India News LIVE Updates: PM Modi arrives at Talkatora Stadium for cultural festival

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Saturday, arrived at Talkatora Stadium in Delhi to inaugurate ‘Barisu Kannada Dim Dimava’ cultural festival. He will also address the crowd.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at Talkatora Stadium in Delhi to inaugurate ‘Barisu Kannada Dim Dimava’ cultural festival. He will also address the gathering on the occasion pic.twitter.com/fVtA5ZsQLJ

— ANI (@ANI) February 25, 2023

The Delhi High Court, on Saturday, put a stay on the re-elections for Standing Committee members. This comes after the BJP approached the HC following mayor Shelly Oberoi's decision to declare a vote invalid during MCD's Standing Committee election.

The convoy of Nisith Pramanik, the MoS for the Ministry of Home Affairs, was attacked in Bengal's Cooch Behar on Saturday. According to the BJP, the attack was carried out by the TMC members. This comes amid a spat between Pramanik and TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee. 

#BREAKING | MoS Home Nisith Pramanik's convoy attacked in Bengal's Cooch Behar, BJP blames TMC https://t.co/ge3J2OW61a pic.twitter.com/jJ6wSDNxvP

— Republic (@republic) February 25, 2023

#WATCH | West Bengal: The convoy of Nisith Pramanik, MoS Home & Youth Affairs and Sports was attacked allegedly by Trinamool Congress-backed goons when he was going to meet with the party workers in Coochbehar's Dinhata area. More details awaited. pic.twitter.com/eXWqt7U2K9

— ANI (@ANI) February 25, 2023

Two BJP's councillors Shikha Roy and Kamaljeet Sehrawat moved Delhi HC against mayor Shelly Oberoi's decision to declare a vote invalid during MCD's Standing Committee election. The hearing is underway, per ANI. 

Two BJP's councillors Shikha Roy and Kamaljeet Sehrawat move Delhi HC against mayor Shelly Oberoi's decision to declare a vote invalid during MCD's Standing Committee election. Hearing underway.

— ANI (@ANI) February 25, 2023

The Indian Air Force's contingent has arrived in the UAE to participate in the military exercise 'Desert Flag'. The exercise will begin on February 27 and continue till March 17 with five LCA Tejas and two C-17 aircraft. 

An IAF contingent has arrived in UAE to participate in the multilateral exercise, #ExDesertFlag.

The exercise will be conducted till 17 Mar 23, with the #IAF participating with five LCA Tejas and two C-17 aircraft.#TejasOverseas#DiplomatsInFlightSuits pic.twitter.com/dts7BJUPsv

— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) February 25, 2023

Exercise Desert Flag is a multilateral air exercise in which Air Forces from UAE, France, Kuwait, Australia, the UK, Bahrain, Morocco, Spain, Korea, and the USA would also be participating. The exercise is scheduled to start from Monday, February 27th," the IAF said in a statement. 

"This is the first time ever that the Indian Air Force has deployed the made-in-India LCA Tejas fighter aircraft for an exercise öutside the country."

BJP leader Gautam Gambhir spoke exclusively to Repblic on the scuffle that broke out in the MCD house. In the last eight years, CM Arvind Kejriwal has not done anything for the capital but only focused to go national. 

As Yogi Adityanath addressed the Uttar Pradesh assembly, Congress leader Acharya Pramod lauded the state CM for taking a stand in support of Ramcharitmanas. Taking to Twitter, he said, "political opposition" has its own place but  "faith" cannot be compromised for the sake of power. I adore and appreciate CM Yogi Adityanath for taking a stand for Ramcharitmanas in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly and slamming those leaders who insulted Ramayana.

राजनैतिक “विरोध”
अपनी जगह हैं लेकिन “सत्ता”
के लिये “श्रद्धा” से समझौता नहीं किया जा सकता,उत्तर प्रदेश की विधान सभा में आज श्री रामचरित मानस का पक्ष रखने और रामायण का अपमान करने वाले नेताओं की “ठुकाई” करने के लिये मैं “CM”@myogiadityanath की “सराहना”
करता हूँ.

— Acharya Pramod (@AcharyaPramodk) February 25, 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the German Chancellor address a joint press conference at Hyderabad House in Delhi. 

PM Modi said, "India and Germany's relationship is based on the deep understanding between the two countries. We have a history of trade exchange. Germany is our biggest trading partner in Europe. Apart from being our largest trading partner in Europe, Germany is also an important source of investment in India. The strong ties between India and Germany are based on shared democratic values of each other's interests".

Home Minister Amit Shah began his speech by paying his respect to the holy land. He said, 'I salute the land of Maharishi Valmiki, this Champaran land which made Mohandas Gandhi Mahatma Mohandas Gandhi. This is a very holy land.'

He took a dig at Nitish Kumar stating, "You all know that Nitish Kumar dreams of becoming the Prime Minister every three years. The Congress against which Jai Prakash Narayan fought till today, the jungle king against whom the NDA government was formed with the BJP, has sat in the lap of Lalu Prasad, the leader of that jungle king".

नीतीश कुमार को हर 3 साल में प्रधानमंत्री का सपना आता है, आप सबको मालूम है।

जय प्रकाश नारायण से लेकर आज तक जिस कांग्रेस के खिलाफ लड़े, जिस जंगलराज के खिलाफ भाजपा के साथ मिलकर NDA की सरकार बनाई, उस जंगलराज के प्रणेता लालू प्रसाद की गोदी में बैठ गए हैं।

- श्री @AmitShah pic.twitter.com/hsOjclcoZe

— BJP (@BJP4India) February 25, 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz "Leaders will review progress on key outcomes of the 6th IGC held in May’22. Will discuss ways to strengthen defence & economic cooperation, enhance talent mobility and widen S&T collaboration," says MEA.

#WATCH | The Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) rally underway in Bihar's Purnea

The people of Bihar have decided to remove the BJP from power in 2024, said Tejashwi Yadav, Bihar Deputy CM & RJD leader, today. pic.twitter.com/juouQWfUTW

— ANI (@ANI) February 25, 2023

Three District Reserve Guard (DRG) security personnel, including an assistant sub-inspector, were killed in an encounter with Naxals in Chhattisgarh's insurgency-hit Sukma district on Saturday, the police said.

The incident took place between Jagargunda and Kunded under Jagargunda police station limits at around 9 am on Saturday, said Bastar Range Inspector General of Police (IG) P Sundarraj.

Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel expresses deep sorrow over the martyrdom of three jawans in a Naxal attack in the Sukma district. Condemning this cowardly act, the CM said that the sacrifice of the soldiers will not go in vain

After the Union government approved the renaming of Maharashtra's Aurangabad city as 'Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar' and Osmanabad city as 'Dharashiv' on Friday, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi slammed the government for discriminating between the Hindus and Muslims.  He said, "Tomorrow we will hold a press conference about the decision of renaming Aurangabad. This move by the central government shows that there is an attempt to create discrimination. The government is trying to divide the Hindus and Muslims in the country." 

The AIMIM Maharashtra chief, Imtiaz Jaleel also took to Twitter and criticised the decision of the central government. He said, "Aurangabad is, was and will always be our city. Now, wait for our show of strength for Aurangabad. A massive morcha for our beloved city! Get ready Aurangabadis to defeat these forces (BJP) playing politics in the name of our city. We condemn & we will fight." 
 

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge addressed the 85th Plenary Session of the party and said,  "To stop this Plenary Session, BJP conducted a raid on party workers' residents. They arrested our workers. But we faced them and held this session. We will face all challenges in the country. Bharat Jodo yatra was like sunshine for the nation. Thousands joined hands with Rahul Gandhi & proved that Congress is still in their hearts. Rahul inspired youth.
 

Delhi BJP state working president Virendra Sachdeva and General Secretary Harshdeep Malhotra addressed a Press briefing over the scuffle that broke in the MCD house. "AAP only wants to create a ruckus in the house. Their goons are continuously not allowing the house to function. There are many people in the house who instigate their councillors. How can be mobile allowed inside the house?  The ballot paper is secret voting. This election should be withdrawn this is our demand. Mobile phones should not be allowed in the house.

Congress MP Karti Chidambaram took to Twitter and shared Pawan Khera's picture with the caption 'Gautam Das'. This comes two days after Pawan Khera was deplaned in Delhi and was arrested by Assam police for his insulting remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's late father.

Gautam Das! @Pawankhera pic.twitter.com/c893mPcOf1

— Karti P Chidambaram (@KartiPC) February 25, 2023

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Delhi's Hyderabad House. pic.twitter.com/JhynN1HE2n

— ANI (@ANI) February 25, 2023

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said, "We will contest the next Lok Sabha elections from Aurangabad and other seats and we will look into the possibility of an alliance with some other parties. It's a bit early to comment on with whom we will go in the next elections. In Telangana, BJP lost the 2014 and 2018 elections. This year also, in December 2023 BJP will lose the Telangana elections again. Give us some credit for that"

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath took stern stand against the Mafia raj in the vidhan sabha stating that whoever the mafia may be, the state government will mix them into the soil. Launching attack on opposition parties (BSP and SP), CM Yogi said, Prayagraj accused will not be spared at any cost. They gave patronage to mafias and bow down before them. We tool action as our government acted against mafias who were earlier they were protected & shielded by whom everyone knows.

#LIVE | UP CM Yogi Adityanath lashes out at opposition on BSP MLA murder case; 'crackdown on mafia upsets opposition leaders.'#UPCM #YogiAdityanath #UPAssembly

Watch here-https://t.co/H0BuD60KZj pic.twitter.com/4TIXztCGvG

— Republic (@republic) February 25, 2023

The Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) Rally which is scheduled in Bihar's Purnia on Saturday has brought a major embarrassment for the Congress party as Rahul Gandhi's picture went missing a day before from the event's posters. However, his picture has now been brought back after several Congress leaders in the ruling alliance expressed their disappointment. 
The Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) Rally which is scheduled in Bihar's Purnia on Saturday has brought a major embarrassment for the Congress party as Rahul Gandhi's picture went missing a day before from the event's posters. However, his picture has now been brought back after several Congress leaders in the ruling alliance expressed their disappointment. Read Here. 
 

Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin campaigns at Sampath Nagar in Erode ahead of Erode-east bye-election. pic.twitter.com/gBNehbm25o

— ANI (@ANI) February 25, 2023

PM Modi said, "We have got a lot of support from the teachers. This has encouraged the government to reform our education sector. The role of teachers is not limited to the classroom. Now, the world is at their disposal due to technology'.

He added, 'In Amrit Kaal budget, the youth & their future have been given most importance. For years, our education sector has been a victim of rigidity, and we've tried to change it. We've reoriented education & scaling according to aptitude of the youth demands of the coming times'
 

PM Modi hits back at Vadra Congress abuse politics during his poll rally in Meghalaya. He said, “Some people who have been rejected by the country are highly  disappointed, and are now chanting ‘Modi teri kabar khudegi’ (Modi's grave has to be dugged)…but the people of India are saying ‘Modi tera kamal khilega’ (Modi., your lotus will blooms)," 

BJP and Mahagathbandhan are all set to demonstrate their political strength in Bihar on Saturday. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is arriving in Bihar today on a day-long visit. During his visit, Shah will address a public meeting in Lauria under Valmiki Nagar Lok Sabha Constituency in Bihar to strengthen the party activities.

On the other hand, the Grand Alliance is preparing to answer Union Home Minister Amit Shah through a mega rally in Purnia where Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, Congress State President Akhilesh Prasad Singh, and other leaders of Grand Alliance are likely to be present. Read Here.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday addressed a post-budget webinar on Harnessing Youth power- Skilling & Education.

After the renaming of Aurangabad and Osmanabad, AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi hits out at BJP, says 'Centre is discriminating between Hindu and Muslim.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz received a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the national capital. He met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

Scholz will hold wide-ranging talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at around 11:45 am, covering the Ukraine conflict, the situation in the Indo-Pacific region and ways to boost bilateral ties. It is Scholz's first visit to India after he became the German chancellor in December 2021 following Angela Merkel's historic 16-year tenure at the top post. People familiar with the broad agenda of the Modi-Scholz talks said the consequences of the Russia-Ukraine conflict are expected to figure prominently during the deliberations.
 

Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur flagged off and participated in a Cyclathon in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/vAlVBH1hjP

— ANI (@ANI) February 25, 2023

A clash broke out between ABVP and SFI student groups in the Hyderabad campus over union elections. The ABVP blamed SFI for the attack alleging they attacked tribals. While SFI said ABVP started the ruckus fearing loss in the polls.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has arrived in New Delhi as his two days India visit begins. He will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi today and hold a discussion on multiple issues in order to boost bilateral ties.  

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan condoled the death of six people who lost their lives after a truck hit two buses parked on the side of a road on the Rewa-Satna border. The chief minister announced ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakhs.

CM Chouhan said, "The accident in Sidhi is heartbreaking. The treatment of the injured is going on in Rewa's hospital. Doctors told that all the injured are out of danger. The best arrangements have been made for the treatment of the injured, yet they will be taken out for treatment if required.

He added, "Our first priority is to make better arrangements for the treatment of the injured. If necessary, the injured will also be taken by air ambulance for treatment elsewhere. A relief amount of ₹ 10 lakhs will be given to the next of kin of the companions who did not survive this unfortunate accident. Dependent relatives of deceased persons will be taken into government service according to their eligibility. We will make arrangements to provide assistance of ₹ 2 lahks to the seriously injured and ₹ 1 lakh to the generally injured. The full concern will be given to the family of the deceased. We stand with the families of the victims in this hour of crisis".

#BREAKING | Sidhi road accident: CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan announces ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh.

Tune in to watch updates here - https://t.co/ge3J2OW61a pic.twitter.com/W0M8rsrFAn

— Republic (@republic) February 25, 2023

India ranks 42nd among 55 leading global economies on the International IP Index released by the US Chambers of Commerce, according to which India is ripe to become a leader for emerging markets seeking to transform their economy through IP-driven innovation.

“As India’s size and economic influence grows on the world stage, India is ripe to become a leader for emerging markets seeking to transform their economy through IP-driven innovation,” Patrick Kilbride, senior vice president of the US Chamber of Commerce Global Innovation Policy Center who publishes the annual report said Friday. Read More Here.

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav targets BJP stating that the saffron party will lose power in 2024. He said, "BJP has one job in the nation, to spread hate in the society and create riots. On the other side, we will give out a message of peace and harmony. The people of Bihar have decided to remove the BJP from power in 2024".

Yadav added, "Today we are holding a ‘jansabha’, and lakhs of people are going to turn up. Our grand alliance with CM Nitish Kumar made BJP anxious, they fear that they'll lose their seats, that’s why Home Minister Amit Shah is visiting Bihar again and again to gain control".

A Delhi-bound IndiGo flight originated from cochin, and diverted to Bhopal due to a medical emergency on board, the airlines said in a statement on Friday. 

"Indigo flight 6e 2407 operating from cochin to Delhi has been diverted to Bhopal due to a medical emergency on board. We regret the inconvenience caused to other passengers," the statement read. Read Here.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold comprehensive talks on Saturday covering the Ukraine conflict, situation in the Indo-Pacific and ways to boost bilateral ties in areas of clean energy, trade and new technologies. Scholz is scheduled to arrive in Delhi on Saturday morning on a two-day State visit, his first to India after he became German Chancellor in December 2021 following Angela Merkel’s historic 16-year tenure at the top post. He is travelling to India a day after the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former AICC chief Sonia Gandhi will address leaders here, as well as political, economic and international affairs resolutions will be deliberated upon at the party's 85th plenary session Saturday. At the start of the second day of the three-day conclave, the Congress president will release a book and party general secretaries will submit their respective reports.

After this Kharge will address the gathering. A "thanksgiving" statement for former Congress president Sonia Gandhi will also be read out at the session following which she will deliver her address. The delegates will then deliberate upon the political, economic and international affairs resolutions, according to the programme shared by the party. Read More