VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html 5 countries that raise independent kids from an early age Paintings to keep at home for fame and recognition: Which direction brings the best results? Who invented vehicle number plates and why: The story begins in 19th-century Paris INS Udaygiri, INS Kavaratti dock in Vietnam as India expands Indo-Pacific naval presence Steven Brookes: Company director jailed for fraudulently claiming £300k in Covid-19 loans; spent on trips, Audi, school fees | World News Sooryavanshi mania triggers ticket rush in Ireland ahead of possible India debut Why did stock market rally today? BSE Sensex closes around 800 points up – top reasons for rise ‘All he had was a laptop and patchy internet’: How a 19-year-old built a Rs 1 crore-a-month AI business R Madhavan sports a limited-edition 18-karat rose gold watch worth Rs 40 lakh while receiving the Padma Shri, only 10 exist worldwide Imd Orange Alert: Mumbai rains update: IMD issues orange alert, flights and train services hit; here’s what travellers should expect Are you born on these dates? keeping a Hanuman idol may benefit you Kolkata godown collapse: 3 dead, 11 rescued, many still trapped; top developments Flying from Dubai this summer? Emirates issues travel alert, asks passengers to reach airport 3 hours early Jun 24, 2026, 16:44 IST ‘Constructive and forward-looking’: India, US conclude ministerial-level talks on interim trade pact ahead of July tariff deadline HPSC ADA admit card 2026 expected to be released soon at hpsc.gov.in: Check steps to download here Has Boney Kapoor already spent Rs 30 crore on ‘No Entry 2’? Here’s the truth behind the film Want to do everything in life? This is what Psychology says about your brain | Sooryavanshi mania triggers ticket rush in Ireland ahead of possible India debut It can take years to find the courage to say what you really think. To speak up in a meeting, to disagree with someone you respect, or to tell people who you truly are. Melinda Gates, who has spent much of her life working to lift up women and girls around the world, believes that finding this kind of voice is one of the surest signs of strength. A woman with a voice, she says, is by definition a strong woman. But she is honest about the other half of the truth too. The search to find that voice can be remarkably difficult. Getting there is rarely simple, because so many quiet pressures push people, and women in particular, to stay silent. The quote holds both ideas at once, the strength and the struggle. Quote of the day by Melinda Gates “A woman with a voice is by definition a strong woman. But the search to find that voice can be remarkably difficult.” Who is Melinda Gates Melinda Gates, also known as Melinda French Gates, is an American philanthropist and one of the world’s most prominent advocates for women and girls. With her former husband she co-founded the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which has spent enormous sums on global health, education and reducing poverty. She later started her own organisation focused on advancing women. Much of her work has centred on a single idea, that helping women find their footing, their rights and their voices makes life better for whole communities. She first shared this line in a 2003 speech, while talking about how a girl grows into a strong woman. The answer, she suggested, begins with one deceptively simple step. She finds her voice. Understand the meaning behind the quote by Melinda Gates The quote makes two linked points. The first is a kind of definition. To Melinda Gates, having a voice is itself a mark of strength. By voice she does not simply mean the ability to talk. She means the power to express what you think, to stand up for yourself, and to be heard. A person who can do that, she argues, is by definition strong, because doing it takes real courage. The second point is the honest catch. Finding that voice is hard. It is not something most people are simply handed. It often has to be searched for, sometimes over many years and against a great deal of resistance. So the quote celebrates the strength of having a voice while being honest that reaching it is a real struggle. Why finding a voice can be so hard When she first said this, Melinda Gates went on to explain why the search is so difficult. Part of it, she noted, is unequal access to education. In many parts of the world, women and girls receive far less schooling than men, and some receive none at all, which makes it harder to find and use their voices. But she pointed to something subtler too. From a young age, she said, people meet countless small pressures, some obvious and some hidden, that quietly encourage them to mute themselves in order to please others. Over time, those little nudges add up, and many people learn to stay quiet long before they ever discover what they might have said. Why this quote is relevant Although Melinda Gates was speaking about women, the struggle she describes is one many people recognise. Plenty of us, of any background, have held back an opinion, swallowed a disagreement, or gone along with something we did not believe, simply to avoid friction. The quote is a reminder that learning to speak up is not a small thing. It is a real form of strength, and one worth building. It also gently reframes the difficulty. If finding your voice feels hard, that does not mean something is wrong with you. It means you are attempting something that has always been hard, and that the struggle itself is part of growing stronger. How to apply this quote in daily life You do not have to change the world to use this idea. It starts with small choices. Start small and build up. You do not need your full voice overnight. Speak up in low stakes moments first, and let your confidence grow from there. Notice the pressures that quiet you. Pay attention to when and why you hold back. Often it is a fear of displeasing someone, and naming that pressure makes it easier to push past. Surround yourself with people who listen. It is far easier to find your voice among people who respect it. Seek out friends or mentors who want to hear what you think. Help others find their voice too. If you have found yours, use it to make room for quieter people. Simply asking someone what they think can be the nudge they needed. Other famous quotes by Melinda Gates Gates has spoken and written often about people, equality and possibility. Here are a few more of her lines. “If you want to lift up humanity, empower women. It is the most comprehensive, pervasive, high-leverage investment you can make in human beings.” “Women and girls should be able to determine their own future, no matter where they’re born.” “Connect deeply with others. Our humanity is the one thing that we all have in common.” “Optimism isn’t a belief that things will automatically get better; it’s a conviction that we can make things better.” There is something encouraging in the way Melinda Gates frames this. She does not pretend that finding your voice is easy, and she does not treat the struggle as a weakness. Instead she calls the search itself a sign of strength. Whoever you are, the lesson holds. The quiet work of learning to say what you think, and to be heard, is worth doing. | World News Elon Musk loses trillionaire status: Here’s why his net worth fell Meet Aakriti Goel: The BITS Pilani graduate who left a ₹30 LPA job, cracked NEET, and became a doctor at 30 ‘Dharman’: Why Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan’s film could be Tamil Cinema’s next biggie From a UN agency invitation to patents in 4 countries: The extraordinary story of 9-year-old Ritanya Kaushik and exclusive parenting tips from her parents Lucknow gaming studio fire: After 15 deaths, LDA moves to demolish residential building-turned-commercial hub Did You Know? This ‘Shaitaan’ actor is hospital CEO, treated countless COVID patients while building his Bollywood career – Exclusive 5 destinations worth exploring along the route MahaRERA portal changed: How buyers can check projects and complaints now | Will Mumbai schools and colleges remain closed tomorrow amid IMD orange alert? ‘The theme of displacement and search’: Sanjay Suri opens up about his personal connect with ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’ Few tourists know about this peaceful Himalayan retreat in Sikkim with monasteries, epic treks and Kanchenjunga views | Gayatri Jayanti 2026: Date, time, puja rituals and significance UK heatwave raises concern for dogs: Breeds most susceptible to heatstroke revealed | He threw himself on a grenade and saved his fellow soldiers: Meet US Medal of Honor recipient Nicholas Dockery | World News PM Modi invited to join Khamenei’s funeral ceremony that is to be held between July 4 and July 9 NEW DELHI: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has formally invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the state funeral and burial ceremonies of Iran’s late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, news agency PTI reported citing diplomatic sources.The Prime Minister has been invited by President Pezeshkian to the burial ceremonies, PTI reported.The funeral rites, scheduled across several Iranian cities from July 4 to July 9, are expected to draw millions of mourners and foreign dignitaries. The invitation comes as Iran finalises arrangements for a week-long series of ceremonies that will begin in Tehran and conclude with Khamenei’s burial in Mashhad, his birthplace and one of Shia Islam’s holiest cities.Khamenei was killed in joint US-Israeli strikes on Tehran on February 28.According to Iranian authorities, Khamenei’s body will lie in state at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla complex on July 4 and 5, allowing the public to pay their respects. A state funeral procession is scheduled for July 6, with Tehran province set to observe public holidays during the ceremonies.”The farewell ceremony and prayers for the martyred leader’s body will be held on Saturday and Sunday, July 4th and 5th, in Tehran’s Grand Mosalla, and the funeral will be held on Monday, July 6th, and Tehran province will be off for these three days,” IRGC commander Hassan Hassanzadeh, who is overseeing the ceremonies, was quoted as saying.Tehran authorities estimate that around 20 million people could participate in the events. Watch India’s Hidden Energy Jackpot? US Lifts Iran Sanctions Opens Rare Window Amid Hormuz TroubleState media has reported that the capital will observe holidays on July 4 and 5, while the rest of the country will join in on July 6.Beyond Tehran, commemorative events are planned in the religious centres of Qom and Mashhad. The holy city of Qom will host a tribute ceremony on July 7, while Khamenei will be laid to rest on July 9 at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad. Both cities are expected to observe public holidays to mark the occasion.Neighbouring Iraq will also hold special ceremonies on July 8, including prayers in the revered Shia cities of Najaf and Karbala, reflecting Khamenei’s influence across the region.India had earlier conveyed its condolences following Khamenei’s death. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi and signed the condolence book on behalf of the Government of India.The funeral ceremonies were initially planned for March but were postponed amid escalating conflict in the Middle East following the US-Israeli attacks in February that killed Khamenei and several senior Iranian officials.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAdani Mundra Airport Starts Commercial Operations As First Star Air Flight Lands From GoaNew Book Reveals Trump Rejected Proposal To Send Indian Peacekeepers To UkraineHyderabad Gets ‘Donald Trump Avenue’ As Telangana Renames Road Outside US ConsulateSindhi Community Raises Concerns Over Utilisation Of 200 Kg Silver Donation Made For Ram MandirIndia Hits Back At Pakistan At UN, Reaffirms Jammu & Kashmir Is Strictly An Internal MatterMumbai Faces Widespread Waterlogging As Delayed Monsoon Arrival Brings Heavy Rain And DisruptionsAkhilesh Yadav Says BJP Using Mohan Yadav Land Allegations To Prepare Chief Ministerial ChangesIndia-US Partnership Will Shape The Coming Decades, Says US EnvoyQatar Emir Speaks To PM Modi, Offers Condolences After Ras Laffan Blast’Protectors Became Predators’: Dharmendra Pradhan Reacts To NEET Paper Leak Row, Student Suicides123PhotostoriesWhat is Snake Soup, does it have venom and reasons why Chinese still consume itMumbai–Bengaluru Vande Bharat corridor: 5 destinations worth exploring along the routeWhat is FAFO parenting? 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The viral trend that every Indian parent has already been doing without knowing it Things you should never accept as gifts, According to your date of birth Head-forward driving position! New hypercar breaks convention Airfares could rise by up to 25% as jet fuel costs surge, says McKinsey Rahul Gandhi (File photo) NEW DELHI: BJP on Wednesday launched a blistering attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of echoing narratives that “mirrored Pakistan’s propaganda” during Operation Sindoor. The ruling party at the Centre also charged that Rahul chose to question the government instead of demanding proof from Islamabad over its claims about Rafale fighter jets.The fresh political salvo came after a recent Air Force (IAF) tender seeking a support package for all 36 Rafale fighter jets was cited by the BJP as evidence that Pakistan’s long-standing claim of having shot down multiple Rafales during the conflict does not hold up.Leading the charge, BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya alleged that while Pakistan was pushing claims about downed Rafale jets, Rahul Gandhi chose to question the Union government rather than seek proof from Islamabad.”During Operation Sindoor, when India was confronting a grave national security challenge, Rahul Gandhi chose to amplify questions and narratives that mirrored Pakistan’s propaganda about Indian Rafale fighter jets,” Malviya said in a post on X.According to the BJP leader, Pakistan’s information ecosystem worked aggressively to promote the claim that Indian Rafales had been shot down. He alleged that Rahul’s remarks at the time ended up giving legitimacy to a narrative being advanced by a hostile neighbour.”Instead of demanding evidence from Pakistan, Rahul Gandhi sought answers from the Government of India, lending credibility to an adversarial claim at a sensitive moment,” Malviya said.The BJP leader pointed to the latest IAF tender as proof that Pakistan’s narrative had collapsed. “Today, an Indian Air Force tender seeking a support package for all 36 Rafale fighter aircraft has thoroughly undermined those claims. The facts are clear: the propaganda that Pakistan peddled, and which Rahul Gandhi helped amplify, has fallen apart,” he said.Malviya further argued that political disagreements should not come at the cost of national unity during military operations. He said there is “a time for political debate and a time for national solidarity”, adding that raising doubts about military actions without evidence could hurt the morale of the armed forces.He went on to claim that many Indians would view such conduct as “crossing a red line”, arguing that giving “oxygen to an adversary’s disinformation campaign during a national security operation” would be seen not just as irresponsible politics but as “a betrayal of the national interest”.”The Indian Air Force has answered with facts. Pakistan’s propaganda stands exposed. Those who amplified it owe the nation an explanation,” Malviya said.Why Rafale tender mattersThe row centres around an Air Headquarters Request for Proposal (RFP) issued in June, inviting bids for a five-month “bridge support” package covering all 36 Rafale fighter jets acquired from France.A “bridge support” package is a temporary arrangement designed to ensure uninterrupted maintenance, logistics and technical support until a longer-term contract is finalised. While such tenders are routine, the BJP has seized on this one because it covers the entire Rafale fleet.Pakistan had repeatedly claimed after Operation Sindoor that several Rafale jets were destroyed during the conflict. However, military officials had rejected those assertions, but Islamabad continued to push the narrative.Now, BJP leaders argue that the IAF’s support request for all 36 aircraft reinforces India’s position and exposes what they describe as Pakistan’s misinformation campaign.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNew Book Reveals Trump Rejected Proposal To Send Indian Peacekeepers To UkraineHyderabad Gets ‘Donald Trump Avenue’ As Telangana Renames Road Outside US ConsulateSindhi Community Raises Concerns Over Utilisation Of 200 Kg Silver Donation Made For Ram MandirIndia Hits Back At Pakistan At UN, Reaffirms Jammu & Kashmir Is Strictly An Internal MatterMumbai Faces Widespread Waterlogging As Delayed Monsoon Arrival Brings Heavy Rain And DisruptionsAkhilesh Yadav Says BJP Using Mohan Yadav Land Allegations To Prepare Chief Ministerial ChangesIndia-US Partnership Will Shape The Coming Decades, Says US EnvoyQatar Emir Speaks To PM Modi, Offers Condolences After Ras Laffan Blast’Protectors Became Predators’: Dharmendra Pradhan Reacts To NEET Paper Leak Row, Student SuicidesTMC Expels Firhad Hakim, Arup Roy And Six Others As Mamata Cracks Down On Rebel Camp123PhotostoriesWhat is FAFO parenting? 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