Rescue operations underway for workers trapped in Sikkim tunnel

In Sikkim, 11 bodies have been recovered so far as rescue measures have been intensified to evacuate people trapped inside the under-construction tunnel of the NHPC Teesta Stage VI Hydroelectric Project at Samardung in Namchi district.

The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Namchi district informed that 11 bodies have been recovered by the rescue teams.  It is suspected that at least 25 people are trapped inside the tunnel, which collapsed, likely due to landslides yesterday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang Golay and assured all assistance. Mr. Golay appraised the Prime Minister on the measures being taken to tackle the situation. Both the leaders expressed grief at the tragic incident.  

The Namchi district administration, in coordination with NHPC officials, the SDRF, NDRF, Sikkim Police, Fire and Emergency Services, the Health Department and other line departments, is continuously carrying out the rescue operation.

Akashvani’s correspondent reports that the incident occurred yesterday at the NHPC project in Samardung, South Sikkim. The NDRF, SDRF and other agencies were immediately pressed into the rescue mission. However, due to a suspected methane gas leak, rescue teams were initially unable to reach the site.

The rescue teams are making every effort to safely rescue those trapped, including labourers, NHPC officials and employees of a private engineering firm. Akashvani’s correspondent reports that despite rains and challenging weather conditions, rescue teams are making every effort to safely evacuate the stranded workers. It is believed that at atleast 25 persons are trapped inside the 7 km long tunnel at Samardung.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang Golay and assured all assistance to tackle the situation. Meanwhile, so far, 7 bodies have been identified by the district administration. Senior officials are on the spot to monitor the rescue operation. 

Char Dham Yatra resumes in Uttarakhand

The Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand resumed today after a one-day suspension. The pilgrimage had been temporarily halted yesterday as a precaution due to continuous rainfall and the risk of landslides along the pilgrimage routes.

Akashvani’s correspondent reports that the Char Dham Yatra is being conducted in coordination with the district administration, police, SDRF, and other concerned departments. Pilgrimage routes are under continuous surveillance, with heightened vigilance being maintained in vulnerable areas.

Garhwal Commissioner Anand Swaroop has appealed to pilgrims that if the route is temporarily blocked due to heavy rainfall, landslides or any other reason, they should stay only at the safe locations or holding areas designated by the administration and follow the instructions issued by the administration and police.

He said that the safety of pilgrims remains the administration’s highest priority. All concerned departments have been directed to keep a constant watch on weather conditions and the status of the pilgrimage routes. The Commissioner also urged pilgrims to check the latest weather updates before commencing their journey and rely only on official information issued by the administration. 

NEET-UG 2026: Union Health Minister meets injured protesters admitted in RML & LHM

Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda today visited Dr Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital in New Delhi, and held a meeting with the doctors at the hospital. He also reviewed the condition of those injured during yesterday’s protest in the National Capital over the alleged exam paper leak of NEET-UG 2026. Mr. Nadda also visited Lady Hardinge Medical College and Hospital, and met the injured protesters who are admitted there.

PM Modi reiterates govt’s commitment to ensure strict action against NEET paper leak accused

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for coordinated efforts by all stakeholders to prevent paper leaks in future examinations across the country. Mr Modi reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring strict action against those involved in recent NEET examination paper leaks and safeguarding the interests of the country’s youth. The Prime Minister said this while addressing the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Parliamentary Party meeting also known as Mangal Milan at Parliament House complex today.

Talking to the media, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that during the meeting, Prime Minister Modi said that the government acted immediately after receiving information about the NEET paper leak. Mr Modi said that all those involved in the paper leak case have been arrested, with 13 accused currently lodged in jail.

The Prime Minister stressed that those responsible should face the strictest possible punishment. Mr Rijiju said that during the meeting, the Prime Minister said that strict steps have been taken to prevent such paper leaks in the future.

Mr Rijiju said that Prime Minister Modi also spoke about the Free Trade Agreements that India has signed with several countries. During the meeting, Mr Modi said that in every Free Trade Agreement, the interests of Indian farmers have been given the highest priority. He emphasized that all such agreements have been concluded keeping the welfare of farmers and the national interest at the forefront.

Referring to the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, the Prime Minister said the NDA will play a constructive and positive role in ensuring the passage of Bills. Mr Rijiju appealed to opposition parties to cooperate in Parliament, saying that while political differences may exist, all Members of Parliament have been elected to serve the nation, safeguard its future, and work for the welfare of its youth. He called upon all political parties to work together in the larger national interest.

During the meeting, NDA alliance partners passed a congratulatory motion honouring Prime Minister Narendra Modi for becoming the longest-serving elected Prime Minister of India. 

India summons Russian Chargé d’Affaires following attack on commercial vessel MV Golden Leo

India today summoned the Russian Chargé d’Affaires, Vladimir Ladanov, following the attack on the commercial vessel MV Golden Leo on the 19th of this month, which resulted in the tragic loss of four Indian lives.

Conveying grave concerns and unequivocal condemnation of the attack, the Ministry of External Affairs said that such attacks undermine the safety, security, and stability of international maritime commerce. The Ministry said that Mr Ladanov was requested to convey India’s strong concerns to his authorities that the targeting of commercial shipping and the resulting loss of innocent civilian lives are unacceptable and must be avoided.

PM Modi says Micro Food Processing sector is driving grassroots entrepreneurship

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today emphasised that India’s micro food processing sector is powering grassroots entrepreneurship, particularly among women.

Sharing an article written by Union Minister of Food Processing Industries, Chirag Paswan in a social media post, the Prime Minister said that the article highlights how the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme is formalising enterprises through affordable finance, technology, branding and market linkages. Mr. Modi further underlined that the PMFME scheme is enabling local producers to become job creators, strengthen rural economies and build an Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

In his article, Union Minister Paswan has said that the PMFME Scheme has crossed 2 lakh credit sanctions, marking a major milestone in supporting micro food processing entrepreneurs across India. Mr. Paswan added that the scheme is strengthening rural enterprises, promoting women’s entrepreneurship, generating livelihoods and advancing the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia & Meghalaya CM launch Lakadong Turmeric Mission Golden Spice

Union Minister for the Development of the North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya Scindia today launched the Lakadong Turmeric Mission Golden Spice along with Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma. Mission Golden Spice is a project under the Ministry’s Unlock the Economic Potential of India’s Northeast (USP) initiative and is worth over 175 crore rupees.

Mr Scindia noted that with the world’s highest naturally occurring curcumin content, Lakadong Turmeric is globally acclaimed for its exceptional quality, making it one of India’s most distinctive agricultural treasures. He added that the Mission will build a farm-to-global-market ecosystem, expand cultivation to 7,000 hectares, double farmers’ incomes, create over 3,000 women-led jobs and build a hundred crore Lakadong Turmeric economy by financial year 2028-29. The Minister further noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government is building global value chains for the Northeast’s finest products while creating greater value for the farmers of the country.

RBI Absorbs Net Liquidity of ₹70,888 Crore from Banking System

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) absorbed net liquidity of Rs 70,888.18 crore from the banking system as of July 17, 2026, according to its latest Money Market Operations data released today. The central bank’s liquidity adjustment operations showed a net absorption of Rs 81,672 crore during the day’s operations, while outstanding liquidity injection stood at Rs 10,783.82 crore, resulting in an overall net liquidity absorption of Rs 70,888.18 crore. During the day, the RBI conducted a 3-day Variable Rate Repo (VRR) operation, injecting Rs 75,003 crore at a cut-off rate of 5.26 per cent. Banks also parked Rs 152,120 crore under the Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) at 5.00 per cent, reflecting surplus liquidity in parts of the banking system. 

20 killed, 80 injured in rain triggered flash foods in Afganistan

In Afghanistan, at least 20 people were killed, around 80 others injured and over 100 remain missing after flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall struck Nuristan province in the eastern part of the country yesterday. The spokesperson of the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority, Yousuf Hammad, said in a social media post that the floods caused heavy casualties in the province.

He said officials from the provincial disaster management department had arrived in the affected areas and launched search-and-rescue operations, including efforts to recover the bodies of victims, rescue the injured and search for those missing. He added that preliminary figures on casualties and property losses will be released after investigations and damage assessments are completed.

US President Donald Trump has warned Iran of massive retaliation, saying that Tehran would pay many times. His warning came yesterday after three American soldiers were killed recently, two in Jordan and one in Iraq. Meanwhile, the US forces today began a new round of strikes against Iran. In a social media post, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said that the strikes are designed to further degrade Iranian military capabilities used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Earlier, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said that its naval forces had delivered ‘heavy blows’ to US assets and facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait through three rounds of missile and drone attacks in retaliation for US attacks on Iranian provinces. In a statement on its official news outlet, the IRGC said it destroyed drone maintenance and repair hangars used by US units at Al-Sakhir Air Base in Bahrain in the first round of the strikes.

It said, in the second round, the US silos housing Task Force 59 vessels at Salman Port in Bahrain were targeted and the vessels were heavily damaged. It further added that in the third round of its strikes set fire to and destroyed facilities for stationing, supporting, and equipping US special naval commandos at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait.

Meanwhile, Bahrain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the repeated Iranian attacks, saying they targeted vital civilian infrastructure and posed a direct threat to civilian lives. Kuwait also alleged that its civil air navigation systems were targeted by Iranian drones, with air navigation services unaffected.

ED conducts searches at 8 premises in Bangalore in ISIS Recruitment Case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) Bangalore Zone is conducting searches at eight premises in connection with an Enforcement Case Information Report registered on the basis of an FIR filed by the National Investigation Agency. According to ED, the case is in relation to the recruitment of individuals for the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), involving Iqra Welfare Trust, Guidance for Mankind and other individuals based out in Bangalore.

ED noted that five persons were arrested in the case. Subsequently, the NIA filed a chargesheet under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The enforcement agency said that the chargesheet revealed that the accused were affiliated with the banned terrorist organisation to radicalise and motivate impressionable Muslim youth of Bengaluru to join ISIS. Further investigation is under progress.

	CDSCO grants marketing authorisation for India’s first Dengue vaccine

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has granted marketing authorisation for India’s first dengue vaccine, the attenuated dengue vaccine (Qdenga®), to strengthen national dengue prevention efforts.

This is the first dengue vaccine approved in the country for the prevention of dengue disease. The vaccine is approved for the prevention of dengue disease in individuals 4 to 60 years of age. The vaccine has already received regulatory approval in 42 countries, including the European Union, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said that the approval of the country’s first dengue vaccine marks an important milestone in India’s public health response to dengue. It added that it is expected to complement the ongoing vector control, surveillance and early diagnosis.

 शिमरी बॉडीकॉन ड्रेस में Ananya Pandey का ग्लैमरस अवतार, कर्वी फिगर देख फैंस हुई दीवाने

इसी के साथ यदि उनका मेकअप देखा जाए तो न्यूड मेकअप केसाथ उन्होंने सॉफ्टी स्मोकी आईज को ज्यादा तर्जी दी।

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today spoke with Chief Minister of Sikkim, Prem Singh Tamang, to enquire about the situation and the ongoing rescue operations following the incident at the under-construction tunnel in Namchi district.

In a social media post, Mr Tamang said that the prime minister has assured all possible assistance from the central government. The Sikkim Chief Minister expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister for his unwavering support, thoughtful concern, and steadfast solidarity with the state.

Mr Tamang noted that the NDRF, SDRF, SSDMA, district administration, local police, medical teams from Rangpo PHC, and the local community are working tirelessly and in close coordination to support the rescue efforts and provide all possible assistance to those affected.

NDA passes congratulatory motion honouring PM Modi for becoming India’s longest-serving elected PM

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Parliamentary Party meeting, now known as Mangal Milan, was held at the G.M.C. Balayogi Auditorium in Parliament House today. During the meeting, NDA alliance partners passed a congratulatory motion honouring Prime Minister Narendra Modi for becoming the longest-serving elected Prime Minister of India.

Talking to media, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that during the meeting, Prime Minister Modi called for coordinated efforts by all stakeholders to prevent paper leaks in future examinations across the country. He said, Mr Modi reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring strict action against those involved in examination paper leaks and safeguarding the interests of the country’s youth.

The Prime Minister said all those involved in the recent NEET paper leak case have been arrested, with 13 accused currently lodged in jail. Mr Rijiju said that the Prime Minister stressed that those responsible should face the strictest possible punishment.

Mr Rijiju said that Prime Minister Modi also spoke about the Free Trade Agreements that India has signed with several countries. During the meeting, Mr Modi said that in every Free Trade Agreement, the interests of Indian farmers have been given the highest priority. He emphasized that all such agreements have been concluded keeping the welfare of farmers and the national interest at the forefront.

Referring to the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, the Prime Minister said the NDA will play a constructive and positive role in ensuring the passage of Bills. Mr Rijiju appealed to opposition parties to cooperate in Parliament, saying that while political differences may exist, all Members of Parliament have been elected to serve the nation, safeguard its future, and work for the welfare of its youth. He called upon all political parties to work together in the larger national interest.

On the second leg of her three-nation state visit, President Droupadi Murmu has reached North Macedonia. This is the first-ever visit by an Indian President to North Macedonia.

President Murmu will hold bilateral talks with her Macedonian counterpart Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova. She will also meet the Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, Speaker of the Assembly Afrim Gashi and will also address the Assembly of North Macedonia.

The President will also address the India-North Macedonia Business Forum. Both sides have keen interest in deepening economic ties in the priority sectors like agriculture, pharmaceuticals, science and technology, IT and ITES. President Murmu is also scheduled to visit the Church of St. Spas and also lay a wreath at the grave of eminent Macedonian revolutionary Gore Dalcev (Goce Delčev).

External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar extended greetings to the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Belgium Maxime Prévot, and the people of the country on their National Day. In a social media post, Dr Jaishankar said that India is committed to deepening its multifaceted partnership with Belgium.

 गुलाबी साड़ी में Janhvi Kapoor ने बिखेरा रॉयल चार्म, ट्रेडिशनल लुक में लगीं पूरी महारानी

जाह्नवी कपूर की ये तस्वीरें सोशल मीडिया पर आते ही तेजी से वायरल हो रही हैं और फैंस कमेंट सेक्शन में उनकी खूबसूरती की जमकर तारीफ कर रहे हैं।

 Wamiqa Gabbi के ट्रेडिशनल लुक से नजरें हटाना मुश्किल, पिंक लेहंगा और डीप नैक पर फ़िदा हुए फैंस

एक्ट्रेस वामिका गब्बी रील लाइफ में जितनी सुन्दर दिखती हैं, उससे कई ज्यादा सुन्दर को रियल लाइफ में दिखती हैं।

The External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar has met his Panamanian counterpart Javier Eduardo Martinez-Acha Vasquez in New Delhi. During the meeting, yesterday, Dr Jaishankar underscored the importance of deepening India’s engagement with Panama as a gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean region.

Both leaders held wide-ranging discussions, including advancing trade, business, development, maritime, health, agriculture, education and digital cooperation. They also spoke about engagement at the multilateral fora. Earlier, External Affairs Minister expressed confidence that the visit of Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Eduardo Martinez-Acha Vasquez will further strengthen bilateral ties across all sectors.

During his opening remarks at the meeting with the Panamanian Foreign Minister, Dr Jaishankar said the current visit builds on the momentum of recent high-level exchanges between the two countries. He said both governments and their leaders are keen to deepen and broaden the India-Panama partnership.

The External Affairs Minister noted that India looks forward to closer ties with Panama, highlighting its strategic location as well as its economic stability and potential. He further expressed confidence that the discussions during the visit would open new avenues of cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

India condemned the attack on the vessel MV GOLDEN LEO while departing the port of Odesa in Ukraine. The External Affairs Ministry, in a statement, said four Indian nationals have tragically lost their lives, while one is hospitalised in a critical condition. The Ministry said that at the time of the incident, there were 17 crew members on board, including 5 Indian nationals, as per information available.

The Ministry has reiterated that targeting commercial shipping and endangering innocent civilian crew members or otherwise impeding freedom of navigation and commerce is deplorable and should be avoided. The Ministry said that the Indian Mission in Ukraine is closely monitoring the situation and is making every effort to extend all possible assistance to those affected. The Government of India extended deepest condolences to the families of the deceased Indian nationals and wished them speedy and full recovery.

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval has been selected for this year’s prestigious Lokmanya Tilak National Award. The award will be presented on August 1 in Pune on the occasion of the 106th death anniversary of Lokmanya Tilak. Lokmanya Tilak Smarak Trust President Dr. Rohit Tilak announced this at a press conference today. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar will attend the award ceremony. The award comprises a memento, a citation and a cash prize of one lakh rupees. Ajit Doval has been chosen for his outstanding contribution to strengthening India’s national security, counter-terrorism operations, covert missions and border security. He has played a key role in several major national security initiatives, including Operation Black Thunder, the Doklam diplomatic negotiations and the Balakot air strike. A 1968-batch Indian Police Service officer of the Kerala cadre, Doval served in the intelligence establishment for more than three decades and later headed the Intelligence Bureau. He is currently India’s longest-serving National Security Adviser.

सोलन में छात्रों-युवाओं का प्रदर्शन, पेपर लीक और भर्ती घोटालों के विरोध में निकाली रैली

सोलन, 21 जुलाई: छात्रों और युवाओं से जुड़े विभिन्न मुद्दों को लेकर सोमवार को सोलन में विरोध प्रदर्शन आयोजित किया गया। पुराने डीसी कार्यालय से पुराने बस स्टैंड तक निकाली गई रैली में बड़ी संख्या में छात्र, युवा और विभिन्न जनसंगठनों के प्रतिनिधि शामिल हुए।

प्रदर्शन के दौरान प्रतिभागियों ने पेपर लीक की घटनाओं, भर्ती प्रक्रियाओं में देरी, परीक्षा संबंधी अनियमितताओं, शिक्षा के निजीकरण और बढ़ती बेरोजगारी जैसे मुद्दों को उठाया। प्रदर्शनकारियों ने केंद्रीय शिक्षा मंत्री से नैतिक जिम्मेदारी लेते हुए इस्तीफे की मांग भी की।

रैली के बाद आयोजित सभा को सीटू जिला महासचिव मोहित वर्मा, एडवोकेट मनोज वर्मा तथा पूर्व आईएएस अधिकारी शरभ नेगी सहित अन्य वक्ताओं ने संबोधित किया। वक्ताओं ने आरोप लगाया कि बार-बार सामने आने वाले पेपर लीक और भर्ती संबंधी विवादों से छात्रों और प्रतियोगी परीक्षाओं की तैयारी कर रहे युवाओं का भविष्य प्रभावित हो रहा है।

प्रदर्शनकारियों ने सरकार से पेपर लीक रोकने के लिए सख्त कानून बनाने, भर्ती एवं प्रवेश परीक्षाओं को समयबद्ध और पारदर्शी ढंग से आयोजित करने, प्रत्येक जिले में परीक्षा केंद्र उपलब्ध कराने, रिक्त सरकारी पदों पर नियमित भर्ती करने तथा शिक्षा व्यवस्था में सुधार की मांग की।

प्रदर्शन में नीतीश ठाकुर, प्यारे लाल वर्मा, राकेश कुमार, रोहित, आशा, धर्मपाल, राघव, विकास ठाकुर, संजय सहित कई छात्र-युवा और जनसंगठनों के प्रतिनिधि मौजूद रहे। प्रदर्शनकारियों ने कहा कि यदि उनकी मांगों पर शीघ्र सकारात्मक कार्रवाई नहीं हुई तो आंदोलन को आगे और व्यापक किया जाएगा।

 शिमला पुलिस ने दोहराया कि जनसुरक्षा, शांति और कानून-व्यवस्था बनाए रखना उसकी सर्वोच्च प्राथमिकता है तथा भविष्य में भी ऐसे अभियान लगातार जारी रहेंगे।

शिमला, 20 जुलाई: जनसुरक्षा और कानून-व्यवस्था को और अधिक मजबूत बनाने के उद्देश्य से शिमला पुलिस ने आज पुलिस थाना सदर क्षेत्र के अंतर्गत मिडिल बाज़ार, लोअर बाज़ार, राम बाज़ार और कृष्णानगर में फ्लैग मार्च निकाला।

यह फ्लैग मार्च अतिरिक्त पुलिस अधीक्षक (शहरी) शिमला, श्रीमती मेहर पँवार (आईपीएस) के नेतृत्व में आयोजित किया गया। इस दौरान पुलिस टीम ने विभिन्न स्थानों पर सघन चेकिंग अभियान चलाया, स्थानीय व्यापारियों और नागरिकों से संवाद किया तथा सभी से शांति, सौहार्द और कानून-व्यवस्था बनाए रखने में सहयोग की अपील की।

पुलिस अधिकारियों ने कहा कि फ्लैग मार्च का मुख्य उद्देश्य क्षेत्र में पुलिस की प्रभावी उपस्थिति दर्ज कराना, असामाजिक तत्वों पर प्रभावी अंकुश लगाना तथा आम नागरिकों के मन में सुरक्षा और विश्वास की भावना को और अधिक मजबूत करना है।

शिमला पुलिस ने नागरिकों से अपील की कि किसी भी संदिग्ध गतिविधि की जानकारी तुरंत पुलिस को दें और कानून-व्यवस्था बनाए रखने में सक्रिय सहयोग करें।

फ्लैग मार्च के प्रमुख उद्देश्य

• क्षेत्र में पुलिस की प्रभावी उपस्थिति सुनिश्चित करना।
• असामाजिक एवं आपराधिक गतिविधियों पर नियंत्रण रखना।
• आमजन में सुरक्षा, विश्वास और शांति का वातावरण बनाए रखना।

शिमला पुलिस ने दोहराया कि जनसुरक्षा, शांति और कानून-व्यवस्था बनाए रखना उसकी सर्वोच्च प्राथमिकता है तथा भविष्य में भी ऐसे अभियान लगातार जारी रहेंगे।

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