Connect with us
Thursday,09-October-2025
Breaking News

National News

Situation in Afghanistan matter of concern, India on alert: Rajnath Singh

Published

on

Rajnath-Singh

The deteriorating situation in neighbouring Afghanistan is of concern, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Monday.

Delivering the Balramji Das Tandon seminar on ‘National Security’, he said: “Whatever is happening in the neighbouring Afghanistan raises concern with regards to the security apparatus. Our government is monitoring the evolving situation in the country.”

He also stressed that the government wants security of Indians and also ensure that no cross-border terror activities could take place, taking a cue from the ongoing situation in Afghanistan.

About the challenges India could face amid the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, Rajnath Singh said: “Our government is alert and ready to deal with all situations. We are always prepared to deal with threats emanating from anywhere – land, air and water.”

After Taliban took over Kabul on August 15, Afghanistan has plunged into a big humanitarian crisis. Pakistan is perceived as having played a major role in bringing the Taliban back to power. As evacuation of foreign nationals winds down, a US missile defence system intercepted rockets fired towards the Kabul international airport.

The minister also said that India is prepared to deal with any eventualities in a bid to secure its sovereignty.

“Our objective is to make India, a prosperous, strong and secure country.”

He said that India does not threaten other countries but seeks to instill in them a sense of faith and trust that a strong India is not a threat for them.

About the border dispute with China, he said that there was an attempt to change the status quo unilaterally but “the Narendra Modi government has clearly given direction not to compromise on such an issue”.

National News

World Jr C’ships: India beat Korea in quarters to assure first-ever mixed team medal

Published

on

Guwahati, Oct 9: India rode on the energy of the vociferous fans and the knowledge of the home conditions to beat Korea and assure themselves of a historic BWF World Junior Mixed Team Championships medal at the National Centre of Excellence, here on Thursday.

The hosts came through a nerve-wracking quarterfinal clash that lasted almost three hours and needed the team to pick themselves up after a heartbreaking reversal in the opening set to beat Korea 44-45, 45-30, 45-33 to set up a semi-final clash against Asian U-19 Mixed Team champions Indonesia, who defeated Chinese Taipei 45-35, 45-35.

The semi-final appearance also assured India of their first-ever mixed-team medal in the history of the BWF World Junior Championships.

The way India had lined-up for the quarterfinals, it was quite clear that they were heavily relying on their singles players to bail them out in case the Koreans made the most of their doubles strength.

The first set went accordingly as Bhargav Ram Arigela and Viswa Tej Gobburu went down 5-9 in the first boys’ doubles against Cho Hyeong Woo and Lee Hyeong Woo. The girls’ doubles combination of Vennala K and Reshika U managed to reduce the deficit by one point by beating Cheon Hye In and Moon In Seo 10-9 before Rounak Chouhan brought them within one point by beating Choi Ah Seung 11-9.

However, a 4-9 loss for C Lalramsanga and Aanya Bisht in the mixed doubles against Lee and Cheon meant that Unnati Hooda had to win 15 points before her opponent Kim Han Bi could reach nine. Unnati began strongly by taking a 3-0 lead, but Kim managed to draw level at 6-6, and it felt that the set was slipping from India’s hands.

However, Unnati dug deep, played long rallies to win five straight points to build pressure on her opponent, and then went on to draw level at 44-44. However, her serve on set point landed in the net, and the distraught Unnati just dropped her racquet in despair.

India made two substitutions ahead of the second set, with Lalramsanga replacing Gobburu in boys’ doubles and Vishakha Toppo coming in for Bisht.

Lalramsanga and Bhargav then gave India a positive start with a 9-7 win over Cho and Lee and Vennala and Reshika extended that advantage to six points. India never looked back thereafter and by the time Unnati took the court for the second set, they were already leading by nine points and all she had to do was wrap up the set.

The third set started in the same manner as Lalramsanga and Bhargav gave India a 9-4 lead but Vennala and Reshika ran out of steam after the first 10 points and the Korean combination of Cheon and Moon put their team ahead by two points.

Chouhan then stepped up turned the match decisively in India’s favour with a 11-4 win over Choi and gave India a five point lead. Lalramsanga and Bisht then increased that lead to seven points and Unnati then hammered Kim 9-4 to kick-off the celebrations.

Speaking about the tactical changes in the second set, India’s doubles coach Ivan Sozonov of Russia said the changes were made because he felt Gobburu and Bisht were feeling the pressure of the occasion and they needed to change something to catch the Koreans off-guard. “I am very happy with the way Lalramsanga played and also how Rounak and Unnati handled the pressure,” he added.

Badminton Association of India secretary general Sanjay Mishra was understandably elated as BAI and the team management had set their eyes on winning a mixed-team medal. “The players had been preparing at this very venue for the last few months and we were confident that we could win a medal if they played to their potential. I am very happy that everyone stood up when it mattered today and I am sure they have the ability to beat Indonesia and reach the final,” he added.

Continue Reading

National News

Mumbai Accident: Porsche Crashes On Western Express Highway During Alleged High-Speed Race With BMW; Driver Injured

Published

on

Mumbai: A Porsche car, reportedly engaged in a high-speed race with a BMW, lost control and crashed into a divider on Mumbai’s Western Express Highway late Wednesday night. The luxury vehicle, a 718 Boxster, bearing the number plate DN 09Q 1777, sustained extensive damage on its right side due to the violent impact, while the driver suffered injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital.

According to preliminary reports, the Porsche was allegedly being driven recklessly when the driver lost control near a busy stretch of the highway. The force of the crash caused parts of the car’s front and side panels to crumble, scattering debris across the road. Visuals shared by news agency media show the wrecked sports car lying by the divider, its airbags deployed and police personnel inspecting the site.

While no casualties have been reported so far, authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact sequence of events leading to the accident. Officials are also probing whether the Porsche and the BMW were involved in illegal street racing and if there was any violation of speed limits or other traffic regulations.

This crash comes just two days after another major accident in Mumbai, where a speeding car plunged into the Arabian Sea off the Coastal Road. On Monday night, a 29-year-old driver, identified as Frashogar Darayush Battiwala, lost control of his Ertiga vehicle while allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol. The car broke through the railing and fell nearly 30 feet into the water near Worli around 11 pm.

In a heroic rescue effort, Maharashtra Security Force (MSF) personnel Pandurang Kale and Vikas Rathod, along with a Byculla Police constable, jumped into the sea and pulled Battiwala to safety using a rope. He sustained minor injuries and was later taken to a hospital for treatment. Police later registered a case against him under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Motor Vehicles Act.

Continue Reading

National News

Mumbai News: BMC Finalises Developers For 15 Stalled Slum Rehabilitation Schemes

Published

on

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has finalized developers for 15 out of 21 stalled slum rehabilitation schemes built on municipal land, bringing new hope to thousands of slum dwellers waiting for homes.

The civic body announced that developers offering at least 25 percent more than the land value would be selected, while some developers have offered premiums as high as 150 percent. For the remaining six schemes, the BMC plans to hold discussions with the top two bidders before finalizing the developer.

Out of the 228 stalled slum schemes across Mumbai, 78 were taken over by the BMC for redevelopment. The civic body had earlier invited letters of interest from developers for 63 of these projects and finally decided to implement 47 of them. A total of 96 developers came forward, but since 26 schemes received interest from only one developer, tenders will be reissued for those.

Under the finalized plans, developers must construct the rehabilitation buildings free of cost and provide slum dwellers with two years of advance rent, along with cheques for the following year. Only those who meet these conditions will be approved. The proposal will be sent to the Municipal Commissioner for final approval, said Umesh Bodkhe, Deputy Chief Engineer overseeing the project.

Some of the finalized projects include Shri Saibaba in Jogeshwari East by Saroj Landmark, Hariom in Vile Parle by Seth Nine Splendor LLP, and Mahavir Dham in Borivali West by Ruparel Infra and Realty. Other developers include Labdhi Lifestyle, Siroya Corp, DGS Township, and Skylark Buildcon.

Projects that will be finalized after discussions include schemes like Sahyog in Jogeshwari East, Ajit Nagar in Borivali West, Sai Adarsh in Wadala, and Panchsheel in Mulund West.

Continue Reading

Trending