The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on Monday accepted the resignation of its General Secretary, Champat Rai, after an intense meeting in which several trustees initially urged him to continue in office. The decision was ultimately taken after senior advocate and trust member K. Parasaran clarified that the Trust's bylaws require a resignation to be accepted once it has been submitted.

According to people familiar with the meeting, trustees unanimously expressed their desire for Rai to remain in his position, acknowledging his long association with the Ram Temple movement and his contribution to the construction of the temple. However, Parasaran, who participated in the meeting virtually and was instrumental in drafting the Trust's constitution, explained that the rules leave no room to reject a voluntary resignation.

Following the clarification, the Trust formally accepted Rai's resignation. Officials said that under the Trust's constitution, a person who resigns from an office-bearer's post can only return through a fresh appointment process. The Trust also accepted the resignation of trustee Anil Mishra during the same meeting. Both resignations come amid the ongoing investigation into the alleged theft and embezzlement of donations received at the Ram Temple.

Speaking after the meeting, Trust Treasurer Govind Dev Giri said Rai had voluntarily stepped down, feeling it would be inappropriate to continue as General Secretary until those responsible for the alleged theft are identified and punished. He also praised Rai's years of service, stating that the resignation was made out of a sense of moral responsibility rather than any established wrongdoing. As part of the administrative changes, the Trust appointed retired Indian Forest Service officer and senior RSS functionary Krishna Mohan as the interim General Secretary. It also announced plans to create the post of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to strengthen the temple's administrative structure. A three-member committee will recommend suitable candidates for the new position.

During the meeting, Trust members were also briefed on the progress of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the alleged donation theft. Trustees reportedly called for strict action against those arrested in the case and emphasized the need to safeguard the faith of millions of devotees. The Trust is expected to meet again later this month to discuss the appointment of new trustees and review additional administrative matters. The developments mark one of the most significant organizational changes within the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust since its formation in 2020, as it seeks to reinforce transparency and public confidence while the investigation continues.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Hindustan Times.

The Intelligence Fusion & Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit of the Special Cell, Delhi Police, on Monday dismantled an inter-state network involved in creating and selling fake identity documents through the website bkprint.in. Two individuals, identified as Bideshi Saw and Santosh Kumar, were arrested in connection with the case.

Acting on inputs gathered through social media monitoring and cyber patrolling, investigators learned that counterfeit government documents were being produced and sold online for monetary gain via the website. A preliminary verification confirmed that the platform was offering services related to Aadhaar cards, voter ID cards, PAN-related documents, residence and caste certificates, as well as birth and death certificates, among other identity-related records.

To confirm the modus operandi, officers created a dummy user account using a mobile number. The website demanded wallet recharge before providing services. Accordingly, ₹100 was transferred via a UPI ID displayed on the platform. Once the wallet was credited, the system generated forged Aadhaar and voter ID cards using fictitious details and an uploaded photograph.

Further examination of the Aadhaar document revealed that the QR code only displayed manually entered information and was not connected to any official Aadhaar database, confirming that the documents were fake. The investigation established that the website was systematically facilitating the creation and distribution of forged government identity documents for illegal profit.

During the probe, the mobile number and UPI account used for transactions were traced to accused Bideshi Saw, a resident of Daman & Diu, who was subsequently arrested from the region. During interrogation, he revealed that he was involved in processing fake documents through bkprint.in in exchange for online payments. He further disclosed that the technical backend of the platform was being handled by Santosh Kumar from Patna, Bihar.

Based on technical analysis and investigative leads, Santosh Kumar was traced and arrested from Patna. Evidence recovered from his devices included website source code, hosting details, customer records, technical files, payment data, and chat logs with the co-accused, all indicating his active role in developing and managing the websites used for generating forged documents.

Several electronic devices were also seized during the operation. From Bideshi Saw, police recovered a Realme Narzo 70 Pro 5G phone, a Redmi handset, a Lenovo IdeaPad laptop, and a QR code sound box. From Santosh Kumar, an ASUS VivoBook laptop containing source code and technical records, along with a mobile phone holding communication with the co-accused, was recovered. Additionally, digital records linked to bkprint.in and bkprint.xyz, including source code, hosting information, customer databases, and payment details, along with electronic materials bearing the names “BKS” and “BKS Online Services,” were also seized.

Authorities described the case as a serious, organized, and technology-driven crime involving the illegal creation and distribution of forged government identity documents through online platforms for financial gain. The investigation is ongoing to identify other associates, trace the full network of customers, track illicit proceeds, and determine whether more individuals were involved in using or distributing the fake documents.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday extended his greetings to devotees on the start of the annual Shri Amarnath Yatra, calling it a deeply sacred journey that reflects devotion, faith, penance, and the values of Sanatan tradition. In a message posted on X, he conveyed heartfelt wishes to all pilgrims and prayed for their safe, smooth, and successful journey. He expressed hope that the holy pilgrimage would bring divine blessings and enrich devotees with peace, prosperity, good health, spiritual strength, and a spirit of service to society. He also prayed to Lord Shiva for the protection and well-being of all those undertaking the challenging trek.

At the same time, several senior leaders also shared their greetings. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh extended his best wishes to the pilgrims, praying for the grace of Lord Shiva and wishing that every devotee experiences a safe and fulfilling journey filled with peace, prosperity, and renewed energy. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also greeted the devotees, describing the Yatra as a grand celebration of Sanatan faith and praying for devotees to receive blessings and the divine vision of Baba Barfani.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also conveyed his wishes, calling the pilgrimage a rare spiritual privilege. He urged devotees to undertake the journey with discipline, devotion, and a sense of responsibility toward the nation. He further encouraged pilgrims to conclude the Yatra by planting a sapling under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” initiative, linking spirituality with environmental awareness.

The 57-day pilgrimage officially began on Friday and is being managed under strict security arrangements. Authorities are using digital surveillance systems and RFID tracking to ensure real-time monitoring, crowd control, and safety of pilgrims throughout the route. The Yatra is scheduled to conclude on August 28, coinciding with the festival of Rakshabandhan.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Persistent monsoon showers continue to affect Himachal Pradesh, disrupting daily life and damaging public infrastructure in multiple districts. The latest update released by the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) on Thursday indicates that the impact of the ongoing rainfall has worsened over the last 24 hours, with more roads blocked, increased power outages, and additional weather-related incidents.

According to the SEOC, 46 roads across the state are currently inaccessible, compared to 35 reported on Wednesday evening. Kullu remains the most severely affected district, where 18 roads have been closed due to landslides and heavy rainfall. Mandi follows with 13 blocked roads, creating difficulties for commuters and emergency services.

The state's electricity network has also taken a significant hit. The number of non-functional Distribution Transformer Regions (DTRs) has climbed to 181 from 127 recorded a day earlier. Mandi has suffered the greatest disruption, with 122 transformers out of service, resulting in prolonged power cuts in several localities.

Water supply has also been affected. Six drinking water schemes have been disrupted, all located in the Jhandutta subdivision of Bilaspur district. Restoration work is currently underway to resume normal supply to the affected areas. The ongoing monsoon has also led to loss of life. Seasonal records show four weather-related deaths so far, with Kangra district accounting for three fatalities caused by incidents including electrocution, a fall, and another rain-linked mishap. Mandi district reported one death following a fall.

Two people have died in separate road accidents during the monsoon season, with one case each reported from Kinnaur and Mandi districts. Officials estimate that the cumulative financial losses from the ongoing rains have reached approximately Rs 44.40 lakh. Mandi has recorded the highest damage at around Rs 24 lakh, while Kangra has reported losses of nearly Rs 16 lakh.

Government departments and emergency response teams continue to work on reopening blocked roads, restoring electricity, and repairing damaged water supply systems. Authorities have advised both residents and visitors to remain alert, avoid travel through landslide-prone areas unless necessary, and closely follow official weather updates, as more rainfall is forecast in several parts of the state.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

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.