VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html ‘Impose sanctions against RSS’: US religious freedom body opposes Mohan Bhagwat’s New York visit In the 1970s, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet W.S. Merwin and his wife Paula bought a barren piece of land in Hawaii; planting one sapling at a time, they transformed the wasteland into a 19-acre forest with more than 3,000 palms Fairmont Mumbai to Host The Longevity Summit India 2026, Presented by Le Florence India | 15-16 August 2026 Scientifically curated by cancer surgeon and “Aquaman Biohacker”Dr. Arpit Bansal, the two-day summit united 40+ global experts and 500+ delegates across five bodies of human health — and closed with the announcement of The Longevity Summit 2027.MUMBAI: India’s longevity movement found its stage this Independence Day weekend. The Longevity Summit India 2026, the country’s first dedicated longevity summit, concluded Sunday night at Fairmont Mumbai after two days that carried more than 500 curated delegates — founders, investors, doctors, scientists and wellness leaders — through an agenda unlike anything previously staged in the country: One Life. Five Bodies. Five Frequencies.The summit was presented by Le Florence India, with AIWO, founded by industrialist C. Sivasankaran, as Title Sponsor, and hosted at Fairmont Mumbai, the flagship of Nitan Chhatwal’s Shrem Group. But its scientific soul belonged to one man: Dr. Arpit Bansal, the laparoscopic and cancer surgeon from Prayagraj known worldwide as the Aquaman Biohacker, who as Chief Scientific Curator personally architected all two days — moving the audience through the Earth, Water, Air, Fire and Flow bodies with 40+ speakers he has met across the world’s leading longevity stages.Dr. Bansal opened the summit with its signature keynote, The Biohacking Blueprint, returned with the Water session’s From Red Mind to Blue Mind, and led what may be remembered as the summit’s defining image: a sunrise Blue Mind Underwater Meditation, with delegates seated on the floor of the Fairmont pool as Mumbai woke above them — a world-first practice he created, drawn from a surgeon’s insight that the gut is the first organ to shut down when the body senses threat, and the first to come back online when it feels safe.“India did not just attend a summit this weekend — India made a vow. When 500 people sit together and understand that the gut, the brain, the emotions and purpose are one connected system, that is not an event. That is the beginning of a movement.”Dr. Arpit Bansal, chief scientific curator, the longevity summit India 2026Nitan Chhatwal, chairman & managing director of the Shrem Group: “We built Fairmont Mumbai to be more than a hotel — to be a landmark where India’s most important conversations happen. Watching this summit unfold under our roof, from the science on the main stage to meditation in our pool at sunrise, is exactly the future of hospitality we believe in.”Rajiv Kapoor, cluster general manager, Fairmont Mumbai: “What made this summit special is that it brought together so many different perspectives on wellbeing under one roof. Our teams lived it alongside the delegates — this weekend, Fairmont Mumbai truly became a home for longevity.”Vikramjeet Sharma, Managing Director, Le Florence India: “For us, this summit was about bringing the conversation on longevity closer to people — not just living longer, but living healthier. Seeing two decades of experience in luxury experiences culminate in India’s first longevity summit is a proud moment for our entire team.”Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesC Sivasankaran, Founder of AIWO and the summit’s Title Sponsor: “Longevity is not a trend we are chasing — it is a subject we have lived with for years. This weekend proved India is ready to engage with it seriously, and AIWO is proud to have led that from the front.”Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosMaharashtra’s Power Shift: Fadnavis Can Now Reverse Ministerial Decisions In Public InterestIndia Removes Pakistan Mission Barricades After Islamabad Move, Tensions Rise Over Kashmir RemarksModi Govt’s Gen-Z Outreach: One Union Minister To Visit One University Daily‘Fuel For Free’: Chandigarh’s ‘Petrol Langar’ Turns Chaotic, Leaves People Fuming‘No Respect For Court’: Arrest Warrant Against Mahua Moitra In Hate Speech CaseUS 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 Use123PhotostoriesLove quote of the day by Barack Obama: “If you were going to list the 100 most popular things that I have done as president, being married to Michelle Obama is No. 1″Bigg Boss Tamil 10: From Snehan’s father’s emotional entry to Maya’s family surprise; a look at some of the show’s most emotional momentsWhy breaking noodles before cooking is considered unlucky in ChinaPrince Harry and Meghan moving back to Britain? Inside the Sussexes’ journey from ‘Megxit’ to their reported U-turn to UK after ‘American Dream’If you think Marcello Muratori from ‘Emily in Paris’ is fictional, meet the real Italian luxury dynasty that inspired his characterBigg Boss 20: From Mary Kom and Mouni Roy to Rajat Bedi, Rumoured contestants of Salman Khan-hosted show5 tips to improve your communication skills10 baby girl names that feel effortlessly elegant and modern5 easy-to-do beauty secrets that make you look effortlessly expensiveOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals whether you’re judgmental or too hard on yourself123Hot PicksBPSC TRE 4.0 notificationBank holidays this weekGTU results 2026Pennsylvania plane crashOil export IndiaFaceless assessmentRSS sanctionZepto internshipPakistan High CommissionTop TrendingHyderabad MurderPakistan High CommissionTwisha SharmaKarnataka MurderKerala MurderKiren RijijuSukesh ChandrashekharSatyaki SavarkarBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir The Sanju Samson void and search for Kerala’s next T20 star Gold, silver price prediction: Where are gold, silver headed? Check outlook on August 20, 2026 Govinda’s manager slams Sunita Ahuja for filing for divorce and withdrawing her plea later: ‘Ghar ki baatein ghar mein baith ke karte, wapas lena tha toh kiya hi kyun? Tamasha ban gaye’ If you were going to list the 100 most popular things that I have done as president, being married to Michelle Obama is No. 1 SC to hear NBCC plea for RERA relief to complete 16 stalled Supertech projects: What is the case In 1997, Florida released Australian insects to fight an invasive tree. Nearly three decades later, its invaded range has fallen by about 75% | World News He scored just 6.8 CGPA, yet landed a Rs 32 lakh job at Microsoft: What his journey says about marks and success ‘I have love for all these people’: ‘How I Met Your Mother’ star Josh Radnor opens up about losing touch with former castmates and how they drifted apart after nine seasons 23-year-old lands ‘dream job’ paying Rs 8.5 lakh to watch clouds, film videos and live in the mountains Taiwan gets new F-16 fighters as China pressure grows: Why 50-year-old jet remains popular Is Ice Poseidon ‘wanted’ in Japan? Viral poster puts spotlight on streamer’s past police confrontations | World News Prathap C Reddy, founder and chairman of Apollo Hospital Group, believes that India can become a global healthcare service provider. In an interview with TOI’s Anuja Jaiswal, Reddy spoke about India’s healthcare transformation, preventive care, AI, pricing, and Apollo’s expansion. Excerpts:Recent health data show a deterioration in several health indicators among Indians. Is this primarily a lifestyle issue?The basic problem is that people do not consider health a priority. They think about it only when they fall sick: where to go, what treatment they need and what it will cost. We need to realise that health should be our priority. My vision is health and happiness at home, HHH, and that can happen only when individuals take responsibility for their health.Has the growth in private healthcare been due to a poor public healthcare system?The govt has done tremendous work and has several programmes. But India is a large country, and geography remains a challenge, particularly in remote areas. Private hospitals have done a remarkable job. When I came back from the US, there was very little advanced healthcare available in India. Today, there are hundreds of good hospitals providing advanced treatment, and patients from across the world come to India. We have the best-in-class equipment and the best doctors and paramedics. Public and private healthcare need to complement each other. India is ready to become a global healthcare destination because it can provide advanced treatment at a fraction of the cost in many other countries. The world will need about 9 million doctors, nurses, paramedics and other healthcare workers by the end of this decade. India has a large young population and can help meet this global requirement.How do you standardise treatment given that you have large chains and small nursing homes and also keep it affordable? Protocols have to be strict so that patients face the least possible risk and get good outcomes. Tertiary-care hospitals are increasingly following standardised protocols, while medical education is also changing. The challenge is to ensure that these improvements reach the entire country.Will AI make doctors better, or can it reduce the human touch in healthcare?AI is a powerful tool for doctors. It can improve the speed and precision of diagnosis and help doctors access a much larger amount of information, but it cannot replace the doctor. AI should give doctors more information and more time to interact with patients and provide better care.Parliamentary committee has suggested linking private hospital room tariffs with those of three-star hotels. What is your view?That comparison is incorrect. Hospitals are fundamentally different from hotels. Hospitals have to maintain patient safety standards, infection-control measures and medical infrastructure that hotels do not require. Hotels provide accommodation for a night, while hospitals are there to save lives. The costs involved in maintaining medical infrastructure, equipment and trained personnel cannot be compared with those of a hotel room. Whatever surplus we earn we are investing in expanding our network.You are across the healthcare value chain from diagnostics to hospitals and insurance. What is the way forward?We are unique in that sense. We plan to add 10 more hospitals in the next five years, with three already in the pipeline. We are expanding our presence in Delhi-NCR with a new hospital in Dwarka, where the land is already in place, and a 900-bed state-of-the-art hospital in Gurgaon, which is expected to open around Oct.Will Apollo remain family-run or move towards professional management?It will be a combination of family and professional management. My daughters have been involved in the organisation and have different roles, while a strong professional management team is responsible for implementation. But as far as the family’s ownership is concerned, I want Apollo to eventually be run through a trust. The idea is to ensure continuity of the institution beyond individual family members.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosModi Govt’s Gen-Z Outreach: One Union Minister To Visit One University Daily‘Fuel For Free’: Chandigarh’s ‘Petrol Langar’ Turns Chaotic, Leaves People Fuming‘No Respect For Court’: Arrest Warrant Against Mahua Moitra In Hate Speech CaseUS 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 BJP123PhotostoriesIf you think Marcello Muratori from ‘Emily in Paris’ is fictional, meet the real Italian luxury dynasty that inspired his characterBigg Boss 20: From Mary Kom and Mouni Roy to Rajat Bedi, Rumoured contestants of Salman Khan-hosted show5 tips to improve your communication skills10 baby girl names that feel effortlessly elegant and modern5 easy-to-do beauty secrets that make you look effortlessly expensiveOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals whether you’re judgmental or too hard on yourselfBigg 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 contestants123Hot PicksIndia Oil ExportsBank 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 Granite, grass and a helipad: Trump shows off his White House construction projects 9.2 CGPA, 6 LPA vs 6.8 CGPA, 32 LPA: How 80+ setbacks and one mantra helped him crack Microsoft twice Quote of the day by Katharine Hepburn: ‘We are taught you must blame your father, your sisters, your brothers… But it’s always your fault, because if you wanted to change, you’re the one who has got to change,’ the ‘Spitfire’ star’s lesson on taking accountability for your actions in life Sonam Kapoor’s black anarkali is gorgeous, but it’s her Pichwai-inspired dupatta that caught our eye AIIMS Rishikesh held guilty of wrong HIV positive diagnosis, told to pay patient Rs 60,000 compensation Pennsylvania crash: One killed in ‘violent’ collision between Cessna 150 and police helicopter The Supreme Court has mandated that the Centre set up specialized clinics for captive elephants. ANI NEW DELHI: In a country where primary healthcare eludes a large rural population, the Supreme Court has directed the Centre to frame guidelines for states mandating them to set up elephant clinics to provide periodic health checkups of captive elephants with individuals, temples, circuses and forest departments.Appearing for NGO ‘Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre’, senior advocate Aparna Bhat on Tuesday complained to a bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant, and Justices Joymlaya Bagchi and V Mohana that though the Wildlife Protection Act bars elephants in captivity, a large number are held illegally by individuals, temples and others who neither have the space for the large animals nor the healthcare facilities.Bhat said individuals in Assam and Kerala have kept elephants and there are many temples in Kerala who also have elephants which is legally impermissible. For temples and private individuals, senior advocate K Parameswaran said that the NGO always targets temples ahead of festivities and without understanding the importance of elephants for the rituals.The bench said, “We understand the importance of elephants for temples as these animals are regarded as incarnations of God. We are not dealing with the legality of temples having elephants, we are concerned about their wellbeing and health. We also want that the entire captive elephant population must be DNA mapped so that there are no illegal trade or commercial activities using them.”For the ministry of environment and forest, additional solicitor general Aishwarya Bhati informed that the SC’s concern was substantially addressed in the Feb 20 meeting of Captive Elephant Healthcare and Welfare Committee (CEHWC). It was found that DNA profiling has been completed for 2,075 captive elephants, of which 41% were of unknown origin, 34% were born in captivity and 25% were caught from the wild. Majority of the captive elephants (63%) are females.MoEF said there are 2,725 captive elephants, of which 1,678 were with private individuals; 47 in circuses; 96 with temples, 768 with forest departments, 63 in zoos while Rehabilitation Centres take care for 332 elephants.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe bench in its order said, “Our concern is about the upkeep, health and wellbeing of captive animals, especially those held by private individuals. We direct the Union govt to issue mandatory guidelines to the states to introduce an effective and transparent system for establishment of elephant clinics and availability of specialised services which shall be mandatorily availed by captive elephant owners for periodic health checkups.”“These clinics should maintain the record of treatment given to captive elephants. The Union govt will also lay down minimum standards for keeping elephants by individuals,” it said and asked the states to complete the DNA profiling of the captive elephants to prevent their illegal use for commercial activities or their sale and transfers .Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosModi Govt’s Gen-Z Outreach: One Union Minister To Visit One University Daily‘Fuel For Free’: Chandigarh’s ‘Petrol Langar’ Turns Chaotic, Leaves People Fuming‘No Respect For Court’: Arrest Warrant Against Mahua Moitra In Hate Speech CaseUS 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 BJP123PhotostoriesIf you think Marcello Muratori from ‘Emily in Paris’ is fictional, meet the real Italian luxury dynasty that inspired his characterBigg Boss 20: From Mary Kom and Mouni Roy to Rajat Bedi, Rumoured contestants of Salman Khan-hosted show5 tips to improve your communication skills10 baby girl names that feel effortlessly elegant and modern5 easy-to-do beauty secrets that make you look effortlessly expensiveOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals whether you’re judgmental or too hard on yourselfBigg 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 contestants123Hot PicksIndia Oil ExportsBank 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 20, 2026, 09:39 IST Hayden Panettiere’s ‘Heroes’ dad Jack Coleman slams ‘misogynistic and predatory’ press questions aimed at her as a teen star: ‘No one, especially a teenager, should be targeted that way’ Prince Harry and Meghan moving back to Britain? Inside the Sussexes’ journey from ‘Megxit’ to their reported U-turn to UK after ‘American Dream’ Karnataka horror: Father ‘pushes’ 2 children into canal for favouring mother; both die US heatwave: Miami hits 100°F record as Oklahoma sizzles at 112°F Singh was part of a mob which set fire to Australian missionary Graham Staines’s vehicle in 1999, killing him and his two sons, Philip (10) and Timothy (6), in Keonjhar, Odisha.. NEW DELHI: “Don’t try to dodge us” was the terse warning Supreme Court issued to Odisha govt, which has been skirting the issue of Dara Singh’s remission plea over the last few months and refrained from revealing its stand to the court on Wednesday.”You take a decision, whichever way you want. If you do not take a decision, then we will,” the bench told state govt, posting hearing for Sept 2.Singh was part of a mob which set fire to Australian missionary Graham Staines’s vehicle in 1999, killing him and his two sons, Philip (10) and Timothy (6), in Keonjhar, Odisha. Sentenced to death, later commuted to life term , Singh has been in jail for 26 years.A bench of Justices ­Manoj Misra and Vijay Bishnoi expressed its anguish over State Sentence Review Board not having made a decision yet, noting that hearing in the case has been adjourned multiple times to allow the state to take a call in the matter.Appearing for the state, advocate P V Yogeswaran placed before the bench a letter written by the prison authority stating that it had not received a report from district jail, Keonjhar.But the bench was not convinced and said, “We are not concerned about who is communicating what. We cannot tolerate this avoidance of decision.”Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesSingh was sentenced to death by a trial court in 2003. In 2005, Odisha high court commuted death penalty to life imprisonment, which was confirmed by ­SC in 2011.The court said, “This matter has been adjourned time and again to enable the respondents to take a decision on the plea of remission of sentence awarded to the petitioner who is incarcerated for a period exceeding 26 years. It appears that when the matter was adjourned last, the State Sentence Review Board was in the process of taking a decision on the petitioner’s plea. Based on that, the matter was adjourned. Today, the learned counsel for the respondent has placed before us a letter of the Directorate of Prison and Correctional Services addressed to the counsel, wherein he stated that the report from the district jail, Keonjhar, is yet to be received. We are not informed of the sentence review board’s decision. List this matter on 2 Sept. The review board should take apprise us of their decision.”Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosModi Govt’s Gen-Z Outreach: One Union Minister To Visit One University Daily‘Fuel For Free’: Chandigarh’s ‘Petrol Langar’ Turns Chaotic, Leaves People Fuming‘No Respect For Court’: Arrest Warrant Against Mahua Moitra In Hate Speech CaseUS 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 BJP123PhotostoriesIf you think Marcello Muratori from ‘Emily in Paris’ is fictional, meet the real Italian luxury dynasty that inspired his characterBigg Boss 20: From Mary Kom and Mouni Roy to Rajat Bedi, Rumoured contestants of Salman Khan-hosted show5 tips to improve your communication skills10 baby girl names that feel effortlessly elegant and modern5 easy-to-do beauty secrets that make you look effortlessly expensiveOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals whether you’re judgmental or too hard on yourselfBigg 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 contestants123Hot PicksIndia Oil ExportsBank 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 BWF World Championships 2026 Live Updates: PV Sindhu, Ayush Shetty, Satwik-Chirag lead India’s day 4 charge HPBOSE 12th final merit list 2026 released at hpbose.org: Direct link to download here Aditi Shankar lauds Anupama Parameswaran’s personal revelations and ‘honesty’: ‘It can create awareness among many people’ Dehradun Robber’S Cave: Tourists blast boombox inside Dehradun’s Robber’s Cave, dance to Haryanvi song ‘Lofar’; social media calls it ‘hooliganism’ South Korea rejects Trump’s claim; estimates Kim Jong Un has 80-120 nuclear weapons Pennsylvania crash: State police helicopter, Cessna plane collide midair Rahul Gandhi also said that Narendra Modi’s ‘political end’ has come NEW DELHI: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, during the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting on Wednesday, reportedly said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s political rule is in its “final phase” and that a search for his successor is already underway.“Narendra Modi ka siyasi ant ho chuka hai. Inka waqt khatam ho gaya hai. Modi ka shasan aakhiri daur mein hai. Inke uttaradhikari ki talash chal rahi hai (Narendra Modi’s political end has come. His time is over. Modi’s rule is in its final phase. A search for his successor is underway),” sources quoted the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha as saying.Rahul Gandhi also described the government as being “completely on the back foot” and urged Congress leaders to adopt a more aggressive approach in taking on the government.The remarks were made during the CWC meeting at the Congress headquarters, Indira Bhawan, in Delhi, where senior party leaders discussed the political situation in the country and the party’s strategy on key issues.Meanwhile, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, who also addressed the meeting, alleged that the Centre had “devastated the future of the youth” over the past 12 years. He claimed that 94,000 schools had shut down in recent years and called for a clear, comprehensive and time-bound “Education-to-Employment Roadmap” for young people.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesKharge also questioned the money, gold and other donations received by the Ram Mandir trust. He said people had the right to know how the donations were being accounted for and used, and called for any financial wrongdoing to be properly investigated and those responsible to be held accountable.The CWC meeting was attended by Kharge, Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, among other senior party leaders.(With ANI inputs)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 MediaVideosModi Govt’s Gen-Z Outreach: One Union Minister To Visit One University Daily‘Fuel For Free’: Chandigarh’s ‘Petrol Langar’ Turns Chaotic, Leaves People Fuming‘No Respect For Court’: Arrest Warrant Against Mahua Moitra In Hate Speech CaseUS 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 BJP123PhotostoriesIf you think Marcello Muratori from ‘Emily in Paris’ is fictional, meet the real Italian luxury dynasty that inspired his characterBigg Boss 20: From Mary Kom and Mouni Roy to Rajat Bedi, Rumoured contestants of Salman Khan-hosted show5 tips to improve your communication skills10 baby girl names that feel effortlessly elegant and modern5 easy-to-do beauty secrets that make you look effortlessly expensiveOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals whether you’re judgmental or too hard on yourselfBigg 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 contestants123Hot PicksIndia Oil ExportsBank 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 20, 2026, 09:21 IST BPSC TRE 4.0 notification 2026 released for 32,388 teacher posts; applications from September 1 ‘I’ve genuinely forgotten who I am when I’m not The Rebel Kid’: Apoorva Makhija opens up about moving to New York to ‘get away from constant pressure to stay relevant’ and her plans beyond Bollywood Donald Trump picks Dr. Heidi Overton to lead FDA: Who is she and why is her nomination controversial? Meet Annapurni Subramaniam, the Indian astrophysicist who became the first Indian woman to win the COSPAR Vikram Sarabhai Medal Hayden Panettiere’s death investigation widens as DEA steps in to assist authorities – Report | 75,000 still without power in northwest Indiana, outages may last until Aug 25 New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday disagreed with the contention of Shiv Sena (UBT) that it should disqualify the MLAs who have crossed over to the rival faction led by Eknath Shinde, saying that it cannot assume Speaker’s role and decide disqualification petitions against MLAs.A bench of CJI Surya Kant, and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana was hearing pleas filed by Sena (UBT) challenging the Speaker’s call rejecting its pleas for disqualification of rebel MLAs led by Eknath Shinde and EC’s decision to recognise Sena (Shinde) as the original party to allot them the bow and arrow symbol.While hearing petitions filed by Sena UBT, the SC said it can at best set aside an erroneous order of House’s presiding officer and direct him to adjudicate the plea for disqualification afresh in conformity with guidelines laid down for the purpose.Shiv Sena split in June 2022 bringing down the MVA govt headed by Uddhav Thackeray. The rebel MLAs went on to support BJP-led NDA to form the govt in Maharashtra with Shinde as CM. Assembly elections were held in Nov 2024, wherein the BJP-led NDA secured a thumping majority.“We cannot assume the speaker’s role and decide the disqualification petitions ourselves. We can’t issue a mandamus that the MLAs, in the facts of the matter, stood disqualified. At best, we can set aside the speaker’s order and ask him to decide afresh in sync with parameters of the Tenth Schedule,” said Justice Bagchi.Senior advocate Devadatt Kamat argued that the speaker erred by not disqualifying Shinde-led rebel MLAs as the anti-defection law permits split only in a political party and not one in legislature party.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesHe said that since there was no adjudication of a split in the political party led by Thackeray, the rebel legislators cannot be saved from the disqualification.“Shiv Sena of Thackerays has been using the bow and arrow symbol for decades and the Shinde faction cannot steal it through illegitimate means,” said senior advocate Kapil Sibal and requested the court to freeze the symbol.He added that the party belongs to the Thackerays and the Shinde-faction cannot claim to be the original party as they are defectors who have sinned under the Tenth Schedule.Kamat will conclude his arguments Thursday, which would be followed by Shinde faction lawyers presenting their side of arguments.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosModi Govt’s Gen-Z Outreach: One Union Minister To Visit One University Daily‘Fuel For Free’: Chandigarh’s ‘Petrol Langar’ Turns Chaotic, Leaves People Fuming‘No Respect For Court’: Arrest Warrant Against Mahua Moitra In Hate Speech CaseUS 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 BJP123PhotostoriesIf you think Marcello Muratori from ‘Emily in Paris’ is fictional, meet the real Italian luxury dynasty that inspired his characterBigg Boss 20: From Mary Kom and Mouni Roy to Rajat Bedi, Rumoured contestants of Salman Khan-hosted show5 tips to improve your communication skills10 baby girl names that feel effortlessly elegant and modern5 easy-to-do beauty secrets that make you look effortlessly expensiveOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals whether you’re judgmental or too hard on yourselfBigg 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 contestants123Hot PicksIndia Oil ExportsBank 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 20, 2026, 09:01 IST Stock Market Today Live Updates: GIFT Nifty signals positive start for BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty 50; global cues, crude prices in focus Manipur shuts all educational institutions from August 20 to 23 amid shutdown Poornima Bhagyaraj shares rare throwback wedding photo with late husband K Bhagyaraj with heartfelt note: ‘Missing you everyday’ Hyderabad principal stabbed 27 times: How Rs 1.51 lakh, iPhone and ‘Babu’ on last call exposed Class 10 killers For Paresh Das, a class 10 student of Srimaa Govt High School, the most important lesson was not how to answer faster, but when to slow down. “Earlier, I used to answer quickly. During this activity, I realised that I should think about my answer first,” he said. His new four-step rule: “Stop, think, ask and check.”That shift from instinctive response to reasoned judgement is at the heart of the AM/NS India Times Critical Thinking Championship (TCTC), which has reached 5,68,653 students across 3,562 schools in 959 cities and 26 states and Union territories.Significantly, the intervention is concentrated at an age when learning habits are still taking shape. Of all participants, 4.3 lakh – nearly three-fourths – are in classes 3 to 8. Class 3 alone accounts for 94,873 students, followed by class 6 with 71,436, class 7 with 70,000 and class 8 with 66,998. Another 90,536 students are in classes 9 and 10.UP accounts for the largest share, with 3,98,266 participants, followed by Uttarakhand at 82,138, Himachal Pradesh at 42,617 and Bihar at 41,112, with smaller cohorts spread across other states.The initiative uses interactive sessions and scenario-based questions to help students distinguish fact from opinion, identify assumptions, examine evidence and explain how they reached a conclusion. The focus is less on supplying the correct answer and more on making the reasoning behind it visible.That distinction is becoming more important in classrooms where two powerful forces coexist: an examination culture that has traditionally rewarded recall and a digital environment where search engines, social media and AI can produce answers almost instantly. Information is abundant; verification, reasoning and judgment are becoming the scarcer skills.Student responses show how that difference is being understood. “Normally I have to learn, remember. Here I have to think,” said one student from Sreema Govt High School, adding that asking questions while learning could also help in remembering subjects better.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesAnother student said the sessions offered a different way of handling problems: instead of panicking, ask why the problem arose, break it down and work through possible answers. “The solution then becomes obvious,” the student said.A third response went directly to the challenge of navigating competing information. “Many times we get confused about what to believe from many versions, how to reach a conclusion,” the student said, arguing that STOP-THINK-ASK-CHECK could become a useful habit for getting closer to the truth.This is also the direction in which NEP 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework 2023 seek to move school learning – away from rote reproduction towards competency, application and conceptual understanding. But policy can change question papers faster than it changes classroom habits. Critical thinking requires students to be rewarded not merely for knowing, but for questioning, testing and, when necessary, revising what they think they know.In the AI era, that may become education’s harder test. Machines can increasingly generate the first answer. Students will need to know whether it deserves to be the final one.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosModi Govt’s Gen-Z Outreach: One Union Minister To Visit One University Daily‘Fuel For Free’: Chandigarh’s ‘Petrol Langar’ Turns Chaotic, Leaves People Fuming‘No Respect For Court’: Arrest Warrant Against Mahua Moitra In Hate Speech CaseUS 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 BJP123PhotostoriesIf you think Marcello Muratori from ‘Emily in Paris’ is fictional, meet the real Italian luxury dynasty that inspired his characterBigg Boss 20: From Mary Kom and Mouni Roy to Rajat Bedi, Rumoured contestants of Salman Khan-hosted show5 tips to improve your communication skills10 baby girl names that feel effortlessly elegant and modern5 easy-to-do beauty secrets that make you look effortlessly expensiveOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals whether you’re judgmental or too hard on yourselfBigg 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 contestants123Hot PicksIndia Oil ExportsBank 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 20, 2026, 08:39 IST