Britain’s Deputy High Commissioner in India, Steve Hickling, has lauded the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) 2025 as a new chapter in bilateral relations that will provide a comprehensive economic framework to deepen cooperation in renewable energy and other sectors.

Addressing the 7th Rajasthan Energy Summit here on Thursday, Hickling described the India–UK Vision 2035 as a cornerstone of bilateral cooperation in the energy sector.

He praised India’s journey in renewable energy—from becoming a global leader in solar deployment to rapidly expanding wind energy, green hydrogen and smart, resilient infrastructure.

He said, “The signing of the CETA in 2025 marks the beginning of a new chapter in bilateral relations between the two nations. More than a trade agreement, it provides a comprehensive economic framework to deepen cooperation across renewable energy, green manufacturing, infrastructure, technology and investment.”

“Accordingly, the India–UK Vision 2035 recognises energy cooperation as a cornerstone of bilateral cooperation,” the British diplomat said, adding that both countries share a common vision of building energy systems that are resilient, affordable and low-carbon while advancing energy security and economic growth.

Hailing India’s progress and achievements in the energy sector, he said, “India’s journey in renewable energy—from becoming a global leader in solar deployment to rapidly expanding wind energy, green hydrogen and smart, resilient infrastructure—offers immense opportunities for collaboration in innovation, technology, finance and the clean energy transition.”

He added, “As we move forward, the challenge is no longer simply generating clean energy, but integrating it into our power systems in a manner that is reliable, affordable and accessible to all.”

The summit, on the theme of “Accelerating the Next Phase of Energy Transition,” was organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Rajasthan.

Announcing Rajasthan’s preparedness to take a long leap in the energy sector, state Chief Secretary V. Srinivas said, “Rajasthan stands at the forefront of building a future-ready energy system.”

He said Rajasthan has emerged as one of India’s leading energy states under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, with a clear focus on building a self-reliant, future-ready energy ecosystem aligned with the Viksit Rajasthan @2047 vision.

The state’s strategy goes beyond increasing generation capacity to strengthening transmission, distribution, energy storage, and grid resilience.

Furthermore, Rajasthan is also the first state in the country to sign a formal action framework to accelerate the state’s transition towards clean energy. The state currently has more than 42 GW of installed solar capacity, the highest among Indian states, while its total clean energy capacity has reached nearly 48 GW, Srinivas said.

The Chief Secretary further said that the state’s energy policy recognises electricity not merely as infrastructure, but as an enabler of agricultural resilience, rural livelihoods, industrial growth, and employment generation.

Chairman and Managing Director, Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation, Rohit Gupta, said India now has the world’s third-largest installed renewable energy capacity, driven largely by strong private sector participation in both manufacturing and deployment.

On the occasion, Managing Director, GE Power India Limited and Business Leader – Steam Power Services, India, GE Vernova, Puneet Bhatla said India is the world’s third-largest energy consumer and the third-largest greenhouse gas emitter, reflecting the scale of its growing economy and energy demand.

He said that the need of the hour is accelerated modernisation, clear efficiency benchmarks and enabling green finance to strengthen the transition while maintaining grid stability and supporting future energy demand.

Chairman of CII Rajasthan and Managing Director of NeuroEqilibrium Diagnostic Systems Limited, Rajneesh Bhandari, delivered the welcome note. Vice Chairman of CII Rajasthan and Group CEO of Secure Meters Limited, Suket Singhal, and Convener of the ClI Rajasthan Panel on Energy and Water and Managing Director of Danish Power Ltd, Shivam Talwar, also spoke.

Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said leaders and Members of Parliament of the INDIA bloc were marching peacefully to Gandhi Smriti to pay tribute to students who allegedly lost their lives following the NEET paper leak controversy and to express solidarity with those injured during the ongoing protests demanding accountability.

In a post on social media platform X, Gandhi said the Opposition’s visit to Gandhi Smriti on Tees January Marg was intended both as a tribute to students who had allegedly died by suicide after the examination controversy and as a show of support for those injured during recent demonstrations.

“Right now, MPs and leaders of the INDIA alliance are peacefully heading to Gandhi Smriti on Tees January Marg,” Gandhi wrote.
Explaining the purpose of the march, he said, “We go to remember the students we lost — the children driven to take their own lives after the NEET paper leak.”
He also referred to the police action against student protesters, adding, “And we go to stand with the students who lie injured today — beaten for peacefully demanding justice and accountability.”

Reaffirming the Opposition’s support for the student movement, Gandhi said, “India’s students are not alone. The entire Opposition stands with them and their demands.”
The Congress and its INDIA bloc allies have intensified their campaign against the Centre over the alleged examination paper leaks and the handling of student protests, making the issue the central focus of the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament. Opposition parties have accused the government of failing to safeguard the integrity of competitive examinations and have demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, alleging that repeated paper leaks have jeopardised the future of lakhs of students across the country.

The Opposition has also criticised the police action against demonstrators, alleging that peaceful protesters were subjected to force while demanding accountability. The government has rejected the allegations, defended its handling of the situation and maintained that investigations into the alleged examination irregularities are underway.
The INDIA bloc’s march to Gandhi Smriti came amid continuing disruptions in Parliament, with the Opposition insisting on a discussion over the examination controversy and pressing for political accountability, while the government has maintained that it is prepared to discuss the issue but has refused demands for the Education Minister’s resignation.

Teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi produced another breathtaking display, smashing the fastest T20I fifty by an Indian and becoming the youngest player to score an international half-century as India cruised to a seven-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the opening T20I at the Harare Sports Club on Thursday.

The emphatic chase also handed Shreyas Iyer his first victory as India’s T20I captain after a difficult start to his tenure, with India taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi tears into Zimbabwe attack

Chasing a modest target of 126, the 15-year-old wasted little time in stamping his authority on the contest.

He hammered Richard Ngarava for two towering sixes and a boundary in the second over before continuing his assault against Brad Evans and Blessing Muzarabani, finding the boundary at will with fearless strokeplay.

Sooryavanshi raced to his maiden international fifty in just 18 balls, a knock featuring four fours and four sixes, rewriting the record books in the process.

His innings ended immediately after reaching the milestone when he top-edged Ngarava to deep third, but by then India had all but sealed the contest.

Ishan, Iyer complete comfortable chase

While Abhishek Sharma departed cheaply for one, Ishan Kishan ensured the momentum never dipped with a fluent 35.

Captain Shreyas Iyer remained unbeaten on 27, while Tilak Varma finished on five not out as India reached 126/3 in just 13.2 overs, sealing victory with 40 balls to spare.

Indian bowlers set up commanding win

Earlier, India’s bowlers produced a disciplined performance to restrict Zimbabwe to 125/7.

Mayank Yadav (2/18) and Prince Yadav (2/19) led the attack with two wickets each, while Zimbabwe never managed to build sustained partnerships despite Wessly Madhevere’s 39 and an unbeaten 27 from Tadiwanashe Marumani.

The modest total proved well below par as India’s batters made light work of the chase.

The political confrontation over the alleged NEET paper leak, lathi-charge on students and the demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation intensified in Chhattisgarh. Over the past two days, the BJP and the Congress have taken their battle to the streets, holding rival demonstrations and exchanging sharp allegations. According to the police, the clashes left 16 police personnel injured, while FIRs were registered against 12 Congress workers.

The Chhattisgarh BJP, on Thursday, announced a march to the state Congress headquarters, Rajiv Bhavan, in protest against the Congress demonstration outside the Prime Minister’s residence in New Delhi. The rally, led by state BJP president Kiran Dev, was joined by several ministers and senior party leaders. Party workers marched from the Shankar Nagar Turning Point to Rajiv Bhavan.

Tension flared outside Rajiv Bhavan as BJP workers, Congress supporters and police personnel came face-to-face. The situation quickly turned volatile, with reports of pushing and shoving, stone pelting, slippers being hurled and bottles and wooden pieces thrown during the confrontation. Police said that 16 personnel sustained injuries in the violence. Cases were subsequently registered against 12 Congress workers under various sections of the law.

The incident triggered a fresh exchange of accusations between the two parties. The BJP alleged that the Congress had politicised the students’ protest by involving party workers and encouraging violence. The Congress, on the other hand, claimed that tha BJP workers attacked Rajiv Bhavan and alleged that tear gas shells were fired and force was used against its leaders and workers before police registered cases only against Congress members.

Addressing a press conference, BJP state president Kiran Deo said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi considers students’ interests a top priority and that no one responsible for compromising their future would be spared. He accused the Congress of politicising the students’ agitation and using objectionable language against the Prime Minister. Deo also said the Centre is ready for a discussion on the issue in Parliament, but alleged that the Congress is avoiding such a debate.

Meanwhile the Chhattisgarh Congress president Deepak Baij alleged that BJP ministers and workers had arrived at the Congress headquarters to attack party members. He claimed water cannons, tear gas and force were used against Congress workers, while police action was taken only against the Congress. Baij also accused the police of acting in a one sided manner.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai dismissed the Congress allegations, describing them as a sign of the party’s “frustration”.

The controversy over the alleged NEET paper leak, the alleged police action against students and the demand for the Union Education Minister’s resignation has sparked protests in several states. In Chhattisgarh, the issue has now developed into a major political confrontation. The Congress has decided to expand its campaign to the block level, while the BJP continues to accuse the opposition of giving a political colour to the students’ movement.

PV Sindhu’s impressive run at the BWF China Open Super 1000 came to an end after she lost a thrilling three-game contest to home favourite and fourth seed Chen Yu Fei in the women’s singles pre-quarterfinals on Thursday.

Sindhu went down 21-16, 20-22, 18-21 in a marathon energy-sapping encounter that lasted over an hour. The 30-year-old had arrived in China full of confidence after ending her title drought by winning the Japan Open last week.

Sindhu also had the psychological edge over Chen, having defeated the former Olympic champion in the Japan Open semifinals after the Chinese player retired hurt.

The Indian made a bright start, taking the opening game 21-16 with some aggressive shot-making and controlled rallies. She looked on course for another victory over Chen when she raced to a 20-16 lead in the second game, earning four match points.

However, the Chinese star produced a remarkable comeback, winning six consecutive points to snatch the game 22-20 and force a decider.

The third game remained evenly contested, with the scores locked at 17-17. Chen then raised her level once again, claiming the next three points to earn three match points. Sindhu saved one of them but could not prevent Chen from sealing the match 21-18 and booking her place in the quarterfinals.

The monsoon fury has created a flood-like situation in Makkasar and some other pockets of Hanumangarh district, even as heavy downpours during the past 24 hours affected normal life in low-lying areas in around 15 cities in Rajasthan.

Incessant rain since Wednesday night has caused waterlogging at many places in Hanumangarh district; Makkasar village and nearby hamlets were the worst affected, reports reaching the state headquarters said on Thursday.

As many as 150 houses in Makkasar were inundated due to waterlogging in vast areas. At least 30 families were shifted to safer places.

Groups of volunteers from different organisations, including the Sacha Sauda Mission, were lending a hand to the affected people.

Besides Makkasar, many pockets in the district, including Pillibanga, Saharana and Goluwala, also bore the brunt of the rains, with rainwater gushing into several houses and some government office buildings.

The District Collector has declared a holiday in schools as a precautionary measure, while municipal teams were engaged in draining out the rainwater.

Elsewhere in the state, in Lasadia town of Salumbar district and Badnaur in Beawar district, which recorded the highest rainfall—235mm and 226mm, respectively—on Wednesday, normal life remained almost paralysed.

About a dozen other districts, including Dungarpur, Banswara, Bundi, Pali, Jodhpur, Nagaur, Jaisalmer, Alwar and Bhilwara, recorded widespread heavy showers. The state capital Jaipur was also lashed by intermittent spells of light to moderate rain.

Meanwhile, the Indian Meteorological Department office here on Thursday issued a fresh warning for heavy rain at isolated places in 11 districts, particularly in the southern parts of the state, during the nect next 24 hours.

The investigation into the murder of school teacher and activist Barun Biswas, who had protested against the abuse of women at Sutia in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganans district, has taken a new turn as his fellow activist has lodged a formal complaint with the police, alleging that the previous dispensation tried to coverup the investigation.

Nandadulal Das, a fellow activist who had participated in protests along with Biswas, shot off a letter to Bongaon Superintendent of Police Bidisha Kalita Dasgupta on Tuesday demanding a fresh investigation into the 2012 murder case, claiming that the earlier one was thwarted by former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and former Food Minister Jyotipriya Mallick. He alleged that the previous regime has tried to shield the actual perpetrators by pinning the blame for the murder on the CPM.

Following the change of government in the state, Barun Biswas’s family had approached Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari seeking justice, who assured them of assistance. Subsequently, the state’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) stepped up its efforts in the case with investigators visiting Barun Biswas’s residence in Gobardanga.

A hearing on the case is scheduled at the Bongaon court on August 31, when the testimony of Biswas’s father is expected to be recorded. Police sources indicate that a decision on whether to register an FIR based on Nandadulal’s complaint is likely to taken on the day of this hearing.

Barun Biswas’s sister, Pramila Roy Biswas said, “Everyone has the right to protest. Nandadulal Das has taken legal action in his own capacity. However, the Biswas family holds no separate stance or statement regarding this matter.”

Nandadulal, a school teacher by profession, claimed to have faced harassment over the past few years for speaking out about Barun Biswas’s murder. He has even claimed that “false” cases were slapped against him and was branded as a ‘Maoist’.

Barun Biswas, a Bengali teacher at Mitra Institution (Main) in Kolkata was shot dead by miscreants near Gobardanga station in North 24 Parganas on June 5, 2012. The 38-year-old teacher had been vocal in his opposition to the abuse and gang-rape of women in Sutia and had even emerged to be the face of protest in the area.

Operation Southern Readiness 26-2, a four-day multinational maritime security training engagement hosted by the Indian Navy in partnership with the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), concluded in Kochi on Thursday after bringing together maritime professionals from 27 countries to strengthen regional cooperation and collective maritime security.

Conducted under the aegis of the Southern Naval Command and the Indian Navy-led Combined Task Force (CTF) 154, the exercise saw the participation of 276 personnel from 27 countries, supported by 76 facilitators and subject matter experts, along with representatives from four international organisations.

The engagement, which commenced on July 20, was inaugurated by Rear Admiral Deepak Singhal, Chief Staff Officer (Training), Headquarters Southern Naval Command, in the presence of Commodore Dan Thomas of the Royal Navy, Deputy Commander, Combined Maritime Forces, senior naval officers and representatives of participating nations.

The closing ceremony on July 23 featured an address by Commodore Milind M. Mokashi, Commander, CTF 154, presentation of certificates to facilitators, and a valedictory address by the Chief Staff Officer (Training).

Over four days, participants underwent a blend of classroom discussions, simulator-based instruction and practical exercises covering key aspects of maritime security. The programme focused on Maritime Domain Awareness and Information Sharing, Maritime Law, Counter-Narcotics operations, Force Protection Measures, Asymmetric Threats, Maritime Uncrewed Systems and Operational Sea Training.

The specialised sessions were delivered by experts from the Indian Navy, including the Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), alongside CMF elements such as the Joint Maritime Information Centre (JMIC). International organisations, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the IMO International Maritime Law Institute (IMO IMLI), also contributed to the training.

Participants also received hands-on instruction in damage control and firefighting, maritime communications, survival at sea, boarding procedures and operational sea training onboard an Indian naval ship. The practical exercises enabled personnel from different maritime services to exchange operational experiences and best practices.

According to the Indian Navy, the engagement generated nearly 3,800 training man-hours and enhanced interoperability, professional networks and operational confidence among participating nations, while contributing to regional capacity-building and collective maritime security.

The Navy said the successful conduct of Operation Southern Readiness 26-2 showcased its modern training infrastructure, advanced simulators and professional expertise, while reinforcing the partnership between the Indian Navy and Combined Maritime Forces. It also highlighted India’s leadership of Combined Task Force 154 and reaffirmed the Southern Naval Command’s position as a leading hub for professional maritime training.

Delhi BJP President Harsh Malhotra and Education Minister Ashish Sood on Thursday said whatever is happening in the country at present can be described as anything but student politics.

Addressing a joint press conference with Ashish Sood, Malhotra said, “I would first like to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to conduct fast-track trials in cases of paper leaks.”

Accusing Opposition parties of hijacking the student movement, spreading violence from behind the scene, crossing political boundaries and defaming the student movement, he said whatever is happening (referring to the Coacroach Janata Party (CJP) protest against NEET paper leak), is a desperate attempt by the Opposition to redeam their political future, especially after losing one elections after another.

Malhotra said, “Rahul Gandhi, Arvind Kejriwal and other Opposition leaders must answer what they achieved by breaching the security of the Prime Minister’s residence and the Indian Parliament, or why they are now running away from a discussion on the NEET examination in Parliament.”

He pointed out that the movement that began in the name of the NEET paper leak is no longer about the core issue as the reexamination has already been conducted with satisfactory results.

According to Malhotra, BJP leaders including the national president Nitin Nabin, former national president Jagat Prakash Nadda, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and Delhi Minister Ashish Sood, all began their political journeys through student politics.

The Delhi BJP chief said the Opposition today has no political vision, it consists only of personality-driven parties that have been rejected by the people for the last 12 years.

On the occasion, Malhotra and Sood released a list of competitive examination paper leaks that took place during the Congress government led by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh between 2004 and 2014, and also referred to the recent pharmacy examination paper leak under the AAP government in Punjab.

According to the BJP leader, the seriousness of PM Modi government towards reforming and expanding the education system is evident from the fact that between 2014-15 and 2023-24, the number of higher education institutions in the country increased by 25 per cent, and the number of universities increased by 69.7 per cent.

During the Modi era, the number of Dalit students pursuing higher education increased by 51.4 per cent, while the number of OBC students increased by 60.2 per cent, he added.

According to Delhi Minister Sood, he said he understands that whenever a movement begins, it carries the hopes of many students as well as their parents.

“We are not watching what is happening in the national capital from a distance. This morning itself, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made it clear that the interests and future of the country’s youth are our highest priority. No one who plays with the future of the youth will be spared,” he added.

“Whether it is the recommendations of the Radhakrishnan Committee or the decision to establish fast-track courts today, we are not providing any temporary solution. We are working to address every aspect where improvement is required,” he said.

Bollywood actor Salman Khan has once again taken to Instagram, this time urging students protesting against the alleged paper leak to go back home, and Sonam Wangchuk to break his fast. His second post came just hours after an emotional message last night, where he had extended his support to the students’ movement.

In his latest post, Salman appealed directly to the protesting students, assuring them that their safety and education remain the government’s main concern. He wrote, “The students are at top priority, educationally n security-wise, so they need not worry and have their parents worried for them.”

He also referred to the Prime Minister’s tweet on the matter, saying he was confident that action would follow. “The Honorable Prime Minister has tweeted, and I am sure that he will take strict action against all those people who are responsible for this leak,” Salman wrote.

The actor then made a personal appeal, addressing Sonam Wangchuk directly. “Sonam, it’s done, bro. Don’t extend this. Keep the spirit for another day if there be a need, which I doubt, n eat something. If u want, will send u food from home.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Salman Khan (@beingsalmankhan)

Last night’s post

Salman’s fresh message follows a longer, more emotional post he shared the previous night, after reports emerged that the protest had turned violent in parts. “It was such a peaceful movement, feel so sad that it had to take a violent turn,” he wrote. “My heart goes out to the students and their families who were hurt.”

Also Read: ‘Credit should only go to the students of our country’: Salman Khan pens long note on paper leak protests turning violent

He called the paper leak “a very serious issue” and said he was glad to see young people across the country unite for a better education system, with their parents backing them. “I truly appreciate the stand they have taken, showing dedication, sincerity, and keenness to study hard n make their future and a greater, educated India,” he said.

“This generation will make India proud”

Salman praised the manner in which the protest was carried out, calling it courageous. “This andolan, this protest, is the right way to go abt it, n the students have done this peacefully. So courageous and brave,” he wrote, adding that the youth driven by education would make the country proud.

He was also careful to note that the issue should stay away from politics. “This issue is between the students and the educational system, it should not be hijacked politically,” he wrote. According to him, the credit belongs only to the students, and he expects the government to support them and strengthen the education system further. “It’s a win-win situation,” he added.

“Education should be the next trend”

Ending his post on a hopeful note, Salman prayed for a positive outcome. “Hoping n praying for a positive decision. God bless all of you who wanna be educated,” he wrote.

He went on to express a larger wish, that education itself should become aspirational for the youth. “Education should be the next trend and fashion, and should get trendier n more fashionable yr by yr, itna k bahar se log come to India to study and India becomes an educational hub.”

The Cockroach Janta Party-led agitation at Jantar Mantar, Delhi, has expanded into a nationwide student movement with protests being held across several states demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over alleged paper leaks and police crackdown against students.

In response to the brutal police crackdown on students during their July 20 march to Parliament, the CJP on Thursday issued a nationwide call for peaceful protests on Friday, urging students, youth organisations and civil society groups to organise demonstrations in every district under the slogan, “Every District. One Day. One Demand.”

The CJP asked protesters to gather peacefully and read out the students’ demands aloud.

The Delhi government has chalked out a permanent solution to the major recurring water-logging problem in North Delhi’s Civil Lines area near Metcalfe House, and on Thursday inaugurated a modern permanent pump house at the Metcalfe House Drain regulator.

Delhi’s PWD and Irrigation & Flood Control Minister Parvesh Verma inaugurated the facility, which marks a significant step towards strengthening flood and water-logging management infrastructure.

Notably, the Metcalfe House drain regulator is a key flood-control and stormwater management structure located near the historic Metcalfe House along the Yamuna River.

It is managed by the Irrigation & Flood Control (I&FC) Department and is crucial in preventing the river’s backflow during monsoon floods. It also helps drain out water from the Civil Lines area.

Speaking on the occasion, Verma said that for years, residents and commuters in the Civil Lines area faced the consequences of water accumulation whenever rising Yamuna levels forced the closure of the Metcalfe House Regulator.

With the regulator closed, stormwater from the surrounding area could not be discharged normally, resulting in water backing up into residential areas, roads and lanes.

He further said, “We have eliminated another major traffic and waterlogging problem in Delhi. Whenever the Yamuna water level rose and the Metcalfe House Regulator had to be closed, stormwater from the Civil Lines area used to backflow and accumulate on roads, lanes and even affect homes. Every year, temporary pumps had to be deployed. That temporary arrangement has now been replaced with a permanent solution.”

The new permanent pump house will ensure faster and more efficient drainage of stormwater during periods when the regulator remains closed due to rising Yamuna levels.

The modern pump house has been equipped with three 75 HP submersible pumps and one 35 HP submersible pump, providing a combined pumping capacity of approximately 2,500 kilolitres per hour.

To ensure uninterrupted operations during power failures, a 250 KVA DG set has also been installed at the site.

In addition, an energy-efficient soft starter panel has been installed to ensure the smooth, safe and energy-efficient operation of the pumping system.

Verma said that the Delhi government is moving away from temporary, reactive measures and building permanent infrastructure to address the city’s long-standing water-logging and flood-related challenges.

He assured that the department is identifying vulnerable locations, strengthening drainage infrastructure and creating long-term solutions to protect residents during heavy rainfall and rising Yamuna levels.

Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) president Devender Yadav on Thursday demanded Rs one crore compensation for the family of a Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) school teacher who, unable to cope with the pressure of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) work alongside her teaching responsibilities, allegedly died of cardiac arrest.

Addressing a press conference, Yadav alleged that the death of 51-year-old Suman Lata, who had been assigned Booth Level Officer (BLO) duties under the ongoing SIR exercise, highlighted the mounting pressure on teachers engaged in election-related work.

Calling the incident “a tragedy waiting to happen”, Yadav said, “The death of a teacher working in an MCD school was a tragedy waiting to happen as the teachers assigned for SIR duty have been working under tremendous pressure. Many of them are unable to complete the SIR work while balancing their responsibilities as school teachers.”

He further said, “It was due to the insensitivity of the BJP Government that the 51-year-old teacher, Suman Lata, assigned Booth Level Officer (BLO) duty as part of the ongoing SIR exercise, died of a heart attack, unable to bear the considerable stress she suffered during the SIR exercise.”

Demanding financial assistance for the bereaved family, Yadav said, “The family of the deceased teacher should be given Rs 1 crore compensation.”

He said that following observations by the Supreme Court on the complexity of the SIR process, the Delhi Congress had written to the Lieutenant Governor on April 18, urging intervention to reduce the burden on teachers performing BLO duties.

Referring to another incident, Yadav alleged that a 45-year-old government mathematics teacher, Anand Kumar Saroha, attempted suicide on July 8 after allegedly being unable to cope with the pressure of SIR work while serving as a supervisor.

Yadav also claimed that the large-scale deployment of teachers for SIR and BLO duties was severely disrupting classroom teaching in government schools. He said principals and teachers had repeatedly raised concerns over the impact on education, student safety and compliance with the Right to Education (RTE) norms governing pupil-teacher ratios.

He alleged that in several schools, including those in Bhalswa and GTB Nagar, regular teaching staff had been diverted almost entirely to election-related surveys and data collection, leaving schools dependent on guest teachers to manage large numbers of students.

Criticising both the current BJP government in Delhi and the previous AAP government, Yadav said, “The Rekha Gupta Government has given precedence to deploying teachers for SIR duty over their primary responsibility of teaching students in classrooms. It is no wonder that poor Board examination results and school dropouts have been rising over the past 12 years under first the AAP and now the BJP government.”

Yadav further claimed that, according to data placed in the Rajya Sabha, 107 officials had died during SIR duty in West Bengal, while at least eight BLOs and teachers had died in Uttar Pradesh over a recent 10-day period due to cardiac arrest, brain haemorrhage and suicides allegedly linked to excessive workload.

He accused the Centre and the Election Commission of India of failing to consider the well-being of teachers while implementing the SIR exercise and said teachers should not have been assigned election duties when they were already under pressure to complete the academic curriculum ahead of board examinations.

India’s women’s pairs team of Pinki Singh and Rupa Rani Tirkey made a winning start to their Commonwealth Games 2026 campaign, defeating Malta in a dramatic tiebreak in their opening Group Play match on Thursday.

Playing in the indoor version of the sport, now officially known as Bowls at the Commonwealth Games, the Indian pair overcame sisters Rebecca Louise Rixon and Connie-Leigh Rixon after a contest that went down to the final bowl.

India started strongly and took control early in the first set. Pinki and Rupa built a steady lead, with Pinki producing some accurate deliveries to help India move ahead 2-0. Malta reduced the gap in the next end, but India quickly regained control as Pinki delivered another crucial bowl to extend the advantage.

The Indian pair continued to dominate, adding more points before sealing the opening set 7-1. Rupa played a key role in the closing stages, while Malta’s attempt to recover with an aggressive drive ended up working against them.

The second set was much tighter. India again moved ahead early after Pinki’s well-placed bowl shifted the jack in their favour, but Malta fought back immediately to level the scores.

The two teams exchanged leads through the remainder of the set. Pinki once again came up with an important bowl to win a close measurement and keep India in front, but the Rixon sisters responded brilliantly in the closing ends to level the set and force a tiebreak.

Malta made the better start to the shootout and looked set for victory after placing two bowls closer to the jack. Rupa improved India’s position with her final bowl, leaving Pinki with the responsibility of deciding the match.

Her first attempt brought India closer, while her second narrowly missed changing the outcome. With everything riding on the final delivery, Pinki held her nerve and produced a superb bowl to edge India ahead and seal a memorable victory.

Samajwadi Party delegation led by Leader of the Opposition in the Uttar Pradesh assembly Mata Prasad Pandey on Thursday submitted a memorandum to District Magistrate Ajay Kumar Dwivedi, demanding the revocation of the order to demolish Azam Khan’s Maulana Jauhar Ali University.

Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Mata Prasad Pandey, while talking to the media, said efforts are underway to secure Azam Khan’s release from jail.

“Jauhar University was in the Gram Panchayat at the time of its construction, and it was not mandatory to have the map approved by the Gram Panchayat. If this were to happen, many buildings in Rampur would be demolished. We have come to get the order to demolish Jauhar University rescinded. We spoke to the District Magistrate, submitted a memorandum to him, and talked to the students who are protesting. We will bring their concerns before the Governor. We have come to save the university. The party’s future strategy is to have Azam Khan released from jail and form the government. The SP will form the government with a landslide victory,” he said .

He further said that Jauhar University is a major educational center and the district administration should withdraw its order.

“The demolition order is based solely on political vendetta. The university building will be saved. We, along with 45 MLAs, have submitted a memorandum to the District Magistrate. Our National President formed a committee of 45 MLAs and district presidents, which submitted a memorandum to the District Magistrate today, demanding the withdrawal of the demolition proceedings,” Pandey said.

The memorandum stated, “Please reconsider the demolition order. This is an educational institution where poor children study. Do not destroy it.”

Mata Prasad Pandey, along with the MLA group, first arrived at the Sant Shiromani Guest House, where he was presented with a guard of honor. He then went to Jauhar University and met with the protesting students at the gates of Jauhar University. He met with the Registrar and SP workers at the university. Afterward, the Leader of the Opposition, along with his entire delegation, reached the Collectorate and met with District Magistrate Ajay Kumar Dwivedi at his office and submitted a memorandum. The memorandum demanded the withdrawal of the demolition order issued to the university.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu said on Thursday that education is about creating an environment where young minds can learn, grow, and realise their potential, emphasizing that it is a process that cannot happen without a fundamental sense of security.

Sandhu, who had earlier steered the issue of child safety, getting the month of July being declared “Child Safety Month”, on Thursday addressed the National Summit on Safe Schools Leadership 2026 at PHD House here, underlining the need for a comprehensive and future-ready approach to school safety and resilience.

Quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said, “Education is not merely a means of livelihood, but a powerful medium to make life better.” This vision, he said can only be realised when every child has the opportunity to learn in a safe and nurturing environment.

Sandhu noted that the meaning of school safety has evolved significantly over the years, and while physical infrastructure, fire preparedness, and emergency response remain critical, LG said safety presently encompasses cyber security, mental well-being, transportation safety, and the capacity to respond effectively to unforeseen situations.

He said as the country moves towards the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047, educational institutions will play a central role in shaping the citizens who will lead the country in the decades ahead, and therefore schools must be centres not only of academic excellence, but also of responsibility and preparedness.

He added that Delhi, as the national capital, with its dense urban environment and diverse population, carries a special responsibility to lead by example in creating safe, inclusive, and resilient learning environments.

One of key outcomes of the summit was the launch of the National Model School Safety Toolkit by the LG, which he said would help institutions move beyond a reactive approach and adopt a culture of preventive preparedness, with safety embedded in the daily functioning, planning, and governance of every educational institution.

He noted that the launch has a special significance as Delhi observes Child Safety Month this July, with a range of initiatives taking place.

Sandhu called upon school leaders to view safety not merely as a regulatory requirement, but as an integral part of institutional leadership, with regular safety audits, emergency preparedness plans, periodic mock drills, trained staff, and close coordination among schools, government agencies, and local communities.

He also spoke of the growing role of technology as an enabler of safer schools through monitoring systems that are digital, early warning mechanisms, and data-driven risk assessment.

LG stressed that technology is one thing, but it must be complemented by human preparedness and committed leadership.

The LG’s remarks also turned to the legacy of his grandfather, Sardar Teja Singh Samundri, whose 100th martyrdom anniversary is being commemorated this year.

Sandhu recalled that his grandfather had worked tirelessly to advance the ideals of education, equality, youth empowerment, and democratic participation, establishing schools at Sarhali and Lyallpur as early as 1917.

The organisers of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) have terminated the franchise agreement with the owners of Jaffna Kings, with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and tournament rights holder IPG taking full control of the team to ensure the tournament continues without disruption.

The move comes just days after Jaffna Kings co-owner and former India Under-19 batter Manjot Kalra was arrested by Sri Lanka Police’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) for the Prevention of Offences Relating to Sports on suspicion of match-fixing on the opening day of the 2026 LPL.

Kalra had joined entrepreneur Mayank Goel as co-owner of the franchise. However, IPG clarified that the franchise agreement was terminated because the owners failed to meet their financial obligations.

Following the termination, all rights to the Jaffna Kings franchise have reverted to IPG, which is now running the team jointly with Sri Lanka Cricket.

The organisers confirmed that there will be no impact on the ongoing tournament. Jaffna Kings will continue to play under the same name, with no changes to the squad, fixtures or competition format.

“The termination follows the franchisee’s inability to fulfil its financial obligations under the terms of the franchise agreement. As a result, all rights relating to the Jaffna Kings franchise have reverted to IPG, which, together with Sri Lanka Cricket, has assumed full operational control of the team.

“To ensure the uninterrupted operation of the franchise, IPG and Sri Lanka Cricket have taken complete responsibility for all player, coaching staff, and support staff contracts. The organisers also confirm that all logistical arrangements for the team have been secured, ensuring the squad is intact for the tournament,” IPG said in an official statement.

IPG also revealed that around 90 per cent of payments due to players and support staff have already been made, with the remaining payments to be cleared as per the existing contracts.

“While this was a difficult decision, our priority has always been to protect the integrity of the Lanka Premier League and ensure complete stability for our players, coaches, partners, and fans. Together with Sri Lanka Cricket, we have acted swiftly to ensure the Jaffna Kings continue to participate in the tournament without disruption,” the statement added.