VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html July 2026 celestial calendar: When to see the Moon, planets and meteor showers “Birthday wishes to Union minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan Ji,” PM Modi wrote on X. NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday received a community note on his X post after he wished Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan on his birthday, days after the NEET retest, which was necessitated by the leak of the question paper for one of the country’s toughest examinations.Though the government left no stone unturned to plug the gaps ahead of the retest, the nation followed the development with bated breath, while widespread furore erupted against the education minister over the paper leak.In his post on X, Modi said Pradhan had been “making commendable efforts towards the implementation of the National Education Policy, which seeks to make India a hub for knowledge, learning and innovation”.”Birthday wishes to Union Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan Ji. He is making commendable efforts towards the implementation of the National Education Policy, which seeks to make India a hub for knowledge, learning and innovation. Praying for his long and healthy life,” Modi wrote on X. The post now carries a community note, which is a user-contributed fact-check or contextual note added to X posts. PM Modi’s X postPM Modi Wednesday said it was because of the “whole-of-government” approach that the challenging task of holding a hassle-free NEET-UG retest could be completed, as he hailed the collective efforts of different ministries and departments for the June 21 exam’s smooth conduct.He made these remarks while chairing a Cabinet meeting, where Dharmendra Pradhan briefed ministers about the massive operation for the retest.TOI has learned Pradhan shared the responsibilities undertaken by ministries, state governemnts and departments and also highlighted how all came together for a “shared and coordinated effort”.To hold the retest, the Centre also roped in security and intelligence agencies as well as Indian Air Force to transport question papers. ALSO READ | Over 20 lakh students breathe a sigh of relief after smooth NEET-UG retestGet 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 MediaVideosGovt Officially Reveals Names Of Six Soldiers Killed In Action During Operation SindoorNCERT Adds Section On SIR; Cites Manusmriti To Highlight Respect For Women In Vedic PeriodCM Yogi Targets Akhilesh, Says ‘Don’t Test Ram Devotees’; Warns Against Tarnishing Ayodhya’s ImageCentre Hikes Passport Fees From July 1: New One To Cost Rs 2,500; Rs 5,000 For Tatkal‘Beaten With Iron Rods’: Bonded Labour Horror In Uttar Pradesh, 12 Workers Rescued‘Throw My Daughter From The Same Place If…’: Accused Siya Goyal’s Mother On Lohagad Fort Murder CaseSuvendu Govt Likely To Introduce UCC Bill In West Bengal Assembly On MondayCanada Officially Confirms Khalistani Role In Air India Kanishka BombingKolkata Warehouse Collapse: Bengal CM Blames TMC Regime, Says ‘Flawed Plan’ Got ApprovalRam Mandir Donation Row: F.I.R Filed Against Eight Accused After SIT Flags Embezzlement123Photostories“I have an inner rebel in me”: 6 Sania Mirza personality traits every women should built in themAre women more at risk from heatwaves than men? 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Couple denied boarding despite valid passes, spent night at airport; consumer commission orders SpiceJet to pay Rs 62,000 Saudi doctor jailed for life for ramming car into German Christmas market killing 6 | World News India’s Operation Amistad for Venezuela (Image courtesy: https://x.com/adgpi) NEW DELHI: India on Friday launched Operation Amistad (“friend” in Spanish) to support earthquake-hit Venezuela, with two Indian Air Force (IAF) C-17 aircraft carrying a field hospital unit and more than 35 tonnes of relief supplies.Announcing the operation in a post on X, external affairs minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar wrote, “Operation Amistad underway! Two @IAF_MCC C17s took-off today for Venezuela with urgent assistance to support their post-earthquake relief efforts.”He noted, “The assistance contains an Indian Army @adgpi Field Hospital Unit and over 35 tons of relief supplies, medicines and medical equipment, including two BHISHM Cubes. India is committed to support the Government and people of Venezuela in this difficult time.”The operation was launched a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the devastation caused by the earthquakes, extended condolences to the families of the victims, and pledged to “extend all possible assistance.”Venezuelan acting President Delcy Rodriguez thanked PM Modi for his messages of condolence and offers of support following two massive earthquakes near the capital city, Caracas.Meanwhile, the death toll in the South American nation has risen to 235, while 4,300 people have been injured, health minister Carlos Alvarado announced on Thursday evening (local time).”As of 7:00 PM today, we have already attended to more than 4,300 injured people, some minor, most minor, but there are also moderate and serious cases. Many of them have required surgical interventions, and unfortunately, we have received around 235 patients who arrived without vital signs or who died upon arrival at our health facilities,” the minister said in the interview, according to CNN.’We share your pain’: Indian ArmyAccording to the Army, a 41-member team from the 60 Para Field Hospital, including nine medical officers, departed aboard the two IAF C-17 aircraft.The contingent is equipped to provide emergency medical care, trauma management, surgery and critical care, is carrying nearly six tonnes of medical supplies and humanitarian aid, including the indigenously developed BHISHM Cube under India’s Aarogya Maitri project.The BHISHM Cube is a rapidly deployable modular field hospital capable of delivering advanced trauma care, emergency surgeries and intensive care for up to 200 patients.In a message to the people of Venezuela, the Army affirmed that Indians share their pain and stand with them.”Compartimos su dolor. Estamos con ustedes,” it wrote in Spanish.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 MediaVideosNCERT Adds Section On SIR; Cites Manusmriti To Highlight Respect For Women In Vedic PeriodCM Yogi Targets Akhilesh, Says ‘Don’t Test Ram Devotees’; Warns Against Tarnishing Ayodhya’s ImageCentre Hikes Passport Fees From July 1: New One To Cost Rs 2,500; Rs 5,000 For Tatkal‘Beaten With Iron Rods’: Bonded Labour Horror In Uttar Pradesh, 12 Workers Rescued‘Throw My Daughter From The Same Place If…’: Accused Siya Goyal’s Mother On Lohagad Fort Murder CaseSuvendu Govt Likely To Introduce UCC Bill In West Bengal Assembly On MondayCanada Officially Confirms Khalistani Role In Air India Kanishka BombingKolkata Warehouse Collapse: Bengal CM Blames TMC Regime, Says ‘Flawed Plan’ Got ApprovalRam Mandir Donation Row: F.I.R Filed Against Eight Accused After SIT Flags EmbezzlementThreat To Journalists? 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Prices range between approximately Rs 3000 and Rs 19 lakhs.Rolex Yacht Master IIAmong the most sought-after items are two Rolex Yacht Master II watches with a starting price of Rs 16.5 lakh, which have garnered more than a dozen bids. An antique silver box from the 1980s, designed as a high-end cigar or cigarette container, has received 29 bids, with the highest exceeding Rs 52,000 against a base price of Rs 12,030.A decorative silver box flanked by two gold-plated dragons, containing a 20-gram fine gold biscuit from Swiss brand Argor Heraeus, has a starting price of Rs 3.92 lakh and has received eight bids so far. However, multiple items like an Apple Macbook Pro, and a gold jewellery set from Kuwait by Al Arbash, have not received any bids.What is Toshakhana?The term Toshakhana originates from the Mughal era, where princes stored “gifts and emblems of honour” received for their posterity. It translates to “treasure house” in Persian.Under British colonial rule, East India Company officials were not allowed to accept diplomatic gifts, known as khilat, from Indian or Middle Eastern rulers. When required, officials deposited such gifts in the company’s treasury for later use in exchange with other rulers.In modern India, all gifts received by the Prime Minister and other officials from overseas must be deposited in the Toshakhana for evaluation. As per a June 1978 gazette notification, every gift received during an official visit must be deposited within 30 days of return.Indian rules allow recipients to keep gifts valued below Rs 5,000. Those valued above are evaluated to allow purchase by the recipient on payment of the difference. The rest are auctioned.An amendment allows IAS, IPS and IFS officers to retain gifts received from foreign dignitaries while being members of the Indian delegation. However, they must declare them if they are worth more than Rs 25,000.A first-of-its-kind auctionThis is the first time Toshakhana items have been made available to the general public. The last auction, held in 1983, was open only to government employees at the MEA headquarters.Officials said the auction is being conducted in compliance with revised Toshakhana Rules, 2024. The proceeds will go to the Consolidated Fund of India.First of its kind auctionThe items offered are primarily heritage, souvenir, decorative, collectible or ceremonial items, and may not be intended for functional, commercial or operational use.While no item received by any political functionary has been selected this time, the ministry is planning the next round of auction, wherein presents received by consecutive External Affairs Ministers will also be added.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 MediaVideosNCERT Adds Section On SIR; Cites Manusmriti To Highlight Respect For Women In Vedic PeriodCM Yogi Targets Akhilesh, Says ‘Don’t Test Ram Devotees’; Warns Against Tarnishing Ayodhya’s ImageCentre Hikes Passport Fees From July 1: New One To Cost Rs 2,500; Rs 5,000 For Tatkal‘Beaten With Iron Rods’: Bonded Labour Horror In Uttar Pradesh, 12 Workers Rescued‘Throw My Daughter From The Same Place If…’: Accused Siya Goyal’s Mother On Lohagad Fort Murder CaseSuvendu Govt Likely To Introduce UCC Bill In West Bengal Assembly On MondayCanada Officially Confirms Khalistani Role In Air India Kanishka BombingKolkata Warehouse Collapse: Bengal CM Blames TMC Regime, Says ‘Flawed Plan’ Got ApprovalRam Mandir Donation Row: F.I.R Filed Against Eight Accused After SIT Flags EmbezzlementThreat To Journalists? 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