A Mumbai-bound IndiGo flight from Dubai was diverted to Gujarat’s Rajkot on Monday afternoon after smoke was detected in the aircraft’s cargo hold.

The incident prompted the crew to declare an emergency and make a precautionary landing, IANS reported.

Flight 6E-1452 was carrying 194 people at the time of the incident. The cockpit received an indication of smoke in the cargo hold area.

In line with standard aviation safety procedures, the crew decided to divert the aircraft to Rajkot International Airport instead of continuing to Mumbai.

To prepare for the aircraft’s arrival, the airport authorities had declared a full emergency at 2.45 p.m., with fire tenders, ambulances, and other emergency response teams being deployed and remaining on standby as the aircraft approached the airport.

The aircraft landed safely at around 3.27 p.m., with all the 194 people on board disembarked safely, and no injuries reported.

An official said that the diversion was made after smoke was detected in the cargo hold. “The aircraft would undergo a technical inspection to determine the cause of the smoke indication,” the official added.

IndiGo is the largest airline in the country by market share and operates flights to more than 80 domestic destinations and over 30 international destinations. Its fleet primarily comprises Airbus A320 and A321 family aircraft, along with ATR 72-600 turboprop planes used on regional routes.

A deep depression close to Sagar Island located in the delta region of West Bengal is expected to bring heavy rainfall to the southern parts of the state, an official from the met department said.

The depression over the northwest Bay of Bengal and the adjoining areas of the North Odisha-West Bengal coasts moved very slowly, intensifying into a deep depression on Monday. The system has come as close as 30 km to Sagar Island.

In addition, the monsoon trough over Bikaner, Gwalior, Varanasi, and Jamshedpur, passing through the centre of the deep depression over the northwest Bay of Bengal and the adjoining areas of the West Bengal-North Odisha coasts, triggered heavy rainfall in parts of South Bengal on Monday.

“The system is to come closer to land in the next few hours, affecting mostly parts of Odisha and the adjoining coastal belts in West Bengal,” a weather official at the Regional Meteorological Centre in Kolkata said.

“The system is to bring maximum rainfall in the next few hours today. It is expected to trigger light to moderate rain or thundershowers at most places across all the districts of South Bengal, while heavy rain of about 7-11 cm is very likely to occur at one or two places over West Midnapore, Jhargram, Bankura, and Purulia districts. Apart from this, thunderstorms with lightning and gusty surface winds reaching speeds of 40-50 kmph are very likely to occur at one or two places over East Midnapore, West Midnapore, Jhargram, and South 24 Parganas districts. Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty surface winds reaching speeds of 30-40 kmph are also very likely to occur at one or two places over the remaining districts of South Bengal,” he added.

According to weather forecasters, from 29 July, the weather in Kolkata and other districts of South Bengal is expected to improve, and the intensity of rainfall is expected to reduce.

“The downpour is expected to occur in Kolkata and other districts until 29 July, but it is going to be largely light rainfall. For the next few days, rainfall intensity will continue to remain low in Kolkata and other parts of South Bengal,” he added.

A 26-year-old woman of Indian origin was shot dead in a suspected targeted attack in Toronto, Canada.

The victim has been identified as Navneet Kaur. She was alleged murdered by a 37-year-old man, named Sharnjeet Singh, also of Indian descent.

In a statement on Saturday, the Toronto Police Service informed that the shooting took place on Friday morning at the Humberwood Boulevard and Rexdale Boulevard intersection. The accused has been arrested by the Ontario Provincial Police.

As per officials, police responded to reports of a shooting incident at around 7:23 a.m. (local time) and later found the woman with a gunshot wound. Despite life-saving efforts, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigating officials said that the woman and the suspect had a brief interaction before he allegedly shot her and fled the scene. He was later traced and arrested by police officials.

The accused has been charged with first-degree murder and failure to comply with an undertaking.

Investigators believe that the incident was targeted and there are no outstanding suspects.

As per local media reports, a witness informed officials that Kaur was walking along Humberwood Boulevard when a man approached her, briefly spoke to her and then shot her once before fleeing on foot.

The witness later called emergency services after seeing the woman collapse.

India’s Murali Sreeshankar made a confident start to his Commonwealth Games campaign, qualifying for the men’s long jump final with a first-attempt leap of 8.01m on the opening day of athletics competition on Monday.

Competing in Qualifying Group A, Sreeshankar comfortably cleared the automatic qualification mark of 8.00m with his opening jump before opting not to take his remaining attempts, conserving energy for Wednesday’s final.

The 27-year-old topped Group A with his 8.01m effort, finishing ahead of Jamaica’s Jordan Turner, whose best jump was 7.80m.

Murali Sreeshankar wastes no time, sealing his place in the Long Jump Final with his very first jump of 8.01m.

Watch the Commonwealth Games Glasgow 2026 LIVE & EXCLUSIVE on Sony Sports Network TV channels & Sony LIV.#SonySportsNetwork #SonyLIV #GlasgowMeinTiranga #Cheer4Bharat pic.twitter.com/JvfeTimetr

— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) July 27, 2026

Murali Sreeshankar eyes upgrade from Birmingham silver

Sreeshankar arrived in Glasgow as one of the favourites for the title, boasting the best season’s mark in the field at 8.38m.

His composed qualification performance reinforced his status as one of India’s strongest medal prospects, with the Kerala athlete needing just one jump to secure his place in the final.

The July 29 final offers Sreeshankar an opportunity to improve on the silver medal he won at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Four years ago, he also topped the qualification round before finishing with 8.08m in the final, narrowly missing gold to the Bahamas’ LaQuan Nairn on countback after both athletes recorded the same best distance.

Having returned strongly from injury setbacks, Sreeshankar enters the medal round in excellent form and will be aiming to convert his impressive season into Commonwealth Games gold.

A government medical college in Haryana’s Nuh district has come under scrutiny after the family of a four-year-old boy alleged that doctors operated on his healthy leg instead of the infected one, prompting demands for an inquiry and action against those responsible.

The alleged incident took place at Shaheed Raja Hasan Khan Mewati Government Medical College, Nalhar, where the child’s father has submitted a written complaint to the institute’s Director, accusing the medical team of gross negligence during surgery.

According to the complaint, Arif, a resident of Mewli village, brought his four-year-old son Saad to the medical college on July 20 after the child developed swelling, infection, and pus formation in his left leg. Following medical examination, doctors advised an ultrasound and consultation with the Orthopaedics Department.

Based on the ultrasound findings, the child was admitted for surgery on July 23. Arif alleged that he had repeatedly informed Dr Pawan and the medical team that the infection was in his son’s left leg. However, he claimed that the doctors mistakenly operated on the child’s healthy right leg.

The family alleged that the error came to light only after the child was shifted back to the ward, where they noticed that the surgery had been performed on the unaffected leg. They said they immediately protested before the hospital authorities, following which the doctors allegedly acknowledged the mistake and took the child back into the operation theatre to perform surgery on the infected left leg.

Calling it a serious case of medical negligence, the family has sought registration of an FIR against the doctors concerned, a departmental inquiry and strict disciplinary action. They have also urged the medical college administration to fix accountability for the alleged lapse.

The incident triggered a political reaction, with Nuh Congress MLA Aftab Ahmed alleging that the episode had raised serious concerns over the functioning of the government medical college. Referring to previous controversies at the institution, including the reported discovery of a dead monkey in its drinking water tank, he alleged that the college had increasingly become a referral centre instead of providing quality treatment.

Aftab Ahmed demanded an impartial investigation into the alleged negligence and strict action against the doctors found responsible. He also urged the state government to provide adequate financial assistance and compensation to the child to ensure uninterrupted medical care and rehabilitation.

Responding to the controversy, Haryana Minister Vipul Goel said the matter had not yet come to his notice. He said that if a written complaint had been submitted, the government would have the allegations examined and take appropriate action based on the findings of the inquiry.

The allegations have put the spotlight on patient safety and medical protocols at the government-run institution. The medical college administration is yet to issue a detailed statement on the family’s allegations, while the outcome of the requested inquiry is awaited.

A video of CJP spokespersons Sourav Das and Ashutosh Ranka celebrating Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation after weeks of protest by students irked the ruling BJP, which questioned their conduct immediately after the Jantar Mantar movement.

Sharing a video of celebrations by CJP leaders and supporters, BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya said that while everyone deserves to unwind and celebrate after a hard day’s work, there should be a time and place for it.

“When a movement is presented as a fight for justice for students, including those whose deaths by suicide are invoked as its moral foundation, scenes of dancing and what appears to be a celebratory party immediately afterwards strike a jarring contrast,” he said.

Calling CJP leaders’ celebrations after Pradhan’sresignation “deeply insensitive”, Malviya said it was like “dancing at someone’s funeral while claiming to mourn their loss.”

Earlier, a video of Vijeta Dahiya (sacked CJP spokesperson) dancing on stage had gone viral. Dahiya was sacked by the CJP after another video of himself having a burger during the Parliament march went viral.

Malviya said that after Vijeta Dahiya, visuals showing CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke’s group, including Sourav, Ranka and others, celebrating raise uncomfortable questions.

“What message does this send to the thousands of young people who came to Jantar Mantar believing they were part of a solemn movement for educational reform?” the BJP leader asked.

Malviya stated that the celebration video appears to show that the protest ended in celebration rather than reflection.

“Those who joined in good faith deserve to ask whether their emotions were used for a political campaign rather than a genuine student movement,” he said, adding, “the youth of this country deserve sincerity, not spectacle.”

India’s men’s 100m campaign suffered an early blow at the 2026 Commonwealth Games after national record-holder Gurindervir Singh failed to progress beyond the heats on the opening day of the athletics competition.

Competing in his maiden Commonwealth Games, the 25-year-old clocked 10.39 seconds to finish second behind Jamaica’s Rohan Watson (10.13s) in Heat 4. However, the time was not enough to secure one of the 17 semi-final spots.

Gurindervir Singh clocks 10.39s to finish second in his Men’s 100m heat. 👏

Watch the Commonwealth Games Glasgow 2026 LIVE & EXCLUSIVE on Sony Sports Network TV channels & Sony LIV.#SonySportsNetwork #SonyLIV #GlasgowMeinTiranga #Cheer4Bharat pic.twitter.com/pyThpwuoWF

— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) July 27, 2026

Across the 11 heats, Gurindervir finished 28th among 73 athletes. A time of 10.24 seconds was required to qualify, leaving the Indian sprinter 0.15 seconds short of extending his campaign.

Running from lane five, Gurindervir matched Watson through the opening stages before the Jamaican, who owns a personal best of 9.91 seconds, pulled away over the closing metres. The race was run with a legal tailwind of 1.9 m/s.

National record not enough on CWG debut

The result came as a surprise given Gurindervir’s form heading into Glasgow.

In May, the Punjab sprinter became the first Indian man to run below 10.10 seconds when he clocked a national record 10.09 seconds at the Federation Cup in Ranchi. He had earlier broken the national record with 10.17 seconds in the semi-finals before lowering it further in the final, eclipsing Animesh Kujur’s previous mark of 10.18 seconds.

Those performances had established Gurindervir as one of India’s brightest medal hopes in the men’s 100m. However, he was unable to reproduce that form on the biggest stage, bringing his Commonwealth Games debut to an early end.

Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee president Rao Narender Singh on Monday accused the BJP government of failing to improve the state’s school education system, alleging that the Union government’s own education data had exposed serious shortcomings in infrastructure, teacher availability and recruitment despite years of official claims of reform.

Referring to the latest UDISE+ report released by the Union Ministry of Education, Rao claimed the findings contradicted the Haryana government’s repeated assertions of transforming the education sector. He said the report highlighted deteriorating school infrastructure, inadequate facilities and persistent gaps in the education system, raising questions over the outcomes of nearly 12 years of BJP rule in the state.

“The Centre’s own report reflects the ground reality of Haryana’s government schools. If school buildings are in poor condition and basic educational infrastructure remains inadequate, the government must explain what happened to its promises of educational reforms,” Rao said.

He alleged that thousands of teaching positions continue to remain vacant across government schools, leaving many institutions without subject-specific teachers. According to him, the failure to recruit regular teachers on time and strengthen school infrastructure has directly affected students’ learning outcomes and future opportunities.

Rao also linked the condition of the education system with rising concerns over youth employment, arguing that weak schooling inevitably affects candidates’ performance in competitive recruitment examinations.

“When quality education is not available in government schools, its impact is bound to be reflected in employment. Haryana’s youth are already battling unemployment, while a large number of candidates are being declared ineligible during government recruitment processes,” he said.

Questioning the government’s accountability, the Congress leader said the administration should examine whether shortcomings in school education, acute teacher shortages and policy failures were contributing to the poor performance of candidates in recruitment examinations rather than placing the blame on young job aspirants.

He called for an immediate statewide drive to renovate dilapidated government school buildings, fill all vacant teaching posts, ensure basic facilities in every government school and implement a transparent, time-bound recruitment process.

Warning that continued neglect could have lasting consequences, Rao said education should be treated as a priority before an entire generation of Haryana’s youth is forced to bear the social and economic costs of policy failures.

“The government still has an opportunity to correct the situation. Delaying action on education and employment will have serious long-term consequences,” he added.

The resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan as the Union Education Minister has triggered fresh political attacks on the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, with the BJP, Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) demanding the resignation of Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains over a series of alleged paper leaks and recruitment examination controversies.

Punjab Congress MPs Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Gurjeet Singh Aujla, Dr Amar Singh and Sher Singh Ghubaya staged a protest in Parliament, alleging that six major paper leak incidents over the last four years had affected nearly five lakh students and job aspirants in the state. They accused the AAP government of failing to safeguard the future of Punjab’s youth and demanded the Chief Minister’s resignation.

The BJP said Pradhan’s resignation had set a benchmark for political accountability and questioned why similar responsibility had not been accepted in Punjab despite repeated examination controversies.

BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said Pradhan had demonstrated “the highest standards of accountability and morality” by stepping down, while alleging that six to seven paper leak incidents had occurred in Punjab without any minister accepting responsibility. Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu also demanded Harjot Singh Bains’ resignation, alleging that examination papers had been leaked and sold while students continued to suffer.

The Shiromani Akali Dal also joined the attack, saying repeated paper leaks had severely damaged the credibility of Punjab’s recruitment and examination system.

According to the opposition parties, Punjab has witnessed a series of examination controversies in recent years, including the Pharmacy Officer recruitment examination, the PSSSB Group-B recruitment examination, the Excise Inspector recruitment examination, the Punjab Public Service Commission’s Naib Tehsildar recruitment examination and multiple Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) examinations. They alleged that these incidents exposed systemic weaknesses in examination security, poor management and inadequate monitoring.

The opposition further alleged that despite repeated complaints by students regarding paper leaks, recruitment irregularities, lack of security arrangements and delayed investigations, the AAP government had failed to restore confidence in the examination system. They claimed the government had largely responded through public statements instead of implementing structural reforms to prevent recurring incidents.

Referring to the recent Pharmacy Officer recruitment examination, the opposition alleged that an interstate cheating racket was busted after candidates used pen cameras to transmit question papers via WhatsApp, while answers were allegedly relayed via concealed Bluetooth devices. Police arrested 35 persons in connection with the case.

They also cited allegations surrounding the PSSSB Group-B recruitment examination, where an unusually high number of top-ranked candidates belonged to a single district, prompting a Vigilance Bureau investigation.

The Excise Inspector recruitment examination also came under criticism after candidates alleged that question paper packets had already been opened before the examination, besides raising concerns over distant examination centres, admit card errors and inadequate security arrangements.

Similarly, the opposition referred to the PPSC Naib Tehsildar recruitment examination, where investigators allegedly unearthed an organised cheating racket involving Bluetooth devices, and to previous PSEB board examination paper leak controversies, including the cancellation of a Class XII examination after question papers surfaced before the test.

Drawing a comparison with the Centre, the BJP said the Narendra Modi government enacted the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, providing for stringent punishment ranging from five to ten years’ imprisonment and fines of up to ₹10 crore for paper leak offences. The party also highlighted measures such as biometric verification, AI-based surveillance, computer-based testing, CBI investigations in major cases and the constitution of a high-level reform committee to strengthen examination security.

In contrast, the BJP alleged that the Punjab government had neither enacted a dedicated anti-paper leak law nor introduced comprehensive reforms despite repeated controversies. It also questioned why safeguards such as CCTV surveillance, jammers and stronger monitoring mechanisms were allegedly not implemented in vulnerable examinations.

The opposition further alleged that while the AAP had promised a “Sikhya Kranti” and a transparent education system before coming to power, repeated examination controversies had undermined those claims.

Demanding accountability, the BJP and SAD said the Punjab government should disclose how many paper-leak investigations had been completed, how many officials had been held accountable, and what structural reforms had been implemented to prevent future incidents.

Maintaining that repeated paper leaks, recruitment irregularities and examination mismanagement reflected a serious breakdown in the state’s examination system, the opposition said Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains should accept moral responsibility and resign.

A 60-year-old woman was allegedly raped in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district, while working alone in a garden, prompting protests demanding strict punishment for the accused. The incident led to tension in Jaynagar’s Bakultala area, and comes weeks after the alleged gang rape and murder of the 11-year-old girl in Baruipur.

According to police and family members, the woman had gone to work in a garden near her home on Sunday. The family alleged that a local youth took advantage of the situation, attacked her and assaulted her. The woman reportedly lost consciousness at the spot following the attack.

When she did not return home for a long time, family members began searching for her. She was later found unconscious in the garden in the evening and was taken out by locals. The family informed Bakultala police station soon after.

Police reached the spot and shifted the woman to Baruipur Sub-Divisional Hospital in a critical condition. She is currently undergoing treatment at the hospital. Based on a written complaint lodged by the family, police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

A local youth has been detained and is being questioned in connection with the alleged incident. Officers said the investigation is underway and further action will be taken based on evidence.

The incident sparked protests in the area from Monday morning. Residents took to the streets demanding the immediate arrest and stringent punishment of those involved. They also called for better safety measures for women in the locality.

The case has revived memories of the Baruipur incident earlier this month, where an 11-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped and murdered. Her body was found stuffed in a sack in a pond.

Police arrested four persons in that case. One of the main accused, Prabhas Mondal, died during a police encounter. Police said Mondal had allegedly snatched a firearm during a crime scene reconstruction and fired at officers.

Police retaliated in self-defence, following which Mondal was killed. Senior officers said security has been tightened in parts of South 24 Parganas in the wake of the two incidents. They added that investigations in both cases are being monitored closely and that support is being provided to the victims’ families.

Police said they are committed to a time-bound probe and urged people to maintain calm while allowing the legal process to continue.

Gujarat will have its biggest-ever representation at the Asian Games, with nine athletes and one reserve selected to represent India at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4.

The selection marks a significant rise from the 2014 Asian Games, when only three athletes from the state were part of the Indian contingent, highlighting Gujarat’s growing presence across multiple sporting disciplines.

The athletes selected from Gujarat are shooter Elavenil Valarivan; table tennis players Harmeet Desai, Manav Thakkar and Manush Shah; soft tennis player Aniket Patel; swimmer Aryan Nehra; tennis players Ankita Raina and Vaidehi Chaudhari; and sprinter Devyani Zala. Tennis player Jil Desai has been named as a reserve.

Harsh Sanghavi credits long-term investment in sports

Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi attributed the record representation to sustained investment in sports development initiated over the past decade.

“To ensure that athletes from Gujarat develop their talent at the international level, the then Chief Minister and now Prime Minister Narendra Modi implemented initiatives ranging from Khel Mahakumbh to the Shaktidoot Yojana. The results of those efforts are now visible. Gujarat is emerging as a global powerhouse in sports.”

He added that the state government, under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, is focused on building a world-class sporting ecosystem.

“We are not only training athletes but also creating an entire ecosystem that enables them to bring glory to the nation at the international level.”

Sanghavi also said Gujarat was preparing to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, with work on world-class sports infrastructure progressing at a rapid pace.

State officials said the representation across shooting, table tennis, tennis, swimming, athletics and soft tennis reflects Gujarat’s expanding contribution to Indian sport beyond its traditional association with cricket.

A month-long language camp was conducted at Serampore Girls’ High School in Howrah under the direction of the Paschim Banga Samagra Shiksha Mission of the School Education Department in West Bengal. The programme showed that language can act as one of the most effective bridges for connecting people, cultures, and communities.

Instead of following the usual approach of language courses which typically involve grammar exercises and rote memorisation, the Telugu camp changed the entire concept of how language is learned.

At the camp, words were sung before being written down. Sentences were developed through laughter rather than out of fear of making mistakes. Pronunciation was achieved through the use of rhythm, games, storytelling, role-play, music, conversation circles and collaborative activities.

Sarika Khatun, a student in Class IX, remembered that what at first looked like a difficult subject later became an exciting experience full of songs, stories, friendships and laughter.

Ivy Sarkar, the Headmistress of Serampore Girls’ High School said, “The success of the initiative is due to the devoted work of Mr B. Yoganandam (Anand Rao), Assistant Teacher at Mahesh Sri Potti Sriramulu Andhra High School (Telugu Medium), who volunteered to act as the Resource Person during the entire programme. I think that learning a language should be enjoyable, inclusive and culturally immersive, and this idea has influenced all parts of our camp. Multilingualism is no longer an optional extra but an essential life skill which can open the way to higher education, employment, travel, research and a greater understanding of other cultures. At our school nowadays, ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ is not merely a slogan but a real-life experience.”

The students also worked on their own using the Bhasha Sangam App and obtained e-certificates from the Ministry of Education, Government of India. Each student who had successfully finished the Basic (Foundation) Course in Telugu was awarded a certificate.

The closing ceremony was a celebration rather than a formal farewell. The students showed off their newly learned linguistic skills by singing Telugu songs in chorus, reciting rhymes, taking part in enthusiastic conversational exchanges, and giving performances of graceful dances set to Telugu music.

The most symbolic moment of the day came at the refreshments. Rather than sticking to a normal menu, the organisers thoughtfully created a culinary expression of cultural harmony. Idli, which stands for the warmth and simplicity of South Indian food, was served together with jalebi, since the celebration came after the “Ulta Rath Yatra”, one of Bengal’s beloved festive events.

Activist Sonam Wangchuk was discharged on Monday from Medanta Hospital, Gurugram, where he was admitted for medical attention after undertaking a 26-day hunger strike in support of the Cockroach Janta Party-led protest against paper leaks.

Soon after being discharged from the hospital, Wangchuk went to Rajghat to offer his tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.

His wife Gitanjali Angmo also accompanied him during the visit. In a video released from the hospital, Wangchuk said he will return to Ladakh, his hometown, after his Rajghat visit.

Speaking to mediapersons after Rajghat visit, Wangchuk said that the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan is “just the beginning.”

“If the issue is acknowledged and addressed from this point onward, our country will become a better place, a process that, in my view, is already underway. Discussions are currently ongoing, and I hope that, through a very positive dialogue, the most suitable course of action for the country will be adopted, allowing us to implement an excellent system through mutual goodwill…,” he said.

He expressed optimism over the Public Examinations Amendment Bill introduced by the government, saying, “That is a good thing. Let there be a discussion, and let the appropriate measures be adopted after thorough deliberation.”

He further reiterated that there should be no action against peaceful protestors but maintained that the government’s assurance may not apply to “mischievous elements” who acted with “malicious intent.”

“No action should be taken against those who are protesting peacefully. If mischievous elements are acting with malicious intent, we cannot say that absolutely nothing will happen. However, I want to make it very clear that peaceful protest is our constitutional right, and it must be respected. As for the rest, the law will take its own course…,” he added.

The climate activist was forcibly removed from the Jantar Mantar protest site by Delhi Police after 20 days of his strike and shifted to Safdarjung Hospital and was later transferred to Medanta Hospital.

However, he didn’t break his fast until the government accepted his demands – a Parliament discussion on paper leaks, compensation for NEET paper leak-linked suicide victims, and withdrawal of legal proceedings against protesters.

He left the demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which continued its protest until July 25.

As the protest continued and spread to several other parts of the country, Pradhan was forced to tender his resignation.

The government met the CJP delegation, accepted all its demands, including withdrawal of FIRs against protesters.

Following this, the CJP called off its strike, asking protesters to vacate Jantar Mantar and return to their homes peacefully.

Experts believe it was Wangchuk’s hunger strike that helped the CJP protest turn into a larger student movement against the government, ultimately resulting in Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation and forcing the government to introduce a paper leak bill in Parliament.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday called upon migrant workers to return home, assuring that his government would ensure employment opportunities within the state and that there was no longer any need for workers to migrate in search of jobs.

Addressing the media after distributing financial assistance to the families of 11 labourers from Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar who died in the recent tunnel tragedy in Sikkim, the Chief Minister said, “I appeal to all migrant workers to come back. There will be ample employment opportunities for them here.”

He said the state was passing through an “Amrit Kaal of development” and asserted that employment generation had improved significantly. Highlighting industrial and agricultural initiatives in North Bengal, he said projects centred on makhana cultivation in Malda, pineapple, maize and Tulaipanji rice were being developed in other districts of North Bengal.

The Chief Minister had arrived in Jalpaiguri to hand over financial assistance to the families of the 11 workers from Nagrakata, Meteli and Falakata areas who lost their lives in the NHPC Teesta Stage-VI tunnel accident in Sikkim. The state government had earlier announced an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh for each bereaved family.

After the programme, Adhikari said all 11 families had received the assistance. He added that seven family members had been offered jobs as Home Guards, while four others, who did not meet the eligibility criteria for the Home Guard posts, would be appointed as Civic Volunteers.

He said each bereaved family would receive a total compensation of Rs 21 lakh from different sources. According to him, the amount includes Rs 5 lakh from the West Bengal government, Rs 4 lakh from the Sikkim government, Rs 5 lakh from NHPC, Rs 5 lakh from the construction company where the workers were employed, and Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.

Responding to questions on the Sikkim tunnel tragedy, the Chief Minister said the inquiry was being conducted by the Sikkim government and that it was not a matter for the West Bengal government.

“The Chief Minister of Sikkim is fully competent and is supervising the inquiry,” he said. According to the information available so far, a hazardous gas had reportedly leaked inside the tunnel. “Had rescuers entered the tunnel immediately, they too might have lost their lives,” he added. The Chief Minister said officials from the Sikkim government had come to Jalpaiguri today and were handing over financial assistance to the families of the deceased workers.

Describing his visit as a humanitarian responsibility, the Chief Minister reiterated that labourers from the state need not seek employment elsewhere. Referring to the Centre’s employment initiatives, he urged workers to obtain job cards, saying the eligibility norms had been relaxed and that the government was committed to providing up to 125 days of employment.

He also highlighted various welfare measures, including enhanced old-age and widow pensions, expanded Ayushman Bharat health coverage for nearly 40 lakh senior citizens in West Bengal, and a separate state health scheme for those not covered under the central programme.

Referring to support for farmers, Adhikari said the assistance under the PM-Kisan scheme had been enhanced and the state government would also provide additional financial assistance Rs 4,000 to eligible cultivators for agricultural activities.

He further said that August 16, previously observed as “Khela Hobe Divas” under the former state government, would now be observed as “Ayushman Divas”. He also claimed that improvements in the quality of food grains supplied through the public distribution system and expanded welfare schemes would discourage distress migration.

The Chief Minister said issues relating to OBC reservations had largely been resolved, which, he claimed, would open up greater employment opportunities in the state.

On the issue of closed tea gardens, the Chief Minister said the Chairman of the Tea Board and the state’s Labour Minister, Arjun Singh, had recently held a special meeting to discuss the matter and that efforts were underway to resolve the issue. He said the proposed Prime Minister’s Tea Workers’ Assistance Scheme, with an outlay of Rs 330 crore, would provide relief to workers of closed tea estates once implemented. Expressing optimism, Adhikari said the government expected 12 to 13 closed tea gardens of the 25 to reopen within the next two to three months, bringing relief to thousands of workers and their families.

At the programme, Adhikari symbolically handed over cheques to the families of three deceased workers — Anand Toppo, Bolo Oraon and Bireshwar Oraon — before the remaining beneficiaries received the assistance. He met the family members individually, including parents and spouses of the deceased, and expressed his condolences.

Speaking informally with journalists, the Chief Minister said he would visit Jalpaesh Temple, as it was the holy month of Shravan, before proceeding to Uttarkanya for an administrative review meeting. He also indicated that alleged irregularities in various departments at Uttarkanya were under examination and that details would be shared with the media after the review.

The Serampore branch of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) conducted an awareness programme on the ill effects of excessive mobile phone use among students.

The programme highlighted that students, especially teenagers, are being affected in alarming numbers by sleep disorders, anxiety, headaches, weak eyesight, restlessness, and loss of concentration due to overuse of smartphones. Doctors at the programme pointed out that the addiction to smartphones is distracting even the studious students from their studies.

Speaking on the subject, the president of IMA Serampore, Dr Pradeep Das cautioned both students and their parents on this social problem, stating that only if parents become disciplined in their own use of smartphones can they set an example for their school-going children. Dr Das mentioned that if parents change their habits on mobile phone use, they can guide and motivate their children towards the limited and reasonable use of smartphones.

Dr Das elaborated that excessive mobile phone use by students leads to poor academic focus, sleep disruption, and negative mental health impacts. Unmonitored screen time harms a student’s daily routine, brain development, and physical well-being, he mentioned.

The doctor mentioned that constant notifications shorten attention spans, making deep classroom concentration difficult.

Multitasking with a phone during study time hurts memory retention and test performance, he added, saying that relying on instant internet searches prevents students from developing independent problem-solving skills.

Speaking about the health and physical problems associated with excessive phone use he said that blue light from screens suppresses melatonin production, delaying bedtime and causing daytime tiredness.

Staring at small screens for hours causes dry eyes, blurred vision, and frequent headaches, causing eye strain.

The doctor cautioned that hunching over devices creates neck and shoulder pain, often called “text neck.”

Heavy social media use is linked to higher rates of anxiety, low mood, and loneliness, he said.

Mobile phone addiction among students causes serious mental and physical health issues, including anxiety, severe sleep loss, and poor concentration, the doctor said cautioning that overuse of screens damages both the body and the mind.

Dr Das mentioned that even students feel nervous or panicked when they do not have their phones.

Speaking about the mental toll on excessive use of social media, he said that spending too much time on phones can lead to low self-esteem and deep sadness.

Three US law firms have separately announced securities investigations involving HDFC Bank, putting the country’s largest private lender under legal scrutiny in the US.

The announcements have sparked questions about what the investigations mean. At this stage, however, there is no lawsuit against HDFC Bank. The firms are only examining whether there are sufficient grounds to pursue claims under US federal securities laws.

Here’s what we know so far.

1. Three US law firms have launched separate investigations

The announcements came from the Law Offices of Howard G. Smith, the Law Offices of Frank R. Cruz, and Glancy Prongay Wolke & Rotter.

Each firm issued its own statement saying it is examining whether HDFC Bank may have breached US federal securities laws.

2. This is not a lawsuit

The investigations are only the first step.

For now, the law firms are simply collecting information to decide whether the matter warrants legal action. No securities class action has been filed against HDFC Bank so far.

3. The focus is on disclosures made to investors

According to the firms, they are looking into whether HDFC Bank or certain executives made materially misleading statements or failed to disclose information that investors should have known.

At this stage, these are matters being examined. The announcements do not establish any wrongdoing.

4. The trigger was a report published in May

The investigations trace back to a report published by The Indian Express on May 27.

The report alleged that HDFC Bank paid around ₹45 crore to the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) to attract large institutional deposits. It further claimed that the payments were recorded as marketing expenses and that the bank’s Chief Executive Officer was aware of them.

The bank has not publicly responded to those allegations in the context of the US law firms’ announcements.

5. The investigations relate to HDFC Bank’s US-listed ADRs

The law firms are examining the matter from the perspective of investors who own HDFC Bank’s American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), which are traded in the United States.

According to the firms, the ADR price fell after the May 27 report was published.

6. Investors are being asked to come forward

The firms have invited investors who believe they suffered losses in HDFC Bank ADRs to contact them.

The firms are trying to determine whether the available evidence justifies legal action under US securities laws.

7. What happens next?

The process is still at an early stage. The firms will decide on their next steps only after reviewing the evidence.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday congratulated Indian weightlifter Raja Muthupandi on winning the silver medal in the men’s 65kg event at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, hailing the lifter for adding another medal to India’s growing tally.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister wrote, “Another medal for India in weightlifting! Congrats to Raja Muthupandi on winning a silver in the men’s 65 kg event at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. His success makes every Indian happy and proud. My best wishes for his upcoming endeavours.”

Another medal for India in Weightlifting!

Congrats to Raja Muthupandi on winning a Silver in the Men’s 65 kg event at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. His success makes every Indian happy and proud. My best wishes for his upcoming endeavours.#CWG2026 pic.twitter.com/4e2hT8WHyX

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 27, 2026

Raja clinched silver with a combined lift of 286kg, comprising 126kg in the snatch and 160kg in the clean and jerk. Malaysia’s Aznil Bin Bidin Muhamed claimed gold with a Commonwealth Games record total of 299kg.

Tamil Nadu CM Vijay announces ₹30 lakh reward

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Vijay congratulated Raja Muthupandi, who hails from Thoothukudi district in the state, and announced a ₹30 lakh cash reward for his Commonwealth Games silver medal.

“My heartfelt congratulations and appreciation to Mr. Raja Muthupandi from Thoothukudi district in Tamil Nadu, who has achieved a remarkable feat by winning the silver medal in the men’s 65 kg weightlifting category at the 23rd Commonwealth Games currently underway in Glasgow, Scotland.

“In recognition of Mr. Raja Muthupandi’s achievement, a cash incentive of 30 lakh rupees will be awarded on behalf of the Government of Tamil Nadu. May his victory inspire new enthusiasm and confidence among the youth. My best wishes for him to achieve many more accomplishments and bring pride to the Indian nation and Tamil Nadu,” the Chief Minister posted on X.

ஸ்காட்லாந்தின் கிளாஸ்கோ நகரில் நடைபெற்று வரும் 23-வது காமன்வெல்த் விளையாட்டுப் போட்டியில், ஆண்களுக்கான 65 கிலோ பளுதூக்கும் எடைப் பிரிவில் வெள்ளிப் பதக்கம் வென்று சாதனை படைத்துள்ள தமிழ்நாட்டின் தூத்துக்குடி மாவட்டத்தைச் சேர்ந்த வீரர் திரு. ராஜா முத்துப்பாண்டி அவர்களுக்கு எனது… pic.twitter.com/elI9Q6dUhN

— CMOTamilNadu (@CMOTamilnadu) July 27, 2026

Mandaviya, Birla join in congratulating Raja

Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also praised the 26-year-old’s performance.

“Proud Moment for Indian Weightlifting! Many congratulations to Raja Muthupandi for clinching Silver in Men’s 65kg Weightlifting,” Mandaviya wrote on X.

Proud Moment for Indian Weightlifting!

Many congratulations to Raja Muthupandi for clinching Silver in Men’s 65kg Weightlifting. #Cheer4Bharat #CWG2026 pic.twitter.com/qjldVR9ja5

— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) July 27, 2026

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, meanwhile, congratulated all Indian medallists during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, highlighting Raja’s silver alongside Mirabai Chanu’s gold, Rishikanta Singh’s silver and para powerlifter Jhandu Kumar’s bronze.

“On behalf of the House, I extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all the athletes, their families and their coaches for their remarkable achievements,” Birla said.

India’s success story at the #CWG2026 continues.

Congratulations to Raja Muthupandi on winning Silver in the Men’s 65 kg Weightlifting event. Your commendable performance reflects unwavering determination, discipline and sporting excellence. This well-earned achievement has… pic.twitter.com/d0JmVrUSgb

— Om Birla (@ombirlakota) July 27, 2026

Raja’s silver completed a memorable day for India’s weightlifting contingent after Mirabai Chanu won her third successive Commonwealth Games gold in the women’s 48kg event and Rishikanta Singh claimed silver in the men’s 60kg category, taking India’s medal tally to four.