Sri Ganganagar | 29 Aug 2026

Rajasthan Police, working with CID Intelligence, have arrested a 45-year-old man carrying a ₹25,000 reward over an alleged Pakistan-linked SIM network in the border region of Sri Ganganagar. Police allege that Balwinder Singh alias Bindra supplied Indian SIM cards to Pakistan-based handlers and helped activate WhatsApp accounts in Pakistan using Indian mobile numbers.

Police Probe Alleged Pakistan-Linked SIM Network

Police identified the accused as Balwinder Singh alias Bindra, son of Pritam Singh and a resident of village 27-A in the Anupgarh area. Sri Ganganagar Superintendent of Police Hari Shankar Yadav said the arrest followed intelligence gathering in the border region over suspected activities involving Pakistan-based handlers.

According to police, Balwinder allegedly procured SIM cards registered to Indian citizens and facilitated their transfer to handlers across the border. Investigators allege that OTP verification was then used to activate WhatsApp accounts in Pakistan while retaining Indian mobile numbers.

Police said eight Indian SIM cards were allegedly supplied to Pakistan-based handlers. Investigators suspect the numbers were subsequently used to communicate with people in India and seek sensitive or strategic information.

The allegations remain under investigation and have not been proven in court.

Police Register BNS Case, Examine Mobile Phone

Anupgarh Police registered Case No. 452/2026 against Balwinder under Sections 318(4), 152 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, according to police. He has been arrested and is being questioned about his alleged contacts and the wider network.

Investigators are also conducting a forensic examination of his mobile phone. Police allege that preliminary findings indicate he remained in contact with Pakistan-based handlers through WhatsApp.

The investigation is now focused on establishing how the SIM cards allegedly reached Pakistan, identifying the people who obtained or registered them and determining whether other individuals were involved.

Accused Was Wanted in Separate Heroin Smuggling Case

Police said Balwinder was already wanted in Jaitsar Police Station Case No. 102/2026, registered under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. A ₹25,000 reward had been announced for information leading to his arrest in that case.

The narcotics investigation concerns the alleged cross-border smuggling of about 10.5 kg of heroin, estimated by police to be worth around ₹55 crore, after the consignment was allegedly dropped inside India using a drone from Pakistan.

Investigators are examining whether there is any connection between the alleged SIM-card operation, Pakistan-based contacts and the narcotics trafficking case. Police have not yet announced any conclusion establishing such a link.

Police Search for Other Suspected Network Members

The operation involved Anupgarh Police and CID Intelligence personnel. Police said questioning of the arrested accused and examination of digital evidence are continuing to identify other people who may have participated in the alleged network.

No conviction has been recorded against Balwinder in the Pakistan-linked SIM case, and the accusations against him remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings.

Washington | 28 Aug 2026

US President Donald Trump announced a US-Venezuela oil deal on Friday that he said would give the United States majority control over more than 65 billion barrels of Venezuela’s proven reserves. However, the agreement’s legal structure, participating companies and implementation timetable have not been publicly disclosed.

US-Venezuela oil deal covers 17 fields

Trump said Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth negotiated the agreement with Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodríguez and private businesses. He claimed the arrangement would impose no cost on American taxpayers.

“The United States of America has just entered into an Agreement with the Country of Venezuela on, THE BIGGEST OIL DEAL IN WORLD HISTORY!”

— Donald Trump, US President

Rodríguez’s government said the agreement covered the development of 17 strategic oilfields with proven potential of 65 billion barrels. An unnamed US official told the Associated Press that the plan envisaged a new company involving the United States and a private operator, with the US receiving 55 per cent of its effective output through ownership and rights to purchase crude at cost.

The official said the company would receive 100-year development rights. Neither government had published the full agreement or identified the private operator by Saturday.

Venezuela projects $100 billion in private investment

The Venezuelan government said the agreement could attract nearly $100 billion in private investment and generate more than $209 billion in tax revenue. Rodríguez said it would help modernise the country’s oil industry, increase production and support economic growth.

Rubio said the arrangement would provide the United States with stable, lower-cost oil while creating jobs and investment in Venezuela. Oil purchased through the proposed company could also be used for the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve and military requirements, according to the US official cited by the Associated Press.

Legal and infrastructure questions remain unresolved

Venezuela holds an estimated 303 billion barrels of crude reserves, among the largest proven holdings globally, but produces about 1.25 million barrels per day after years of underinvestment, sanctions and deteriorating infrastructure.

Energy analysts cautioned that Venezuela’s constitutional and petroleum laws could complicate any arrangement giving a foreign government operational control over oilfields. Trump did not explain how majority control would be exercised or whether the agreement required further legislative or regulatory approval.

A rapid reduction in US fuel prices is also uncertain. Venezuela’s heavy crude requires specialised production, transport and refining infrastructure, and a substantial increase in output could take years and require significant capital.

The announcement expands an energy arrangement introduced in January, when Washington began facilitating sales of Venezuelan crude and selectively easing sanctions covering trade and transportation. Existing sanctions on crude production were not fully removed under that earlier authorisation.

Kathmandu | 29 Aug 2026

Poor weather halted helicopter operations and disrupted wider rescue efforts in flood-hit Nepal on Saturday, as authorities searched for thousands of missing people and Infosys confirmed that senior executive Lax Gopisetty remained unreachable.

Nepal flood rescue operations face severe weather

The disaster struck the Nepal–Tibet border region on 26 August after a glacier collapse sent a torrent of water, rocks, ice, mud and debris through mountain river systems, destroying homes, bridges, roads and power facilities.

Nepal’s disaster agency said the death toll in the country had reached 626, with 2,426 people reported missing. Seven deaths and hundreds of missing people were reported in Tibet. More than 3,700 people had been rescued in Nepal, according to the latest official figures cited by the Associated Press.

Rain, fog and difficult terrain prevented helicopters from operating in affected areas on Saturday. Ground teams continued working at several locations, including the Upper Trishuli-1 Hydropower Project in Rasuwa district, where authorities believe more than 100 people could be trapped inside a mud-filled tunnel.

Infosys Public Services chief Lax Gopisetty remains unreachable

Infosys said Lax Gopisetty, who heads its subsidiary Infosys Public Services, had travelled to the affected region in a personal capacity and could not be contacted. The company said it was coordinating with relevant agencies and supporting his family.

“We can confirm that our colleague Lax Gopisetty, who was visiting the region in a personal capacity, is currently not reachable.”

— Infosys statement

Infosys Public Services primarily works with public-sector organisations in the United States and Canada. No confirmed information about Gopisetty’s location or condition had been released by Saturday.

India sends relief and offers technical support

India has dispatched three flights carrying about 60 tonnes of relief supplies, including medicines, blankets, food and water-purification tablets. New Delhi also plans to send tunnel-rescue specialists and a medical team.

Nepal has requested specialised international assistance for tunnel rescues, restoring damaged transport and communication links, identifying bodies through DNA testing and improving temporary storage facilities. Authorities are also monitoring two upstream lakes because the danger of further flooding has not completely passed.

New Delhi | 28 Aug 2026

The Nandan Nilekani-led High-Powered Task Force on examination reforms has invited students, parents, teachers, institutions, examination bodies, experts and other stakeholders to submit suggestions by 13 September 2026 on making India’s public examinations more secure, transparent, equitable and accountable. The exercise covers examinations conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and comes amid heightened scrutiny of examination security and malpractice. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Nandan Nilekani task force opens nationwide consultation

The Union Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions said the task force is examining comprehensive reforms relating to the conduct, security, design and governance of public examinations. Its mandate also includes strengthening institutional systems, improving examination infrastructure, deploying appropriate technology and protecting student well-being. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

The consultation is open to students and candidates, parents, teachers and academic institutions, examination-conducting bodies, subject experts, technology professionals, industry organisations, civil society groups and other interested stakeholders. Submissions can be made in English, Hindi and regional languages. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Exam security, technology and accountability among key focus areas

The task force has identified 10 broad areas for public feedback. These include examination security, assessment methodology, governance and accountability, prevention and detection of malpractices, grievance redressal and the use of technology, including secure computer-based testing. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

It is also seeking proposals for expanding examination infrastructure and improving access for candidates across different social, economic, regional and linguistic groups. Transparency between examination authorities and candidates, effective communication and measures to reduce stress during the examination process are also part of the review. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

Paper leak concerns intensify focus on examination reform

The consultation comes against the backdrop of student protests and concerns over alleged paper leaks and other irregularities in competitive examinations. The government announced the creation of the high-powered task force under Nilekani’s leadership on 26 July 2026, saying it would focus on examination reforms. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

Reports on the panel’s work indicate that it is also examining measures that could affect the 2027 examination cycle, including greater use of computer-based testing and stronger government-backed testing infrastructure. Such proposals remain under consideration and would require government acceptance before implementation. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

How to submit suggestions on public examination reforms

Stakeholders can submit their recommendations through the official examination reforms portal at examreforms-taskforce.dopt.gov.in. The government has also provided the toll-free number 1800-180-4747, WhatsApp number +91 78270 42830 by sending “hptf”, and the email address Ex******************@******ov.in. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

The deadline is 13 September 2026. The government said feedback received through the consultation will be used by the task force while preparing its recommendations on the future structure, security and governance of India’s public examination system. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

Nandan Nilekani task force, exam reforms India 2026, NTA examination reforms, paper leak prevention India, public examination security, computer based testing reforms, exam reform suggestions September 13, NTA exam security

#NandanNilekani #ExamReforms #NTA #PublicExaminations #EducationNews

Kolkata | 28 Aug 2026

Trinamool Congress chief and former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sharply criticised Kolkata Police on Friday during the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad foundation day programme in Kolkata, held on Raksha Bandhan, a day after a confrontation at Abhishek Banerjee’s Camac Street office led to three FIRs and the arrest of 13 people.

Mamata Banerjee targets Kolkata Police over TMC office action

Addressing supporters at Cathedral Road, Banerjee accused the police of acting unfairly against her party and questioned the police action at Abhishek Banerjee’s office on Thursday. She alleged that officers had entered the premises forcibly and that TMC workers were subsequently arrested.

Banerjee contrasted the present police administration with the force she had worked with during her 15 years as chief minister, alleging that its conduct had changed after the change of government. Her remarks were political allegations against the present administration and police; Kolkata Police has separately defended its action through the cases registered over Thursday’s confrontation.

Banerjee also announced that she would begin touring districts to stand with party workers and people she described as deprived. She said that even if police permission was not granted for her political programmes, she would continue her outreach, including travelling on foot where necessary.

Three FIRs filed, 13 arrested after Abhishek Banerjee office clash

Kolkata Police said three cases were registered following Thursday’s confrontation involving police personnel, Kolkata Municipal Corporation officials and TMC members at Abhishek Banerjee’s office on Camac Street. Thirteen people were arrested.

TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien and other party figures were named in cases arising from allegations that officials were obstructed while attempting to enter a common area of the building and remove an allegedly unauthorised billboard.

According to the authorities, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation had received a complaint concerning the billboard and its officials went to the site accompanied by police. The police alleged that party supporters and private security personnel obstructed officials and that a confrontation followed.

The TMC has disputed that account. Abhishek Banerjee alleged that civic and police personnel entered the office without proper authority and pushed or heckled party leaders and workers. His faction has indicated that it will pursue legal remedies over the action.

TMCP foundation day coincides with Raksha Bandhan

The confrontation with police became a major theme at Friday’s TMCP foundation day gathering, which coincided with Raksha Bandhan. Banerjee had earlier called for the occasion to carry a message of harmony because the student organisation’s annual foundation day fell on the festival this year.

The gathering itself was held under restrictions imposed by the Calcutta High Court after rival TMC factions sought permission to organise separate TMCP programmes at the traditional Mayo Road venue.

The court did not allow either faction to use Mayo Road. Mamata Banerjee’s faction was permitted to hold its programme on Cathedral Road, while the rival group led by Ritabrata Banerjee was allotted Rani Rashmoni Road.

High Court capped attendance and ordered traffic lane to remain open

The Calcutta High Court fixed the timing of both programmes between noon and 3 pm and imposed an attendance ceiling of 1,500 people for each gathering. Each faction was also directed to provide Kolkata Police with the contact details of 15 volunteers to help coordinate security arrangements.

The court further ordered that the programmes be restricted to one lane at their respective venues while the other lane remained available for traffic.

There was significant crowding around the Cathedral Road event after Banerjee arrived. Local reports said several vehicles became caught near the gathering and an ambulance was also temporarily affected. Banerjee was seen directing party workers to allow vehicles to pass and asking supporters to cooperate with police before the political speeches continued.

Mamata says political and legal fight will continue

At the programme, Banerjee also renewed her challenge to the BJP-led West Bengal government over the 2026 Assembly election. She alleged that the BJP had secured its victory through unfair means and said her party would continue its legal fight. The allegation has not been established as fact and remains part of the political dispute between the two sides.

The BJP came to power in West Bengal in the May 2026 Assembly election, ending 15 years of Mamata Banerjee-led government. Since that defeat, the TMC has also been hit by an internal split, with competing factions claiming organisational legitimacy.

Friday’s simultaneous student-wing programmes, the dispute with Kolkata Police and the Camac Street cases have therefore added another layer to an already intensifying political and legal confrontation in West Bengal.

Mumbai | 28 Aug 2026

Disha Patani, now appearing opposite Emraan Hashmi in the recently released Awarapan 2, built her film career after leaving engineering studies, moving to Mumbai with limited savings and facing repeated auditions and early rejection. Her breakthrough in Hindi cinema came with M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story in 2016, a decade before she joined the cast of the Awarapan sequel.

Disha Patani moved to Mumbai with ₹500

Patani has spoken publicly about the financial uncertainty of her early career. In a 2018 interview with Hindustan Times, she said she had left her studies and moved to Mumbai, where she lived independently and tried to support herself through modelling, commercials and auditions.

“I came to Mumbai with ₹500 and after a point, I didn’t have any money.”

— Disha Patani, actor

She said she regularly auditioned for television commercials and faced the practical pressure of securing enough work to pay her rent. Her account also makes clear that her entry into the film industry was not backed by an established film family.

Before moving fully into entertainment, Patani was studying engineering. She later said modelling assignments increasingly clashed with the attendance requirements of her college, eventually forcing her to choose between continuing her studies and pursuing modelling.

Disha Patani auditioned for Heropanti but did not get the role

One of Patani’s early auditions was for Heropanti, the 2014 Hindi debut of Tiger Shroff. The female lead eventually went to Kriti Sanon.

Patani later recalled during an interview with Bollywood Hungama that she was still studying at the time and had travelled for the audition without having established herself as an actor.

“I was horrible in the audition.”

— Disha Patani, actor

The available interview establishes that she auditioned for the film and did not secure the part. It does not support portraying the episode as her being removed from Heropanti after being formally cast.

A separate launch film also fell through

Patani has, however, confirmed that another project intended to launch her did not go ahead with her in the role. In her 2018 interview, she said she had been replaced by another actor before that film started.

She described rejection as an experience that pushed her to work harder rather than abandon acting. The title of that abandoned launch project was not identified in the interview, so linking it definitively to Heropanti would be inaccurate.

M.S. Dhoni film brought wider Hindi-cinema recognition

Patani made her acting debut in Telugu cinema with director Puri Jagannadh’s Loafer in 2015, opposite Varun Tej. Her first Hindi film release came the following year with Neeraj Pandey’s M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story.

In the biographical sports drama, starring Sushant Singh Rajput as former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Patani played Priyanka Jha. The film was released on 30 September 2016 and became the project that brought her substantially wider recognition among Hindi-film audiences.

Her subsequent credits included Kung Fu Yoga with Jackie Chan, Baaghi 2, Bharat, Malang, Ek Villain Returns, Yodha, Kalki 2898 AD and Kanguva.

Disha Patani stars as Zara in Awarapan 2

Patani’s latest theatrical appearance is Awarapan 2, released on 14 August 2026. Central Board of Film Certification records identify Emraan Hashmi and Disha Patani as the film’s main actors and list Nitin Kakkar as director, with Mukesh Bhatt and Vishesh Bhatt as producers.

The CBFC certified the Hindi film UA 16+ on 5 August with a running time of about 140 minutes. Patani plays Zara, while Hashmi reprises Shivam Pandit, the character he played in the 2007 film Awarapan.

The sequel follows Shivam years after the events of the original film as he is drawn back into a dangerous criminal world. Shabana Azmi and Shriya Saran are among the other credited cast members.

From modelling auditions to mainstream films

Patani has previously said acting was not originally her childhood career plan and that she had once wanted to become an Air Force pilot. Modelling opportunities during college gradually altered that path.

Her career therefore developed through a sequence of modelling assignments, commercial auditions, unsuccessful film opportunities and regional cinema before her Hindi-film breakthrough. The record also shows why two frequently repeated parts of her story require distinction: she did audition unsuccessfully for Heropanti, while the film in which she says she was formally replaced was a separate, unidentified launch project.

Kathmandu | 28 Aug 2026

At least 84 Indian nationals have been rescued after catastrophic Nepal floods devastated the Bhote Koshi–Trishuli river basin, while about 290 Indians remained uncontactable in the latest Indian government updates. Nepal Police said on Friday that the death toll had risen to 469 as search teams continued operations across flood-hit districts and authorities monitored the risk of further flooding from the Tibet side.

84 Indians rescued as authorities trace stranded pilgrims and workers

India’s Ministry of External Affairs said 63 Indian nationals working at the Trishuli-I hydropower project had been rescued. They joined 21 people from Tamil Nadu, who were travelling for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and were rescued earlier, taking the confirmed number of rescued Indians to 84.

The number of Indians still out of contact has been changing as communications are restored and rescue teams verify the whereabouts of different groups. The MEA initially put the figure at 288 on Thursday and subsequent updates and reports citing the ministry placed it at about 290.

Officials have stressed that “uncontactable” does not necessarily mean confirmed missing or dead. Communications and road links were severely disrupted across the disaster zone, complicating efforts to establish the location of travellers and workers.

Around 200 other Indian nationals on the Tibet side, many associated with the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, have also sought assistance for evacuation. Indian authorities are coordinating with officials in Nepal and China.

Nepal flood death toll rises to 469

Nepal Police said on Friday that 469 bodies had been recovered following the devastating flash flood. It also reported that 1,545 people had been rescued from affected areas.

Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority had listed 977 people as missing or out of contact in its latest status report available from Thursday. The figures remain subject to revision as bodies are identified, survivors are located and information arrives from areas where communication systems were damaged.

Thousands of security personnel have been deployed in search-and-rescue operations, while helicopters, drones and ground teams are being used to reach isolated settlements and search riverbanks and debris fields.

Flood surged into Nepal from Tibet after Himalayan collapse

The disaster struck on 26 August when a massive surge entered Nepal from the Tibet side and moved through the Bhote Koshi river system into the Trishuli, devastating areas including Timure, Syaphrubesi and Rasuwagadhi before causing destruction farther downstream.

Preliminary assessments by Nepali authorities and geological analysis indicate that an ice-and-rock or glacial collapse generated a major debris flow and flood. Early reports had raised the possibility of an earthquake, but subsequent analysis indicated that the seismic signal was associated with the collapse rather than being the primary cause of the disaster.

The flood destroyed critical infrastructure. Nepal’s Department of Roads said the 42-kilometre road between Betrawati and the Rasuwagadhi border was damaged at multiple locations, with several bridges also swept away.

New barrier lake keeps downstream areas on alert

Authorities have also warned of a continuing risk from a barrier lake formed upstream on the Tibetan side. Nepal’s hydrological authorities said they had received information from China about the development and advised people along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river corridors to remain away from riverbanks and follow official warnings.

The possibility of another sudden release of water has added urgency to rescue work in areas already cut off by collapsed roads, destroyed bridges and heavy deposits of mud and debris.

India sends 47.5 tonnes of emergency assistance to Nepal

India has sent 47.5 tonnes of humanitarian and disaster-relief supplies to Nepal aboard two military transport aircraft. The assistance includes temporary shelters, tents, blankets, hygiene kits, solar lamps, dewatering pumps, generators, medicines and food supplies.

The MEA has also said India is mobilising Bailey bridges to support relief and connectivity requirements if requested by Nepal. Indian and Nepali authorities remain in contact over rescue operations and assistance for affected nationals.

Indian Embassy issues emergency helplines

The Embassy of India in Kathmandu has asked Indian nationals affected by the flash floods or their families seeking information to contact its emergency numbers: +977 985 131 6807, +977 970 910 7500 and +977 981 032 6117. The embassy says the numbers can also be contacted through WhatsApp.

Search, rescue and identification operations remain under way, and casualty and missing-person figures are expected to change as authorities receive verified information from the affected region.

India | 28 Aug 2026

Raksha Bandhan 2026 is being celebrated across India on Friday, 28 August, with Shravan Purnima continuing until about 9:48 am. Panchang calculations place the principal Rakhi-tying window after sunrise and before the Purnima Tithi ends, while the exact starting time varies slightly by location.

Raksha Bandhan 2026 Shubh Muhurat and Purnima timings

According to Drik Panchang, the Purnima Tithi began at 9:08 am on 27 August and ends at 9:48 am on 28 August. It lists Raksha Bandhan on 28 August and says the Bhadra period had ended before sunrise.

Because sunrise differs from city to city, the morning Rakhi window is not identical across India. For Jaipur, Rajasthan, Drik Panchang gives the Raksha Bandhan thread ceremony time as approximately 6:04 am to 9:48 am, a duration of about three hours and 43 minutes.

People following a traditional Panchang should therefore check timings for their own city rather than applying one nationwide sunrise-based time. The end of Purnima, however, is listed at about 9:48 am in the referenced calculations.

Why Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on Shravan Purnima

Raksha Bandhan, also known as Rakhi or Rakhi Purnima, is traditionally observed on the full-moon day of the Hindu month of Shravan. The ceremony is centred on a sacred thread tied as a symbol of affection, protection, trust and responsibility.

In its most familiar form, a sister applies tilak and ties a Rakhi on her brother’s wrist while praying for his well-being. The occasion is also widely understood today as a broader celebration of mutual care and responsibility among siblings and families.

The Ministry of Tourism’s Incredible India platform links the festival with several traditions and mythological narratives, including stories associated with Goddess Lakshmi and King Bali. Other widely told traditions connect the idea of a protective thread with figures such as Krishna and Draupadi. These accounts belong to religious and cultural tradition rather than a single independently established historical origin for the modern festival.

President Murmu highlights trust and mutual responsibility

President Droupadi Murmu, in an official message issued by the President’s Secretariat on 27 August, described Raksha Bandhan as an integral part of India’s culture and tradition and said its meaning now extends beyond the ritual itself to warmth, respect and mutual responsibility.

“This festival reminds us that every relationship rests on the pillars of trust, sensitivity and mutual cooperation.”

— Droupadi Murmu, President of India

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also greeted people on the eve of the festival, describing Raksha Bandhan as a celebration of love, affection, trust, respect and the commitment to stand by one another.

Partial lunar eclipse falls on Raksha Bandhan, but not visible from India

A deep partial lunar eclipse also occurs on 28 August 2026. NASA’s lunar-eclipse catalogue lists the partial phase as lasting about three hours and 18 minutes, with visibility across the eastern Pacific, the Americas, Europe and Africa.

India is not included in NASA’s listed visibility region for the eclipse. This is significant because several reports have generated confusion over whether the eclipse can be seen from India. Astronomically, the eclipse does not provide a visible lunar-eclipse event for observers in India during the listed circumstances.

Religious rules concerning eclipse-related observances or Sutak vary by tradition and should be distinguished from the astronomical question of visibility. The confirmed astronomical position is that the 28 August partial lunar eclipse is not listed by NASA as visible from India.

Rakhi ritual reflects a wider message of family bonds

Customs differ among families and regions, but the common Raksha Bandhan ritual typically includes a prayer or puja, tilak, tying of the Rakhi and exchange of sweets or gifts. The central theme remains affection, protection and mutual responsibility rather than the material value of the thread or gift.

Government and cultural institutions have increasingly described the festival in broader social terms, emphasising harmony, dignity, family bonds and responsibility. That wider interpretation has helped Raksha Bandhan retain its cultural prominence while practices continue to vary across communities.

Bengaluru | 27 Aug 2026

National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, has cancelled its 34th Annual Convocation for the graduating Class of 2026, which had been proposed for 12 September. The university cited “unavoidable circumstances” and said students would instead receive their degrees in absentia. The decision comes after hundreds of students and alumni opposed the proposed participation of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Bar Council of India Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra.

NLSIU Says Degrees Will Be Conferred in Absentia

NLSIU informed graduating students on 27 August that the physical convocation would not be held. The university’s Academic Administration team had earlier told students on 3 August that the annual ceremony was proposed for 12 September.

“Despite our collective best efforts, due to unavoidable circumstances, we are unable to hold the 34th Annual Convocation.”

— National Law School of India University notice

The university said degrees would be conferred in absentia after the required approvals from its governing bodies. Graduates will be given the option of receiving their certificates by courier or collecting them from the NLSIU campus.

NLSIU has not publicly stated that the student protests or objections to the proposed guests caused the cancellation. Its official communication attributed the decision only to “unavoidable circumstances”.

Students Opposed CJI Surya Kant and BCI Chairman’s Proposed Participation

The cancellation follows an open letter signed by 165 students from NLSIU’s graduating Class of 2026, 409 current students and 128 alumni. The signatories opposed the proposed presence of CJI Surya Kant and BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra at the convocation.

The statement was issued amid a wider dispute involving NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad and the Bar Council of India.

“Offensive, humiliating, and a mockery of students and their struggles.”

— NLSIU students and alumni, in their joint statement

The NLSIU signatories also expressed solidarity with NALSAR students and faculty and sought an unconditional apology from the BCI over its action against NALSAR’s 2026 graduating batch.

NALSAR Dispute Triggered Wider Law-School Protests

The controversy intensified after a section of NALSAR students opposed the proposed participation of CJI Surya Kant at their convocation. On 13 August, the Bar Council of India initially directed state bar councils not to enrol graduates from NALSAR’s 2026 batch while seeking information about those involved in the campaign.

The BCI withdrew the enrolment restriction within hours following criticism. Later that night, Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra said proceedings against the graduating batch had been closed and no further action against the students was required.

The reversal did not end the controversy. NLSIU students and alumni subsequently questioned the proposed participation of both Mishra and the Chief Justice of India at their own convocation.

What Happens Next for NLSIU’s 2026 Graduates

Although the ceremonial event has been called off, graduating students will still receive their degrees after approval by the university’s governing bodies. NLSIU is expected to communicate the procedure for choosing between campus collection and courier delivery of degree certificates.

As of 27 August, the university has not announced a replacement date for the 34th Annual Convocation or indicated that the ceremony will be rescheduled.

New Delhi | 27 Aug 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged schools and families to prioritise physical activity over screen time during the Khelo India Dialogue on Thursday, while outlining a wider strategy to identify young talent and prepare India for the 2036 Olympics.

PM Modi urges schools to build a sporting culture

Addressing young people nationwide through video conferencing, Modi said physical education should become an essential part of school life rather than remain a co-curricular activity. Stronger participation at the grassroots, he argued, would expand India’s talent pool and encourage families to support aspiring athletes.

“Sports centres are more important than screens. Playgrounds are more important than PlayStations.”

— Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India

Modi also presented sport as a way to improve health, resilience and discipline. He said participation teaches people how to compete, recover from setbacks and perform under pressure, while helping young people stay away from substance abuse.

India’s 2036 Olympics strategy targets more disciplines

The Prime Minister said India must expand its participation across Olympic disciplines to improve its medal prospects. Referring to the 2012 Olympics, he noted that India competed in only 13 sports and said the country had historically remained absent from a substantial number of medal events.

He identified surfing, sport climbing and winter sports among the areas where India could make better use of its coastline, mountains and regional strengths. Each district, he said, should assess its potential and develop athletes for sports suited to local conditions.

Modi called for the immediate identification and long-term preparation of athletes capable of qualifying for the 2036 Olympics. He referred to a nationwide talent hunt for children aged five to 15, with selection based on their interests and physical suitability for particular disciplines.

He said the government would support athletes from the talent-identification stage through advanced training and international competition. Specialised sports universities, modern training centres and cooperation in sports science and coaching would form part of this ecosystem, according to the Prime Minister.

Khelo India Dialogue invites ideas from young people

Modi described the Khelo India Dialogue as a policy-shaping platform rather than a ceremonial discussion. He encouraged participants to submit ideas on talent development, sports governance and emerging career opportunities.

The programme, organised by Mera Yuva Bharat as part of the National Sports Day 2026 celebrations, brought together young participants at two colleges in every district across states and Union Territories. Local interactions were scheduled with athletes, medal winners, public representatives and MY Bharat volunteers.

The dialogue focused on five themes: sport, Olympic aspirations, youth leadership, Viksit Bharat and Nasha Mukt Yuva. Modi said the initiative was intended to connect India’s sporting ambitions with youth-led nation-building.

Sports careers and para-athletes highlighted

The Prime Minister highlighted growing career opportunities beyond competitive sport, including sports technology, equipment design, medicine, nutrition, psychology and data analytics.

He also praised Indian para-athletes, including Sheetal Devi, Avani Lekhara, Sumit Antil and Nitesh Kumar, saying their achievements had transformed public attitudes towards disability and inspired families across the country.

Modi offered advance greetings for National Sports Day on 29 August and paid tribute to hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand. He said Khelo India had developed into a major platform for nurturing talent and helping young athletes pursue their sporting ambitions.