VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Zomato bans these dishes on its platform with immediate effect ‘Social media player’: Ex-Pakistan cricketer brutally tears into Babar Azam after Lord’s horror show ‘Hanuman Ansh’ box office Day 24: Neem Karoli Baba biopic jumps 37.8% amid fourth-week surge, crosses Rs 40 crore India net “If we had left 10-15 minutes earlier…”: How a tea break saved 5 Chhattisgarh friends from Nepal floods After Pakistan, Uzbekistan gets China’s J-10 fighter; Bangladesh could be next In the 1600s, people in Osaka ate dozens of species of fish, mammals and plants; 400 years later scientists found the evidence trapped in their teeth | World News Adnan Sami calls out remix trend in music industry: ‘Audiences are savouring dry rice because biryani isn’t served’ Your Vande Bharat may leave earlier than expected: Indian Railways announces new departure times for 2 trains from September 2 A San Antonio storm knocked out power and damaged homes; one barber simply moved his chair outside and kept cutting customers’ hair Melinda French Gates donated $10M to Olivia Rodrigo’s Daisy Chain Fields Festival, bringing the total to $20M, here’s where the money will be going Kerala minister Bindu Krishna hits out at Sunni cleric over remarks on women’s public life. Kerala labour minister Bindu Krishna on Monday criticised prominent Sunni cleric and Grand Mufti of India Kanthapuram Aboobacker Musliyar over his remarks advocating restrictions on women’s participation in public life, saying such statements push women “centuries back”.Krishna said the Constitution guarantees equal rights to men and women and rejected calls to restrict women’s movement outside their homes.”Constitution of India assures equal rights to women and men, irrespective of sex. The people have the right to live a free and liberal life. And also, these types of statements push women centuries back. So, we can’t accept such statements. Our women are free to move. They are best rulers. Our girls are always coming through this society, and we can’t accept such statements,” Krishna told ANI.The minister was responding to remarks made by Aboobacker Musliyar at the Hubbul Rasul Conference in Kochi, where he defended directives issued by the Kanthapuram faction of Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama to local Mahalls regarding women’s participation in religious events.The controversy follows a circular issued by the organisation directing Madrasas not to allow women to be present among unrelated men at religious programmes. The directives also advised against featuring young women on public stages or allowing them to participate in road processions alongside unrelated men.Defending the restrictions, Aboobacker said, “Women should remain confined within their homes. They should not enter the public sphere. The Holy Quran says so.”Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesHe defended the purdah system, saying it was intended to protect women’s dignity. He also argued that allowing women unrestricted access to public spaces could cause “great destruction”.Aboobacker said the restrictions were intended to honour and protect women rather than diminish their status.He further argued that Islam had granted women property and inheritance rights centuries ago to improve their status without requiring them to leave their domestic roles.The cleric also said he was not concerned by opposition from political leaders or others and maintained that no one could silence him or force him to alter Islamic doctrines.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorAyush PandeyAyush Pandey is a journalist at The Times of India, covering breaking news, politics, defence, and major legal and policy developments across India and the world. His reporting focuses on elections, national security, and institutional affairs, tracking the decisions and conflicts that shape public life. He specialises in sharp explainers and in-depth feature stories that go beyond headlines to decode political shifts, defence strategy, geopolitical flashpoints, and changing public sentiment. His work combines speed, clarity, and depth for a fast-moving digital audience.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Islam Is Greater Than Other Dharams’: Karnataka Minister Sparks Row, BJP Calls Cong ‘Anti-Hindu’FIR Against Rahul Gandhi Under SC/ST Act For ‘Giving Caste Angle’ In Haldwani ‘Purification’ RowFor Every Rs 100 Laundered, Only Re 1 Is Recovered By Authorities: CJI Surya Kant At Cambridge‘Oldest Trick In RSS Playbook’: Owaisi Slams Mohan Bhagwat’s Hindu-Muslim Unity Call In New YorkWho Is Divya Mittal? IAS Officer’s Resignation After 13 Years Sparks Online DebateIndia, Uzbekistan Ink Long-Term Uranium Deal: How The Pact Boosts Delhi’s Nuclear Ambitions7 Weeks Pregnant When She Died: Punjabi Influencer Manjeet Kaur’s Death Case Turns Murkier’Do You Feel You Are A Lord?’: Bombay High Court Raps Tukaram Mundhe-Led FDA Over MCA Order‘If Any Hindu Thinks…’: Opposition, Muslim Boards Respond To RSS Chief Bhagwat’s New York RemarksBJP Reprimands Three Delhi MPs Over Visit To Sajjan Kumar’s Home After His Death123PhotostoriesBigg Boss Malayalam: A look back at seven unforgettable seasonsSimple things that make you feel good without spending money, from taking a walk to reconnecting with people you loveMulank 1-9: What does your number hide best?7 health signs that may mean you’re getting older: What to look for as the years add up?Is a 2 pm to 10 pm shift more productive than 9 to 5? 5 reasons the ‘extra morning time’ may not be as useful as it soundsStunning Moroccan royal tiaras that make European crowns look almost ordinaryBigg Boss Malayalam Agnipareeksha: Meet the 12 commoners battling for a spot in the house10 baby boy names starting with the letter AYour gut bacteria need food too: 10 everyday foods that can help nourish the gut microbiome and improve gut healthExclusive – Khatron Ke Khiladi 15: Karan Wahi on doing the stunt-based show for the third time, bond with Avinash-Rithvik and performing stunts handpicked based on their fears123Hot PicksNepal floodMumbai port fireGandak riverMumbai milk priceDelhi rapeWeather tomorrowTN milk price hikeGATE 2027 registrationCoal India MT answer keyTop TrendingCanyon Flash FloodStuart BroadBabaz AzamNovak DjokovicUS Iran WarTravis Kelce BusinessKai CenatCoco GauffsNaomi OsakaLebron James Stocks to buy: What’s the outlook for Nifty for August 31-September 4 week? Check list of top stock recommendations WB NEET UG 2026 round 1 seat allotment result likely today at wbmcc.nic.in: Check steps to download scorecards here ‘Toxic’ box office collection Day 6 [LIVE]: Yash and Kiara Advani film targets Rs 225 crore India net on first crucial Monday after strong opening weekend Jaya Bachchan gave up her career for her children: The emotional truth about sacrifice, guilt and why loving your kids should never mean losing yourself 3 Chinese zodiac signs ready to attract prosperity in September 2026 ‘Blown to smithereens’: Trump shares AI-generated video of Iran’s Kharg Island ‘Venezuela will be reborn’: Maduro shares first photos from US prison since capture PM Modi in Bishkek NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday paid floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at his memorial in Bishkek and interacted with members of Indian and Kyrgyz communities ahead of the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit.PM Modi paid his respects at the Mahatma Gandhi memorial before participating in the SCO Summit in the Kyrgyz capital. The statue was unveiled by PM Modi during his visit to Kyrgyzstan in 2015.PM Modi also met members of various communities, including those associated with Indian culture, yoga and the Indian diaspora.During the interaction, PM Modi received a copy of Manas: Kyrgyz Veergatha Kavya from members of the community.Members of the Kyrgyz cultural and yoga communities also spoke about their participation in workshops and performances promoting Indian traditions, including Odissi and yoga.Danil Rykov, President of the Yoga Federation of Kyrgyzstan, said, “It’s been an incredible joy for us. It’s been such an honor to participate in the workshops and especially in the performance here. For us, to have the opportunity to share the same stage with these great maestros and outstanding personalities was an immense joy and we really believe that this can open up new opportunities for our future events, to increase this marvelous and beautiful collaboration between our associations and our cultures.”Jyldyz Kuvatova, founder of the Art of Living Foundation in Kyrgyzstan and professor at the American University of Central Asia, said, “We’re so excited to be here. In just four days, we had more than four hours of intensive workshops every day and we had meetings with great personalities, our teachers and the maestros. It was so intense, but it’s so much worth it. And we had a performance, we’re very excited and thank you for inviting us.”Hatha yoga instructor Arina Niiazbekova, who is also associated with classical theatre, ballet and Indian classical dance, said the workshops provided an opportunity to learn from renowned gurus and performers.”I work in the theatre, classical theatre, and I am ballet soloist, teacher, choreographer and the leader of the classical group. And also I perform classical Indian dance. And today we are meeting for the festival. It was really exciting time and we performed today. I’m performing in front of great gurus, masters and great soloists. I was extremely happy to see old friends and new friends today here. I think it is very useful for each of us to have workshops like we had with gurus,” she said.PM Modi also interacted with members of the Indian community in Bishkek.Aditya Bhushan Mitra, Director of Kyrgyzstan-based Pylon Traders, described his participation in the cultural programme as an “incredible experience”.”Namaskar and it was an incredible experience being here. And also, for me, it was an incredible opportunity to learn from our teachers, from the great personalitiesand to show our culture and everything. It was just like a dream coming true,” he said.PM Modi in Bishkek for SCO SummitAccording to the Ministry of External Affairs, PM Modi has arrived in Bishkek to participate in the 26th SCO Leadership Summit, which brings together 10 member states, 15 partner countries and two observer countries for discussions on regional and global issues.PM Modi is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit, including with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Russian President Vladimir Putin.His visit to Bishkek is the second leg of his two-country tour following his State Visit to Uzbekistan, where he held talks with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesDuring the Uzbekistan visit, India and Uzbekistan elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and agreed to expand cooperation in areas including trade, investment, infrastructure, digital public infrastructure, artificial intelligence, critical minerals, energy, space, agriculture, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, education and culture.The two sides also set a target of increasing bilateral trade to USD 5 billion by 2030.Before leaving Tashkent, PM Modi thanked President Mirziyoyev for his hospitality, saying, “Thank you, Uzbekistan! Gratitude to President Mirziyoyev for his warmth, attention to detail, and personal commitment to the India-Uzbekistan friendship.”During the visit, PM Modi also paid floral tribute to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri at the Shastri Memorial in Tashkent. “Paid homage to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri Ji in Tashkent. We remember a towering statesman whose unwavering commitment to the nation continues to inspire generations,” he said.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorAyush PandeyAyush Pandey is a journalist at The Times of India, covering breaking news, politics, defence, and major legal and policy developments across India and the world. His reporting focuses on elections, national security, and institutional affairs, tracking the decisions and conflicts that shape public life. He specialises in sharp explainers and in-depth feature stories that go beyond headlines to decode political shifts, defence strategy, geopolitical flashpoints, and changing public sentiment. His work combines speed, clarity, and depth for a fast-moving digital audience.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Islam Is Greater Than Other Dharams’: Karnataka Minister Sparks Row, BJP Calls Cong ‘Anti-Hindu’FIR Against Rahul Gandhi Under SC/ST Act For ‘Giving Caste Angle’ In Haldwani ‘Purification’ RowFor Every Rs 100 Laundered, Only Re 1 Is Recovered By Authorities: CJI Surya Kant At Cambridge‘Oldest Trick In RSS Playbook’: Owaisi Slams Mohan Bhagwat’s Hindu-Muslim Unity Call In New YorkWho Is Divya Mittal? IAS Officer’s Resignation After 13 Years Sparks Online DebateIndia, Uzbekistan Ink Long-Term Uranium Deal: How The Pact Boosts Delhi’s Nuclear Ambitions7 Weeks Pregnant When She Died: Punjabi Influencer Manjeet Kaur’s Death Case Turns Murkier’Do You Feel You Are A Lord?’: Bombay High Court Raps Tukaram Mundhe-Led FDA Over MCA Order‘If Any Hindu Thinks…’: Opposition, Muslim Boards Respond To RSS Chief Bhagwat’s New York RemarksBJP Reprimands Three Delhi MPs Over Visit To Sajjan Kumar’s Home After His Death123PhotostoriesBigg Boss Malayalam: A look back at seven unforgettable seasonsSimple things that make you feel good without spending money, from taking a walk to reconnecting with people you loveMulank 1-9: What does your number hide best?7 health signs that may mean you’re getting older: What to look for as the years add up?Is a 2 pm to 10 pm shift more productive than 9 to 5? 5 reasons the ‘extra morning time’ may not be as useful as it soundsStunning Moroccan royal tiaras that make European crowns look almost ordinaryBigg Boss Malayalam Agnipareeksha: Meet the 12 commoners battling for a spot in the house10 baby boy names starting with the letter AYour gut bacteria need food too: 10 everyday foods that can help nourish the gut microbiome and improve gut healthExclusive – Khatron Ke Khiladi 15: Karan Wahi on doing the stunt-based show for the third time, bond with Avinash-Rithvik and performing stunts handpicked based on their fears123Hot PicksNepal floodMumbai port fireGandak riverMumbai milk priceDelhi rapeWeather tomorrowTN milk price hikeGATE 2027 registrationCoal India MT answer keyTop TrendingCanyon Flash FloodStuart BroadBabaz AzamNovak DjokovicUS Iran WarTravis Kelce BusinessKai CenatCoco GauffsNaomi OsakaLebron James HDFC Bank shares rise nearly 3% after CEO Jagdishan opts out of reappointment Akshay Oberoi on landing ‘Toxic’ after Geetu Mohandas watched ‘Fighter’: ‘It’s all thanks to her 13-year-old daughter’ Diy Home Décor Ideas: Turn an old dupatta into beautiful home décor: Easy DIY ideas that look expensive Gold price prediction today: Where are gold prices headed? Check outlook for August 31, 2026 week Chimpanzees have been throwing rocks at the same trees for more than a decade; scientists are trying to solve the mystery Sadhguru called for a collective approach to managing disasters and protecting the Himalayan ecosystem Sadhguru Jagadish Vasudev has pledged Rs 1 crore towards Nepal’s Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund to support rescue and relief efforts following devastating flash floods along the Nepal-Tibet border. He also called for greater cooperation among Himalayan nations, proposing a five-nation Himalayan Board to coordinate responses to disasters affecting the fragile mountain region.Sadhguru made the remarks on Sunday while addressing an event titled “In Solidarity With Nepal” in Kathmandu, his first public appearance since the disaster. According to an official statement by the Isha Foundation, the event brought together people in Kathmandu to express solidarity with those affected.The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) said the death toll from the flash floods has risen to 903, while thousands remain missing.Among those still unaccounted for are 77 participants of the Isha Sacred Walks Kailash Sojourn. The group was at the Gyirong immigration centre on the China side of the border when the disaster struck. Three Isha volunteers stationed on the Nepal side are also missing, according to the foundation.The Isha Foundation, founded by Sadhguru, organises Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimages each season. Pilgrims travel from Kathmandu through Nepal to Tibet, with trekking on foot forming part of the journey. Sadhguru calls for Himalayan BoardAlongside his financial support for Nepal’s relief efforts, Sadhguru called for a collective approach to managing disasters and protecting the Himalayan ecosystem. He proposed a five-nation Himalayan Board comprising India, China, Pakistan, Nepal and Bhutan.Arguing that the Himalayan mountain system cuts across political boundaries, Sadhguru said countries sharing the range needed to coordinate their actions.”The mountains don’t know your political affiliation. The mountains don’t know what nonsense or language you speak. Even if you cannot administer it as one body, at least consultation must happen as one body. There must be some congruence of action in what we do because the Himalayas are the most fantastic and majestic feature on the planet. At the same time, they are very fragile,” Sadhguru asserted.He called for the proposed body to be established urgently, saying the Himalayas needed to be treated as a shared natural system rather than as separate national concerns.”A body comprising all these nations where the Himalayan ranges run has to happen now. Even if political administrations are separate, the mountain ranges have to be looked at as a feature that needs to be protected for future generations on the planet. Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesIf we don’t do this and go on thinking, okay, it’s Nepal’s problem, let them deal with their problem, there will never be a solution.”Sadhguru also said the scale of the disaster was beyond what could reasonably have been anticipated and argued that Nepal could not be expected to deal with its aftermath alone.”Nobody expected something like this to happen, that three-fourths of a glacial ice cube will just fall down four thousand feet down the peak. Not something anybody calculates it for. But now that it’s happened, we must look at this because this is not something a small nation like Nepal can solve by themselves,” Sadhguru said.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorVivek DubeyA digital news desk journalist at The Times of India with over two years of experience. Closely tracks foreign affairs and international politics. Fondness for precise language and clever headlines. When not editing news, he is usually refining a turn of phrase.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Islam Is Greater Than Other Dharams’: Karnataka Minister Sparks Row, BJP Calls Cong ‘Anti-Hindu’FIR Against Rahul Gandhi Under SC/ST Act For ‘Giving Caste Angle’ In Haldwani ‘Purification’ RowFor Every Rs 100 Laundered, Only Re 1 Is Recovered By Authorities: CJI Surya Kant At Cambridge‘Oldest Trick In RSS Playbook’: Owaisi Slams Mohan Bhagwat’s Hindu-Muslim Unity Call In New YorkWho Is Divya Mittal? IAS Officer’s Resignation After 13 Years Sparks Online DebateIndia, Uzbekistan Ink Long-Term Uranium Deal: How The Pact Boosts Delhi’s Nuclear Ambitions7 Weeks Pregnant When She Died: Punjabi Influencer Manjeet Kaur’s Death Case Turns Murkier’Do You Feel You Are A Lord?’: Bombay High Court Raps Tukaram Mundhe-Led FDA Over MCA Order‘If Any Hindu Thinks…’: Opposition, Muslim Boards Respond To RSS Chief Bhagwat’s New York RemarksBJP Reprimands Three Delhi MPs Over Visit To Sajjan Kumar’s Home After His Death123PhotostoriesSimple things that make you feel good without spending money, from taking a walk to reconnecting with people you loveMulank 1-9: What does your number hide best?7 health signs that may mean you’re getting older: What to look for as the years add up?Is a 2 pm to 10 pm shift more productive than 9 to 5? 5 reasons the ‘extra morning time’ may not be as useful as it soundsStunning Moroccan royal tiaras that make European crowns look almost ordinaryBigg Boss Malayalam Agnipareeksha: Meet the 12 commoners battling for a spot in the house10 baby boy names starting with the letter AYour gut bacteria need food too: 10 everyday foods that can help nourish the gut microbiome and improve gut healthExclusive – Khatron Ke Khiladi 15: Karan Wahi on doing the stunt-based show for the third time, bond with Avinash-Rithvik and performing stunts handpicked based on their fearsOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals how you approach difficult situations in life123Hot PicksNepal floodMumbai port fireGandak riverMumbai milk priceDelhi rapeWeather tomorrowTN milk price hikeGATE 2027 registrationCoal India MT answer keyTop TrendingCanyon Flash FloodStuart BroadBabaz AzamNovak DjokovicUS Iran WarTravis Kelce BusinessKai CenatCoco GauffsNaomi OsakaLebron James Aparna Sen recalls how loneliness inspired ‘36 Chowringhee Lane’ character Ms Stoneham and Satyajit Ray’s advice: ‘I had always been able to relate to… old people’ Simple things that make you feel good without spending money, from taking a walk to reconnecting with people you love The ‘troika’ of Mumbai: 3 dons, 3 spheres, 1 city’s underbelly Pete Hegseth: Did US military warn Hegseth over Iran war strain before latest escalation? What report claims All-round boost for India ahead of Afghanistan T20Is; Jasprit Bumrah remains on track Rose Tattoo frontman Angry Anderson suffers cardiac arrest; in hospital seeking medical treatment 8-year-old Nepal boy climbed trees to survive deadly floods; mother feared she had lost both sons Horoscope Today: Daily astrological predictions for August 31, 2026 A New Orleans couple found a 1,900-year-old Roman sailor’s gravestone buried in their backyard; it had vanished from an Italian museum during WWII and has now returned home After losing their Los Angeles home in the wildfire, a California family bought a $1 historic house and moved it onto their burned property | World News The plea sought ethanol-content labelling at pumps and on bills, a vehicle-wise E20 compatibility database, an expert review of its impact, and a transition plan for incompatible vehicles. NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a plea seeking mandatory disclosure of the exact ethanol content in petrol at fuel stations and on fuel purchase receipts.A bench of Justices MM Sundresh and PB Varale dismissed the plea filed by advocate Narendra Goswami, while granting him liberty to approach the concerned high court.The Attorney General for India, R Venkataramani, appearing for the Centre, argued that the petition was a proxy litigation, as the court had already dismissed a similar petition on the issue.”The petitioner wants government of India to be answerable to him,” the AG submitted, as quoted by PTI.Meanwhile, Goswami contended that he has the right to know the content of the petrol given. “Not only me but citizens at large should be informed about the composition of the fuel given to them,” he submitted.The plea sought directions to petrol pumps to prominently display the precise percentage of ethanol blended with petrol. It also sought that the ethanol content be specifically mentioned on receipts and invoices issued to consumers at fuel stations and an official vehicle-wise compatibility database covering different ethanol blends, based on factors such as manufacturer, model, engine type and year of manufacture.”Direct the respondents (Centre and others) to prepare and publish within a stipulated time an official, public, vehicle-wise compatibility database searchable by manufacturer, model, engine type and year of manufacture, indicating the suitability or otherwise of various ethanol blends for each vehicle,” Goswami added in his plea.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe plea also called for an independent expert committee, including representatives from the petroleum and road transport ministries, the Bureau of Indian Standards and independent automobile engineers, to assess the real-world compatibility of E20 with existing vehicles.The committee was also asked to examine the impact of E20 on fuel efficiency, engine life and maintenance costs, warranty and insurance, emissions, water consumption in ethanol production, and food-security concerns.The petitioner further sought a national consumer disclosure protocol for ethanol-blended petrol and a transparent transition framework for older or incompatible vehicles, including the possible availability of lower-ethanol petrol where feasible.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTrisha MahajanTrisha Mahajan is a journalist with The Times of India digital, with keen interest in covering business and corporate affairs. She also reports on key national and world developments and global news trends. A keen reader with a strong interest in storytelling that adds context, clarity, and depth to complex issues.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Islam Is Greater Than Other Dharams’: Karnataka Minister Sparks Row, BJP Calls Cong ‘Anti-Hindu’FIR Against Rahul Gandhi Under SC/ST Act For ‘Giving Caste Angle’ In Haldwani ‘Purification’ RowFor Every Rs 100 Laundered, Only Re 1 Is Recovered By Authorities: CJI Surya Kant At Cambridge‘Oldest Trick In RSS Playbook’: Owaisi Slams Mohan Bhagwat’s Hindu-Muslim Unity Call In New YorkWho Is Divya Mittal? IAS Officer’s Resignation After 13 Years Sparks Online DebateIndia, Uzbekistan Ink Long-Term Uranium Deal: How The Pact Boosts Delhi’s Nuclear Ambitions7 Weeks Pregnant When She Died: Punjabi Influencer Manjeet Kaur’s Death Case Turns Murkier’Do You Feel You Are A Lord?’: Bombay High Court Raps Tukaram Mundhe-Led FDA Over MCA Order‘If Any Hindu Thinks…’: Opposition, Muslim Boards Respond To RSS Chief Bhagwat’s New York RemarksBJP Reprimands Three Delhi MPs Over Visit To Sajjan Kumar’s Home After His Death123Photostories7 health signs that may mean you’re getting older: What to look for as the years add up?Is a 2 pm to 10 pm shift more productive than 9 to 5? 5 reasons the ‘extra morning time’ may not be as useful as it soundsStunning Moroccan royal tiaras that make European crowns look almost ordinaryBigg Boss Malayalam Agnipareeksha: Meet the 12 commoners battling for a spot in the house10 baby boy names starting with the letter AYour gut bacteria need food too: 10 everyday foods that can help nourish the gut microbiome and improve gut healthExclusive – Khatron Ke Khiladi 15: Karan Wahi on doing the stunt-based show for the third time, bond with Avinash-Rithvik and performing stunts handpicked based on their fearsOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals how you approach difficult situations in lifeKajal to kumkum: Traditional Indian beauty products that became cultural symbolsParkinson’s isn’t always obvious: The changes in your walk, handwriting, face and voice that may be warning signs123Hot PicksNepal floodUGC NET June 2026 resultGandak riverMumbai milk priceDelhi rapeWeather tomorrowDinesh KharaGATE 2027 registrationCoal India MT answer keyTop TrendingCanyon Flash FloodStuart BroadBabaz AzamNovak DjokovicBrittany MahomesTravis Kelce BusinessKai CenatCoco GauffsNaomi OsakaLebron James Aug 31, 2026, 11:45 IST Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scripts history, breaks all-time Duleep Trophy record in semi-final NEET PG 2026: PIB calls Jaipur paper leak reports misleading, re-exam set for 2,445 candidates ‘Blood and gore are things I don’t like about films today’: Suniel Shetty slams Bollywood’s hypermasculine violence, says no point competing with kids half your age Sundar Pichai: Sundar Pichai is the Google CEO today: How a shared rotary phone, waiting in a long queue to fetch water during drought-stricken Madras, and working passionately with tough colleagues made him one of the most successful people in the world Daily Career Horoscope, August 31, 2026: Success, challenges, and breakthroughs; Know about your career ‘Wholewheat’ but only 19.5% atta: CCPA orders McVitie’s to change packaging Meet Kim Ji-on, a 12-year-old South Korean student who invented a life-saving device that helps people escape deadly fires RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in Toronto RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said India became a “Vishwaguru” (world teacher) through its selfless service to humanity rather than by becoming a “Mahashakti” (superpower), highlighting the country’s civilisational tradition of friendship, refuge and respect for diversity.Addressing the “Hindu Vishwa Bandhu – Embrace the World in Friendship” gathering in Toronto, Bhagwat said India’s global influence had historically come from sharing knowledge and extending help, rather than seeking territorial or political dominance.”One may call Bharat a superpower, but it was not one. It served the world and by its own character, it became ‘Vishwaguru’, not Mahashakti,” he said.Bhagwat cited India’s history of providing refuge to people fleeing persecution and conflict. Recalling the Second World War, he referred to the Maharaja of Jamnagar offering shelter and protection to Polish refugees until they could return safely.”There are so many instances; it is still continuing,” Bhagwat said.He also referred to India’s evacuation efforts during conflicts in the Middle East, saying Indian military aircraft had rescued citizens of several countries alongside Indians.”When, some years back in the Middle East war, people were trapped, the military planes of Bharat went there and rescued not only Bharatiya citizens; citizens of seven countries were rescued from there by Bharatiya,” he said.Bhagwat said India had historically provided peaceful refuge to Muslims, Christians, Jews and Parsis, arguing that those facing persecution could find asylum in the country.”Anywhere in the world, if someone was persecuted, he got asylum in Bharat only,” Bhagwat said.‘This is the tradition. This is the DNA of Bharat’The RSS chief contrasted India’s civilisational outreach with imperial expansion, saying Indian travellers spread knowledge and values without conquering countries.”Our ancestors travelled from Mexico to Siberia… They crossed the Himalayas on foot, went to Southeast Asia through small boats, but they conquered no country. They gave knowledge, astronomy, ayurveda, imparted civilisational values… Even today, when an ordinary Bharatiya goes to any country, the people there offer Namaskara,” he added.He said helping people in distress was embedded in India’s civilisational character and that the country had extended assistance even when help was not explicitly sought.”This is the tradition. This is the DNA of Bharat,” he said.Bhagwat also explained his understanding of the term Hindu, saying it should not be confined to a particular language, form of worship or lifestyle.”When I say Hindu, the word Hindu cannot be defined by any specific language, through any specific worship, or through any living style,” he said, adding that Hindus “respect all” and “accept all”.He called for embracing diversity while recognising an underlying unity among humanity.”We have to serve, accept, respect this diversity because it is an expression of unity. It beautifies it. It is the decoration. We celebrate it,” he said.Bhagwat said India’s ancient ethos viewed diversity as a natural feature of existence while considering unity to be the fundamental reality.”There have been many castes, many creeds, many languages. Everything is many. Nothing””Nature, expression of reality, is diverse. Diversity is natural. Unity is the reality. You have to tackle with natural, keeping in mind reality. That is the ancient ethos of Bharat,” he added.Invoking the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, Bhagwat said an open-minded and knowledgeable person recognises the world as one family.”Those who are open-minded and knowledgeable embrace the concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam–the belief that the entire earth is one family,” he said.He said that despite differences in people’s physical appearance, humanity was fundamentally united, making service to others a responsibility.”Therefore, serving others is our duty. We have gained this wisdom, which brings us enduring happiness and satisfaction,” Bhagwat said.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe address was delivered at the “Hindu Vishwa Bandhu – Embrace the World with Friendship” gathering, which brought together more than 2,000 members of Canada’s Hindu community from all 10 provinces.The event was organised by CHORD, Canadian Hindus for Outreach, Relations and Dialogue, with support from more than 175 organisations. It focused on friendship, dialogue, belonging and shared responsibility, drawing on the Hindu civilisational ideal of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorAyush PandeyAyush Pandey is a journalist at The Times of India, covering breaking news, politics, defence, and major legal and policy developments across India and the world. His reporting focuses on elections, national security, and institutional affairs, tracking the decisions and conflicts that shape public life. He specialises in sharp explainers and in-depth feature stories that go beyond headlines to decode political shifts, defence strategy, geopolitical flashpoints, and changing public sentiment. His work combines speed, clarity, and depth for a fast-moving digital audience.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Islam Is Greater Than Other Dharams’: Karnataka Minister Sparks Row, BJP Calls Cong ‘Anti-Hindu’FIR Against Rahul Gandhi Under SC/ST Act For ‘Giving Caste Angle’ In Haldwani ‘Purification’ RowFor Every Rs 100 Laundered, Only Re 1 Is Recovered By Authorities: CJI Surya Kant At Cambridge‘Oldest Trick In RSS Playbook’: Owaisi Slams Mohan Bhagwat’s Hindu-Muslim Unity Call In New YorkWho Is Divya Mittal? 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