Author: Agencies

JAMMU: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday urged the people to harness collective power for societal transformation and craft a blueprint for a prosperous India that can illuminate the world’s path. The Lieutenant Governor was addressing a commemorative event held on the occasion of the 508th Nirvan Diwas of Sant Kabir, organised by Shiromani Sant Kabir Bhavan at Chak Avtara Bishnah in Jammu. Highlighting the enduring relevance of Sant Kabir’s teachings, the Lieutenant Governor said that the saint’s eternal wisdom continues to guide society towards a brighter path, strengthening unity while enabling both spiritual and material progress for the nation.…

CHENNAI: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh today visited the Immersive Technology and Entrepreneurship Labs (ITEL) Foundation at IIT Madras Research Park and various advanced research facilities at IIT Madras, where he reviewed ongoing projects spanning urban mobility, space technology, medical devices and brain research. The Minister lauded the consortium driven innovation model pioneered by IIT Research Park , which enables immediate and appropriate commercialisation of technology. This model is now being keenly…

JAMMU: In a swift and coordinated operation under extreme weather conditions, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) on Sunday reopened the strategic Bhaderwah-Bani-Basohli National Highway, restoring vital connectivity between Doda and Kathua districts, a Defence spokesman said. The recent spell of intense snowfall at Chattergala Pass had disrupted vehicular movement along the 65-km stretch, temporarily snapping the crucial link between the mountainous regions, the spokesman added. Demonstrating operational readiness and its commitment to maintaining all-weather connectivity, the 69 and 118 Road Construction Company (RCC) of the 35 Border Roads Task Force (BRTF) under Project Sampark of the BRO launched an intensive…

NEW DELHI: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday continued his attack on the Centre over the proposed framework of the India–US trade deal, alleging that the country is witnessing a “betrayal of Indian farmers” in the name of the pact. In a post on X, Gandhi questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the implications of importing Distillers Dried Grains (DDG) from the United States. He asked whether such imports would mean Indian cattle being fed distillers’ grain made from genetically modified (GM) American corn, and whether that would make India’s milk production dependent on the…

NEW DELHI: Bangladesh is learnt to be in the process of inviting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several regional leaders to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the country’s next prime minister, Tarique Rahman, scheduled for February 17. People familiar with the matter said that Dhaka has already communicated its plans to New Delhi. Rahman’s party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has indicated that leaders from several countries in the region would be invited to attend the ceremony. There has, however, been no official confirmation regarding the invitation so far. Prime Minister Modi is unlikely to travel to Dhaka on that…

PRAYAGRAJ: On the auspicious occasion of Mahashivratri, which also marks the last bathing day of the ongoing Magh Mela, around 21 lakh devotees had taken a holy dip in the Ganga and at the Sangam till 10 am on Sunday, officials said. A mela authority official informed that pilgrims began arriving at the fair area late Saturday night, with continuous footfall witnessed through the early hours of Sunday. “By 10 am, nearly 21 lakh devotees have bathed in the Ganga and the Triveni Sangam,” the official said. District Magistrate Manish Kumar Verma stated that elaborate security and safety arrangements have…

KATRA: Continuing its sustained drive against narcotics and illegal activities, Reasi Police apprehended a person and recovered contraband substances during routine patrolling in Katra. On February 13, 2026, a police team conducting patrol duty in a flying squad vehicle reached near Hari Singh Chowk. The team noticed a man coming from Varun Chowk towards Railway Station, Katra, who attempted to conceal himself upon spotting the police vehicle, thereby arousing suspicion. Acting promptly, the police party apprehended the individual. During questioning, he identified himself as Ashok Kumar, son of Late Durga Dass, resident of near Bhumika Mandir, Nelay, Tehsil Katra, District…

KATRA: Demonstrating prompt action and an unwavering commitment to public safety, District Police Reasi successfully traced a kidnapped minor girl and arrested the accused within eight days of the incident. On February 4, 2026, a resident of Sirah Kotla, Kakryal approached Police Post Kakryal and lodged a written complaint stating that his minor daughter had been kidnapped by an unknown person. Acting swiftly, police registered FIR No. 48/2026 under relevant sections of law at Police Station Katra and immediately initiated the investigation. Under the close supervision of senior officers, multiple police teams were constituted to trace the missing girl. Intensive…

CHENNAI: Emphasising that government employment alone cannot be the sole avenue of aspiration for India’s youth, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh today strongly advocated an Industry driven StartUp model and a decisive shift in mindset towards innovation-led entrepreneurship and job creation. The Minister said, India’s innovation ecosystem has matured to a stage where opportunity is fully democratised and accessible “on a mobile phone.” Addressing the inaugural session of the Research–Industry–Startup– Entrepreneurship RISE Conclave 2026 in Chennai, he said that India…

SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday called for the adoption of technology-driven and organic farming practices to make agricultural produce from Jammu and Kashmir globally competitive. He emphasised that improving quality, productivity and market access is key to strengthening the rural economy and ensuring better returns for farmers. The Chief Minister was speaking after inaugurating GON’GUL-2026, the 11th AgriTech Mela, at the Shalimar Campus of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K). The inaugural session was attended by Ministers Sakina Itoo and Javaid Ahmad Dar, Vice Chancellor SKUAST-K Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Registrar Azmat Alam Khan, Principal…