June 13, 2026

The Iranian Embassy in India on Saturday rejected US President Donald Trump’s allegation that Iran was behind the drone attack on Indian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, calling the accusation “baseless.” The embassy further slammed Washington, accusing it of attempting to divert attention from the recent strikes on ships carrying Indian crew members.In a post on X, the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in India said, “The US president’s accusation against Iran regarding an Indian vessel in the Strait of Hormuz is simply baseless. It is an attempt to divert public attention from the brutal fact that the US has attacked 3 Indian vessels in less than a week and killed 3 innocent Indian sailors. That’s pathetic!”The embassy’s remarks came while reposting a message by Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei, who criticised the US over the attacks on commercial vessels involving Indian nationals.”The brutal US attacks on Indian commercial vessels which have killed at least three Indian nationals, stand as clear evidence of America’s ongoing policy of armed robbery and State piracy. We extend our sympathies to the families and friends of the slain Indian sailors and offer our sincere condolences to the Indian people and government.”He further added, “The international community must hold the United States accountable for its lawless conduct, which continues to threaten global peace and security while endangering the freedom of navigation.”Trump blames Iran for alleged drone attackThe response came after Trump accused Iran of being behind an alleged drone attack on Indian ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.The US President said, “Their (Iran’s) totally rebuffed Drone attack last night against Indian Ships leaving the Hormuz Strait is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. They better get their act together, and FAST!” Trump wrote on his social media platform.Trump’s remarks came hours after India summoned a senior US diplomat to South Block for the second time on Friday to convey its displeasure over American attacks on merchant vessels that resulted in the deaths of Indian sailors. However, he did not address the deaths of the Indian crew members in his statement.US acknowledges strikes on Indian-crewed vesselIn contrast, the Trump administration had already acknowledged that American forces had fired two Hellfire missiles at a third commercial vessel carrying Indian crew members off the coast of Oman on Thursday. According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), “American forces disabled the Guinea-Bissau-flagged tanker MT Jalveer in the Gulf of Oman at 11:20 pm ET on June 10, making it the third commercial vessel targeted by US forces this week.”CENTCOM said the action was taken against the vessel “as it attempted to transport oil from Iran through the Gulf of Oman”.”A US aircraft fired two Hellfire missiles into the ship’s engine room after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with directions from US forces,” it added.The strike on MT Jalveer came days after US forces disabled the Palau-flagged tankers M/T Marivex and M/T Settebello.India protests attacks on merchant shipsIndia said that three merchant ships carrying Indian crew members had come under attack by the US Navy off the Oman coast over the past four days, resulting in the deaths of three Indians. It also lodged a strong protest with the United States and asserted that such attacks should stop.The number of Indian seafarers killed since the Middle East conflict broke out on February 28 has risen to seven.This also marked the first time India officially acknowledged that the US Navy had targeted the vessels. While the Palau-flagged oil tankers Marivex and Settebello came under attack on June 8 and June 10 respectively, the Guinea-Bissau-flagged bitumen tanker MT Jalveer, carrying 20 Indians, was attacked on Thursday.Later, Mukesh Mangal, additional secretary in the shipping ministry, said all 25 remaining crew members of the Settebello had been safely evacuated.Meanwhile, the Middle East conflict that began on February 28 with the US and Israel launching joint strikes on Iran, has now crossed over 100 days.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 MediaVideosOpposition Alleges BJP Using Agencies As Political Toolkit After FIR Against MamataPolice Conduct 4-Hour Search At Abhishek Banerjee’s Kolkata Residence In Fraud ProbeFive IAF Personnel Killed After AN-32 Aircraft Crashes During Routine Sortie In AssamIndian-Origin Man Jailed For 34 Years In UK For Kidnapping, Torturing And R*ping Young WomanNEET-UG Re-Exam Gets CAPF Cover, IAF Support And Extra Time For StudentsSanjay Raut Alleges EVMs Were Deliberately Set Ablaze, Targets BJP Over West Bengal Fire IncidentIAF’s ‘Workhorse’ AN-32 Aircraft Crashes And Catches Fire At Jorhat Air Force Station | Watch‘Won’t Let Indus Waters Reach Patrons Of Terror’: Rajnath Singh Reinforces India’s Pakistan Policy’Kim Jong Un Model’ Used For ‘Vote Chori’: Revanth Reddy’s Sharp Attack On BJP | WatchAudio Captures Panic Aboard Indian-Crewed Tanker Moments After U.S. Strike At Sea123PhotostoriesLong before becoming the world’s first trillionaire, Elon Musk survived on hot dogs and oranges for $1 a day in CanadaWhat people who stay healthy into their 80s do differently every day5 signs life’s hardest phase is finally behind you5 animals that are often called the world’s dumbestHave you done the “sun test” before investing in a houseEl Niño is more than a weather event: How it could affect your healthInside Karishma Tanna’s luxurious 2-storey Mumbai home: Massive living room, stunning balcony views and more8 traditional summer foods Indians are abandoning despite their health benefitsGiant Predator: The World’s Biggest Snake can kill its prey in seconds without venom!5 snake species in India that are every wildlife photographer’s dream123Hot PicksRe-NEET admit cardAIDMK MeetWomen t20 World Cup Match todayTulsi GabbardMP Board 12 Supplementary ResultDelta Air Lines flightSpaceX IPOKCET 2026 verification slipKCET counselling 2026Top TrendingAsha Sharma Net WorthUPSC Prelims ResultSpaceX IPOFIFA World Cup 2026Women T20 World CupPune Techie SuicideAbhishek BanerjeeComedian PranitTMC Leader Kunal GhoshCBSE Class 10 Second Board Result

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins
The Iranian Embassy in India on Saturday rejected US President Donald Trump’s allegation that Iran was behind the drone attack on Indian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, calling the accusation “baseless.” The embassy further slammed Washington, accusing it of attempting to divert attention from the recent strikes on ships carrying Indian crew members.In a post on X, the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in India said, “The US president’s accusation against Iran regarding an Indian vessel in the Strait of Hormuz is simply baseless. It is an attempt to divert public attention from the brutal fact that the US has attacked 3 Indian vessels in less than a week and killed 3 innocent Indian sailors. That’s pathetic!”The embassy’s remarks came while reposting a message by Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei, who criticised the US over the attacks on commercial vessels involving Indian nationals.”The brutal US attacks on Indian commercial vessels which have killed at least three Indian nationals, stand as clear evidence of America’s ongoing policy of armed robbery and State piracy. We extend our sympathies to the families and friends of the slain Indian sailors and offer our sincere condolences to the Indian people and government.”He further added, “The international community must hold the United States accountable for its lawless conduct, which continues to threaten global peace and security while endangering the freedom of navigation.”Trump blames Iran for alleged drone attackThe response came after Trump accused Iran of being behind an alleged drone attack on Indian ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.The US President said, “Their (Iran’s) totally rebuffed Drone attack last night against Indian Ships leaving the Hormuz Strait is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. They better get their act together, and FAST!” Trump wrote on his social media platform.Trump’s remarks came hours after India summoned a senior US diplomat to South Block for the second time on Friday to convey its displeasure over American attacks on merchant vessels that resulted in the deaths of Indian sailors. However, he did not address the deaths of the Indian crew members in his statement.US acknowledges strikes on Indian-crewed vesselIn contrast, the Trump administration had already acknowledged that American forces had fired two Hellfire missiles at a third commercial vessel carrying Indian crew members off the coast of Oman on Thursday. According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), “American forces disabled the Guinea-Bissau-flagged tanker MT Jalveer in the Gulf of Oman at 11:20 pm ET on June 10, making it the third commercial vessel targeted by US forces this week.”CENTCOM said the action was taken against the vessel “as it attempted to transport oil from Iran through the Gulf of Oman”.”A US aircraft fired two Hellfire missiles into the ship’s engine room after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with directions from US forces,” it added.The strike on MT Jalveer came days after US forces disabled the Palau-flagged tankers M/T Marivex and M/T Settebello.India protests attacks on merchant shipsIndia said that three merchant ships carrying Indian crew members had come under attack by the US Navy off the Oman coast over the past four days, resulting in the deaths of three Indians. It also lodged a strong protest with the United States and asserted that such attacks should stop.The number of Indian seafarers killed since the Middle East conflict broke out on February 28 has risen to seven.This also marked the first time India officially acknowledged that the US Navy had targeted the vessels. While the Palau-flagged oil tankers Marivex and Settebello came under attack on June 8 and June 10 respectively, the Guinea-Bissau-flagged bitumen tanker MT Jalveer, carrying 20 Indians, was attacked on Thursday.Later, Mukesh Mangal, additional secretary in the shipping ministry, said all 25 remaining crew members of the Settebello had been safely evacuated.Meanwhile, the Middle East conflict that began on February 28 with the US and Israel launching joint strikes on Iran, has now crossed over 100 days.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 MediaVideosOpposition Alleges BJP Using Agencies As Political Toolkit After FIR Against MamataPolice Conduct 4-Hour Search At Abhishek Banerjee’s Kolkata Residence In Fraud ProbeFive IAF Personnel Killed After AN-32 Aircraft Crashes During Routine Sortie In AssamIndian-Origin Man Jailed For 34 Years In UK For Kidnapping, Torturing And R*ping Young WomanNEET-UG Re-Exam Gets CAPF Cover, IAF Support And Extra Time For StudentsSanjay Raut Alleges EVMs Were Deliberately Set Ablaze, Targets BJP Over West Bengal Fire IncidentIAF’s ‘Workhorse’ AN-32 Aircraft Crashes And Catches Fire At Jorhat Air Force Station | Watch‘Won’t Let Indus Waters Reach Patrons Of Terror’: Rajnath Singh Reinforces India’s Pakistan Policy’Kim Jong Un Model’ Used For ‘Vote Chori’: Revanth Reddy’s Sharp Attack On BJP | WatchAudio Captures Panic Aboard Indian-Crewed Tanker Moments After U.S. Strike At Sea123PhotostoriesLong before becoming the world’s first trillionaire, Elon Musk survived on hot dogs and oranges for a day in CanadaWhat people who stay healthy into their 80s do differently every day5 signs life’s hardest phase is finally behind you5 animals that are often called the world’s dumbestHave you done the “sun test” before investing in a houseEl Niño is more than a weather event: How it could affect your healthInside Karishma Tanna’s luxurious 2-storey Mumbai home: Massive living room, stunning balcony views and more8 traditional summer foods Indians are abandoning despite their health benefitsGiant Predator: The World’s Biggest Snake can kill its prey in seconds without venom!5 snake species in India that are every wildlife photographer’s dream123Hot PicksRe-NEET admit cardAIDMK MeetWomen t20 World Cup Match todayTulsi GabbardMP Board 12 Supplementary ResultDelta Air Lines flightSpaceX IPOKCET 2026 verification slipKCET counselling 2026Top TrendingAsha Sharma Net WorthUPSC Prelims ResultSpaceX IPOFIFA World Cup 2026Women T20 World CupPune Techie SuicideAbhishek BanerjeeComedian PranitTMC Leader Kunal GhoshCBSE Class 10 Second Board Result


'Pathetic, baseless': Iran lashes out after US blames Tehran of attacking ships with Indians onboard

The Iranian Embassy in India on Saturday rejected US President Donald Trump’s allegation that Iran was behind the drone attack on Indian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, calling the accusation “baseless.” The embassy further slammed Washington, accusing it of attempting to divert attention from the recent strikes on ships carrying Indian crew members.In a post on X, the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in India said, “The US president’s accusation against Iran regarding an Indian vessel in the Strait of Hormuz is simply baseless. It is an attempt to divert public attention from the brutal fact that the US has attacked 3 Indian vessels in less than a week and killed 3 innocent Indian sailors. That’s pathetic!”The embassy’s remarks came while reposting a message by Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei, who criticised the US over the attacks on commercial vessels involving Indian nationals.“The brutal US attacks on Indian commercial vessels which have killed at least three Indian nationals, stand as clear evidence of America’s ongoing policy of armed robbery and State piracy. We extend our sympathies to the families and friends of the slain Indian sailors and offer our sincere condolences to the Indian people and government.”He further added, “The international community must hold the United States accountable for its lawless conduct, which continues to threaten global peace and security while endangering the freedom of navigation.”

Trump blames Iran for alleged drone attack

The response came after Trump accused Iran of being behind an alleged drone attack on Indian ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.The US President said, “Their (Iran’s) totally rebuffed Drone attack last night against Indian Ships leaving the Hormuz Strait is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. They better get their act together, and FAST!” Trump wrote on his social media platform.Trump’s remarks came hours after India summoned a senior US diplomat to South Block for the second time on Friday to convey its displeasure over American attacks on merchant vessels that resulted in the deaths of Indian sailors. However, he did not address the deaths of the Indian crew members in his statement.

US acknowledges strikes on Indian-crewed vessel

In contrast, the Trump administration had already acknowledged that American forces had fired two Hellfire missiles at a third commercial vessel carrying Indian crew members off the coast of Oman on Thursday. According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), “American forces disabled the Guinea-Bissau-flagged tanker MT Jalveer in the Gulf of Oman at 11:20 pm ET on June 10, making it the third commercial vessel targeted by US forces this week.“CENTCOM said the action was taken against the vessel “as it attempted to transport oil from Iran through the Gulf of Oman”.“A US aircraft fired two Hellfire missiles into the ship’s engine room after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with directions from US forces,” it added.The strike on MT Jalveer came days after US forces disabled the Palau-flagged tankers M/T Marivex and M/T Settebello.

India protests attacks on merchant ships

India said that three merchant ships carrying Indian crew members had come under attack by the US Navy off the Oman coast over the past four days, resulting in the deaths of three Indians. It also lodged a strong protest with the United States and asserted that such attacks should stop.The number of Indian seafarers killed since the Middle East conflict broke out on February 28 has risen to seven.This also marked the first time India officially acknowledged that the US Navy had targeted the vessels. While the Palau-flagged oil tankers Marivex and Settebello came under attack on June 8 and June 10 respectively, the Guinea-Bissau-flagged bitumen tanker MT Jalveer, carrying 20 Indians, was attacked on Thursday.Later, Mukesh Mangal, additional secretary in the shipping ministry, said all 25 remaining crew members of the Settebello had been safely evacuated.Meanwhile, the Middle East conflict that began on February 28 with the US and Israel launching joint strikes on Iran, has now crossed over 100 days.



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12 NEW DELHI: The INDIA bloc hit the “reset” button this week with a five-point truce plan. The opposition alliance met after a gap of two years to recalibrate their anti-BJP strategy. There was some hard talk, some emotional hugs, and a lot of reconciliation to keep the alliance intact and relevant in the face of an existential crisis precipitated by recent electoral defeats.So far, so good.But the question is: Will this reset ensure lasting opposition unity? Did the allies address the fault lines that divide them?Well, the answer is “No”. Watch Five Key Resolutions: INDIA Bloc Targets SIR, Economy, Exams And Farmers’ IssuesLet’s first understand the genesis of the INDIA bloc. The opposition alliance was born with the sole motive of stopping the BJP’s march in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections by keeping the anti-NDA votes intact. Clearly, it was an alliance formed to counter the BJP at the national level without considering the challenges and contradictions at the state level. Little wonder its Lok Sabha cheers were short-lived.The INDIA bloc did prevent the BJP from crossing the majority mark in Lok Sabha, something the saffron party had achieved in 2014 and 2019 elections. But as the electoral contests entered the states, this national opposition alliance collapsed like a house of cards. The allies at the national level became fierce political rivals in states. So, when the electorally bruised allies met in the national capital on June 8, they needed to address this fault line more than anything else. But the 25 parties that joined the unity huddle did not focus on finding ways for better coordination at the state level.How political rivalry between allies in key states became the nemesis of INDIA blocCongress vs Samajwadi Party in Madhya PradeshIronically, the first tussle over seat sharing surfaced during the assembly elections in 2023 even as the INDIA bloc allies were finalising details of their national anti-BJP alliance. The Congress then refused to give seats to Samajwadi Party which led to an angry Akhilesh Yadav openly targeting the grand-old-party. The INDIA alliance collapsed in Madhya Pradesh and the two allies fought against each other. This open tussle could have impacted the alliance in Uttar Pradesh where SP was the main player. However, according to reports, it was timely intervention by Priyanka Gandhi that eventually led to a truce.Congress vs AAP in Haryana and DelhiThe Congress and Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party shared a blow hot and cold relationship from the Day 1 of the alliance. The two parties contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections together in Delhi, but failed to win any of the 7 seats. And then started a game of open war of words between the two allies. While AAP, the dominant partner in Delhi, refused to align with the Congress for assembly elections in the national capital, the grand-old-party returned fire in Haryana where they snubbed Kejriwal’s party. The AAP eventually walked out of the opposition alliance and has targeted the Congress at every opportunity. One of the reasons why AAP will not return to the INDIA fold for now is the upcoming assembly elections in Punjab where Kejriwal’s party is in power and the Congress is the main rival. Already, the AAP vs Congress rivalry is playing out in the state.Congress vs TMC in West BengalNow, let’s discuss Mamata Banerjee, the Trinamool Congress chief and the former chief minister of West Bengal. The recent assembly elections left her battered and bruised. Mamata not just lost power in West Bengal, she is on the verge of losing control over her party. If that eventually happens, Mamata will be joining the likes of Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar, who faced similar fate in Maharashtra.The latest meeting of the INDIA bloc was reportedly called at the behest of Mamata after her poll drubbing. Now, when you compare this to Mamata’s stand on the opposition alliance when her dominance was at its peak in West Bengal, you can’t miss the irony. When Mamata was ruling West Bengal, she refused to cede even an inch of extra ground to the Congress and refused to consider any alliance with the grand-old-party. However, that has now changed. Mamata now desperately needs the support of INDIA bloc alliance to take her fight forward against the BJPCongress vs Left in KeralaLet’s move to the south. In Kerala, the Congress and the Left have been political rivals for years. However, ignoring this ground rivalry, the two parties joined hands at the national level under the INDIA banner in 2023. But in the run up to assembly elections earlier this year, the two parties targeted each other with vengeance like never before.And this rivalry in the state elections has now become a bone of contention in their coordination under the INDIA banner. The CPM is attacking Rahul for unleashing a no-holds barred attack against its leader and former chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan.Congress: A ‘glue’ that fails to bindIronically, it is the Congress, which was referred to by National Conference leader and J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah as the glue that binds together the opposition coalition, is at the centre of all political differences within the opposition coalition.The Congress’s competing relationship with the regional allies in the states has been the major reason for differences between the INDIA bloc allies. And this rivalry will not end till the INDIA bloc partners find a mutually satisfactory formula that recognises the political rivalry in the states as a part of their relationship dynamics.However, the 5-point truce plan talks nothing about tackling this inherent problem. While the state elections since 2024 have gradually tilted the balance of power within the INDIA bloc in favour of the Congress, the leaders of the grand-old-party realize that this gain holds little value while the entire opposition space is gradually being usurped by the BJP.Mamata, Kejriwal and MK Stalin of the DMK in Tamil Nadu – the three biggest regional satraps in the opposition alliance have all lost elections in their strongholds and perhaps realize that their clout in the INDIA bloc has diminished.The AAP is no longer in the alliance and the DMK just walked out miffed with what it called Congress’s betrayal in the state as the grand-old-party dumped its ally for a new friend Vijay’s TVK which provided it an opportunity to return to state government after nearly six decades.Uttar Pradesh nextThe next battlefield for the INDIA bloc will likely be Uttar Pradesh, where Akhilesh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party and the Congress are the main players in the opposition space. They contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in alliance with great success pushing the BJP on the backfoot. But as they gear up for the assembly elections in the state next year, seat sharing may once again bring out their differences in the open. Interestingly, in the Delhi meeting – Akhilesh reportedly said that the Congress party should “show a big heart” and back the strongest anti-BJP force in individual states.This is a clear message from Samajwadi Party, which is the dominant partner in the state, that it will want to dictate terms in the assembly elections even as the Congress will continue to fight for its space. It will be interesting to see how the two parties can find the middle ground when they start negotiating seat sharing.What’s nextClearly, the INDIA bloc cannot become a cohesive group without finding a solution to solve the differences between the allies in the states. Mamata has realized this after losing everything in West Bengal. The AAP may also learn it the hard way. It has already lost Delhi to BJP after the Congress made the electoral battle in the state a three-way contest. If Kerjiwal’s party loses Punjab in another three-way contest involving Congress, it may be left without a government in any state, like Mamata Banerjee. Already, AAP has lost most of its Rajya Sabha members to the BJP in an indication of what the future may hold for the party.If the members of the INDIA bloc do not play their cards well, they could end up ceding more political space to the BJP in the future. Any truce plan to keep the parties together will not succeed till it addresses the fundamental fault line of rivalry in the states within the opposition alliance. The Congress now has an upper hand in the alliance and has also shown the willingness to be flexible. But will it be ready to compromise on seats? Well, we will have to wait and see.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDRDO Conducts Three Successful Missile Tests, Strengthens India’s Ballistic Missile Defence Shield’Like My Son’: Kalyan Banerjee’s Surprise Remark On Abhishek Sparks Fresh BuzzOpposition Alleges BJP Using Agencies As Political Toolkit After FIR Against MamataPolice Conduct 4-Hour Search At Abhishek Banerjee’s Kolkata Residence In Fraud ProbeFive IAF Personnel Killed After AN-32 Aircraft Crashes During Routine Sortie In AssamIndian-Origin Man Jailed For 34 Years In UK For Kidnapping, Torturing And R*ping Young WomanNEET-UG Re-Exam Gets CAPF Cover, IAF Support And Extra Time For StudentsSanjay Raut Alleges EVMs Were Deliberately Set Ablaze, Targets BJP Over West Bengal Fire IncidentIAF’s ‘Workhorse’ AN-32 Aircraft Crashes And Catches Fire At Jorhat Air Force Station | Watch‘Won’t Let Indus Waters Reach Patrons Of Terror’: Rajnath Singh Reinforces India’s Pakistan Policy123PhotostoriesCrossover of Imtiaz Ali’s characters: Director says at a dinner table, ‘Geet will make bad order; Tara will help’ – Exclusive7 social skills that can help children become confident and make friends easily5 ancient temples in Karnataka that are architectural marvelsLong before becoming the world’s first trillionaire, Elon Musk survived on hot dogs and oranges for a day in CanadaWhat people who stay healthy into their 80s do differently every day5 signs life’s hardest phase is finally behind you5 animals that are often called the world’s dumbestHave you done the “sun test” before investing in a houseEl Niño is more than a weather event: How it could affect your healthInside Karishma Tanna’s luxurious 2-storey Mumbai home: Massive living room, stunning balcony views and more123Hot PicksRe-NEET admit cardAIDMK MeetWomen t20 World Cup Match todayTulsi GabbardMandi-Kullu trafficDelta Air Lines flightSpaceX IPOKCET 2026 verification slipKCET counselling 2026Top TrendingAsha Sharma Net WorthUPSC Prelims ResultSpaceX IPOFIFA World Cup 2026Women T20 World CupPune Techie SuicideAbhishek BanerjeeComedian PranitTMC Leader Kunal GhoshCBSE Class 10 Second Board Result

12 NEW DELHI: The INDIA bloc hit the “reset” button this week with a five-point truce plan. The opposition alliance met after a gap of two years to recalibrate their anti-BJP strategy. There was some hard talk, some emotional hugs, and a lot of reconciliation to keep the alliance intact and relevant in the face of an existential crisis precipitated by recent electoral defeats.So far, so good.But the question is: Will this reset ensure lasting opposition unity? Did the allies address the fault lines that divide them?Well, the answer is “No”. Watch Five Key Resolutions: INDIA Bloc Targets SIR, Economy, Exams And Farmers’ IssuesLet’s first understand the genesis of the INDIA bloc. The opposition alliance was born with the sole motive of stopping the BJP’s march in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections by keeping the anti-NDA votes intact. Clearly, it was an alliance formed to counter the BJP at the national level without considering the challenges and contradictions at the state level. Little wonder its Lok Sabha cheers were short-lived.The INDIA bloc did prevent the BJP from crossing the majority mark in Lok Sabha, something the saffron party had achieved in 2014 and 2019 elections. But as the electoral contests entered the states, this national opposition alliance collapsed like a house of cards. The allies at the national level became fierce political rivals in states. So, when the electorally bruised allies met in the national capital on June 8, they needed to address this fault line more than anything else. But the 25 parties that joined the unity huddle did not focus on finding ways for better coordination at the state level.How political rivalry between allies in key states became the nemesis of INDIA blocCongress vs Samajwadi Party in Madhya PradeshIronically, the first tussle over seat sharing surfaced during the assembly elections in 2023 even as the INDIA bloc allies were finalising details of their national anti-BJP alliance. The Congress then refused to give seats to Samajwadi Party which led to an angry Akhilesh Yadav openly targeting the grand-old-party. The INDIA alliance collapsed in Madhya Pradesh and the two allies fought against each other. This open tussle could have impacted the alliance in Uttar Pradesh where SP was the main player. However, according to reports, it was timely intervention by Priyanka Gandhi that eventually led to a truce.Congress vs AAP in Haryana and DelhiThe Congress and Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party shared a blow hot and cold relationship from the Day 1 of the alliance. The two parties contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections together in Delhi, but failed to win any of the 7 seats. And then started a game of open war of words between the two allies. While AAP, the dominant partner in Delhi, refused to align with the Congress for assembly elections in the national capital, the grand-old-party returned fire in Haryana where they snubbed Kejriwal’s party. The AAP eventually walked out of the opposition alliance and has targeted the Congress at every opportunity. One of the reasons why AAP will not return to the INDIA fold for now is the upcoming assembly elections in Punjab where Kejriwal’s party is in power and the Congress is the main rival. Already, the AAP vs Congress rivalry is playing out in the state.Congress vs TMC in West BengalNow, let’s discuss Mamata Banerjee, the Trinamool Congress chief and the former chief minister of West Bengal. The recent assembly elections left her battered and bruised. Mamata not just lost power in West Bengal, she is on the verge of losing control over her party. If that eventually happens, Mamata will be joining the likes of Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar, who faced similar fate in Maharashtra.The latest meeting of the INDIA bloc was reportedly called at the behest of Mamata after her poll drubbing. Now, when you compare this to Mamata’s stand on the opposition alliance when her dominance was at its peak in West Bengal, you can’t miss the irony. When Mamata was ruling West Bengal, she refused to cede even an inch of extra ground to the Congress and refused to consider any alliance with the grand-old-party. However, that has now changed. Mamata now desperately needs the support of INDIA bloc alliance to take her fight forward against the BJPCongress vs Left in KeralaLet’s move to the south. In Kerala, the Congress and the Left have been political rivals for years. However, ignoring this ground rivalry, the two parties joined hands at the national level under the INDIA banner in 2023. But in the run up to assembly elections earlier this year, the two parties targeted each other with vengeance like never before.And this rivalry in the state elections has now become a bone of contention in their coordination under the INDIA banner. The CPM is attacking Rahul for unleashing a no-holds barred attack against its leader and former chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan.Congress: A ‘glue’ that fails to bindIronically, it is the Congress, which was referred to by National Conference leader and J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah as the glue that binds together the opposition coalition, is at the centre of all political differences within the opposition coalition.The Congress’s competing relationship with the regional allies in the states has been the major reason for differences between the INDIA bloc allies. And this rivalry will not end till the INDIA bloc partners find a mutually satisfactory formula that recognises the political rivalry in the states as a part of their relationship dynamics.However, the 5-point truce plan talks nothing about tackling this inherent problem. While the state elections since 2024 have gradually tilted the balance of power within the INDIA bloc in favour of the Congress, the leaders of the grand-old-party realize that this gain holds little value while the entire opposition space is gradually being usurped by the BJP.Mamata, Kejriwal and MK Stalin of the DMK in Tamil Nadu – the three biggest regional satraps in the opposition alliance have all lost elections in their strongholds and perhaps realize that their clout in the INDIA bloc has diminished.The AAP is no longer in the alliance and the DMK just walked out miffed with what it called Congress’s betrayal in the state as the grand-old-party dumped its ally for a new friend Vijay’s TVK which provided it an opportunity to return to state government after nearly six decades.Uttar Pradesh nextThe next battlefield for the INDIA bloc will likely be Uttar Pradesh, where Akhilesh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party and the Congress are the main players in the opposition space. They contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in alliance with great success pushing the BJP on the backfoot. But as they gear up for the assembly elections in the state next year, seat sharing may once again bring out their differences in the open. Interestingly, in the Delhi meeting – Akhilesh reportedly said that the Congress party should “show a big heart” and back the strongest anti-BJP force in individual states.This is a clear message from Samajwadi Party, which is the dominant partner in the state, that it will want to dictate terms in the assembly elections even as the Congress will continue to fight for its space. It will be interesting to see how the two parties can find the middle ground when they start negotiating seat sharing.What’s nextClearly, the INDIA bloc cannot become a cohesive group without finding a solution to solve the differences between the allies in the states. Mamata has realized this after losing everything in West Bengal. The AAP may also learn it the hard way. It has already lost Delhi to BJP after the Congress made the electoral battle in the state a three-way contest. If Kerjiwal’s party loses Punjab in another three-way contest involving Congress, it may be left without a government in any state, like Mamata Banerjee. Already, AAP has lost most of its Rajya Sabha members to the BJP in an indication of what the future may hold for the party.If the members of the INDIA bloc do not play their cards well, they could end up ceding more political space to the BJP in the future. Any truce plan to keep the parties together will not succeed till it addresses the fundamental fault line of rivalry in the states within the opposition alliance. The Congress now has an upper hand in the alliance and has also shown the willingness to be flexible. But will it be ready to compromise on seats? Well, we will have to wait and see.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDRDO Conducts Three Successful Missile Tests, Strengthens India’s Ballistic Missile Defence Shield’Like My Son’: Kalyan Banerjee’s Surprise Remark On Abhishek Sparks Fresh BuzzOpposition Alleges BJP Using Agencies As Political Toolkit After FIR Against MamataPolice Conduct 4-Hour Search At Abhishek Banerjee’s Kolkata Residence In Fraud ProbeFive IAF Personnel Killed After AN-32 Aircraft Crashes During Routine Sortie In AssamIndian-Origin Man Jailed For 34 Years In UK For Kidnapping, Torturing And R*ping Young WomanNEET-UG Re-Exam Gets CAPF Cover, IAF Support And Extra Time For StudentsSanjay Raut Alleges EVMs Were Deliberately Set Ablaze, Targets BJP Over West Bengal Fire IncidentIAF’s ‘Workhorse’ AN-32 Aircraft Crashes And Catches Fire At Jorhat Air Force Station | Watch‘Won’t Let Indus Waters Reach Patrons Of Terror’: Rajnath Singh Reinforces India’s Pakistan Policy123PhotostoriesCrossover of Imtiaz Ali’s characters: Director says at a dinner table, ‘Geet will make bad order; Tara will help’ – Exclusive7 social skills that can help children become confident and make friends easily5 ancient temples in Karnataka that are architectural marvelsLong before becoming the world’s first trillionaire, Elon Musk survived on hot dogs and oranges for $1 a day in CanadaWhat people who stay healthy into their 80s do differently every day5 signs life’s hardest phase is finally behind you5 animals that are often called the world’s dumbestHave you done the “sun test” before investing in a houseEl Niño is more than a weather event: How it could affect your healthInside Karishma Tanna’s luxurious 2-storey Mumbai home: Massive living room, stunning balcony views and more123Hot PicksRe-NEET admit cardAIDMK MeetWomen t20 World Cup Match todayTulsi GabbardMandi-Kullu trafficDelta Air Lines flightSpaceX IPOKCET 2026 verification slipKCET counselling 2026Top TrendingAsha Sharma Net WorthUPSC Prelims ResultSpaceX IPOFIFA World Cup 2026Women T20 World CupPune Techie SuicideAbhishek BanerjeeComedian PranitTMC Leader Kunal GhoshCBSE Class 10 Second Board Result

Vamsikrishna 0
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Saturday urged parties that had broken away from the Congress to come together again, saying the Congress needed to be strengthened to fight the BJP. Rejecting Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ recent remark that the Congress was a “sinking ship”, Raut said the party remained an important political force.”Even today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is afraid of the Congress. Congress was never a sinking ship,” Raut told reporters.Calling for opposition unity, the Rajya Sabha MP appealed to NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar to lead efforts to bring former Congress allies and leaders back under one umbrella.”If we truly want to fight against the perverted politics of the BJP, everyone must unite. The Congress party must become stronger. All the leaders who had left the Congress should first come together. If senior leader Sharad Pawar takes an initiative, it would be possible. We are a regional party and we will stand with you,” he said.Raut’s remarks came a day after Fadnavis said that a sensible person would not board what he called a sinking Congress ship.This is not the first time the Sena (UBT) leader has made such remarks. Earlier this week, he had said that parties such as the TMC and NCP (SP), which have their roots in the Congress, should reunite with the grand old party, calling it the “need of the hour”. Raut also launched a sharp attack on the BJP, questioning its contribution to key moments in the country’s history.”Show even one per cent of the work that the BJP has actually done. They were neither part of the freedom struggle, nor did they take part in the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement. They were nowhere during these movements. These are cowardly people,” he said.Asked about reports of dissatisfaction among Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs amid talk of ‘Operation Tiger’, Raut accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of repeatedly engaging in attempts to break opposition parties.”Operation Tiger has been carried out by Union Home Minister Amit Shah a hundred times. Breaking political parties and their leaders demonstrates perversion of democracy,” he said.He further added, “This perversion has reached its peak under the current BJP leadership. However, it will also end one day. There will be a revolt against this kind of perversion in both the state and the country.”‘Operation Tiger’ refers to an alleged political strategy and series of manoeuvres reportedly led by the ruling Shiv Sena to attract leaders from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT).Raut also criticised the functioning of institutions and accused the Union home minister of focusing on issues unrelated to national security.”The Union home minister remains occupied with matters other than national security. Judges go to London for what appears to be a picnic. The Election Commission (EC) functions like an agent of the BJP,” he said.The Sena (UBT) spokesperson further targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing him as an “aghori” and cruel figure in politics. “Never before has such an ‘aghori’ person been born in this country’s politics. Never before has someone so cruel emerged. This country has produced great leaders, such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Lal Bahadur Shastri, P V Narasimha Rao, Rajiv Gandhi, Babasaheb Ambedkar and Balasaheb Thackeray,” he said.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’Like My Son’: Kalyan Banerjee’s Surprise Remark On Abhishek Sparks Fresh BuzzOpposition Alleges BJP Using Agencies As Political Toolkit After FIR Against MamataPolice Conduct 4-Hour Search At Abhishek Banerjee’s Kolkata Residence In Fraud ProbeFive IAF Personnel Killed After AN-32 Aircraft Crashes During Routine Sortie In AssamIndian-Origin Man Jailed For 34 Years In UK For Kidnapping, Torturing And R*ping Young WomanNEET-UG Re-Exam Gets CAPF Cover, IAF Support And Extra Time For StudentsSanjay Raut Alleges EVMs Were Deliberately Set Ablaze, Targets BJP Over West Bengal Fire IncidentIAF’s ‘Workhorse’ AN-32 Aircraft Crashes And Catches Fire At Jorhat Air Force Station | Watch‘Won’t Let Indus Waters Reach Patrons Of Terror’: Rajnath Singh Reinforces India’s Pakistan Policy’Kim Jong Un Model’ Used For ‘Vote Chori’: Revanth Reddy’s Sharp Attack On BJP | Watch123PhotostoriesCrossover of Imtiaz Ali’s characters: Director says at a dinner table, ‘Geet will make bad order; Tara will help’ – Exclusive7 social skills that can help children become confident and make friends easily5 ancient temples in Karnataka that are architectural marvelsLong before becoming the world’s first trillionaire, Elon Musk survived on hot dogs and oranges for a day in CanadaWhat people who stay healthy into their 80s do differently every day5 signs life’s hardest phase is finally behind you5 animals that are often called the world’s dumbestHave you done the “sun test” before investing in a houseEl Niño is more than a weather event: How it could affect your healthInside Karishma Tanna’s luxurious 2-storey Mumbai home: Massive living room, stunning balcony views and more123Hot PicksRe-NEET admit cardAIDMK MeetWomen t20 World Cup Match todayTulsi GabbardMP Board 12 Supplementary ResultDelta Air Lines flightSpaceX IPOKCET 2026 verification slipKCET counselling 2026Top TrendingAsha Sharma Net WorthUPSC Prelims ResultSpaceX IPOFIFA World Cup 2026Women T20 World CupPune Techie SuicideAbhishek BanerjeeComedian PranitTMC Leader Kunal GhoshCBSE Class 10 Second Board Result

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Saturday urged parties that had broken away from the Congress to come together again, saying the Congress needed to be strengthened to fight the BJP. Rejecting Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ recent remark that the Congress was a “sinking ship”, Raut said the party remained an important political force.”Even today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is afraid of the Congress. Congress was never a sinking ship,” Raut told reporters.Calling for opposition unity, the Rajya Sabha MP appealed to NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar to lead efforts to bring former Congress allies and leaders back under one umbrella.”If we truly want to fight against the perverted politics of the BJP, everyone must unite. The Congress party must become stronger. All the leaders who had left the Congress should first come together. If senior leader Sharad Pawar takes an initiative, it would be possible. We are a regional party and we will stand with you,” he said.Raut’s remarks came a day after Fadnavis said that a sensible person would not board what he called a sinking Congress ship.This is not the first time the Sena (UBT) leader has made such remarks. Earlier this week, he had said that parties such as the TMC and NCP (SP), which have their roots in the Congress, should reunite with the grand old party, calling it the “need of the hour”. Raut also launched a sharp attack on the BJP, questioning its contribution to key moments in the country’s history.”Show even one per cent of the work that the BJP has actually done. They were neither part of the freedom struggle, nor did they take part in the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement. They were nowhere during these movements. These are cowardly people,” he said.Asked about reports of dissatisfaction among Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs amid talk of ‘Operation Tiger’, Raut accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of repeatedly engaging in attempts to break opposition parties.”Operation Tiger has been carried out by Union Home Minister Amit Shah a hundred times. Breaking political parties and their leaders demonstrates perversion of democracy,” he said.He further added, “This perversion has reached its peak under the current BJP leadership. However, it will also end one day. There will be a revolt against this kind of perversion in both the state and the country.”‘Operation Tiger’ refers to an alleged political strategy and series of manoeuvres reportedly led by the ruling Shiv Sena to attract leaders from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT).Raut also criticised the functioning of institutions and accused the Union home minister of focusing on issues unrelated to national security.”The Union home minister remains occupied with matters other than national security. Judges go to London for what appears to be a picnic. The Election Commission (EC) functions like an agent of the BJP,” he said.The Sena (UBT) spokesperson further targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing him as an “aghori” and cruel figure in politics. “Never before has such an ‘aghori’ person been born in this country’s politics. Never before has someone so cruel emerged. This country has produced great leaders, such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Lal Bahadur Shastri, P V Narasimha Rao, Rajiv Gandhi, Babasaheb Ambedkar and Balasaheb Thackeray,” he said.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’Like My Son’: Kalyan Banerjee’s Surprise Remark On Abhishek Sparks Fresh BuzzOpposition Alleges BJP Using Agencies As Political Toolkit After FIR Against MamataPolice Conduct 4-Hour Search At Abhishek Banerjee’s Kolkata Residence In Fraud ProbeFive IAF Personnel Killed After AN-32 Aircraft Crashes During Routine Sortie In AssamIndian-Origin Man Jailed For 34 Years In UK For Kidnapping, Torturing And R*ping Young WomanNEET-UG Re-Exam Gets CAPF Cover, IAF Support And Extra Time For StudentsSanjay Raut Alleges EVMs Were Deliberately Set Ablaze, Targets BJP Over West Bengal Fire IncidentIAF’s ‘Workhorse’ AN-32 Aircraft Crashes And Catches Fire At Jorhat Air Force Station | Watch‘Won’t Let Indus Waters Reach Patrons Of Terror’: Rajnath Singh Reinforces India’s Pakistan Policy’Kim Jong Un Model’ Used For ‘Vote Chori’: Revanth Reddy’s Sharp Attack On BJP | Watch123PhotostoriesCrossover of Imtiaz Ali’s characters: Director says at a dinner table, ‘Geet will make bad order; Tara will help’ – Exclusive7 social skills that can help children become confident and make friends easily5 ancient temples in Karnataka that are architectural marvelsLong before becoming the world’s first trillionaire, Elon Musk survived on hot dogs and oranges for $1 a day in CanadaWhat people who stay healthy into their 80s do differently every day5 signs life’s hardest phase is finally behind you5 animals that are often called the world’s dumbestHave you done the “sun test” before investing in a houseEl Niño is more than a weather event: How it could affect your healthInside Karishma Tanna’s luxurious 2-storey Mumbai home: Massive living room, stunning balcony views and more123Hot PicksRe-NEET admit cardAIDMK MeetWomen t20 World Cup Match todayTulsi GabbardMP Board 12 Supplementary ResultDelta Air Lines flightSpaceX IPOKCET 2026 verification slipKCET counselling 2026Top TrendingAsha Sharma Net WorthUPSC Prelims ResultSpaceX IPOFIFA World Cup 2026Women T20 World CupPune Techie SuicideAbhishek BanerjeeComedian PranitTMC Leader Kunal GhoshCBSE Class 10 Second Board Result

Vamsikrishna 0
AI generated image The kitchen still smells the same, but no one’s cooking for three anymore. The light over the dining table, once dimmed by 9 pm to signal the end of the day, now stays on whenever someone feels like it, or off, for weeks, when the house empties out entirely.Across Indian cities, a quiet shift is unfolding inside homes that once held three generations under one roof, or at least two. Adult children are moving out, for jobs, for marriages, for the simple desire to live alone, and parents, many of them only in their late fifties or sixties, are staying behind in houses suddenly too large for the number of people living in them. It is not the dramatic, often-discussed migration of the elderly into old-age homes. It is subtler, and in some ways more disorienting: a slow unlearning of a domestic rhythm that had defined decades.For the parents, the adjustment shows up in small ways, cooking portions that don’t shrink fast enough, reaching for a second teacup out of habit, the strange quiet of a phone that used to ring with “what’s for dinner” questions. For the adult children, there’s often a mix of relief and guilt: the freedom of living on their own terms, paired with the persistent awareness of an empty room back home and a parent who insists, every single time, that they’re “doing just fine.”The joint family ideal, even when it existed more in aspiration than reality, cast living separately as something temporary, something that happens before someone eventually moves back in. Increasingly, that return isn’t coming. And families are having to figure out, often without any script to follow, what closeness looks like when it’s no longer measured by shared walls.Love, long-distanceEvery family, it turns out, eventually invents its own grammar for staying in touch. For some, it’s a 9 pm video call that has become as fixed a ritual as dinner once was, a small rectangle of light where a mother holds up whatever she’s cooked that day, angling the phone toward the pot before turning it back to her own face. For others, it’s quieter: a good-morning text, a forwarded article, a voice note left at an odd hour because someone was thinking of something and wanted to say it before it slipped away.These exchanges can look, from the outside, almost trivial, a photo of a plate of food, a two-line message about the weather, a meme sent without comment. But for many parents, they function as proof of life, small signals that say: I am still here, I am still part of your day.What’s harder to navigate is the unspoken arithmetic of how much is too much. Adult children describe a particular kind of guilt that comes with not picking up a call immediately, or with realizing a parent has been waiting, not impatiently, just waiting, for a response that didn’t come during a busy workday. Parents, in turn, often describe holding back, counting the hours before they allow themselves to call again, careful not to seem like they’re checking up. AI generated imageSonia, whose daughter is away for higher studies, knows this balancing act well. ” As parents, we naturally want to know whether they have eaten, reached home safely, or are doing okay. But we also understand they are adults now and need their own space. Sometimes I stop myself from calling and wait for them to contact me. Usually, I send a simple message rather than calling unexpectedly. If I haven’t heard from them for a day or two, I feel it’s perfectly okay to check in. It’s a balance between caring for them and respecting their independence,” she said.Both sides are essentially performing the same calculation from opposite ends: how do you stay close without becoming a presence that feels like surveillance, or a silence that feels like distance?Technology has not solved this so much as given it new shapes. A video call can show a parent’s face but not whether they’ve eaten properly. A long voice note can convey warmth but also, sometimes, loneliness disguised as updates about the neighbours. Several families described developing small codes—certain phrases, certain times of day—that signal more than they say outright.What emerges is not a story of families drifting apart, but of relationships being renegotiated in real time, often without either side naming what’s happening. The emotional intimacy hasn’t necessarily decreased; it has migrated, onto screens, into voice notes, into the rhythm of when someone replies and when they don’t, and in doing so, it has revealed just how much unspoken communication once happened simply by being in the same house.When ‘visiting home’ becomes the relationshipFor many families, the calendar itself has quietly become the relationship. A long weekend, a festival, a wedding in the extended family, these are no longer just occasions, but the windows through which most of the year’s parenting and being-parented now happens. Conversations that might once have unfolded gradually, over weeks of ordinary evenings, now get compressed into forty-eight or seventy-two hours, with everyone aware, even if unspoken, that the clock is running.This compression changes the texture of the time itself. Visits often carry an undercurrent of performance, which is not exactly dishonesty but an agreement to present the best version of things. Parents cook the dishes their children miss most; children try to seem more settled, more cheerful, less tired than they actually are. Difficult topics like a job that isn’t going well, a parent’s health concern, a disagreement that has been simmering, often get tabled, because nobody wants to “waste” the short time together on conflict. AI generated imageThere’s also a strange inversion that happens: instead of daily life accommodating the relationship, the relationship now has to be scheduled around daily life. A child’s leave application becomes the unit by which a parent measures how long until they’ll next see them. A festival that once was simply a festival now carries the additional weight of being a deadline, the date by which family will, once again, be in the same room.What gets lost in this rhythm is often the ordinary. The mundane, low-stakes moments, a child casually mentioning a small worry over breakfast, a parent thinking aloud about a minor decision, rarely survive the journey into a scheduled visit. They require the kind of unstructured time that brief visits don’t allow.Senjuti, who has been living away from home for the past four years for her studies, has noticed this shift clearly. “Yes, when I used to live with my parents they used to know every mundane thing about my life, now we only talk about it something big has happened,” she said.Still, for many families, these brief visits have become more meaningful. Even if the time is short, it’s proof that the relationship can hold together, just in smaller, more concentrated doses.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorAadrita HalderWrites on social matters, geopolitics, and trending issues for the Times of India.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Like My Son’: Kalyan Banerjee’s Surprise Remark On Abhishek Sparks Fresh BuzzOpposition Alleges BJP Using Agencies As Political Toolkit After FIR Against MamataPolice Conduct 4-Hour Search At Abhishek Banerjee’s Kolkata Residence In Fraud ProbeFive IAF Personnel Killed After AN-32 Aircraft Crashes During Routine Sortie In AssamIndian-Origin Man Jailed For 34 Years In UK For Kidnapping, Torturing And R*ping Young WomanNEET-UG Re-Exam Gets CAPF Cover, IAF Support And Extra Time For StudentsSanjay Raut Alleges EVMs Were Deliberately Set Ablaze, Targets BJP Over West Bengal Fire IncidentIAF’s ‘Workhorse’ AN-32 Aircraft Crashes And Catches Fire At Jorhat Air Force Station | Watch‘Won’t Let Indus Waters Reach Patrons Of Terror’: Rajnath Singh Reinforces India’s Pakistan Policy’Kim Jong Un Model’ Used For ‘Vote Chori’: Revanth Reddy’s Sharp Attack On BJP | Watch123PhotostoriesCrossover of Imtiaz Ali’s characters: Director says at a dinner table, ‘Geet will make bad order; Tara will help’ – Exclusive7 social skills that can help children become confident and make friends easily5 ancient temples in Karnataka that are architectural marvelsLong before becoming the world’s first trillionaire, Elon Musk survived on hot dogs and oranges for a day in CanadaWhat people who stay healthy into their 80s do differently every day5 signs life’s hardest phase is finally behind you5 animals that are often called the world’s dumbestHave you done the “sun test” before investing in a houseEl Niño is more than a weather event: How it could affect your healthInside Karishma Tanna’s luxurious 2-storey Mumbai home: Massive living room, stunning balcony views and more123Hot PicksRe-NEET admit cardAIDMK MeetWomen t20 World Cup Match todayTulsi GabbardMP Board 12 Supplementary ResultDelta Air Lines flightSpaceX IPOKCET 2026 verification slipKCET counselling 2026Top TrendingAsha Sharma Net WorthUPSC Prelims ResultSpaceX IPOFIFA World Cup 2026Women T20 World CupPune Techie SuicideAbhishek BanerjeeComedian PranitTMC Leader Kunal GhoshCBSE Class 10 Second Board Result

AI generated image The kitchen still smells the same, but no one’s cooking for three anymore. The light over the dining table, once dimmed by 9 pm to signal the end of the day, now stays on whenever someone feels like it, or off, for weeks, when the house empties out entirely.Across Indian cities, a quiet shift is unfolding inside homes that once held three generations under one roof, or at least two. Adult children are moving out, for jobs, for marriages, for the simple desire to live alone, and parents, many of them only in their late fifties or sixties, are staying behind in houses suddenly too large for the number of people living in them. It is not the dramatic, often-discussed migration of the elderly into old-age homes. It is subtler, and in some ways more disorienting: a slow unlearning of a domestic rhythm that had defined decades.For the parents, the adjustment shows up in small ways, cooking portions that don’t shrink fast enough, reaching for a second teacup out of habit, the strange quiet of a phone that used to ring with “what’s for dinner” questions. For the adult children, there’s often a mix of relief and guilt: the freedom of living on their own terms, paired with the persistent awareness of an empty room back home and a parent who insists, every single time, that they’re “doing just fine.”The joint family ideal, even when it existed more in aspiration than reality, cast living separately as something temporary, something that happens before someone eventually moves back in. Increasingly, that return isn’t coming. And families are having to figure out, often without any script to follow, what closeness looks like when it’s no longer measured by shared walls.Love, long-distanceEvery family, it turns out, eventually invents its own grammar for staying in touch. For some, it’s a 9 pm video call that has become as fixed a ritual as dinner once was, a small rectangle of light where a mother holds up whatever she’s cooked that day, angling the phone toward the pot before turning it back to her own face. For others, it’s quieter: a good-morning text, a forwarded article, a voice note left at an odd hour because someone was thinking of something and wanted to say it before it slipped away.These exchanges can look, from the outside, almost trivial, a photo of a plate of food, a two-line message about the weather, a meme sent without comment. But for many parents, they function as proof of life, small signals that say: I am still here, I am still part of your day.What’s harder to navigate is the unspoken arithmetic of how much is too much. Adult children describe a particular kind of guilt that comes with not picking up a call immediately, or with realizing a parent has been waiting, not impatiently, just waiting, for a response that didn’t come during a busy workday. Parents, in turn, often describe holding back, counting the hours before they allow themselves to call again, careful not to seem like they’re checking up. AI generated imageSonia, whose daughter is away for higher studies, knows this balancing act well. ” As parents, we naturally want to know whether they have eaten, reached home safely, or are doing okay. But we also understand they are adults now and need their own space. Sometimes I stop myself from calling and wait for them to contact me. Usually, I send a simple message rather than calling unexpectedly. If I haven’t heard from them for a day or two, I feel it’s perfectly okay to check in. It’s a balance between caring for them and respecting their independence,” she said.Both sides are essentially performing the same calculation from opposite ends: how do you stay close without becoming a presence that feels like surveillance, or a silence that feels like distance?Technology has not solved this so much as given it new shapes. A video call can show a parent’s face but not whether they’ve eaten properly. A long voice note can convey warmth but also, sometimes, loneliness disguised as updates about the neighbours. Several families described developing small codes—certain phrases, certain times of day—that signal more than they say outright.What emerges is not a story of families drifting apart, but of relationships being renegotiated in real time, often without either side naming what’s happening. The emotional intimacy hasn’t necessarily decreased; it has migrated, onto screens, into voice notes, into the rhythm of when someone replies and when they don’t, and in doing so, it has revealed just how much unspoken communication once happened simply by being in the same house.When ‘visiting home’ becomes the relationshipFor many families, the calendar itself has quietly become the relationship. A long weekend, a festival, a wedding in the extended family, these are no longer just occasions, but the windows through which most of the year’s parenting and being-parented now happens. Conversations that might once have unfolded gradually, over weeks of ordinary evenings, now get compressed into forty-eight or seventy-two hours, with everyone aware, even if unspoken, that the clock is running.This compression changes the texture of the time itself. Visits often carry an undercurrent of performance, which is not exactly dishonesty but an agreement to present the best version of things. Parents cook the dishes their children miss most; children try to seem more settled, more cheerful, less tired than they actually are. Difficult topics like a job that isn’t going well, a parent’s health concern, a disagreement that has been simmering, often get tabled, because nobody wants to “waste” the short time together on conflict. AI generated imageThere’s also a strange inversion that happens: instead of daily life accommodating the relationship, the relationship now has to be scheduled around daily life. A child’s leave application becomes the unit by which a parent measures how long until they’ll next see them. A festival that once was simply a festival now carries the additional weight of being a deadline, the date by which family will, once again, be in the same room.What gets lost in this rhythm is often the ordinary. The mundane, low-stakes moments, a child casually mentioning a small worry over breakfast, a parent thinking aloud about a minor decision, rarely survive the journey into a scheduled visit. They require the kind of unstructured time that brief visits don’t allow.Senjuti, who has been living away from home for the past four years for her studies, has noticed this shift clearly. “Yes, when I used to live with my parents they used to know every mundane thing about my life, now we only talk about it something big has happened,” she said.Still, for many families, these brief visits have become more meaningful. Even if the time is short, it’s proof that the relationship can hold together, just in smaller, more concentrated doses.Get the latest India news and live updates. 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