India news highlights: Greece is one of India's important European partners, says Foreign Secretary Kwatra

India-Greece LIVE Updates

Greece is one of India’s important European partners, says Foreign Secretary Kwatra

Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said on Monday that Greece is one of India’s most significant European allies, and that Athens has been a supporter of New Delhi’s permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council.

In the special briefing ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to South Africa and Greece, Kwatra said, “Greece is one of India’s important European partners it is the member of the EU, NATO and the gateway to Europe and also to the EU market. Greece enjoys a privileged position after the crossroad of Asia, Europe and Africa.”

Chandrayaan-3 LIVE Updates

Special worship for success of Chandrayaan-3 in Dakshina Kannada

On the eve of Nagapanchami, a special puja was done at the famed Kukke Subramaniam temple in Dakshina Kannada district on Monday to commemorate the successful landing of ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon’s south pole.

The temple management held a special puja with milk consecration, asking for India to make history and make the country proud in the field of space exploration. During the puja, Lord Subramaniam was washed with milk.

Wholesale Market LIVE Updates

Onion auction to remain closed indefinitely in Nashik wholesale markets to protest 40% duty on export: Traders

Onion auctions would be closed indefinitely at all Agriculture Produce Market Committees (APMCs) in Maharashtra’s Nashik district, traders said on Monday, in protest of the Centre’s decision to slap a 40 per cent tariff on the kitchen staple’s export.

According to reports, the onion auctions remained suspended at most of the APMCs in the area on Monday, including Lasalgaon, India’s largest wholesale onion market.

Traders allege the federal government’s move to put a 40 per cent levy on onion exports until 31 December 2023 will harm onion producers and exports.

Madhya Pradesh LIVE Updates

Amit Shah asked leaders to work to win over 150 seats in Madhya Pradesh, says Kailash Vijayvargiya

According to Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kailash Vijayvargiya, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has encouraged party activists in Madhya Pradesh to fight hard to win at least 150 seats in the assembly elections later this year.

On the occasion of Nag Panchami on Monday, Vijayvargiya offered prayers at Nagchandreshwar temple, which is located on the premises of Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain district, and expressed confidence in the BJP establishing the state government once again.

Meta LIVE Updates

Meta set to launch web version of Threads

Meta, Instagram’s parent company, is apparently planning to launch the online version of Threads this week.

Threads, a messaging programme aimed for exchanging updates with close friends, has lacked an online version since its inception. Users have expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of this functionality.

Meta’s founder and CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, recently stated that the online version would be available in the “next few weeks.”

However, according to sources quoted by The Wall Street Journal, the actual launch plans are still susceptible to change.

Telangana LIVE Updates  

BRS announces candidates for 119 seats for Telangana Assembly polls

Telangana Chief Minister and BRS Chairman K Chandrasekhar Rao has announced a list of candidates for the upcoming State Elections. 

Chandrayaan-3 Mission LIVE Updates

Chandrayaan-2 orbiter formally welcomes Chandrayaan-3 lander module

Today, communication was established between the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter and the Chandrayaan-3 lander module.

Manipur Violence LIVE Updates

Three-judge committee submits reports to Supreme Court

The Supreme Court said on Monday that it will issue instructions on Friday to allow the efficient working of a committee led by Justice (retd) Gita Mittal, which was formed to oversee relief, rehabilitation, compensation, and healing efforts in violence-torn Manipur.

The committee has submitted three findings to the Supreme Court, according to a bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud.

In its findings, the committee stated that victims of ethnic violence in Manipur had lost their vital documentation, which needed to be reissued. It also stated that the Manipur victim compensation plan may be modified, as well as the committee’s recommendation for the nomination of domain experts.

IMD LIVE Updates

IMD forecasts heavy rainfall in West Bengal and northeast states till August 26

For the next five days, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts heavy rain in West Bengal and northeastern regions. According to the meteorological service’s most recent report, Odisha and Jharkhand may see isolated heavy rains from 23 August to 25 August.

The meteorological service predicts an increase in rainfall activity over east and northeast India beginning on August 21st. Furthermore, it is expected that modest rainfall activity will persist across southern areas of Peninsular India and Gujarat for the next three to five days.

Chandrayaan-3 LIVE Updates

Chandrayaan-3 will be a grand success, says former ISRO chief K Sivan

K Sivan, former director of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and in command of the previous lunar mission ‘Chandrayaan-2,’ claimed on Monday that the mission will be a “grand success” ahead of the much-anticipated soft landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon’s south pole.

“It’s a very anxious moment…I’m sure that this time it will be a grand success,” Sivan said while speaking to ANI.

Delhi Crime LIVE Updates

Accused deputy director, wife being interrogated, says DCP

Delhi Crime LIVE Updates

Rape-accused Delhi government official detained by police

Delhi LIVE Updates

DCW chief sits on ‘dharna’ at the hospital in Delhi

DCW president Swati Maliwal sits on a ‘dharna’ outside the Delhi hospital where the minor girl has been hospitalised.

Cauvery Water Dispute LIVE Updates

Supreme Court agrees to constitute bench for hearing Tamil Nadu govt’s plea

The Supreme Court decided on Monday to form a bench to examine the Cauvery River water-sharing issue, in which Tamil Nadu has asked Karnataka to give 24,000 cusecs of water daily for standing crops.

A court led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said it will form a bench to hear the matter today after senior attorney Mukul Rohatgi, representing Tamil Nadu, requested an urgent hearing.

Amit Shah LIVE Updates

Amit Shah pays tributes to former UP CM Kalyan Singh on second death anniversary

On the second anniversary of his death, Union Home Minister Amit Shah paid tribute to late BJP politician and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Kalyan Singh, who was widely regarded as the state’s most famous pro-Hindutva OBC face.

Manipur LIVE Updates

Despite cabinet recommendation, Manipur assembly session not held on Monday

Despite the Manipur cabinet’s recommendation that Governor Anusuiya Uikey summon an assembly session on August 21, the House did not meet on Monday since no notification had been issued by Raj Bhavan, presenting a quandary of sorts.

This comes after eleven Kuki MLAs from various parties announced their inability to attend the assembly session as the unrest in the northeastern state persisted.

“For a normal assembly session, a notification has to be issued 15 days before the beginning of it. No such notification has so far been issued by the Governor’s office, an official told PTI.

Delhi LIVE Updates

Temporary employees of MCD will be regularised: Kejriwal

Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, promised on Monday that all temporary staff of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) will be regularised.

He was speaking at an MCD-organized event when he handed out appointment letters to 370 newly regularised workers.

MCD employees have received their wages on time for the last two months, and the civic body’s tax collection has grown since it is run by an honest dispensation, according to Kejriwal.

He stated that in the next two to three years, MCD staff and police will make Delhi the cleanest city in the country.

Chandrayaan-3 LIVE Updates

7 things you didn’t know about Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission

The Chandrayaan-3 moon mission is a significant step forward for India and ISRO. A successful landing will make India the first country to reach the moon’s south pole, a task that has proven to be very challenging for all space organisations.

The Vikram module’s landing is fraught with difficulties, from its quick deceleration to its exceptionally steep approach angle. Even if it lands successfully, ISRO will only be starting begun.

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Delhi LIVE Updates

There seems to be a procedural lapse in this matter, says NCPCR chief Priyank Kanoongo

Delhi High Court LIVE Updates

Centre’s stand sought on plea against inclusion of CAs under money laundering law

On Monday, the Delhi High Court requested the Centre’s response to a petition contesting the inclusion of chartered accountants, company secretaries, and cost accountants as reporting organisations under the anti-money laundering statute.

A bench led by Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma gave time to Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma to obtain directions on the case filed by Rajat Mohan, a chartered accountant (CA) in practise.

While scheduling a hearing on October 4, the court observed that, at this point, the petitioner was not extending his challenge to the legitimacy of certain elements of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in relation to the resulting duties imposed on professionals.

Himachal Pradesh LIVE Updates

Union Minister Anurag Thakur asks officials to construct houses for those affected

Anurag Thakur, Union Minister, has instructed district officials to build dwellings for individuals who have lost their homes owing to excessive rains in Himachal Pradesh.

On Sunday, while chairing a review meeting on the damage caused by heavy rains in the area, the Hamirpur MP stated that amendments will be made in the Central and State Governments’ support Manuals to offer additional support to those affected by the tragedy.

Aside from that, he believes that more provisions under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana should be made to help these individuals.

Toolkit Case LIVE Updates

Disha Ravi urges HC to modify bail condition

Climate activist Disha Ravi, who is facing prosecution for allegedly distributing a toolkit supporting a farmers’ protest in 2021, asked the Delhi High Court on Monday to change a bail term that requires her to get permission from the trial court before flying overseas.

The case was heard before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, who stated that an order will be issued at 4 p.m. after hearing representations from Ravi’s attorney and the police.

Ravi was detained by the Delhi Police on 13 February 2021 for allegedly spreading a toolkit connected to the farmers’ protest against the Centre’s three agricultural legislation on social media, and was granted bail by a trial court here on 23 February 2021.

PM Modi LIVE Updates

Indian citizens coming forward to pay taxes, says PM Modi

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that Indians are willing to pay taxes because they understand that their money is going towards the development of the country.

Chandrayaan-3 LIVE Updates

‘Corrective measures have been taken’ says K Sivan, former director of ISRO 

Cauvery Water Dispute LIVE Updates

BJP protests in Karnataka’s Mandya

Manipur Violence LIVE Updates

Supreme Court to pass orders on 25 August to facilitate proper functioning of committee

The Supreme Court has stated that it will issue instructions on August 25th to allow the efficient working of the committee led by Justice (retd) Gita Mittal, which was formed to oversee relief efforts, rehabilitation, compensation, and healing in violence-torn Manipur.

According to the Supreme Court, certain procedural orders would be required for administrative support, meeting financial expenditures of the committee, and so on.

The Court orders that three reports produced by the Committee be distributed to the case’s solicitors.

School Jobs Scam LIVE Updates

ED conducts searches at multiple places in Kolkata in school jobs scam

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) searched various locations in Kolkata and its surrounding areas on Monday as part of its probe into the school employment scam, according to authorities.

According to the detectives, one of the locations being investigated is a private company’s office in the upscale New Alipore district in the southern part of the city.

The ED is looking into the money laundering side of the scheme, which has resulted in the arrest of numerous education department officials and TMC leaders.

Maharashtra LIVE Updates

Two killed, four injured after container overturns on Mumbai-Pune Expressway

According to authorities, two people were killed and four others were injured when a container overturned, jumped the divider and crashed with five automobiles on the Mumbai-Pune Motorway in Maharashtra’s Raigad district on Monday morning.

According to officials, the incident occurred about 9:00 a.m. in the district’s Khopoli neighbourhood, when the driver of the container lost control of the wheels, overturned the vehicle, and collided with five incoming cars in the opposite lane.

Delhi LIVE Updates

Delhi CM orders suspension of government official accused of raping minor

Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, ordered the suspension of a Delhi government worker accused of rape on Monday and has requested a report from his Chief Secretary by 5 p.m. today.

The order was issued after the official was arrested for reportedly raping his deceased friend’s young daughter for months, resulting in her pregnancy.

Delhi LIVE Updates

Women’s Commission sends notice to Delhi Police demanding arrest of official accused of rape

The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) has submitted a notice to the Delhi Police requesting the arrest of a top Delhi government official accused of sexually abusing his friend’s daughter over several months, culminating in her pregnancy.

According to DCW director Swati Maliwal, the accused is a Deputy Director of the Women and Child Development (WCD) Department.

Maharashtra  LIVE Updates

Man held for kidnapping teenage girl befriended on social media

The Government Railway Police detained a 23-year-old guy on Monday for allegedly kidnapping a young girl whom he befriended on a social networking site.

On August 18, the event occurred at Kalyan station in Maharashtra’s Thane district. The 17-year-old girl was subsequently rescued, and the male was detained on abduction charges on Sunday, according to the GRP.

Supreme Court LIVE Updates

Supreme Court allows Gujarat rape victim to terminate pregnancy

The Supreme Court granted a rape victim from Gujarat the right to abort her pregnancy on Monday, ruling that an unplanned pregnancy has an impact on a woman’s mental health outside of marriage.

The Supreme Court stated that pregnancy is a source of joy for a couple and society in Indian society, within the institution of marriage. However, when it is undesired outside of marriage, it has an effect on a woman’s mental health, it noted.

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Uttarakhand LIVE Updates

Uttarakhand Police urge people to not venture near riverbanks

Due to the ongoing heavy rains in the state, Uttarakhand police warned residents not to wander near river banks on Monday. 

Anti Encroachment Drive LIVE Updates

Security heightened in Geeta Colony, anti-encroachment drive underway

An official stated that many Delhi Police officers have been sent to help with the anti-encroachment effort in Shahdara’s Geeta Colony and to prevent any law and order issues. According to authorities, paramilitary troops are also aiding in the drive.

Nag Panchami LIVE Updates

Devotees throng ancient Nag Vasuki temple in UP’s Prayagraj

On Monday, a massive crowd gathered at the historic Nag Vasuki temple in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, to worship to Lord Shiva and Nag Vasuki on the anniversary of the seventh ‘Shravan Somvar.’

Long lines of worshippers could be observed outside Prayagraj’s Nagvasuki Temple this morning.

Uttar Pradesh LIVE Updates

13-year-old ‘kanwariya’ killed in road accident in UP’s Sitapur

According to authorities, a 13-year-old child who was part of a group of ‘kanwariyas’ was killed after being hit by a truck in Uttar Pradesh.

The catastrophe occurred late Sunday night beneath the Sandana police station.

According to authorities, the party of Shiva worshippers was on their way to the Siddheshwar temple to perform Lord Shiva’s ‘jalabhishek’ after drawing water from Naimisharanya.

Raja, a Sidhauli native, died on the scene, according to police, who added that the truck driver abandoned his car and fled.

The body has been submitted for autopsy, and a hunt for the truck driver is ongoing, they added.

Lalu Yadav LIVE Updates

CBI can’t challenge high court’s relief to me: Lalu Yadav on bail cancellation plea

On Monday, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Yadav filed an objection to the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) request to rescind bail granted to him in connection with the Doranda treasury case relating to the fodder scandal.

Lalu Yadav was granted bail in the case by the Jharkhand High Court on April 22, last year. A special CBI court in Ranchi convicted the 75-year-old RJD leader to five years in jail and fined him Rs 60 lakh for embezzling more than Rs 139 crore from the Doranda treasury.

AIUDF LIVE Updates

‘Common people do not believe in BJP’: AIUDF MLA Aminul Islam

Taking a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP-led administration at the Centre, AIUDF MLA Aminul Islam stated on Monday that common people do not trust in them (BJP) and that the “Modi wave” that once swept the country is no longer present. Aminul Islam, AIUDF MLA and party General Secretary, stated that there is no “Modi wave” in the nation.

“Assembly elections in five states are coming. It is clear that the Modi wave is now over and it is in descending order and gradually descending and the wave is not working anymore. Because earlier they had made so many promises but failed to maintain everything,” he said.

He further said that, earlier, there was a tremendous Modi wave in the country like ‘Har Har Modi Ghar Ghar Modi’.

Heavy Rain Alert LIVE Updates

Heavy rain alert in five Uttarakhand districts, Himachal today

The Indian Meteorological Department issued a ‘orange alert’ for severe to very heavy rain in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand from August 22-24, as well as a ‘yellow alert’ for heavy rain on August 21 (today) in both states.

Because of the constant rain, the hill states have suffered severe destruction and fatalities in recent months. The death toll in rain-related accidents in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand increased to 88 on Saturday, with another corpse discovered in the rubble of a collapsed temple in Shimla.