Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met a delegation led by Railway Board Chairman Satish Kumar on Friday at the Chief Minister’s residence, where discussions focused on strengthening railway infrastructure in the state, ongoing projects, and future requirements. The Chief Minister stressed that improved rail connectivity would significantly contribute to Uttarakhand’s development by boosting tourism, pilgrimage, investment, and the local economy. He described the Rishikesh–Karnaprayag Rail Project as one of the state’s most important and ambitious initiatives and urged that it be completed within the planned timeframe. He added that the project would make travel easier, safer, and more modern for pilgrims and tourists visiting the Char Dham sites, especially Shri Badrinath and Shri Kedarnath.

The meeting also covered the Tanakpur–Bageshwar Rail Project, with officials noting that its survey and Detailed Project Report (DPR) have already been completed. The Chief Minister expressed confidence that visible progress would be achieved by November 2026. He also called for advancing the Karnaprayag–Bageshwar and Kichha–Khatima rail lines, saying they are essential for future needs and balanced regional growth.

Dhami further highlighted the importance of upgrading railway stations across Uttarakhand to modern standards, noting that Dehradun, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Roorkee, Haldwani, Kathgodam, Ramnagar, and Tanakpur act as key entry points to the state. He emphasized enhancing passenger facilities and infrastructure at these stations.

In view of the upcoming Kumbh and Kanwar Melas, he also urged the development of special arrangements at Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Roorkee stations to handle large pilgrim crowds. He said coordinated efforts between the state government and Indian Railways would ensure safer and more comfortable travel for passengers.

He also stressed the need to expedite the doubling of the Haridwar–Dehradun railway line, adding that railway expansion and modernization would open up new opportunities in investment, trade, tourism, and employment, ultimately strengthening Uttarakhand’s economy. Railway Board Chairman Satish Kumar assured that all issues raised during the meeting would be taken seriously and necessary action would be taken.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu on Thursday announced a 20% reservation for former Agniveers in direct recruitment to several Group C positions, including police constables, firemen, forest guards, jail warders and wildlife guards. The decision was taken after Sandhu held a review meeting with the Chief Secretary, the Delhi Police Commissioner and other senior officials to discuss the implementation of reservation benefits for ex-Agniveers across government departments and agencies in the national capital.

Sharing the development on X, the Lieutenant Governor said the move aligns with the Government of India’s broader vision of supporting former Agniveers after their military service. He noted that the reservation aims to make use of the discipline, professional skills and training acquired by these young men and women during their tenure in the armed forces.

The reservation will apply to direct recruitment for vacant Group C posts, which are non-gazetted government positions. According to the LG, all eligible ex-Agniveers will be able to compete for these openings, ensuring equal access to opportunities while acknowledging their contribution to the country.

Sandhu also directed the concerned departments to complete all required procedural changes and amendments to recruitment rules by June 30. In addition, departments have been authorised to assign responsibilities to these recruits based on their specialised skills and operational needs.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.

A 71-year-old temple trustee, Kailash Modi, was allegedly killed after being attacked with a stick following a dispute in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, on Tuesday morning, police said. Modi served as trustee and president of the Barah Mattha Temple near Gurunanak Colony under Annapurna police station limits. The accused, Mukesh Sharma, has been detained and is currently being questioned.

According to police, the incident took place around 6 am near the gate of a gurudwara in Gurunanak Colony. Annapurna police station in-charge Gopal Yadav told ANI that Sharma, who was reportedly addicted to alcohol, had a long-running conflict with Modi over his behaviour. Police said Sharma and his three brothers previously lived within the temple premises, but repeated disputes and past altercations led to tension between them. A case had also been registered last year in connection with a similar issue.

After being barred from staying at the temple, Sharma began living on a footpath outside and working as a labourer, police said. An argument reportedly broke out on Tuesday morning when Modi arrived at the temple, which escalated into a fatal assault near the gurudwara. Sharma allegedly attacked Modi with a stick, resulting in his death. Police have registered a case and further investigation is underway.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from 

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday said that a large-scale Yamuna cleaning drive was conducted across 28 ghats in the capital, with thousands of citizens joining the effort to clean the river and its surroundings. She noted that participants included people of all age groups, from children to senior citizens, who actively took part in the initiative.

Describing the waste collected during the drive, Gupta said items such as plastic bags, religious offerings, and broken idols were found along the riverbanks. She added that such drives need to be organized regularly to address the problem effectively. She further emphasized the need for targeted waste management based on the different types of waste found at riverfront sites, saying systems should be designed accordingly.

The Chief Minister also urged residents to contribute to keeping the Yamuna clean and to support ongoing environmental efforts. She highlighted that the government is working on improving the river through sewage treatment plants and plans to develop the riverbanks through cleanliness and tree plantation drives to make the city greener.

In her appeal, she also stressed the importance of properly disposing of worship materials, noting that they should be treated respectfully even after use. Recalling her participation in the campaign at Geeta Colony Ghat, she thanked youth groups, sanitation workers, volunteers, NGOs, and over 500 organizations involved in the drive. She said the large turnout reflected a shared responsibility toward keeping the Yamuna and its ghats clean. The initiative is part of the government’s broader effort to restore the Yamuna through public participation, improved waste management, and environmental conservation measures.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from @gupta_rekha.

On Made in SG, Melanie Oliveiro chats with Singaporean singer-songwriter Frances Tan, who recently competed in the Commonwealth Song Contest — an international music competition featuring participants from all 56 Commonwealth countries. Tan shares her experience of being chosen as a Grand Finalist, representing Singapore alongside six other finalist nations. She also discusses her original track, Just Me, which she submitted as her contest entry.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

Following the shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Donald Trump and the White House administration responded strongly, accusing the media and the Democratic Party of contributing to rising political violence. Reged Ahmad and Jonathan Yerushalmy explore the origins of the deep political divide between Democrats and Republicans in the United States. At the same time, Usha Vance has started a new podcast, raising questions about her motives, while King Charles’s upcoming visit to the White House is expected to shed light on Donald Trump’s relationship with the British monarchy.

Disclaimer: This video is taken from The Guardian.

In “Made in SG,” Melanie Oliveiro interviews author K. C. Vijayan about his biography The Benjamin Sheares Story: From Pioneering Gynaecologist to Singapore President. The book offers a vivid and humanising account of Benjamin Sheares, Singapore’s second President and a prominent figure in the Eurasian community, tracing his journey from working in busy maternity wards during the baby boom era to serving as President of Singapore from 1971 to 1981 at the Istana.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

A new AI system developed by NTU can forecast the rate at which food spoils, enabling supermarkets to reduce waste, enhance safety, and manage inventory more efficiently. The technology works by predicting bacterial growth in food. Could this signal the future of food retail? Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman discuss with Natalie Ong, CNA journalist, and Professor William Chen, Executive Director of FRESH@NTU, to explore the possibilities.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.