VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Police have alleged that she bit the forearm of an officer during the protest, causing an injury SRINAGAR: With J&K Police and Iltija Mufti locked up in a battle over allegations of assault and manhandling, chief minister Omar Abdullah Friday accused them of playing a “fixed match” in a bid to restore PDP’s credibility.Iltija, who accused police of manhandling her during the Aug 4-5 protest in Kashmir on the anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, was Friday called to Kothibagh police station in Srinagar and questioned for nearly two hours over her alleged assault on a cop. Police have alleged that she bit the forearm of an officer during the protest, causing an injury.When asked about PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti’s criticism of the action against her daughter, Omar told reporters: “Please don’t ask me to comment on this fixed match. Whenever PDP’s political image weakens, agencies step in to help restore its credibility as they are the party’s mai baap. This party didn’t rise on its own, and it was made by agencies (a euphemism widely used by NC to refer to intelligence agencies).”Questioning the claims and counter-claims, Omar said: “Is Iltija Mufti a five-year-old child that she would bite someone? This entire episode is a fixed match and an unnecessary attempt to distract people from the real issues.”While police did not issue any statement on Iltija’s questioning, she said she was willing to cooperate with any investigation. However, she added: “I am neither the first nor the last Kashmiri to be summoned. My fight is not personal. I am here to fight for every Kashmiri.”Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesOn the CM’s remark, Iltija said: “Omar Sahib keeps giving the BJP a clean chit. He no longer speaks about Article 370 or special status. During the elections, he spoke about it every day. Now, it has become easier for him to target PDP than to question BJP.”Iltija has been booked under BNS sections 121, 132 and 191 for assault on public servants and rioting. Police alleged that during the protest on Aug 4, Iltija grabbed an officer on duty and bit his forearm, causing an injury and bleeding.Iltija, on the other hand, claimed she was manhandled by a woman IPS officer of SP rank, along with other police personnel and her own PSO, and added that she intended to take the matter to court.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosOMCs Say E20 Petrol Meets Quality Standards After Nationwide Testing, Reject Contamination ClaimsNeha Bora Inked During Jharkhand Student Protest: AISA Alleges Political Attack, Accused DetainedJharkhand JPSC Protest: Hunger Striker Hospitalised After Four Days As Students Continue AgitationTamil Nadu CM Vijay’s Wife Sangeetha Withdraws Divorce Petition, Family Court Allows Withdrawal’Proof Of Corruption?’ JPSC Aspirant Makes Explosive Claims As Student Protests Intensify In RanchiExplained: Why PM Modi Asked NDA MPs To Avoid The ‘Lutyens’ Web’ And Stay Focused On Public OutreachBeyond BrahMos: Why Drones And Smart Weapons Could Become India’s Next Defence Export Boom?Gen-Alpha Grabs Spotlight At Ranchi JPSC-JSSC Protest As 13-Year-Old Zaid’s Appeal Goes ViralCentre Opposes Creamy Layer For SC-ST Quota, Says Discrimination Goes Beyond Economic StatusIAF’s : Bhawana Kanth Earns ‘Top Gun’ Title, Shivani Sehrawat Becomes Army Chief’s ADC123PhotostoriesHow to Wear a Tulsi Mala: 7 Important Things to Remember10 unique baby girl names that sound modern yet timelessKriti Sanon owns the night in a midnight-blue Gaurav Gupta couture gown embellished with 5,500 striking crystalsWhy marinating meat is important and 6 mistakes to avoid5 budget-friendly celebrity beauty hacks that actually work7 traditional Goan breads you need to try at least onceTaarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah fame Shailesh Lodha’s luxurious home: A cozy lounge, a stunning balcony and moreNational Handloom Day: 5 Indian handlooms that carry the legacy of the cities they were born inYour immune system has an age of its own: Doctors explain how to tell if it’s ageing faster than you are, and what you can do about itDid Tom Holland really make Zendaya sign a ‘No Kissing’ prenup? Here’s the truth123Hot PicksThailand School ShootingUPI TransactionsAsk Me AnythingJharkhand protestGurgaon rainNICL Assistant RecruitmentAnkur WarikooIndia Labour CodesGold rate todayTop TrendingJapanese Quote of the dayNagpur Rape CaseAbhijeet DipkeGujarat Mystery WellJPSC ProtestDelhi RainDelhi Wife MurderEknath ShindeTamil Nadu BudgetPraveen Nettaru Murder Case Raising Confident Kids: Want to raise a confident child? These 3 everyday parenting habits can make a bigger difference than praise Horoscope Today: Daily astrological predictions for August 8, 2026 Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez’s wedding: 7 football figures fans don’t expect to see at venue ft Lionel Messi US Senate passes sanctions bill on Russia, Iran; India could face tariff pressure over oil MEA has dismissed as “fake news” a report claiming India sought a defence pact with Israel after the Pakistan-Saudi-Turkey security agreement. NEW DELHI: The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday rejected a report claiming India had approached Israel for a defence pact following the signing of a new security agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. The ministry called the claim “fake news” generated using artificial intelligence.The report, published by Turkish outlet Straturka and subsequently circulated on social media, claimed that New Delhi had initiated discussions with Tel Aviv to counter the emerging Pakistan-Saudi-Turkey security arrangement. The report cited unnamed Pakistani sources.The MEA’s Fact Check unit shared a screenshot of the report on X and flagged it as fake, warning users against what it described as malicious social media posts created using AI.“We caution against such malicious posts on social media platforms which use AI to create fake content!” the ministry’s Fact Check wing said.The claim surfaced after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, which seeks to deepen military and security cooperation among the three countries. Pakistan has described the agreement as a collective-deterrence arrangement, with its foreign ministry saying an armed attack on any one of the three signatories would be treated as an attack on all three.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe agreement has drawn attention in New Delhi, with the MEA saying India is closely monitoring developments.“We are also closely following this development, and we shall keep you updated,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at the ministry’s weekly briefing.The MEA’s clarification came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.The two leaders discussed ways to further strengthen the India-Israel Special Strategic Partnership and reviewed cooperation between the two countries across several areas.The conversation focused on strengthening bilateral ties and the existing partnership between India and Israel, rather than any new defence pact linked to the Pakistan-Saudi-Turkey agreement.With inputs from ANIGet the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosOMCs Say E20 Petrol Meets Quality Standards After Nationwide Testing, Reject Contamination ClaimsNeha Bora Inked During Jharkhand Student Protest: AISA Alleges Political Attack, Accused DetainedJharkhand JPSC Protest: Hunger Striker Hospitalised After Four Days As Students Continue AgitationTamil Nadu CM Vijay’s Wife Sangeetha Withdraws Divorce Petition, Family Court Allows Withdrawal’Proof Of Corruption?’ JPSC Aspirant Makes Explosive Claims As Student Protests Intensify In RanchiExplained: Why PM Modi Asked NDA MPs To Avoid The ‘Lutyens’ Web’ And Stay Focused On Public OutreachBeyond BrahMos: Why Drones And Smart Weapons Could Become India’s Next Defence Export Boom?Gen-Alpha Grabs Spotlight At Ranchi JPSC-JSSC Protest As 13-Year-Old Zaid’s Appeal Goes ViralCentre Opposes Creamy Layer For SC-ST Quota, Says Discrimination Goes Beyond Economic StatusIAF’s : Bhawana Kanth Earns ‘Top Gun’ Title, Shivani Sehrawat Becomes Army Chief’s ADC123Photostories10 unique baby girl names that sound modern yet timelessKriti Sanon owns the night in a midnight-blue Gaurav Gupta couture gown embellished with 5,500 striking crystalsWhy marinating meat is important and 6 mistakes to avoid5 budget-friendly celebrity beauty hacks that actually work7 traditional Goan breads you need to try at least onceTaarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah fame Shailesh Lodha’s luxurious home: A cozy lounge, a stunning balcony and moreNational Handloom Day: 5 Indian handlooms that carry the legacy of the cities they were born inYour immune system has an age of its own: Doctors explain how to tell if it’s ageing faster than you are, and what you can do about itDid Tom Holland really make Zendaya sign a ‘No Kissing’ prenup? Here’s the truthWant your toddler to talk more? Try these simple speech-building strategies123Hot PicksThailand School ShootingUPI TransactionsAsk Me AnythingJharkhand protestGurgaon rainNICL Assistant RecruitmentAnkur WarikooIndia Labour CodesGold rate todayTop TrendingJapanese Quote of the dayNagpur Rape CaseAbhijeet DipkeGujarat Mystery WellJPSC ProtestDelhi RainDelhi Wife MurderEknath ShindeTamil Nadu BudgetPraveen Nettaru Murder Case Horoscope Today, August 07, 2026: These Chinese Zodiac Signs May Get Good News; Three Need Extra Caution Education, jobs, inflation: CJP launches petition asking PM Narendra Modi to address India’s youth ‘More like humiliation than rejection’: Indian PSU employee denied US tourist visa in 20 seconds, says never going to apply again “Our top priority is pilgrims’ safety”: Uttarakhand CM Dhami on Char Dham, Kanwar Yatra Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday said that the Char Dham Yatra is being stopped intermittently, keeping in mind the safety of pilgrims as the state continues to face heavy rainfall and landslides.”It has been raining in many places for the last 2-3 days. Rainfall has been reported in Dehradun, Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, and Chamoli. The water level is also rising, and landslides have occurred in some places. In view of this, the Yatra has to be stopped intermittently depending on the situation. Our top priority is the safety of our pilgrims,” CM Dhami told reporters.He further said the state administration is conducting the Kanwar Yatra smoothly.”The Kanwar Yatra is also going on, and all necessary arrangements have been made for it,” Dhami added.Executive Engineer of the Irrigation Department, Vikas Tyagi, said the current water level of the Ganges at Haridwar is above the warning level but has not yet reached the danger mark.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines”Since water levels upstream continue to rise, the volume of water may increase further. However, there is no cause for alarm at the moment, as the situation is completely under control,” he said.Emphasising that the government is fully prepared to handle any situation, he said information is being regularly shared with the downstream plains.”Separate flood management divisions and nodal officers have been designated, and every district has its own disaster management system. The government is fully prepared to handle any situation that may arise,” he said.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNeha Bora Inked During Jharkhand Student Protest: AISA Alleges Political Attack, Accused DetainedJharkhand JPSC Protest: Hunger Striker Hospitalised After Four Days As Students Continue AgitationTamil Nadu CM Vijay’s Wife Sangeetha Withdraws Divorce Petition, Family Court Allows Withdrawal’Proof Of Corruption?’ JPSC Aspirant Makes Explosive Claims As Student Protests Intensify In RanchiExplained: Why PM Modi Asked NDA MPs To Avoid The ‘Lutyens’ Web’ And Stay Focused On Public OutreachBeyond BrahMos: Why Drones And Smart Weapons Could Become India’s Next Defence Export Boom?Gen-Alpha Grabs Spotlight At Ranchi JPSC-JSSC Protest As 13-Year-Old Zaid’s Appeal Goes ViralCentre Opposes Creamy Layer For SC-ST Quota, Says Discrimination Goes Beyond Economic StatusIAF’s : Bhawana Kanth Earns ‘Top Gun’ Title, Shivani Sehrawat Becomes Army Chief’s ADC’Cancel Exams, Take Action’: Jharkhand LoP Babulal Marandi Slams Soren Govt, Backs Student Protests123PhotostoriesKriti Sanon owns the night in a midnight-blue Gaurav Gupta couture gown embellished with 5,500 striking crystalsWhy marinating meat is important and 6 mistakes to avoid5 budget-friendly celebrity beauty hacks that actually work7 traditional Goan breads you need to try at least onceTaarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah fame Shailesh Lodha’s luxurious home: A cozy lounge, a stunning balcony and moreNational Handloom Day: 5 Indian handlooms that carry the legacy of the cities they were born inYour immune system has an age of its own: Doctors explain how to tell if it’s ageing faster than you are, and what you can do about itDid Tom Holland really make Zendaya sign a ‘No Kissing’ prenup? Here’s the truthWant your toddler to talk more? Try these simple speech-building strategiesBigg Boss Malayalam 8: Celebrities who can shine in the show123Hot PicksThailand School ShootingUPI TransactionsAsk Me AnythingJharkhand protestGurgaon rainNICL Assistant RecruitmentAnkur WarikooIndia Labour CodesGold rate todayTop TrendingJapanese Quote of the dayNagpur Rape CaseAbhijeet DipkeGujarat Mystery WellJPSC ProtestDelhi RainDelhi Wife MurderEknath ShindeTamil Nadu BudgetPraveen Nettaru Murder Case Aug 07, 2026, 22:48 IST US appeals court halts Trump’s $400 million ballroom project, grants 14 days for Supreme Court appeal Indian-origin hiker found alive after 3 nights stranded on Vancouver Island | World News Several of the newly marked locations hold strategic importance because of their proximity to the LAC NEW DELHI: India has formally identified 27 locations in Arunachal Pradesh by their standard names on the official map of the country, a move that comes amid China’s repeated attempts to rename places in the border state.The government said the exercise is intended to ensure the correct identification of these places and improve public awareness of their geographical and historical significance.”Identifying them formally on the Survey of India map of Arunachal Pradesh is aimed at facilitating their accurate recognition and better awareness among the public at large,” an official statement said.New Delhi has consistently rejected Beijing’s practice of assigning Chinese names to places in Arunachal Pradesh, describing the exercise as “vain and preposterous”. India has maintained that such actions do not change the “undeniable” fact that the state “was, is, and will” remain an integral part of the country.Several of the newly marked locations hold strategic importance because of their proximity to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and their role in past India-China military confrontations.Among them is Long Ju, one of the earliest flashpoints between the two countries. Chinese troops entered the area in 1959, years before the 1962 war.The official map also includes Maja village in Upper Subansiri district near Long Ju, Bisa village and the strategically significant mountain passes of Dzo La, Riza La and Pukur La.Another key location is Thag La, the high-altitude pass where one of the opening battles of the 1962 India-China war took place.Jairampur in Changlang district has also been formally identified. The town serves as an important logistics hub for the movement of security forces towards eastern Arunachal Pradesh and the Myanmar border.Other locations added to the map include the high-altitude lake Sambho Sarovar, Bara Kundun, Chhota Kundun, Dhan Bari, Pritnagar, Teritnagar, Ramnagar, Jaswant Garh, Sagar, Padma, Jyotinagar, Baisakhi, Sher-e-Thapa Memorial, Chhota Ropuk, Bara Ropuk, Shivaji Nagar, Sunpura, Kamlang Nagar and Buddhamandir.Jaswant Garh commemorates Indian Army soldier Jaswant Singh Rawat, while the Sher-e-Thapa Memorial honours 1962 war hero Trilok Singh Thapa.India has repeatedly dismissed China’s attempts to assign what it calls “fictitious names” to places in Arunachal Pradesh, saying such efforts seek to create “baseless narratives” and cannot alter the “undeniable” reality on the ground. New Delhi has also warned that such actions could undermine efforts to improve bilateral ties.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesChina first issued a list of six standardised names for places in what it calls Zangnan in 2017. It followed this with a second list covering 15 locations in 2021 and another naming 11 places in 2023. Beijing uses the name Zangnan to refer to Arunachal Pradesh, a claim India has consistently rejected.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 MediaVideosNeha Bora Inked During Jharkhand Student Protest: AISA Alleges Political Attack, Accused DetainedJharkhand JPSC Protest: Hunger Striker Hospitalised After Four Days As Students Continue AgitationTamil Nadu CM Vijay’s Wife Sangeetha Withdraws Divorce Petition, Family Court Allows Withdrawal’Proof Of Corruption?’ JPSC Aspirant Makes Explosive Claims As Student Protests Intensify In RanchiExplained: Why PM Modi Asked NDA MPs To Avoid The ‘Lutyens’ Web’ And Stay Focused On Public OutreachBeyond BrahMos: Why Drones And Smart Weapons Could Become India’s Next Defence Export Boom?Gen-Alpha Grabs Spotlight At Ranchi JPSC-JSSC Protest As 13-Year-Old Zaid’s Appeal Goes ViralCentre Opposes Creamy Layer For SC-ST Quota, Says Discrimination Goes Beyond Economic StatusIAF’s : Bhawana Kanth Earns ‘Top Gun’ Title, Shivani Sehrawat Becomes Army Chief’s ADC’Cancel Exams, Take Action’: Jharkhand LoP Babulal Marandi Slams Soren Govt, Backs Student Protests123PhotostoriesKriti Sanon owns the night in a midnight-blue Gaurav Gupta couture gown embellished with 5,500 striking crystalsWhy marinating meat is important and 6 mistakes to avoid5 budget-friendly celebrity beauty hacks that actually work7 traditional Goan breads you need to try at least onceTaarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah fame Shailesh Lodha’s luxurious home: A cozy lounge, a stunning balcony and moreNational Handloom Day: 5 Indian handlooms that carry the legacy of the cities they were born inYour immune system has an age of its own: Doctors explain how to tell if it’s ageing faster than you are, and what you can do about itDid Tom Holland really make Zendaya sign a ‘No Kissing’ prenup? Here’s the truthWant your toddler to talk more? Try these simple speech-building strategiesBigg Boss Malayalam 8: Celebrities who can shine in the show123Hot PicksThailand School ShootingUPI TransactionsAsk Me AnythingJharkhand protestGurgaon rainNICL Assistant RecruitmentAnkur WarikooIndia Labour CodesGold rate todayTop TrendingJapanese Quote of the dayNagpur Rape CaseAbhijeet DipkeGujarat Mystery WellJPSC ProtestDelhi RainDelhi Wife MurderEknath ShindeTamil Nadu BudgetPraveen Nettaru Murder Case Ameesha Patel opens up on being single at 51, says she will never marry: ‘Can’t afford a man to come and change..’ Why Ankur Warikoo and wife Ruchi own one house and use a rented car ‘Replied with his bat’: Shikhar Dhawan throws support behind Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli for 2027 World Cup A Cumberland mother’s new farm stand was stolen before she could use it; strangers John and Casey Adams rebuilt it for free, even after their tools were stolen NEW DELHI: Jharkhand government on Friday said it was ready to consider the demands of protesting students after a delegation of ministers met representatives of the JPSC/JSSC Reforms Manch.According to the students’ delegation, the meeting was held in a positive atmosphere, with the government assuring them that their demands would be considered.”We met the delegation of student protesters. The government is ready to consider their demands sympathetically,” Jharkhand minister Sudivya Kumar said after the meeting.The talks came as the government sought to resolve the ongoing agitation over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations.According to the JPSC/JSSC Reforms Manch, four of the five members of the government’s panel – ministers Sudivya Kumar, Dipika Pandey Singh, Chamra Linda and Sanjay Prasad Yadav – attended the meeting.The protesters have been demanding the cancellation of the 14th JPSC Civil Services Examination and an independent probe into the alleged irregularities, either by the CBI or by a panel of retired high court judges from outside the state.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe protest over the alleged irregularities in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) recruitment examinations entered Day 14 on Friday, with six protesters continuing their hunger strike.Earlier, the protesting students submitted a fresh 10-member panel to the state government for talks after the government objected to the previous 11-member panel, which included an advocate and two technical experts, the Manch said.The new delegation comprises student leaders Ravindra Paswan, Piyush Kumar, Rajesh Prasad, Neetu Kujur, Ankit Raj, Kartik Soren, Shalu Kumari, Ravindra Kumar Ravi, Anand Kumar and Ankit Kumar.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorRohitashwa RanjanRohitashwa Ranjan is a digital journalist with The Times of India, where he decodes Indian politics as a carefully staged production with scripts, subtext and everything behind. His stories track elections, party dynamics and the things that often are buried beneath the headlines. When not parsing vote shares or alliances, he is usually reading between the lines, where the real story tends to reside.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNeha Bora Inked During Jharkhand Student Protest: AISA Alleges Political Attack, Accused DetainedJharkhand JPSC Protest: Hunger Striker Hospitalised After Four Days As Students Continue AgitationTamil Nadu CM Vijay’s Wife Sangeetha Withdraws Divorce Petition, Family Court Allows Withdrawal’Proof Of Corruption?’ JPSC Aspirant Makes Explosive Claims As Student Protests Intensify In RanchiExplained: Why PM Modi Asked NDA MPs To Avoid The ‘Lutyens’ Web’ And Stay Focused On Public OutreachBeyond BrahMos: Why Drones And Smart Weapons Could Become India’s Next Defence Export Boom?Gen-Alpha Grabs Spotlight At Ranchi JPSC-JSSC Protest As 13-Year-Old Zaid’s Appeal Goes ViralCentre Opposes Creamy Layer For SC-ST Quota, Says Discrimination Goes Beyond Economic StatusIAF’s : Bhawana Kanth Earns ‘Top Gun’ Title, Shivani Sehrawat Becomes Army Chief’s ADC’Cancel Exams, Take Action’: Jharkhand LoP Babulal Marandi Slams Soren Govt, Backs Student Protests123PhotostoriesKriti Sanon owns the night in a midnight-blue Gaurav Gupta couture gown embellished with 5,500 striking crystalsWhy marinating meat is important and 6 mistakes to avoid5 budget-friendly celebrity beauty hacks that actually work7 traditional Goan breads you need to try at least onceTaarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah fame Shailesh Lodha’s luxurious home: A cozy lounge, a stunning balcony and moreNational Handloom Day: 5 Indian handlooms that carry the legacy of the cities they were born inYour immune system has an age of its own: Doctors explain how to tell if it’s ageing faster than you are, and what you can do about itDid Tom Holland really make Zendaya sign a ‘No Kissing’ prenup? Here’s the truthWant your toddler to talk more? Try these simple speech-building strategiesBigg Boss Malayalam 8: Celebrities who can shine in the show123Hot PicksThailand School ShootingUPI TransactionsAsk Me AnythingJharkhand protestGurgaon rainNICL Assistant RecruitmentAnkur WarikooIndia Labour CodesGold rate todayTop TrendingJapanese Quote of the dayNagpur Rape CaseAbhijeet DipkeGujarat Mystery WellJPSC ProtestDelhi RainDelhi Wife MurderEknath ShindeTamil Nadu BudgetPraveen Nettaru Murder Case ‘Rekha was fat when she joined movies, but the way she groomed herself, complete credit to her,’ says her brother-in-law, actor Tej Sapru: ‘The grace she has…’ Meet Renu Dhariyal: Uttarakhand woman with nearly 9-foot-long hair breaks Guinness World Record and says the secret is surprisingly simple NEET paper leak: CBI claims NTA experts breached ‘secrecy pact’, face life term, Rs 1 cr fine Billionaire Michael Moritz and Harriet Heyman are offering up to $150 million for ideas that could make San Francisco a better place to live “Stop buying petrol, diesel vehicles until govt clarifies stand”: Arvind Kejriwal over E20 fuel concerns Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Friday appealed to people to stop buying petrol and diesel vehicles until the government makes its stand clear on E20 fuel.Kejriwal alleged that the government had not conducted proper testing for E20 fuel and claimed that its implementation had led to a significant drop in the mileage of vehicles.He said the mileage of two-wheelers, motorcycles, scooters, cars, SUVs and other four-wheelers had dropped by around 25-30 per cent.Addressing a press conference in Goa, Kejriwal said, “Till such a time, the government makes its intention clear, I appeal to the people to stop buying petrol and diesel vehicles. The government did not conduct any testing for E20 fuel.”Kejriwal said people in Goa were particularly affected by the decision, claiming that around 45 per cent of families in the state own a car and around 86 per cent of people own a two-wheeler.He said around 85-90 per cent of families in Goa could be affected by the decision due to the high ownership of vehicles in the state.”The Modi government has aggressively implemented E20 across the country. People across the country are very unhappy about it. The mileage of two-wheelers, motorcycles, scooters, cars, SUVs, and four-wheelers has dropped significantly. There has been an almost 25-30 per cent drop in mileage…People in Goa are disproportionately affected by this decision. Nationally, only around 7% of households own a car, but in Goa, almost 45 per cent of families own a car. Around 86 per cent of people in Goa own a two-wheeler. Obviously, there is some overlap, many households own both a four-wheeler and a two-wheeler. So, we can understand that around 85-90 per cent of families in Goa are affected by this decision,” Kejriwal said.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesKejriwal said countries that adopted E20 fuel took several years to fully implement the policy, citing Brazil as an example.He said Brazil introduced E5 in 1931 and E20 in 1985, taking around 50-55 years to move from E5 to E20. He added that Brazil had only recently moved towards E100, using pure ethanol with flex-fuel vehicles that can run without petrol.He added, “Around the world, countries that implemented E20 gave themselves 10, 15, or even 20 years before fully implementing the policy. Brazil is at the forefront. Brazil now uses E100, meaning pure ethanol is also used, with flex-fuel vehicles that can run without petrol. But Brazil took 50 years to move to E20. In 1931, Brazil introduced E5, and in 1985, it introduced E20. It took them 50-55 years to reach E20. And only now have they moved to E100.” (ANI)Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNeha Bora Inked During Jharkhand Student Protest: AISA Alleges Political Attack, Accused DetainedJharkhand JPSC Protest: Hunger Striker Hospitalised After Four Days As Students Continue AgitationTamil Nadu CM Vijay’s Wife Sangeetha Withdraws Divorce Petition, Family Court Allows Withdrawal’Proof Of Corruption?’ JPSC Aspirant Makes Explosive Claims As Student Protests Intensify In RanchiExplained: Why PM Modi Asked NDA MPs To Avoid The ‘Lutyens’ Web’ And Stay Focused On Public OutreachBeyond BrahMos: Why Drones And Smart Weapons Could Become India’s Next Defence Export Boom?Gen-Alpha Grabs Spotlight At Ranchi JPSC-JSSC Protest As 13-Year-Old Zaid’s Appeal Goes ViralCentre Opposes Creamy Layer For SC-ST Quota, Says Discrimination Goes Beyond Economic StatusIAF’s : Bhawana Kanth Earns ‘Top Gun’ Title, Shivani Sehrawat Becomes Army Chief’s ADC’Cancel Exams, Take Action’: Jharkhand LoP Babulal Marandi Slams Soren Govt, Backs Student Protests123PhotostoriesKriti Sanon owns the night in a midnight-blue Gaurav Gupta couture gown embellished with 5,500 striking crystalsWhy marinating meat is important and 6 mistakes to avoid5 budget-friendly celebrity beauty hacks that actually work7 traditional Goan breads you need to try at least onceTaarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah fame Shailesh Lodha’s luxurious home: A cozy lounge, a stunning balcony and moreNational Handloom Day: 5 Indian handlooms that carry the legacy of the cities they were born inYour immune system has an age of its own: Doctors explain how to tell if it’s ageing faster than you are, and what you can do about itDid Tom Holland really make Zendaya sign a ‘No Kissing’ prenup? Here’s the truthWant your toddler to talk more? Try these simple speech-building strategiesBigg Boss Malayalam 8: Celebrities who can shine in the show123Hot PicksThailand School ShootingUPI TransactionsAsk Me AnythingJharkhand protestGurgaon rainNICL Assistant RecruitmentAnkur WarikooIndia Labour CodesGold rate todayTop TrendingJapanese Quote of the dayNagpur Rape CaseAbhijeet DipkeGujarat Mystery WellJPSC ProtestDelhi RainDelhi Wife MurderEknath ShindeTamil Nadu BudgetPraveen Nettaru Murder Case Harshvardhan Rane, Sanjeeda Shaikh spark fresh dating rumours after they post matching PICS from their vacay, eagle eyed fans notice details Manchester City reject Barcelona’s opening offer for Rodri amid transfer uncertainty The ‘vampire woman’ whose 17th-century grave is rewriting what historians know about burial fears in Poland | World News National Handloom Day: Yogi Adityanath salutes artisans, recalls Swadeshi Movement’s legacy Marking National Handloom Day, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday paid tribute to the State’s weaving community, describing handloom artisans as preservers of India’s cultural heritage and emphasising their role in carrying forward traditions that have been passed down through generations.Addressing a gathering in Lucknow after presenting the Sant Kabir State-Level Handloom Awards, the Chief Minister congratulated artisans across the State and linked the occasion to India’s freedom movement.”Today is National Handloom Day. I congratulate all the artisans across the state on Handloom Day. It was on this very day, August 7, 1905, that India’s freedom struggle received a new direction,” Adityanath said.He recalled that August 7 commemorates the launch of the Swadeshi Movement, which encouraged Indians to embrace indigenous products and reject foreign goods during the freedom struggle. According to the Chief Minister, the movement not only strengthened the spirit of self-reliance but also boosted confidence in India’s traditional industries, particularly handloom weaving.The Chief Minister said the handloom sector is more than an economic activity. It represents India’s identity, craftsmanship and cultural continuity. He stated that every handwoven fabric carries the story of the artisan behind it and reflects centuries of skill, patience and creativity.Uttar Pradesh is home to several renowned handloom traditions, including the Banarasi silk saree, Chikankari embroidery of Lucknow, Bhadohi carpets and handwoven textiles from Mau, Tanda and Mubarakpur. These crafts provide livelihoods to thousands of weaving families and contribute significantly to the state’s economy and exports.Adityanath said recognising artisans through state-level awards is an effort to encourage excellence while inspiring younger generations to preserve traditional crafts. He added that supporting weavers through government initiatives, better market access and modern technology is a priority.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesNational Handloom Day is observed every year on August 7 to commemorate the Swadeshi Movement launched in 1905. The day celebrates India’s rich handloom heritage and honours millions of weavers whose craftsmanship continues to keep traditional textile arts alive despite changing market trends and industrialisation.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNeha Bora Inked During Jharkhand Student Protest: AISA Alleges Political Attack, Accused DetainedJharkhand JPSC Protest: Hunger Striker Hospitalised After Four Days As Students Continue AgitationTamil Nadu CM Vijay’s Wife Sangeetha Withdraws Divorce Petition, Family Court Allows Withdrawal’Proof Of Corruption?’ JPSC Aspirant Makes Explosive Claims As Student Protests Intensify In RanchiExplained: Why PM Modi Asked NDA MPs To Avoid The ‘Lutyens’ Web’ And Stay Focused On Public OutreachBeyond BrahMos: Why Drones And Smart Weapons Could Become India’s Next Defence Export Boom?Gen-Alpha Grabs Spotlight At Ranchi JPSC-JSSC Protest As 13-Year-Old Zaid’s Appeal Goes ViralCentre Opposes Creamy Layer For SC-ST Quota, Says Discrimination Goes Beyond Economic StatusIAF’s : Bhawana Kanth Earns ‘Top Gun’ Title, Shivani Sehrawat Becomes Army Chief’s ADC’Cancel Exams, Take Action’: Jharkhand LoP Babulal Marandi Slams Soren Govt, Backs Student Protests123PhotostoriesKriti Sanon owns the night in a midnight-blue Gaurav Gupta couture gown embellished with 5,500 striking crystalsWhy marinating meat is important and 6 mistakes to avoid5 budget-friendly celebrity beauty hacks that actually work7 traditional Goan breads you need to try at least onceTaarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah fame Shailesh Lodha’s luxurious home: A cozy lounge, a stunning balcony and moreNational Handloom Day: 5 Indian handlooms that carry the legacy of the cities they were born inYour immune system has an age of its own: Doctors explain how to tell if it’s ageing faster than you are, and what you can do about itDid Tom Holland really make Zendaya sign a ‘No Kissing’ prenup? Here’s the truthWant your toddler to talk more? Try these simple speech-building strategiesBigg Boss Malayalam 8: Celebrities who can shine in the show123Hot PicksThailand School ShootingUPI TransactionsAsk Me AnythingJharkhand protestGurgaon rainNICL Assistant RecruitmentAnkur WarikooIndia Labour CodesGold rate todayTop TrendingJapanese Quote of the dayNagpur Rape CaseAbhijeet DipkeGujarat Mystery WellJPSC ProtestDelhi RainDelhi Wife MurderEknath ShindeTamil Nadu BudgetPraveen Nettaru Murder Case Aug 07, 2026, 18:29 IST Onion, oil or chicken: What made your thali costlier in July Sasikumar resolves ‘Vadhandhi 2’ controversy after Jallikattu champion objects to character name: ‘We have not portrayed anyone in a wrong manner’ ‘We demand that NTA be dissolved’: CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka on CBI chargesheet in NEET 2026 case A 2,400-year-old shipwreck found off Greece is still carrying hundreds of ancient amphorae beneath the sea | World News Currently fifth, what a Sri Lanka series win could mean for India’s WTC campaign Suriya’s ‘Vishwanath and Sons’ trailer, Kavin-Nayanthara’s ‘Hi’ gets a new release date, ‘Pallaburusu’ trailer: Top 5 South stories of the day In 1898, Chesapeake Bay was so full of oysters that one grew on a lost set of dentures; today, more than 99% of the historic native population has disappeared Iran officials ‘would not be surprised’ if Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei dies soon: Report Inside the Guinness record-holding cashew tree that keeps rooting itself into new trunks | World News More hirings than firings: Nomura report tests ‘ground zero’; says AI creating more jobs in India than cuts Siddhant Chaturvedi buys second luxury Mumbai apartment for Rs 12.63 crore with mother Meenal weeks after Rs 13.91 crore deal: Report Food for thought: Global food prices rise in July as cereals, sugar turn costly Divers find 162-year-old Guinness bottle off UK coast, scientists hope to recreate historic beer | World News Mini Mathur recalls getting botox 15 years ago: ‘It was the worst decision of my life, I looked the same, happy or sad’ Nato: Islamic Nato taking shape? What the Saudi-Pakistan-Turkey Mecca pact means for Iran & Israel Who is Sarah Jukaku? Michigan Democrat Abdul El-Sayed has rental properties in India, Dubai in wife’s name NEW DELHI: Air India on Friday hiked pilot salaries by 8% to 15%, with commanders getting the biggest hikes and then the same tapering with rank. Going ahead, first officers or co-pilots will primarily get command upgrade (become captains) in AI Express (which has only single aisles) and then move to AI (which has wide body aircraft too that have higher pay) for a “strong foundation for progression within the group”. The group has tried to do multiple things — make AI Express more attractive for pilots through better pay and address shortage there mainly on the Boeing 737 fleet; check resignations and retain cockpit crew.AI pilots have for years been facing a 40 hour guaranteed pay — meaning they will get minimum for these many hours irrespective of actual flying and flying more will for more pay — while IndiGo has fixed pay for 70 hours. This has been a cause of heartburn among pilots. Under the revised framework while AI will continue to provide guaranteed pay for 40 flying hours but has enhanced flying allowance rates. Flying allowance rates beyond 40 hours have also been increased, aligning compensation with industry benchmarks while rewarding productivity.Now AI is restoring international flights that were slashed post the West Asia crisis and will return to Jan-Feb level by next month. The constraint of Pakistan airspace closure remains for Indian carriers and the longer routes they have to take for flying to and from the west — unlike direct routes taken by foreign carriers — means higher flying time and greater pilot requirement.Now a senior commander flying for about 55 hours in a month will get Rs 8.3 lakh, up from Rs 7.5 lakh at present. And a first officer doing so will get Rs 3.3 lakh, up from just over Rs 3 lakh as of now.While privilege leave has been reduced from 30 to 24, the airline will not be counting mandatory weekly off time pilots get as per regulatory requirement and the new leave structure accounts does not factor that which comes across as a cut in leave, said people in the know. IndiGo may relook at its leave policy too for pilots.Since Tata Group took over AI and AI Express in Jan 2022, the Maharaja has lost over Rs 55,000 crore due to multiple factors. The pilot pay hike announced Friday indicates it is looking at the future and preparing for growth with hundreds of aircraft on order without being bogged down by the tumultuous recent past.“New career pathways, enhanced compensation and benefits, and improved quality-of-life initiatives support Air India Group’s next phase of expansion. At the heart of these initiatives is a clear, structured and transparent career pathway that provides faster command opportunities, long-term progression and access to one of the most significant widebody growth programmes in global aviation,” said an official.Since 2022, AI Group has grown from around 100 aircraft to nearly 300 aircraft and has placed orders for 600 new aircraft, including 80 wide body aircraft. Tatas are investing in capability building, including the establishment of a modern aviation academy in Gurugram with Airbus and Boeing full-flight simulators, and a new flying training school in Amravati, Maharashtra.“As AI group expands, it is focused on developing and retaining internal talent through a structured progression model across Air India Express and Air India. Pilots across Air India and Air India Express will operate under a common seniority framework, creating an integrated and transparent pathway for career progression across the group. This framework provides greater visibility into future opportunities while ensuring a consistent and structured approach to advancement,” said teh official.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesUnder the new framework, AI Express will serve as “the primary pathway for pilots seeking command upgrades. This approach is designed to accelerate command opportunities, enable pilots to build command experience earlier in their careers, and create a strong foundation for progression within the Group.”Following command experience at AI Express, pilots will have the opportunity to progress to Air India and subsequently pursue widebody flying and command opportunities. “With 80 additional widebody aircraft on order and scheduled for induction over the coming years, Air India offers pilots a long-term pathway that is unique in the Indian market,” the official said. An additional incentive is being offered to pilots who sign up to support the growing Boeing 737 fleet in Air India Express under which they will receive a fleet allowance.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosJharkhand JPSC Protest: Hunger Striker Hospitalised After Four Days As Students Continue AgitationTamil Nadu CM Vijay’s Wife Sangeetha Withdraws Divorce Petition, Family Court Allows Withdrawal’Proof Of Corruption?’ JPSC Aspirant Makes Explosive Claims As Student Protests Intensify In RanchiExplained: Why PM Modi Asked NDA MPs To Avoid The ‘Lutyens’ Web’ And Stay Focused On Public OutreachBeyond BrahMos: Why Drones And Smart Weapons Could Become India’s Next Defence Export Boom?Gen-Alpha Grabs Spotlight At Ranchi JPSC-JSSC Protest As 13-Year-Old Zaid’s Appeal Goes ViralCentre Opposes Creamy Layer For SC-ST Quota, Says Discrimination Goes Beyond Economic StatusIAF’s : Bhawana Kanth Earns ‘Top Gun’ Title, Shivani Sehrawat Becomes Army Chief’s ADC’Cancel Exams, Take Action’: Jharkhand LoP Babulal Marandi Slams Soren Govt, Backs Student ProtestsContent Creator Ayush Rana On Jharkhand Protest Funding, Viral Videos, Dhoni’s Silence & More123PhotostoriesKriti Sanon owns the night in a midnight-blue Gaurav Gupta couture gown embellished with 5,500 striking crystalsWhy marinating meat is important and 6 mistakes to avoid5 budget-friendly celebrity beauty hacks that actually work7 traditional Goan breads you need to try at least onceTaarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah fame Shailesh Lodha’s luxurious home: A cozy lounge, a stunning balcony and moreNational Handloom Day: 5 Indian handlooms that carry the legacy of the cities they were born inYour immune system has an age of its own: Doctors explain how to tell if it’s ageing faster than you are, and what you can do about itDid Tom Holland really make Zendaya sign a ‘No Kissing’ prenup? 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Anything will lead to something else… Whatever it is, it will lead to something better,’ the ‘Barbie’ star’s words of wisdom on taking a chance in life In 1934, scientists heard reports of mushrooms causing visions of tiny people; in 2026, DNA linked the phenomenon to one species in China and the Philippines Watch: Delhi-NCR drowns in rain chaos; 7 videos show waterlogging, gridlock US judge compares Meta to ‘public nuisance,’ orders $567m payout over child harm