Another Ayyappa devotee, Manjunath Waghmore, died due to burns sustained in a cylinder blast in Hubballi, raising the death toll to six. The blast occurred on December 24, injuring nine devotees. Three others are still receiving treatment. They were planning to visit the Ayyappa temple in Kerala.
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Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union elections for 2024-25 are scheduled for April 25, with results on April 28, following student protests over delays. The election process includes nomination filings on April 15, a presidential debate on April 23, and a no-campaign day on April 24. Last year's elections saw the United Left alliance winning three central panel posts.
The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) initially announced a hike in the honorarium for special police officers (SPOs) via social media, but later clarified it hadn't happened and dismissed the responsible adviser. This reversal drew criticism and raised questions about government pressure.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlights India's efforts to rebuild regional relationships post-partition, taking a strong stance against Pakistan's support for cross-border terrorism. He emphasizes ongoing efforts to resolve India-China border issues, importance of India-Russia economic cooperation, and advocacy for dialogue in the Ukraine conflict.
The BJP staged a protest in Kalaburagi demanding Minister Priyank Kharge's resignation over a contractor's alleged suicide. BJP leaders urge a CBI inquiry, while Kharge denies involvement and calls for an investigation. Citing cases against BJP figures, the Minister and government stand firm against opposition pressure.
India informed the UN Security Council about its engagement with the Taliban regime, emphasizing the special people-to-people ties. India discussed bilateral relations and further humanitarian assistance. India remains committed to regional stability, supporting Afghanistan through development projects and cooperation in health, food security, and other essential areas.
Arvind Kejriwal of the Aam Aadmi Party has lost his New Delhi assembly seat to BJP's Parvesh Verma by over 4000 votes, marking a significant setback for AAP. Despite Kejriwal's accusations of BJP attempting to poach his party candidates, the BJP has now regained power in Delhi after 27 years.
Union urban affairs minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced that positive news regarding the memorial for former PM Manmohan Singh will emerge within the next two days. Singh's family was expected to visit potential sites at Rajghat, though this remains unconfirmed. This follows the government's recent decision on a site for former President Pranab Mukherjee's memorial.
Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra becomes the head of the IAF's Western Air Command, responsible for defending India's western borders, succeeding Air Marshal Pankaj Mohan Sinha. Mishra's career spans over three decades, holding significant command and staff positions, and he is a recipient of prestigious service medals.
Manmohan Singh initially joined a pre-medical course due to his father's wishes but dropped out after a few months, as he lost interest in the subject. Instead, he found a passion for economics, a subject that genuinely appealed to him. His daughter Daman Singh reveals this in her 2014 book, highlighting his sense of humor and personal anecdotes.
The International Yoga Festival in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, saw global participation, concluding with recognition of yoga's benefits and various tourism initiatives announced by Satpal Maharaj. Thousands of yoga proponents participated, highlighting Rishikesh’s role as a spiritual epicenter. Renowned yoga instructors were honored for their contributions.