Name: DRDO successfully test-fired homegrown anti-tank guided missile
Uploaded: 2021-07-21T19:21:13.000+05:30
Duration: T00M33S
Channel: Editorji News Desk
Description: DRDO successfully conducted the flight test of an indigenously developed anti-tank guided missile, providing a major boost to the Indian Army

The Dadar-Porbandar Saurashtra Express derailed on Tuesday afternoon at Kim station, 27 km from Surat in Gujarat, said an official.

Saurashtra Express derails near Surat, no one injured

Train traffic on the route was not affected as an extra loop line was available, the PRO said.

The Dadar-Porbandar Saurashtra Express derailed on Tuesday afternoon at Kim station, 27 km from Surat in Gujarat, said an official. 
&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"&gt;&lt;p lang="en" dir="ltr"&gt;&lt;a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;#WATCH&lt;/a&gt; | Kim, Gujarat: At 15:32 hrs, while departing from Kim Station, 4 wheels of a non-passenger coach (VPU) attached next to the engine got derailed. Restoration work is on and senior officers are at the site. There is no injury or harm to any passenger or railway staff. The&hellip; &lt;a href="https://t.co/QOd3o7tw1z"&gt;pic.twitter.com/QOd3o7tw1z&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&amp;mdash; ANI (@ANI) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1871523141027278854?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;December 24, 2024&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; &lt;script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;
&nbsp;
Four wheels of the non-passenger coach next to the engine derailed at 3.32 pm as the train (number 19015) was leaving the station on its way to Porbandar, said Western Railway chief PRO Vineet Abhishek.
"There was no injury or harm caused to any passenger or railway staff," he said.
Train traffic on the route was not affected as an extra loop line was available, the PRO added.

Telugu actor Allu Arjun was questioned by Chikkadpally police regarding a tragic stampede during the screening of 'Pushpa-2' in Hyderabad. The incident resulted in one fatality and injuries.

Allu Arjun Questioned Over Stampede at 'Pushpa-2' Screening

A 35-year-old woman died during the stampede at the Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad on December 4 and her eight-year-old son was hospitalised.

Telugu actor Allu Arjun was on Tuesday grilled by police for over three hours when he appeared before them for questioning in connection with the death of a woman in a stampede during the screening of 'Pushpa-2' in Hyderabad on December 4.
Arjun reached the Chikkadpally police station accompanied by his father Allu Aravind and lawyers a little after 11 AM and the questioning was held till 2.45 PM. A police team led by Central Zone DCP Akshansh Yadav questioned the actor.
Tight security arrangements were made at the Chikkadpally police station in view of the star's appearance. Heavy police deployment was made, while police also imposed restrictions on traffic on the roads leading to the police station.
The actor was issued a notice on December 23 to appear before the police at 11 AM today.
The police, in their notice for the appearance of Allu Arjun, said his presence is essential before the SHO of Chikkadpally police station to elicit answers about the stampede incident and if necessary for visiting the scene of offence, in order to ascertain the facts.
Earlier in the day, security was stepped up at his residence at posh Jubilee Hills in Hyderabad and the actor waved to media before leaving for the police station. Allu Arjun has earlier said he would cooperate with the investigation.
The notice to Allu Arjun on December 23 came a day after police commissioner C V Anand released a video showing the sequence of events at the theatre. A 35-year-old woman died during the stampede at the Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad on December 4 and her eight-year-old son was hospitalised.
Following the incident, the city police registered a case against Allu Arjun, his security team, and the theatre management under different sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the Chikkadpally police station based on the complaint lodged by the deceased woman's family.
Allu Arjun, named as accused no 11, was arrested by the city police in connection with the death of the woman on December 13. The Telangana High Court granted him a four-week interim bail on the same day and he was released from a prison in Hyderabad December 14 morning.

The driver of an LPG tanker involved in last week's explosion in Rajasthan, which claimed 13 lives, has appeared before the police. The driver, Jaiveer, will be questioned by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is investigating the incident.

Driver to be questioned by SIT after deadly LPG tanker explosion

The container truck collided with the tanker while taking a U-turn on the Jaipur-Ajmer highway, breaking its outlet nozzles which released a white cloud of gas.

The driver of an LPG tanker that was involved in an explosion in Jaipur last week which claimed 13 lives has appeared before police and will be questioned by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case, a senior official said on Tuesday.
The driver, Jaiveer (40), a resident of Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, managed to get out of the tanker in time after sensing the impact of the collision, which broke the tanker's outlet nozzles.
According to police, Jaiveer called Delhi-based tanker owner Anil Panwar after the incident and then switched off his phone.
"We cannot blame the tanker driver immediately as the container truck driver had hit his vehicle. He saw that the tanker's nozzles had broken and realised that there could be an explosion as other drivers were turning on the ignition of their vehicles. So, he fled to save his life," said Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Amit Kumar.
An FIR was registered in the matter on December 20, the day the explosion took place, and now the tanker driver is being questioned. The driver of the container truck which rammed into the tanker died in the explosion, he said.
Jaiveer appeared before police on Monday. The SIT probing the case will question Jaiveer, Panwar and the tanker company about the vehicle's condition and the driver's employment history, he added.
The DCP said Jaiveer was among the nine drivers present at the accident scene who managed to escape.
The container truck collided with the tanker while taking a U-turn on the Jaipur-Ajmer highway, breaking its outlet nozzles which released a white cloud of gas.
Within minutes, the gas ignited and a massive ball of fire engulfed over 30 vehicles stuck in the jam.
More than two dozen people were injured in the accident and 23 are undergoing treatment at Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital.
Police have registered a case under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), including rash and negligent driving, causing death by negligent act, and causing hurt by endangering life.
The Rajasthan High Court has taken suo motu cognisance of the matter and sought replies from the state government and the Centre. It will hear the matter on January 10, 2025.

President Droupadi Murmu will confer the prestigious Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar to 17 children from across India, recognizing exceptional achievements in categories like art, bravery, innovation, and more.

President Murmu to present Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar to 17 young achievers

This year, 17 children from 14 states and Union territories will be conferred with the prestigious Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar by President Droupadi Murmu.

President Droupadi Murmu will on Thursday confer the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar to 17 children from 14 states and Union territories.
The Union Ministry of Women and Child Development said in a statement that it would celebrate Veer Bal Diwas and the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar with nationwide activities, highlighting the achievements and potential of India's youngsters.
This year, 17 children from 14 states and Union territories will be conferred with the prestigious Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar by President Droupadi Murmu, it added.
The award recognises exceptional achievements in seven categories -- art and culture; bravery; innovation; science and technology; social service; sports; and environment.
The honourees -- seven boys and 10 girls -- will receive a medal, certificate and a citation booklet as part of the recognition.
The centerpiece of the celebration, the national programme for Veer Bal Diwas, will take place at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be present on the occasion, inaugurating the Suposhit Panchayat scheme that aims to bolster nutritional security at the grassroots.
The event will also feature a march-past led by children, representing diverse cultures.
Union Minister of Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi will deliver the opening address, setting the tone for a day dedicated to nurturing young minds and fostering creativity, the ministry said in its statement.
Approximately 3,500 children, including the awardees, will participate in the event, which will feature cultural performances showcasing India's rich heritage.
Educational and creative activities will engage children around the country.
Schools, childcare institutions and Anganwadi centres will host storytelling sessions, creative writing competitions, poster-making events, essay writing, poetry recitals and quizzes.
Online platforms such as MyGov and MYBharat will also facilitate participation.
Veer Bal Diwas is dedicated to inspiring young Indians to contribute to the nation's progress by upholding the values of courage, innovation and service.
Through programmes such as the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar and Suposhit Panchayat, the government reaffirms its commitment to empowering the next generation and fostering a culture of excellence, the ministry said.

AICC general secretary Jairam Ramesh, who filed the petition, said, “The integrity of the electoral process is fast eroding. Hopefully, the Supreme Court will help restore it.”

Congress files plea in Supreme Court against amendments to election rules

AICC general secretary Jairam Ramesh, who filed the petition, said, &ldquo;The integrity of the electoral process is fast eroding. Hopefully, the Supreme Court will help restore it.&rdquo;

The Congress on Tuesday filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court challenging the recent amendments to the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961 and expressed hope that the apex court will help restore the &ldquo;fast eroding&rdquo; integrity of the electoral process.
The government has tweaked an election rule to prevent public inspection of certain electronic documents such as CCTV cameras and webcasting footage as well as video recordings of candidates to prevent their misuse.
AICC general secretary Jairam Ramesh, who filed the petition, said, &ldquo;The integrity of the electoral process is fast eroding. Hopefully, the Supreme Court will help restore it.&rdquo;
&ldquo;A writ has just been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the recent amendments to the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961,&rdquo; he said in a post on X. Ramesh said the Election Commission, a Constitutional body charged with the conduct of free and fair elections cannot be allowed to unilaterally, and without public consultation, amend such a vital law in such a brazen manner.
&ldquo;This is especially true when that amendment does away with public access to essential information that makes the electoral process more transparent and accountable,&rdquo; he said.
Based on the recommendation of the Election Commission of India, the Union law ministry on Friday amended Rule 93(2)(a) of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, to restrict the type of &ldquo;papers&rdquo; or documents open to public inspection.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Editorji News Desk and is published from a syndicated feed.)

A heated confrontation broke out in the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation as Congress and BJP councillors clashed over the legacy of Dr. BR Ambedkar. The dispute escalated following accusations from Anil Masih, leading to a brawl among members.

Political Clash Erupts in Chandigarh Over Dr. Ambedkar’s Legacy

Congress and AAP councillors moved a motion demanding the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

A heated exchange erupted during the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation&rsquo;s general house meeting as Congress and BJP councillors clashed over Dr. BR Ambedkar's legacy.
The confrontation began when Anil Masih, the poll officer accused of tampering with ballot papers during the mayoral elections, targeted Congress and accused Rahul Gandhi of being out on bail due to the National Herald case. This sparked a brawl among Congress, AAP, and BJP members.
Congress and AAP councillors moved a motion demanding the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. In response, BJP members accused Congress of disrespecting Dr. Ambedkar, particularly during Jawaharlal Nehru's time as Prime Minister. 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Scuffle erupted between Congress and BJP councillors over the subject of Dr BR Ambedkar during the general house meeting of Chandigarh Municipal Corporation today Nominated councillor Anil Masih had targeted Congress and stated that Rahul Gandhi is out on bail, citing&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/iZmLidgbT0">pic.twitter.com/iZmLidgbT0</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1871468022730486167?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2024</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The BJP also claimed Congress was distorting Mr. Shah's recent Rajya Sabha speech to tarnish his image. Senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad criticized Congress for allegedly staging a "smear campaign" against Shah. He accused the party of hypocrisy, stating that while Congress had insulted Dr. Ambedkar during his life, it was now trying to exploit his legacy for political gain.
The BJP demanded an apology from Congress for its historical treatment of Dr. Ambedkar. In response, Congress launched a weeklong nationwide campaign, "Ambedkar Samman Saptah," to honor Dr. Ambedkar's contributions. Party members are holding marches and press conferences to emphasize his legacy and hold Amit Shah accountable for his recent comments.

Farmer leader from Punjab Jagjit Singh Dallewal has been on a hunger strike at the Khanauri border since November 26 to put pressure on the Centre to accept the farmers’ demands.

Give up stubbornness, talk to farmers: Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann to Centre

Farmer leader from Punjab Jagjit Singh Dallewal has been on a hunger strike at the Khanauri border since November 26 to put pressure on the Centre to accept the farmers&rsquo; demands.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday urged the Centre to give up its &ldquo;stubbornness&rdquo; and hold talks with farmers who are protesting at the state&rsquo;s border over various issues, including a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops.
Farmers led by Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 after their march to Delhi was stopped by security forces.
Farmer leader from Punjab Jagjit Singh Dallewal has been on a hunger strike at the Khanauri border since November 26 to put pressure on the Centre to accept the farmers&rsquo; demands.
As his fast entered the 27th day on Sunday, doctors termed his health condition &ldquo;critical&rdquo;.
In a post on X, Mann said the central government should give up its &ldquo;stubbornness&rdquo; and open the way for talks with the farmer organisations.
&ldquo;If Modi ji can stop the war between Russia and Ukraine, then can&rsquo;t he talk to the farmers sitting 200 kilometres away (from Delhi)? What time are you waiting for?&rdquo; he asked.
A &lsquo;jatha&rsquo; (group) of 101 farmers attempted to march to Delhi thrice between December 6 and 14 but was stopped by security personnel in Haryana.
On December 19 too, Mann urged the Centre to hold talks with the protesting farmers. He said it was the Centre&rsquo;s duty and any issue could be resolved through dialogue.&nbsp;
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Editorji News Desk and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Police have failed to take action despite receiving complaints, he said, adding that meat traders would continue the strike till they get an assurance from the government about their security.

Goa may face beef shortage as traders on strike against cow vigilantism

Police have failed to take action despite receiving complaints, he said, adding that meat traders would continue the strike till they get an assurance from the government about their security.

Goa could face beef shortage ahead of Christmas and New Year with meat traders in the state going on a strike to protest against `increased harassment&rsquo; by cow vigilante groups.
The shutdown started on Monday under the banner of the Quraishi Meat Traders Association (QMTA).
In a letter to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, the association claimed there was an increase in attacks from right-wing Hindu organisations on shops which sell beef legally.
&ldquo;The recent attack happened in Margao. We want action against these groups. We need protection from the government,&rdquo; said Abdul Bepari, a QMTA member.
Police have failed to take action despite receiving complaints, he said, adding that meat traders would continue the strike till they get an assurance from the government about their security.
As per government statistics, 20-25 tonnes of beef is sold in the coastal state daily, and the sales increase during tourist and festive seasons.
Congress MLA Carlos Alvares Ferreira told reporters on Monday that incidents of vigilantism were occurring across the state. &ldquo;Whether it is meat traders or any organisation, one must abide by the law,&rdquo; he said.
There have been instances where mobs suddenly entered houses to check the fridge or cupboard for beef, he said. &ldquo;This is absolutely trespassing and they have no authority to go there,&rdquo; the MLA added.
Cow vigilante groups also demand that they be allowed to inspect meat at shops though they do not have any authority, said Ferreira.
&ldquo;These people do not belong to any recognised bodies, and even if they are recognised (organisations), they have no right to enter shops and do such activities,&rdquo; he said.
Chief Minister Sawant on Monday had said the state-run Goa Meat Complex Limited will cater to the beef requirement. &ldquo;The meat complex provides hygienic beef,&rdquo; he had said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Editorji News Desk and is published from a syndicated feed.)

It directed the heads of all government, government-aided and unaided recognised private schools to refer to the local police and the revenue authority in any case where they have doubts.

Prevent enrolment of illegal Bangladeshi migrants: DoE to Delhi schools

It directed the heads of all government, government-aided and unaided recognised private schools to refer to the local police and the revenue authority in any case where they have doubts.

The Directorate of Education on Monday asked schools in Delhi to prevent the enrolment of &ldquo;illegal Bangladeshi migrants&rdquo; by ensuring a strict document verification process during admission.
&ldquo;Schools must ensure strict admission procedures, verification of students&rsquo; documentation to prevent illegal Bangladeshi migrants&rsquo; enrolment&hellip; implementation of greater scrutiny to detect and prevent unauthorised admissions of illegal Bangladeshi migrants, in particular,&rdquo; according to the circular.
It directed the heads of all government, government-aided and unaided recognised private schools to refer to the local police and the revenue authority in any case where they have doubts.
The Directorate of Education further instructed the school heads to ensure that a careful process is followed to verify and handle all necessary documentation when enrolling the children of migrants.
The District Directorate of Education (districts/zones) was directed to submit weekly reports of all such cases to the school branch headquarters and the Directorate of Education.
Delhi Chief Minister Atishi said BJP members are bringing &ldquo;Rohingyas to Delhi by crossing the border from Bangladesh, providing them with EWS flats and facilities that rightfully belong to the people of Delhi&rdquo;.
&ldquo;On the other hand, there is the Aam Aadmi Party&rsquo;s Delhi government, which is taking every possible step to ensure that the rights of Delhiites are not given to the Rohingyas. Today, the Delhi government&rsquo;s education department issued strict orders that no Rohingya should be admitted to Delhi&rsquo;s government schools,&rdquo; she posted on X.
Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal posted on X, &ldquo;We will not allow the BJP to settle Rohingyas in Delhi under any circumstances. We will not let the BJP give the flats, jobs, or rights of Delhi&rsquo;s poor to the Rohingyas.&rdquo;
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Editorji News Desk and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to initiate the Ken-Betwa river linking project, benefiting over 65 lakh people, enhancing irrigation, drinking water, and tourism in Bundelkhand.

 PM Modi to Lay Foundation for Ken-Betwa River Link Project

Ken-Betwa is the largest irrigation project in the country, adopting an underground pressurised pipe irrigation system.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Wednesday lay the foundation stone of the Ken-Betwa river linking project, the first such initiative under the national river interlinking policy, at Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh.
Nearly 44 lakh people in 10 districts of Madhya Pradesh and 21 lakh in Uttar Pradesh will get drinking water under the project, which is estimated to cost Rs 44,605 crore, MP Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said on Tuesday.
Nearly 7.18 lakh farmer families of 2,000 villages will be benefitted from the project, which will also generate 103 MW of hydropower and 27 MW of solar energy, he said.
"Prime Minister Modi is coming to Khajuraho in Chhatarpur district on December 25 to lay the foundation of this project which will change the image and destiny of Bundelkhand in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh," Yadav said.
The Ken-Betwa Link Project is a unique example of cooperation and coordination between the central government, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, he said.
Prime Minister Modi has taken the initiative to realise the dream of former PM late Atal Bihari Vajpayee of the river linking campaign, Yadav added.
Through this project, farmers will get ample water for irrigation and it will also provide sufficient water for drinking and industrial uses.
Along with the economic and social development of the area, tourism will also be promoted and new employment opportunities will be created. The situation of groundwater in the drought-hit Bundelkhand region will also improve, the CM said.
Yadav said Ken-Betwa is the largest irrigation project in the country, adopting an underground pressurised pipe irrigation system.
Under the project, a 77-metre high and 2.13 kilometres long Daudhan dam and two tunnels (upper level 1.9 km and lower level 1.1 km) will be constructed on the Ken river in the Panna Tiger Reserve.
The dam will store 2,853 million cubic metres of water, the chief minister said.
The surplus Ken water will be transferred to the Betwa river through the 221-km-long link canal from Daudhan dam, providing irrigation and drinking water facilities in both the states, he said.
With the project, 8.11 lakh hectare area can be irrigated in 2,000 villages of 10 districts - Panna, Damoh, Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh, Niwari, Sagar, Raisen, Vidisha, Shivpuri and Datia. Nearly seven lakh farmer families will be benefitted from this, the chief minister said.
The Ken-Betwa project will provide an annual irrigation facility in 59,000 hectare area in Uttar Pradesh and stabilisation of the existing irrigation in 1.92 lakh-hectare area, which will provide irrigation facilities in Mahoba, Jhansi, Lalitpur and Banda districts of UP, he said.
The project also includes the work of saving the historical Chandela era heritage ponds in Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh and Niwari districts of MP, where water can be stored during the rainy season.
The Daudhan reservoir will provide drinking water to wild animals in the Panna Tiger Reserve throughout the year, improve the forest ecosystem and bring relief to UP's Banda district from the flood menace, Yadav said.
The water crisis prevalent in the Bundelkhand region will end and migration for employment will also be checked, he said.
A tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on March 22, 2021 by the chief ministers of MP, UP and the Union Jal Shakti minister in the presence of PM Modi for the implementation of the project.

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DRDO successfully conducted the flight test of an indigenously developed anti-tank guided missile, providing a major boost to the Indian Army

DRDO successfully test-fired homegrown anti-tank guided missile

DRDO successfully conducted the flight test of an indigenously developed anti-tank guided missile, providing a major boost to the Indian Army

Boost for Indian Army:&nbsp;DRDO&nbsp;successfully test-fires anti-tank guided missile
Low weight anti-tank guided missile launched from a man-portable launcher
Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile is integrated with thermal sight
DRDO:&nbsp;missile hit the target and destroyed it with precision
&nbsp;

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the flight test of an indigenously developed anti-tank guided missile, providing a major boost to the Indian Army, the defence body said Wednesday.
The low weight, fire and forget, anti-tank guided missile was launched from a man-portable launcher integrated with a thermal sight, the DRDO&nbsp;said.
It also added that the missile hit the target, a dummy tank, in direct attack mode and destroyed it with precision.

Dense fog and poor visibility in New Delhi on Christmas morning caused major disruptions, delaying 20 trains and worsening the city's air quality. 

Dense fog, poor visibility disrupt trains and air quality in New Delhi

Dense fog and poor visibility in New Delhi on Christmas morning caused major disruptions, delaying 20 trains and worsening the city's air quality. The temperature dropped to 10°C, with visibility reduced to 100 meters, while the AQI reached hazardous levels.

The Indian Meteorological Department recorded the city's temperature at 10 degrees Celsius, with visibility reaching just 100 meters due to dense fog at 5:30 am.

Dense fog and poor visibility in New Delhi created significant disruptions on Christmas morning, resulting in delays for 20 trains departing from the city. Major services like the Mumbai Central Rajdhani Express and Dakshin Express were among those affected. The fog, combined with cold temperatures and low visibility, compounded the situation. Other delayed trains included the Durg-Hazrat Nizammudin Express, Dakshin Express, Duronto Express, and the Jabalpur-Hazrat Nizammudin Gondwana Express.
The Indian Meteorological Department recorded the city's temperature at 10 degrees Celsius, with visibility reaching just 100 meters due to dense fog at 5:30 am. Locals reported using bonfires to keep warm amidst the chilly conditions. Mohammad Javed Ansari, a local resident, noted that the temperature had dropped significantly after the previous day&rsquo;s rainfall, and people had to rely on bonfires for warmth. Another local voiced concerns about the severe lack of visibility, attributing it to the fog and the cold.
Meanwhile, the city&rsquo;s air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 333, placing it in the 'very poor' category according to the Central Pollution Control Board at 8 am. AQI levels in other areas were similarly high, with Anand Vihar measuring 360, Ashok Vihar at 372, Bayana at 362, and CRRI Mathura Road at 324. The AQI scale categorizes 0-50 as good, 51-100 as satisfactory, 101-200 as moderate, 201-300 as poor, 301-400 as very poor, and 401-500 as severe.
Deepak Pandey, another local, expressed concerns about the harsh combination of winter and pollution, saying it was taking a toll on residents who were suffering from breathing difficulties. Others also emphasized the need for a permanent solution to the city&rsquo;s pollution. One local acknowledged that the rain had provided some relief but stressed that the government needed to address the ongoing pollution problem. Additionally, moderate rain on December 24 contributed further to the cold, amplifying the winter chill.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi honored the late Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 100th birth anniversary, praising his role in India's growth and reforms. 

PM Modi pays tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 100th birth anniversary

Coming from humble roots, Vajpayee realised the struggles of the common citizen and the transformative power of effective governance, Modi said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Atal Bihari Vajpayee as the architect of India's transition into the 21st century and said the BJP stalwart ushered in reforms that set the stage for India's economic surge, abandoning an economic philosophy which encouraged cronyism and stagnation.
&nbsp;
&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet"&gt;&lt;p lang="en" dir="ltr"&gt;Today, on Atal Ji&rsquo;s 100th birth anniversary, penned a few thoughts on his monumental contribution to our nation and how his efforts transformed many lives.&lt;a href="https://t.co/mFwp6s0uNX"&gt;https://t.co/mFwp6s0uNX&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&amp;mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1871755829281743232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;December 25, 2024&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; &lt;script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;
&nbsp;
In an article which appeared in several newspapers on the 100th birth anniversary of Vajpayee, Modi said he spent his long parliamentary tenure largely in the opposition benches but never carried any trace of bitterness even though the Congress stooped to new lows by going to the extent of calling him a "traitor".
Modi said, "He stands tall as a statesman who continues to inspire countless people."
The prime minister said Vajpayee provided stable and effective governance at a time when people were getting impatient and sceptical about the government's ability to deliver due to the political instability of the 90s when four Lok Sabha polls were held in about nine years.
Coming from humble roots, Vajpayee realised the struggles of the common citizen and the transformative power of effective governance, Modi said, adding that the long-term impact of his leadership is visible in several sectors.
His era marked a gigantic leap in the world of information technology, telecom and communications, he said.
"The NDA government under Atal ji made the first serious attempt to make technology accessible to citizens. At the same time, there was foresight in connecting India. Even today, most people recall the Golden Quadrilateral Project which connected the length and breadth of India," he said.
He also cited initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana and the push for Metro connectivity by doing extensive work for the Delhi Metro, which stands out as a world-class infrastructure project.
He said, "The Vajpayee government not only boosted economic growth but also brought distant regions closer, fostering unity and integration."
An initiative like the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan highlights how Vajpayee dreamt of building an India where modern education is accessible to people across the nation, particularly the poor and marginalised sections, he added.
His government's decision to carry out nuclear tests and its handling of the aftermath provide a wonderful example of his leadership, Modi said.
He said, "The world was stunned that India had done the tests and expressed their anger in no uncertain terms. Any ordinary leader would have buckled, but Atal ji was made differently. And what happened? India stood firm, with the government calling for another set of tests two days later, on May 13."
If the tests of May 11, 1998, showed scientific skill, the ones on May 13 showed true leadership, he said.
It was a message to the world that gone were the days when India would buckle under threats or pressure, he said.
Despite facing international sanctions, Modi said, the NDA government stood firm, articulating India's right to safeguard its sovereignty while simultaneously being the strongest proponent of world peace.
Modi said Vajpayee understood Indian democracy and also the need to make it stronger. He presided over the creation of the NDA, which redefined coalitions in Indian politics and became a force for development, national progress and regional ambitions.
"His parliamentary brilliance was seen throughout his political journey. He belonged to a party with a handful of MPs but his words were enough to rattle the might of the all-powerful Congress Party that time. As Prime Minister, he blunted the criticisms of the Opposition with style and substance," Modi said.
Vajpayee was not one to cling to power through opportunistic means. He preferred to resign in 1996 instead of following the path of horse-trading and dirty politics, the prime minister said, adding that his government fell by one vote in 1999.
Eventually, he came back with another resounding mandate from the people.
Modi said, "When it comes to commitment to protecting our Constitution too, Atal ji stands tall. He was deeply impacted by the martyrdom of Syama Prasad Mookerjee. Years later, he was a pillar of the anti-Emergency movement."
In the run-up to the 1977 elections, he agreed to the merger of his own party (Jana Sangh) into the Janata Party as safeguarding the Constitution was all that mattered to him, he said.
Modi noted that as external affairs minister, Vajpayee became the first Indian leader to speak in Hindi at the United Nations, noting that this shows how deeply rooted he was in the Indian culture.
His persona was magnetic and his life was enriched by his love for literature and expression, he said.
Modi said for so many Bharatiya Janata Party members like him, it is their privilege that they were able to learn and interact with a person like Vajpayee.
Whenever the choice came between ideology and power, Vajpayee always chose the former, Modi said.
"He was able to convince the nation that an alternative world view from the Congress was possible and such a world view could deliver," he said, asking people to rededicate themselves to realising his ideals and fulfilling his vision for India.

An unidentified vehicle rammed into an ambulance transporting the bodies of three suspected terrorists from the 'Khalistan Zindabad Force' to Punjab. The incident occurred on the Rampur bypass, damaging the ambulance. 

UP: Vehicle Rams Ambulance Carrying Bodies of Suspected Khalistani Terrorists

A joint team of Punjab Police and Uttar Pradesh Police killed the three suspected terrorists, who were allegedly involved in a grenade attack on a police post in Gurdaspur.

An unidentified vehicle rammed into an ambulance that was taking to Punjab the bodies of three suspected terrorists of the 'Khalistan Zindabad Force' killed in an encounter in Uttar Pradesh's Pilibhit, police said on Wednesday.
No one was hurt in the incident that occurred on the Rampur bypass on Tuesday night, but the ambulance was damaged following which the bodies were shifted to another vehicle, they said.
Rampur District Superintendent of Police Vidyasagar Mishra said that the ambulance carrying the bodies of three suspected terrorists from Pilibhit to Punjab was hit by the unknown vehicle on the Rampur bypass late Tuesday night.
There was no casualty in the incident, he said.
As soon as they received information about the accident, Rampur police rushed to the site and the three bodies were shifted from the damaged vehicle to another ambulance, he said.
A joint team of Punjab Police and Uttar Pradesh Police killed the three suspected terrorists, who were allegedly involved in a grenade attack on a police post in Gurdaspur, in an encounter in Pilibhit's Puranpur on Monday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extends Christmas wishes, highlighting the teachings of Jesus Christ on peace and harmony. He also shared his experience at the Christmas celebration hosted by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India.

PM Modi greets people on Christmas

The prime minister also shared highlights from his participation at the Christmas celebrations hosted by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India on Monday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted people on Christmas on Wednesday.
He said on X, "Wishing you all a Merry Christmas. May the teachings of Lord Jesus Christ show everyone the path of peace and prosperity."
&nbsp;
&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet"&gt;&lt;p lang="en" dir="ltr"&gt;Wishing you all a Merry Christmas. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;May the teachings of Lord Jesus Christ show everyone the path of peace and prosperity. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Here are highlights from the Christmas programme at CBCI&hellip; &lt;a href="https://t.co/5HGmMTKurC"&gt;pic.twitter.com/5HGmMTKurC&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&amp;mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1871756588429815862?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;December 25, 2024&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; &lt;script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;
&nbsp;
The prime minister also shared highlights from his participation at the Christmas celebrations hosted by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India on Monday.
In his speech at the event, Modi stressed the importance of strengthening the spirit of love, harmony and brotherhood in line with the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Himachal Pradesh witnesses heavy snowfall, blocking 177 roads and boosting tourism with increased bookings. Severe cold wave and fog warnings issued as temperatures plunge.

Himachal Pradesh Snowfall: Roads Blocked, Tourism Boost, and Cold Wave Alerts

A maximum 89 roads were closed in Shimla, followed by 44 in Kinnaur and 25 in Mandi.

At least 177 roads, including three national highways, were closed in Himachal Pradesh following snowfall in several districts, officials said on Tuesday.
Snowfall was recorded in the Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti and the higher reaches of Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, Chamba and Sirmaur districts.
Shimla Hotel and Tourism Stakeholders' Association president MK Seth told PTI that hotel occupancy in Shimla was at more than 70 per cent.
The snowfall led to a 30-percentage point increase in room bookings, he added.
About 174 roads and three national highways are closed and tourists in about 500 vehicles stranded near the Atal Tunnel were safely rescued till late on Monday, Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue and Disaster) Onkar Sharma told PTI Videos.
According to reports, four people died in accidents during the past 24 hours and several suffered injuries due to vehicles skidding at some places. The administration is yet to share details about the victims.
The national highways between Attari and Leh, Sanj to Aut in Kullu district, and Khab Sangam in Kinnaur district and Gramphoo in Lahaul and Spiti district were blocked for traffic.
A maximum 89 roads were closed in Shimla, followed by 44 in Kinnaur and 25 in Mandi. Some areas were without electricity after 683 transformers stopped working, the State Emergency Operation Centre said.
Sharma advised the tourists to adhere to the advisories issued by the district administration and the police, listen to suggestions from locals and refrain from driving in the snow.
December snow is considered good for apples as it provides moisture to the soil. The snowfall will also boost tourism, Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh told reporters.
Singh, who reviewed the road situation with officials, said a tourist influx was expected in Shimla, Kullu-Manali and Dalhousie.
The department is ready to handle the tourist influx. A total of 268 machineries, including two snow blowers, have been deployed to clear the roads, he said.
Khadrala received 24 cm of snow, followed by Sangla (16.5 cm), Shillaro (15.3 cm), Chopal and Jubbal (15 cm each), Kalpa (13.7 cm), Nichar (10 cm), Shimla (7 cm), Pooh (6 cm) and Jot (5 cm).
Snowfall was also witnessed in the suburbs of Manali and Dalhousie since Monday while a few places in the mid and lower hills received light rain.
The Met has predicted rain and snow at isolated places in some parts of the state and Shimla in particular from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon, with the precipitation peaking on Saturday.
An intense cold wave persisted in the lower hills of Mandi while a cold wave was witnessed in Una and Chamba. Dense, moderate and shallow fog was witnessed in Bilapsur, Sundernagar and Mandi, respectively, the Met office said.
It has issued an 'orange' warning for severe cold in Bilaspur, Una, Hamirpur and Mandi and 'yellow' warning for dense fog over parts of the Bhakra dam reservoir area and the Balh Valley in Mandi till Thursday.
Kukumseri in Lahaul and Spiti district was coldest in the state, recording a night temperature of minus 6.9 degrees Celsius.
The post-monsoon rain deficit from October 1 to December 24 was at 92 per cent of a normal of 70.4 mm.

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