Satguru Mata Sudiksha Ji Maharaj, the spiritual head of the Sant Nirankari Mission, said that living one’s life in accordance with the will of Nirankar is the true essence of devotion.

She was addressing a special congregation held on the auspicious occasion of the New Year at Ground Number 8, Nirankari Chowk, Burari Road, Delhi. Devotees from Delhi, the NCR, and various other states participated in the congregation.

On the first day of the New Year, devotees experienced profound spiritual peace and divine energy through the sacred presence, divine glimpse, and inspiring words of Satguru Mata Ji and Nirankari Rajpita Ji.

In her address, Satguru Mata Ji said, “The first day of the New Year offers us a precious opportunity to listen to the words of saints and to imbibe them in our lives. While the world begins the year with celebration and merriment, saints choose the path of truth and satsang. A life that begins with satsang strengthens the awareness of Nirankar with every passing moment.”

At least five people got injured during the Jallikattu event organised as part of the Sankranti celebrations in Kotha Shanambatla village of Chandragiri Mandal in Tirupati district on Friday, police said.

Sankranti celebrations began in Kotha Shanambatla village in Chandragiri Mandal, Tirupati district.

Further details are awaited.

For the Jallikattu event, approximately 200 bulls were brought to the arena from Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. Young participants, with great enthusiasm, bravely prepared to stop the charging bulls as they rushed forward fiercely.

Jallikattu, also known as sallikkattu, is a traditional sport of Tamil Nadu that is celebrated on the third day of Pongal – Mattu Pongal Day.
The name is coined from two words, Jalli (silver and gold coins) and Kattu (tied). A bull is let loose among a crowd of people, and whoever tames it will get the coins tied to its horn.

The people who participate in the sport try to hold on to the animal’s hump to stop it. Sometimes, they run along with the bull. Pulikulam or Kangayam is the breed of bulls used for the sport. The bulls which win in the festival are in high demand in the market, and fetch the highest price.

Cabinet Secretary T V Somanathan on Friday said PRAGATI — the ICT-enabled multi-modal platform for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation system — has accelerated the implementation of projects and major welfare programmes and it has so far handled over 3300 projects worth over Rs 85 lakh crore.

Addressing a press conference on PRAGATI @ 50: Institutionalising Proactive and Tech-Enabled Governance here, Somanathan said the PRAGATI has handled 61 government schemes such as One Nation-One Ration Card, PM Jan Aarogya Yojna, PM AWAS Yojna, PM SWANIDHI Yojna, Swachh Bharat Mission among others. “We have taken up 7,735 issues across various projects covered by the system, of which 7,156 have been resolved so far,” he added.

The Cabinet Secretary further said under PRAGATI, grievances across 36 sectors were resolved such as issues related to Corona, RERA, Banking and Insurance, Matru Vandana and Jan Dhan Yojana. The objective of PRAGATI is to improve Centre-Centre and Centre-state coordination to fast-track critical infrastructure projects facing issues and bottlenecks, improve outcomes in flagship schemes showing sub-optimal performance or requiring structural reforms and assess and resolve citizen grievances across sectors, he averred.

PRAGATI has emerged as a key governance platform for accelerating infrastructure development and resolving long-pending administrative bottlenecks through direct monitoring by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Under PRAGATI projects reviewed by the PM, a total of 382 projects covering 637 packages or sections were taken up across 50 PRAGATI review meetings. “If we look at the subset of projects personally reviewed by PM Modi at the apex of the system, 382 of the most complex or difficult projects were reviewed by him in 50 meetings. This involved 637 contractual packages or sections. A total of 3,187 issues were raised by the agencies, of which 2,958 have been resolved so far,” he said.

On average, one issue was resolved every working day, highlighting the effectiveness of the mechanism, as per the data shared by the Cabinet Secretary at the press conference.

PRAGATI has also contributed to a sharp increase in public capital expenditure through improved coordination and faster decision-making. Capital outlay rose from Rs 4.26 lakh crore in 2014-15 to Rs 15.53 lakh crore in 2025-26 (Budget Estimate), representing a 3.6-fold increase, he said.

The year-wise trend shows a steady rise in both issues raised and issues resolved. In 2015, 256 issues were raised and 125 resolved, which increased to 3187 issues raised and 2958 resolved by 2025. The majority of resolved issues related to land acquisition (42 per cent), followed by forest, wildlife and environmental clearances, right of way, construction approvals, power and utility matters, law and order, financial issues and other administrative concerns.

The Cabinet Secretary briefed the media on the outcomes of the PRAGATI mechanism (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Cabinet Secretary highlighted the structured Project and Issue Escalation Mechanism under the PRAGATI led ecosystem, which enables systematic monitoring and resolution of issues across multiple levels and state governments.

Youth Congress Kozhikode District Vice-President S Sunand filed the complaint with the Director General of Police (DGP) on Friday against SNDP Yogam General Secretary Vellappally Natesan for publicly calling a journalist “terrorist”.

In the complaint, he said that Vellappally is trying to create a communal divide by identifying a religion with terrorism and portraying religious minorities as extremists based on their names. The complaint also demands action against Vellappally for creating division and communal strife in the society. The complaint was filed via email

The complaint relates to the remarks made by Vellappally against Reporter TV journalist Rahees Rasheed, who he described as a “terrorist” on Friday, citing his hometown, Erattupetta, and his past association with the Muslim Students Federation (MSF), the student wing of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).

The incident followed a media interaction held on Thursday during which Rahees questioned Vellappally about the SNDP’s inability to set up a school in Malappuram, an issue Vellappally himself had previously raised. REplying to the question, Vellappally said that the organisation had not received permission from the government. Rahees then followed up by asking why the permission had not been granted despite the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government, led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, having been in power for nearly a decade.

To this, a visibly angered Vellappally pushed the microphone away and abruptly ended the exchange.

The Bihar government has further extended the joining deadline for AYUSH doctors who received appointment letters from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on 15 December, 2025. The move is being seen as an attempt by the government to persuade Dr Nusrat Parveen to join her post.

According to the appointment letters, the doctors were required to join by 20 December, 2025. The deadline was first extended to 31 December, 2025. As Dr Nusrat Parveen did not report to the Civil Surgeon’s office in Patna by that date, the government has now extended the joining deadline further till 7 January, giving her yet another opportunity to take up the job.

It is believed that the Bihar government is using back-channel efforts to convince the AYUSH doctor to accept the appointment, a move that could help minimise the damage caused by the hijab controversy to Nitish Kumar’s image as a leader committed to women’s empowerment.

A political row had erupted after Nitish Kumar attempted to pull down the hijab from Dr Nusrat Parveen’s face during the distribution of appointment letters. Following the incident, Nusrat neither joined the service nor made any public statement.

Government Tibbi College, Patna, Principal Prof (Dr) Mohammad Mahfuzur Rahman had earlier told the media that Dr Nusrat was not upset with the Chief Minister and had conveyed that the issue was being unnecessarily dragged out.

However, her brother had earlier informed the media that she had firmly decided not to take up the job, although he and other family members were trying to persuade her otherwise.

Dr Nusrat’s decision not to join the service is being seen as her way of registering protest against sexual harassment of women at the workplace.

Former Deoria Superintendent of Police Amitabh Thakur has been on an indefinite hunger strike since Thursday evening from jail. He disclosed this to mediapersons after a hearing on his bail application at the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court on Friday.

Thakur said he is demanding the CCTV footage related to his arrest in Shahjahanpur and the period he was kept at Deoria Sadar Kotwali. Alleging that evidence is being destroyed to protect police personnel, he said his hunger strike would continue until the footage is provided. He, however, added that he has full faith in the judiciary.

A resident of Viram Khand in Gomti Nagar, Lucknow, Thakur served as SP in Deoria in 1999. During his tenure, a plot was purchased in an industrial area in the name of his wife, Nutan. It is alleged that during the transaction, Nutan Thakur’s name was recorded as Nutan Devi and Amitabh Thakur’s name as Abhijat.

In September 2025, a case was registered in this connection at the Talkatora police station in Lucknow, following which a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted. Subsequently, another case was registered at the Deoria Sadar Kotwali. Thakur was arrested on December 10 and produced before the CJM court, which sent him to judicial custody.

His bail application, filed by advocates Praveen Dubey and Abhishek Sharma, was taken up for hearing on Friday. Amid tight security, Thakur was produced before the CJM court in the afternoon. His bail pleas will be now heard on Saturday. While being taken back to jail, he reiterated that he has been on an indefinite hunger strike since Thursday, protesting the non-availability of the CCTV footage related to his arrest and custody.

Mukesh Singh, on his repatriation from central deputation, was on Friday appointed Ladakh’s Director General of Police (DGP).

The present DGP, SD Singh Jamwal, has been transferred as DGP Arunachal Pradesh, replacing Anand Mohan who goes as DGP Delhi.

Mukesh Singh was IGP Jammu Range before proceeding on central deputation.

Poverty eradication in Uttar Pradesh has moved beyond policy intent to measurable action.

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the state’s Zero Poverty Mission has emerged as a results-driven governance model, combining administrative resolve, technology-enabled delivery, and rigorous ground-level verification. The mission is anchored in a clear objective: ensuring that every eligible family is brought within the ambit of government welfare schemes.

The comprehensive exercise conducted in two phases demonstrates that the UP government is focusing not on numerical targets alone, but on eligibility, transparency, and measurable outcomes.

Residents of Gosaiganj in Lucknow — Ramsagar, Urmila, and Ramu — stand as living examples of this initiative. Under the mission, they have been provided with housing, drinking water, roads, electricity, ration and other essential facilities.

Under the Zero Poverty Mission, deprived families are being provided with basic amenities, including housing, water supply, roads, electricity, and food security. Similarly, across the state, marginalised households are being identified and connected to various government schemes.

Beneficiaries consistently express appreciation for the initiative, stating that the Zero Poverty Mission goes beyond financial assistance. It represents a comprehensive approach encompassing food security, healthcare, housing, education, water, energy, and livelihood opportunities. This campaign marks a decisive step towards positioning Uttar Pradesh as a national model of inclusive development and social security.

Officials here on Friday disclosed that in the first phase of the Zero Poverty Mission, the state set a target of achieving 100 percent Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) coverage for eligible families under eight major welfare schemes. District-level reports indicate that benefits under the ration scheme have reached 97 percent of eligible households, a significant achievement in ensuring food security.

Coverage under the Destitute Women Pension Scheme has reached 87 percent, while 62 percent of eligible beneficiaries have been covered under the Disability Pension Scheme. Additionally, 63 percent of eligible families have been provided health security under the PM/CM Jan Arogya Scheme.

Verification of eligibility criteria, identification of duplicate entries, and data cleansing are being carried out at a rapid pace for the Old Age Pension Scheme, BOCW Labour Card, PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, and PM/CM Housing Schemes. The government has made it clear that every deserving beneficiary must be included under welfare schemes under all circumstances.

The second phase, launched on October 15, 2025, focuses on door-to-door verification across 16 welfare schemes and is scheduled for completion by January 15, 2026. This phase emphasises inclusion under essential services such as PM Ujjwala Yojana, sanitation assistance, Jal Jeevan Mission and electricity connections.

Based on findings from the survey, large numbers of women are being prepared to be linked with Self-Help Groups under the Livelihood Mission. In the education sector, the process to bring nearly 11,000 children back into the formal education system through re-enrolment has already begun.

The state government has established the Chief Minister Helpline 1076 as a strong tool for reviewing welfare schemes. Analysis of grievances and suggestions received through the helpline is being used to ensure that policies align with ground realities and that no eligible family is left behind.

Former BJP Kerala president K Surendran on Friday demanded investigation into the Sabarimala gold loot by a Central agency as the ongoing probe by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) will not uncover the full truth and to nab the real culprits.

Addressing a press conference here on Friday, Surendran said that the case has links to international smuggling syndicates and involves top leaders from both the ruling CPM and the Opposition Congress. Only an impartial investigation by a Central agency, such as the Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI), can bring the real culprits to justice.

He alleged that the SIT investigation is not being conducted properly and that it (SIT) is trying to save the leaders involved in the loot.

Surendran criticised the changes in the SIT following the questioning of former Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran, alleging that the team was restructured to protect politically influential individuals.

“After former Devaswam Minister Kadakamlly Surendran’s interrogation by the SIT, there was a major change in the investigation team. Two CPM-affiliated officials were included in the investigation team. Realising that the probe will reach to the bigwigs in the ruling front, the Home Department is trying to sabotage the investigation,” he said.

The BJP leader criticized the SIT for the probe not reaching the former Travancore Devaswom Board(TDB) member KP. Shankardas. He said KP. Shankardas was in the affairs of the Sabarimala when the gold loot had taken place. “Shankardas has high-level connections. That is why the probe is not reaching him,” he said.

Surendran noted that the theft of invaluable gold-clad panels and artefacts from the Sabarimala temple is not a local crime but involves an international syndicate. The Congress leadership, including Sonia Gandhi, has serious questions to answer in the case.
Pointing to a photograph of the prime accused, Unnikrishnan Potty, surfacing with Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, he asked how individuals linked to the case gained access to the high command. He alleged that relatives of the Gandhi family in Italy might be involved in marketing antiques.

He recalled that the Kerala High Court had, at the very beginning, expressed suspicion over the possible involvement of notorious idol-smuggling syndicates. The subsequent disclosures by Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, he said, lent credibility to the concerns that the stolen gold and artefacts may have entered the international antiquities market.
He alleged that the Congress leaders, including Chennithala are gradually retreating from their initial positions on idol-smuggling syndicates once the issue gained public traction.

Surendran said the Congress’s game of hide and seek can now be noticed. No Congress leader is explaining that Unnikrishanan Potty met Sonia Gandhi. Stating that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s remarks on Thursday that the main accused in the case, Unnikrishnan Potty, at first entered the house of Sonia Gandhi for political maneuvering, he said both the LDF and CPM are involved in the case.

The Uttarakhand police is on the lookout for a woman and TV actress who named BJP national general secretary and the party’s Uttarakhand in-charge, Dushyant, in the 2023 Ankita Bhandari murder case. The woman, who claims to be the wife of former BJP legislator Suresh Rathore, failed to appear before the police to record her statement during the course of the investigation.

Haridwar-based actress Urmila Sanawar is being sought by the Uttarakhand police after failing to appear despite notices issued to her in connection with FIRs registered against her at various police stations.

Haridwar SSP Parmendra Singh Dobhal said that teams are being sent to different locations within the state and outside to trace Urmila Sanawar. According to the SSP, two separate teams of Haridwar Police reached Saharanpur on Thursday and pasted notices at her residence, asking her to appear and record her statements. Police stated that if she fails to appear at the three police stations where FIRs were filed within the stipulated time, proceedings for her arrest her will be initiated.

Dobhal added that notices were issued to Urmila as part of probes at Jwalapur Kotwali and Jhabrera police stations. Earlier, a similar notice had been sent in another case registered at Bahadrabad police station, but she did not join the investigation.

On the condition of anonymity, police officials said that Urmila’s repeated failure to appear, despite three notices, has now become a serious matter, resulting in the involvement of multiple law enforcement agencies. Officials said this is due to the gravity of the matter.

Meanwhile, the Uttarakhand Special Task Force (STF) has also been directed by the Home Department to search for Urmila. STF SSP Navneet Bhullar has been directed to expedite the search at the earliest.

Notably, the political landscape of Uttarakhand was thrown into turmoil following the release of an audio clip involving expelled former BJP MLA Suresh Rathore and actress Urmila Sanawar, who claims to be his wife. The controversy deepened after the name of the BJP state in-charge, Dushyant Gautam, surfaced in connection with the September 2023 Ankita Bhandari murder case in the audio clip featuring Urmila and Rathore.

Dushyant has dismissed the mention of his name in the recording as malicious, calling it an attempt to tarnish his political and social image. Ankita Bhandari, a 19-year old receptionist, was allegedly murdered at a Rishikesh resort by its owner and two others after she refused their demand to provide ‘extra service’ to a VIP guest the night before she went missing.

Police began their probe after Dharmendra Kumar, president of the Shiromani Guru Ravidas Vishwa Mahapeeth, lodged an FIR against Urmila Sanawar and Suresh Rathore at the Bahadrabad police station. A notice was also issued to Rathore. Police said that Urmila Sanawar would face arrest within the next two days if she continues to evade notices.

The Patiala police have sent notices to senior officials of a UK-based firm Sentric Music and Mumbai-based Believe Digital to appear before it on January 5, 2026 in an alleged case of music royalty fraud related to the “Ishqam” song.

The two main accused in the case are Bangladeshi nationals Sheikh Saami Mohammad and Sheikh Shafi Mohammad.

This is part of an ongoing probe into the alleged transnational cheating involving misappropriation of royalties of the song ‘Ishqam’ featuring Mika Singh and Ali Quli Mirza, which was released by Navrattan Music, and Patiala police recently sent fresh notices towards December end to these additional accused who were nominated by the police.

They include Chris Meehan and Loren Mc Shane from Sentric, and Vivek Raina, CEO Believe, Mumbai and two more officials of the firm, Malkeet Aulakh and Sunil.

It was following a complaint by Navrattan Music’s owner Himansh Verma, an FIR was filed at the Civil Lines Police Station, Patiala, earlier this year, where it had alleged that Bangladesh-based Sheikh Saami and Sheikh Safi were allegedly involved in foregery, copyright infringement, and criminal misappropriation of royalties related to the song.

Police, in their notices, have stated, “reasonable grounds to question the persons concerned” have surfaced during probe to ascertain the facts.

Legal experts say the case underlined the growing complexity of copyright infringements in the globalised music industry.

Veteran BJP leader and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Uma Bharti may no longer be active in electoral politics, but her words continue to carry weight in the state—especially at a time when the majority of top BJP leaders have chosen silence over the deaths linked to contaminated drinking water in Indore.

Launching a sharp attack on the BJP’s Madhya Pradesh government, Bharti described the deadly incident as a “shame” for the state and said it was a crucial test of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav’s leadership. In a series of social media posts, the former Union minister for water resources said the deaths caused by polluted water had “disgraced our state, our government and our entire system.”

“There is no explanation for such sins—only atonement or punishment!” she wrote, demanding a public apology to the affected families and “maximum punishment” for all those responsible, “from bottom to top.”

Referring to Indore’s repeated ranking as the country’s cleanest city, Bharti said it was deeply alarming that “such ugliness, filth and poisoned water” had claimed lives and continued to affect residents. She said the deaths due to contaminated drinking water at the end of 2025 had shamed and tarnished the state, its government and the system as a whole.

“In a city that has received the award for being the cleanest, there is so much ugliness, filth and poisoned water that has swallowed—and continues to swallow—lives. The death toll is rising. The price of a life is not two lakh rupees, because families remain immersed in grief for the rest of their lives,” Bharti wrote. “There must be severe atonement for this sin. All the culprits, from top to bottom, must be given maximum punishment. This is the hour of the test for Mohan Yadav ji.”

Coming amid sustained opposition attacks and widespread public criticism over the shocking incident, Bharti’s public rebuke is significant and embarrassing for the ruling BJP. This rare criticism from a party veteran has intensified scrutiny not only on the Mohan Yadav government but also on senior BJP minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, who is facing backlash for crass remarks related to the Indore water crisis.

There have also been demands for his resignation.

As on date, Vijayvargiya has effectively been left to fend for himself by the party leadership, say sources.

Known for courting controversies in the past, the senior BJP leader from Indore triggered a political storm after using an objectionable word on camera when questioned by a television journalist about the water contamination crisis in his constituency.

Though later he expressed regret, saying his “words came out wrong in response to a media question,” party leaders agree that the damage done to the party’s image by his words will take time to repair.

Vijayvargiya has reportedly been asked to mend and resolve the Indore crisis swiftly.

The former Indore Mayor and multiple-time legislator, he currently holds key portfolios in the Madhya Pradesh government and is also known for his proximity to Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

The Congress on Friday launched a nationwide “Save ECHS” campaign, alleging that the Modi government is deliberately weakening the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) by starving it of funds and administrative support. The party claims that the scheme, which provides medical facilities to ex-servicemen, is facing a crisis due to a shortage of funds, inadequate infrastructure, and staff constraints.

Addressing a press conference, Chairman of the Congress party’s Ex-servicemen Department Colonel (Retired) Rohit Chaudhry, said: “The Modi government has failed to provide adequate funds to ECHS, resulting in pending medical bills of over 20 lakh ex-servicemen, with outstanding dues exceeding Rs 9,000 crore.”

The Congress alleges that the scheme required Rs 13,500 crore in 2023-24 but received only Rs 9,831 crore, despite an existing backlog of Rs 3,500 crore. The backlog has risen to Rs 5,400 crore in 2024-25 and is expected to touch Rs 6,000 crore in the current financial year, forcing several empanelled hospitals to refuse treatment to ex-servicemen.

“The ECHS scheme was launched in 2003 as a ‘Cashless and Capless’ scheme, but is now facing a crisis due to a shortage of funds, inadequate infrastructure, and staff constraints,” Chaudhry said. The Congress has demanded that ECHS be brought under the Chief of Defence Staff, restoration of its administrative powers, immediate clearance of all pending bills, and release of Rs 14,000 crore to make the scheme viable and sustainable.

Himachal Pradesh Police today registered a case against a professor and three women students on charges of ragging to death a 19-year-old woman student of a local Government Degree College in Dharamshala, Kangra district. After the reported ragging incident, the victim died during treatment in Ludhiana, Punjab.

Police said a preliminary inquiry has been completed, and a formal case has now been registered. “Only after a detailed investigation, it will be clear whether the allegations of ragging, physical assault, intimidation and sexual misconduct had any link to the deterioration of Pallavi’s health and her subsequent death,” said a police official.

Medical records are being collected to ascertain the cause of death and establish any connection with the alleged harassment.

Superintendent of Police Ashok Rattan confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and assured that all aspects of the case would be examined impartially. The registered case includes charges under Sections 75 (sexual harassment), 115 (2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 3 (5) (common intention) of the BNS, and Section 3 of the Himachal Pradesh Educational Institution (Prohibition of) Ragging Act 2009.

Details of the complaint

In a complaint to the police, her father Vikram Kumar alleged that on 18 September last year, three students, namely Harshita, Aakriti, and Komolika, had allegedly intimidated and assaulted his daughter. He accused Professor Ashok Kumar of indulging in obscene acts with the victim.

“The complaint could not be lodged earlier as my daughter was traumatised and had to be hospitalised,” Kumar told the police.

The victim’s father told the police that after the alleged harassment and intimidation, his daughter became mentally disturbed, leading to a sharp deterioration in her health.

She was treated at multiple hospitals across Himachal Pradesh before being referred to Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) in Ludhiana, Punjab, where she succumbed during treatment on 26 December.

Opposition demands high-level probe

Former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition Jairam Thakur demanded a fair, impartial, and high-level investigation into Pallavi’s death, highlighting broader concerns over governance and women’s safety under the present Congress government.

Describing the incident as “extremely painful and tragic,” Thakur said allegations of police and administrative negligence could not be ignored. He called on the Chief Minister to take cognisance of the matter, stressing that “this is not merely an incident, but a question of accountability of the system.”

Thakur further alleged a rise in crimes against women during the Congress government’s tenure and criticised authorities for reportedly ignoring serious complaints at an initial stage. He emphasised that the investigation should proceed swiftly and transparently to restore public confidence and ensure justice for the victim.

Uttar Pradesh Transport Department’s year-long road safety and traffic awareness campaigns’ result is clearly visible in the significant reduction in traffic rule violations. Compared to the previous year, nearly four lakh fewer challans were issued in 2025, reflecting increased public awareness towards road safety and traffic discipline.

While 17,58,930 challans were recorded in 2024, the number declined to 13,78,919 in 2025. Based on these cases, an amount of approximately Rs 454.49 crore was collected.

Continuing this momentum, the Transport Department will further strengthen digital monitoring and awareness initiatives in 2026, beginning with the National Road Safety Month starting from January 1.

According to data presented by officials during a review meeting, the highest number of challans in 2025—6,32,901—were issued for not wearing helmets. In addition, 14,535 driving licenses were suspended, while 1,33,189 challans were issued for seatbelt violations. A notable decline was observed in overspeeding cases, which reduced from 7,77,897 in the previous year to 3,30,171 in 2025. During the same period, 3,611 cases of drink and drive were registered, and 56,079 challans were issued for wrong-side driving.

Enforcement action against commercial vehicles also continued throughout the year, with 54,923 cases of overloading recorded. Apart from this, 11,892 challans were issued for incorrect number plates, 1,226 for carrying passengers in goods vehicles, and 20,431 cases were registered for non-installation of speed limit devices in commercial vehicles. Special checking drives resulted in 36,773 cases against unregistered e-rickshaws in April and 1,786 cases against inter-district overloaded goods vehicles.

In May, 2,218 challans were issued against unauthorised passenger vehicles, while in June, 1,821 cases were registered for commercial use of private vehicles. In September, 6,832 challans were issued against violator vehicles from other states, and in October, 5,073 challans were issued against dumpers and trucks without number plates.

Officials stated that in 2026, the Transport Department will further intensify digital surveillance and awareness campaigns to reduce road accidents and ensure strict compliance with traffic rules. As part of the National Road Safety Month beginning on January 1, the department, in coordination with the Police, Public Works Department, Health and Medical Department, and Information Department, is conducting statewide road safety awareness programmes along with intensive checking drives.

To enhance awareness among two-wheeler riders, the No Helmet No Fuel campaign is being implemented throughout the month. Special vigilance is being maintained at identified black spots and high-risk zones, while road safety messages are being widely disseminated with the support of the Information Department, alongside awareness programmes in schools and colleges.

Adani Enterprises Ltd (AEL) on Friday officially announced the launch of its third public issue of secured, rated, listed, and redeemable non-convertible debentures (NCDs), offering yields of up to 8.90% per annum and a base size of Rs 500 crore (Rs 1,000 crore including the ‘Green Shoe’ option).

“This third NCD issuance marks another step in our journey to broaden access to India’s capital markets and give retail investors a stake in long-term infrastructure growth. The strong response to our previous offerings reinforces trust in our strategy and financial discipline, and we aim to build on that momentum. As the incubator for India’s next wave of infrastructure, from airports and roads to data centres and green hydrogen, AEL remains focused on creating businesses that will power India’s economic transformation,” Adani Group Chief Financial Officer Jugeshinder ‘Robbie’ Singh said.

It may be recalled that AEL’s second NCD issuance of Rs 1,000 crore, launched in July last year, was fully subscribed in three hours on the first day. AEL is the only private (non-NBFC) corporate entity offering a listed debt product for retail investors, thereby creating a rare opportunity for individual and non-institutional investors to participate in India’s infrastructure growth story.

The proposed NCDs have been rated ‘Care AA-; Stable’ by CARE Ratings Limited in its rating letter dated December 22, 2025. It has been rated AA- (Stable) by ICRA Limited in its rating letter dated December 20, 2025. Securities with this rating are considered to have a high degree of safety regarding the timely servicing of financial obligations, carrying very low credit risk.

The base size issue is Rs 500 crore, with an option to retain over-subscription up to an additional Rs 500 crore (Green Shoe Option), aggregating to a total issue size of Rs 1,000 crore. The issue will open on January 6, 2026, and close on January 19, 2026, with an option of early closure or extension. The NCDs have a face value of Rs 1,000 each. Each application will be for a minimum of 10 NCDs and in multiples of 1 NCD thereafter. The minimum application size would be Rs 10,000, according to the statement.

At least 75% of the proceeds from the issue will be utilised towards the prepayment or repayment or payment, in full or in part, of the debt availed by the company; and any interest on such indebtedness and the balance (up to a maximum of 25%) for general corporate purposes, as per the statement.

In a hard-hitting statement posted on social media on the first Friday of the year, Kashmir’s chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said that despite unilateral changes made in 2019, the reality is that the Kashmir conflict continues to keep the region in a state of uncertainty that can erupt at any time.

Mirwaiz, who said he was not allowed to go to the Jama Masjid in Srinagar to deliver the Friday sermon, wrote: “That is why wars are paused, not ended, and dialogue finds no takers.”

“Yet beyond these incidents, in which Kashmiris find themselves at the receiving end of suspicion and attacks in parts of India, not much has changed for them. The trust deficit between them and New Delhi has widened, not shrunk. Enforced silence is projected as acquiescence. Wounds remain open, problems unaddressed, and an elected government of a Union Territory complains of being powerless,” he said.

“A sense of hopelessness prevails, along with an existential crisis of losing one’s identity through demographic change since the state was downgraded to a Union Territory, constitutional guarantees withdrawn, and rules and laws tweaked.”

Highlighting his inherited role as a channel of lasting peace, brotherhood and reconciliation for his people and the region, Mirwaiz said: “In the past, I have engaged with leadership across the subcontinent and successive Indian governments — including Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and L.K. Advani — in sincere efforts at dialogue. My path remains the same.”

“Is real peace possible? Yes. Kashmiris are natural optimists. Dialogue has worked elsewhere, and our hope remains alive. When there is sincere willingness to engage in the spirit of ‘Insaniyat’ and ‘Jamhooriyat’, as Vajpayee ji once said, peace gets the best chance,” he wrote.

“As another year begins and we look ahead, painful memories of 2025 stay with us. It was a year marked by tragedy and uncertainty. The horrific Pahalgam attack shook us deeply. Unequivocally condemned by all in the Valley, it led to widespread anxiety as people were targeted and homes demolished. This was followed by another India–Pakistan war, a stark reminder of how fragile peace in the region continues to be.”

“Today, we are operating in an environment where any expression of views contrary to the state, or any disagreement, is increasingly criminalised, branded as ‘anti-national’, and penalised,” Mirwaiz remarked.

“No public space is available to us, and mediums of communication, including most local media, are not ready to provide any platform for expressing people’s demands or views. I do not have the privilege of addressing press conferences. I cannot move without official clearance, and people cannot meet me without permission. My access to the pulpit of Jama Masjid — the spiritual heart of Kashmir — is also curtailed. Even last Friday, I was placed under house arrest, and again this Friday too.”

“With Hurriyat constituents banned, all offices sealed and institutions closed, leaders and activists either in jail or under constant surveillance, social media remains the only platform that offers some space to connect with people and the outside world. Let me make it clear: my beliefs and convictions have not changed — not even by a comma,” he added.