VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html File photo NEW DELHI: Planning of cities and towns must be people-centric and responsive to citizens’ needs, housing and urban affairs minister Manohar Lal said Friday as Brics nations adopted an Urban Ministerial Declaration committing to inclusive development, particularly for vulnerable and marginalised groups.The declaration, adopted at the conclusion of the two-day Brics Urbanisation Forum, themed ‘Cities for People’, emphasised the need to create liveable cities that ensure equitable access to housing, infrastructure and urban services.Addressing a press conference, Lal said that urbanisation was a common challenge facing all Brics countries. While only about 35% of India’s population currently lives in urban areas, UN projections indicate the country’s urbanisation level could exceed 70% in the coming decades, making sustainable city planning a critical priority.“Planning should be such that it’s acceptable to people,” Lal said, in response to a question.The declaration also highlighted the need to strengthen local govts and institutions, promote climate-resilient urban development, and leverage digital technologies to improve governance, planning and citizen-centric services.Hosted by housing and urban affairs ministry under India’s Brcis chairship, the forum brought together ministers, senior officials and urban experts from member nations.Officials said the discussions reflected common challenges faced by Brics nations, including rapid urban growth, infrastructure gaps, fiscal constraints, climate risks and the need to make cities more liveable and equitable.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosKolkata Government Building Fire Destroys 4,000 EVMs; Forensic Investigation UnderwayIndia On Border Alert As Jamaat’s Protest Call Raises Fresh Questions Over Bangladesh StabilityAbhishek Banerjee Replies to Kalyan Banerjee’s Remarks, Says He Will Not Speak Against HimSpaceX lists at $1.75 trillion — here’s what Indian investors need to know before buyingAIUDF To Challenge Assam UCC In Court, Says Law Is Not Truly UniformAI-171 Crash Probe Continues A Year Later; AAIB Says Final Report Yet To Be CompletedAIMIM Eyes Major Expansion In UP, Opens Door To Possible BSP Alliance | WatchIndira Gandhi Lost Her Party Twice — And Came Back Both Times. Can Mamata Banerjee?PM Modi To Showcase 120 Top Indian Startups In France; Global Investors Eye OpportunitiesIndia Flags Serious Concerns, Summons US Envoy Over Vessel Attack Incidents | Watch123PhotostoriesFrom Jeff Bezos and MacKenzie Scott to Arjun Rampal and Mehr Jesia: 7 famous celebrities who got divorced after 20+ years of marriageFrom headaches to mobile phones: Brain tumour myths doctors want you to stop believingFrom Sujni to Manjusha: 10 artworks of Bihar and places travellers should visit to find themPower rituals for Gen Z based on your birth dateBefore R Praggnanandhaa and Vaishali became the ‘Golden Chess Siblings’; their mother built the foundation: How Nagalakshmi nurtured two grandmastersScientists discovered this 7-minute trick that completely resets a stressed brainSpanish love proverb of the day: “Love is blind, but the neighbours are not”Harmanpreet Kaur, Indian women cricket team captain’s, home in Moga, Punjab is a reflection of her humble roots, family values and cricketing successThe bizarre defence mechanisms lizards use to stay aliveAnkita Lokhande and Vicky Jain’s Rs 50 crore lavish house: Grand entrance, a massive living room and more123Hot PicksSpaceX IPOKick StreamerJaspal RanaShakiraMP Board 12 Supplementary ResultISC Revaluation ResultSpaceX IPONora FatehiVirat KohliTop TrendingTMC rebel MPTravis KelceSpaceX IPOFIFA World Cup 2026Women T20 World CupSean SticklandBharatiya Antariksh HackathonKerala SSLC Revaluation ResultUPSC result 2026CBSE Class 10 Second Board Result Centre opens radio spectrum to accelerate deployment of vehicle collision-avoidance systems Meet Antonio Gracias: Musk’s Indian-origin best friend who is set to become a billionaire after SpaceX IPO | Jun 12, 2026, 22:47 IST Tu cheez badi hain….Musk Musk: One small step for SpaceX, one giant leap to a trillion for Elon Musk Taylor Swift’s biggest songwriting night takes a wild turn as Travis Kelce joins Steven Spielberg-filmed viral moment Harshit Rana set to join India squad ahead of third Afghanistan ODI ‘Stand-up comedy shows should be banned’: Mumbai mayor Ritu Tawde to write to CM over comedian Pranit More row Coming soon: Trump’s Iran agreement (*Terms and conditions apply) Jun 12, 2026, 22:16 IST UBTER JEEP result 2026 declared at ubter.in: Direct link to download scorecards here ‘I don’t have the baggage of my previous films’: Imtiaz Ali clarifies not having the pressure of matching up to his cult films like ‘Jab We Met’, ‘Rockstar’ – EXCLUSIVE SpaceX, which Elon Musk gave ‘less than 10% chance of succeeding’, makes him world’s first trillionaire – but will his net worth sustain? ENG vs SL Women Live Score, ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026: England eye first title since 2009, take on Sri Lanka World’s first trillionaire: Elon Musk’s net worth crosses $1 trillion after SpaceX’s stock market debut Ameesha Patel claims Gadar 1 and 2 have bigger footfalls than Dhurandhar franchise: ‘Pakistani parents named their daughters Sakina’ 7 famous celebrities who got divorced after 20+ years of marriage Declassified US records reveal UFO sightings over Ladakh, Sikkim in 1968 – what files show Indian-origin woman Sarina Gupta opens up about viral video of racist attack at Connecticut store: ‘Can’t believe she is a nurse’ Photo credit: ANI DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday highlighted the anti-poverty initiatives of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asserting that during his tenure, over 25 crore people were lifted out of poverty.Addressing a gathering, CM Dhami said, “During his tenure, PM Modi has worked to lift 25 crore people out of poverty. Under the Congress regime, corruption had become an integral part of the system. The Modi government adopted the DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) process to eliminate this corruption; with DBT, there is no scope for any leakage in the funds intended for beneficiaries’ accounts…. Congress’s politics was one of appeasement and was limited to vote-bank…”Meanwhile, on Thursday, CM Dhami listened to the address of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the NDA Conclave held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.He stated that the Prime Minister’s leadership consistently inspires and energises everyone to strengthen their commitment to nation-building.The Chief Minister noted that 75 representatives from 35 constituent parties participated in this important NDA meeting.All alliance partners expressed their unwavering confidence in the Prime Minister’s leadership and extended their felicitations to him.He said that India is currently witnessing a historic and proud era in which a new chapter of development is being written, guided by the principles of service, good governance, and the welfare of the poor.The chief minister further said that the vision of a Developed India has gained renewed momentum under the PM’s leadership, while the mantra of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas” has become the foundation of public trust across the nation.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosSpaceX lists at $1.75 trillion — here’s what Indian investors need to know before buyingAIUDF To Challenge Assam UCC In Court, Says Law Is Not Truly UniformAI-171 Crash Probe Continues A Year Later; AAIB Says Final Report Yet To Be CompletedAIMIM Eyes Major Expansion In UP, Opens Door To Possible BSP Alliance | WatchIndira Gandhi Lost Her Party Twice — And Came Back Both Times. Can Mamata Banerjee?PM Modi To Showcase 120 Top Indian Startups In France; Global Investors Eye OpportunitiesIndia Flags Serious Concerns, Summons US Envoy Over Vessel Attack Incidents | WatchMamata Banerjee Faces FIR Over Rally Speech; Complaint Alleges Threat To Communal HarmonyAshok Gehlot Responds To Buzz Around Remarks, Says “Facts Needed To Be Told”Amit Shah Reviews Security Preparedness for Amarnath Yatra, Multi-Agency Plan in Place123PhotostoriesFrom headaches to mobile phones: Brain tumour myths doctors want you to stop believingFrom Sujni to Manjusha: 10 artworks of Bihar and places travellers should visit to find themPower rituals for Gen Z based on your birth dateBefore R Praggnanandhaa and Vaishali became the ‘Golden Chess Siblings’; their mother built the foundation: How Nagalakshmi nurtured two grandmastersScientists discovered this 7-minute trick that completely resets a stressed brainSpanish love proverb of the day: “Love is blind, but the neighbours are not”Harmanpreet Kaur, Indian women cricket team captain’s, home in Moga, Punjab is a reflection of her humble roots, family values and cricketing successThe bizarre defence mechanisms lizards use to stay aliveAnkita Lokhande and Vicky Jain’s Rs 50 crore lavish house: Grand entrance, a massive living room and moreThis European city has no cars; just canals, boats, and centuries of history123Hot PicksSpaceX IPOKick StreamerJaspal RanaShakiraMP Board 12 Supplementary ResultISC Revaluation ResultSpaceX IPONora FatehiVirat KohliTop TrendingTMC rebel MPTravis KelceSpaceX IPOFIFA World Cup 2026Women T20 World CupSean SticklandBharatiya Antariksh HackathonKerala SSLC Revaluation ResultUPSC result 2026CBSE Class 10 Second Board Result Updated: Jun 12, 2026, 21:39 IST Olivia Rodrigo talks Filipino food, family and new album while making lumpia: ‘I’m half Filipino’ How Sergey Brin, Larry Ellison and other ultra-rich are turning a quiet Nevada town into ‘billionaire bunker’ UAE users report disruptions across Facebook and Instagram as Meta hit by global outage Vijay’s Mookambika Temple visit, Suriya’s gift to RJ Balaji, ‘Peddi’ scenes trimmed: Top 5 South stories of the day These IRCTC booking tricks could improve your chances of getting a lower berth; what travellers need to know Trump blames Iran for attacking Indian ships amid New Delhi fury over US attack that killed three Indian sailors Indian-origin woman serves home-cooked meals in Belfast after violence grips city: ‘People are scared to step outside’ ‘We never saw any romance between Katrina Kaif and Ranbir Kapoor on Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani set,’ says co-star Vishwanath Chatterjee ‘Seen me grow up’: Abhishek Banerjee reacts to Kalyan Banerjee’s ‘arrogant’ remark NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron will jointly inaugurate Bharat Innovates 2026 in Nice on June 14, aimed at deepening India-France collaboration in deep technology, innovation and start-up ecosystems. Ahead of the event, education minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday released two strategic documents profiling the selected start-ups and research projects that will be presented in Nice.The three-day event, organised by the Union education ministry under the India-France Year of Innovation, will bring together 120 Indian deep-tech start-ups, 15 leading higher education institutions and more than 500 investors, venture capital firms, corporate leaders and global CEOs.The event is expected to showcase India’s innovation capabilities across sectors including semiconductors, advanced computing, biotechnology, space technology, healthcare, energy and manufacturing. External affairs minister S Jaishankar, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal and principal scientific adviser Ajay Kumar Sood are expected to attend.Pradhan said Bharat Innovates reflected the vision of transforming India from a knowledge-consuming nation into a knowledge-creating and innovation-driven economy. “Bharat Innovates is a pathway for strategic engagement opportunities,” he said, adding that it represented “the intellectual strength of youth and a powerful platform for India’s expanding startup ecosystem”.According to the ministry, the 120 start-ups were selected from more than 3,000 applicants. The cohort collectively holds over 1,500 patents and has raised more than $1.5 billion in funding. It includes listed companies such as ideaForge and Ather Energy.Pradhan said the initiative had already generated investor interest, with nearly $20 million in commitments either finalised or nearing closure. He added that roadshows had been organised in Paris, Tokyo and Bengaluru to connect Indian start-ups with global investors.The ministry said Bharat Innovates is expected to facilitate partnerships in research, technology transfer, co-development, manufacturing and cross-border investments between Indian and international innovation ecosystems.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 MediaVideosSpaceX lists at $1.75 trillion — here’s what Indian investors need to know before buyingAIUDF To Challenge Assam UCC In Court, Says Law Is Not Truly UniformAI-171 Crash Probe Continues A Year Later; AAIB Says Final Report Yet To Be CompletedAIMIM Eyes Major Expansion In UP, Opens Door To Possible BSP Alliance | WatchIndira Gandhi Lost Her Party Twice — And Came Back Both Times. Can Mamata Banerjee?PM Modi To Showcase 120 Top Indian Startups In France; Global Investors Eye OpportunitiesIndia Flags Serious Concerns, Summons US Envoy Over Vessel Attack Incidents | WatchMamata Banerjee Faces FIR Over Rally Speech; Complaint Alleges Threat To Communal HarmonyAshok Gehlot Responds To Buzz Around Remarks, Says “Facts Needed To Be Told”Amit Shah Reviews Security Preparedness for Amarnath Yatra, Multi-Agency Plan in Place123PhotostoriesFrom Sujni to Manjusha: 10 artworks of Bihar and places travellers should visit to find themPower rituals for Gen Z based on your birth dateBefore R Praggnanandhaa and Vaishali became the ‘Golden Chess Siblings’; their mother built the foundation: How Nagalakshmi nurtured two grandmastersScientists discovered this 7-minute trick that completely resets a stressed brainSpanish love proverb of the day: “Love is blind, but the neighbours are not”Harmanpreet Kaur, Indian women cricket team captain’s, home in Moga, Punjab is a reflection of her humble roots, family values and cricketing successThe bizarre defence mechanisms lizards use to stay aliveAnkita Lokhande and Vicky Jain’s Rs 50 crore lavish house: Grand entrance, a massive living room and moreThis European city has no cars; just canals, boats, and centuries of historyFIFA World Cup 2026: Cristiano Ronaldo to Jude Bellingham – 5 players who dress better than most celebrities123Hot PicksSpaceX IPOKick StreamerJaspal RanaShakiraMP Board 12 Supplementary ResultISC Revaluation ResultSpaceX IPONora FatehiVirat KohliTop TrendingTMC rebel MPTravis KelceSpaceX IPOFIFA World Cup 2026Women T20 World CupSean SticklandBharatiya Antariksh HackathonKerala SSLC Revaluation ResultUPSC result 2026CBSE Class 10 Second Board Result What Elon Musk’s trillion could mean: More than double South Africa’s economy, over 200 trips to the moon Priya Sachdev Kapur pens emotional note on Sunjay Kapur’s death anniversary, co-signed by his mother Rani Kapur amid Rs 30,000 estate battle | This 9,000-year-old cave is covered in thousands of prehistoric handprints: Here’s how travellers can explore it ‘Repeatedly humiliated me’: Pune techie at TCS hangs himself; FIR against 2 female colleagues 1 in 1000 gets into those colleges: Indian-American X user slams ‘fake degree’ narrative, says he does not care about Indians but… JoSAA seat allotment result 2026: First seat allotment list releasing tomorrow, check complete details here FIFA WORLD CUP 2026: Did you know Michael Jackson’s ‘Earth Song’ was featured on the 2006 album ‘Voices From The FIFA World Cup’? Ralph Waldo Emerson Quote: Quote of the day for children by Ralph Waldo Emerson: “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what…” Project Kusha: India’s homegrown answer to S-400? Rajnath says Project Kusha is a game changer Bodies of 3 Telangana workers killed in Dubai road crash likely to arrive in India within two days WBJEE answer key 2026 released at wbjeeb.nic.in: Direct link to raise challenges here Is Rajinikanth jealous of Vijay’s political triumph? Latha Rajinikanth responds to claims Lifeline for India’s heavy-ift fleet? US weighs C-17 production restart Beyond the millions: 10 essential life lessons Warren Buffett thinks everyone should live by NEW DELHI: Celebrated internationally as a symbol of peace and compassion, Aloka, the “Peace Dog”, arrived in Delhi on Monday with an international delegation of Buddhist monks and peace advocates, meeting former Union minister Maneka Gandhi.The gathering at Gandhi’s Jor Bagh residence brought together Buddhist monks, peace walkers and animal welfare supporters who highlighted Aloka’s remarkable journey from a community dog born as a stray in Odisha to a globally recognised mascot of peace, coexistence and non-violence, a statement said.Members of the delegation said Aloka first appeared during one of their peace walks and chose to remain with the group. Over time, he accompanied them across long distances, difficult terrain and varying weather conditions, becoming both a companion and a guardian.They described him as a dog who would sense danger and alert walkers while maintaining a calm and gentle temperament, qualities that endeared him to people across countries and cultures.Speaking on the occasion, Gandhi, who is also an animal rights activist, said it was inspiring that an Indian street dog had come to represent peace and compassion around the world while many community dogs continued to face misunderstanding and hostility in India.”If people could see in every community dog even a fraction of what the world sees in Aloka, our attitudes would be very different. Aloka embodies the very best qualities of India’s street dogs: loyalty, courage, resilience, peace and unconditional love,” she said.According to the delegation, Aloka was born on the streets of Odisha and joined the peace walkers of his own accord, forging a bond based on trust rather than ownership. As the group travelled through different countries promoting peace and non-violence, the dog became an integral part of their journey and attracted attention from people drawn to his calm demeanour and unwavering loyalty.His story has since resonated with animal lovers and peace activists around the world. Through social media and public appearances alongside Buddhist monks, Aloka has emerged as an unlikely ambassador for compassion, helping spotlight both the potential of community animals and the values of coexistence and empathy.The visitors expressed hope that Aloka’s return to India would encourage greater empathy towards community animals and promote the idea that peaceful coexistence must extend beyond human society to all living beings.The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to promoting compassion, non-violence and humane treatment of animals, the statement said.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPM Modi To Showcase 120 Top Indian Startups In France; Global Investors Eye OpportunitiesIndia Flags Serious Concerns, Summons US Envoy Over Vessel Attack Incidents | WatchMamata Banerjee Faces FIR Over Rally Speech; Complaint Alleges Threat To Communal HarmonyAshok Gehlot Responds To Buzz Around Remarks, Says “Facts Needed To Be Told”Amit Shah Reviews Security Preparedness for Amarnath Yatra, Multi-Agency Plan in PlaceLight-Hearted Exchange Between Jaishankar And Finland FM Steals Spotlight | WatchGehlot Supports Opposition Unity Push As Congress Merger Debate Gains MomentumSC Refuses Relief For Congress’ Meenakshi Natarajan In Rajya Sabha Nomination DisputeBomb Threat On Delhi-Bound IndiGo Flight Turns Out To Be Hoax, 180 Passengers Deboarded At LucknowHooghly Row: Huge Cache Of Government Relief Material Recovered Near Ex-TMC MLA’s Residence123PhotostoriesPower rituals for Gen Z based on your birth dateBefore R Praggnanandhaa and Vaishali became the ‘Golden Chess Siblings’; their mother built the foundation: How Nagalakshmi nurtured two grandmastersScientists discovered this 7-minute trick that completely resets a stressed brainSpanish love proverb of the day: “Love is blind, but the neighbours are not”Harmanpreet Kaur, Indian women cricket team captain’s, home in Moga, Punjab is a reflection of her humble roots, family values and cricketing successThe bizarre defence mechanisms lizards use to stay aliveAnkita Lokhande and Vicky Jain’s Rs 50 crore lavish house: Grand entrance, a massive living room and moreThis European city has no cars; just canals, boats, and centuries of historyFIFA World Cup 2026: Cristiano Ronaldo to Jude Bellingham – 5 players who dress better than most celebrities8 GI-tagged Bengali sweets that are a must-try123Hot PicksSpaceX IPOKick StreamerJaspal RanaShakiraMP Board 12 Supplementary ResultISC Revaluation ResultSpaceX IPONora FatehiVirat KohliTop TrendingTMC rebel MPKakoli Ghosh DastidarSpaceX IPOFIFA World Cup 2026Women T20 World CupSean SticklandBharatiya Antariksh HackathonKerala SSLC Revaluation ResultUPSC result 2026CBSE Class 10 Second Board Result Jun 12, 2026, 19:55 IST ‘Bharathiraja struggled to come out of the pain after losing his son,’ reveals Radha Ravi talking about the veteran filmmaker’s personal struggles Delhi to Dharamshala in just 6 hours? NH-503 upgrade could make it possible by September Synergy of steel & software: How Indian Railways got on the digital track