VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html ‘Don’t play politics with me’: CJP’s Ashutosh Ranka confronts Rajasthan cop, cites Dharmendra Pradhan’s ouster France’s top court blocks under-15 social media ban, cites constitutional concerns Jodhpur: In an embarrassing mix-up, Jodhpur zila parishad’s chief executive officer, in his capacity as district election officer, Thursday issued a notice to Member of Parliament Manna Lal Rawat for negligence in election duties, mistakenly believing the latter still held a position as joint commissioner with the state transport department.The notice, which warned Rawat of potential disciplinary action due to a failure to update the list of his subordinate employees on the state govt’s EMS (employee management system) portal in preparation for the upcoming municipal elections, was swiftly retracted following public ridicule on social media Friday.Rawat, who resigned from his state govt post prior to the 2024 general elections, is currently serving as a Lok Sabha member representing Udaipur on a BJP ticket. The goof-up occurred as a govt portal was not updated. Confirming this, Rawat said that district election officer (CEO, zila parishad) Ashish Kumar Mishra called him, admitted the mistake and withdrew the notice.Rawat was earlier posted as the transport department’s joint commissioner in Jodhpur. He took voluntary retirement in 2024 to contest the parliamentary elections that year. Despite his retirement and subsequent election as a public representative, Rawat’s name continued to figure in the list of govt employees maintained by the Jodhpur district election authorities. Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe error came to light after the notice was issued to him, raising questions over the way employee data is maintained and updated by the state election machinery. “It is surprising and worrisome,” said Rawat, adding that despite the govt machinery operating in a digital environment, election-related data was still carrying information that was nearly three years old. Rawat questioned how govt departments were maintaining the data of ordinary citizens and serving employees if the records of a retired senior govt officer had not been removed from the list even after a considerable lapse of time.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNALSAR Row Erupts: CJI Raps BCI, As CJP Demands Resignation Of Bar Council Chief‘Why Rockets?’ Jaipur Residents Mock Potholes With Astronaut Protest After Monsoon RainsRajnath Singh Announces Rs 8.75 Lakh Crore Defence Modernisation Push on 80th Independence DayBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks BeginCM Vijay Urges PM Modi To Keep Lok Sabha Strength At 543, Opposes Population-Based DelimitationThey Want To Disturb Punjab’s Peace’: Sukhbir Badal Flags Larger Conspiracy After Nanded Attack’The Great Transshipment Scam’: India Among 40 Nations Aiding China’s Tarrif Evasion, Says USUttarakhand Tunnel Landslide: 7 Workers Dead, 1 Missing; Rescue Operations Continue in Chamoli‘RSS Vs Congress Govt’: Karnataka Cabinet Clears Bill To Curb Events At Public Spaces‘Peaceful Revolution’ Needed: Sonam Wangchuk Seeks New Leaders To Transform India Before 2047123PhotostoriesFrom lakeside retreats to Aravalli resorts: 5 luxury escapes in and around Delhi for the Independence Day weekendRani Mukerji goes from Sabyasachi saree to power suit as she collects an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Australia’s La Trobe University10 unusual baby girl names with fascinating historical roots10 naturally tricolour Indian foods to make this Independence DayInside Ruhaanika Dhawan’s luxury home: A massive living room, elegant decor and moreWhat happens to your brain when you slowly reduce your screen time before bed? Neurologist answers5 red vegetables rich in fibre: Simple ways to add them to Indian mealsIndependence Day Special: 7 historic Delhi eateries that have been serving since before 1947Tara Sutaria’s lace drama meets Kiara Advani’s pantsuit power: Who really won the ‘Toxic’ album launch fashion face-off?5 yellow vegetables that may support eye health, immunity and healthy ageing123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingOil Prices TodayIndiGo Fight CancelledDelhi High Court Bomb ThreatAmbala Sikh Community ProtestManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke How AI boom is pushing Silicon Valley luxury housing to new heights Romanian couple jailed in UK for 17 years over fatal honeytrap scheme Aug 14, 2026, 23:04 IST Prichard Colon dies at 33: Anger grows online as Terrel Williams’ alleged Instagram account is targeted Russia using WWII to plant discord between Ukraine and Poland? Inspections uncovered violations ranging from cockroach infestation and expired food to poor hygiene and storage practices. NEW DELHI: The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the licences of 14 food business establishments linked to quick-commerce platforms Blinkit, Zepto and Instamart after a statewide inspection drive uncovered multiple food safety and hygiene violations.The August 13 drive covered 86 establishments across Maharashtra involved in the storage, sale and delivery of food through online platforms. The FDA issued 60 improvement notices and ordered one facility to temporarily halt operations, news agency PTI reported.Of the 14 suspended licences, five were linked to Blinkit, five to Zepto, two to Instamart, while one each belonged to Bhagwati Stores and Swinsta Ent Pvt Ltd.The inspections focused on storage conditions, temperature control, cleanliness, pest management, personal hygiene of food handlers, food safety records, display of licences and compliance with inventory practices such as First In, First Out (FIFO) and First Expired, First Out (FEFO).In Pune, the FDA suspended the licence of a Zepto outlet in Lohegaon after inspectors found food items stored beyond their declared “use by” dates. The regulator also flagged unhygienic storage conditions, inadequate pest control and lapses in personal hygiene, adding that the company’s response during the hearing was unsatisfactory.Another Pune facility operated by Swinsta Ent Pvt Ltd was found to have a cockroach infestation, inadequate cold-chain maintenance for frozen products and deficiencies in hygiene and pest-control practices.In Mumbai, a Blinkit facility in Malad (West) was found to be operating with chiller temperatures above the prescribed limit. Inspectors also found that around 40 food handlers had not undergone mandatory medical examinations and that records were unavailable.The FDA said several workers were not using protective gear such as gloves, aprons and head coverings. Inspectors also found damaged storage racks, poor organisation and inadequate segregation of different categories of food products.At another Blinkit facility in Ghatkopar, officials flagged shortcomings in drainage, waste disposal, temperature control and housekeeping. The outlet was classified as non-compliant after scoring 46 per cent during the inspection.Inspections at Zepto facilities in Mulund and Goregaon revealed deficiencies related to food storage, temperature management, cleanliness and licence display.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesAt an Instamart outlet in Andheri, inspectors found food packets stored directly on the floor. The FDA also reported inadequate storage space, overcrowding and deficiencies in hygiene and temperature control.The inspection drive also covered delivery operations.At a Blinkit store in Karad in Satara district, officials checked 125 delivery riders and found that they lacked identity cards and medical fitness records. The regulator also found that the outlet’s FSSAI licence was not displayed on delivery bags and boxes.The FDA directed the company to suspend two-wheeler delivery operations at the outlet until the deficiencies were addressed.The regulator said the action was taken under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and urged all food businesses operating through online platforms to strictly comply with prescribed food safety, hygiene and storage standards.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 MediaVideosNALSAR Row Erupts: CJI Raps BCI, As CJP Demands Resignation Of Bar Council Chief‘Why Rockets?’ Jaipur Residents Mock Potholes With Astronaut Protest After Monsoon RainsRajnath Singh Announces Rs 8.75 Lakh Crore Defence Modernisation Push on 80th Independence DayBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks BeginCM Vijay Urges PM Modi To Keep Lok Sabha Strength At 543, Opposes Population-Based DelimitationThey Want To Disturb Punjab’s Peace’: Sukhbir Badal Flags Larger Conspiracy After Nanded Attack’The Great Transshipment Scam’: India Among 40 Nations Aiding China’s Tarrif Evasion, Says USUttarakhand Tunnel Landslide: 7 Workers Dead, 1 Missing; Rescue Operations Continue in Chamoli‘RSS Vs Congress Govt’: Karnataka Cabinet Clears Bill To Curb Events At Public Spaces‘Peaceful Revolution’ Needed: Sonam Wangchuk Seeks New Leaders To Transform India Before 2047123Photostories10 unusual baby girl names with fascinating historical roots10 naturally tricolour Indian foods to make this Independence DayInside Ruhaanika Dhawan’s luxury home: A massive living room, elegant decor and moreWhat happens to your brain when you slowly reduce your screen time before bed? Neurologist answers5 red vegetables rich in fibre: Simple ways to add them to Indian mealsIndependence Day Special: 7 historic Delhi eateries that have been serving since before 1947Tara Sutaria’s lace drama meets Kiara Advani’s pantsuit power: Who really won the ‘Toxic’ album launch fashion face-off?5 yellow vegetables that may support eye health, immunity and healthy ageing10 foods that were once considered disgusting but became delicaciesIndependence Day: 10 rare photos that bring India’s freedom struggle to life123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingOil Prices TodayIndiGo Fight CancelledDelhi High Court Bomb ThreatAmbala Sikh Community ProtestManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke Daily Horoscope, August 14, 2026: Hidden luck favors these Chinese zodiac signs; 3 signs need care – What the Geng Shen (Yang Metal Monkey) day means GCC expansion to drive next wave of office demand beyond tier-I cities: Report Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei strips daughter-in-law Pengiran Raabi’atul Adawiyyah of royal title over ‘unbecoming’ conduct; no divorce yet announced from Prince Abdul Malik Two BJP MPs have moved motion against Rahul Gandhi. NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha Secretariat has sent notice to the leader of the opposition Rahul Gandhi, seeking a response to two separate complaints alleging a breach of privilege over his remarks against Union home minister Amit Shah during a debate on the anti-paper leak bill.The secretariat has asked the Congress leader to submit his reply by August 28, news agency PTI reported.The complaints were filed by BJP MPs Anurag Thakur and Sanjay Jaiswal, who alleged that Rahul Gandhi used “unparliamentary” and “derogatory” language against the Home Minister during the debate on the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026.Jaiswal, who is also the BJP’s chief whip in the Lok Sabha, shared copies of the communication sent to Rahul Gandhi and his own complaint against the Leader of the Opposition.In his July 29 complaint to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Jaiswal sought action against Rahul Gandhi under the Rules of Procedure, alleging that the Congress leader’s remarks against Amit Shah were unparliamentary.A day later, Anurag Thakur submitted a separate complaint, accusing Rahul Gandhi of using “unparliamentary and derogatory language” and making serious allegations against the home minister without providing adequate advance notice under parliamentary rules.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThakur also alleged a breach of privilege and contempt of the House.In its communication to Rahul Gandhi, the Lok Sabha secretariat said it was forwarding copies of the two complaints and requested him to submit his comments by August 28 for the Speaker’s consideration.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 MediaVideosNALSAR Row Erupts: CJI Raps BCI, As CJP Demands Resignation Of Bar Council Chief‘Why Rockets?’ Jaipur Residents Mock Potholes With Astronaut Protest After Monsoon RainsRajnath Singh Announces Rs 8.75 Lakh Crore Defence Modernisation Push on 80th Independence DayBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks BeginCM Vijay Urges PM Modi To Keep Lok Sabha Strength At 543, Opposes Population-Based DelimitationThey Want To Disturb Punjab’s Peace’: Sukhbir Badal Flags Larger Conspiracy After Nanded Attack’The Great Transshipment Scam’: India Among 40 Nations Aiding China’s Tarrif Evasion, Says USUttarakhand Tunnel Landslide: 7 Workers Dead, 1 Missing; Rescue Operations Continue in Chamoli‘RSS Vs Congress Govt’: Karnataka Cabinet Clears Bill To Curb Events At Public Spaces‘Peaceful Revolution’ Needed: Sonam Wangchuk Seeks New Leaders To Transform India Before 2047123Photostories10 unusual baby girl names with fascinating historical roots10 naturally tricolour Indian foods to make this Independence DayInside Ruhaanika Dhawan’s luxury home: A massive living room, elegant decor and moreWhat happens to your brain when you slowly reduce your screen time before bed? Neurologist answers5 red vegetables rich in fibre: Simple ways to add them to Indian mealsIndependence Day Special: 7 historic Delhi eateries that have been serving since before 1947Tara Sutaria’s lace drama meets Kiara Advani’s pantsuit power: Who really won the ‘Toxic’ album launch fashion face-off?5 yellow vegetables that may support eye health, immunity and healthy ageing10 foods that were once considered disgusting but became delicaciesIndependence Day: 10 rare photos that bring India’s freedom struggle to life123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingOil Prices TodayIndiGo Fight CancelledDelhi High Court Bomb ThreatAmbala Sikh Community ProtestManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke Ramayan actor Sunil Lahri says ‘Gen Z, Gen Alpha’ labels are taking younger generation ‘away from us’; urges schools to revive Gurukul system Wishes, Messages, quotes, images, Facebook & WhatsApp status In 2017, conservationists began moving young ospreys from Scotland to Dorset; five years later they bred in southern England for the first time since 1847 Among 78 gallantry awards, 13 are to be awarded posthumously (Photo: ANI) NEW DELHI: President Droupadi Murmu on Friday approved 78 gallantry awards, including 13 posthumous, to defence forces and central armed police forces personnel on the eve of the 80th Independence Day.The awards are 9 Kirti Chakras, including 7 posthumous; 1 Bar to Shaurya Chakra; 19 Shaurya Chakras, including one posthumous; 5 Bar to Sena Medals (gallantry); 36 Sena Medals (gallantry), including 5 posthumous; 3 Nao Sena Medal (gallantry); and 5 Vayu Sena Medals (gallantry).Kirti Chakra is India’s second-highest peacetime gallantry award after Ashoka Chakra. Shaurya Chakra is the third-highest peacetime gallantry award.The Kirti Chakra awardees are Lt Col Manoj Francis of 21 Para (Special Forces) and Major Jitendra Rathee of 2 Para (Special Forces). Seven other Kirti Chakras were conferred posthumously.The armed forces personnel granted the prestigious awards posthumously included Havildar Gajendra Singh of 2 Para (Special Forces); Head Constables Jagbir Singh and Bashir Ahmad; Constables Jaswant Singh, Balvinder Singh and Tariq Hussain; and Inspector Sunil Kumar.The Shaurya Chakra awardees are Major Paramveer from 36 Rashtriya Rifles, Major Tarun Vasudevan from 57 Rashtriya Rifles, Major Keshav Kumar from 12 Dogra Regiment, Major Gaurav Singh Brijwal from 21 Grenadiers, Major Vipeen Kumar from 11 Rashtriya Rifles, Naib Subedar Shankar Ram from 3 Assam Rifles and Naib Subedar Dabbal Singh Bisht from 21 Para (Special Forces).Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesOther recipients of the award are Havildar Jagattar Singh from 4 Para (Special Forces), Lance Naik Narender Sindhu from 9 Rashtriya Rifles (posthumous), Lance Naik Kapil Dev from 11 Rashtriya Rifles, Sepoy Jaswinder Singh from 7 Sikh Light Infantry, Lieutenant Commander Shivam Kumar from the Indian Navy, and Squadron Leader Sudhir Kumar of the IAF.The remaining Shaurya Chakra awardees are Deputy Superintendent Dheeraj Singh Katoch, Inspector Ajay Singh Chib, Deputy Superintendent Sukhvir Singh, Assistant Sub-Inspector Niyaz Ahmad, Deputy Commandant Anjani Kumar, and Constable Deepak Sah.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Why Rockets?’ Jaipur Residents Mock Potholes With Astronaut Protest After Monsoon RainsRajnath Singh Announces Rs 8.75 Lakh Crore Defence Modernisation Push on 80th Independence DayBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks BeginCM Vijay Urges PM Modi To Keep Lok Sabha Strength At 543, Opposes Population-Based DelimitationThey Want To Disturb Punjab’s Peace’: Sukhbir Badal Flags Larger Conspiracy After Nanded Attack’The Great Transshipment Scam’: India Among 40 Nations Aiding China’s Tarrif Evasion, Says USUttarakhand Tunnel Landslide: 7 Workers Dead, 1 Missing; Rescue Operations Continue in Chamoli‘RSS Vs Congress Govt’: Karnataka Cabinet Clears Bill To Curb Events At Public Spaces‘Peaceful Revolution’ Needed: Sonam Wangchuk Seeks New Leaders To Transform India Before 2047Air India Tightens Pilot Safety Checks After AI2379 Altitude Loss And Positive Marijuana Test123Photostories10 unusual baby girl names with fascinating historical roots10 naturally tricolour Indian foods to make this Independence DayInside Ruhaanika Dhawan’s luxury home: A massive living room, elegant decor and moreWhat happens to your brain when you slowly reduce your screen time before bed? Neurologist answers5 red vegetables rich in fibre: Simple ways to add them to Indian mealsIndependence Day Special: 7 historic Delhi eateries that have been serving since before 1947Tara Sutaria’s lace drama meets Kiara Advani’s pantsuit power: Who really won the ‘Toxic’ album launch fashion face-off?5 yellow vegetables that may support eye health, immunity and healthy ageing10 foods that were once considered disgusting but became delicaciesIndependence Day: 10 rare photos that bring India’s freedom struggle to life123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingOil Prices TodayIndiGo Fight CancelledDelhi High Court Bomb ThreatAmbala Sikh Community ProtestManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke ‘What if’: Shoaib Akhtar expresses big ‘Imran Khan’ regret, reflects on career Quote of the Day by Eleanor Roosevelt:“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste it, to experience it to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experiences”; a powerful reminder to travel ‘I shot him’: Luigi Mangione pleads guilty to killing United Healthcare CEO, sentencing on Dec 18 Second train derails in Southeast England within 24 hours; no injuries reported NEW DELHI: Television channels will no longer be restricted to 12 minutes of advertisements per hour, with the government deciding to scrap the two-decade-old cap in a move it says will put traditional broadcasters on a more level footing with digital platforms.The restriction, introduced in 2006 under the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994, will cease to apply once the amended rules are notified in the Gazette, the information and broadcasting ministry said.The government has argued that the television landscape has changed substantially since the cap was imposed. India had only 62 TV channels in 2006, compared with more than 900 now. Cable television, then the dominant distribution platform, was largely analog and offered limited capacity and consumer choice.With digitisation, platforms including cable TV, direct-to-home, HITS and IPTV can now carry 300 to 500 channels or more, significantly expanding viewer choice and competition, the ministry said.The decision could give broadcasters greater flexibility to determine advertising inventory, an important consideration for an industry that remains heavily dependent on advertising revenue across both pay and free-to-air channels.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe ministry also cited the growing competition television faces from digital media, where there is no comparable statutory cap on advertising duration.It said the existing restriction had created a “non-level playing field” for conventional television broadcasters and that removing it would promote “fair competition” and ease of doing business.The change, however, will become operational only from the date the amendment to the Cable Television Networks Rules is formally notified.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Why Rockets?’ Jaipur Residents Mock Potholes With Astronaut Protest After Monsoon RainsRajnath Singh Announces Rs 8.75 Lakh Crore Defence Modernisation Push on 80th Independence DayBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks BeginCM Vijay Urges PM Modi To Keep Lok Sabha Strength At 543, Opposes Population-Based DelimitationThey Want To Disturb Punjab’s Peace’: Sukhbir Badal Flags Larger Conspiracy After Nanded Attack’The Great Transshipment Scam’: India Among 40 Nations Aiding China’s Tarrif Evasion, Says USUttarakhand Tunnel Landslide: 7 Workers Dead, 1 Missing; Rescue Operations Continue in Chamoli‘RSS Vs Congress Govt’: Karnataka Cabinet Clears Bill To Curb Events At Public Spaces‘Peaceful Revolution’ Needed: Sonam Wangchuk Seeks New Leaders To Transform India Before 2047Air India Tightens Pilot Safety Checks After AI2379 Altitude Loss And Positive Marijuana Test123Photostories10 unusual baby girl names with fascinating historical roots10 naturally tricolour Indian foods to make this Independence DayInside Ruhaanika Dhawan’s luxury home: A massive living room, elegant decor and moreWhat happens to your brain when you slowly reduce your screen time before bed? Neurologist answers5 red vegetables rich in fibre: Simple ways to add them to Indian mealsIndependence Day Special: 7 historic Delhi eateries that have been serving since before 1947Tara Sutaria’s lace drama meets Kiara Advani’s pantsuit power: Who really won the ‘Toxic’ album launch fashion face-off?5 yellow vegetables that may support eye health, immunity and healthy ageing10 foods that were once considered disgusting but became delicaciesIndependence Day: 10 rare photos that bring India’s freedom struggle to life123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingOil Prices TodayIndiGo Fight CancelledDelhi High Court Bomb ThreatAmbala Sikh Community ProtestManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke Ric Flair vs Brock Lesnar net worth comparison in 2026: WWE earnings, UFC career, endorsements, investments, lifestyle and financial legacy UK govt temporarily bans sale of disposable barbecues amid rising wildfire risk The organisation has asked all its units across the country to hold demonstrations, rallies and dharnas NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) has called for nationwide protests on August 17 over a range of pending labour issues, including higher minimum pension, revision of EPF and ESI wage ceilings, restoration of the Old Pension Scheme and changes to provisions of the new labour codes.The organisation has asked all its units across the country to hold demonstrations, rallies and dharnas at district headquarters and submit memorandums to the Prime Minister, finance minister and labour minister. A major protest is planned at Jantar Mantar in Delhi from 10am, with workers and representatives of BMS-affiliated unions and federations expected to participate.Among its key demands, BMS has sought an increase in the minimum pension under EPS-95 to Rs 7,500 a month and its linkage with variable dearness allowance and Ayushman Bharat. It has also demanded that the ESI wage ceiling be doubled from Rs 21,000 to Rs 42,000 and the EPF ceiling raised from Rs 15,000 to Rs 30,000.The union has sought bonus on full wages in line with the new labour codes, an increase in the wage ceiling used for bonus calculation and gratuity based on 30 days’ wages instead of 15 days, without any upper limit. It has also demanded inflation-linked minimum wages, higher honorarium for anganwadi, ASHA, mid-day meal and other scheme workers, and equal pay for contract and outsourced workers doing the same work.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesOther demands include a five-day work week in banks, filling vacancies in government services and public establishments, convening the Indian Labour Conference and restoring OPS.BMS has also reiterated its opposition to several provisions of the Industrial Relations Code and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, arguing that they could weaken workers’ rights, job security and social security. It has sought formal consultations between the Centre and central trade unions before amendments are made.The organisation also wants the Centre and states to reconsider the status of more than one crore “scheme workers”, saying many work 10-12 hours a day but remain outside effective labour-law and social-security protection.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorManash Pratim GohainManash Pratim Gohain is a seasoned journalist with over two decades at The Times of India, where he has built a rich body of work spanning education policy, politics, and governance. Renowned for his incisive coverage of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, accreditation reforms, and skilling initiatives, he has also reported on student politics, urban policy, and social movements. His political reportage—both reflective and news-driven—adds depth to his writing, bridging policy with public impact. Through his 2,500 articles and related outlets, he has emerged as a trusted voice in national discourse, particularly in linking education reform to broader societal change.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Why Rockets?’ Jaipur Residents Mock Potholes With Astronaut Protest After Monsoon RainsRajnath Singh Announces Rs 8.75 Lakh Crore Defence Modernisation Push on 80th Independence DayBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks BeginCM Vijay Urges PM Modi To Keep Lok Sabha Strength At 543, Opposes Population-Based DelimitationThey Want To Disturb Punjab’s Peace’: Sukhbir Badal Flags Larger Conspiracy After Nanded Attack’The Great Transshipment Scam’: India Among 40 Nations Aiding China’s Tarrif Evasion, Says USUttarakhand Tunnel Landslide: 7 Workers Dead, 1 Missing; Rescue Operations Continue in Chamoli‘RSS Vs Congress Govt’: Karnataka Cabinet Clears Bill To Curb Events At Public Spaces‘Peaceful Revolution’ Needed: Sonam Wangchuk Seeks New Leaders To Transform India Before 2047Air India Tightens Pilot Safety Checks After AI2379 Altitude Loss And Positive Marijuana Test123Photostories10 unusual baby girl names with fascinating historical roots10 naturally tricolour Indian foods to make this Independence DayInside Ruhaanika Dhawan’s luxury home: A massive living room, elegant decor and moreWhat happens to your brain when you slowly reduce your screen time before bed? Neurologist answers5 red vegetables rich in fibre: Simple ways to add them to Indian mealsIndependence Day Special: 7 historic Delhi eateries that have been serving since before 1947Tara Sutaria’s lace drama meets Kiara Advani’s pantsuit power: Who really won the ‘Toxic’ album launch fashion face-off?5 yellow vegetables that may support eye health, immunity and healthy ageing10 foods that were once considered disgusting but became delicaciesIndependence Day: 10 rare photos that bring India’s freedom struggle to life123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingOil Prices TodayIndiGo Fight CancelledDelhi High Court Bomb ThreatAmbala Sikh Community ProtestManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke Aug 14, 2026, 17:27 IST Trump admin accuses over 40 nations including India of helping China evade tariffs – what it means Male redback spiders somersault directly towards a female’s fangs during mating; scientists found the bizarre behaviour may come from surprisingly simple genetics “I just want to share that with all these little kids”: How Sophie Cunningham’s $10,182 act of kindness turned WNBA frustration into a heartwarming moment for families in need An unthinkable crime shatters an Indian family in US— and raises questions about AI Updated: Aug 14, 2026, 21:22 IST ‘Constant communication’: Shubman Gill denies gap with BCCI CoE amid injury woes ‘Toxic’ star Rukmini Vasanth says she was curious to discover Melissa’s place in the Geetu Mohandas directorial: ‘Being a Yash Sir fan girl and getting to share screen space was incredible’ Focus on Galle, eye on The Oval: ‘Goal is to play WTC final,’ says Shubman Gill The UK ‘PM-in-waiting’ just beat a guy wearing a trash can – and that sums up post-Brexit politics At 80, India is increasingly a country the world has an opinion about. As India completes 79 years of independence, its global standing presents a striking study in contrasts.A Pew Research Center survey conducted across 36 countries between February and May 2026 reveals an international community divided down the middle: a global median of 45% of respondents hold a favorable view of India, while 41% express an unfavorable opinion.Read more: 80 years on, still enemy No. 1: What Indians and Pakistanis think of each otherBehind this median lies a complex tapestry of geopolitical shifts, historical rivalries, and evolving regional alliances.From enthusiasm in Western Europe and East Africa to frosty hostility in parts of the Middle East and South Asia, public perception of the world’s most populous democracy depends heavily on where you ask.Neighbourhood contrasts & global scorecardNowhere is this divergence more intense than in India’s immediate backyard. While proximity can foster cooperation, in South Asia it has produced antithetical attitudes.Sri Lanka has the most favourable view of India, with 79% of adults expressing a positive opinion.Pakistan sits at the opposite end, with just 7% viewing India favourably. The gulf between the two countries reflects decades of conflict, political rivalry and competing national narratives.Turkey is another major outlier. Only 15% of Turks have a favourable opinion of India, while a majority hold an unfavourable view. In the West Bank and East Jerusalem, just 18% express a positive opinion.Yet beyond these pockets of hostility, India finds considerable goodwill across much of the world.as India enters its 80th year as an independent nation, what does the world think of it?Kenya and the United Kingdom rank alongside Sri Lanka among the countries most positive towards India, with roughly seven in 10 adults expressing favourable views.Majorities in Germany, Israel, Italy, Sweden, Japan and Thailand also see India positively.In contrast, Latin American publics express mixed-to-negative views, alongside substantial shares of respondents who offer no opinion.The findings suggest that India’s global image is not simply a reflection of its diplomatic alliances.Economic ties, strategic partnerships, cultural familiarity and perceptions of India’s growing global role all appear to shape how people view the country.India’s image is changingThe bigger story is perhaps not where India stands today, but how its image has changed.In most countries surveyed, opinions have remained relatively stable since Pew last asked the question. But in 10 countries, the change has been statistically significant — and in seven of them, India’s favourability has fallen.Turkey and Nigeria have recorded the sharpest declines since 2025, with the share of people expressing a favourable opinion of India falling by 10 percentage points in both countries.India has also lost ground in the United States, Indonesia, South Africa and Mexico.The decline is particularly striking in Bangladesh.Pew’s previous survey there was conducted in 2024. Since then, the share of Bangladeshis with a favourable opinion of India has fallen by 15 percentage points, leaving fewer than half with a positive view.At the same time, the number of Bangladeshis who do not express an opinion has also fallen sharply, from 24% to just 7%. In other words, more Bangladeshis now appear to have a defined opinion of India — and that opinion has become considerably less favourable.The trend is not uniformly negative, however.India’s image has improved significantly in Germany, Britain and Sri Lanka.The share of Britons with a favourable opinion of India has risen 11 points since 2025, while Germany has recorded a six-point increase. Sri Lanka has seen an even bigger jump, with favourability rising 14 points since 2024.Looking further back to 2023 reveals another interesting divide.Across several European countries, India’s image has strengthened substantially since the first post-pandemic survey. In Germany, for example, only 47% had a favourable opinion of India in 2023. That figure has now climbed to 63%.France has followed a similar trajectory. India’s favourability there has risen from 39% in 2023 to 50% today.Outside Europe, however, the picture is less encouraging.South Korea is one example. In 2023, 59% of South Koreans viewed India favourably. Today, that figure has dropped to 44%.Latin America also tends to lean more negative, although large numbers of people in several European and Latin American countries do not express an opinion at all.Politics matters tooIndia’s global image is also shaped by domestic political ideology in some countries.The United States and Canada show a striking pattern: people on the political left are more likely than conservatives to view India favourably.In the US, 54% of liberals express a positive opinion of India, compared with 40% of conservatives. In Canada, the corresponding figures are 58% and 45%.Israel presents almost the exact opposite picture.There, 68% of people on the political right view India favourably, compared with just 46% on the left.The ideological divide underlines how perceptions of India can be tied not only to India’s own policies, but also to how different political constituencies interpret its role in the world.A mixed but largely positive global imageSo, as India enters its 80th year as an independent nation, what does the world think of it?The answer is neither uniformly celebratory nor overwhelmingly negative.Pakistan and Turkey may give India the stink eye, but they represent the more hostile end of a much broader spectrum.From Sri Lanka and Kenya to Britain, Germany and Israel, India enjoys strong positive sentiment in several strategically important countries.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesAt the same time, the declines in Bangladesh, the US, South Korea, Turkey, Nigeria and other countries show that India’s global image cannot be taken for granted.India’s international reputation is therefore becoming more consequential — and more contested.As New Delhi seeks a larger role in global affairs, its challenge will not simply be to build economic and military power, but also to shape how that power is perceived abroad.At 80, India is increasingly a country the world has an opinion about.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 MediaVideos‘Why Rockets?’ Jaipur Residents Mock Potholes With Astronaut Protest After Monsoon RainsRajnath Singh Announces Rs 8.75 Lakh Crore Defence Modernisation Push on 80th Independence DayBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks BeginCM Vijay Urges PM Modi To Keep Lok Sabha Strength At 543, Opposes Population-Based DelimitationThey Want To Disturb Punjab’s Peace’: Sukhbir Badal Flags Larger Conspiracy After Nanded Attack’The Great Transshipment Scam’: India Among 40 Nations Aiding China’s Tarrif Evasion, Says USUttarakhand Tunnel Landslide: 7 Workers Dead, 1 Missing; Rescue Operations Continue in Chamoli‘RSS Vs Congress Govt’: Karnataka Cabinet Clears Bill To Curb Events At Public Spaces‘Peaceful Revolution’ Needed: Sonam Wangchuk Seeks New Leaders To Transform India Before 2047Air India Tightens Pilot Safety Checks After AI2379 Altitude Loss And Positive Marijuana Test123Photostories10 unusual baby girl names with fascinating historical roots10 naturally tricolour Indian foods to make this Independence DayInside Ruhaanika Dhawan’s luxury home: A massive living room, elegant decor and moreWhat happens to your brain when you slowly reduce your screen time before bed? 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The aid trap in Africa In 1974, Vietnam veteran Kenneth Deardorff moved to Alaska looking for work; 14 years later, he became the last person in US history to receive a homestead title Rolls-Royce, Reliance plan to develop indigenous combat engine for AMCA programme In 1870, a former slave and Union soldier staked a homestead in Nebraska; drought and grasshoppers cost him the claim, but he eventually owned more than 2,000 acres Sunil Amrith is the Renu and Anand Dhawan Professor of History at Yale University with a secondary appointment as professor at the Yale School of the Environment. He serves as Director of the Macmillan Centre for International and Area Studies and Yale’s Vice Provost for International Affairs. He has received the 2016 Infosys Prize in Humanities, a 2017 MacArthur Fellowship, and the 2025 Toynbee Prize in Global History, among others. He has authored five books that put Asia at the heart of global history. In this conversation, he discusses his book, ‘The Burning Earth’. Excerpts from the interview.Q: Why did you feel this book needed to be written?A: It was a coming together of my academic life and the rest of my life. For close to 20 years, I had been researching some of the themes that do make it into ‘The Burning Earth’. I’ve particularly been interested in the relationship between migration, the movement of people and environmental change. So I wrote a book more than 10 years ago called ‘Crossing the Bay of Bengal’, which I think was my first foray into environmental history, in which I was really thinking about the enormous movement of people, particularly from Tamil Nadu, to southeast Asia in the 19th and 20th century, many of them to work on rubber plantations, but also to work in port cities, places like Singapore and Penang and Rangoon, and understanding that that was actually a moment of fundamental transformation in the environment… At the same time, as a teacher, but also as a parent, as a citizen, the climate crisis became quite unavoidable in my own consciousness. And so for me, that prompted me to scale things up beyond my areas of specialisation towards perhaps the biggest question, which is how did we get to this point of planetary crisis? And that’s really what’s at the heart of ‘The Burning Earth’.Q: You also bring in a kind of storytelling which positions itself in different geographies as if to say, the inherited narratives of Eurocentric histories are not what we’re going to look at. A: If the question is what is it about my own perspective that may make this book a little bit different from some of the other books out there on this big theme of the environment, it is the fact that my own training is not in European and North American history. And I think most of what is called global history continues to take as its starting point and as its default, a kind of familiar North Atlantic history. And so by starting the book in China and ending it in Indonesia, I was really trying to write it anchored in Asia… Asia has always been home to the majority of humanity. It still is today. And so it seemed to me completely fitting to really think about the history of this planet with a firm anchor in the part of the world, the part of the planet which has been the most inhabited by most people throughout the longest period of time.Q: How do you bring in a methodology which ensures that what you’re positioning and presenting can be as accurate as possible? A: That’s the biggest challenge of a book like this. There’s no possibility that I can have the primary expertise in all of these areas that I write about in the book. And so in some ways that was a leap that I took. Academia is a collective enterprise. And this is very much a book that builds on my own work in some areas. And in other areas, it’s really sort of bringing together my reading in multiple fields of scholarship and different disciplines as well. So I’m a historian, but some of the most exciting new scholarship which I draw on and interpret is actually coming from the physical sciences.There’s some phenomenally interesting work in paleoclimatology, for example, which is trying to reconstruct past climates using ice cores, using lake bed sediment, using tree rings. And of course, these disciplines traditionally and even still within the walls of the university barely meet. But what’s been very interesting about recent work on climate and environment in particular, is you have this forcing together of completely different ideas of what the archive is.Q: You use the word ‘elite’ a few times when you’re talking about social stratification for a very specific economic growth touted as well-being of a community, but usually you see it as exploitative. A: I don’t use the word that many times, but when I do, I think it’s doing a lot of work for me. ‘The Burning Earth’ is not an activist book, which is to say that it is just that bit muddier and less clear about the villains of the piece than activist writing necessarily has to be. And yet there is such a strong core in my own thinking of awareness of just how stark environmental inequalities are and just how much the scale of planetary destruction that has been achieved over the last two centuries has been disproportionately, not exclusively, but disproportionately driven by the elite pursuit of luxuries and of accumulation… There is a story of human need in this book and there’s also a story of human greed… I think we need to think about desire, we need to think about states, we need to think about liberation, we need to think about the genuinely liberatory promises that led to some of this environmental destruction which can’t be reduced to a question of greed or even of capitalism…There’s no question that the social and economic system that has been a driving force in the climate crisis is the capitalist system. But the socialist system in some sense was even more environmentally profligate and wasteful. It was just less successful. And so in terms of its longevity, in terms of the scale on which it was operating, it kind of doesn’t compare with what a particular capitalist mode of production does to our ability to treat all of nature as commodity and to lead to this kind of constantly expanding frontier of production.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines But my question is really a different one, which is, where were the alternatives? Who was thinking differently?Q: You point out that there are these rather horrific incidents which are almost genocidal. A: I think that’s one of the key narratives in the book to show that the moments of the most intensive and accelerated environmental destruction over the last several hundred years have almost always gone together with moments of intense violence. And violence is at the core of ‘The Burning Earth’. Not just violence against the earth or against nature, but against other people… Wars that are going on all around us in the world today are part of a very long pattern where armed violence and militarism and military destruction have been inextricably bound with massive environmental destruction.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosRajnath Singh Announces Rs 8.75 Lakh Crore Defence Modernisation Push on 80th Independence DayBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks BeginCM Vijay Urges PM Modi To Keep Lok Sabha Strength At 543, Opposes Population-Based DelimitationThey Want To Disturb Punjab’s Peace’: Sukhbir Badal Flags Larger Conspiracy After Nanded Attack’The Great Transshipment Scam’: India Among 40 Nations Aiding China’s Tarrif Evasion, Says USUttarakhand Tunnel Landslide: 7 Workers Dead, 1 Missing; Rescue Operations Continue in Chamoli‘RSS Vs Congress Govt’: Karnataka Cabinet Clears Bill To Curb Events At Public Spaces‘Peaceful Revolution’ Needed: Sonam Wangchuk Seeks New Leaders To Transform India Before 2047Air India Tightens Pilot Safety Checks After AI2379 Altitude Loss And Positive Marijuana TestJPSC-JSSC Stir Enters Day 20: Police Book 600 After Assembly March, Students Refuse To Back Down123Photostories10 unusual baby girl names with fascinating historical roots10 naturally tricolour Indian foods to make this Independence DayInside Ruhaanika Dhawan’s luxury home: A massive living room, elegant decor and moreWhat happens to your brain when you slowly reduce your screen time before bed? Neurologist answers5 red vegetables rich in fibre: Simple ways to add them to Indian mealsIndependence Day Special: 7 historic Delhi eateries that have been serving since before 1947Tara Sutaria’s lace drama meets Kiara Advani’s pantsuit power: Who really won the ‘Toxic’ album launch fashion face-off?5 yellow vegetables that may support eye health, immunity and healthy ageing10 foods that were once considered disgusting but became delicaciesIndependence Day: 10 rare photos that bring India’s freedom struggle to life123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingOil Prices TodayIndiGo Fight CancelledDelhi High Court Bomb ThreatAmbala Sikh Community ProtestManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa’s combined net worth in 2026: Inside the WWE stars’ salaries, earnings, merchandise, endorsements and Anoa’i family fortune 5,000-year-old ‘Stargazer’ statuette from ancient Turkey reveals a mysterious early human sculpture Rajnath Singh said he was particularly upset that the comments came from the Lok Sabha LoP. Defence minister Rajnath Singh has hit back at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the government’s foreign policy, calling them “petty and condemnable” and warning that such language could damage democratic discourse.Singh said he was particularly upset that the comments came from the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha. He accused Gandhi of lowering the dignity associated with the post and questioned whether such conduct was appropriate for someone holding a key constitutional position.”The remarks made by LoP Rahul Gandhi on PM Narendra Modi and India’s foreign policy yesterday are petty and condemnable. It is painful for me personally, too. In my long political life, I had never seen such indecent and unimaginable conduct from any LoP. Such conduct is a grave sign of a threat to a healthy democracy,” Singh said.The defence minister also defended Modi’s record as Prime Minister and his standing abroad, while arguing that political differences should not lead to what he described as disrespectful remarks.”Rahul Gandhi might have frustration with PM in his mind, but such indecent remarks are unacceptable, especially when PM Modi has been a Prime Minister who has brought prestige to India nationally and internationally, and paved the way for Viksit Bharat. “”In 12 years, working with full dedication, he did not take any leave. Such indecent remarks against such a PM pain every Indian,” he said.Singh then turned his criticism towards the Congress, questioning whether the party could continue to claim the legacy of several of India’s prominent leaders after Gandhi’s remarks.”I would also like to humbly tell the Congress party that after such language and conduct, can they have any claim over the legacy of Lal-Bal-Pal and Gandhi, Patel and Nehru, from Subhas Babu to Rajendra Babu and Shastri ji and Narasimha Rao ji to Pranab Mukherjee?” Rajnath Singh said.He further accused Gandhi of not only targeting Modi but also damaging India’s image and the dignity of the Leader of Opposition’s office.”With this conduct, Rahul Gandhi has not only insulted PM Narendra Modi but also the international prestige of India. He has shredded the dignity of the post of Lok Sabha LoP. I cannot even imagine that someone with the Gandhi surname can make such a shameful remark.”The exchange followed remarks made by Gandhi at the Congress’s Rachnatmak Congress National Convention in New Delhi on Thursday.Gandhi criticised the government’s approach to foreign policy and argued that India’s international relations should be driven by national interest rather than personal relationships between political leaders.”I don’t know where it came from; this idea got into their heads. I don’t know who put it there or where it came from, the idea that foreign policy means hugging politicians. I was young. We went to America. Since we’re talking about expressions, I’ll share this. We went to America. I was twelve years old. Priyanka, myself, my mother, and my grandmother – my grandmother was the Prime Minister. There was a state dinner – an official dinner. My grandmother and mother went to the official dinner,” he said.He added, “You aren’t just visiting a friend’s house. In this role, the Prime Minister of India doesn’t engage in mere friendship. They have no interest in friendship; their job is to protect the country.”Gandhi also accused the Modi government of damaging India’s foreign policy, using the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the US and Israel as an example.”War broke out in Iran. For India – had it recognised its own strength and had its leader been someone like Indira Gandhi–this presented the greatest opportunity in the world. What kind of opportunity? Iran was our old friend, America was our friend, and Russia was our friend. We could have stepped up, become relevant, and leveraged these friendships. But what actually happened? Nothing of the sort. Instead, Pakistan stepped in and took our place; Pakistan became the mediator, while India and Modi-ji simply looked on,” he said.Rahul Gandhi claimed he receives “information directly from Modi ji’s office these days; there is a full-blown revolt going on inside”.He also referred to certain claims in videos on social media about China’s actions concerning patrolling along the LAC in a border area of Arunachal Pradesh.He also raised allegations concerning Chinese activity along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh and accused the government of pressuring the media not to report certain claims.”In our patrolling areas–specifically in Arunachal–China blocked us from patrolling. They essentially said, ‘Look, all that is fine–it is indeed your land–but you cannot patrol here.’ Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, and Narendra Modi have been completely deflated. They are calling up all the media editors, telling them, ‘Don’t publish this in your newspapers; suppress the story.’ They are causing direct harm to the country without a second thought,” he said.Gandhi also revisited the dispute over India’s handling of the border situation with China following the Galwan clash.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesHe alleged that conflicting statements about whether Indian territory had been lost weakened India’s position during negotiations with China.”After the Galwan incident, the Prime Minister held a meeting–a Zoom call. He stated that China hadn’t taken a single inch of Indian territory. The Army said that our land had been taken. Just think about the message sent to China: Chinese negotiators asked our negotiators, ‘What nonsense are you talking about? Your own Prime Minister said no land was lost.’ So, internally, they have destroyed the country; they have wrecked our foreign policy. And they did all of this solely to finance their political structure, to secure funds from Adaniji,” he alleged.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 MediaVideosBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks BeginCM Vijay Urges PM Modi To Keep Lok Sabha Strength At 543, Opposes Population-Based DelimitationThey Want To Disturb Punjab’s Peace’: Sukhbir Badal Flags Larger Conspiracy After Nanded Attack’The Great Transshipment Scam’: India Among 40 Nations Aiding China’s Tarrif Evasion, Says USUttarakhand Tunnel Landslide: 7 Workers Dead, 1 Missing; Rescue Operations Continue in Chamoli‘RSS Vs Congress Govt’: Karnataka Cabinet Clears Bill To Curb Events At Public Spaces‘Peaceful Revolution’ Needed: Sonam Wangchuk Seeks New Leaders To Transform India Before 2047Air India Tightens Pilot Safety Checks After AI2379 Altitude Loss And Positive Marijuana TestJPSC-JSSC Stir Enters Day 20: Police Book 600 After Assembly March, Students Refuse To Back DownAkali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal Near Hazur Sahib Gurdwara, Assailant Uses Sharp Weapon | Watch123Photostories10 unusual baby girl names with fascinating historical roots10 naturally tricolour Indian foods to make this Independence DayInside Ruhaanika Dhawan’s luxury home: A massive living room, elegant decor and moreWhat happens to your brain when you slowly reduce your screen time before bed? Neurologist answers5 red vegetables rich in fibre: Simple ways to add them to Indian mealsIndependence Day Special: 7 historic Delhi eateries that have been serving since before 1947Tara Sutaria’s lace drama meets Kiara Advani’s pantsuit power: Who really won the ‘Toxic’ album launch fashion face-off?5 yellow vegetables that may support eye health, immunity and healthy ageing10 foods that were once considered disgusting but became delicaciesIndependence Day: 10 rare photos that bring India’s freedom struggle to life123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingOil Prices TodayIndiGo Fight CancelledDelhi High Court Bomb ThreatAmbala Sikh Community ProtestManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke R Madhavan treated son Vedaant like an adult ever since he was 5 years old, here’s the one lesson he taught his son: ‘He can become news very quickly, if he doesn’t know how to keep his ducks Why are train coaches blue, red or green? Here’s what their colours actually mean ‘Greatest threat’: How India, Pakistan view each other; data lays bare deep animosity 79-year-old UK grandmother refuses to sell part of her garden for $60m road project to protect a 500-year-old oak tree and local wildlife President Droupadi Murmu has approved 78 gallantry awards for personnel of the defence forces and CAPF. NEW DELHI: President Droupadi Murmu on Friday approved 78 gallantry awards for personnel of the Defence Forces and Central Armed Police Forces on the eve of the 80th Independence Day. Of the 78 awards, 13 have been approved posthumously, according to the Press Information Bureau.The awards include nine Kirti Chakras, of which seven are posthumous, and 19 Shaurya Chakras, including one posthumous award.The President has also approved one Bar to Shaurya Chakra, five Bars to Sena Medals (Gallantry) and 36 Sena Medals (Gallantry), including five posthumous awards. The list also includes three Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry) and five Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).The awards have been approved to recognise gallantry among personnel of the Defence Forces and Central Armed Police Forces.Here’s the full list Underlining that students are the “architects of India’s future,” President Droupadi Murmu on Friday said the government is taking comprehensive steps to reform public examinations to completely curb paper leaks and unfair means, making the system transparent, secure, and trustworthy.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesIn her address to the nation on the eve of the country’s 80th Independence Day, the president stressed that just as government and society remain united to ensure national security, everyone must contribute through joint and concerted efforts to safeguard the present and future of students.”Public examinations become gateways to opportunities for our students. The government is undertaking comprehensive steps to reform these examinations. The objectives of these reforms are to completely curb the use of unfair means in public examinations, make the examination system more transparent, more secure, and more trustworthy for the youth,” she said.Her remarks assume significance in the backdrop of recent nationwide Gen Z and student-led protests demanding systemic overhauls, fast-track investigations, and stringent legal action following high-profile paper leak irregularities in competitive examinations.ALSO READ | ‘Terrorists will face consequences’: President Murmu addresses nation on eve of 80th I-DayGet 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 MediaVideosRajnath Singh Announces Rs 8.75 Lakh Crore Defence Modernisation Push on 80th Independence DayBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks BeginCM Vijay Urges PM Modi To Keep Lok Sabha Strength At 543, Opposes Population-Based DelimitationThey Want To Disturb Punjab’s Peace’: Sukhbir Badal Flags Larger Conspiracy After Nanded Attack’The Great Transshipment Scam’: India Among 40 Nations Aiding China’s Tarrif Evasion, Says USUttarakhand Tunnel Landslide: 7 Workers Dead, 1 Missing; Rescue Operations Continue in Chamoli‘RSS Vs Congress Govt’: Karnataka Cabinet Clears Bill To Curb Events At Public Spaces‘Peaceful Revolution’ Needed: Sonam Wangchuk Seeks New Leaders To Transform India Before 2047Air India Tightens Pilot Safety Checks After AI2379 Altitude Loss And Positive Marijuana TestJPSC-JSSC Stir Enters Day 20: Police Book 600 After Assembly March, Students Refuse To Back Down123Photostories10 unusual baby girl names with fascinating historical roots10 naturally tricolour Indian foods to make this Independence DayInside Ruhaanika Dhawan’s luxury home: A massive living room, elegant decor and moreWhat happens to your brain when you slowly reduce your screen time before bed? Neurologist answers5 red vegetables rich in fibre: Simple ways to add them to Indian mealsIndependence Day Special: 7 historic Delhi eateries that have been serving since before 1947Tara Sutaria’s lace drama meets Kiara Advani’s pantsuit power: Who really won the ‘Toxic’ album launch fashion face-off?5 yellow vegetables that may support eye health, immunity and healthy ageing10 foods that were once considered disgusting but became delicaciesIndependence Day: 10 rare photos that bring India’s freedom struggle to life123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingOil Prices TodayIndiGo Fight CancelledDelhi High Court Bomb ThreatAmbala Sikh Community ProtestManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke