New Delhi, July 23 (IANS) Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday said the government is prioritising early identification of children with learning disabilities through the PRASHAST app, developed by the Ministry of Education.

He emphasised that the initiative, aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, is aimed at integrating children with different abilities into mainstream education.

The Minister made the remarks during a meeting with BJP MPs from Odisha held during the adjournment of Parliament.

He said the MPs discussed developmental issues of the state, with special attention to education for children facing difficulties in the teaching‑learning process.

“Our primary goal is to identify children struggling at the initial stage, teach them through appropriate methods, and bring improvement in their educational outcomes,” he said.

The PRASHAST (Pre‑Assessment Holistic Screening Tool) app, prepared by NCERT under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, enables schools to screen children for 21 disability conditions recognised under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

Teachers conduct initial screening, while special educators validate and categorise cases for further support.

The tool is designed to prevent mislabelling of children and to ensure access to certification, concessions, and exam accommodations through the Unique Disability ID portal.

The Minister said Odisha MPs pledged to prioritise awareness campaigns in their constituencies, ensuring schools adopt the app and integrate children with different abilities into mainstream education.

He added that the initiative supports inclusive education under the Right to Education Act and NEP 2020, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goal of quality education.

India has long faced challenges in supporting students with disabilities, with experts noting that early detection and intervention can reduce dropout rates and improve learning outcomes. The PRASHAST initiative is seen as a systemic attempt to embed inclusive practices at the school level.

--IANS

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Jaipur, July 23 (IANS) With production commencing at the Rajasthan Refinery, the state government is positioning the adjoining Petro-Zone as a key investment destination for petrochemical industries, citing assured availability of raw materials and significant industrial growth potential.

Chairing a high-level review meeting at the Secretariat on Wednesday, Additional Chief Secretary (Mines and Petroleum) Aparna Arora said the ready availability of refinery by-products would make the Petro-Zone an attractive and commercially viable location for investors.

She said that industries manufacturing products based on High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) and Polypropylene (PP) would have assured access to raw materials, creating strong opportunities for investment in the petrochemical sector.

Arora directed the Department of Industries and the Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation (RIICO) to identify potential investors and actively encourage them to establish manufacturing units in the Petro-Zone.

The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Department of Industries, RIICO, the Petroleum Department, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and Rajasthan Refinery.

Arora said that preference should be given to industries with low water requirements or those capable of using treated water.

She noted that entrepreneurs setting up units in the Petro-Zone would have immediate access to refinery feedstock, eliminating delays in procuring raw materials.

She called for coordinated efforts among the Industries Department, RIICO, the Petroleum Department, HPCL and refinery management to promote investment in the region.

According to Additional Chief Secretary (Mines and Petroleum), developing downstream petrochemical industries within the state would enable local utilisation of refinery by-products, attract fresh industrial investment, generate direct and indirect employment, increase state revenue and strengthen Rajasthan's economy.

She directed RIICO and the Industries Department to assess market demand and supply prospects for petrochemical products and identify industries best suited for the Petro-Zone.

She also asked RIICO to ensure that essential infrastructure, including roads, power supply and water, is developed to facilitate industrial investment.

RIICO Managing Director Suresh Ola and Industries Commissioner Nilabh Saxena said the Industries Department, RIICO, the Bureau of Investment Promotion (BIP) and HPCL would jointly engage with prospective investors to promote the Petro-Zone.

HPCL Director (Marketing) Amit Garg said the Petro-Zone could support a wide range of downstream manufacturing industries producing items such as water storage tanks, carry bags, shopping bags, fertiliser, chemical and cement packaging bags, plastic ropes, packaging pouches for edible oil, ghee and milk, plastic containers, chemical drums, crates, irrigation and household pipes, road dividers, masks, BOPP products, diapers, gloves, nets and other plastic goods.

He said investors would benefit from assured raw material availability, negligible inventory costs and incentives offered for setting up units in the Petro-Zone.

Rajasthan Refinery CEO Kamlakar Vikhar gave a detailed presentation on the refinery's products and production capacity during the meeting.

Senior officials, including Special Secretary (Mines) Namrata Vrishni, Director (Petroleum) Awadhesh Singh, representatives of RIICO and HPCL, and other departmental officers, were also present.

--IANS

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Lucknow, July 23 (IANS) The fourth edition of the UPT20 League begins on August 14, with Kashi Rudras taking on defending champions Meerut Mavericks in the tournament opener. The 24-day competition promises exciting cricket action and will be played across two major cities of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow and Kanpur.

This will be the first time in the league’s history that the UPT20 will be hosted in two different cities, making the season even more special for fans.

Speaking about this milestone, Dr. Sanjay Kapoor, Chairman of the Governing Council of the UP T20 League, said, “The UPT20 League has now entered its fourth season, and this year is particularly special as the tournament will be hosted across two major cities, Lucknow and Kanpur. We are expecting an extraordinary season, one that will be the biggest cricketing festival Uttar Pradesh has ever witnessed. UPT20 is not just a league; it is a celebration of cricket, youth, talent, and the spirit of Uttar Pradesh.”

“Hosting matches in multiple cities is a significant milestone for us. While it comes with logistical challenges, it also allows us to take the league closer to the people and expand its reach across the state. This year, matches will be played in Lucknow and Kanpur, while the auction will be held in Agra, which means UPT20 has already connected with three important cities of Uttar Pradesh. Our vision is to continue growing and eventually take the league to even more cities in the coming years, just like the IPL has done,” he added.

Dr. Kapoor further put his weight behind the league and added, “UPT20 is rapidly becoming one of the biggest cricket leagues in the country after the IPL, and we want it to serve as a platform that showcases the immense talent of Uttar Pradesh to the entire world.”

“The league is also a huge opportunity for young cricketers. UPT20 will be broadcast in more than 200 countries, giving players unparalleled visibility. When talent is seen by scouts, franchises, and cricket lovers around the world, opportunities naturally follow. That is why this league is so important; it gives young players a chance to prove themselves on a grand stage.”

Several cricketers from Uttar Pradesh have gone on to represent India and earn IPL contracts, and Dr. Sanjay Kapoor believes the UPT20 League provides a valuable opportunity for young players to share the dressing room with experienced stars and learn from their journey.

“For aspiring cricketers, sharing a dressing room with senior players, IPL stars, and India internationals is an invaluable learning experience. Cricket is not just learned through books or coaching sessions; it is learned through conversations, travel, observation, and spending time with experienced players who have performed at the highest level. UPT20 provides that environment, and it can play a crucial role in shaping the careers of many youngsters,” he said.

The opening ceremony and the first phase of the league will be held at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.

After that, the tournament will move to Green Park Stadium in Kanpur, which will host the second half of the season, including the knockout matches and the grand finale.

Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator are scheduled to be played on September 3, followed by Qualifier 2 on September 4.

The UPT20 League 2026 will conclude with a grand closing ceremony and the final match in Kanpur on September 6.

Fans can look forward to an action-packed season featuring 34 matches, including 13 double-header matchdays and 8 single-header matchdays. With top players from across the state participating, the upcoming edition is expected to be an exciting season.

--IANS

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New York, July 23 (IANS) The man who attacked author Salman Rushdie, blinding his right eye, went on trial on transnational terrorism charges in a federal court on Wednesday.

Hadi Matar attacked to “fulfil the fatwa”, the Iranian religious edict demanding Rushdie’s killing because his novel Satanic Verses was considered blasphemous by Islamic clerics, assistant federal prosecutor Timothy Lynch told the court in Buffalo.

Matar was convicted last year in New York State court of attempting to murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison. He now faces federal terrorism charges under a separate set of laws.

In the US, state and federal laws are separate, and a person can be tried on related charges for a single offence under different local and federal statutes. If convicted of the terrorism charge, Matar could face life in prison.

Matar, who is a US citizen of Lebanese descent, attacked Rushdie on a stage during a literary programme in 2022 at the Chautauqua Institution, a literary and arts centre about 600 kilometres from the city. The federal trial is taking place in Buffalo, close to the Canada border.

Matar has denied the conspiracy charges. His lawyer Nathaniel Barone said that he was acting on his own and, as a religious person, was “enraged” against Rushdie.

The late Ayatollah Khomeini issued the fatwa against Rushdie, a Booker Prize‑winning author, who then went into hiding for several years under British government protection.

Rushdie now lives in the US wearing an eyepatch over his right eye and is expected to testify at the trial. He has written a memoir, Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder, about the attack and its aftermath.

Ironically, at the event where he was attacked, he was to have spoken about the protection of writers.

--IANS

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Visakhapatnam, July 22 (IANS) Police in Andhra Pradesh’s Srikakulam district arrested former minister and YSR Congress Party leader Seediri Appalaraju on Wednesday for allegedly tampering with evidence in a hit-and-run case involving his son

Police arrested the YSRCP leader from his residence in Kasibugga and shifted him to the local police station. Police were recording his statement.

He is likely to be taken to a government hospital for medical examination before producing him to a magistrate.

Tension prevailed at Appalaraju’s house at the time of his arrest as a large number of his supporters had gathered there, alleging political vendetta and harassment by the NDA government.

The YSRCP leader is facing allegations of misleading investigating officers and tampering with evidence in a hit-and-run case involving his son, Arav Varma.

On July 10, a 45-year-old man, Danayya, died on the spot after a two-wheeler allegedly ridden by Arav hit him on the Old National Highway at Kasibugga.

Local police initially registered a case against another youngster, Siddardh, a friend of Arav. However, CCTV footage recovered from a nearby petrol station established that Arav was riding the vehicle before the crash. Following the revelation, police arrested both Arav Varma and Siddardh.

As Appalaraju allegedly used his influence to shield his son, his name was also included in the First Information Report (FIR). He is facing charges of exerting pressure on the victim’s family to withdraw the case and attempting to conceal evidence.

Meanwhile, former Chief Minister and YSRCP president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has condemned the arrest of Appalaraju. He alleged that Chandrababu Naidu’s government has stooped to the level of turning even a road accident into a weapon of political vendetta.

“The 18-year-old son of former Minister and BC leader from North Andhra, Dr Seediri Appalaraju, was arrested and remanded not under provisions relating to a road accident, but on a murder charge, after being blamed for accidentally causing an accident while riding a motorcycle. Now, the arrest of his father, Appalaraju, makes it clear that the government’s objective is to politically persecute an entire YSRCP leader’s family,” Jagan said in a post on X.

“What exactly is Dr Seediri Appalaraju’s crime? Is it questioning the excesses of the Chandrababu government? Is it standing by the people of Palasa? Or is it earning respect as a doctor and serving the public? Is this the new legal system being implemented in Andhra Pradesh, where Chandrababu gets his political agenda published through the Yellow media and the police later convert it into a criminal case? Will the same standard be applied to every road accident involving TDP leaders, Ministers, their relatives or followers? If a family member of a TDP leader is involved in an accident, will that person and the other members of the family also be arrested in the same manner?” asked the YSRCP chief.

He alleged that these arrests reveal a conspiracy to implicate and silence leaders who question the government’s failures, corruption and anti-people decisions.

“Dr Seediri Appalaraju rose through his own merit from an ordinary fishermen’s family. He excelled in education, became a doctor, provided medical care and saved many lives. With the blessings of the people, he was elected as a YSRCP MLA and served them as a Minister. Attempting to portray such a person as a criminal through false charges is reprehensible. If his 18-year-old son is facing a charge that a shepherd unfortunately died in an accidental collision while he was riding a motorcycle, how can that become murder? How can the father be linked to an accident involving his son? Is this not a grave injustice?” asked Jagan.

“The YSRCP cannot be intimidated through arrests. The party will stand firmly by every leader and every worker who fights for the people. Mr Chandrababu Naidu, power is not permanent. The people will not tolerate the false cases, illegal arrests and abuse of authority taking place today. They will certainly teach your government a fitting lesson,” he added.

--IANS

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Mumbai, July 22 (IANS) Shiv Sena-UBT Chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Chief Raj Thackeray on Wednesday decided to take to the streets in support of students

A joint protest march has been organised in Mumbai on July 26.

Ahead of the rally, Raj Thackeray will hold a press conference on Thursday morning to share further details regarding the event.

The Thackeray brothers had previously joined hands to protect the pride of the Marathi language. Now, they are coming together once again for the future of students, making this upcoming joint protest a focus of widespread attention.

The Thackeray brothers have extended their support to Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijit Dipke, who is currently protesting at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. Moving beyond symbolic backing, both leaders have now decided to directly take to the streets.

The decision comes amid growing frustration over several key issues, including the Union Education Minister not resigning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah remaining silent on the matter, and the use of baton charges (lathi charges) against protesting students.

With these developments unfolding, all eyes are now on what the two leaders will address during the upcoming protest march.

Earlier on Wednesday, MNS leader Amit Thackeray and Shiv Sena-UBT leader Aditya Thackeray visited the protesting students at Shivtirth in Mumbai.

Addressing the people, Aditya Thackeray said, "First of all, the fact that you all have gathered here demonstrates the power of the youth. It is extremely important that we all come together like this. Is there anyone here representing a political party? Are there any 'Urban Naxals' or terrorists here? Everyone here who is an Indian citizen, chant Vande Mataram and 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'. This is our true strength. Today, Amit Thackeray and I visited different locations where young men and women had gathered in similar numbers. We must acknowledge one thing—what happened in Delhi was not done by the Mumbai Police. They did not lay a finger on anyone, and for that, we should express our gratitude to them."

Taking a firm stance, Aaditya Thackeray addressed the youth, saying, "Do not let your passion cool down; Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation must happen."

He announced that a collective singing of the National Anthem will take place on July 24 at 4 p.m. at Shivaji Park in Mumbai.

Praising the local authorities, Aaaditya Thackeray noted that Mumbai Police still retain sensitivity, as unlike in Delhi, they did not resort to a cane charge on the demonstrators.

Aaditya Thackeray urged the youth to unite, saying, "On July 24, let us gather not under any political party flag, but under the Indian national flag to sing the National Anthem."

The Shiv Sena-UBT Chief extended his support to the ongoing protest organised by the CJP at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, where demonstrators are demanding the resignation of the Union Education Minister.

Addressing organiser Abhijit Dipke, Uddhav Thackeray assured continuous backing, "You continue the protest in Delhi; my effort will be to ensure this movement stays active across the country. We have initiated it in Maharashtra, and the state stands firmly with you. I am proud that the youth of Maharashtra are leading this cause."

The Shiv Sena-UBT Chief also added, "Abhijit Dipke has sparked a flame. Photographs of the students who lost their lives have been displayed here. It is tragic that in an independent country, students are committing suicide due to paper leaks—we must honour their memory. The elections are still three years away, which is a long time, but our battle has begun now. Merely one resignation will not suffice; the entire system needs to change. Until the government changes, nothing in our lives will change."

Meanwhile, following the protests organised by CJP in various parts of the state, police authorities had made special preparations.

Learning from the large-scale demonstrations in Delhi, the Mumbai Police successfully maintained law and order through 14 days of continuous social media monitoring, intelligence gathering, and on-ground tactical planning.

According to official sources, a total of 98 protests were conducted across Maharashtra in support of the CJP.

Police sources revealed that special digital patrolling was executed across social media platforms to anticipate potential gatherings.

Authorities closely monitored hashtags, keywords, and frequently posting accounts related to the movement.

Online activities of individuals promoting and organising the protests were thoroughly analysed, providing the police with critical advance intelligence regarding potential crowd sizes, locations, and organisers.

--IANS

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Washington, July 22 (IANS) A US federal judge has ordered alleged Punjab gang member Nitish Kaushal to remain in custody pending trial and be transferred to California to face racketeering conspiracy charges, as prosecutors released new details alleging the organisation recruited vulnerable youth in Punjab, including minors, with promises of money and opportunities to migrate abroad.

US Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle of the District of Vermont on Wednesday ordered Kaushal detained pending trial after concluding that no combination of release conditions would reasonably assure either the safety of the community or the defendant's appearance in court.

The judge also ordered that Kaushal be transferred to the Central District of California, where he faces a federal indictment charging him with Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisations (RICO) conspiracy. Court records show Kaushal requested court-appointed counsel and will remain in federal custody pending his transfer.

The latest court filings come days after the FBI arrested Kaushal, an Indian national also known as "Lala", in Alburgh, Vermont, near the Canadian border after placing him on its Most Wanted list.

According to a government detention motion filed in Vermont, prosecutors argued Kaushal should remain behind bars because the charge carries a potential life sentence and because he poses both a danger to the community and a serious flight risk.

The motion cites what prosecutors describe as strong evidence linking Kaushal to an alleged transnational criminal enterprise accused of engaging in kidnapping, extortion, drug trafficking and firearms offences.

The government also alleges Kaushal has no ties to Vermont and entered the United States illegally through Yuma, Arizona, in 2022. Prosecutors further state that he was later charged in 2023 with murder, attempted murder, conspiracy and weapons offences before ultimately being convicted of a firearms offence and sentenced to 60 days in custody. They also allege he was involved in a misdemeanour drug offence in 2026. Those allegations have not been adjudicated in the present case.

According to prosecutors, Kaushal became a fugitive after the federal indictment in California was unsealed in late June. Authorities allege law enforcement attempted to arrest him on July 7 but failed. The detention motion states that he abandoned a mobile phone investigators had been tracking under a court-authorised warrant before disappearing, prompting the FBI to add him to its Most Wanted list.

The government further alleges Kaushal was arrested on July 16 within one mile of the Canadian border after abandoning a vehicle just feet from the international boundary. Prosecutors say Canadian law enforcement spotted an individual travelling on foot in Canada before Kaushal was later identified again in Vermont. The filing does not state that the individual seen in Canada was conclusively identified as Kaushal.

According to the detention motion, a Vermont resident alerted authorities after security cameras captured a man looking inside a vehicle and entering a barn.

When US Border Patrol officers encountered Kaushal, prosecutors allege he presented a New Jersey driver's licence bearing another person's name.

The government says fingerprint analysis confirmed his identity and that Kaushal admitted the licence did not belong to him. Prosecutors also submitted photographs comparing a distinctive lion tattoo documented during the investigation with the tattoo visible after his arrest.

The 44-page federal indictment, a copy of which was obtained by IANS, alleges that Kaushal was among 15 defendants charged in connection with the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria Organised Crime Group, which prosecutors describe as a transnational criminal syndicate headquartered in India with members across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Prosecutors allege the organisation had more than 1,000 members and associates worldwide, including more than 100 in the United States.

One of the most striking allegations in the indictment concerns the group's recruitment strategy.

According to prosecutors, the organisation targeted vulnerable and disadvantaged young people in Punjab and deliberately recruited minors because they faced lower criminal penalties if caught committing violent crimes. The indictment alleges that, in some parts of India, members were paid as little as 20,000 rupees (about $200) to commit murders on behalf of the organisation.

The court filing further alleges that recruitment coordinators promised prospective members money, notoriety, power and "the ability to escape India". Prosecutors claim they specifically sought individuals who could qualify for student visas or foreign work visas and rewarded loyal members by sending them to operate in countries including the United States and Canada.

According to the indictment, the organisation generated revenue through murder-for-hire contracts, kidnapping, drug trafficking, extortion, weapons trafficking, money laundering and human smuggling. Prosecutors allege it operated extensive narcotics trafficking routes across the United States while also carrying out extortion schemes targeting victims and their families, particularly relatives living in India.

The indictment, among other things, alleges members worked with corrupt law enforcement officials in Punjab by providing false information against rivals, leading to allegedly fabricated criminal proceedings that were later used to extort money from victims. Those allegations remain unproven.

The Vermont court's detention order marks the latest step in one of the most significant US organised crime prosecutions involving an alleged criminal syndicate with origins in Punjab. Kaushal will now be transferred to Los Angeles to answer the federal racketeering conspiracy charge returned by a grand jury in the Central District of California.

--IANS

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Glasgow, July 22 (IANS) Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday attended the Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meeting (CSMM), where he talked about India's growing stature in sports and reaffirmed the country's readiness and Ahmedabad's world-class preparations to host the historic, sustainable, and memorable 2030 Centenary Commonwealth Games.

Dr Mandaviya is in Glasgow as the leader of the Indian delegation that will observe the organisation of the 2026 edition of the Commonwealth Games. He will be attending the various ceremonies during the Glasgow CWG and hold discussions with heads of delegations from other countries to build up momentum for India's bid for the 2036 Olympics at Ahmedabad.

Dr Mandaviya gave details of his address at the Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meeting (CSMM) in a social media post on Wednesday.

"Delighted to attend the Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meeting (CSMM) in Glasgow. Had engaging discussions on shaping the future of sports across the Commonwealth," he wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

"During my intervention, I highlighted India's remarkable sporting transformation under the visionary leadership of PM Shri

@narendramodi ji. I spoke about our robust governance reforms, strengthened anti-doping framework, and flagship initiatives such as Khelo India, Fit India, and the ASMITA League, which are nurturing grassroots talent, empowering greater participation of women in sports, and fostering a vibrant sporting culture across the nation," he wrote.

"Concluded by reaffirming India's readiness and Ahmedabad's world-class preparations to host the historic, sustainable, and memorable 2030 Centenary Commonwealth Games," the minister informed.

Earlier in the day, Dr Mandaviya met with the First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney, at an official reception in Glasgow ahead of the start of the Commonwealth Games 2026, expressing optimism for both the upcoming Games in Scotland and India’s host role for the centennial edition in 2030.

During his visit to the Scottish city, Mandaviya praised the local host team for their warm hospitality as preparations finalise for the quadrennial multi-sport event.

"Attended the reception hosted by the First Minister of Scotland, Mr John Swinney. Grateful for the warm welcome by the team hosting the CWG 2026 in the beautiful city of Glasgow," Mandaviya shared in a post on X.

The 10 sports being showcased at Glasgow 2026 are set to feature top global talent, including multiple Olympic and Paralympic champions, as well as reigning Commonwealth gold medallists, competing across the 11-day quadrennial event.

The sports minister also met with the president of Commonwealth Sport, Donald Rukare, and discussed the 100th anniversary of the Games, which will be held in India in 2030.

"Also had the pleasure of meeting the president of Commonwealth Sport, Donald Rukare. There is a lot of excitement in the Commonwealth community for the centenary edition of the Commonwealth Games being hosted by India in 2030," he added.

India officially awarded hosting rights for the historic 2030 centenary edition during the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly held late last year, with the city of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, set to act as the primary host. It will mark the second time India hosts the sporting showpiece, following the 2010 edition in New Delhi.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Feb 13 (IANS) Maharashtra NCP(SP) President Shashikant Shinde has written a commemorative editorial in the party’s magazine, shedding light on the hidden dynamics of the split and the alleged merger plans between the two NCP factions.

Shinde claimed that late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was forced to exit the original NCP due to threats and conspiracies orchestrated by "invisible powers."

He further said that a final decision to merge the two parties was reached in the presence of Maratha strongman Sharad Pawar and was to be announced on February 12.

In a massive revelation, Shinde asserted that Sharad Pawar and other senior leaders had agreed to hand over the entire command of the unified party to Ajit Pawar following the merger.

“Fulfilling this merger and rebuilding the party with strength would be the only true tribute to Ajit Dada," Shinde wrote.

Shinde clarified, "It was our decision to hand over all party responsibilities to Ajit Dada once the merger process was complete. However, fate had other plans. We were all mentally prepared to accept Ajit Dada’s leadership.”

Shinde appealed to the party faithful, asserting that a merger is the only true tribute to the late leader. He noted, “Ajit Pawar’s dream remains unfulfilled, and it is now the party's responsibility to complete it. Unity: Reuniting and strengthening the NCP is the ultimate goal. Leaders and workers must set aside their differences and broaden their perspective to achieve this unity.”

Following the publication of the article, senior NCP(SP) leader and former Home Minister Anil Deshmukh remarked, "I am unaware of what our State President has said. Since he wrote the article, he likely has more information than I do. I personally have no knowledge of this matter."

While Sharad Pawar has avoided commenting publicly on the matter, Shinde’s article has brought these behind-the-scenes developments to light. However, Shinde’s revelations have sparked a new controversy and the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) has reacted with sharp skepticism.

Party spokesperson Suraj Chavan questioned the timing of these claims. Chavan alleged that discussing a merger while the leader’s mortal remains were still at Vidya Pratishthan suggests a "lust for power" rather than genuine respect. He clarified that Sunetra Pawar is now the ultimate authority of their party and any dialogue must happen through her.

Further, the party legislator Amol Mitkari stated that no such merger discussions have occurred within their internal party meetings, attributing the rumours to the rival camp's leaders.

While the Pawar family continues to demonstrate a unique balance of political rivalry and familial bond — recently seen at family weddings — the political future remains clouded.

All eyes are now on Sunetra Pawar. Whether she will pursue the "unfulfilled dream" of a unified NCP or maintain a separate identity, remains a question that will define the next chapter of Maharashtra politics.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Feb 13 (IANS) India’s share in global electronics demand has expanded at a rapid compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.2 per cent, significantly outpacing global growth of 4.4 per cent between 2015 and 2024, driven primarily by the sharp rise in mobile phone exports, according to NITI Aayog's Trade Watch Quarterly report for July-September 2025-26, launched on Friday.

Between 2016 and 2024, electronics exports increased nearly five-fold, reaching USD 42.1 billion. With global electronics trade valued at USD 4.6 trillion, the sector represents one of the largest and fastest-evolving segments of the world economy. India has demonstrated particular strength in products such as mobile phones, consumer electronics, and communication equipment, with exports increasingly directed towards major final-consumption markets including the United States, the United Kingdom, and the UAE, the report states.

Electronics, the thematic focus of this quarter's edition, has emerged as a cornerstone of India's manufacturing and export transformation. Now the second-largest item in India's export basket, the sector is both technology-led and deeply interconnected with industries such as automotive, renewable energy, telecom, defence, and digital services, making it a powerful multiplier for industrial growth.

The report states that having established a strong foothold in assembly and system integration, India is now entering the next phase of its electronics journey, moving decisively toward component manufacturing and higher value addition. This transition is supported by targeted policy measures, including the Union Budget's Rs 40,000 crore allocation under the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme, aimed at strengthening domestic capabilities.

The analysis underscores that sustained competitiveness will be driven by deeper integration into global electronics value chains, encompassing printed circuit board design, semiconductor assembly and testing, power electronics, and embedded systems. Complemented by continued improvements in logistics efficiency, tariff rationalisation, and industry-aligned skill development, these shifts position electronics as a key engine of India's export growth and technological advancement in the coming decade.

NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Suman Bery said, "Electronics, as the organising core of modern manufacturing value chains, with semiconductors and components, plays a key role in determining trade balances and technological sovereignty. While India has achieved scale in final assembly, sustained competitiveness will depend on correcting structural cost disabilities, deepening domestic component ecosystems, and leveraging anchor investments in components to embed Indian firms more firmly within global production networks."

The publication also provides a comprehensive assessment of global and domestic trade trends at a time when global trade growth has moderated but remains positive, with services continuing to outperform goods and developing regions emerging as key drivers.

The analysis highlights that India's trade performance in Q2 FY26 was driven by export-led momentum sustaining the overall trade expansion amid heightened global uncertainty. Services and merchandise exports recorded robust growth of around 8.5 per cent, outpacing import growth in both merchandise and services.

At a structural level, the edition underscores the deepening of trade among developing economies, which has expanded nearly four-fold since 2005 and now accounts for a rising share of global exports, with India’s trade trajectory increasingly aligned with this Global South rebalancing through regional value chains and new trade corridors.

Further, this edition highlights the growing role of e-commerce as a key enabler of future export growth. India is now among the world’s top six e-commerce markets, with electronics accounting for nearly half of online retail.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Feb 13 (IANS) In a farmer-centric step to stabilise domestic markets and ensure remunerative returns to producers, the Centre on Friday approved the export of 25 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of wheat, along with an additional 5 LMT of wheat products.

According to a Consumer Affairs Ministry statement, wheat stock availability with private entities during 2025–26 stands at approximately 75 LMT, which is nearly 32 LMT higher compared to the corresponding period last year.

"This substantial year-on-year increase indicates a comfortable supply position in the country. Furthermore, as on April 1, 2026, total wheat availability in the central pool with FCI is projected at around 182 LMT, thus ensuring that export permissions will not impact domestic food security requirements," it said.

Moreover, wheat acreage in Rabi 2026 has also increased to about 334.17 lakh hectares compared to 328.04 lakh hectares last year.

This reflects strong farmer confidence in wheat cultivation supported by assured MSP and procurement mechanisms, and signals the likelihood of another robust harvest, the official statement further added.

The decision to permit export of 25 LMT of wheat and 5 LMT wheat products will help stabilise domestic prices, improve market liquidity, ensure efficient stock rotation, and further strengthen farmers’ income while ensuring national food security.

Meanwhile, to facilitate sugar exports, the government decided to allow export of an additional 5 LMT of sugar to willing sugar mills during the current Sugar Season 2025–26.

Earlier, the government had permitted the export of 15 LMT of sugar during the current Sugar Season 2025–26. This decision is expected to facilitate higher sugar exports and help in managing surplus sugar availability in the country.

As per data, only about 1.97 LMT of sugar has been exported up to January 31, 2026.

In addition, approximately 2.72 LMT of sugar has been contracted for export by sugar mills to date.

The ministry said that the additional export quantity of 5 LMT shall be made available to willing sugar mills, subject to the condition that at least 70 per cent of their allocated quantity is exported by June 30, 2026.

--IANS

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Mumbai, July 22 (IANS) Actress and politician Rupali Ganguly has spoken up on the ongoing protests at the Jantar Mantar in the national capital.

The actress, who joined BJP in 2024, took to her X, formerly Twitter, and penned a long note, as she shared her opinion on the protests, and put forth the narrative of protests being hijacked.

She wrote, “Those who take the law into their own hands, vandalize public property, and attack the police cannot be called students. Such actions only weaken a legitimate cause. The demand for justice over paper leaks is valid. Students deserve a fair examination system, accountability, and strong safeguards to ensure that such incidents never happen again. In recent paper leak cases, governments and investigating agencies have launched probes, arrested suspects, and initiated legal action against those allegedly involved”.

She further mentioned, “At the same time, efforts have been announced to strengthen the examination process and prevent future leaks. Unfortunately, when violence replaces peaceful protest, genuine student concerns risk being overshadowed. If anti-national or politically motivated elements exploit student movements for their own agenda, it harms the very students seeking justice. India stands with its students. India stands with its people. The fight should be for transparency, accountability, and better reforms—not for violence or destruction. To every student and every citizen: protest peacefully, stay united, and do not let anyone hijack your movement or manipulate your emotions for political or ideological agendas. Your future is too important to become someone else's tool. Peaceful, democratic action is the strongest way to bring lasting change”.

The political atmosphere in the country is fast spiralling with protests now spreading to tier 1 cities from metros.

The situation is tense and volatile in the national capital with ripples being felt across cities like Mumbai and Kolkata. The protests intensified after Sonam Wangchuk was forcibly removed by Delhi Police from the protest site at Jantar Mantar in the early hours of July 18 after completing 21 days of an indefinite hunger strike. Authorities shifted him to a hospital, citing his deteriorating health, medical advice and compliance with a Delhi High Court order.

Sonam Wangchuk has been on a hunger strike demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in competitive exams. The raging issue of paper leaks across academia reached a fever pitch with the NEET paper leak. On July 20, protestors were lathi-charged at Jantar Mantar leading to violent clashes between the former and the law enforcement. Sonam Wangchuk has entered day 24 of his hunger strike in light of exam paper leaks, and irregularities in the education system, and has vowed to continue the strike after protestors were subjected to brutal crackdown by Delhi police.

--IANS

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Los Angeles, July 22 (IANS) Hollywood actor Matt Damon, who is receiving a lot of positive response to his recently released epic ‘The Odyssey’, has revealed that he had a female stunt double on the sets of the film.

The 55-year-old actor stars alongside the likes of Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong'o, Samantha Morton, Zendaya, and Charlize Theron in ‘The Odyssey’ helmed by Christopher Nolan.

The actor appeared on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, and revealed that he used a female stunt double on film.

The actor shared, "When we did the forced perspective stuff of the Laestrygonians, there were these stunt men who were all seven feet. My double was a woman, a female stunt performer, who had the greatest arms I’ve ever seen”.

The actor recalled meeting his stunt double on set and expressed his gratitude toward her "for all the work she put in".

The actor said that his stunt double was used in the scene "where you see these giants looming over me".

He further mentioned, “It was almost 100 percent my arms in the movie. You gotta give it up where it’s due”.

Matt previously described playing Odysseus in The Odyssey as the most rewarding experience of his acting career.

‘The Odyssey’ is based on Homer's ancient Greek epic of the same name. The film marks Nolan's first venture into large-scale mythological storytelling, and follows the legendary journey of Odysseus as he struggles to return home after the Trojan War.

The film has been shot using cutting-edge IMAX technology across multiple international locations, the film is among the most anticipated cinematic releases, with a scheduled theatrical release in July 2026.

--IANS

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Los Angeles, July 22 (IANS) Hollywood actress Jennifer Lawrence once spoke about her brush with the law, as she was detained for 5 hours, and was put in a tiny jail.

An old clip from ‘The Graham Norton Show’ has resurfaced on the Internet, and it shows the actress recollecting the incident when her passport was about to expire in 6 months, and she had no work visa. So, she had to lie about being in the UK for pleasure and not business.

She said, “I was auditioning for the first X-Men. My passport was expiring under six months, which apparently you're not supposed to travel, blah, blah, blah. So they were like, whatever you do, don't tell them that you're here for work, because I'll ask for a work visa. Say you're here for pleasure. And I'm like, oh, my good God. I have to lie to a customs officer. And so I'm working myself up so much through the line. I'm like, OK, I just have to have a backstory”>

“I got a backstory and I have to believe it. And and so it gets there and he was like, ‘Business or pleasure?’ And I was like, ‘Pleasure’. He said, ‘What are you doing for pleasure?’. I said, ‘My brother's getting married’. And he was like, ‘Where is he getting married?’. I said, ‘Wimbledon’. He said, ‘Is he American?’. I said, ‘Yes’. He then further probed, ‘Do you have an invitation?’. I said, ‘No’. And then he asked, ‘Are you telling the truth?’. I said, ‘No, no, I don't have a work visa and my passport expires and I'm not even supposed to be here’. And I ended up getting a tiny little jail for like five dollars. And when I told my employer, I felt tiny”, she added.

--IANS

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Hyderabad, July 22 (IANS) The makers of director Manchala Nagaraj's intense rural action drama 'Maremma', featuring actor Maadhav -- the nephew of Telugu star Ravi Teja -- in the lead, have now announced that the film will hit screens worldwide on September 10 this year.

Taking to its social media timelines, production house Moksha Arts wrote, "The fearless tale of blood, belief & sacrifice is ready to take you on an emotional ride. #MAREMMA GRAND RELEASE WORLDWIDE ON SEPTEMBER 10th, 2026.

#MaremmaOnSept10th."

The makers also unveiled a poster that showed Maadhav in a fierce and battle-worn avatar, hinting at the raw intensity and emotional depth of the film. Against a dramatic backdrop, the poster also features a symbolic face-off between the protagonist and a sacred cow, offering a glimpse at the folklore-inspired narrative that lies at the heart of the story.

Maremma marks the directorial debut of Manchala Nagaraj and is also the maiden production venture of Moksha Arts, with Mayur Reddy Bandaru producing the film on an ambitious scale. From its first-look poster and teaser to the songs to the recently released promotional content, the film has steadily generated curiosity among audiences with its rooted storytelling and rustic appeal.

Set in a rural backdrop, sources say 'Maremma' will seek to deliver an emotionally charged action drama infused with local traditions. The film will showcase powerful human relationships, they add. The film is expected to showcase Maadhav in a performance-driven role that blends intense action with heartfelt emotions.

The film stars Deepa Balu as the female lead. On the technical front, the film has music by Prashanth R. Vihari and visuals by cinematographer Prasanth Ankireddy.

Dev Rathod has served as the editor of the film, which has Rajkumar Murugesan as its art director. While the stunts in the film have been choreographed by Madigonda Natraj, its dances have been choreographed by Saggy Sagar. Mittapalli Surender and Kamal Eslavath have penned the lyrics for the songs in the film.

--IANS

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