Author: xorance@gmail.com

Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually attends the ‘Viksit Bharat, Viksit Madhya Pradesh’ programme, on Feb. 29, 2024. | Photo Credit: PTI The slogan ‘Abki Baar, 400 Paar (This time, above 400)’ was not coined by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) but by the public itself to bring back the current government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday.“Today, there is only one thing being heard everywhere: ‘Abki Baar, 400 Paar’. This has happened for the first time that the public itself has elevated a slogan like this to bring back its beloved government. It has not been given by the…

RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra addresses a press conference after the announcement of the sixth and final bi-monthly monetary policy for the current fiscal year in Mumbai on February 6, 2026. | Photo Credit: PTI Reserve Bank Governor Sanjay Malhotra on Friday (February 6, 2026) said the key policy rates will remain at low levels for a long period and may go down even further. The statement comes soon after the central bank decided to keep the repo rate unchanged at 5.25% at its bi-monthly monetary policy, and kept the stance neutral. “The policy rates will continue to be at low…

For the first time since Russia’s 2022 invasion, the US, Russia and Ukraine have launched high-level trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi, set to continue on February 1, combining rare diplomatic momentum with entrenched deadlock on core issuesThe United Arab Emirates (UAE) recently hosted trilateral talks between the United States, Russia and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi on January 23 and 24, 2026. The discussions were part of ongoing efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the nearly four-year Russia-Ukraine conflict.The agenda focused on potential parameters for ending the war, the future status of the Donbas region, and security guarantees. The UAE…

A view of the Shree Jagannath temple at Puri. File | Photo Credit: Biswaranjan Rout Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday formed a 12-member committee, headed by former Supreme Court Justice Arijit Pasayat, to oversee the inventory of jewellery and other precious stones kept in the Ratna Bhandar (treasury) of the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri.The Ratna Bhandar, situated near sanctum sanctorum of the temple, has different chambers containing gold jewellery and precious stones donated by devotees.  The last such inventory of the temple treasury was carried out 46 years ago, when gold and silver ornaments wrapped in red cloth…

The Government has extended the deadline for submitting bids for India’s largest oil and gas acreage offering for a fourth time, granting potential investors an additional three months, the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons said. “Bid submission closing date for OALP Bid Round X (has been) extended till May 29, 2026,” DGH said on its website. While it did not give any reason for the extension, industry sources said this may have been done to give potential investors time to study the new liberalised rules framed following passage of the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill. The 10th round of Open…

Cinema likes to pretend it is surprised by awards season. It performs astonishment at omissions, polite outrage at snubs, and solemn nods to “important conversations”. Yet nothing about awards is accidental—not the nominations, not the silences, and certainly not the reactions. When it comes to the Oscars, this choreography becomes most visible. Narrative does not merely set the mood for what follows; it scripts it. The hope is that awards will then harden that narrative into canon, regardless of whether the cinema itself earns such permanence.STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADThis year, with 16 nominations, Sinners, a film elevated far more…

Residents celebrate after the arrest of Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan at Sandeshkhali village in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district on February 29, 2024. | Photo Credit: PTI Residents in trouble-torn Sandeshkhali in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district on February 29 celebrated the arrest of TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh, accused of sexual abuse of women and land grab in the area, and distributed sweets.The residents, who for the last few days have been protesting in the riverine Sandeshkhali area, came out in the streets as they distributed sweets and danced in joy as they celebrated the arrest of…

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw speaks in the Rajya Sabha during the Budget session of Parliament on February 6, 2026 | Photo Credit: Sansad TV via PTI- Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday (February 6, 2026) said the financial health of the railways department has improved a lot in the last 10 years and it now has a small revenue surplus after meeting all costs. Replying to supplementaries during the Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha, the Minister said 5.04 lakh jobs were generated during the 2014-24 period while another 1.5 lakh employment is being provided in the third term…

As India celebrates its 77th Republic Day, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa attending as the chief guests at the parade ceremony on Kartavya Path, the occasion invites reflection beyond the festivities. Republic Day is not merely a national celebration; it commemorates the moment when the Indian Constitution came into force, shaping India into the world’s largest democracy. The day symbolises the country’s unity, democratic values, and cultural diversity, showcased through the ceremonial parade in New Delhi. Reflecting contemporary priorities, the Republic Day 2026 theme, “Green Growth and Digital India”, underscores India’s…

In its first official confirmation of the criminal havoc being caused by a popular and radical Meitei group, the Manipur Police on Thursday said that Arambai Tenggol is engaged in many “anti-social activities”, such as assaulting civilians, snatching vehicles from the public and government officials, and extortion from businessmen.The group, which enjoys the support of the Meitei people in the State’s valley areas, gained prominence after ethnic riots between the Meitei and the tribal Kuki-Zo people erupted in the State on May 3, 2023. Also read | Manipur Chief Minister using cadres of United National Liberation Front as his proxy…