VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html There’s a price tag on college life: How rent, food and other costs add up JNVST Class 6 application 2027 closes today at cbseitms.rcil.gov.in: Direct link to apply here Kartik Aaryan contributes Rs 1 crore for Assam flood relief, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma lauds the ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’ actor’s gesture After decades of drought, water is returning to the south of Sahara Desert as ancient farming techniques and the Great Green Wall breathe new life into the Sahel ‘My father was almost lynched’: Families of injured cops during CJP protest speak out KEA releases NEET UG 2026 Karnataka score list for 69,170 candidates; MBBS and BDS counselling updates next ‘If he can do ‘Animal’, he can play Ram’: Dipika Chikhalia backs Ranbir Kapoor’s casting in Nitesh Tiwari’s ‘Ramayana’ These 9 historic villages have survived wars, empires and centuries; yet visiting them feels like stepping into a storybook Who is Ruchika Singh? Noida woman in soup over ‘abusive’ remarks against PM Modi BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla has sparked exit buzz after he dropped part name from his social media bio NEW DELHI: BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla sparked rumours that he quit the saffron party after his changed his bio on X.In his latest bio, there’s is no mention of BJP. “Religion Islam, Culture~Hindu,Ideology~Bhartiya : ✍️Author: GST Ki Yatra,” specifies bio with added, “Lifelong follower of PM @narendramodi.”Meanwhile his current bio on Insta still mentions “BJP Spokesperson” as did his earlier bio on X.However, there has been no official confirmation from Poonawalla. He had joined BJP in December 2017 after calling the Congress’s organisational polls a “sham”. In 2021, he was also made the in-charge of the BJP’s social media wing for the national capital.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines Poonawalla has been a vocal supporter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP, frequently defending the party on television debates and social media while launching sharp attacks on the Congress and its leaders, including Rahul Gandhi. Shehzad is the younger brother of political commentator Tehseen Poonawalla. The two were once known to share a close bond, but their relationship soured over political differences, with the brothers frequently taking opposing positions and engaging in public spats in recent years.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 MediaVideosCJP’s Saurav Das Says Abusive Remarks Deserve Defamation Cases, Not Criminal Prosecution | WatchRajya Sabha Passes Anti-Paper Leak Law As PM Modi Vows Zero Tolerance Against Exam MafiasPM Modi Releases New Selfie Video On Instagram As Rajya Sabha Clears Anti-Paper Leak BillAfter ‘Gau-Mutra Expert’ Remark, Priyanka Gandhi Gets Scathing Open Letter From 200+ Academicians‘Cut Shudra’s Tongue If…’: Kharge Quotes ‘Translated Manusmriti’ In RS; Sudhanshu, Nadda Hit BackAssam Flood Death Toll Rises To 78 As Over Three Lakh Remain Affected Despite Receding WatersHockey India’s Saffron Jersey Sparks Massive Row As Olympians, Critics Question Iconic Blue IdentitySonam Wangchuk Praises Vande Bharat Train; Reminds Govt To Honour Vow Made To Protesting Students₹28.5 Cr Cash Seized In Birbhum: Former Govt Bus Driver Arrested | Tulu Mondal Link Under ProbeMamata Banerjee Urges EC To End TMC Symbol Dispute As Rival Faction Misses Repeated Deadlines123PhotostoriesDR Congo Ebola second-deadliest outbreak: Death toll passes 1500; why it’s spreading so fast, the warning signs, and the vaccine challengeSawan 2026 daily rituals based on your date of birth6 traditional Pahadi dishes every food lover should try at least onceBrits dying from ‘Victorian lung disease’ mistaken for a smoker’s cough: What exactly is this disease? 6 warning signs you should watch forThe chemistry of crispy sweet potato fries: What happens when you add rice flour, baking powder and white vinegar to friesCyclosporiasis rise in UK travellers: What is the ‘explosive diarrhoea’ parasite, how does it spread? 5 safety tips for travellersSobhita Dhulipala to Aditi Rao Hydari: Celebrity Showstoppers who lit up India Couture Week 2026Want to make money while you sleep? These 5 passive income ideas actually work10 baby names inspired by Celtic legendsOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your hidden superpowers and weaknesses123Hot PicksHurricane IrmaRuchika SinghRRB Group D Admit CardNEET selective edit windowSPPU Summer SessionUS work permit feeE20 petrol debateAssam floodsKanwar Yatra 2026Top TrendingMeta India Head ArrestedPM ModiCJP Protest Woman ArrestedDehradun Teacher SuicideAbhijeet DipkeGujarat MurderRuchika SinghShraddha Walkar Murder CaseMumbai Building CollapseStock Market Up ‘I am sad, I couldn’t be selected’: 17-year-old aspiring woman cricketer dies by suicide What happens when you read hundreds of poems written by Gen Z? One educator found an unexpected answer Arlene Smith, lead singer of pioneering ’50s girl group the Chantels, passes away at 84 | English Movie News Powerful Shiva mantras you can chant for good luck based on your birth number Bernie Sanders makes fun of Mark Zuckerberg says how will he feed his family after California’s Billionaire Tax, gets ‘corrected’ German proverb of the day: “A fence lasts 3 years, a dog lasts 3 fences, a horse lasts 3 dogs, and a man lasts…” – a timeless lesson on life’s seasons and the value of time | World News CSIR NET June 2026 answer key expected today; NTA to open objection window soon ‘Chennai Love Story’ Box Office Collection Day 7: Kiran Abbavaram starrer drops 35%; crosses Rs 37.28 crore worldwide ‘Head of family PM Modi listens’: BJP’s Raghav Chadha hails ‘historic’ anti-paper leak Bill NEW DELHI: Reinforcing its focus on tackling substance abuse through a rehabilitation-led approach, the Punjab government launched the Leadership in Mental Health Programme (LMHP), India’s first fellowship against substance abuse, in February 2026. Thirteen fellows from the inaugural cohort are currently working across Punjab to strengthen mental healthcare services and support the state’s anti-drug efforts.The fellows are deployed under the Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann-led Yudh Nashean Virudh campaign, helping integrate mental healthcare and community-based rehabilitation into the state’s fight against drugs. The initiative aims to strengthen rehabilitation services while placing mental health at the centre of Punjab’s anti-drug strategy.The government is now preparing to launch applications for the programme’s second cohort, comprising 10 fellows and seven Senior Associates, with the goal of building a statewide network of trained young professionals across all 23 districts.Implemented by the Department of Health and Family Welfare in collaboration with the state’s Data Intelligence and Technical Support Unit, the programme is designed to develop mental health leaders capable of driving evidence-based prevention, treatment and rehabilitation initiatives. The fellows, selected through a rigorous process, come from diverse fields including psychology, public health and social work and commit to supporting the state’s anti-drug campaign for two years.As part of the programme, they receive intensive training in psychosocial interventions, relapse prevention, programme management, community-based rehabilitation and leadership. The training is delivered with support from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai, the programme’s selection and knowledge partner.Health minister Balbir Singh said the fellowship seeks to combine leadership with empathy while strengthening Punjab’s response to substance abuse. “Yudh Nashean Virudh is not just an initiative against drugs; it is a movement to reclaim Punjab’s youth. While strict action is being taken against drug peddlers and traffickers, we are equally committed to helping every victim of drug abuse return to a life full of dignity and prevent the youth from falling into the trap of addiction. Leadership in Mental Health Programme reflects our belief that making Punjab addiction-free is possible only when enforcement, treatment, and prevention work hand-in-hand and backed by strong healthcare setup and community support,” he said.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe minister said addiction should be treated as a chronic health condition requiring sustained care. During their postings at district hospitals and de-addiction and rehabilitation centres, fellows work with patients and families, facilitate treatment, support relapse prevention and promote community-based rehabilitation. They also focus on reducing stigma, encouraging community participation and ensuring continuity of care after rehabilitation.Beyond district-level interventions, the first cohort is also supporting healthcare workers, strengthening service delivery and helping institutionalise best practices in Punjab’s fight against substance abuse.According to the government, the programme is aimed at improving the way communities respond to substance use disorders by embedding mental health into the state’s broader anti-drug campaign, with rehabilitation and long-term recovery forming a key part of the strategy.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 MediaVideosCJP’s Saurav Das Says Abusive Remarks Deserve Defamation Cases, Not Criminal Prosecution | WatchRajya Sabha Passes Anti-Paper Leak Law As PM Modi Vows Zero Tolerance Against Exam MafiasPM Modi Releases New Selfie Video On Instagram As Rajya Sabha Clears Anti-Paper Leak BillAfter ‘Gau-Mutra Expert’ Remark, Priyanka Gandhi Gets Scathing Open Letter From 200+ Academicians‘Cut Shudra’s Tongue If…’: Kharge Quotes ‘Translated Manusmriti’ In RS; Sudhanshu, Nadda Hit BackAssam Flood Death Toll Rises To 78 As Over Three Lakh Remain Affected Despite Receding WatersHockey India’s Saffron Jersey Sparks Massive Row As Olympians, Critics Question Iconic Blue IdentitySonam Wangchuk Praises Vande Bharat Train; Reminds Govt To Honour Vow Made To Protesting Students₹28.5 Cr Cash Seized In Birbhum: Former Govt Bus Driver Arrested | Tulu Mondal Link Under ProbeMamata Banerjee Urges EC To End TMC Symbol Dispute As Rival Faction Misses Repeated Deadlines123PhotostoriesSawan 2026 daily rituals based on your date of birth6 traditional Pahadi dishes every food lover should try at least onceBrits dying from ‘Victorian lung disease’ mistaken for a smoker’s cough: What exactly is this disease? 6 warning signs you should watch forThe chemistry of crispy sweet potato fries: What happens when you add rice flour, baking powder and white vinegar to friesCyclosporiasis rise in UK travellers: What is the ‘explosive diarrhoea’ parasite, how does it spread? 5 safety tips for travellersSobhita Dhulipala to Aditi Rao Hydari: Celebrity Showstoppers who lit up India Couture Week 2026Want to make money while you sleep? These 5 passive income ideas actually work10 baby names inspired by Celtic legendsOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your hidden superpowers and weaknesses5 things difficult people teach you that kind people never can123Hot PicksHurricane IrmaRuchika SinghRRB Group D Admit CardNEET selective edit windowSPPU Summer SessionUS work permit feeE20 petrol debateAssam floodsKanwar Yatra 2026Top TrendingMeta India Head ArrestedPM ModiCJP Protest Woman ArrestedDehradun Teacher SuicideAbhijeet DipkeGujarat MurderRuchika SinghShraddha Walkar Murder CaseMumbai Building CollapseStock Market Up ‘We don’t have an MS Dhoni’: Ex-England captain’s blunt warning to Stephen Fleming ITR filing deadline extension: Is July 31, 2026 the last date to file income tax return? Check latest developments TN Supplementary Result 2026 for Class 10 and 12 expected shortly today; check marks memo details Does ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ have an end credits scene? Here’s what it means for the franchise 6 traditional Pahadi dishes every food lover should try at least once New York Liberty vs Las Vegas Aces final injury update: Latest on NaLyssa Smith and Satou Sabally and more Tiny reef fish flourished beside islands filled with seabirds; where rats removed the birds, the entire underwater food chain took another route ICAR Counselling 2026 Round 1 seat allotment result shortly at icarcounseling.com; check important dates and steps ‘Spider-Man 5’ in the works? Tom Holland’s cryptic response fuels speculation amid record-breaking ‘Brand New Day’ box office opening Don’t buy expensive planters: 7 household items you can turn into beautiful garden containers ​Sawan 2026 daily rituals based on your date of birth Hyderabad cybercrime police book Meta India head, social media users over PM Narendra Modi posts Updated: Jul 31, 2026, 10:06 IST RRB Group D Admit Card 2026 releasing today for Level 1 CBT exam; download details here Dylan Sprouse’s 2018 tweet about Jared Leto resurfaces after sexual misconduct allegations; Oscar winner NOT under criminal investigation Meta AI head shares message for Google Cloud head, who announced he is joining ScaleAI; the company Alexandr Wang founded, but left to head Mark Zuckerberg’s AI division Rahul Gandhi took a jab at PM Modi and Amit Shah, calling them ‘India’s past’ NEW DELHI: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the action against student protesters, alleging that the government was trying to “silence Gen Z” through FIRs and social media takedowns after directly attacking them during protests.Making a statement on X, the Congress leader said, “PM Modi and Amit Shah – you cannot threaten Gen Z into silence. First you broke their bones. Now you are filing FIRs and taking down their accounts.”Further taking a jab at PM Modi and Shah, he added, “You are India’s past. Be careful about how you treat India’s future.”This comes a day after Rahul demanded a Supreme Court-monitored, high-powered committee to investigate the alleged police action against student protesters during the July 20 demonstration at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.In a post on X, the Congress MP had called for an impartial probe into the alleged use of force, saying, “Students deserve justice. An independent SC-monitored high-powered committee must be constituted to probe brutalities against our students.”Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesGandhi also shared a video purportedly showing police action against the protesters. The footage appeared to show police personnel lathi-charging demonstrators, while another clip showed a man in civilian clothes forcefully pushing a student carrying the Indian flag onto the road.His demand came as Opposition MPs from several INDIA bloc parties staged a protest at Makar Dwar in the Parliament complex over the alleged police action against students and the alleged embezzlement of donations meant for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.The MPs gathered around 10.30 am, carrying placards questioning who ordered the police action at Jantar Mantar and raising slogans demanding accountability from the Centre over the alleged use of force and the alleged financial irregularities in donations to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple.The protest took place hours before the Rajya Sabha was scheduled to consider and pass the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026.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 MediaVideosPM Modi Releases New Selfie Video On Instagram As Rajya Sabha Clears Anti-Paper Leak BillAfter ‘Gau-Mutra Expert’ Remark, Priyanka Gandhi Gets Scathing Open Letter From 200+ Academicians‘Cut Shudra’s Tongue If…’: Kharge Quotes ‘Translated Manusmriti’ In RS; Sudhanshu, Nadda Hit BackAssam Flood Death Toll Rises To 78 As Over Three Lakh Remain Affected Despite Receding WatersHockey India’s Saffron Jersey Sparks Massive Row As Olympians, Critics Question Iconic Blue IdentitySonam Wangchuk Praises Vande Bharat Train; Reminds Govt To Honour Vow Made To Protesting Students₹28.5 Cr Cash Seized In Birbhum: Former Govt Bus Driver Arrested | Tulu Mondal Link Under ProbeMamata Banerjee Urges EC To End TMC Symbol Dispute As Rival Faction Misses Repeated DeadlinesSC Questions Blanket Ban On Pellet Guns, Orders Preservation Of RAF Ammunition LogOver 1 Lakh Schools Across India Have Only One Teacher; Andhra Pradesh Records Highest Number123Photostories6 traditional Pahadi dishes every food lover should try at least onceBrits dying from ‘Victorian lung disease’ mistaken for a smoker’s cough: What exactly is this disease? 6 warning signs you should watch forThe chemistry of crispy sweet potato fries: What happens when you add rice flour, baking powder and white vinegar to friesCyclosporiasis rise in UK travellers: What is the ‘explosive diarrhoea’ parasite, how does it spread? 5 safety tips for travellersSobhita Dhulipala to Aditi Rao Hydari: Celebrity Showstoppers who lit up India Couture Week 2026Want to make money while you sleep? These 5 passive income ideas actually work10 baby names inspired by Celtic legendsOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your hidden superpowers and weaknesses5 things difficult people teach you that kind people never canNTR to Prabhas, Ranbir Kapoor: 10 actors who portrayed Lord Ram on the silver screen123Hot PicksHurricane IrmaRuchika SinghRRB Group D Admit CardBhagat SinghByelection todayFranz KafkaFed meetingKanwar Yatra securityNew anti-paper leak billTop TrendingMeta India Head ArrestedPM ModiCJP Protest Woman ArrestedDehradun Teacher SuicideAbhijeet DipkeGujarat MurderRuchika SinghShraddha Walkar Murder CaseMumbai Building CollapseStock Market Up ‘Click the link’: A mistake on an answer sheet exposed an alleged AI cheating scandal at MP Central University Quote of the day by Tom Cruise: ‘You have to just live life and don’t be afraid to be afraid’ when the ‘Digger’ lead proved fear should never stop you The hidden health risk of eating food wrapped in newspaper Raja Chaudhary opens up about choosing a Rs 93 lakh flat over daughter Palak Tiwari; says ‘Fed Up hogaya tha’ Thalapathy Vijay’s ‘Jana Nayagan’ screenings cancelled in Karnataka; cauvery water protests halt Mandya shows | Tamil Movie News George Bernard Shaw Quotes: Quote of the day by George Bernard Shaw: “Without art, the crudeness of reality would make the world unbearable” OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says he got addicted to this ‘Larry Ellison’s app’; It got ‘too powerful’ for him Sai Pallavi’s skincare routine: Healthy diet, natural products and simple habits behind the ‘Ramayana’ actress makeup-free glow ‘Bahar yehi khaana ₹50 to ₹100 ka milta hai. Yahan sirf ₹10’: Security guard shows his hearty company lunch, internet says ‘Mujhe bhi job dila do’ Nepal communal violence: Three killed, curfew widens; PM Balendra Shah appeals for calm Seeking job in US? Trump weighs $100,000 work permit fee from foreign graduates Vir Das reveals ‘Everything went away’ after two Indias controversy; says he’s still ‘banned’ in Madhya Pradesh Saudi Arabia, 13 other nations agree to maritime defence alliance amid Houthi Red Sea attacks