Kashmiriyat Literary Fest to Bring Writers, Thinkers and Cultural Icons Together in Grand July Gathering

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May 18, 2026

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A grand Literary Fest and Book Launch themed “Kashmiriyat” is set to take place on July 12, 2026, at the iconic Tagore Hall, promising to emerge as one of the most significant cultural and intellectual gatherings of the year.

The event is expected to attract hundreds of writers, scholars, artists, academicians, thinkers, social leaders and literature enthusiasts from across the country, bringing together diverse voices on a common platform dedicated to literature, culture and ideas.

Conceived as a celebration of heritage, knowledge and creative expression, the festival aims to become a “Kumbh of Knowledge, Literature and Thought,” creating space for meaningful discussions and intellectual exchange around the essence of Kashmiriyat — its civilizational ethos, artistic traditions and inclusive cultural legacy.

The event is being organised by noted author and writer Dr. Vaidehi Taman, whose literary and cultural initiatives have consistently focused on preserving India’s civilizational values and encouraging social dialogue through literature.

Several distinguished dignitaries, public figures and literary personalities are expected to attend the event, adding to its significance and scale.

Alongside literary sessions and book launches, the festival will also showcase Kashmir’s rich cultural traditions through folk performances and artistic presentations by renowned local artists. Organisers said these performances would reflect the beauty, spirit and timeless heritage of the Valley.

Speaking about the significance of the initiative, Dr. Vaidehi Taman said such platforms are essential for strengthening literary culture, preserving civilizational identity and fostering constructive dialogue in society.

She said literature and culture continue to serve as powerful bridges connecting communities, generations and ideas, particularly at a time when preserving heritage and identity has become increasingly important.

Organisers believe the upcoming Literary Fest will go beyond being a conventional event and evolve into a larger cultural movement celebrating literature, heritage and the enduring spirit of Kashmiriyat.

‘Bail Is Rule, Jail Exception’: SC Grants Relief to Accused in Jammu Narco-Terror Case

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May 18, 2026

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Reinforcing the principle that personal liberty remains central even under stringent anti-terror laws, the Supreme Court on Monday observed that “bail is the rule and jail is an exception” and granted bail to an accused in a high-profile narco-terror case linked to Jammu and Kashmir.

A bench comprising Justices B V Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan granted bail to Syed Iftikhar Andrabi, a resident of Handwara, who is facing trial over his alleged involvement in a cross-border network accused of drug trafficking and terror financing in Jammu and Kashmir.

The court directed Andrabi to surrender his passport and report to the local police station once every 15 days as part of the bail conditions.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is probing the case, which was registered in 2020 under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

In a significant observation, the apex court held that Section 43D(5) of the UAPA, which imposes strict conditions for granting bail, cannot be used to justify prolonged or indefinite imprisonment and must operate within the constitutional framework of Articles 21 and 22.

“Bail is the rule and jail the exception is a constitutional principle flowing from Articles 21 and 22, and the presumption of innocence is the cornerstone of any civilised society governed by the rule of law,” the bench observed.

The Supreme Court also stressed that its landmark 2021 judgment in the K A Najeeb case remains binding law and cannot be diluted, bypassed or ignored by trial courts, high courts, or benches of lesser strength.

The K A Najeeb ruling had established important safeguards regarding bail under the UAPA, especially in cases involving prolonged incarceration without trial.

Andrabi had moved the Supreme Court challenging an order of the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court, which had earlier denied him bail after citing scrutiny of cellphone records that allegedly showed his contact with terror operatives across the border.

CBSE’s New Three-Language Rule Triggers Parent Anxiety, Schools Raise Timing Concerns

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May 18, 2026

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The implementation of the CBSE’s revised three-language policy for Class 9 students has sparked concern among educationists and parents, with many questioning the timing of the move and schools’ preparedness as the academic session is already underway.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) recently made three languages compulsory for Class 9 students from July 1, requiring at least two native Indian languages under the framework. However, schools had already begun classes and conducted unit tests for the ongoing session, triggering confusion among stakeholders.

School administrators and parents have expressed concern over the abrupt rollout, saying it has created uncertainty for students who had already selected language combinations and begun coursework.

Mount Abu School Principal Jyoti Arora described the implementation as “very sudden”, stating that while the policy aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP), introducing it after the academic year had started had created a “sense of restlessness.” She also sought greater clarity regarding the role of English within the new framework.

Parents also raised objections, saying children had already appeared for assessments in selected languages and were now being forced to alter academic choices midway through the session.

The revised framework classifies English as a foreign language and permits only one foreign language within the three-language structure. This change could affect students who had opted for both English and another foreign language, such as French.

Several parents expressed concern that students with prior preparation in foreign languages may now be compelled to shift subjects, adding academic pressure at a critical stage. Others pointed to practical challenges, including limited language options offered by schools.

Educationists also flagged implementation issues related to teacher availability, timetable restructuring and introducing entirely new languages to students without prior exposure. Questions were also raised over CBSE’s suggestion that Class 9 students beginning a new language could temporarily use Class 6 textbooks to build foundational knowledge.

Experts stressed that while the broader objective of promoting multilingual education is welcome, major academic reforms should ideally be introduced at the start of an academic session rather than midway through the year.

The debate also spilled onto social media, with users questioning whether schools possess the infrastructure and teaching resources required to effectively implement the new language policy. Others voiced concerns over the additional academic burden on students already navigating the transition from Class 8 to Class 9.

V D Satheesan Takes Oath as Kerala CM as Congress Returns to Power in Grand Ceremony

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May 18, 2026

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Congress leader V D Satheesan on Monday took oath as the Chief Minister of Kerala, marking the Congress-led United Democratic Front’s (UDF) return to power after a decisive victory in the state Assembly elections.

Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office and secrecy to Satheesan, the Congress Legislature Party leader, at a grand swearing-in ceremony attended by top political leaders and thousands of party supporters.

Satheesan took the oath in the name of God. Alongside him, members of his 20-member Cabinet were also sworn in during the ceremony.

The event witnessed the presence of senior Congress leaders, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Chief ministers of Congress-ruled states, former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, leaders from Left parties and BJP representatives also attended the event.

Thousands of Congress workers and supporters from across Kerala gathered in the state capital to witness the swearing-in ceremony, turning the occasion into a major political show of strength.

The Congress-led UDF secured a massive mandate in the recently concluded Assembly elections for the 140-member House, held on April 9. Results announced on May 4 saw the alliance win 102 seats, while the Left Democratic Front (LDF) managed 35 seats and the BJP secured three.

Satheesan’s elevation as chief minister comes as the Congress looks to consolidate its political revival in Kerala following a strong electoral performance and a clear anti-incumbency verdict against the previous government.

Trump-Xi Summit Signals New US-China Reset as Symbolism Overshadows Major Breakthroughs

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May 16, 2026

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US President Donald Trump returned from his China visit describing his discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping as a meeting between leaders of “two great countries”, with the summit emerging as a powerful display of symbolism amid efforts to reset ties between Washington and Beijing.

Trump arrived at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Friday evening after a brief refuelling stop in Anchorage, Alaska. He claimed that the trip resulted in significant trade agreements, including a deal involving China’s purchase of 200 Boeing aircraft with a commitment for an additional 750 in the future, alongside agreements expected to benefit the American agriculture sector.

Calling the relationship between the United States and China central to global stability, Trump described the summit as a defining moment.

“It’s the two great countries. I call it the G-2. This is the G-2. I think it’ll go down as a very important moment in history,” Trump told Fox News after meeting Xi on Thursday.

Observers noted that Trump’s remarks placed China on an equal footing with the US, a diplomatic position long pursued by Beijing. According to analyses in American media, the carefully orchestrated meetings and symbolic gestures reflected China’s effort to project itself as an equal global power alongside the United States.

Trump also spoke about Taiwan, suggesting that China was unlikely to pursue aggressive action while he remained in office.

“It’s not a takeover. They just don’t want to see this place — we’ll call it a place because nobody knows how to define it — but they don’t want to see it go independent,” Trump said.

“I don’t think they’ll do anything when I’m here. When I’m not here, they might, to be honest with you,” he added.

The US President further said he had invited Xi Jinping to visit Washington in September as both leaders appear set for multiple engagements later this year.

Foreign policy experts viewed the summit as a strategic exercise focused more on optics and relationship management than resolving longstanding disagreements between the two powers.

Former National Security Council officials and diplomatic observers noted that the summit appeared designed to stabilise relations and manage tensions rather than deliver immediate solutions on contentious issues.

Analysts believe the Trump-Xi engagement may mark the beginning of a broader diplomatic process expected to unfold through multiple meetings in the months ahead, including possible interactions during major international summits later this year.

Despite the friendly public messaging, experts remain divided over whether the summit strengthened US-China ties or simply showcased a carefully staged reset with unresolved geopolitical challenges still looming in the background.

Extreme Workouts, Steroids and Supplements Trigger Alarming Rise in Heart Risks Among Youth: Experts

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May 16, 2026

extreme workout, workout, gym, supplements, steroids — Extreme Workouts, Steroids and Supplements Trigger Alarming Rise in Heart Risks Among Youth: Experts 12

India’s growing obsession with muscular physiques and rapid body transformations is fuelling the misuse of steroids, stimulant-heavy pre-workout powders and unregulated gym supplements, with medical experts warning of an alarming rise in heart-related complications among young fitness enthusiasts.

Cardiologists have cautioned that the combination of extreme workouts, anabolic steroids, dehydration and performance-enhancing supplements can significantly increase the risk of arrhythmias, high blood pressure, heart failure and even sudden cardiac arrest in seemingly healthy young individuals.

The trend, amplified by social media fitness culture and aggressive online supplement marketing, is pushing many gym-goers toward unsafe practices and unrealistic body-image expectations, experts said.

Dr Rahul Chandola, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeon and Chairman of the Institute of Heart and Lung Diseases, said regular exercise itself is beneficial and protects heart health, but problems arise when individuals combine intense physical activity with unsupervised supplement use and steroids.

“We are increasingly seeing young individuals suffering from palpitations, abnormal heart rhythms, blood pressure spikes and even early structural heart changes associated with supplement misuse,” he said.

Doctors noted that sudden collapses and cardiac deaths among amateur bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts are becoming a growing concern both in India and globally.

Dr Mayank Yadav, cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon at AIIMS, said many young people wrongly believe that products sold online or promoted by influencers are safe. He warned that several formulations remain poorly regulated and are often consumed in excessive quantities.

Experts also raised concerns over the absence of proper cardiovascular screening before people begin intense exercise regimens. According to Chandola, many individuals may unknowingly have underlying heart conditions that remain undetected until a major event occurs during strenuous physical activity.

He pointed out that routine annual health check-ups often fail to identify hidden cardiovascular abnormalities, creating a false sense of reassurance among individuals who may actually be at high risk.

Medical experts stressed the need for more comprehensive preventive screening, particularly for people above 40 years of age and those with conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, smoking habits or a family history of heart disease.

Doctors also advised young gym-goers to avoid shortcuts to rapid muscle gain and prioritise long-term health over appearance-driven goals and social media pressure.

Bhojshala Row Heads to SC? Digvijaya Says Top Court Must Decide Worship Rights After HC Verdict

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May 16, 2026

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Congress Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh on Friday said the Supreme Court would now have to decide whether prayers and worship can be permitted at the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Dhar, following the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s ruling declaring the structure a temple of Goddess Saraswati.

The Indore bench of the High Court, in its judgment delivered on Friday, also quashed the Archaeological Survey of India’s April 7, 2003 order that had allowed Muslims to offer prayers at the premises every Friday.

The remarks come as the Muslim side has already announced plans to challenge the High Court verdict in the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, a Hindu petitioner has filed a caveat in the apex court, requesting that no order be passed without hearing its side in any appeal related to the case.

“Bhojshala is an ASI-protected monument. We will study the High Court’s decision in the Bhojshala matter,” Singh told reporters.

He said the question of whether worship or prayers can be conducted within an ASI-protected monument should ultimately be decided by the Supreme Court.

The former Madhya Pradesh chief minister reiterated his long-standing view that the idol of Goddess Saraswati, currently housed in the British Museum in London, should be brought back to India.

“However, I have never stated where the idol should be installed after it returns,” Singh clarified.

Notably, in its 242-page order, the High Court observed that the central government “may consider” representations made by some petitioners seeking the return of the Saraswati idol from London and its reinstallation within the Bhojshala complex.

Singh claimed that former President Shankar Dayal Sharma had also made efforts in the past to bring the idol back to India.

He also pointed out that the ASI’s scientific survey report on the Bhojshala complex did not mention the idol.

The Congress leader urged that legal procedures and established rules be followed in matters involving disputed religious sites. He referred to ongoing Supreme Court cases related to the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi, the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, and the Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Eidgah dispute in Mathura.

Stating that the country is facing economic and social challenges, Singh said it was not an appropriate time to raise Hindu-Muslim issues.

He also termed the alleged irregularities in the NEET examination a “massive scam” and said the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, which he chairs, had submitted detailed recommendations in its 2024 report to prevent such lapses.

Calling for accountability, Singh urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seek the resignation of the Union Education Minister and dismiss the National Testing Agency (NTA) chairman immediately.

Thane Court Awards Life Term to Man for Hammering Wife to Death Before Children

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May 16, 2026

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A court in Maharashtra’s Thane district has sentenced a man to life imprisonment for brutally murdering his wife with a hammer in front of their children, relying heavily on the testimony of his 13-year-old daughter, who witnessed the crime.

Principal District and Sessions Judge S B Agrawal convicted the accused, Vijay Mishra alias Samir Shaikh, under Sections 302 (murder) and 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons) of the Indian Penal Code.

The court sentenced him to life imprisonment along with a concurrent three-year jail term. It also imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh for the murder conviction and an additional Rs 10,000 for injuring his minor daughter and mother-in-law, both of whom had attempted to stop the attack.

Additional Public Prosecutor Rashmi Kshirsagar informed the court that 11 prosecution witnesses, including the couple’s daughter, testified during the trial.

According to the prosecution, the victim, Zarin Israr Ansari, had been living separately with her mother, daughter and six-year-old son for the past two years due to prolonged domestic disputes and alleged abuse.

The accused, who had converted to Islam and married Zarin nearly 14 years ago, reportedly resented her decision to live separately and harboured suspicions about her character.

On September 28, 2023, the accused allegedly arrived at his mother-in-law’s residence in Mumbra carrying a hammer concealed in a bag. Prosecutors said he cornered his wife on the mezzanine floor, dragged her downstairs, locked the main entrance and repeatedly attacked her.

The court upheld the testimony of the victim’s daughter, who was an eyewitness and suffered injuries during the incident, noting that minor inconsistencies in a child’s statement do not diminish its credibility.

The court observed that complete photographic recollection cannot be expected from a child witness and found her account of the incident to be trustworthy and free from reasonable doubt.

The prosecution also alleged that the accused locked family members inside the house and threatened neighbours by displaying a “bomb-like object”, warning that he would blow up the building if anyone intervened.

The victim’s brother eventually broke open the door, overpowered the accused and restrained him until police arrived at the spot.

A post-mortem examination later revealed that the victim suffered 22 severe injuries and died due to extensive head trauma.

Mumbai Water Cut: BMC Warns of Criminal Action Against Illegal Pump Users Amid Supply Crisis

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May 16, 2026

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As Mumbai faces a precautionary 10 per cent water cut due to declining reservoir levels, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has issued a stern warning against the illegal use of electric pumps to siphon water from pipelines, stating that violators could face criminal action.

The civic body implemented the water cut from Friday amid falling water reserves and forecasts of below-normal monsoon conditions linked to El Niño and Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) patterns.

According to BMC data, the total usable water stock across the seven reservoirs supplying Mumbai stood at 340,399 million litres as of May 11, amounting to only 23.52 per cent of the annual required stock of 14,47,363 million litres.

Additional Municipal Commissioner Abhijit Bangar directed officials to intensify enforcement measures and warned that repeat offenders may also face disconnection of water supply.

During inspections, civic officials reportedly found several residents using electric pumps connected directly to water pipelines and tap systems to draw excess water. Authorities said such practices reduce water pressure in surrounding areas and create an uneven supply distribution.

Officials also warned that illegal pumping can put additional strain on the water distribution network and increase the risk of contamination entering pipelines.

The BMC has instructed officials to seize unauthorised pumps, impose penalties and initiate criminal cases against those violating the rules.

Bangar also directed engineers to undertake ward-wise micro-planning to maintain regular water supply and ensure adequate pressure during the ongoing rationing period.

Authorities have been asked to identify vulnerable locations, including elevated and tail-end areas, and formulate action plans to minimise inconvenience to residents.

Field engineers have also been instructed to remain on-site, interact with citizens and public representatives, and ensure swift redressal of water-related complaints.

Mumbai receives its primary water supply from seven reservoirs — Tulsi, Vihar, Bhatsa, Modak Sagar, Tansa, Upper Vaitarna and Middle Vaitarna — spread across Mumbai, Thane and Nashik districts.

NEET Overhaul Announced: Re-Exam on June 21, Shift to CBT Mode From Next Year

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May 15, 2026

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Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday announced that the NEET-UG re-examination will be conducted on June 21 and confirmed that from next year, the medical entrance exam will shift to a computer-based test (CBT) format as part of major reforms following allegations of irregularities and paper leaks.

Addressing a press conference, Pradhan said safeguarding students’ future remains the government’s “topmost priority” and assured strict action against those responsible for any malpractice in the examination process.

“Our topmost priority is the future of students. We will not allow malpractice to happen this time. The government stands with you,” he said.

The NEET-UG examination, originally held on May 3, was cancelled after allegations surfaced regarding irregularities in the conduct of the test.

Pradhan said concerns first emerged through the grievance system of the National Testing Agency regarding alleged overlaps between examination questions and so-called “guess papers”, prompting authorities to initiate an inquiry.

“The process began on May 8 and continued over several days. Once we got clarity and confirmation that questions had been leaked, we took the decision on May 12 keeping students’ interests in mind,” he said.

The minister said immediate discussions followed, with the NTA, the government and the Higher Education Department launching a preliminary inquiry before the matter was handed over to central agencies.

Pradhan said the investigation has now been transferred to the CBI and asserted that no individual involved would be spared.

“The CBI has clearly stated that no one will be spared. Whether someone is inside the NTA or outside, action will be taken against all responsible persons,” he said.

Explaining the shift to the CBT format, Pradhan said computer-based examinations offer better safeguards compared to traditional OMR-based systems.

“CBT mode is comparatively better and more secure. Cybercrime is a major challenge today, but we also need to trust our country’s systems,” he added.

The announcement came after a high-level review meeting was held late Thursday at the minister’s residence to assess preparations for conducting the examination afresh.