Category: NATIONAL

New Delhi, January 3:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated a grand exhibition showcasing the sacred Piprahwa relics, drawing attention to India’s rich Buddhist heritage and historical significance. The exhibition, held in Delhi, features ancient artifacts, inscriptions, and relics discovered at Piprahwa, which are believed to be associated with Lord Buddha. Speaking at the event, PM Modi emphasised India’s role as the custodian of Buddhist culture and its contribution to preserving global spiritual heritage. He highlighted that such exhibitions not only educate the public about India’s past but also strengthen cultural diplomacy and promote tourism.

The Prime Minister urged citizens, especially the youth, to engage with India’s historical and spiritual legacy and learn from the teachings of Lord Buddha on peace, non-violence, and compassion. The exhibition includes interactive displays, rare manuscripts, and detailed explanations of the archaeological significance of the Piprahwa site, providing visitors with an immersive experience. Officials noted that the event also aims to foster international interest in India’s Buddhist sites and encourage scholarly research. Observers said the inauguration underscores the government’s commitment to preserving and promoting India’s cultural and religious heritage while reinforcing the country’s position as a global hub for historical and spiritual tourism.

Jaipur, January 3:
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma is scheduled to inaugurate a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workshop at the constituency level on Saturday, aimed at strengthening party organisation and mobilising grassroots workers ahead of upcoming elections. The workshop will focus on training party workers, reviewing electoral strategies, and improving outreach to voters across the state. Speaking ahead of the event, CM Sharma emphasised the importance of engaging with citizens at the local level and building a robust party framework to ensure effective communication of development initiatives and government schemes.

The workshop is expected to cover topics such as voter awareness campaigns, digital outreach, volunteer management, and constituency-level planning. Party leaders noted that such workshops are crucial for consolidating support, addressing local concerns, and preparing the cadre for future political challenges. In addition to the Chief Minister, senior BJP leaders from the state and central leadership are likely to attend and interact with local workers to motivate them for effective campaigning. Analysts say the event reflects the party’s focus on grassroots mobilisation and the strategic importance of nurturing party infrastructure to maintain its electoral edge in Rajasthan.

Lucknow, January 3:
Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Manoj Mehrotra has sparked controversy by urging young people to mobilise on the streets, drawing a comparison to the youth-led movements in Nepal that led to significant political changes. Speaking at a public gathering, Mehrotra highlighted the power of youth activism in shaping political outcomes and emphasised that active participation is essential for holding governments accountable and addressing societal issues. His remarks came amid growing political mobilisation in Uttar Pradesh, where opposition parties are seeking to energise their base ahead of upcoming elections.

Political analysts noted that Mehrotra’s statement could be interpreted in multiple ways, ranging from an encouragement of civic engagement to a call for more assertive political activism. Opposition leaders welcomed the emphasis on youth involvement, while critics warned that such statements must be carefully phrased to avoid inciting unrest or law and order challenges. The statement has already sparked debates across social media and political forums, highlighting the delicate balance between promoting democratic participation and maintaining public order. Authorities have not issued an official response, but political observers suggest that Mehrotra’s comments are likely to be scrutinised in the context of electoral strategies and ongoing political narratives in the state.

New Delhi, January 3:
A man has been arrested by Delhi police for allegedly circulating fabricated and misleading videos featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu on social media platforms. According to officials, the videos were digitally manipulated to create false impressions and were being widely shared, raising concerns over misinformation and potential public unrest. Police said the accused, identified as a resident of the national capital, had uploaded and forwarded the videos on multiple social media accounts, prompting a swift investigation after complaints were lodged regarding the misleading content.

Authorities stated that the arrest highlights the government’s zero-tolerance policy towards misinformation targeting high-profile political leaders. The police further clarified that the suspect will be interrogated and legal proceedings initiated under relevant sections of the Information Technology Act and the Indian Penal Code, which deal with digital fraud, circulation of fake content, and incitement of public disorder. Cybercrime experts noted that such incidents underscore the increasing challenges posed by deepfake technology and the need for stricter monitoring and awareness campaigns to prevent the spread of false narratives. Officials urged the public to verify content before sharing and warned that legal action will be taken against individuals responsible for spreading fake information about national leaders.

Mumbai, January 3:
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), recognised as India’s richest civic body, draws its revenue from a diverse mix of taxes, user charges and non-tax sources that together enable it to fund extensive public services and infrastructure projects. Major streams of income for the BMC include property tax — its largest single revenue source — which is collected from millions of residential and commercial properties across Mumbai. In addition, the civic body levies profession tax, advertisement tax, vehicle entry fees in designated zones and entertainment tax, alongside receiving significant grants and shared tax revenues from the Maharashtra government and the Centre.

Non-tax revenues also play a crucial role in bolstering the BMC’s coffers, including fees from water supply, building plan approvals, parking charges, rental income from municipal properties and dividends from civic commercial ventures. The BMC has increasingly relied on better digital tracking and compliance measures to improve collection efficiency, leading to improved fiscal health in recent years. Officials said this diversified revenue base is pivotal to financing the corporation’s ambitious annual budget, which runs into tens of thousands of crores of rupees.

In terms of expenditure, the BMC allocates a substantial portion of its budget to essential services such as solid waste management, road maintenance, public health and sanitation, stormwater drain programmes, water supply infrastructure and civic amenities like street lighting and public parks. Major capital outlays include investments in coastal road projects, metro rail support infrastructure, flood mitigation systems, slum rehabilitation and redevelopment schemes. A significant share is also devoted to employee salaries, pensions, and social welfare programmes, including public health drives and disaster preparedness initiatives.

Visakhapatnam / Vijayawada / Tirupati, January 3:
Andhra Pradesh welcomed the New Year 2026 with peaceful and vibrant celebrations across major cities and towns, as people gathered at temples, beaches, public spaces, and private venues to mark the occasion. Popular locations such as Visakhapatnam’s Beach Road, Vijayawada city centres, and Tirupati witnessed large crowds, with families and youth participating in prayers, cultural programs, and celebrations. Devotees were seen offering special prayers at temples, seeking blessings for prosperity and well-being in the year ahead.

Police officials said elaborate security arrangements were put in place across the state to ensure law and order during the celebrations. Special patrols, traffic management measures, and surveillance were deployed in sensitive and high-footfall areas. Authorities confirmed that celebrations remained largely incident-free, reflecting effective coordination between law enforcement agencies and the public. Officials praised citizens for cooperating with safety guidelines, stating that the peaceful celebrations highlighted Andhra Pradesh’s strong civic sense and festive spirit as the state stepped into the New Year.

Amaravati / New Delhi, January 3:
In a significant legal development, the Delhi High Court has granted interim protection to Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan’s personality rights, restraining unauthorised use of his name, image, voice, and likeness across digital and media platforms. The court issued a John Doe order to prevent misuse, deepfake content, and commercial exploitation without consent.

Legal experts said the ruling reinforces protections for public figures in the digital era and could act as a precedent in safeguarding personality rights against misinformation and identity misuse. Officials close to the matter stated that the move was aimed at preventing the spread of misleading or fabricated content that could harm public trust and reputation.

Amaravati, January 3:
Andhra Pradesh has emerged as India’s leading state in attracting proposed investments during the current financial year, accounting for more than 25 per cent of total investments announced across the country. According to official data, the surge in investment proposals is driven by large-scale projects in information technology, renewable energy, manufacturing, logistics, and advanced data infrastructure. The state government’s investor-friendly policies, speedy clearances, and focused industrial strategy have played a key role in positioning Andhra Pradesh as a preferred destination for domestic and global investors.

Officials stated that mega investments are expected to generate significant employment opportunities and boost economic growth across districts. Industry experts said Andhra Pradesh’s focus on green energy, data centres, and port-led development is aligning well with national economic priorities. The strong investment momentum reflects growing confidence in the state’s governance, infrastructure development, and long-term growth vision.

Prayagraj, January 3, 2026: A large turnout of devotees marked the first snan (ritual holy dip) of Magh Mela 2026 at the sacred Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj on Saturday, coinciding with Paush Purnima. Thousands of pilgrims from across Uttar Pradesh and other parts of the country gathered from the early hours to take a holy dip at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers, seeking spiritual purification and divine blessings. The atmosphere was filled with devotional chants and prayers, as devotees expressed deep faith in the centuries-old tradition amid well-organised arrangements and strong security measures.

Authorities said the turnout remained steady throughout the morning, with pilgrims appreciating the effective crowd management and facilities at the mela site. Saints and seers highlighted the spiritual significance of the Magh Mela, describing the ritual bath as a sacred practice believed to cleanse sins and elevate the soul. Officials noted that the successful conduct of the first snan has set a positive tone for the 44-day-long festival, which will witness several other auspicious bathing dates and a continuous flow of devotees in the coming weeks.

Bengaluru, January 2:
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed chargesheets against three additional individuals in connection with the 2023 Bengaluru prison radicalisation case, officials confirmed. The case involves allegations that certain inmates were attempting to radicalise fellow prisoners and recruit them for extremist activities. The NIA stated that the investigation has uncovered evidence linking the newly charged individuals to efforts aimed at spreading radical ideology and potentially facilitating criminal activities both inside and outside prison premises.

Authorities said that the chargesheets contain detailed documentation of the accused’s involvement, including communications, financial transactions, and witness statements. The agency emphasized that the action is part of a broader effort to curb radicalisation within correctional facilities and prevent the spread of extremist networks. Legal proceedings are now underway, and the NIA will continue to monitor developments closely, coordinating with prison authorities and other law enforcement agencies to ensure that security protocols are strengthened and similar incidents are prevented in the future.