India

Ludhiana, Punjab: The Ludhiana Rural Police have registered another successful operation in their intensified campaign against narcotics, apprehending an alleged drug peddler and seizing a consignment of heroin. The operation, which was based on specific intelligence, led to the arrest of the accused and the seizure of both contraband and a vehicle used for transportation. The Arrest and Seizure Details The arrest was made following a targeted operation near the village of Tihara, falling under the jurisdiction of the Sidhwan Bet police station. | Detail | Information | |—|—| | Contraband Seized | 50 grams of heroin | | Accused Identified | Karamjit Singh (resident of Ward No. 6, Ferozepur) | | Seizure Location | Near Tihara bus stand, specifically at T-Point Patti Multani | | Vehicle Seized | One motorcycle | | Case Filed Under | Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act | Police officials confirmed they laid a trap after receiving a tip-off that the accused was moving a shipment of heroin from the Dharmkot Kishanpura area. The suspect, Karamjit Singh, was intercepted while driving his motorcycle. Motive Reveals a Disturbing Trend Preliminary interrogation of the accused has shed light on his transition to the illicit drug trade, highlighting a worrying social trend. 🗣️ Police Statement (ASI Sukhmander Singh): The accused, Karamjit Singh, disclosed that he had previously worked as a school van driver but resorted to drug peddling due to “low income.”   The revelation underscores the socio-economic factors often exploited by drug networks to lure vulnerable individuals into their operations. The police are continuing their investigation to trace the source of the heroin consignment and identify the full extent of the supply chain. Anti-Drug Drive Intensifies This latest arrest is part of a sustained crackdown by the Ludhiana police force across the district, targeting both major interstate drug networks and local peddlers. Police officials have pledged to maintain high levels of surveillance to completely dismantle the drug supply lines and rehabilitate those affected by the crisis. The accused remains in custody as authorities work to complete the legal process and gather further intelligence to expose the larger drug syndicate. Would you like an update on other major police crackdowns in Punjab, or are you interested in learning more about the provisions of the NDPS Act under which the ac cused has been booked?

Ropar, Punjab: The National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets of the 3 Punjab (Girls) Battalion, Ludhiana, have brought immense pride to their group after delivering a stellar cultural performance at the recently concluded Inter-Group Competition–I (IGC-I), held at the NCC Academy in Ropar. This competition is a crucial preliminary stage for the selection of the prestigious Republic Day Camp (RDC) 2025-26 contingent. A Showcase of Talent, Discipline, and Diversity A contingent of 35 motivated cadets represented the Ludhiana Group, participating across various cultural categories including group song, ballet, and group dance. Their performances were noted for their exceptional quality, a testament to months of rigorous practice and dedicated coordination. * Group Song & Ballet: Both presentations were widely appreciated by the selection committee and officials for their creativity, synchronized movements, and profound themes, successfully conveying powerful messages. * The Highlight: Group Dance: The group dance segment was cited as the standout performance. The cadets leveraged vibrant energy and meticulous choreography to beautifully depict the rich cultural heritage and diversity of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Chandigarh. This act of cultural amalgamation showcased the “Unity in Diversity” spirit of the NCC. Colonel Lauds “Immense Talent and Teamwork” The Commanding Officer of the 3 Punjab (Girls) Battalion, Colonel R S Chauhan, expressed deep satisfaction and appreciation for the cadets’ efforts.  “The cadets delivered remarkable performances, showcasing immense talent, discipline, and teamwork,” said Colonel Chauhan. “Their hard work and enthusiasm have been widely acclaimed and truly reflect the core spirit of the National Cadet Corps. Their commitment is expected to yield excellent results in the competition.” The successful coordination of the group’s participation and the subsequent widespread praise underscores the commitment of the Ludhiana NCC Group to promoting not only military discipline but also cultural excellence and leadership among young women. The focus now shifts to the eventual RDC selection list, with high hopes that the Ludhiana girls’ compelling cultural display will secure them a prominent place in the final contingent that marches at the Republic Day Parade in New Delhi. Would you like to explore other stories related to youth achievements and discipline, such as the NCC’s role in social service or their other major national competitions?

New Delhi, November 7, 2025 The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has confirmed that the technical glitch that crippled Air Traffic Control (ATC) operations at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) has been resolved. After hours of widespread disruption that delayed an estimated 800 flights and stranded thousands of passengers, the core air traffic systems are now reported to be fully functional. The malfunction, which began causing issues as early as late Thursday and escalated severely throughout Friday morning, brought India’s busiest aviation hub to a near standstill.   The Breakdown: AMSS Failure Forces Manual Operations   The root of the chaos was traced to a failure in the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS). This critical system acts as the central communication network, automatically distributing flight plan data to the Air Traffic Controllers’ Auto Track Systems. When the AMSS went down, air traffic controllers were forced to abandon automation and revert to manual processing of all flight plans. This essential but slow procedure drastically reduced the number of flights that could be safely managed per hour, creating a massive bottleneck on the ground and in the airspace. “Controllers were preparing flight plans manually, which is taking significant time,” a senior airport source explained, as average departure delays climbed to over 50 minutes. The cascading effect was felt across the country, with delays and congestion reported at other major hubs, including Mumbai, Lucknow, and Jaipur.   AAI Confirms Stability, Focus Turns to Clearing Backlog   Following an urgent review and round-the-clock efforts by technical teams, including specialists from the Original Equipment Manufacturer, the AAI announced the successful restoration of the system late Friday evening. “The glitch has been fixed now, and the AMSS systems are up and functional,” the Airports Authority of India confirmed in a statement. “The AMSS has now been restored to normal functionality.” During the period of disruption, over 800 domestic and international flights were impacted, with reports of at least 20 cancellations as airlines struggled to manage the operational slowdown and crew duty time limits. While the technical crisis is over, airport authorities have cautioned that minor delays may persist temporarily as the system works to clear the substantial backlog of flights. Passengers are advised to maintain communication with their respective airlines for real-time updates on their flight status as operations slowly return to full normalcy. The incident underscores the heavy reliance of modern aviation on automated technology and the far-reaching consequences when a single critical system fails.

New Delhi | November 7, 2025 Today, November 7, 2025, marks a monumental milestone in India’s cultural and political history: the 150th anniversary of the composition of Vande Mataram, India’s cherished National Song. Across the nation, the anniversary is being celebrated with a year-long commemoration, launched today by the Prime Minister. The ceremonies, which included the release of a commemorative stamp and coin, highlighted the song’s enduring power as “a mantra, an energy, a dream, and a resolve.” The collective rendition of the anthem today reaffirms its timeless role as the heartbeat of Indian patriotism. But to truly appreciate the song’s legacy, one must journey back to its revolutionary origins.   The Genesis: A Hymn of the Motherland (1875)   Vande Mataram—meaning “Mother, I bow to thee”—was composed by the literary giant and poet-novelist Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1875. Written in Sanskrit, the hymn was revolutionary in its vision: it personified the Motherland (Maa Bharati) not just as a geographical entity, but as a divine goddess, a figure of strength, prosperity, and devotion. It was first published in Chatterjee’s Bengali literary journal Bangadarshan and later gained immortality when he incorporated it into his 1882 novel, Anandamath. Set against the backdrop of the Sannyasi Rebellion, the song became the sacred oath of the ascetics fighting for the nation, cementing the powerful concept of the “religion of patriotism.”   From Song to Slogan: The Battle Cry of Independence   While Bankim Chandra Chatterjee planted the seed, it was the nationalist movement that turned it into a forest fire. In 1896, Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore first sang Vande Mataram in a political session—the annual convention of the Indian National Congress in Calcutta. This public performance immediately elevated the hymn’s status. Its moment of true political transformation came in 1905 during the fiery Swadeshi and Anti-Partition movements in Bengal. As thousands gathered in Calcutta to protest Lord Curzon’s controversial partition plan, the two simple words—Vande Mataram!—became the unifying political slogan, instantly recognizable across linguistic and regional boundaries. The British colonial administration, recognizing its unparalleled ability to rally the masses, resorted to banning its public recital and arresting those who chanted it. However, the ban only intensified its significance, turning the song into an anthem of defiance. It was the rallying cry of revolutionaries, whispered by patriots on their way to the gallows, and even inscribed on the first version of the Indian flag unfurled by Madam Bhikaji Cama in Stuttgart, Germany, in 1907.   A Legacy of Equal Honour   The song’s profound contribution to the freedom struggle was formally acknowledged decades later. On January 24, 1950, the Constituent Assembly of India, while adopting Jana Gana Mana as the National Anthem, gave Vande Mataram an equally revered status. Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the then-President of the Assembly, declared that the song “shall be honoured equally” with the National Anthem. As India enters the 150th year of this majestic composition, we are reminded that Vande Mataram is more than just a song. It is the poetic articulation of India’s collective consciousness, a sacred link to the sacrifices of the past, and a powerful, enduring reminder of our national unity.

New Delhi,  – In a rare and emotional moment of judicial empathy, the Supreme Court of India today reassured the 91-year-old father of the pilot-in-command of the ill-fated Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, that his son was not to blame for the tragic crash in Ahmedabad. Hearing a petition that demanded a fair and judicially monitored inquiry into the accident, the court addressed the grief-stricken father directly, telling him: “Don’t carry this burden on yourself. The pilot is not to be blamed for the plane crash. It was an accident.”   A Court’s Reassurance and Condemnation of Media Reports   The crash of Air India Flight AI-171 in June, which claimed over 260 lives, has been under intense scrutiny. Amid swirling speculation and preliminary reports, senior counsel for the petitioner, Pushkar Raj Sabharwal, raised concerns over foreign media articles, specifically citing a report in the Wall Street Journal that allegedly hinted at pilot error. The bench, comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi, firmly rejected this narrative. Justice Surya Kant stated, “No one in India believes it was the pilot’s fault.” Responding to the foreign media report, Justice Kant remarked, “It was nasty reporting only to blame India.” The court further clarified that the preliminary report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) contained “no insinuation” against Captain Sabharwal. The report only mentioned the cockpit voice recorder dialogue where one pilot was heard asking the other if they had moved a fuel cut-off switch, with the other pilot denying it.   The Call for a Judicially Monitored Probe   The core of the petition filed by Captain Sabharwal’s father and the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) is the demand for a “fair, transparent, and technically robust” investigation, overseen by a retired Supreme Court judge. The petitioners argued that: The ongoing probe by the AAIB is not independent and has been compromised. The sole objective of an aircraft accident investigation, per international norms (ICAO Annex 13), should be prevention of future accidents, not the premature apportionment of blame. Acknowledging the gravity of the matter and the constitutional right to life (Article 21) which includes aviation safety, the Supreme Court issued a formal notice to the Centre, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and the AAIB, seeking their detailed responses. The court made it clear that if necessary, it would issue a clarification stating on record that the pilot cannot be blamed for the tragedy. The case is scheduled for further hearing next week, alongside other pending petitions related to the crash. Key Takeaways from the SC Hearing: Aspect Court’s Observation/Action Pilot’s Role “The pilot is not to be blamed for the plane crash… Nobody can blame him for anything.” Relief to Family Advised the 91-year-old father, “Don’t carry this burden on yourself.” Investigation Status Issued Notice to the Centre, DGCA, and AAIB on the plea for a judicially monitored, independent probe. Media Criticism Dismissed a foreign media report suggesting pilot error as “nasty reporting only to blame India.”