was bound to exclude Muslims, valorise caste privilege, and encourage a cultic devotion to a leader rather than broaden into a mass movement with a political and socio-economic agenda.Kanungo could not be ignored: he was a legend even among revolutionaries, had travelled to Europe to study the technology of the bomb and meet revolutionaries, was imprisoned in the Cellular Jail following his involvement in the Alipore bomb case, and was deeply admired among fellow revolutionaries.While the Swadeshi movement was no doubt central to the formation of nationalism, it had its limitations in terms of its treatment of the communal and caste question, as well as its inability to adequately formulate a broader agrarian programme; these challenges continued well into the period of Gandhian nationalism.This complex and evolving understanding of the phenomenon of nationalism informs Sarkar’s critique of theorisations which treat nationalism as captive to the rigid binary between India and the “West”. Such theorisations of Indian nationalism, which value it merely in terms of its perceived indigeneity and difference from the “West”, fail to recognise the evolving and transformative interaction between the two. Could one question Ambedkar for invoking the French Revolution in the Mahad Satyagraha, or forget Bhagat Singh’s invocation of Lenin during his trial?The agenda of nationalism was broadened because of popular movements and local struggles by marginalised sections, so-called lower castes, “tribal” groups, Socialists and Communists. It is this historical and democratic expansion, based on ideals of justice and equality, that characterised the national movement and that, in Sarkar’s analysis, distinguished it from Hindutva nationalism. He argued that important strands of the latter retained features visible in its early 20th-century formulations and remained open to critiques made at the time; he also questioned the extent to which questions of mass poverty or socio-economic change occupied a central place within it.Fiercely independent, Sarkar’s Marxism did not prevent him from publicly critiquing in the strongest terms the Left government’s policies and the events surrounding Singur and Nandigram.Sarkar, therefore, never shied away from drawing on his scholarship to speak as a citizen historian on what he perceived to be the crises of the day wracking the body politic. He was able to occupy that rare position of a public intellectual because his research attended to the fundamental questions that had a direct bearing on the dizzying churns of the present, soaring above the drive for narrow specialisation that can sometimes leave historians unprepared when it comes to addressing the most urgent challenges of the times.Writing this obituary, it is impossible not to remember his small office in which about six of us, privileged students of the MA, sat in 1999-2000 to learn, not Indian history, but the Renaissance and the Reformation in Europe.Professor Sarkar had his lectures meticulously prepared, written in his flowing, slanting hand on foolscap sheets of paper. The lectures lucidly brought alive the worlds of the Renaissance and the Reformation, and moved from Michelangelo’s search for the perfect blue and the ambivalence and originality of Machiavelli’s ‘ethics’ to the intricacies of theological dispute, showing how deeply knowledgeable Sarkar was about various aspects of European history.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesAmidst the gravity of the issues being discussed, on more than one occasion there was the unmistakable, almost child-like mischievous humour that would surface, his face breaking into a smile, the tone and voice assuming the sharp edge of an irreverence that is perhaps always inseparable from great learning.It was very painful meeting Professor Sarkar in the years of his illness, which he bore with remarkable and rare fortitude. Farewell Professor Sarkar, even as you remain in the gift of your teaching and in the luminosity of your works.Rahul Govind was a student of Sumit Sarkar at the University of Delhi. He has a PhD. from Columbia University and is currently Professor of History at the University of Delhi.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorRahul GovindRahul Govind has a PhD. from Columbia University and is currently Professor of History at the University of Delhi.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPatna Erupts As Tejashwi Yadav Detained During RJD March Over Siwan AK-47 And Paper Leak RowPakistan’s 2 AM Panic Over Operation Sindoor Documentary: Pak Army Calls It ‘Tragedy & Comedy’Kolkata Hotel Fire Kills 9, Six Injured; 80 Rescued As Safety Norms Face Serious QuestionsSupreme Court To Form Panel On July 20 Clash, Examine Police Force And Alleged Pellet Gun UseManipur Shuts Down For 48 Hours As NRC Demand Intensifies Ahead Of 2027 Census DeadlineAAP Leader Satyendar Jain Arrested In Delhi Jal Board ‘Corruption’ Case; Kejriwal Hits Out At BJPTrump Praises India’s Voter ID System, Pushes Same In US, Puts CEC Gyanesh Kumar In SpotlightBihar Transfers 18 Top Cops, Including Siwan SP, Amid Row Over AK-47 Use During Student Protest‘Join Republican Party’: Union Minister’s Big NDA Offer To CJP Founder Abhijeet Dipke30,000 Protesters, 5,000 Cops: Delhi Police Defends Force Before Supreme Court In Protest Case123PhotostoriesStop saying sorry for choosing yourself: 7 things every woman should never feel guilty about, according to Ankur WarikooWhy do Indian brides wear black beads on their mangalsutra? The tradition, belief, and symbolism explainedFrom Orry to Rubina Dilaik, Gaurav Khanna and others: Net worth of popular Khatron Ke Khiladi 15 contestantsLung cancer story is changing in India: Why doctors are looking at the air we breathe, not just the habits we have7 Signs your body is telling you to get more restSnake in the house during monsoon? 7 things you should NEVER doSharvari’s powder-blue Stella McCartney’s look is proof that power dressing can be soft and striking10 foods that naturally produce their own alcoholTiger vs leopard: 7 differences you can spot in the wildKeep these 8 foods at your desk for the 4 pm hunger attack123Hot PicksSugar importBank holidays this weekAzam KhanCSBC resultJharkhand ProtestJSSC-CGL exam cancelledGold rate todayZepto internshipTN maternity leaveTop TrendingKiren RijijuBengaluru MurderRahul GandhiBhopal MurderKerala MurderKiren RijijuAbhijeet DipkeSatyaki SavarkarBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir Aug 19, 2026, 17:29 IST ‘Magnificent’ Manav Suthar can serve India for a long time, says Shubman Gill AIBE 21 registration begins at allindiabarexamination.com: Direct link to apply here Inside Bhagyashree’s palatial Mumbai home: From dramatic black entrance, private temple, all white kitchen naturally formed Ganesha on tree that made her buy it How to remove deodorant stains from clothes: 5 easy ways to get rid of white and yellow marks | Saturn Transit Revati 2026: Manifest Stability Before You Ask for Bigger Success; Secure Your Money, Health & Routine ‘We are Gen-Z, won’t tolerate this nonsense’: Tourist’s rant at Kargil checkpoint goes viral A British duke sent six Himalayan tahr to New Zealand in 1904; five survived the voyage, and their descendants later grew into tens of thousands that now damage fragile alpine ecosystems India vs Pakistan Live Score, Hockey World Cup 2026: India-Pakistan rivalry takes centre stage in must-win clash Salman Khan personality rights case: ‘Kala Hiran’ Amit Jani moves Supreme Court against Delhi HC order Jackfruit Cutting Tips: How to cut Jackfruit without sticky hands: 5 simple tips for beginners Taurus Daily Nadi Horoscope (20th August 2026): A Relationship Issue May Need Facts Before Feelings ‘Reels govt has no real concern for Tamil people’: AIADMK protests TN govt’s inaction on Tamil fisherman killed in Saudi pirate attack, walks out of assembly As US farmers reject multimillion-dollar AI data-centre offers, a Missouri farmer is doing the opposite and inviting developers to buy his land The fire department received information about the incident at 3.37 pm. NEW DELHI: At least six people were injured after the gas tank of a truck exploded while it was being refilled at a CNG station in Delhi’s Tikri Kalan on Wednesday, causing panic in the area.The explosion took place while the truck was at the station for refuelling. People who were nearby were injured in the blast and taken to a nearby hospital, according to the Delhi Fire Service.The fire department received information about the incident at 3.37 pm. Six fire tenders were immediately sent to the spot.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesA fire service officer said all six injured people were taken to hospital, where they were receiving treatment. Further information about their condition was awaited.Fire service personnel also took precautionary measures at the station and worked to bring the situation under control.The cause of the explosion has not yet been established. An investigation is underway to determine what led to the gas tank bursting while the truck was being refilled.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorRajeev SinghRajeev Singh is a Digital Content Producer with The Times of India. He covers politics, policies, defence, and conflicts for readers curious to know their implications. He loves digging into legal maxims and political trivia. On off days, when not turning pages or learning русский, he lives in the reverie of “what ifs” and “how abouts.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPatna Erupts As Tejashwi Yadav Detained During RJD March Over Siwan AK-47 And Paper Leak RowPakistan’s 2 AM Panic Over Operation Sindoor Documentary: Pak Army Calls It ‘Tragedy & Comedy’Kolkata Hotel Fire Kills 9, Six Injured; 80 Rescued As Safety Norms Face Serious QuestionsSupreme Court To Form Panel On July 20 Clash, Examine Police Force And Alleged Pellet Gun UseManipur Shuts Down For 48 Hours As NRC Demand Intensifies Ahead Of 2027 Census DeadlineAAP Leader Satyendar Jain Arrested In Delhi Jal Board ‘Corruption’ Case; Kejriwal Hits Out At BJPTrump Praises India’s Voter ID System, Pushes Same In US, Puts CEC Gyanesh Kumar In SpotlightBihar Transfers 18 Top Cops, Including Siwan SP, Amid Row Over AK-47 Use During Student Protest‘Join Republican Party’: Union Minister’s Big NDA Offer To CJP Founder Abhijeet Dipke30,000 Protesters, 5,000 Cops: Delhi Police Defends Force Before Supreme Court In Protest Case123PhotostoriesWhy do Indian brides wear black beads on their mangalsutra? The tradition, belief, and symbolism explainedFrom Orry to Rubina Dilaik, Gaurav Khanna and others: Net worth of popular Khatron Ke Khiladi 15 contestantsLung cancer story is changing in India: Why doctors are looking at the air we breathe, not just the habits we have7 Signs your body is telling you to get more restSnake in the house during monsoon? 7 things you should NEVER doSharvari’s powder-blue Stella McCartney’s look is proof that power dressing can be soft and striking10 foods that naturally produce their own alcoholTiger vs leopard: 7 differences you can spot in the wildKeep these 8 foods at your desk for the 4 pm hunger attack5 things you should avoid for heart health: US cardiologist reveals after 8,000 surgeries123Hot PicksSugar importBank holidays this weekAzam KhanCSBC resultJharkhand ProtestJSSC-CGL exam cancelledGold rate todayZepto internshipTN maternity leaveTop TrendingKiren RijijuBengaluru MurderRahul GandhiBhopal MurderKerala MurderKiren RijijuAbhijeet DipkeSatyaki SavarkarBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir Aug 19, 2026, 16:55 IST Police Company’ shoot halted for 2 hours on Day 1; FWICE intervenes over Ram Gopal Varma’s pending dues – Reports Arrest warrant against TMC MP Mahua Moitra in hate speech case Harvard to pay Rs 507 crore settlement after morgue manager stole, sold donated body parts US Ambassador Sergio Gor visits Srinagar with J&K CM Omar NEW DELHI: US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor met Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah in Srinagar on Wednesday, his first visit to the region since taking office. Gor said that Washington would reconsider its travel advisories for the Union Territory.”It’s a pleasure to be here. This is an important part of India. I am here, visiting for the first time. It is an incredibly beautiful place. I am thrilled to be here,” Gor told reporters after the meeting.”We just had a very good meeting. We have some follow-ups, so we hope to take back to Washington, back to Delhi. But a very warm, a very cordial and we look forward to building this relationship forward,” he said.Gor said the US would reconsider its advisories on travel to Jammu and Kashmir, which have historically cautioned American citizens against visiting the region.”The United States puts out travel warnings and every so often, we re-evaluate those travel warnings. I cannot make any big announcements here today, but it is something we are going to look at.”New Delhi, the chief minister here, the government here, we believe have made some incredible steps to keeping this area safer and making it more safe,” Gor said at a joint media briefing with Abdullah.”So, we will be looking at if the travel warning that is imposed and recommended by the United States is something that should be downgraded because, as I said earlier, this is a beautiful area. I think a lot of Americans would enjoy coming here and seeing the beauty and the opportunities that exist here,” the US envoy added.In a post on X, he said he appreciated the opportunity to meet Abdullah and learn more about his priorities.”We discussed ways to deepen economic collaboration and create opportunities that would mutually benefit both of our nations,” Gor wrote.CM Abdullah described the meeting as “very good”, saying the discussions focused on what the US could do for Jammu and Kashmir.“As Ambassador Gor has said, it was a very good meeting. We had an opportunity to discuss the issues that we have, with a specific focus on what the US can do with Jammu and Kashmir,” Abdullah said.He added that there were “certain legacy issues” that they will be working on to resolve, while expressing hope that engagement between the US and J&K would move further.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines”This is a conversation that will take place both between Ambassador Gor and Washington, and between me and the Govt of India in New Delhi. But we are very hopeful and optimistic that the engagement between the US and J&K will both widen and deepen in the years ahead.”, Abdullah added.The visit is seen as a significant diplomatic engagement, with the US envoy meeting the chief minister of a region that has been at the centre of India-Pakistan tensions. It also signals a potential shift in Washington’s approach to travel advisories for the Union Territory.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorPrisha PatnaikPrisha Patnaik is a journalist with The Times of India, writing across geopolitics, international affairs, culture, history and internet culture. With over two years of experience in social media and digital content, she is interested in how news, politics and culture are shaped for digital audiences. She holds a master’s degree in Media and Communications from Goldsmiths, University of London.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPatna Erupts As Tejashwi Yadav Detained During RJD March Over Siwan AK-47 And Paper Leak RowPakistan’s 2 AM Panic Over Operation Sindoor Documentary: Pak Army Calls It ‘Tragedy & Comedy’Kolkata Hotel Fire Kills 9, Six Injured; 80 Rescued As Safety Norms Face Serious QuestionsSupreme Court To Form Panel On July 20 Clash, Examine Police Force And Alleged Pellet Gun UseManipur Shuts Down For 48 Hours As NRC Demand Intensifies Ahead Of 2027 Census DeadlineAAP Leader Satyendar Jain Arrested In Delhi Jal Board ‘Corruption’ Case; Kejriwal Hits Out At BJPTrump Praises India’s Voter ID System, Pushes Same In US, Puts CEC Gyanesh Kumar In SpotlightBihar Transfers 18 Top Cops, Including Siwan SP, Amid Row Over AK-47 Use During Student Protest‘Join Republican Party’: Union Minister’s Big NDA Offer To CJP Founder Abhijeet Dipke30,000 Protesters, 5,000 Cops: Delhi Police Defends Force Before Supreme Court In Protest Case123PhotostoriesFrom Orry to Rubina Dilaik, Gaurav Khanna and others: Net worth of popular Khatron Ke Khiladi 15 contestantsLung cancer story is changing in India: Why doctors are looking at the air we breathe, not just the habits we have7 Signs your body is telling you to get more restSnake in the house during monsoon? 7 things you should NEVER doSharvari’s powder-blue Stella McCartney’s look is proof that power dressing can be soft and striking10 foods that naturally produce their own alcoholTiger vs leopard: 7 differences you can spot in the wildKeep these 8 foods at your desk for the 4 pm hunger attack5 things you should avoid for heart health: US cardiologist reveals after 8,000 surgeries16 Indian vegetarian dishes so hearty you won’t miss meat123Hot PicksSugar importBank holidays this weekAzam KhanCSBC resultJharkhand ProtestJSSC-CGL exam cancelledGold rate todayZepto internshipTN maternity leaveTop TrendingKolkata Hotel FireBengaluru MurderRahul GandhiBhopal MurderKerala MurderKiren RijijuAbhijeet DipkeSatyaki SavarkarBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir Aug 19, 2026, 16:44 IST IIT Bombay introduces new e-PG Diploma in Computer Science and AI with Generative AI and LLM modules Is Prabhas’ ‘Spirit’ set to miss its March 5, 2027 release date? Here’s the official statement from the makers Aries Daily Nadi Horoscope (20th August 2026): Don’t Let a Sudden Expense Force a Bigger Financial Decision Trump-Bibi tensions deepen? US officials frustrated by Israel’s Syria strikes: Report In 1964, a 27-year-old woman bought an abandoned 18 acre island off Maine and built a small house to live there alone; 22 years later the island was donated to become a wildlife sanctuary The tribal residents have been holding a Satyagraha against the project, demanding adequate compensation and dignified rehabilitation for people whose land is being acquired. NEW DELHI: Congress leader and leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Wednesday backed tribal residents of Madhya Pradesh’s Bundelkhand region protesting against the Ken-Betwa River Link Project, saying the Congress stands with them and promising to visit the protest site to pressure the government over their demands for compensation and rehabilitation.Rahul shared a video on X featuring accounts from tribal residents affected by the project and said, “The problems, demands, struggles, and personal ordeals of the tribal brothers and sisters who are carrying out a satyagraha against the Ken-Betwa project–their own account. For years, these residents of Bundelkhand have been enduring injustice and oppression solely for their rights; they deserve respect and support,” he said.”In this fight of our tribal brothers and sisters, I and the Congress stand with them,” he said.In the video, a tribal representative claimed that the project would affect 21 tribal-dominated villages and lead to the loss of around 4.6 million trees, besides affecting the Panna Tiger Reserve. The representative also claimed that around 11,500 acres of land belonging to nearly 7,000 families would be affected.The residents urged Rahul to raise their concerns about alleged administrative harassment in Parliament and join their movement. Rahul assured them that he would visit the site and put pressure on the government.The tribal residents have been holding a Satyagraha against the project, demanding adequate compensation and dignified rehabilitation for people whose land is being acquired.Rahul had also supported the agitation earlier in July. Sharing a poem and visuals from the protest, he said the tribal residents were demanding fair compensation through non-violent means and described tribal people as the “original owners of the country”.”The tribal brothers and sisters of Madhya Pradesh had sat on a water satyagraha and hunger strike because their land was taken away for the Ken-Betwa project, but they received neither fair compensation nor dignified rehabilitation. The ‘truth’ is that tribals are the original owners of the country–the first right to water, forests, and land belongs to them alone. And their ‘satyagraha’ is because that very right is being snatched from them today.””In their unique way, their demand is simply this: provide a proper means of livelihood–or else life is no different from a funeral pyre. But even this is unacceptable to the BJP government. Instead of listening to them, their peaceful protest is being crushed with police force. We stand with our tribal brothers and sisters. We will secure justice for them–compensation and rehabilitation will have to be provided,” he added.The Ken-Betwa Link Project is a major river-linking initiative aimed at transferring surplus water from the Ken river in Madhya Pradesh to the Betwa river through a 221-km-long link canal. The project is being implemented in the drought-prone Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe Rs 44,605-crore project is the first river-linking project under the National Perspective Plan. According to the government, it is expected to irrigate 1.062 million hectares, provide drinking water to around 6.2 million people and generate hydropower.The project involves construction of the 77-metre-high Daudhan Dam and two tunnels in the Ken river basin in Panna. The government says the project will enable irrigation across 8.11 lakh hectares in 2,000 villages across 10 districts and benefit around seven lakh farmer families.It is also expected to provide drinking water to 44 lakh people in Madhya Pradesh and 21 lakh people in Uttar Pradesh, while generating 103 MW of hydropower and 27 MW of solar energy.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPakistan’s 2 AM Panic Over Operation Sindoor Documentary: Pak Army Calls It ‘Tragedy & Comedy’Kolkata Hotel Fire Kills 9, Six Injured; 80 Rescued As Safety Norms Face Serious QuestionsSupreme Court To Form Panel On July 20 Clash, Examine Police Force And Alleged Pellet Gun UseManipur Shuts Down For 48 Hours As NRC Demand Intensifies Ahead Of 2027 Census DeadlineAAP Leader Satyendar Jain Arrested In Delhi Jal Board ‘Corruption’ Case; Kejriwal Hits Out At BJPTrump Praises India’s Voter ID System, Pushes Same In US, Puts CEC Gyanesh Kumar In SpotlightBihar Transfers 18 Top Cops, Including Siwan SP, Amid Row Over AK-47 Use During Student Protest‘Join Republican Party’: Union Minister’s Big NDA Offer To CJP Founder Abhijeet Dipke30,000 Protesters, 5,000 Cops: Delhi Police Defends Force Before Supreme Court In Protest CaseSIT Gives Clean Chit To Champat Rai & Anil Mishra In Ayodhya Probe, Submits Final Report | Watch123PhotostoriesFrom Orry to Rubina Dilaik, Gaurav Khanna and others: Net worth of popular Khatron Ke Khiladi 15 contestantsLung cancer story is changing in India: Why doctors are looking at the air we breathe, not just the habits we have7 Signs your body is telling you to get more restSnake in the house during monsoon? 7 things you should NEVER doSharvari’s powder-blue Stella McCartney’s look is proof that power dressing can be soft and striking10 foods that naturally produce their own alcoholTiger vs leopard: 7 differences you can spot in the wildKeep these 8 foods at your desk for the 4 pm hunger attack5 things you should avoid for heart health: US cardiologist reveals after 8,000 surgeries16 Indian vegetarian dishes so hearty you won’t miss meat123Hot PicksSugar importBank holidays this weekAzam KhanCSBC resultJharkhand ProtestJSSC-CGL exam cancelledGold rate todayZepto internshipTN maternity leaveTop TrendingKolkata Hotel FireBengaluru MurderRahul GandhiBhopal MurderKerala MurderKiren RijijuAbhijeet DipkeSatyaki SavarkarBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir World Test Championship: What India’s Galle win means for their road to The Oval