Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto attended India’s 76th Republic Day celebrations as the chief guest, highlighting the deep-rooted cultural and historical ties between India and Indonesia. During a banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu, Subianto shared a light-hearted moment, revealing that a recent DNA test indicated he has Indian ancestry. "When I hear Indian music, I start dancing. It must be part of my Indian genes," he joked, eliciting laughter from dignitaries including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar.Subianto’s remarks underscored the enduring civilisational links between the two nations. He noted the strong influence of ancient Indian culture on
On the eve of Republic Day, the Centre announced the recipients of the prestigious Padma Awards for 2025. Approved by the President of India, the list includes 139 distinguished individuals, comprising seven Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri awards. The Padma Awards, among India’s highest civilian honors, recognize exceptional contributions across fields such as art, science, social work, public affairs, medicine, sports, literature, and education.This year’s list features 23 women awardees and ten individuals from the categories of foreigners, Non-Resident Indians (NRI), Persons of Indian Origin (PIO), and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI). Thirteen of the awards
Mamta Kulkarni, a renowned Bollywood actress of the 90s, has embarked on a spiritual journey by renouncing her worldly life. At the Maha Kumbh, the actress assumed the identity of ‘Mai Mamta Nand Giri’ and was consecrated as a Mahamandaleshwar in the Kinnar Akhara, marking a significant transformation in her life.Mamta took ‘sanyas’ (renunciation) after performing the sacred ritual of ‘Pind Daan’ to honour her ancestors on the banks of the Ganga. Following her initiation, she received blessings from Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Laxmi Narayan Tripathi and the president of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, Mahant Ravindra Puri. Dressed as a ‘sadhvi,’
In a chilling crime that has left Hyderabad shaken, Gurumurthy, a retired Army jawan, confessed to killing his wife, P Venkata Madhavi, dismembering her body, and disposing of the remains across various locations, including Jillelaguda Lake. Madhavi, a 35-year-old resident of Meerpet, was reported missing on January 18 by her mother after a heated argument with her husband two days earlier. Initially, Gurumurthy joined her family in filing a missing person report but later admitted to the gruesome act during police interrogation.According to his confession, the crime occurred in a fit of rage after Madhavi expressed her desire to visit
In a significant development in the Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah Masjid dispute, the Supreme Court on Wednesday extended its stay on the Allahabad High Court’s December 14, 2023, order permitting the inspection of the Shahi Idgah complex in Mathura by a court-appointed commissioner. The case revolves around a dispute between Hindu petitioners and the Shahi Idgah Mosque Committee regarding the alleged construction of the mosque on the Krishna Janmasthan, believed to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna.A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justices Sanjay Kumar and K V Viswanathan heard appeals filed by the Mosque Committee
A sessions court in Kolkata sentenced Sanjay Roy, a former traffic police volunteer, to life imprisonment for raping and murdering a 31-year-old junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, 2024. Judge Anirban Das, in his 172-page verdict, declined the prosecution’s demand for the death penalty, citing Supreme Court guidelines that capital punishment is reserved for the "rarest of rare" cases.The court emphasized the importance of justice over public sentiment, stating, “We must rise above the primitive instinct of an eye for an eye.” The verdict noted that while Roy’s acts were “barbaric and brutal,” there
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued fresh guidelines to combat rising financial frauds involving voice calls and SMS. Lenders and payment companies must now use the '1600xx' phone numbering series for transactional calls and the '140xx' numbering series for promotional purposes. This step is part of a broader initiative outlined in the circular titled “Prevention of Financial Frauds Perpetrated Using Voice Calls and SMS – Regulatory Prescriptions and Institutional Safeguards.”The RBI emphasized the role of mobile numbers as critical identifiers in account authentication, verification, and the receipt of sensitive communication, such as OTPs and transaction alerts. However, fraudsters
Kolkata court has convicted 33-year-old Sanjay Roy, a former civic police volunteer, for the rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College. The gruesome incident, which occurred on the night of August 8 last year, sparked nationwide outrage, protests, and demands for justice.The victim, referred to as ‘Abhaya’ in media reports, was found dead in the hospital's seminar hall. Her death triggered widespread protests across Bengal, drawing parallels to the 2012 Delhi Nirbhaya case. Sanjay Roy was convicted under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to rape, murder, and causing death.The trial, conducted in-camera,
India has confirmed that 12 of its nationals serving in the Russian military have died in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with another 16 classified as missing by Russian authorities. Of the 126 Indians who joined the Russian armed forces, 96 have been discharged and returned home, leaving 18 still serving.Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the government is in contact with Russian authorities and the families of those missing. Efforts are underway to determine their whereabouts and expedite the repatriation process for those still in service.The situation came to light recently after the death of Binil TB,
