VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Quote of the day by Heath Ledger: ‘When I die, my money’s not gonna come with me. My movies will live on for people to judge what I was as a person’ ‘Turn Dharamsala Red’: After four consecutive losses, Prabhsimran Singh rallies PBKS fans Gold, Silver Rate Today Live Updates: Gold, silver prices in focus as government raises import duty to 15% PSEB Class 12 result 2026: How to check Punjab Board 12th result on DigiLocker if official website is down PSEB Class 12 result 2026 today at pseb.ac.in: Punjab Board pass percentage likely to remain above 90% AMMA acts on harassment complaint: Employee gets job back, Treasurer Unni Sivapal placed on leave Mayor of city in California admits acting as an illegal agent for Chinese government; here’s how she ‘silently operated’ AIIMS NORCET 10 Stage 2 result 2026 released at aiimsexams.ac.in: Direct link to download here Alia Bhatt questions ‘male-centric’ Indian films at Cannes; accused of hypocrisy for praising Ranbir Kapoor’s ‘Animal’ and keeping mum on ‘Dhurandhar’ Akhilesh Yadav’s stepbrother, husband of BJP leader Aparna Yadav, Prateek Yadav dies at 38 . NEW DELHI: Patients across the country may face disruption in routine medicine purchases on May 20 as more than 12.4 lakh chemists prepare for a nationwide shutdown against online medicine sales and deep discounting by e-pharmacy platforms.The All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) said the protest is aimed at highlighting risks to patient safety from unregulated online sale of medicines. The association alleged that medicines were being delivered without proper verification, enabling repeated use of prescriptions and easier access to antibiotics and habit-forming drugs. It warned that AI-generated fake prescriptions and uncontrolled medicine sales could fuel antimicrobial resistance (AMR).The body also opposed continuation of Covid-era relaxations under G.S.R. 220(E), alleging digital platforms were using temporary provisions to bypass safeguards under drug regulations. It demanded withdrawal of both G.S.R. 220(E) and G.S.R. 817(E), linked to e-pharmacy operations.Retail pharmacists said deep discounting by large online platforms was threatening the survival of neighbourhood chemists, especially in rural and semi-urban areas where local pharmacies remain the first point of healthcare access. The association claimed nearly five crore people dependent on the pharmaceutical trade could be affected.AIOCD president J.S. Shinde and general secretary Rajiv Singhal said the issue was “not merely a matter of trade, but of patient safety”, warning that the agitation could intensify if no action was taken before May 20.Chemist associations said emergency medicines would continue to remain available in several areas during the shutdown.About the AuthorAnuja JaiswalAnuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. Over the years, she has worked in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and West UP, gaining diverse on-ground experience that shapes her storytelling.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosRahul Gandhi Submits Dissent Note On CBI Chief Selection After Key Meet At PM Modi’s Residence‘India Should Not Close Doors For Dialogue With Pakistan’: RSS General Secretary HosabaleVijay Appoints Astrologer As OSD In Tamil Nadu Govt, TVK Allies Call It ‘Unacceptable’Kerala CM Race Heats Up, KC Venugopal Emerges Frontrunner As Rahul Gandhi Holds KeyNEET-UG 2026 Cancelled: NTA Confirms WhatsApp Leak, Announces Refunds & CBI ProbeVijay Meets AIADMK Rebels As EPS Faces Internal Revolt Before Key Assembly VoteIndia Has 60 Days Of Crude Oil LNG; 45 Days Of LPG; Oil Firms Losing ₹1,000 Cr A Day: Hardeep PuriNEET-UG 2026 Cancelled After Leak Verified; NTA Promises Fair Re-Exam For Students | WatchMEA Slams China Over Pakistan Support, Says Shielding Terror Hurts Reputation | WatchSri Lanka Navy Arrests 6 Indian Fishermen, TN CM Vijay Writes To Jaishankar Seeking Their Release123Photostories10 baby boy names inspired by mythological heroes and cosmic warriorsThrowback to Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s Cannes saree looks that outslayed every gown on the red carpetWalking 10,000 steps every day? Orthopedic doctors reveal when this popular fitness goal may secretly damage your knees and jointsMorning affirmation at 5 AM: Fuel your mind with positivity earlyAlia Bhatt adds a desi twist to Cannes 2026 with a custom dupatta on her breathtaking coral gownWhy you feel constantly drained: 10 signs your soul needs healing9 facts about snow leopards that explain why they are called the ‘ghosts of the mountains’5 Cannes Film Festival 2026 fashion rules celebrities can’t afford to ignoreKim Kardashian and Pete Davidson: Inside the high-profile romance and break-up5 mistakes you’re making if Chikmagalur isn’t in your summer itinerary123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultRaj SinghBandi Sanjay KumarPune child rape-murder caseLPG stockNEET exam cancelledModi on Gold and WFHTop TrendingTamil Nadu CMBhagwant Mann CousinIPL Points TableFifa World Cup 2026 ScheduleVijay AstrologerHimanta Biswa SarmaIPL Orange Cap 2026AIADMK splitHighway Toll DuesBhuvneshwar Kumar Oil prices today: Crude slips after three-day rally as markets track Iran ceasefire and Donald Trump-Xi Jinping summit How Prabhas helped aspiring athletes chase their dreams; Donated his ‘Baahubali’ training equipment Lost both parents, studied under kerosene lamp, yet excelled in studies: Meet Vikram Chhetri, a teen who shined bright through the darkness Jason Collins cause of death: NBA’s first openly gay player dies at 47 Dattatreya Hosabale NEW DELHI : Every Hindu voter became a Hindu worker in West Bengal, Dattatreya Hosabale of RSS said on Tuesday, framing the recent assembly polls as a “civilisational question” for the Hindutva organisation due to the hurdles and attacks it faced there.“It was a struggle not only by RSS volunteers but by the entire Hindu society,” Hosabale, RSS’s second-incommand, told PTI, stressing that his organisation was targeted first by the Left regime and then by TMC due to its work for Hindus.Asked about the role of RSS volunteers in the win, he said as citizens they did everything. Out of their “love for society and spirit for community”, they rallied like-minded people and tried to provide safety to others, including those who were not Hindus.On India-Pakistan ties, he said trust in Pakistan’s military and political leadership is completely missing in India, turning people-to-people contact into the best way to break the deadlock.“That should be tried more and more. I believe strongly that ultimately civil society relations will work. Because we have a cultural relation and we have been one nation,” he said, adding, “Security and self-respect of a country have to be protected, and govt of the day should take care of it. But at the same time, we need not close the doors. We should always be ready to engage in dialogue.”Hosabale also criticised DMK’s Udhayanidhi Stalin’s call for eradicating ‘Sanatan Dharma’. “It is his opinion, and people have answered it in the elections. Sanatan Dharma will not end just because somebody said so,” he said.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosRahul Gandhi Submits Dissent Note On CBI Chief Selection After Key Meet At PM Modi’s Residence‘India Should Not Close Doors For Dialogue With Pakistan’: RSS General Secretary HosabaleVijay Appoints Astrologer As OSD In Tamil Nadu Govt, TVK Allies Call It ‘Unacceptable’Kerala CM Race Heats Up, KC Venugopal Emerges Frontrunner As Rahul Gandhi Holds KeyNEET-UG 2026 Cancelled: NTA Confirms WhatsApp Leak, Announces Refunds & CBI ProbeVijay Meets AIADMK Rebels As EPS Faces Internal Revolt Before Key Assembly VoteIndia Has 60 Days Of Crude Oil LNG; 45 Days Of LPG; Oil Firms Losing ₹1,000 Cr A Day: Hardeep PuriNEET-UG 2026 Cancelled After Leak Verified; NTA Promises Fair Re-Exam For Students | WatchMEA Slams China Over Pakistan Support, Says Shielding Terror Hurts Reputation | WatchSri Lanka Navy Arrests 6 Indian Fishermen, TN CM Vijay Writes To Jaishankar Seeking Their Release123Photostories10 baby boy names inspired by mythological heroes and cosmic warriorsThrowback to Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s Cannes saree looks that outslayed every gown on the red carpetWalking 10,000 steps every day? Orthopedic doctors reveal when this popular fitness goal may secretly damage your knees and jointsMorning affirmation at 5 AM: Fuel your mind with positivity earlyAlia Bhatt adds a desi twist to Cannes 2026 with a custom dupatta on her breathtaking coral gownWhy you feel constantly drained: 10 signs your soul needs healing9 facts about snow leopards that explain why they are called the ‘ghosts of the mountains’5 Cannes Film Festival 2026 fashion rules celebrities can’t afford to ignoreKim Kardashian and Pete Davidson: Inside the high-profile romance and break-up5 mistakes you’re making if Chikmagalur isn’t in your summer itinerary123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultRaj SinghBandi Sanjay KumarPune child rape-murder caseLPG stockNEET exam cancelledModi on Gold and WFHTop TrendingTamil Nadu CMBhagwant Mann CousinIPL Points TableFifa World Cup 2026 ScheduleVijay AstrologerHimanta Biswa SarmaIPL Orange Cap 2026AIADMK splitHighway Toll DuesBhuvneshwar Kumar Monica Seles and Tom Golisano combined net worth: Tennis icon career, billionaire wealth, marriage, and massive fortune IPL 2026 Playoff Qualification Scenarios: With 14 matches to go, GT surge to 99.6% as SRH slip to 76.8% – odds for each team explained Gold, silver import duty raised to 15% from 6% as government moves to curb imports, support rupee ‘Karuppu’ advance booking: Suriya and Trisha Krishnan film nears Rs 2 Cr in Tamil Nadu; CM Vijay approves special 9 AM shows George Bernard Shaw Quote: Quote of the day by George Bernard Shaw: “Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about…” ‘Removed uterus left in box’: 4 women die after C-section surgery in Kota govt hosp; 6 critical IPL 2026: Hardik Pandya’s social media post goes viral amid doubts over his availability for MI’s next game – Watch Gold import duty raised to 15% from 6% as govt moves to curb imports, support rupee ‘Bhooth Bangla’ box office collections day 26 (updated): Akshay Kumar starrer holds steady; Priyadarshan film nears Rs 250 Cr Congress delays, netizens decide: CM race sparks online carnival Hegseth pushes Trump’s $1.5 trillion defense budget for 2027 as Congress presses Pentagon over Iran war costs ‘Dhurandhar 2’ box office collection Day 55: Ranveer Singh starrer inches closer to Rs 1,800 crore mark ahead of OTT debut Pisces Horoscope Today, May 13, 2026: Jupiter brings appetite for risk, and that can tempt you to go overboard Alia Bhatt meets Carlos Sainz at Cannes; Bollywood and F1 fans say ‘They look cute together’- WATCH | NEW DELHI: In response to Pakistan Field Marshal Asim Munir warning India against any “future misadventure”, Indian Navy chief-designate Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan has said that “misadventure does not come anywhere or anytime from India” and asserted that the country is ready to counter and quell any “misadventure” from across the border.Vice Admiral Swaminathan, who will take over reins of Navy after Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi’s retirement on May 31, said, “…India has always been in a responding kind of mode. Such actions (misadventures) come from across the border. People can say what they want, but as far as we are concerned, India will remain prepared.”At a defence event organised by Bramha Research Foundation in Mumbai on Monday, the Vice Admiral highlighted that the country has been a victim of terrorism for years, and that Operation Sindoor was targeted specifically at terror camps and terrorists involved in Pahalgam terror attack. The country cannot accept terrorist activities, especially when they emanate from foreign soil, he said, pointing out that Operation Sindoor is continuing.In the current global situation, the Vice Admiral said the global security environment is undergoing profound changes. Outlining that nearly 95% of India’s trade by volume and roughly 70% by value continues to transit on the seas, he said that India’s competitiveness depends on safe lanes. “The Indian Ocean is, and has always been, India’s arena. Today, the Indo-Pacific has emerged as a defining theatre of 21st-century geopolitics. The Indian Ocean is becoming even more contested, more watched and more consequential. The Indian Navy is the guardian of this domain,” he said.On defence opportunities for MSMEs, he said, “I just think that it takes some time for MSMEs to find the momentum. Producing defence-grade equipment in any country is not something that you do fast; you’ve got to do it slowly, methodically… (Our) specifications are very stringent. You don’t get anything off the shelf. Everything needs to be made from an idea. And, therefore, most industries in the world do take some time for technologies to mature.”End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosRahul Gandhi Submits Dissent Note On CBI Chief Selection After Key Meet At PM Modi’s Residence‘India Should Not Close Doors For Dialogue With Pakistan’: RSS General Secretary HosabaleVijay Appoints Astrologer As OSD In Tamil Nadu Govt, TVK Allies Call It ‘Unacceptable’Kerala CM Race Heats Up, KC Venugopal Emerges Frontrunner As Rahul Gandhi Holds KeyNEET-UG 2026 Cancelled: NTA Confirms WhatsApp Leak, Announces Refunds & CBI ProbeVijay Meets AIADMK Rebels As EPS Faces Internal Revolt Before Key Assembly VoteIndia Has 60 Days Of Crude Oil LNG; 45 Days Of LPG; Oil Firms Losing ₹1,000 Cr A Day: Hardeep PuriNEET-UG 2026 Cancelled After Leak Verified; NTA Promises Fair Re-Exam For Students | WatchMEA Slams China Over Pakistan Support, Says Shielding Terror Hurts Reputation | WatchSri Lanka Navy Arrests 6 Indian Fishermen, TN CM Vijay Writes To Jaishankar Seeking Their Release123PhotostoriesThrowback to Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s Cannes saree looks that outslayed every gown on the red carpetWalking 10,000 steps every day? Orthopedic doctors reveal when this popular fitness goal may secretly damage your knees and jointsMorning affirmation at 5 AM: Fuel your mind with positivity earlyAlia Bhatt adds a desi twist to Cannes 2026 with a custom dupatta on her breathtaking coral gownWhy you feel constantly drained: 10 signs your soul needs healing9 facts about snow leopards that explain why they are called the ‘ghosts of the mountains’5 Cannes Film Festival 2026 fashion rules celebrities can’t afford to ignoreKim Kardashian and Pete Davidson: Inside the high-profile romance and break-up5 mistakes you’re making if Chikmagalur isn’t in your summer itineraryTraditional Indian home features that deserve a comeback in modern living123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultRaj SinghBandi Sanjay KumarPune child rape-murder caseLPG stockNEET exam cancelledModi on Gold and WFHTop TrendingTamil Nadu CMBhagwant Mann CousinIPL Points TableFifa World Cup 2026 ScheduleVijay AstrologerHimanta Biswa SarmaIPL Orange Cap 2026AIADMK splitHighway Toll DuesBhuvneshwar Kumar ‘Kara’ box office collection day 13: Dhanush film shows slight recovery; Earns Rs 81 lakh on second Tuesday Aquarius Horoscope Today, May 13, 2026: If you’re planning to buy a vehicle, postpone it Half-Indian footballer wins tribunal and pursues £12m after being called ‘curry muncher’ by manager Who is Maya Higa? Twitch streamer makes history with first-ever TED Talk and standing ovation NEW DELHI: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday gave a strong dissent note on the process of selection of the next CBI director during a meeting of the high-powered panel led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and said he does not want to be a part of a “biased exercise”.In his two-page dissent note, he alleged that the govt has reduced the selection process to a mere formality and the leader of opposition (LoP) cannot be a rubber stamp.”By denying the Selection Committee crucial information, the govt has reduced it to a mere formality. The leader of opposition is not a rubber stamp.”I cannot abdicate my constitutional duty by participating in this biased exercise. I, therefore, dissent in the strongest terms,” Gandhi said in his dissent note submitted to the prime minister during the meeting.The PM-led panel which met at the 7, Lok Kalyan Marg residence of the prime minister, has Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Gandhi as members.Gandhi also accused the govt of misusing the premier investigative agency to target opposition leaders, journalists and critics.”I write to you in your capacity as Chairperson of the Committee constituted to recommend the next Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to record my dissent with its proceedings. Your govt has repeatedly misused the CBI, intended to be India’s premier investigative agency, to target political opponents, journalists and critics.”It is to prevent such institutional capture that the Leader of Opposition is included in the Selection Committee. Regrettably, you have continued to deny me any meaningful role in the process,” he said in his dissent note.The LoP said that despite repeated written requests, he has not been provided with the self-appraisal reports or 360-degree reports of the eligible candidates.”Instead, I was expected to examine the appraisal records of sixty-nine candidates for the first time during the Committee meeting. The 360-degree reports were denied to me outright,” he said. Talks to pick CBI chief conclude in just 5 minutes Sources said since Rahul Gandhi did not participate in the discussion on the names, the meeting was over in five minutes. The remaining 35 minutes were spent on asking questions about Iran and other issues. Rahul said this deliberate denial of information, without legal basis, made a mockery of the selection process and would ensure that only “your pre-decided candidate is selected”. Rahul said on X: “In his post on X, he said, “I cannot abdicate my constitutional duty by participating in a biased exercise. The Leader of Opposition is not a rubber stamp.”End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosRahul Gandhi Submits Dissent Note On CBI Chief Selection After Key Meet At PM Modi’s Residence‘India Should Not Close Doors For Dialogue With Pakistan’: RSS General Secretary HosabaleVijay Appoints Astrologer As OSD In Tamil Nadu Govt, TVK Allies Call It ‘Unacceptable’Kerala CM Race Heats Up, KC Venugopal Emerges Frontrunner As Rahul Gandhi Holds KeyNEET-UG 2026 Cancelled: NTA Confirms WhatsApp Leak, Announces Refunds & CBI ProbeVijay Meets AIADMK Rebels As EPS Faces Internal Revolt Before Key Assembly VoteIndia Has 60 Days Of Crude Oil LNG; 45 Days Of LPG; Oil Firms Losing ₹1,000 Cr A Day: Hardeep PuriNEET-UG 2026 Cancelled After Leak Verified; NTA Promises Fair Re-Exam For Students | WatchMEA Slams China Over Pakistan Support, Says Shielding Terror Hurts Reputation | WatchSri Lanka Navy Arrests 6 Indian Fishermen, TN CM Vijay Writes To Jaishankar Seeking Their Release123PhotostoriesWalking 10,000 steps every day? Orthopedic doctors reveal when this popular fitness goal may secretly damage your knees and jointsMorning affirmation at 5 AM: Fuel your mind with positivity earlyAlia Bhatt adds a desi twist to Cannes 2026 with a custom dupatta on her breathtaking coral gownWhy you feel constantly drained: 10 signs your soul needs healing9 facts about snow leopards that explain why they are called the ‘ghosts of the mountains’5 Cannes Film Festival 2026 fashion rules celebrities can’t afford to ignoreKim Kardashian and Pete Davidson: Inside the high-profile romance and break-up5 mistakes you’re making if Chikmagalur isn’t in your summer itineraryTraditional Indian home features that deserve a comeback in modern livingFrom lawsuits to public feuds: Controversies that kept Johnny Depp in headlines123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultRaj SinghBandi Sanjay KumarPune child rape-murder caseLPG stockNEET exam cancelledModi on Gold and WFHTop TrendingTamil Nadu CMBhagwant Mann CousinIPL Points TableFifa World Cup 2026 ScheduleVijay AstrologerHimanta Biswa SarmaIPL Orange Cap 2026AIADMK splitHighway Toll DuesBhuvneshwar Kumar IPL 2026: ‘It might happen’- Shane Watson opens up on KKR’s plan to stop Virat Kohli Oscars 2027: Conan O’Brien to return as host for third consecutive year MLB trade rumors: Bob Nightengale reveals four SF Giants stars who could soon be traded THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Congress brass moved closer Tuesday to ending Kerala’s week-long CM deadlock after protests, social media campaigns and factional muscle-flexing threatened to overshadow UDF’s blowout election victory.A final round of talks involving Mallikarjun Kharge, MPs Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi was expected to seal decision on successor to Left Front’s 10-year tenure in Kerala, party sources said. AICC brass also summoned senior Kerala functioaries to New Delhi. Politicians emerging from meetings with Rahul Gandhi signalled announcement could come Wednesday.After eight days of suspense and backroom bargaining, Congress functionaries conceded prolonged uncertainty had taken edge off Congress-led UDF’s emphatic triumph over CPM-led LDF. UDF bagged 103 seats in the 140-member assembly, but delay in naming CM reopened factional fault lines papered over during campaign.Three heavyweights remain locked in contest – K C Venugopal and MLAs V D Satheesan and R Chennithala. Venugopal camp claimed support of 43 MLAs in 63-member Congress bloc, while Satheesan and Chennithala factions projected backing of 35 and 22 MLAs, respectively.Sources said Gandhi’s sought explanations on coordinated protests over the delay. Netas said public sentiment, cadre mood and views of allies would shape final call.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosRahul Gandhi Submits Dissent Note On CBI Chief Selection After Key Meet At PM Modi’s Residence‘India Should Not Close Doors For Dialogue With Pakistan’: RSS General Secretary HosabaleVijay Appoints Astrologer As OSD In Tamil Nadu Govt, TVK Allies Call It ‘Unacceptable’Kerala CM Race Heats Up, KC Venugopal Emerges Frontrunner As Rahul Gandhi Holds KeyNEET-UG 2026 Cancelled: NTA Confirms WhatsApp Leak, Announces Refunds & CBI ProbeVijay Meets AIADMK Rebels As EPS Faces Internal Revolt Before Key Assembly VoteIndia Has 60 Days Of Crude Oil LNG; 45 Days Of LPG; Oil Firms Losing ₹1,000 Cr A Day: Hardeep PuriNEET-UG 2026 Cancelled After Leak Verified; NTA Promises Fair Re-Exam For Students | WatchMEA Slams China Over Pakistan Support, Says Shielding Terror Hurts Reputation | WatchSri Lanka Navy Arrests 6 Indian Fishermen, TN CM Vijay Writes To Jaishankar Seeking Their Release123PhotostoriesWalking 10,000 steps every day? Orthopedic doctors reveal when this popular fitness goal may secretly damage your knees and jointsMorning affirmation at 5 AM: Fuel your mind with positivity earlyAlia Bhatt adds a desi twist to Cannes 2026 with a custom dupatta on her breathtaking coral gownWhy you feel constantly drained: 10 signs your soul needs healing9 facts about snow leopards that explain why they are called the ‘ghosts of the mountains’5 Cannes Film Festival 2026 fashion rules celebrities can’t afford to ignoreKim Kardashian and Pete Davidson: Inside the high-profile romance and break-up5 mistakes you’re making if Chikmagalur isn’t in your summer itineraryTraditional Indian home features that deserve a comeback in modern livingFrom lawsuits to public feuds: Controversies that kept Johnny Depp in headlines123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultRaj SinghBandi Sanjay KumarPune child rape-murder caseLPG stockNEET exam cancelledModi on Gold and WFHTop TrendingTamil Nadu CMBhagwant Mann CousinIPL Points TableFifa World Cup 2026 ScheduleVijay AstrologerHimanta Biswa SarmaIPL Orange Cap 2026AIADMK splitHighway Toll DuesBhuvneshwar Kumar ‘Patriot’ box office collections day 12: Mammootty’s film slows to a crawl in second week; Earns just Rs 38 lakh Capricorn Horoscope Today, May 13, 2026: This isn’t a day for easy gains “He knew the whole time”: Dianna Russini’s husband accused of knowing about her alleged affair with Mike Vrabel amid their affectionate moment A casual dog walk in France led a man to one of the biggest dinosaur discoveries ‘Oil cos losing Rs 1,000 crore a day’: Hike in prices imminent, hints Petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri Sagittarius Horoscope Today, May 13, 2026: Good conversations, simple laughter, and good food can reset your mind NEET-UG cancelled after ‘paper leak’, 23 lakh students hit, CBI to probe case NEW DLEHI: The size of PM Narendra Modi’s carcade has been officially reduced at his instance, a significant move towards austerity which is to act as a nudge for others in govt to follow.Sources said PM has asked special protection group (SPG)-elite security corps which looks after his security-to try to reduce number of cars in his convoy by 50%. Besides, he has desired that the number of electric vehicles in the fleet be encouraged, but without buying new ones to avoid additional expenditure.SPG has already started implementing the instruction, while ensuring there is no compromise on mandatory security guidelines laid down in the Blue Book. Sources said the size of the carcade during PM’s recent visits outside Delhi looked slimmer and SPG will build upon the first step to devise ways to ensure strict adherence to the strict dos and don’ts which form the Blue Book.It was during his visit to Hyderabad on Sunday that the PM called upon people to cut down on fuel and gold consumption.People aware of the developments said PM taking the lead is a signal for the rest of govt to follow speedily. In fact, there are indications that ministries and departments are gearing up for austerity measures in the coming days. These may range from urging staff to use Metro more often, opt for carpooling, and avoid big banquets.”There are talks across departments for identifying all steps that can reduce fuel consumption. The message of the PM is for all, including us. We are waiting for communication from personnel department detailing what we should do. But every department will have to work out their own plans,” an official said.The issue of reducing fuel usage by cutting down unnecessary travel was discussed at the informal group of ministers meet chaired by defence minister Rajnath Singh on Monday.About the AuthorRaj Shekhar JhaRaj Shekhar Jha is a journalist for the Times of India with over a decade of experience in reporting on national security, terrorism, crime and prisons.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosRahul Gandhi Submits Dissent Note On CBI Chief Selection After Key Meet At PM Modi’s Residence‘India Should Not Close Doors For Dialogue With Pakistan’: RSS General Secretary HosabaleVijay Appoints Astrologer As OSD In Tamil Nadu Govt, TVK Allies Call It ‘Unacceptable’Kerala CM Race Heats Up, KC Venugopal Emerges Frontrunner As Rahul Gandhi Holds KeyNEET-UG 2026 Cancelled: NTA Confirms WhatsApp Leak, Announces Refunds & CBI ProbeVijay Meets AIADMK Rebels As EPS Faces Internal Revolt Before Key Assembly VoteIndia Has 60 Days Of Crude Oil LNG; 45 Days Of LPG; Oil Firms Losing ₹1,000 Cr A Day: Hardeep PuriNEET-UG 2026 Cancelled After Leak Verified; NTA Promises Fair Re-Exam For Students | WatchMEA Slams China Over Pakistan Support, Says Shielding Terror Hurts Reputation | WatchSri Lanka Navy Arrests 6 Indian Fishermen, TN CM Vijay Writes To Jaishankar Seeking Their Release123PhotostoriesAlia Bhatt adds a desi twist to Cannes 2026 with a custom dupatta on her breathtaking coral gownWhy you feel constantly drained: 10 signs your soul needs healing9 facts about snow leopards that explain why they are called the ‘ghosts of the mountains’5 Cannes Film Festival 2026 fashion rules celebrities can’t afford to ignoreKim Kardashian and Pete Davidson: Inside the high-profile romance and break-up5 mistakes you’re making if Chikmagalur isn’t in your summer itineraryTraditional Indian home features that deserve a comeback in modern livingFrom lawsuits to public feuds: Controversies that kept Johnny Depp in headlinesLesser-known facts about ‘Taarak Mehta ka Oolta Chasma’ star Dilip Joshi, aka Jethala5 ways to respond with confidence when being disrespected123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultRaj SinghBandi Sanjay KumarPune child rape-murder caseLPG stockNEET exam cancelledModi on Gold and WFHTop TrendingTamil Nadu CMBhagwant Mann CousinIPL Points TableFifa World Cup 2026 ScheduleVijay AstrologerHimanta Biswa SarmaIPL Orange Cap 2026AIADMK splitHighway Toll DuesBhuvneshwar Kumar May 13, 2026, 05:00 IST IPL 2026, GT vs SRH: New shot unlocked! Washington Sundar’s outrageous six shocks everyone – WATCH