Former Congress stalwart Shakil Ahmad dropped bombshells in an exclusive IANS interview, questioning Rahul Gandhi’s fitness to lead amid the party’s string of defeats. From Delhi, he dissected Rahul’s communication gaffes, leadership insecurities, and preferential treatment of sycophants. Defending Rahul’s intellect, Ahmad attributed the ‘Pappu’ tag to language barriers—English thought process clashing with Hindi delivery—unlike Sonia Gandhi’s remarkable adaptation or Manmohan Singh’s Urdu speeches. Yet, he stressed Rahul’s filtered interactions limit his understanding compared to Sonia’s broad engagements. Rahul’s insecurity manifests in avoiding seasoned leaders who predated his rise, preferring novices who chant his name, Ahmad claimed. This has fractured…
Author: News Analysis India
In a week of unrelenting upward momentum, India’s gold prices have pierced the historic 1.54 lakh rupees per 10 grams threshold, while silver delivered an even more explosive performance. Data from the India Bullion and Jewellers Association reveals 24-carat gold added 12,717 rupees, settling at 1,54,310 rupees per 10 grams after starting from 1,41,593 rupees. The gains cascaded across purities: 22-karat gold now stands at 1,41,348 rupees per 10 grams (previously 1,29,699 rupees), and 18-karat at 1,15,733 rupees (up from 1,06,195 rupees). Silver stole the spotlight, vaulting 35,815 rupees to 3,17,705 rupees per kilogram from 2,81,890 rupees. Global markets set…
Moradabad’s handicraft maestro Chiranjilal Yadav is on cloud nine after receiving the Padma Shri for 2026, announced just before Republic Day. The artisan, who has devoted over five decades to preserving traditional crafts, admitted he was utterly unprepared for such high acclaim. Since 1970, Yadav has mastered and promoted handicrafts, bagging numerous awards from state to national platforms. In a candid conversation, he shared that congratulatory messages poured in only after media reports surfaced—his first inkling of the honor. ‘It was beyond my wildest dreams,’ he beamed. This prestigious award, he believes, will elevate his art form’s profile throughout India.…
In a glittering announcement ahead of Republic Day, the government unveiled the Padma Awards list, saluting 131 luminaries for their stellar contributions. The business world grabbed headlines with Uday Kotak of Kotak Mahindra Bank earning the coveted Padma Bhushan for his transformative role in Indian finance. Three entrepreneurs secure Padma Shri: Ashok Khade, whose Das Offshore Engineering has bolstered Maharashtra’s maritime prowess, and Satyanarayan Nuwal, whose Solar Industries is a pillar in India’s defense manufacturing landscape. TT Jagannathan of Prestige earns a posthumous Padma Shri, his kitchenware empire still a household name. This year’s tally features five Padma Vibhushan, 13…
Jharkhand’s Chief Minister Hemant Soren made headlines during his UK visit by touring All Souls College at Oxford University, a site steeped in intellectual history. On January 25, he offered tribute to Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the eminent philosopher-educator and ex-Indian President whose legacy endures at the college. Recalling Radhakrishnan’s profound connection with Oxford, Soren noted his groundbreaking appointment in 1936 as Spalding Professor and his fellowships spanning decades. Knighted in 1931 for educational excellence, Radhakrishnan exemplified the fusion of Indian wisdom and Western academia. The trip wasn’t just ceremonial; it sparked in-depth talks on academic collaboration. Welcomed by Anthropology Professor…
In a thrilling start to the Super Sixes at the U19 Cricket World Cup 2026, Australia dismantled South Africa by six wickets on the Namibia Cricket Ground. The victory not only boosts their net run rate but also sends a clear message to rivals in the competition. Opting to field, Australia struck immediately, dismissing Armaan Manack for nought. Mohammad Bulbulia and Jorich van Schalkwyk resisted briefly with a 27-run alliance, but Bulbulia’s 19-run knock ended abruptly. South Africa crumbled to 37 for 4 soon after. Paul James provided some resistance, scoring 33 with a six and a four in his…
As India gears up for its 75th Republic Day, the government has announced 131 Padma Awards, recognizing excellence across diverse fields. Leading the pack is veteran actor Dharmendra Deol, posthumously awarded the Padma Vibhushan for his legendary roles that defined generations of Bollywood storytelling. Joining him are fellow thespians Satish Shah (posthumous) and R. Madhavan, whose versatile performances have captivated audiences. Violin virtuoso Dr. N. Rajam secures another Padma Vibhushan, her career a testament to 50 years of musical brilliance from the halls of BHU to international concert stages. Alka Yagnik’s Padma Bhushan honors her vast repertoire of 20,000+ songs…
On Republic Day eve, a moment of national pride swept through India as the Home Ministry released the 2024 Padma Awards roster. Boasting 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri honorees, the list celebrates extraordinary achievements in diverse fields from every corner of the country and beyond. Leading the pack are Padma Vibhushan awardees: Dharmendra (posthumous, arts, Maharashtra), the veteran Bollywood icon whose films defined generations; KT Thomas (public affairs, Kerala); N Rajam (arts, Uttar Pradesh); P Narayanan (literature-education, Kerala); and VS Achyutanandan (posthumous, public affairs, Kerala). Their contributions have left indelible marks on society. Padma Bhushan…
Fresh outrage grips Bangladesh following the leak of a US diplomatic audio that appears to blueprint the power shift after Sheikh Hasina’s downfall. Published by StratNews Global, the recording features a high-ranking American official musing on alliances with Islamist groups and Bangladesh’s direction post-Hasina. Awami League heavyweight Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury hailed the tape as proof of external orchestration. During a public address, he dissected how the conversation exposes efforts to ‘manage’ governments in the region, echoing patterns seen in Nepal’s political flip and thwarted attempts in France. Hasina, ousted amid deadly student-led protests on August 5, 2024, sought refuge in…
President approves 131 Padma Awards for 2026, spotlighting sports heroes like cricket skippers Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur with Padma Shri. Tennis icon Vijay Amritraj gets Padma Bhushan in a list rich with athletic accolades. Sharma’s triumphant T20 World Cup 2024 captaincy and Kaur’s ODI World Cup 2025 success mark pivotal moments in Indian sports history. Their awards reflect the growing stature of cricket in national honors. Other Padma Shri recipients in sports include martial arts trainer Bhagwan Das Raikwar, whose Bundeli Yudh Kalaa program has produced over 1,000 fighters. Puducherry’s K. Pajni Vel advances Silambam and martial arts traditions.…