Buses to Run Smoothly across Punjab; Roadways and PRTC Workers Call Off Strike After Laljit Bhullar’s Assurance

Chandigarh, August 8, 2025 (Yes Punjab News)

The strike announced by Punjab Roadways, Punbus and PRTC Contract Workers Union Punjab was called off after the assurance of Transport Minister S. Laljit Singh Bhullar.

Informing this Transport Minister S. Bhullar said that government bus services will run smoothly on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan for the convenience of the people of the state.

The Cabinet Minister said that the Punjab government led by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann will take all necessary steps for the welfare of the people of the state. He said that providing transport facilities to the citizens is the bounding duty of our government.

The Cabinet Minister assured the members of the contract employees’ union of early resolution of their legitimate demands and said that the state government would take care of the interests of the employees as well as the interests of the people of the state.

PM Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ program generates Rs 34.13 crore revenue since inception

New Delhi, Aug 8, 2025
Minister Narendra Modi’s monthly radio program titled ‘Mann Ki Baat’ has generated a revenue of Rs 34.13 crore since its inception, the government informed the Rajya Sabha on Friday.

The robust revenue generation reflects PM Modi’s deep connection with the masses and also reinforces the popularity and financial viability of the monthly radio broadcast. Besides this, it has also brightened the prospects of loss-incurring All India Radio, which has lately been struggling to keep its revenue books in the green.

In a written reply, the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, L Murugan, said that the audience, in metros as well as remote villages, connect with the Mann Ki Baat program via multiple modes across traditional and digital platforms.

Akashvani (All India Radio) broadcasts the monthly radio program across its national & several regional networks in regional languages to reach the vernacular audiences.

The Mann Ki Baat has served as a unique platform to inform citizens about positive transformations happening across the country, with an objective to encourage them to actively participate in India’s development journey.

Prime Minister routinely shares inspiring stories of Indians doing impactful work in areas such as education, health, environment, innovation, and social service and also spotlights grassroots initiatives and community-led efforts driven by youth, farmers, women, artisans, entrepreneurs, sportspersons, and self-help groups. It also brings attention to the contributions of unsung heroes from history.

Over the years, the Mann Ki Baat has evolved into a soft tool of nation-building, shaping public discourse through stories that celebrate India’s diversity, resilience and social commitment.

The Mann Ki Baat programme is telecast on various Doordarshan national & regional language channels, making it accessible to viewers across the country, including those in rural & remote areas.

On digital platforms, audience engagement has expanded significantly. The programme is live-streamed and archived on YouTube channels (such as PMO India, AIR, etc.), and on Prasar Bharati’s OTT platform WAVES, as well as through the “NewsOnAIR” mobile app, which offers over 260 Akashvani channels.

The visual format of Mann Ki Baat has further enhanced audience engagement by enabling shared viewing experiences, fostering collective reflection and discussion.(Agency

‘Saare Jahan Se Accha’ actor Sunny Hinduja reveals why spies are the real heroes of the country

Mumbai, Aug 8, 2025
Actor Sunny Hinduja is waiting for the release of his forthcoming action thriller series “Saare Jahan Se Accha”.

The much-awaited show revolves around a resilient Indian spy who has been tasked with defeating his counterpart across the border in a battle of wits and tradecraft to sabotage a nuclear program.

During an exclusive interaction with IANS, Hunny reflected on the massive hardships faced by our spies in their quest to protect the country from unseen dangers.

Comparing a spy with our soldiers, the ‘Aspirants’ actor told IANS, “A spy is no less than a jawan who is probably fighting at a border, but they are fighting intellectually. They are also doing the same role of stopping a war or any big mishap – that’s their biggest job.”

He added that the worst part is that if they have done ten things right, but end up doing even one thing wrong, then they are zero in their job.

“So, you don’t get multiple chances like in the movies,” Hunny added.

Sharing how alert a spy has to be at all times, he revealed, “You can’t even begin to comprehend the complexity of their job- they are truly aware, and conscious in order to work as a spy.”

‘The Family Man’ actor shared that in order to behave every moment of every day of your life – one has to be vigilant all the time.

“There is no scope for even a single mistake as it can lead to a massive disaster,” Hunny concluded.

Along with Hunny, “Saare Jahan Se Accha” also features Suhail Nayyar, Kritika Kamra, Tillotama Shome, Rajat Kapoor, and Anup Soni in crucial roles, along with others.

Backed by Bombay Fables, with Bhavesh Mandalia as creative producer, “Saare Jahan Se Accha” is expected to premiere ahead of Independence Day on August 13 on Netflix.(Agency)

‘False and fabricated’: Defence Ministry denies reports of India pausing US arms talks

New Delhi, Aug 8, 2025
Amid the ongoing turbulence in bilateral relations following the high tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, Defence Ministry sources have denied reports that India has paused its plan to buy US arms.

Although there has been no official clarification on this sensitive issue but the Defence Ministry sources called these reports “false and fabricated.”

“The news reports on India pausing the talks related to defence purchases with the US are false and fabricated. It is clarified that the various cases of procurement are being progressed as per the extant procedures,” a Defence Ministry source said.

The news report also claimed that India had been planning to send Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to Washington in the coming weeks for an announcement on some of the purchases, but that trip has now been cancelled.

Trump had, on Aug 6, imposed an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods for importing Russian oil, which he claimed was funding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

That raised the total duty on Indian exports to 50 per cent – among the highest of any US trading partner.

The tariff war, observers claim, has put India-US bilateral relations in troubled waters.

The clarifications come a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, after the latter met several Russian officials.

India and Russia share strong ties in several domains-primarily in defence and strategic ties. The two countries stressed their commitment to a “strategic partnership” during bilateral security talks, held a day after Trump announced higher tariffs on Indian imports in response to India’s continued purchases of Russian oil.(Agency)

Haryana CM bats to include Gosain community in OBCs

Chandigarh, Aug 8, 2025
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Friday said the government would write to the National Commission for Backward Classes to include the Gosain community in the Central list of Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

On the auspicious occasion of Goswami Tulsidas Jayanti, a grand state-level function was organized at the residence of the Chief Minister here.

The event witnessed the participation of prominent representatives from the Goswami community along with a large gathering from across the state.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister announced that one prominent ‘chowk’ (roundabout) and a library to be established in Hisar that will be named after Goswami Tulsidas-ji.

Additionally, the Chief Minister announced Rs 31 lakh from his discretionary fund for the construction of dharamshala of the Goswami Samaj Sabha in Kurukshetra town.

Highlighting the cultural and social importance of the occasion, the Chief Minister said this celebration reflects India’s rich cultural heritage, moral values, and social harmony.

The name of Goswami Tulsidas-ji evokes devotion, wisdom, and righteousness. “Goswami Tulsidas-ji was not just a poet or a saint but a visionary who, through his immortal epic ‘Ramcharitmanas’ guided Indian society towards the ideals of Lord Rama at a time of widespread despair and social evils.”

The Chief Minister said that Tulsidas-ji’s teachings remain as relevant today as ever and are a source of inspiration for all humanity.

Speaking on government initiatives, CM Saini said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accorded constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes, and the OBC community are now getting reservation benefits in medical education, Sainik Schools, Kendriya Vidyalayas, and Navodaya Vidyalayas.

Following the mantra of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas’, the state government is committed to the welfare of all sections of society, he added.

At the function, the Chief Minister also felicitated students from the Goswami community who excelled in the Class 10 and 12 board examinations.

He urged the community to stay united, guide the youth in the right direction, and inspire them to become responsible citizens.(Agency)

Pakistan mineral deal: Will US learn what China didn’t in Balochistan

New Delhi, Aug 8, 2025
After signing a minerals and mining deal with the U.S, Pakistan may be in “seventh heaven.” However, the realities are different, and this deal could in fact further worsen the security concerns in Balochistan.

There is already violence in the region, and Pakistan and Chinese interests have faced several setbacks. The Baloch people have already warned against this new deal with the US, and hence, in the long run, all may not go as per Pakistan’s wishes.

With the uptick in the number of attacks on the economic infrastructure, there is no guarantee that any US investment would be safe.

The people of Balochistan have constantly complained that the developmental works and deals that are struck in their region never benefit them. They view it as an act of loot, as these deals are never struck with their consent.

Pakistan does not seem to have understood that projects such as the Saindak, Reno Diq and China-Pacific Economic Corridor Project have not shaped up as one would have expected. Hence, there is no guarantee that any US investment in the region would not meet with the same fate.

Earlier, Chinese projects were facing resistance and political condemnation. However, today one gets to see a lethal attack. Such incidents have not helped the cause of China, and despite a strong military presence in the region, basic infrastructure remains unbuilt.

Since Donald Trump took over as US President, he has aligned more towards Pakistan, unlike Joe Biden. When he hosted Field Marshal Asim Munir at the White House, they announced a new deal to develop Pakistan’s massive oil reserves.

However, does Pakistan have so much oil, considering the fact that it is a major importer. If there is not much oil, then the interests of the U.S. could be natural resources, which Balochistan is believed to have.

The Trump administration could also be looking to counter China’s control of the global critical mineral supply by entering into deals in Pakistan. The US military is in fact the biggest consumer of critical minerals, and these are essential to power drone fleets and directed energy weapons.

Today, China dominates the global supply. China, in fact, wields so much power on this front that it forced the US to go to the negotiating table and end the China-US trade war.

China has learnt the hard way in Balochistan. The question is, will the US too learn the hard way since the issues in Balochistan are not logistical, but political? The US would, without a doubt, have to deal with the struggle for self-determination by the people of the region, and for this, it has to use suppression tactics.

Pakistan has also not thought through various factors owing to its financial conditions. It is already debt-ridden and any deal, however counterproductive it may will be acceptable to Islamabad.

To put it in a nutshell, it all looks good on paper, but for the US to work in Balochistan would be hard if it did not take into account the voices of the Baloch people.

The Pakistan Army may offer protection, but if one looks at its record in protecting China’s interests in the region, there is nothing to tom-tom about.

While the Pakistan Army has managed to suppress people to some extent, today the situation is out of control. There have been numerous suicide attacks, which have rendered parts of the CPEC project useless.(Agency)

Nasscom launches ‘The Makers Honour’ to celebrate India’s engineers

New Delhi, Aug 8, 2025
National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom) on Friday announced the launch of its inaugural edition of ‘Makers Honour’, India’s most prestigious recognition for engineers, developers and technologists who power the country’s $224 billion tech export industry in association with GitHub, a widely used web-based platform for developers.

At a time when the nation celebrates founders, valuations, and IPOs, this initiative shines a spotlight on the unsung heroes, the builders, optimisers, and quiet revolutionaries whose work sustains the present and defines the future of technology, the IT trade association said.

The award will spotlight innovators across five foundational domains that are pivotal to building a Viksit Bharat and advancing India’s digital and technological prowess.

The award spans five key categories: Innovators, Scale Builders, Open-Source Titans, AI & Deep-Tech Pioneers, and Problem Solvers. A special Jury Spotlight Award will also highlight exceptional contributions of national significance that don’t fit traditional categories.

The first Makers Honour award will be presented at the Nasscom Technology & Leadership Forum 2026.

According to Nasscom, this initiative is guided by a council of India’s top technologists – Nandini Harinath (Scientist, ISRO), Anand Deshpande (Founder, Persistent Systems), Kailash Nadh (CTO, Zerodha), and Ankit Mehta (CEO & Co-Founder, Ideaforge Technology Ltd).

“Some of the greatest leaps in science and society are made not in the spotlight, but in silence. The Makers Honour is an excellent initiative from Nasscom to celebrate minds who push the boundaries of possibility and bring science and technology closer to everyday life,” said Nandini Harinath, Scientist, ISRO.

GitHub, as the outreach partner, will spotlight engineering excellence across AI and DeepTech, large-scale digital infrastructure, open-source innovation, and societal impact solutions, the association stated.

Martin Woodward, VP, Developer Relations at GitHub, said, “Software is shaping the future, and with more than 18 million developers building on GitHub in India and the second-largest contributor to open source, the country is leading the charge.”(Agency)

Singer Aishwarya Majmudar gives the tradition a fun twist with the ‘Nazaara – The Shaadi’ track

Mumbai, Aug 8, 2025
Well-known singer Aishwarya Majmudar decided to have her own take on traditions through her latest track, “Nazaara – The Shaadi”.

Crooned and penned by Aishwarya, the tunes for the song have been scored by Harpreet ‘Nikku’, along with Aishwarya.

In a complete reversal of the traditional narrative, “Nazaara – The Shaadi” shows Aishwarya arriving at the groom’s place with a bang to surprise him a day before the big ceremony.

Talking about the track, Aishwarya shared: “Weddings are one of the most beautiful celebrations of life. With ‘Nazaara – The Shaadi’, I wanted to keep the fun and festivity alive, but also challenge the idea that brides have to wait in the background. This bride rides in, makes noise, and celebrates love on her terms — and I think that’s something a lot of women will relate to.”

“I guess brides today have really inspired me to flip the script. The way girls have taken over — not just in terms of being a super cool bride, but in general. Previously, girls used to be shy, quiet, and always the ones who were submissive to whatever was to happen. But things have changed pretty drastically over the past few years.

They’ve really upped the quotient on how to be chill and cool — and how to redefine it for us. So I guess my real inspiration comes from women who have taken charge of their lives — and naturally, in turn, of everything that one’s life can involve. So yes, brides have taken it up quite a big notch, and we are really happy to be inspired by them,” the singer added.

Calling “Nazaara – The Shaadi” the new-age anthem to the Dulhan’s entry, Aishwarya believes that every Dulhan will be able to relate to this.

“These days, the Dulha is beautifully decked up, so handsome, wearing the sehra — and it’s also a tradition that the Dulha and Dulhan can’t see each other’s faces. So we’ve given that tradition a fun twist,” she concluded.(Agency)

Virat Kohli returns to training in London, thanks GT’s assistant coach for help

New Delhi, Aug 8, 2025
Amidst ongoing speculation over his future in international cricket, talismanic India batter Virat Kohli has returned to training in London and expressed gratitude to Gujarat Titans’ assistant coach Naeem Amin for help in an indoor practice session.

“Thanks for helping out with the hit, brother. Always lovely to see you,” Kohli wrote in his Instagram story, sharing a photo of him with Amin from the session. “Good to see you, brother! See you soon,” Amin said, resharing the story on his account.

Amin runs the Mighty Willow Academy in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and London, and was previously with the Sunrisers Hyderabad coaching staff in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Previously, India’s fast-bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya had come to Amin’s academy for quality practice sessions.

Having retired from both Tests and T20Is since June 2024, Kohli’s focus is now solely on ODIs for India and the Indian Premier League (IPL) commitments with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

Kohli, who has 14,181 runs in 302 ODIs, last played competitive cricket when he struck a match-winning 43 in the IPL 2025 final, helping RCB finally lift their maiden trophy after beating Punjab Kings by six runs in the title clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Fans will have to wait until October 2025 to see Kohli back in action, as India are not scheduled to play any ODIs before then. India were scheduled to play three ODIs in Bangladesh in August, but the series has been postponed to September 2026 by mutual agreement between BCCI and BCB.

Both Kohli and Rohit Sharma – who have also stepped away from Tests and T20Is – are expected to return for the ODI leg of India’s white-ball tour of Australia, starting on October 19 at Perth Stadium, and are followed by matches at Adelaide Oval and Sydney Cricket Ground on October 23 and 25, respectively.(Agency)

Rahul Gandhi is insulting electoral process, says Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam

Mumbai, Aug 8, 2025
Shiv Sena Spokesperson and party’s Deputy leader Sanjay Nirupam, on Friday, accused the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi of insulting the electoral process and the voters without presenting any solid evidence — something the country will not tolerate.

Targeting Rahul Gandhi, Nirupam said that this has been Congress’ worst performance in Maharashtra Assembly elections — winning only 16 seats and failing to secure even one MLA in 21 districts.

“In such a scenario, instead of making baseless allegations against the Election Commission, Congress should introspect,” he added.

He also said that Rahul Gandhi keeps changing figures — sometimes claiming four million fake voters, sometimes 7.2 million, and at other times 10 million — but has never provided an accurate number.

“If he (Rahul Gandhi) is accusing voter fraud in Maharashtra but presents data from Karnataka, then he needs to first understand the electoral process. Voter lists are prepared by the state machinery in each state, involving the Chief Electoral Officer, District Magistrates, and booth-level officers. If voter fraud occurred in Karnataka, where Congress is in power, then the responsibility lies with them,” he added.

Nirupam said, “Rahul Gandhi must understand that the people of Karnataka gave a mandate to Narendra Modi to become the Prime Minister of the country for the third time and gave Congress the chance to form the government there.”

The Shiv Sena Spokesperson added that Shiv Sena chief leader and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has already said that Rahul Gandhi is insulting Maharashtra’s voters by talking about fake voting.

“Women in Maharashtra benefitted from the ‘Ladli Bahna Yojana’, but Congress and its allies had proposed discontinuing it. Women responded through their votes by defeating Congress during the recent state Assembly polls,” he said.

Nirupam also took a jibe at Shiv Sena-UBT Chief and former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, saying that Rahul Gandhi invited the former for dinner but made him sit in the last row, exposing his true political status.

Taking a jibe at Uddhav Thackeray, the Shiv Sena Spokesperson asked, “How much more will you bow down for the greed of power?”

He added that during the time of Hindutva icon Balasaheb Thackeray, Shiv Sena never went to anyone’s doorstep, nor did they sit in the back row of any meeting.

“In fact, top national leaders used to visit Matoshree and hold discussions there,” he said.

Nirupam alleged: “Uddhav Thackeray abandoned Balasaheb Thackeray’s ideology just to become the Chief Minister. As a result, Congress no longer values him and keeps him waiting at their doorstep.”(Agency)