Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hailed the Union Budget 2026 presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, saying that “It was not a ‘now or never’ moment born out of compulsion but a ‘we are ready’ moment born out of preparation and inspiration”.

“This Budget reflects this yearning to become a developed nation,” Modi said in an interview with a news agency.

The Prime Minister stated that India’s character has revealed itself in times of different kinds of challenges and that the country is a bright spot of growth even in difficult global circumstances.

“Therefore, this budget should not be seen just as Budget 2026 but as the first budget in the second quarter of the 21st century,” he said.

The Prime Minister further added that Budget 2026 consolidates the gains India has made since his government first came to power in 2014.

“Just as the decisions and initiatives taken in the 1920s laid the foundation for Independence in 1947, the decisions we are taking now are laying the foundation for Viksit Bharat by 2047,” he said.

Modi said none of his government’s budgets are run-of-the-mill ‘bahi-khata’ documents. “That’s not our approach.”

“It is my privilege that people’s blessings have been with me for a long time, and I have served for 25 years as the head of government, first at the state level and now at the national level. If one takes a closer look at my approach in the last 25 years, it becomes clear that our work doesn’t happen in bits and pieces,” he said.

The PM further elaborated, “There is a broader strategy, a plan of action and an effective implementation that reflects the ‘whole of the nation’ thinking, continuity of purpose and a long-term vision, progressively unfolding step by step, year after year.

He said that each of his government’s budgets since 2014 has contained intent, a clear roadmap with stated timelines and focused on implementation.

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Congress calls Modi’s late budget interview ‘headline management’ tactic

Reacting to the Prime Minister’s remarks on the Union Budget, the Opposition Congress claimed that the markets and the investors were not impressed with the budget and that is why the PM felt the need to give an interview nearly 15 days after it was presented.

“The Prime Minister knows that this year’s budget has been a dull budget, and it clearly shows signs of intellectual fatigue. The markets’ reaction has also been negative, and investors have not been impressed by it. This is precisely why, nearly 15 days after the budget was presented and just a few days after the opposition tore it apart in Parliament, the Prime Minister felt the need to give an interview. As always, it includes some Modi-style one-liners that have nothing to do with the truth,” said Congress leader Jairam Ramesh.

He said that after being surrounded on all sides over his alleged surrender in the trade deal with the US, the Prime Minister has resorted to his favourite strategy of headline management.

“He is trying to divert attention from the betrayal of millions of farmers and other concessions. This so-called interview is not really an interview at all, but a carefully planned and desperation-filled PR exercise. The Prime Minister is both bowed and weary,” Ramesh added.

It started like a small Facebook tip, but it quickly caught attention among people who often suffer from painful mouth ulcers. Ayurvedic expert Acharya Balkrishna recently shared a simple home remedy: if you get mouth ulcers, chew bel (bael) leaves, and they may help the sores heal faster.

The post was short, but it sparked big curiosity. Can such a basic leaf really calm those burning, irritating ulcers?

What exactly did he say?

According to the Ayurvedic guru, chewing fresh bel leaves can give relief when ulcers appear inside mouth.

He suggested that regular chewing may reduce pain and gradually help the sores disappear.

The advice sounds very traditional and rooted in home remedies that many Indian households already know.

Why mouth ulcers trouble so many people

Mouth ulcers are common and very annoying. They can make eating, talking, and even smiling painful. They often happen due to stress, lack of sleep, vitamin deficiency, spicy food or accidental biting of cheek.

Sometimes they also appear during fever or stomach problems. Most ulcers heal on their own, but the burning sensation can disturb daily life.

Why bel leaves may help, according to ayurveda

In Ayurveda, bel leaves are considered cooling and soothing. They are believed to have anti-inflammatory and healing properties. This actually means they may reduce irritation and support natural healing inside mouth.

Chewing the leaves releases plant juices that coat inner lining of the mouth which may calm inflamed tissue and speed up recovery.

Traditional medicine also links mouth ulcers with excess heat in the body. Bel leaves are said to balance this heat which may be why they are recommended as a natural remedy.

How people usually use this remedy

The method is simple. Fresh, clean bel leaves are chewed slowly so that their juice spreads inside the mouth.

Some people spit out the fibrous part, while others swallow it. This is usually done once or twice a day when ulcers are active.

However, the leaves must be washed properly before use to avoid any infection or dirt.

While such remedies are popular, health experts remind people not to ignore serious symptoms. If ulcers last more than two weeks, bleed or keep returning again and again, doctor should be consulted.

Persistent ulcers can sometimes be linked to vitamin deficiencies, allergies or other medical conditions as well.

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Hours after US President Donald Trump warned Iran of “traumatic” consequences if it didn’t agree to a deal, Iranian deputy foreign minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi on Sunday said that his country is ready to consider “compromises” to reach a nuclear deal with the US if Washington is willing to lift sanctions.

“Our understanding is that they have come to the conclusion that if you want to have a deal you have to focus on the nuclear issue,” Ravanchi said during an interview with the BBC.

On Trump’s threat, the Iranian minister said that the consequences would be “traumatic” for all and not just for Tehran.

“It will be traumatic…bad for everybody. It is not as if Iran will suffer only; everybody will suffer, particularly those who have initiated this aggression,” he said.

The US has accused Iran of holding up progress in the negotiations. However, Ravanchi asserted that the ball is now in America’s court.

“If they are sincere, I’m sure we will be on the road to an agreement,” he added.

The US has been building up its military presence, including aircraft carriers, near Iran and Trump has threatened to launch strikes if the nuclear deal cannot be reached.

The recent anti-government protests in Iran and the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei-led regime’s violent crackdown against demonstrators, killing thousands, have further complicated the diplomatic environment.

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Trump had vowed to intervene militarily if Iran killed protesters but stopped after Iranian authorities reportedly reached out for talks.

Both countries have held indirect talks in Oman earlier this month and another round of talks is likely to take place in Geneva on Tuesday, February 17.

The Iranian deputy foreign minister also pointed to Tehran’s offer to dilute its near weapons-grade level uranium.

“We are ready to discuss this and other issues related to our programme if they are ready to talk about sanctions,” said Takht-Ravanchi.

Currently, Iran is believed to have been holding around 400 kg of 60 per cent enriched uranium. When asked if the country would move its stockpile out of the country, Ravanchi was non-committal.

“It was too early to say what will happen in the course of negotiations,” he added.

A scintillating half-century from Ishan Kishan and a ruthless bowling display helped the India national cricket team crush the Pakistan national cricket team by 61 runs in their Group A World Cup clash at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Sunday, extending India’s head-to-head dominance in World Cups to 8-1.

The victory also confirmed India’s qualification for the Super Eights, while Pakistan slipped to third in the group behind USA on net run-rate.

Opting to bat first on a sluggish surface, India recovered from an early setback through Kishan’s breathtaking 77 off just 40 balls. The left-hander counter-attacked brilliantly, dismantling Pakistan’s spin-heavy strategy and guiding India to a competitive 175/7.

Captain Suryakumar Yadav contributed a steady 32, while Shivam Dube added a quickfire 27 and Tilak Varma chipped in with 25. Late fireworks from Rinku Singh provided the finishing flourish.

In reply, India’s pace spearheads Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah struck decisive early blows, reducing Pakistan to 13/3 inside two overs.

Despite a fighting 44 from Usman Khan and an unbeaten 23 from Shaheen Afridi, Pakistan never recovered from the early collapse and were bowled out for 114 in 18 overs.

India’s bowlers maintained relentless pressure throughout, with Bumrah and Pandya setting the tone and the spinners tightening the grip in the middle overs.

Earlier, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha had hoped for a strong contest, but the gulf in execution proved decisive as India delivered a dominant all-round performance to continue their supremacy over their arch-rivals on the World Cup stage.

Brief Scores: India 175/7 in 20 overs (Ishan Kishan 77, Suryakumar Yadav 32, Shivam Dube 27, Tilak Varma 25; Saim Ayub 3/25) vs Pakistan 114 all out in 18 overs (Usman Khan 44, Shaheen Shah Afridi 23 not out; Jasprit Bumrah 2/17, Hardik Pandya 2/16, Varun Chakravarthy 2/17, Axar Patel 2/29) by 61 runs.

The annual Magh Mela, symbolising faith, penance and devotion, concluded on Sunday on the sacred occasion of Maha Shivratri at the holy Sangam in Prayagraj, with more than 22 crore devotees taking part in the 44-day-long religious congregation.

The Sangam city reverberated with chants of “Har Har Mahadev” and “Om Namah Shivaya” as lakhs of devotees gathered for the final holy dip. On the occasion of the Maha Shivratri Snan Parv, more than 40 lakh pilgrims took a dip at the Triveni Sangam, marking the culmination of the festival. Officials said this was the highest-ever footfall recorded in any Magh Mela.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath closely monitored the arrangements throughout the event and continued to review preparations even on the concluding day.

In Gorakhpur, the Chief Minister performed Rudrabhishek and Jalabhishek at the Gorakhnath Temple and prayed for the health, prosperity and well-being of the people. He also offered prayers at the Mansarovar Temple and Piteshwarnath Shiv Temple, seeking welfare for all.

Meanwhile, in Varanasi, Maha Shivratri was celebrated with great fervour at the Kashi Vishwanath Dham. Devotees were welcomed with a shower of flowers, and offerings received from 63 temples across India and abroad were presented to Lord Shri Vishweshwar during the midday Bhog Aarti. By evening, more than 5.2 lakh devotees had paid obeisance.

The festival was also celebrated with devotion in Ayodhya, where lakhs of devotees thronged the Nageshwar Nath and Kshireshwar Nath temples. Elaborate security arrangements were made, with Ayodhya Dham divided into five zones and 12 sectors, and additional police personnel deployed to ensure smooth conduct of the celebrations.

The conclusion of the Magh Mela on Maha Shivratri marked the end of weeks of intense spiritual observances, drawing millions of devotees from across the country and beyond.

The ‘India AI Impact Summit and Expo 2026’ is set to be held from 16 to 20 February at Bharat Mandapam, located at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi.

Bihar’s impactful presence with a dedicated state pavilion at this summit has sent a message to the world that the state is steadily moving towards becoming Tech hub of eastern India.

It is noteworthy that the Bihar government has recently approved the Bihar GCC Policy, 2026 and the Bihar Semiconductor Policy, 2026.

The inauguration of the Bihar Pavilion at the summit will be carried out on Tuesday by the Deputy Chief Minister of the state, Samrat Choudhary.

Minister, Ministry of Panchayati Raj and Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Govt. of India Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh will be Chief Guest on this occasion. The program will be conducted under chairmanship of Minister, Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India Giriraj Singh. Members of Parliament from Bihar and other dignitaries will also be present.

At the India AI Impact Summit and Expo 2026, the Bihar Pavilion has been set up in Hall 5-F of Bharat Mandapam at Stall Numbers 8 and 12.

The complete management of the Bihar Pavilion is being overseen by the Secretary of the Information Technology Department of the Government of Bihar, Abhay Kumar Singh, and the Special Secretary, Arvind Kumar Choudhary.

During the event, the Bihar government will also make important announcements regarding ambitious policies, missions and prominent projects aimed at promoting innovation, employment generation and developing state’s tech ecosystem.

Global leading companies associated with artificial intelligence are set to participate in the India AI Impact Summit and Expo 2026. Participation has been confirmed from more than 100 countries for this five-day event. Several leading tech companies, including Google, NVIDIA, OpenAI along with their top executives are part of this summit.

The main objective of this event is to bring stakeholders together of the AI ecosystem on a single platform and facilitate collaboration among them.

During this period, startups, entrepreneurs and innovators from Bihar will get a big opportunity to showcase their capabilities and innovations through their stalls provided free of cost by Department of Information Technology, Government of Bihar before international tech fraternity. At the Summit, they will get an opportunity of global exposure.

Special sessions will be organized at the expo to connect startups with investors. Over the five days several sessions on artificial intelligence and its impact are planned to be conducted.

On the eve of the marquee clash, Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha had expressed his desire to face a full-strength Indian side and wished Abhishek Sharma a speedy recovery.

But on Sunday at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, it was Ishan Kishan who stole the spotlight with a scintillating half-century, guiding India to a competitive 175/7.

Put in to bat on a sluggish surface where the ball kept low, Agha opened the bowling himself and struck immediately. Abhishek attempted an ambitious loft but was caught at mid-on by Shaheen Shah Afridi, leaving India at 1/1.

Unfazed, Kishan counter-attacked brilliantly, launching Afridi for a six and dominating the Powerplay. Alongside Tilak Varma, he rebuilt the innings as India reached 51/1 in six overs.

Kishan took charge against Pakistan’s spin-heavy attack, which included Abrar Ahmed and Usman Tariq. He raced to a 27-ball fifty and eventually scored a superb 77 off 40 balls, hitting 10 fours and three sixes, before falling to Saim Ayub.

Captain Suryakumar Yadav then anchored the innings with a composed 32, while Ayub struck crucial blows, dismissing Tilak and Hardik Pandya off successive deliveries to put India under pressure.

At a critical juncture, Shivam Dube provided impetus with a quick 27 off 17 balls. Suryakumar fell late in the innings, but Rinku Singh finished strongly with an unbeaten 11 off four balls, pushing India to 175/7.

Earlier, Pakistan opted to field after winning the toss in a high-voltage encounter.

Brief Scores:

India 175/7 (Ishan Kishan 77, Suryakumar Yadav 32, Shivam Dube 27, Tilak Varma 25; Saim Ayub 3/25) vs Pakistan

The annual pilgrimage to Kedarnath will commence on April 22 this year, while the sacred Char Dham Yatra will begin on the auspicious occasion of Akshay Tritiya, which falls on April 19. The portals of the Badrinath shrine will open on April 23.

The date for the opening of Kedarnath temple was announced on Sunday by temple priests, in accordance with long-standing tradition, on the occasion of Mahashivratri at the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath.

The announcement was made in the presence of Kedarnath Rawal and chief priest Jagadguru Bhimashankar Ling, following special prayers and rituals.

According to the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC), the portals of Badrinath will open a day after Kedarnath, on April 23 at 6:15 AM during the Brahmamuhurta. Meanwhile, the Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines will open on April 19, coinciding with Akshay Tritiya, as per tradition.

The ceremonial process will begin on April 18 with special prayers and the departure of the palanquin of Lord Bhairav Nath. This will be followed by the ceremonial ‘Chala Utsav’ marking the departure of Lord Kedarnath’s palanquin from its winter abode at Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath.

The palanquin will halt overnight at Gaurikund on April 20 before reaching the Kedarnath shrine on April 22, when the temple portals will formally open.

It may be noted that the dates for opening the Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines were earlier announced on the occasion of Vasant Panchami.

With the opening of Gangotri and Yamunotri on April 19, the Char Dham Yatra 2026 will formally commence on Akshay Tritiya, while the Kedarnath pilgrimage will begin on April 22.

part of the centenary year celebrations of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat will be in Lucknow for two days from February 17.

An RSS spokesperson said here on Sunday that during the visit, Bhagwat will participate in family gatherings, social harmony meetings, youth interactions, and major public meetings.

Calling for an end to the prolonged legal uncertainty faced by Sri Lankan Tamil refugees living in Tamil Nadu for over four decades, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Sunday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to adopt a humanitarian approach and consider granting them Indian citizenship or long-term visas.

In a demi-official letter to the Prime Minister, Stalin highlighted that despite decades of residence and deep integration into Indian society, many refugees continue to lack durable legal status. He noted that around 89,000 Sri Lankan Tamil refugees currently reside in Tamil Nadu, with a significant number having lived in India for more than 30 years, and nearly 40 per cent born on Indian soil.

Tracing the origins of their migration to the 1983 anti-Tamil violence in Sri Lanka, Stalin said successive Tamil Nadu governments, with the support of the Union Government, have provided shelter, education, healthcare, and livelihood support to the refugees. However, he stressed that their legal status remains unresolved.

The Chief Minister pointed out that an Advisory Committee set up by the State Government had recommended regularisation under existing legal frameworks. It identified categories eligible for citizenship or long-term visas, including those born in India before June 30, 1987, individuals with one Indian parent, spouses of Indian citizens, and Persons of Indian Origin with documentary proof.

Stalin also observed that the 2003 amendment to the Citizenship Act, which introduced the category of “illegal immigrant,” had unintentionally affected refugees who entered India under humanitarian circumstances. He noted that administrative instructions issued earlier had restricted consideration of their citizenship applications.

While welcoming recent policy developments such as the Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) Order, 2025, Stalin said a formal clarification that registered Sri Lankan Tamil refugees sheltered up to January 2015 would not be treated as illegal migrants would provide much-needed legal certainty.

He urged the Centre to withdraw restrictive administrative instructions, waive passport and visa requirements in deserving cases based on verified Tamil Nadu Government records, and delegate powers to district-level authorities to streamline processing.

Emphasising their peaceful conduct and strong cultural ties with India, Stalin said the continued classification of these refugees as irregular does not reflect the humanitarian context of their arrival, and appealed to the Prime Minister to take a favourable and compassionate decision.

Ten-month-old Alin Sherin Abraham, Kerala’s youngest organ donor who died in a car accident, was laid to rest with state honours at Nedungadappally St Thomas CSI Church, Pathanamthitta, on Sunday evening.

Alin’s mortal remains were brought to the residence from the George Marthan Hospital mortuary in Mallappally on Sunday morning. The funeral ceremony, initially scheduled for 3 pm, was delayed as hundreds of people flocked to Alin’s house in Mallappally to pay their respects.

Health Minister Veena George and Devaswom Minister VN Vasavan, representing the state government, were part of the funeral ceremony. Union Minister Suresh Gopi also participated in the ceremony. The Union Minister also conveyed the Prime Minister’s condolences to the bereaved family.

Alin became the youngest organ donor in the state after her parents agreed to donate her liver, two kidneys, a heart valve, and two eyeballs. This gave new life to five people.

Alin, the daughter of Arun Abraham and Sherin Ann John, natives of Mallappally, Pathanamthitta, died in a road accident on February 5 while travelling by car from Kottayam to Thiruvalla. The seriously injured child was admitted to hospitals in Changanassery and Thiruvalla and later to Amrita Hospital in Kochi on February 7. It was decided to donate Alin’s organs after she was declared brain dead on Thursday.

Alin, whose tragic death moved the state, will now live on through five recipients. Alin’s liver was transplanted in a seven-hour surgery at KIMSHEALTH, Thiruvananthapuram, to a six-month-old baby suffering from severe liver failure. Her kidneys were transplanted at the Government Medical College Hospital to a 10-year-old child. Her heart valves have been preserved at Sree Chithra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, while her corneas have been preserved at Amrita Hospital, Kochi.

Commending Alin’s parents for their decision amid unimaginable grief, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the family had set an example for society. He also expressed gratitude to the health workers, police personnel and ambulance driver who coordinated the organ transfer.

As part of the ongoing statewide special enforcement drive Operation Cyber Kavach, coordinated cyber operations were carried out across multiple districts of Odisha on Sunday, targeting mule bank accounts and cybercrime facilitators.

Dedicated district cyber teams conducted verification drives and enforcement actions under the supervision of respective senior police officers, with real-time coordination from cyber units.

During today’s operation, Boudh district verified 45 mule bank accounts and registered a new cybercrime case, serving notice to 45 people.

Malkangiri district verified 20 mule bank accounts and registered a new case. Sundargarh district verified 2 mule bank accounts, linked two cases with existing FIRs, and arrested 6 accused persons. Urban police in Cuttack verified 6 mule bank accounts and registered a new cybercrime case, serving notice to 6 persons.

Overall, Odisha Police verified 73 mule bank accounts across the state today, registered 3 new cybercrime cases, worked out 2 linked cases with existing FIRs, arrested 6 accused persons, and served 51 legal notices on suspected facilitators and account holders.

These actions form part of Odisha Police’s disruption-oriented strategy to dismantle mule banking networks and the financial infrastructure supporting organised cyber fraud syndicates. Operation Cyber Kavach continues to focus on identifying facilitators, neutralising fraudulent accounts, and preventing misuse of banking and telecom resources for cybercrime.

Daily monitoring and reporting mechanisms remain in place to ensure operational synchronisation and sustained enforcement. The Odisha Police reiterates its firm commitment to intelligence-led policing and coordinated action to protect citizens and strengthen the state’s digital security ecosystem.

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Sunday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that the Union Budget reflects “intellectual exhaustion” and has failed to inspire confidence among markets and investors.

In a post on X, Ramesh said the Prime Minister’s recent interview to a news agency was aimed at controlling the narrative following criticism from the Opposition and subdued market sentiment.

“The PM knows that this year’s Budget has been a damp squib and shows every sign of intellectual exhaustion. Markets have reacted negatively and investors have been unimpressed,” Ramesh wrote.

He added that Modi “felt the need to give an interview a fortnight after the Budget was presented and a few days after it was taken apart by the Opposition in Parliament.”

Earlier, Modi defended the Budget in his interview, stating that it was not a “‘now or never’ moment born out of compulsion” but a “‘we are ready’ moment born out of preparation and inspiration.”

However, Ramesh dismissed the interaction as stage-managed. “His so-called interview is no interview, but a carefully scripted and desperate PR exercise,” he said, accusing the Prime Minister of relying on “one-liners that mean little in reality.”

The Congress general secretary also criticised the government’s approach to the proposed trade deal with the United States, alleging that it amounted to a “betrayal” of farmers. He further claimed that the Prime Minister was attempting to divert attention from key economic concerns through media outreach.

“Under siege and attack because of his surrender to the US on the trade deal, the Prime Minister is now resorting to his favourite tactic of headline management,” Ramesh said.

In a pointed Hindi remark, he added, “Pradhan Mantri jhuke bhi hain aur thake bhi hain,” suggesting that the Prime Minister has both “bowed down and grown weary.”

The exchange comes amid intensified political sparring between the ruling BJP and Opposition parties over the Union Budget and the government’s economic policies. While critics have questioned its ability to address unemployment, rural distress, and inflation, the government has maintained that the Budget lays a strong foundation for sustained economic growth and fiscal stability.

Senior Congress MP Karti Chidambaram, in a candid assessment of the Congress party’s electoral defeats over the last 10 years, on Sunday underscored the collective responsibility of the party leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and the top leadership of the grand old party.

He, however, backed Rahul’s leadership and defended the Nehru-Gandhi family’s hold over the Congress, asserting that every political party, barring a few, is run by families. “Everybody is irresponsible. Of course, the leadership is responsible. But the point is the average party cadre has a special connection with the Nehru-Gandhi family. And they want that family to be the centre of the leadership of the party,” he said.

The Congress MP cited several examples, including that of the Samajwadi Party, the National Conference, the Nationalist Congress Party, and the Trinamool Congress.

“If you go to the national conference, it will be unthinkable for anybody outside the Abdullah family to be a leader. You go to the, say, Mufti breaks away from this, and what does he do? I mean, he’s only succeeded by his daughter. Mamata Banerjee breaks away from the Congress and starts a new party. Who’s her successor? Her nephew. Sharad Pawar breaks away from the party and forms a new party. Who is his successor? His daughter or his late nephew? You and your father also tried to break away at one point. My father was not the leader of the party,” Chidambaram said.

‘From tomorrow, none will talk about coalition govt’: DMK snubs Congress demand for power sharing

The minister further stated that even the NDA alliance parties are also run by families. “And look at the other parties, the parties in which the BJP has an alliance, they have an alliance with Chandrababu Naidu’s party. Who do you think is going to succeed Chandrababu Naidu? It’ll be his son in Tamil Nadu. What about Paswan’s party? So, what about the Shiv Sena too, when the BJP had an alliance with?” he said.

Chidambaram also admitted that his father’s attempt to leave the Congress and form a new party was unsuccessful, and they eventually returned to the Congress fold. P Chidambaram had quit the Congress and formed the Tamil Maanila Congress in 2001. However, he merged his party with the Congress in 2004.

“We broke away unsuccessfully. We came back. Not many, everybody can run. Pranab Mukherjee did not run a successful political party. We came back to the Congress. Everybody doesn’t succeed,” he said.

As the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear review petitions on Monday regarding the 2018 verdict allowing women into the Sabarimala temple on Monday, Opposition leader in the Kerala Assembly VD Satheesan has urged the state government to end its evasive approach on the issue.

Speaking to the media in Kochi on Sunday, Satheesan asked Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to clarify whether his government would file a new affidavit or stand by the one it had earlier filed in the Supreme Court in the Sabarimala Temple women’s entry case.

“There can be no hiding on this issue. The Azhakozhamban (evasive) stance is no longer acceptable. The position should be clearly stated,” VD Satheesan said.

He alleged that the first Pinarayi Vijayan government, which had initially taken a strong in favour of women’s entry into the Sabarimala Temple, later reached a point of apologising due to fear of protests.

“Now, the question is whether the government supports the entry of young women into the Sabarimala Temple. If it does, then it can stand firm on the affidavit it has already filed in the Supreme Court. Earlier, the then Devaswom Minister had publicly apologised. He even asked for forgiveness. The former minister said that he had made a mistake. If the government feels regret over the affidavit filed earlier in support of women’s entry into the Sabarimala Temple, it should be withdrawn, “ the Opposition leader said.

Satheesan clarified that when the UDF comes to power, a new affidavit will be filed in the Supreme Court, taking into account the social conditions.

The Opposition leader alleged that huge financial irregularities had taken place in the name of Sabarimala and the global Ayyappa Sangamam.

He also accused the CPM leadership of embezzling crores of rupees in the name of the Ayyappa Sangamam. He said that the government’s moves targeting the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) had specific political objectives and that political appointments in the TDB paved the way for such corruption.

He said that after the allegations of embezzling crores of rupees in the name of the Ayyappa Sangam surfaced, the Devaswom Minister is trying to wash his hands of the matter by stating that he did not know anything about the dealings of funds and that the government had no role in them.

“If the government has no role, why did they put up advertisements for the global Ayyappa Sangamam all over Kerala with the Chief Minister’s picture?” he asked, adding that crores of rupees were spent on the advertisement. “The Chief Minister attended the event and said that the event was being organised by the Travancore Devaswom Board with the support of the government,” Satheesan said.

CPM state Secretary M V Govindan on Sunday did not give a clear answer to the media’s question whether the CPM will change its stance on allowing young women to enter Sabarimala Temple. He said the party will state its position when required, adding that “nothing is unchangeable.”

“It is the government that has to speak, and it will do so,” Govindan said in Palakkad.

State Law Minister P Rajeev said that the government’s stand on the issue of women’s entry into Sabarimala cannot be taken in a minute. “Let the review bench come first. After that, the stand will be announced,” he said.

NSS General Secretary G Sukumaran Nair said his organisation hopes that the government will amend the affidavit filed in the Supreme Court regarding the entry of young women into the Sabarimala Temple.

BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar said that his party’s stand on the entry of women into the Sabarimala Temple is clear. Rajeev Chandrasekhar said that his position is that the temples should not come under the government.

In a significant step towards strengthening teacher education in Odisha, Jamia Millia Islamia has approved the opening of a B.Ed. and M.A. (Education) Learning Support Centre (LSC) at Odisha State Open University (OSOU), Sambalpur.

The initiative follows a request from OSOU seeking academic collaboration to support aspiring teacher trainees in the state. The newly approved LSC will enable students across Odisha to pursue B.Ed. and M.A. (Education) programmes under the academic guidance of Jamia Millia Islamia, a reputed Central University.

Officials said the arrangement would serve as an academic handholding mechanism until OSOU receives independent approval to offer B.Ed. programmes. The collaboration is expected to ensure access to quality curriculum, academic mentoring, and institutional support for teacher aspirants.

On the occasion, Prof. M. Moshahid Ahamed Rizvi, Dean, Centre for Distance and Online Learning, Jamia Millia Islamia, attended the programme. He was joined by Vice-Chancellor Shyam Sundar Pattnaik, Registrar Dr. Chittaranjan Sahu, Prof Altaf Khan, Director of School at OSOU, Prof. (Dr.) Garuda Dhwaja Barik, Principal of Dr. PMIASE, Sambalpur, Dr. Srikanta Paikray, and Dr. Brundaban Meher, along with senior officials and faculty members.

The initiative is expected to open new academic avenues for aspiring teachers in Odisha and contribute to strengthening the state’s education ecosystem by expanding access to inclusive and high-quality teacher training programmes.

An award-winning farmer allegedly died by suicide due to mounting financial distress at Cherupuzha in Kerala’s Kannur district, police said on Sunday.

The deceased has been identified as Ambat Elias (62), a resident of Idavaram in Cherupuzha. According to police, Elias allegedly consumed pesticide at his farm three days ago and was found in critical condition. He was immediately rushed to a hospital, where he remained under treatment.

However, his condition deteriorated, and he succumbed on Sunday morning.

Elias had earlier been recognised as the best farmer in the district for his contribution to agriculture. He had been cultivating vegetables on leased land for nearly four decades in the hilly regions of Kannur and neighbouring Kasaragod district.

Local residents and relatives said he had been under severe financial strain in recent years. They attributed his distress to mounting debts and inadequate returns from agricultural produce, which made it difficult for him to sustain his farming activities.

Family members also alleged that he had not been receiving government benefits on time, which added to his financial burden. Police said further proceedings are underway.