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The videography survey of the Gyanvapi Masjid complex in Varanasi resumed today with tight security arrangements amid objections over videography inside the complex. However, the mosque management committee has indicated that it will cooperate for now with the team assigned the task by a local court. Currently, the team is surveying the western wall area of the Mosque. As per News18 ,  all roads leading to Kashi Vishvanath Temple and Gyanvapi Mosque have been blocked and tight security arrangements have been put in place. Pedestrians were also not allowed on the road between Maidagin and Godowlia areas. The mosque is located next to the iconic Kashi Vishwanath temple. "There is a robust arrangement to ensure that the people don't face any inconvenience, the darshan takes place well and everything goes on well," RS Gautam, deputy commissioner of police, Kashi Zone, was quoted as saying by news agency ANI . "The authorised persons — all parties, their advocates, cou

Ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to Hyderabad on Saturday, TRS working president and Industry Minister KT Rama Rao, the son of state chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao shot off an 'open' letter to him, demanding to solve pending State issues. In the letter, KTR, who is Working President of Telangana Rashtra Samithi, accused the BJP of spreading hatred amongst the people in Telangana. He added that BJP did not fulfil a single promise made to Telangana but fulfilled every requirement of BJP-ruled states like Gujarat on a war footing. HM @AmitShah Ji, Since you’re visiting #Telangana today, request you to clarify on the discriminatory & vindictive attitude of Union Govt towards our state Below is the question paper👇 The people of Telangana are looking forward to getting enlightened with your answers pic.twitter.com/ytNKwEyXot — KTR (@KTRTRS) May 14, 2022 The TRS leader posed 27 questions to the BJP leader on the step-motherly treatment meted out

The road to Somdal querulously wound its way into the innards of the hills of Ukhrul. Oak, pine, bamboo and Mesua Ferrea lined our paths and there were children on the road who gave out long and shrill whistles as we passed by. I had been warned that it was not going to be a cruise and that the journey would be backbreaking. I even sensed puzzlement on the countenance of the Assam Rifles officer who had been tasked to discuss and plan my itinerary of Manipur. “Why Somdal,” he must’ve thought. What is so special about a village tucked away in the midst of nowhere? There was even a palpable degree of dissuasion in the tone of the Assam Rifles officer who tried to explain to me the perils of the road and the snail pace at which the road has to be traversed, of even dangers from mines and IEDs. Indeed, a Casspir, a “Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle” that would “clear” the road ahead of the vehicle in which I would be travelling, too, has to be commandeered. I had complained, “I do

Narasimha Jayanti is an important festival of the Hindu community. This auspicious day is grandly celebrated on Vaisakh Chaturdashi (14th day) of the Shukla Paksha. Also known as Narasimha Chaturdashi, this sacred festival will be marked on 14 May, (Saturday) this year. As per scriptures, on this day, Lord Vishnu appeared in the form of Narasimha, (half lion and half man) to kill Demon Hiranyakashipu. He appeared with the face and features of a lion but the body of a man. Lord Narasimha is the fourth incarnation or avatar of Lord Vishnu. Date and Timings: Sayana Kala puja time is from 4:29 pm to 7:05 pm (duration: 2 hours 36 mins). The following day (15 May), the Parana time for Narasimha Jayanti is after 12:45 pm. The Madhyahna Sankalp time is from 11:17 am to 1:53 pm. The tithi timing begins from 3:22 pm on 14 May and ends at 12:45 pm on 15 May. History and Significance: Lord Narasimha played a crucial role in the killing of the demon Hiranyakashipu. As per scared scriptures, L

The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Friday announced formation of a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the killing of a Kashmiri Pandit employee in Budgam district. It also said a government job will be provided to the wife of the slain employee. Rahul Bhat was shot at and critically injured by militants in his office at Chadoora in Budgam district on Thursday. He succumbed to injuries at a hospital in Srinagar. "A decision has been taken to constitute special investigative team to probe all the aspects of the despicable terror attack. The SHO of the concerned police station has also been attached," Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha tweeted. A decision has been taken to constitute special investigative team to probe all the aspects of the despicable terror attack. The SHO of the concerned police station has also been attached. — Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) May 13, 2022 He also announced a government job for Bhat's wife and said the administr

At least 27 people have been killed as a massive fire broke out in a four-storey commercial building, near Mundka metro station in west Delhi on Friday evening. According to fire department officials, information was received about the blaze at 4.40 pm following which 24 fire tenders were rushed to the spot. Around 60-70 people have been rescued from the building, police said. 16 people have died in the fire that broke out in Delhi's #mundka Robots are also being used to control the fire. Delhi Fire Officer said that more than 10 people are trapped in the fire and now 10 people have been evacuated and sent to the hospital. #Delhifire #MundakaFire pic.twitter.com/bpJR9Prh9p — Rajan Kumar Jha (@RealRajanjha) May 13, 2022 Some people jumped off the building as the blaze intensified, officials said. The third floor of the building is yet to be searched, Atul Garg, Delhi Fire Director said. The rescue operation is underway. Earlier in the day, on preliminary probe, it was

Two Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists entered a crowded government office and shot dead a Kashmiri Pandit employee in Budgam district in central Kashmir on Thursday, in a targeted killing that drew strong condemnation from political parties and employees' association. Later, Kashmir Tigers claimed responsibility for the killing. Rahul Bhat (35), who was posted in the Tehsil office in Chadoora under a special employment package for Kashmiri Pandit migrants, was rushed to the premier SMHS Hospital in Srinagar but succumbed to his injuries soon after. The two terrorists, belonging to the Lashkar-e-Taiba outfit, entered the Tehsil office around 4.30 pm when it was full of employees and people, and shot at Bhat. Bhat lived in a migrant colony at Sheikhpura in Budgam district and had worked for around eight years. He is survived by wife, five-year-old daughter and parents. His father is a retired police officer. The Kashmir Zone police took to Twitter to report about the case: The #injur

A little shy of completing a year as Uttar Pradesh top cop, Mukul Goel, on Wednesday, was removed from his post for “not taking interest in work” and “disobeying orders” and transferred to the post of Director General (DG) of the Civil Defence department. As per reports, the decision was taken by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath after Goel allegedly showed little interest in his departmental duties and for disobeying orders. Uttar Pradesh police chief Mukul Goel removed from post — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 11, 2022 As of now, Additional Director General of Police Prashant Kumar will take over Goel’s position as Director General of Police. This isn’t the first time that Goel has faced government action. The 1987 batch IPS officer was previously suspended during the Mayawati-led BSP government. Who is Mukul Goel? Born in Muzaffarnagar, Mukul Goel has graduated with a BTech degree in Electrical Engineering from IIT Delhi. In June 2021, the IPS officer of the Uttar P

New Delhi: Petrol and diesel prices remained unchanged with no change in rates on Thursday. Earlier both petrol and diesel rates were hiked by 80 paise a litre each, taking the total increase in rates in two weeks to Rs 10 per litre. Petrol in Delhi now costs Rs 105.41 per litre, while diesel rate is Rs 95.87 per litre to Rs 96.67, according to a price notification of state fuel retailers. In Mumbai, petrol and diesel prices per litre stand at Rs 120.51 and Rs 104.77 respectively. Rates across the country and vary from state to state, depending upon the incidence of local taxation. In the last hike, the country saw the 14th increase in fuel prices since the ending of a four-and-half-month long hiatus in rate revision on 22 March. On the first four occasions, prices were increased by 80 paise a litre - the steepest single-day rise since the daily price revision was introduced in June 2017. On the following days, petrol price went up by 50 paise and 30 paise a litre while diesel ros

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is a humanitarian and spiritual leader and an ambassador of peace. He is also known as Sri Sri, Guruji or Gurudev by many of his followers and disciples from across the globe. Known for establishing the Art of Living foundation in 1981, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is a revered global leader. He turns 66 today, 13 May. Born in Papnasam, Tamil Nadu, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has spearheaded a worldwide movement for a stress-free and violence-free society. Gurudev or Sri Sri has established a network of organisations including the Art of Living and the International Association for Human Values. His vision of a peaceful and violence-free society has been shared with over 500 million people in 156 countries. On the occasion of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's birthday, here is a list of some lesser-known facts about the spiritual leader: 1. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar was named "Ravi" because he was born on Sunday and "Shankar" after the eighth-century Hindu saint, Adi S

“Sir, why is it that all terrorists are Muslims?” While I was teaching at Modern School, Barakhamba Road, New Delhi, a Class XI student asked me this question during a discussion on current events in the aftermath of the 2008 Mumbai attacks. This was a disturbing but pertinent question, and being a Muslim teacher who is also carrying the baggage of Partition, I was conscious of my responsibility to give a sensible reply to address the curiosity among young minds of a class of 42 students. I told the student that the very meaning of Islam is “submission to the will of God”, just like the guiding themes of every religion in the world, but a fringe minority has hijacked the religion. It is this fringe, I said, that projects its violent image on Islam. The student wasn’t too convinced, nor were other students in the class. They said matter-of-factly that I wasn’t like other Muslims! With so many voices stating that the religion advocates violence, Islam is today under the scanner. Not al

Sedition law is one of many pre-Constitution laws brought over from colonial to independent India. As per the Indian Penal Code 1860, sedition means an act that brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards a government established by law. It is a non-bailable offence, with punishment ranging from imprisonment up to 3 years to a life term, to which a fine may be added. A person charged with sedition is barred from travelling abroad pursuant to which they have to surrender their passports, are not eligible for government jobs, and must produce themselves in the court as and when required. The present controversy surrounding the reconsideration of sedition has led to calls for scrapping the law of sedition as a whole. At the same time, there may be some opposition to the move, which makes it imperative to understand the nuances of sedition law in detail. Historical background Originally drafted by British politician-historian

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has been trolled for including 'Hayward' in a list of universities and institutions abroad. It seemed Mann was addressing a crowd during a function in the state. In a video that has now gone viral, the Aam Aadmi Party leader can be heard saying that teachers of Punjab schools would be sent to foreign varsities like Oxford, 'Hayward' among others for professional training. He also added that this initiative will be undertaken by the state government on its own expense. During his speech, Mann also brought references to the Delhi government. He asserted that similar to Delhi, Punjab will also send their teachers to pursue training abroad. "Just like the Delhi government, principals, vice-principals and headmasters will be sent abroad for training," Mann said. The Punjab Chief Minister added that the educators will be sent in "Batches of 70-100 to Switzerland, Finland, Singapore, and top universities such as Oxford and

The Kerala Lottery Department will release the results of the Akshaya AK-548 lottery draw at 3 pm today, 11 May. The AK-548 lottery results can be checked by visiting the official website of the Kerala lottery department. The detailed results will be available from 4 pm onwards on the website. The Akshaya AK-548 lottery draw will be held at Gorky Bhavan near Bakery Junction in Thiruvananthapuram. To make it convenient for the ticket holders, the Akshaya AK-548 lottery results will also be released in the Kerala Government Gazette. The winner of the first prize will take home an amount of Rs 70 lakh, while the second and third prize winner will get an amount of Rs 5 lakh and Rs 1 lakh, respectively. Winners need to know that a Kerala lottery tax deduction of 30 percent and an agent lottery commission of 10 percent are applicable on the AK-548 prize amount won. Follow these steps to check lottery results: Step 1: Go to the Kerala lottery department’s official website Step 2: Click

A bizarre incident came to fore from Ujjain district in Madhya Pradesh where two of three sisters, who were getting married on the same day, ended up being with the wrong grooms as there was power cut at the time of the auspicious muhurat. There were four marriages taking place in the Ujjain district simultaneously. However, during the festivities and rituals, there was a sudden power failure after which two brides with ghoonghat (covering their face with cloth) sat with the wrong grooms and performed the wedding rituals. When the power came back right before the brides and grooms were being taken for phere with their wrong match, there was commotion and panic among family members and guests after they realised the blunder. The families concerned then sat together and after discussions, the right matches took phere again. The priests re-chanted the vows to set the things right. The incident took place on 5 May in Aslana village in Badnagar tehsil which is around 20 kilometers away

Raj Thackeray ’s upcoming visit to Ayodhya on 5 June has been making news for all the wrong reasons. A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP has openly declared that he won’t allow the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief to enter the city till he tendered a public apology for humiliating north Indians. Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the MP from Kaiserganj Lok Sabha constituency and one of the leaders of the Ram Mandir movement, said, “Will not allow Raj Thackeray, who humiliates north Indians, enter the Ayodhya border.” “Before coming to Ayodhya, Raj Thackeray should apologise to all North Indians with folded hands,” he said. As the controversy grows over the Thackeray’s visit to the temple city and his attempt of becoming a new saffron icon, we take a look at the genesis of the issue and why the BJP MP seems adamant on being a roadblock. Also read: Raj Thackeray: Why the ‘angry man of Maharashtra’ is so active again Anti-migrant stance When Raj Thackeray formed the MNS back in 2006, h

Severe cyclonic storm Asani has changed its direction and is likely to reach west central Bay of Bengal, close to Andhra Pradesh coast on Wednesday, following which a red alert has been sounded in the state by the Indian Meteorological Department. "Cyclone warning and a red alert have been given to Andhra Pradesh. Till yesterday, the track was showing a northwest direction but in the last 6 hours, it is moving towards the West-Northwest direction. So, it's very near to our Andhra Pradesh coast," Visakhapatnam cyclone warning centre director Sunanda told news agency ANI. As many as nine teams have been deployed by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in Andhra Pradesh and seven others have been kept on standby. In Odisha, one team has been deployed and 17 have been put on standby, whereas in West Bengal, 12 teams have been deployed and five were on standby. #WATCH | Andhra Pradesh: Sea turns turbulent in Kakinada, strong winds blow due to #CycloneAsani IMD say

New Delhi: Petrol and diesel prices remained unchanged for over a month at a stretch with no change in rates on Wednesday. Earlier both petrol and diesel rates were hiked by 80 paise a litre each, taking the total increase in rates in two weeks to Rs 10 per litre. Petrol in Delhi now costs Rs 105.41 per litre, while diesel rate is Rs 95.87 per litre to Rs 96.67, according to a price notification of state fuel retailers. In Mumbai, petrol and diesel prices per litre stand at Rs 120.51 and Rs 104.77 respectively. Rates across the country and vary from state to state, depending upon the incidence of local taxation. In the last hike, the country saw the 14th increase in fuel prices since the ending of a four-and-half-month long hiatus in rate revision on 22 March. On the first four occasions, prices were increased by 80 paise a litre - the steepest single-day rise since the daily price revision was introduced in June 2017. On the following days, petrol price went up by 50 paise and 30