 "The Kailash Mansarovar is seen from the flight. PTI")
Many big events are lined up for today.
The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is set to restart after being paused for five years.
When people think of tennis, Wimbledon is often the first name that comes up. The tournament begins today.
President Droupadi Murmu will be in Gorakhpur today for the first convocation of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Gorakhpur.
RJD leader Lalu Prasad’s son, Tej Pratap Yadav, will start his ‘Janata Darbar’.
Today is also the final day for tech company Meta to pay the $220 million fine issued by Nigeria’s consumer protection authority.
Here is a look at the events:
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra begins
The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra resumes today after being suspended for five years.
A total of 750 people were picked from over 5,500 applicants through a computer-based draw.
Held every year from June to September, the yatra is organised by the Ministry of External Affairs. It takes place along two approved routes: the Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand and the Nathu La Pass in Sikkim.
The journey takes around 23 to 25 days and includes a tough 45-km stretch on foot.
For Indian passport holders, the cost is close to Rs. 2,25,000 each, while foreign pilgrims pay roughly US$3,275. Group numbers vary between 25 and 108 people per batch.
Ties between India and China had remained frozen for over four years following the standoff in Eastern Ladakh. However, relations resumed after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the Brics summit in Kazan, Russia, last year.
Wimbledon kicks off
Wimbledon kicks off today as players shift from the clay courts of Paris to London’s iconic grass courts.
In the men’s draw, Carlos Alcaraz is hoping to build on his recent French Open success. Ranked world No. 2, Alcaraz had beaten Jannik Sinner to take the title in Paris. Sinner comes into Wimbledon as the top-ranked male player.
On the women’s side, Barbora Krejcikova returns to defend her title after beating some strong contenders last year. Several higher-ranked players, who did not perform well at Wimbledon in 2024, will be eager to make a stronger showing this time.
Matches will run until mid-July. The women’s final is set for Saturday, July 12, followed by the men’s final on Sunday.
President Droupadi Murmu in Gorakhpur
President Droupadi Murmu is set to visit Gorakhpur today to take part in the first convocation of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the city.
This will be her fourth trip to Gorakhpur in seven years, following an invitation from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
The President is also expected to open the state’s first AYUSH University in Pipri, on July 1, during her two-day tour. She will also visit the Gorakhnath Temple and pray at the shrine of Mahayogi Gorakhnath.
Last day for Meta to pay $220 million fine in Nigeria
Today is the final date for tech firm Meta Platforms Inc., which owns Facebook and WhatsApp, to pay a $220 million fine set by Nigeria’s consumer watchdog.
The fine was issued in 2023 by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) after it found repeated breaches of data rules, as uncovered in a joint review with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission.
As reported by Barron’s, Meta has said it does not accept the ruling and disagrees with both the findings and the fine.
Despite raising objections, Meta has been told to comply with the decision and settle the amount by the end of today, according to reports in local media.
Tej Pratap Yadav to start ‘Janata Darbar’
With the Bihar Assembly Elections ahead, RJD leader Lalu Prasad’s son Tej Pratap Yadav will launch ‘Janata Darbar’ today. It aims to offer people a direct chance to raise concerns and seek help.
“Janata Darbar, direct solution to public problems. Let’s create a new chapter of Bihar together. Always with you, always with Bihar. From Monday, June 30, Janata Darbar will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at my residence, 26 M Strand Road,” Tej Pratap wrote.
Last month, Tej Pratap was removed from the party for six years following controversy over a social media post that was later taken down.
The post, shared on Facebook, went viral and claimed that Tej Pratap had been in a long-term relationship with a woman named Anushka Yadav.
With inputs from agencies