PM Modi Inaugurates, Lays Foundation Stones for Rs 284-crore Projects at Statue of Unity

Two Guinness World Records -- most people performing 'aarti' simultaneously and the largest display of oil lamps -- were set at the eighth edition of Deepotsav here on Wednesday. The two records were set on 55 ghats, including Ram ki Paidi, on the banks of Saryu river in the holy city with over 25 lakh earthen lamps (diyas) lit together and 1,121 'vedacharyas' (teachers of religious texts) performing 'aarti' simultaneously. The counting of diyas was done using drones.

 October in Delhi has mirrored the weather conditions of the previous year, with Wednesday recording the second-highest maximum temperature of the month at 36.1 degrees Celsius on the eve of Diwali, 5.1 degrees above normal, the weather department said.The highest temperature of the month was recorded on October 19 at 36.2 degrees Celsius.

 Peoples' Conference chief Sajad Lone on Wednesday asked Chief Minister Omar Abdullah-led government in Jammu and Kashmir to stay away from the Union Territory foundation day celebrations, saying it should be remembered as the day of "disempowerment". The ruling National Conference (NC) has already said it will not participate in the celebrations.

Inspired by the grand Deepotsav festivities in Ayodhya to commemorate Lord Ram's homecoming, similar celebrations were held at Shringverpur Dham, described in the Ramayana as the capital of the Kingdom of Nishadraj, and in Prayagraj on the eve of Diwali on Wednesday.As per Ramayana, when Lord Ram began his 14-year exile along with Sita and Lakshman, it was Nishadraj in Shringverpur who helped them cross the Ganga by boat.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated or laid foundation stones for various projects as well as tourist attractions worth Rs 284 crore during his visit to the iconic Statue of Unity at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat's Narmada district.Modi is on a two-day Gujarat visit, his second this week, and will participate in Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations during his stay in the state. The birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is celebrated as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) on October 31.

Agitating junior doctors along with common people on Wednesday evening organised a torch rally in Kolkata demanding justice for the medic who was raped and murdered at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital here on August 9.Representatives of the West Bengal Junior Doctors' Forum and several civil society organisations took out the rally from the West Bengal Medical Council's office in Sector 3 in Salt Lake to the CBI's office at the CGO Complex in Sector 1.

Laser and light show underway at Saryu Ghat in Ayodhya. With the Ghat lit up with diyas and colourful lights, Ram Leela is being narrated through a sound-light show. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday hailed the country's rise in defence production and export, saying every Indian can be proud of this journey, as he gave a passionate call to startups, manufacturers and innovators to be a part of the sector.

In a post on LinkedIn, he told the youth, startups, manufacturers and innovators that India's defence sector is calling them. This is their moment to be part of history, he added.

Encounter will keep taking place as long as terrorists keep infiltrating the country, National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah asserted here on Wednesday. "Encounters will keep taking place. Terrorists will keep coming, and we will keep eliminating them," Abdullah told reporters here.

Directing a fresh investigation, a Delhi court has set aside the discharge of former cricketer and current head coach of the Indian cricket team Gautam Gambhir, and others in a case where flat buyers were reportedly cheated. Special Judge Vishal Gogne set aside a magisterial court order, saying it reflected "inadequate expression of mind" in deciding the allegations against Gambhir.

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath offers prayers on the banks of Saryu river in Ayodhya

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit poll-bound Jharkhand on November 4 and address two rallies, Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Wednesday. Home Minister Amit Shah will also address three public meetings on November 3, he said.

Chouhan, who is BJP’s election in-charge for Jharkhand, said Modi would address rallies at Chaibasa and Garhwa.

Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor on Wednesday urged the people of Bihar to give up supporting political parties in the name of 'jaat' (caste) and 'bhaat' (free ration), blaming the voting behaviour for the state's chronic backwardness.Kishor, the political strategist-turned-activist, came out with the catchy rhyme at a rally in the Ramgarh assembly segment where a by-poll is scheduled next month.

Troop disengagement at two friction points at Demchok and Depsang Plains in eastern Ladakh following a key agreement firmed up between India and China has been completed and patrolling will commence soon at these points, Indian Army sources said on Wednesday. Exchange of sweets between the sides will take place on Diwali tomorrow, they said.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday defended ban on firecrackers, saying it is necessary for protecting people from pollution and there is no 'Hindu-Muslim' angle to it. Kejriwal said Diwali is a festival of lights and it should be celebrated by lighting 'diya' and candles instead of bursting firecrackers that cause pollution.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday slammed the JMM-led government in Jharkhand for failing to take action against Congress minister Irfan Ansari over his alleged derogatory remarks about BJP leader Sita Soren.Sarma claimed that the government hesitated to act against Ansari due to concerns about angering infiltrators.

Benchmark equity indices Sensex and Nifty declined on Wednesday, dragged down by banking and financial stocks amid weak trends in global markets.Besides, weak earnings numbers and persistent foreign fund outflows impacted  market sentiments, traders said. The BSE Sensex tumbled 426.85 points or 0.53 per cent to settle at 79,942.18.

Rupee depreciated 4 paise to close at 84.09 (provisional) against US dollar on Wednesday, weighed down by weak domestic markets and month-end dollar demand from importers. Forex traders said suspected intervention by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) supported the local currency at lower levels.

CM Yogi Adityanath Pulls Lord Ram's Chariot To Ram Mandir 

Ayodhya (UP) UP CM Yogi Adityanath arrived at ram katha park to participates in program ahead of Diwali  

"...BJP is politicising this festival and dividing people. I have not got any pass or invite for Deepotsav. This festival doesn't belong to any one community. I will be going to Ayodhya today. I have not received any pass or invite for Deepotsav," Faizabad Lok Sabha MP Awadhesh Prasad said. 

BJP MP Tejasvi Surya has requested Chairperson of Joint Parliamentary Committee on Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 Jagdambika Pal to invite farmers from Karnataka's Vijayapura district as witnesses to discuss their land disputes with Waqf Board. The Lok Sabha member from Bengaluru South, who is a member of the Committee, recalled his recent meeting with a delegation of farmers from the district and other areas in the vicinity.

The Deepotsav celebration in Ayodhya began on Wednesday with a procession of more than a dozen tableaux depicting scenes from the Ramayana.This is the eighth edition of Deepotsav in Ayodhya and the first Diwali following the consecration of the Ram Temple in January this year.

 A 36-year-old man died after a compressor machine exploded in an electronic goods repair shop in this northern district on Wednesday, police said.The deceased was identified as Rasheed, a native of Oorkadavu here.Police said the mishap happened when he was repairing a refrigerator at the shop.

The Odisha government on Wednesday relieved a Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) from duty to ensure an impartial probe into allegations that she denied a pregnant woman employee leave, resulting in the loss of her unborn child due to severe labour pains.In a post on X, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida said Snehalata Sahoo, the CDPO of Derabish block in Kendrapara district, has been relieved of her duties for an impartial investigation into allegations made by Barsha Priyadarshini, a 26-year-old clerk in the Women and Child Development (W&CD) Department.

 Nearly 300 people were moved to safety after "explosion-like" sounds accompanied by tremors were heard by them in the Anakkallu area here, police said on Wednesday.The first sound was reportedly heard at 9.15 pm on Tuesday, followed by two more at 10.15 pm and 10.45 pm along with mild tremors. The sounds were reportedly heard within a two-km radius, causing panic among the local residents, police said.

The Manipur government has sanctioned over Rs 5 crore to provide financial assistance of Rs 1,000 each to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in various parts of the state.The amount will also cover the cost of providing items of daily need to the IDPs, an official notification said.

At least five persons, including three women, died and four others were critically injured in a clash between two nomadic groups in Odisha’s Sundergarh district, police said on Wednesday.

The incident took place at Karamadihi village under the jurisdiction of Sadar Police Station late on Tuesday over a suspected extramarital affair, they said.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday warned of taking a strict action against those who dupe people on the promise of providing government jobs to them, and said such elements will not be spared.Talking to reporters after the state cabinet meeting, he said police have filed cases against several persons in connection with job scams.

 Police have arrested a woman and another person for allegedly killing her 36-year-old paramour and injuring the latter's family members in Maharashtra's Thane district, an official said on Wednesday.The incident took place late Monday night in Ulhasnagar area.Nearly 10 persons, including the two arrested, attacked the man with knives and a sword. The man died while some of his family members were injured, as per the FIR.

Police have arrested a 35-year-old African national after seizing cocaine valued at Rs 1.02 crore from his possession in Maharashtra's Navi Mumbai township, an official said on Wednesday.      Acting on a tip, the Navi Mumbai police's anti-human trafficking cell team on Monday raided a flat at a housing society in Ulve area.

Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda took the 'oath of unity' on Wednesday, organised as part of National Unity Day, held in honour of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

Speaking at the pledge event held in Nirman Bhawan in New Delhi, Minister Nadda recounted the efforts of Patel to unite India into a nation.

The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday granted interim bail for six weeks to jailed actor Darshan Thoogudeep Srinivas, accused in the Renuka Swamy murder case.

Single-judge Justice S Vishwajith Shetty allowed the interim bail application filed by Darshan to enable him to undergo surgery.

Britain's King Charles paid a private visit to Bengaluru where he stayed at a sprawling integrative medical facility here, sources said on Wednesday.He was accompanied by Queen Camilla.The holistic health centre, where the couple stayed during their three-day trip, is well known for rejuvenative treatment, including yoga and meditation sessions and therapies, an official said.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will visit Tawang district in Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday to inaugurate the Museum of Valour dedicated to Major Ralengnao Bob Khathing and unveil a statue of Bharat Ratna Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the border district.Singh will also celebrate Diwali with soldiers stationed along the India-China border, officials said on Wednesday.

CRISIL Ltd has been Certified as a Great Place To Work® in India for the fifth consecutive year and acknowledged as one of the Top 100 large organisations that are Best Workplaces for Women.

These recognitions underscore the company's sharp focus on fostering an environment of diversity, inclusivity and growth-orientation, where every individual feels valued and empowered.

Amid strained diplomatic relations between India and Canada, in a major update, top official of the Trudeau government has confirmed the reports of sharing sensitive intel about India to a leading US publication. The Feputy Foreign Minister of Canada, David Morrison has shockingly accepted these reports.

A massive fire broke out in the early hours of Wednesday in a banquet hall here, resulting in the death of an electrician, officials said.Police said the fire erupted around 3:30 am in the "Lotus Grenadier" banquet hall near Sarfabad village under the jurisdiction of Sector-113 police station.

A fire broke out in a slum area in Rohini here, officials of the Delhi Fire Services said on Wednesday. According to the official, no casualties have been reported. "We received a call regarding a fire in some shanties in the Vijay Vihar area close to Rithala at 9 pm. We rushed a total of seven fire tenders to the spot," a senior DFS official said.

Rupee falls 2 paise to 84.07 against US dollar in early trade

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to begin his two day visit to Gujarat on Wednesday where he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of various infrastructural and development projects worth over Rs 280 crore in Ekta Nagar in Narmada district.

Later, PM Modi will address the Officer Trainees of the 99th Common Foundation Course in Aarambh 6.0.

These projects aim to enhance the tourist experience, improve accessibility and support sustainability initiatives in the area.

Bollywood actor Salman Khan has received a new death threat, demanding Rs 2 crore to spare his life. The threat was sent in a message to Mumbai’s Traffic Police Control on Tuesday, with sources confirming that an unknown person issued the threat. The message warned that if the payment was not made, Salman Khan’s life would be in danger.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to begin his two day visit to Gujarat on Wednesday where he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of various infrastructural and development projects worth over Rs 280 crore in Ekta Nagar in Narmada district.
 

Shiv Sena's sitting MLA from Palghar, Shrinivas Vanga, who was upset after being denied ticket by his party for the upcoming Maharashtra assembly polls, has been untraceable, as per his family members.Vanga's family has so far not filed any police complaint.A senior police official from Palghar on Wednesday morning said there was no update on Vanga's whereabouts as of now.

The ruling BJP is contesting 148 assembly seats in Maharashtra, the highest among half a dozen major political parties in the ruling and opposition camps, followed by the Congress which is contesting 103 seats.Nearly 8,000 candidates, including those from major political parties in the ruling Mahyuti as well as the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), filed nominations for the 288 assembly seats in Maharashtra at the end of the process on Tuesday.

Leaving New Delhi for Tawang on a two day visit to Arunachal Pradesh. Looking forward to interact with Armed Forces personnel and attend the inaugural ceremony of a museum dedicated to brave Indian Army officer Major Ralengnao Bob Khathing.

More than 280 people were moved to safety after they reported hearing “explosion-like” sounds accompanied by tremors in the Anakkallu area here, police said on Wednesday.

The 287 people from 85 families were shifted to a school building late Tuesday night, they added. The first sound was reportedly heard at 9.15 pm, followed by two more – at 10.15 pm and 10.45 pm – along with mild tremors.

Thousands of widows of Vrindavan and women abandoned by their families celebrated Diwali by lighting earthen lamps at the Keshi Ghat of the Yamuna river here on Tuesday.Dressed in white sarees, the widows also made a colourful rangoli using flower petals.For 70-year-old Chhavi Dasi, a native of West Bengal, the celebration reminded her of her youth when she celebrated all festivals freely.

 The United States has said that it welcomes any reduction in tension along the India-China border and noted that it has been briefed by New Delhi in this regard. “We are closely following the developments (between India and China). We understand that both countries have taken initial steps to withdraw troops from friction points along the Line of Actual Control. We welcome any reduction in tensions along the border,” State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters at his daily news conference on Tuesday.

Union Finance Ministry on Tuesday, released a special assistance amount of Rs 180 crore for Uttarakhand for capital investment, an official release stated.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the Finance Ministry has approved and released an amount of Rs 180 crore as special assistance under capital investment to the state of Uttarakhand. This amount will provide financial assistance for the development of the state and important projects, which will further strengthen the infrastructure of Uttarakhand.

: The Indian Railway S&T Maintainers' Union welcomed Orissa High Court's Tuesday decision to grant bail to the three accused in the June 2023 Balasore triple train accident that had killed about 300 passengers.

The high court granted conditional bail to the three men, arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for their alleged involvement in the triple train tragedy in Balasore's Bahanaga Bazar that had also left more than 1,200 injured.

The beheaded body of a man who went missing here a month ago was recovered from a well on Tuesday, police said. SHO of Kotwali Dehat police station Satyendra Kumar Singh said the beheaded body was first taken out with the help of police force, and divers subsequently brought out the severed head.