PM Modi, CM Yogi pay tribute to revolutionaries on centenary of Kakori rail conspiracy

New Delhi, Aug 9, 2025
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Kakori Rail Conspiracy, recalling the courage, sacrifice, and vision of the revolutionaries who carried out one of the most daring acts of the Indian freedom movement.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister said: “On this day, a hundred years ago, the courage shown by patriotic Indians at Kakori highlighted the resentment among people against colonial rule. They were angry at the manner in which people’s money was being used to further colonial exploitation.

Their valour will always be remembered by the people of India. We will keep working to fulfil their dreams for a strong and prosperous India.”

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, in his tribute, wrote: “Heartfelt tributes to all the immortal revolutionaries on the anniversary of the ‘Kakori Rail Action’ that shook the foundations of British rule! This saga of bravery by the sons of Mother India is a beacon of inspiration. Their sacrifice, courage, and patriotism will forever inspire us to work with the spirit of ‘Nation First’.”

The Kakori Rail Conspiracy — often referred to as the Kakori train robbery — took place on August 9, 1925, when members of the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA), including Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqulla Khan, Chandrashekhar Azad, Rajendra Lahiri, and Roshan Singh, stopped the 8-Down train on the Saharanpur–Lucknow line near Kakori railway station in Uttar Pradesh.

The train was carrying government treasury funds, which the revolutionaries seized to finance their armed struggle against British rule.

This audacious act was intended not only to secure funds for the movement but also to send a political message against British exploitation.

The British government responded with a massive crackdown — many of the participants were arrested, tried, and given severe punishments.

Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqulla Khan, Rajendra Lahiri, and Roshan Singh were executed in 1927, while others received long prison sentences. Chandrashekhar Azad managed to evade capture and continued the struggle until his death in 1931.(Agency)

Symbol of love, trust and faith: Priyanka Gandhi extends wishes on Raksha Bandhan

New Delhi, Aug 9, 2025

As the country celebrated the joyous festival of Raksha Bandhan, Congress leaders including senior Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and party chief Mallikarjun Kharge extended heartfelt greetings, highlighting the cultural and emotional significance of the festival that honours the bond between brothers and sisters.

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took to X to share her warm wishes on Raksha Bandhan, saying: “Heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all of you on the festival of Raksha Bandhan, a symbol of love, trust, and faith between brothers and sisters. May this sacred festival bring abundant joy to everyone’s lives.”

Her message captured the essence of Raksha Bandhan, a festival that transcends rituals and is deeply rooted in the values of familial affection, mutual care, and emotional bonding.

Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi also posted on X, joining his sister Priyanka Gandhi in extending wishes to the nation.

“Heartfelt greetings to all countrymen on Raksha Bandhan. I hope the bond of love and affection between brothers and sisters continues to deepen,” he posted.

Meanwhile, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge offered a broader reflection on the significance of the day, highlighting its cultural and social relevance.

“Heartfelt wishes to all on the festival of Raksha Bandhan, the celebration of the unbreakable love, trust, and affection between sisters and brothers. This unique festival of Raksha Bandhan rises above caste, religion, and sect, promoting mutual brotherhood and unity. It also highlights the equality and respect for women in Indian society. May this festival of Rakhi strengthen the spirit of mutual love, harmony, and cordiality in all our lives.”

Raksha Bandhan, observed on Shravan Poornima, continues to be a cherished festival across India.

Traditionally, sisters tie a sacred thread, or ‘rakhi’, around their brothers’ wrists, symbolising love and a lifelong promise of protection. In return, brothers offer gifts and a vow of care.(Agency)

Raksha Bandhan: Sanjay Dutt expresses gratitude to sisters Priya, Namrata for love and strength

Mumbai, Aug 9, 2025
Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt, who was last seen in ‘KD: The Devil’, is celebrating Raksha Bandhan with his sisters Priya and Namrata.

On Saturday, the actor took to his Instagram, and shared a picture with his sisters, as he called them his strength.

He wrote in the caption, “Priya and Anju, having you as my sisters is the biggest blessing life could give me. Thank you for filling my life with love and strength. Happy Raksha Bandhan @priyadutt @namrata62”.

Sanjay, Namrata, and Priya are the children of the late actors Sunil Dutt and Nargis. Sunil Dutt and Nargis, who was a Muslim by faith, tied the knot on 11 March 1958. Prior to their marriage, Nargis converted to Hinduism and adopted the name Nirmala Dutt. Reportedly, Sunil Dutt had saved her life from a fire on the sets of Mother India.

Their children took different paths, Sanjay went on to become a successful film actor. Namrata married actor Kumar Gaurav, son of veteran actor Rajendra Kumar who had appeared alongside Nargis and Dutt in ‘Mother India’. Priya became a politician and a Member of Parliament.

Earlier, Priya took to social media to pen a heartfelt note for Sanjay Dutt on his 66th birthday. In a heartfelt post, she cherished old memories and their special bond. Taking to her Instagram handle, Priya posted a few unseen throwback photos featuring her posing alongside the actor.

In the caption, the doting sister penned a heartfelt note, wishing Sanjay all the happiness and success. She wrote, “Happy Birthday bhaiya, I wish you all the happiness and success you so very much deserve. We argue, we fight, we laugh and we cry together but we all know that in times of trouble we will all stand together as one. Our love for each other makes that possible. Love you bhaiya. Happy birthday @duttsanjay”.

Sanjay Dutt’s wife, Maanayata Dutt, also showered birthday love on the actor. She posted a sweet video from their snowy vacation. The clip also compiles the couple’s solo photos, outings at restaurants, and other special moments.(Agency)

SEBI proposes AIF schemes exclusively for accredited investors

Mumbai, Aug 9, 2025
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has proposed a distinct alternative investment fund (AIF) scheme that would admit only “accredited investors”.

Such specialised AIF schemes can benefit from “a lighter-touch regulatory framework than a regular AIF,” a release from SEBI said.

Accredited investors are persons or businesses who meet SEBI-certified wealth, net worth and income criteria. For sole proprietorships, HUFs, and Family Trusts, a minimum annual income of Rs 2 crore or at least Rs 7.5 crore net worth, with Rs 3.75 crore in financial assets, qualifies them for accredited investor status.

A SEBI-recognised agency, like a stock exchange or depository subsidiary (CDSL Ventures Limited), grants accreditation based on these criteria, financial assets, and investment experience.

SEBI’s latest consultation paper has proposed a gradual transition from the traditional minimum commitment threshold (currently at Rs 1 crore per investor) to using only accreditation status as the metric for investor sophistication in AIFs. Stakeholders can send comments on these proposals until August 29.

According to the proposal, during the transition, both metrics would coexist, enabling AIFs to launch special schemes open exclusively to accredited investors.

SEBI informed that several relaxations to “accredited investor” only schemes are under consideration. “AI-only schemes may be exempted from the requirement of maintaining pari-passu rights among investors, subject to a waiver provided by each investor to this effect,” the regulator said.

Other benefits include extended tenure, where the scheme tenure may be extended up to five years, subject to approval by two-thirds of investors by value in the fund.

Also, such schemes will be provided a “certification waiver”, where key investment team members may be exempt from holding a mandated NISM certification, given investors’ ability to conduct independent due diligence.

Further, there will be no investor cap for such schemes, allowing them to bypass the existing limit of 1,000 investors per scheme.

“In case of an accredited investors-only fund, the responsibilities and obligations cast on the trustee of an Alternative Investment Fund in terms of provisions of these regulations shall be carried out solely by the manager of the Alternative Investment Fund,” the markets regulator said.

While the current count of accredited investors is modest, SEBI expects growth due to recent regulatory changes. Sebi is also considering several proposals to increase the number of accreditation agencies, foster more competition, and further simplify the process of accreditation.(Agency)

One year of RG Kar rape and murder: A quick look shows mixed bag of achievements and failures

RG-Kar-Medical-College-and-Hospital-Case

Kolkata, Aug 9, 2025

In August last year, West Bengal was rocked by widespread protests over the ghastly rape and murder of a lady junior doctor of state-run R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata within the hospital premises.

Doctors, common men, and women had taken to the streets to protest, demand justice, and hold the state government accountable for its failure to provide security to women in workplaces.

On the anniversary of the tragic incident, another round of protests and rallies is taking place to demand a fair investigation into the incident and justice for the victim.

Last year, the body of the victim was recovered from a seminar hall within the hospital premises on the morning of August 9. While the sole convict in the case and civic volunteer Sanjay Roy had already been sentenced to life imprisonment by a trial court, even after a year, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had been unable to complete its investigation on the “larger conspiracy” behind the crime.

A quick look over the developments shows a mixed bag of achievements and failures of the spontaneous protest movement that not only rocked West Bengal but also the entire country and even some overseas nations.

August 9, 2024: The body of the victim was recovered from the seminar hall of R.G. Kar in the morning.

August 10, 2024: Kolkata Police started an investigation and arrested civic volunteer Sanjay Roy.

August 13, 2024: The Calcutta High Court ordered a CBI investigation into the matter.

August 14, 2024: Women called for a night vigil named ‘Reclaim the Night’. Thousands of people took to the streets in different parts of the state, including Kolkata, to mark their protest. The majority of them took out a candle march. At midnight, widespread vandalism took place at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, allegedly to destroy the evidence.

August 18, 2024: A special bench headed by the then Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, D.Y. Chandrachud, announced a suo motu hearing of the case.

September 2 & September 3, 2024: Junior doctors organised a drive at the city police headquarters demanding justice for the victims of RG Kar and the safety of working doctors and health workers. The probe was handed over to the then Kolkata Police Commissioner, Vineet Goyal.

September 10, 2024: Junior doctors started a sit-in protest in front of Swasthya Bhavan (headquarters of the state health department).

September 11 & 12, 2024: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called a meeting of junior doctors at Nabanna. However, the meeting was cancelled on both days.

September 14, 2024: Mamata Banerjee suddenly arrived on the stage of the doctors’ protest at Swasthya Bhavan.

September 16, 2024: The Chief Minister announced the removal of the then Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal from his post under pressure from civil society and doctors.

September 20, 2024: Junior doctors withdrew their protest from Swasthya Bhavan.

September 27, 2024: Doctors and nurses were allegedly attacked and beaten up at Sagar Dutta Medical College Hospital. A strike began in protest of the incident.

October 5, 2024: Junior doctors started a hunger strike in the Esplanade area of central Kolkata, demanding the resignation of the Health Secretary.

October 7, 2024: The CBI filed a chargesheet in the court, naming the main accused, Sanjay Roy.

October 19, 2024: The Chief Secretary went to the hunger strike venue and, through him, the Chief Minister spoke to the protesters over the phone. She requested them to break the hunger strike, but failed to break the ice.

October 21, 2024: Junior doctors met the Chief Minister again. After the meeting, the junior doctors withdrew their hunger strike on the same day. Although the hunger strike was withdrawn, the movement did not stop.

November 9, 2024: The CBI files its first charge sheet in the special CBI court (Alipore) in the parallel case on financial irregularities at R.G. Kar. Former principal of RG Kar Medical, Sandeep Ghosh, was named there, among others

January 18, 2025: Based on the evidence provided by the CBI, a trial court in Kolkata convicted the sole accused, Sanjay Roy, of the crime of rape & murder

January 20, 2025: Sanjay Roy was sentenced to life imprisonment.

January 21, 2025: The West Bengal government filed a petition at the Calcutta High Court seeking the death penalty for Sanjay Roy

January 24, 2025: The CBI also filed a petition at the Calcutta High Court seeking the death penalty for Roy

February 7, 2025: The Calcutta High Court dismissed the state’s petition seeking the death penalty for Sanjay Roy but accepted the CBI’s petition. Meanwhile, the victim’s parents did not demand the maximum punishment for Sanjay. They demanded that Sanjay was not the only one behind the incident; the CBI should find out who else is behind this. The victim’s parents approached the Supreme Court with this petition. They pleaded that there are several more witnesses, including others, whose testimonies should be recorded by the CBI. The victim’s family also requested that the Supreme Court allow the single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court to hear this case.

March 17, 2025: The Supreme Court ordered that the Calcutta High Court could hear this case.

March 28, 2025: The CBI submitted a status report before the Calcutta High Court. CBI said that the doctor-student was not gang-raped at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. CBI also said that DNA tests of samples from the scene have been conducted.

July 16, 2025: Sanjay Roy filed an acquittal petition at the Calcutta High Court seeking acquittal, which was accepted.

August 4, 2025: The Calcutta High Court sought the state’s affidavit in the case filed by the family demanding a re-investigation into the murder and rape of a young doctor at RG Kar Hospital, but the state sought more time to submit its affidavit. The state was supposed to present its statement on July 24. However, the judge expressed his anger when the state did not do so. He posted the case for further hearing on August 11.(Agency)

Indian Railways introduces discounted ‘Round Trip Package’ for festive season travel

New Delhi, Aug 9, 2025

To avoid rush by ensuring hassle-free ticket booking experience during the upcoming peak festive seasons, the Ministry of Railways on Saturday said that it has decided to formulate a ‘Round Trip Package’ on discounted fare and rebates benefit.

The move will facilitate passengers and redistribute the peak traffic for a larger range during peak festival seasons and ensure both sides utilisation of trains, including special trains.

“It has been decided to formulate an experimental scheme named as Round Trip Package for festival rush on discounted fare,” the Railways Ministry stated.

According to the ministry, the scheme will be applicable for those passengers who choose their return journey during the prescribed period.

Under this scheme, rebates shall be applicable when booked for both the onward and return journey for the same set of passengers.

Passenger details of the return journey will be the same as those of the onward journey. Passengers can book their tickets from August 14 for the advance reservation period (ARP) date of October 13.

“An onward ticket shall be booked first for the train start date between 13th October 2025 and 26th October 2025, and subsequently return journey ticket shall be booked by using the connecting journey feature for the train start date between 17th November and 1st December 2025,” the Ministry stated.

However, advance reservation period will not be applicable for booking of return journey.

Other conditions to avail the benefits of the railway’s new special scheme are the booking shall be permissible only for confirmed tickets in both directions, total rebates of 20 per cent shall be granted on base fare of return journey only, booking under this scheme shall be for the same class and same O-D pair for both onward and return journey.

According to Railways, no refund of fare shall be permissible for the tickets booked under this scheme.

This scheme shall be allowed for all classes and in all trains, including special trains (Trains on demand), except trains having Flexi fare.

In addition, no modification will be allowed on these tickets in either of the journeys, and there will be no discounts, Rail travel coupons, Voucher-based bookings, or Passes be admissible during return journey booking on concessional fare.

Passenger can book their ticket via both online and offline modes; however, both onward and return journey tickets must be booked using the same mode (online or offline).(Agency)

Gaurav Bhatia accuses LoP Gandhi of threatening constitutional bodies, spreading lies against EC

New Delhi, Aug 9, 2025
BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia on Saturday launched a sharp attack on Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of “threatening constitutionally-mandated bodies” and “spreading lies” about the Election Commission of India (ECI) in a manner detrimental to Indian democracy.

Addressing a Press conference at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi, Bhatia said, “The image Rahul Gandhi has built over the last decade is one of an anarchist. He always tries to destroy constitutionally-mandated institutions and raises questions on independent bodies. His August 7 Press conference, where he attacked the Election Commission, is another attempt to demolish India’s democratic institutions. Does it befit the Leader of Opposition to threaten a constitutional body?”

Bhatia was referring to LoP Gandhi’s recent remarks warning of “consequences” for EC officers if the Congress comes to power.

“He is threatening democratic bodies. His modus operandi is simple — when they lose elections, they blame EVMs, VVPATs, the Election Commission, or even the public. But he never files a formal complaint,” Bhatia alleged.

He further claimed that LoP Gandhi spreads “falsehoods” without taking the oath required for lodging an official complaint, which could be pursued legally.

“Such baseless allegations create unrest and spread hatred,” he said. Countering LoP Gandhi’s charge that the EC does not share the digital voter list, Bhatia said, “As far as I know, all such lists are available on the EC website.”

He also rejected the Congress MP’s statement that CCTV footage of polling booths had been destroyed. “By law, video footage is preserved for 45 days. If he is certain of partiality, he can petition the court to preserve it for longer,” he said.

Bhatia accused LoP Gandhi of giving contradictory figures on voter list increases in Maharashtra. “Sometimes he says 70 lakh voters increased, sometimes 39 lakh, and now one crore. But as per official EC data, the increase was 40 lakh,” Bhatia claimed, adding that such misinformation was being spread just months before the Bihar elections.(Agency)

Aditya Thakare talks about Ganpati Visarjan and ‘Dhadak 2’ connection

Mumbai, Aug 9, 2025
Actor Aditya Thakare, who has made his film debut with the recently released film, ‘Dhadak 2’, has shared that getting selected for the part was a moment of joy and blessing. The actor said that he got the offer for the film when he was at a Ganpati Visarjan with his friends.

The actor recently spoke with IANS, and shared that before ‘Dhadak 2’ happened to him, things were quite “dry” for him professionally.

He told IANS, “‘Dhadak 2’ came to me as a blessing in disguise. At the time, things were quite dry professionally, not much was moving. One day I got an audition call, and I rushed without thinking twice. I still remember the day I found out I was selected, it was during Ganesh Chaturthi 2023 I was at Ganpati Visarjan with my friends when I got the call. It felt like Bappa’s blessing, truly”.

When asked about his preparations for the part, the actor said, “After getting selected, I didn’t have a lot of time to get into heavy dialect training, so my main focus was on getting the local lingo right and what better way than spending time with locals and interacting with them?

They’re the ones who teach you so much, not just about the language, but also the body language of that particular region, which is equally important when you’re portraying a character from a specific place. So, I started spending time at spots like Rajju Tea Stall in Bhopal, casually chatting with strangers, absorbing their rhythm, expressions, and body language to get into the skin of the character.

I also included a lot of my real-life funny friends into Vasu’s personality. It was about making him feel real like someone you already know”.

He also shared his experience of working with Tripti Dimri and Siddhant Chaturvedi in the film, as he told IANS, “At first, I was in full fan mode, keeping my distance and being extra respectful. I’ve admired Siddhant since Gully Boy and Triptii since Qala. But I think Bhopal schedule changed everything.

We shot there for nearly two months, and I’m someone who thrives on those chill evening hangouts, laughing over random stuff. Triptii and Siddhant started joining in and we would end up staying up late even with early morning shoots. That camaraderie translated into real chemistry on screen. I feel lucky to call such talented (and extremely good-looking) people my friends”.

Is it the age of raw talent in not just film market but other artforms as well?

He said, “Absolutely, 100%. Raw talent isn’t just being accepted anymore it’s actually being celebrated. With so many platforms out there now, everyone has a shot at being seen, heard, and appreciated. People are consuming more content than ever, which is opening the door for a lot of fresh voices”.

“For someone like me, it really feels like the perfect time to be starting out. I think a big reason for this shift is that audiences now want to see real, relatable faces and stories, not just over-the-top stuff all the time. And that’s pushing a lot of filmmakers to take up those kinds of stories too”, he added.(Agency)

Downed 6 Pak aircraft and struck 9 terror camps during Op Sindoor, says Air Force chief

Bengaluru, Aug 9, 2025

In a major revelation that underscores the scale and precision of India’s recent military response to cross-border terrorism, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh confirmed that the Indian Air Force (IAF) shot down six Pakistani aircraft during Operation Sindoor, including five fighter jets and a high-value surveillance platform, likely an AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft.

Speaking at the Air Chief Marshal L.M. Katre Memorial Lecture in Bengaluru, the Air Chief shared satellite imagery and intelligence inputs that detailed the extent of damage inflicted on Pakistan’s air fleet and terror infrastructure.

“These are the before and after images of the damage we caused at Bahawalpur, the JeM (Jaish-e-Mohammed) headquarters. There’s hardly any collateral here — the adjacent buildings are fairly intact,” he said, pointing to high-resolution visuals that corroborated the precision of the strikes.

Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, was India’s calibrated response to the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 innocent lives in April.

“We have five confirmed kills and one large aircraft, which could be either an ELINT aircraft or an AEW & C aircraft, which was taken on at a distance of about 300 km. This is, actually, the largest ever recorded surface-to-air kill that we can talk about,” the Air Force chief said.

The operation targeted nine terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), eliminating over a hundred militants, according to defence sources. The offensive was executed with a blend of air-launched cruise missiles, electronic warfare assets, and real-time surveillance, ensuring minimal civilian harm while delivering maximum strategic impact.

He further said, “Our air defence system has done a wonderful job. The S-400 system, which we had recently bought, has been a game-changer. The range of that system has really kept their aircraft away from their weapons, like those long-range glide bombs that they have. They have not been able to use any one of those because they have not been able to penetrate the system,” the IAF chief said.

The Russian-origin S-400 air defence system played a pivotal role in neutralising airborne threats during the operation. The system was credited with the aerial kills, including the downing of the AWACS aircraft, which posed a significant intelligence and coordination threat to Indian forces.

The IAF’s strikes were not limited to aerial engagements. Ground targets, including key Pakistani airbases such as Bholari and Rahim Yar Khan, were hit with precision munitions. Intelligence inputs from satellite imagery, local media, and electronic intercepts enabled the IAF to verify the destruction of terror infrastructure and military assets.

The operation also showcased India’s integrated defence architecture, with the Army and Navy providing coordinated support. The use of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, loitering munitions, and advanced drones added depth to the campaign, which unfolded over four days and forced Pakistan to seek a ceasefire.

Operation Sindoor marks a significant evolution in India’s deterrence strategy, combining technological superiority with operational restraint. As Air Chief Marshal Singh noted, “This was not just about retaliation — it was about precision, professionalism, and purpose.”(Agency)

Election Commission delists 334 unrecognised political parties

New Delhi, Aug 9, 2025

In a major move to “clean up” the electoral system, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday delisted 345 Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs), which have failed to fulfil the essential criteria of contesting even a single election for the last six years since 2019 and whose offices could not be physically located at the address mentioned in their registered documents.

“After considering all facts and recommendations of CEOs, the Commission has delisted 334 RUPPs. Now, out of the total of 2854 RUPPs, 2520 are remaining,” the ECI said in a statement.

“These RUPPs will now not be eligible to avail any benefit under the provisions of Section 29B and Section 29C of the RP Act, 1951 and the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968. Any party aggrieved by this order can appeal to the Commission within 30 days,” it further added.

The delisting of RUPPs is part of ECI’s comprehensive and continuous strategy to purge the system of parties which have become redundant and merely exist on paper.

It was in June 2025 that the EC had set the ball moving for “purging exercise” and directed the CEOs of States & UTs to conduct verification enquiries of 345 RUPPs regarding compliance with the above conditions

In the report submitted by respective Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs), 334 RUPPs out of total 335, were found not complying with the above conditions.

CEOs conducted inquiries, issued show-cause notices to these RUPPs and provided each party an opportunity to respond and present their case through personal hearings.

At present, there are six national parties, 67 state parties and 2,854 RUPPs registered with ECI.

According to existing EC guidelines, if any party does not contest elections continuously for 6 years, it is be taken off the list of registered parties.

Since 2022, the poll panel has delisted 284 defaulting and non-compliant RUPPs and declared 253 RUPPs inactive as part of its efforts to clean up the political space, occupied by non-functional parties.(Agency)