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.