Jaipur | 8 Sep 2026

SRN International School in Jagatpura, Jaipur, celebrated Krishna Janmashtami with devotional performances, dance drama and colourful tableaux depicting Lord Krishna’s childhood, teachings and enduring cultural values.

Students recreate Lord Krishna’s childhood

The programme brought together students in an atmosphere of devotion and festive enthusiasm. Through songs, dances and dialogues, they presented episodes from Krishna’s childhood and conveyed messages drawn from his life and ideals.

A dance drama based on Krishna’s childhood exploits was the principal attraction. Young participants dressed as Krishna and Radha took to the stage in traditional costumes, with their expressions, movements and coordinated performances drawing appreciation from the audience.

Janmashtami tableaux transform school campus

The school campus featured tableaux portraying the birth and childhood of Lord Krishna. One installation showed young Krishna stealing butter, while another recreated scenes featuring Radha and Krishna.

The presentations combined visual storytelling with music and performance, giving students an opportunity to explore Indian mythology and cultural traditions through active participation.

Cultural programmes promote values and traditions

Principal-Director Usha Sharma extended Janmashtami greetings to the students and said Krishna’s life offers lessons in love, compassion, truth, duty and positive thinking.

She emphasised that connecting children with Indian culture and significant mythological figures is an important part of education. Cultural activities, she said, help students develop respect for the country’s traditions while strengthening values and sensitivity.

The celebration sought to move beyond entertainment by using Krishna’s childhood stories to communicate lessons about character, responsibility and cultural awareness. Students participated in the programme as performers and storytellers, turning the festival into an experiential learning activity.

Paris | 8 Sep 2026

The Eiffel Tower reopened to visitors on Tuesday after employees shut the Paris landmark during a strike over allegations that female workers were removed or sidelined during a private visit by a delegation linked to the Hindu organisation BAPS.

Eiffel Tower reopens after one-day disruption

The monument’s official website listed it as open from 9.30 am to 11 pm on 8 September. The tower had remained closed on Monday after staff held a meeting and began industrial action over the treatment of female colleagues during the delegation’s visit on Saturday.

Signs displayed outside the tower initially told visitors that its opening had been delayed for “operational reasons”. The protest later resulted in the monument remaining unavailable to visitors for the day.

Female workers allegedly asked to leave posts

A delegation of approximately 100 people associated with the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, commonly known as BAPS, visited the Eiffel Tower privately on 5 September.

Union representatives alleged that some female employees were instructed to leave their workstations, avoid specified areas or allow male colleagues to replace them while the delegation passed through the monument.

“Women were asked to leave their workstations so that men could take their places.”— Diane Davoine, union representative

Employees described the arrangements as humiliating and demanded assurances that women would not be treated similarly during future private visits.

Eiffel Tower operator acknowledges error

Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel, the company operating the monument, said the delegation had requested arrangements that would limit interactions with women.

The operator acknowledged that accepting the requested conditions was inconsistent with its commitment to gender equality. Management also apologised to the employees affected by the decision.

“These conditions should not have been accepted.”— Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel

SETE president Ariel Weil said the company would establish what had happened and draw the necessary conclusions. The circumstances in which the arrangements were requested, approved and implemented are now under examination.

BAPS denies blocking access and apologises

BAPS said the visit was organised jointly with Eiffel Tower personnel at the beginning of normal opening hours because of the delegation’s size and to minimise disruption to other visitors.

The organisation said that, to the best of its knowledge, nobody had been prevented from entering the tower. It nevertheless apologised for any distress or inconvenience caused and said it remained committed to mutual respect and service.

“We sincerely apologise for any pain or inconvenience caused.”— BAPS statement

BAPS describes itself as a Hindu spiritual and volunteer organisation. Its representatives were in France for events connected with the inauguration of a new BAPS temple in the Paris suburbs.

Paris authorities order investigation

Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire said the employees’ concerns were legitimate and announced an urgent investigation into the events leading to the strike.

French Equality Minister Aurore Bergé said gender equality could not be set aside on religious grounds. National Assembly President Yaël Braun-Pivet and other French political leaders also criticised any arrangement requiring women to become less visible in a public workplace.

The investigation is expected to examine who authorised the staffing changes, whether the visiting delegation explicitly requested them and what safeguards should be introduced for future group visits.

Vadodara | 8 Sep 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated, dedicated and laid the foundation stones for development projects worth more than ₹35,000 crore in Vadodara on Tuesday, combining a major infrastructure push with a youth-focused “NaMo for Viksit Bharat” programme.

PM Modi attends Gen Z-focused event in Vadodara

Modi walked along a Y-shaped ramp extending into the audience at the event venue, where young participants had gathered around the stage. The format was designed to facilitate closer engagement with students, professionals and other young attendees.

An ANI video, sourced from Doordarshan, showed the crowd welcoming the Prime Minister as he entered the “NaMo for Viksit Bharat” programme.

Free public registration for the programme was managed through BookMyShow. Organisers said all available seats were booked within an hour and more than 42,000 additional applicants were placed on a waiting list. Registered participants received digital tickets carrying live QR codes for entry verification.

Three Western Dedicated Freight Corridor sections commissioned

The largest component of the Vadodara package comprised three sections of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor covering 326 route kilometres and developed at a cost exceeding ₹20,700 crore.

The commissioned sections are New Sanand North–New Makarpura, New Umbergaon–New Saphale and New Saphale–New Jawaharlal Nehru Port. Their opening provides direct freight connectivity to the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the sections are intended to accelerate the movement of export-import cargo, connect industrial centres with ports, reduce transit and logistics costs and ease pressure on Mumbai’s conventional railway network.

Modi also flagged off freight services from New Sanand North, New Makarpura, New Umbergaon and New JNPT.

New railway line connects tribal areas

The Prime Minister dedicated the Jobat–Tanda Road railway line, developed as part of the Chhota Udepur–Dhar project. The line connects remote and tribal areas of Madhya Pradesh’s Alirajpur district with the national railway network.

A new passenger train between Tanda Road and Vadodara’s Pratapnagar station was also flagged off. The service is expected to benefit passengers in Vadodara, Chhota Udepur and Alirajpur.

Foundation stones were laid for three railway projects covering 329 kilometres and costing more than ₹9,700 crore. These include the third and fourth lines between Vadodara and Ratlam, gauge conversion of the Miyagam Karjan–Choranda–Malsar section and doubling of the Vishwamitri–Dabhoi railway line.

Highway and Gujarat projects included in package

Modi laid the foundation stones for three National Highway projects estimated to cost approximately ₹1,780 crore. The works include six-laning of the Kamrej–Chalthan section of NH-48 and additional structures, including major bridges across the Tapi and Narmada rivers, on the Vadodara–Surat section.

The highway package also covers grade-separated structures at the Abhava, Mindhola and Khajod junctions on NH-53. Six-lane flyovers at Kandari Chokdi and Luvara Patia were inaugurated to improve road safety at identified accident-prone locations.

Gujarat government projects worth around ₹2,600 crore were also included. Among them were Phase II of the Vadodara Urban Development Authority Ring Road, a proposed 110 MW floating solar project at Kadana Dam and a new Vadodara Municipal Corporation office.

The completed works included housing developed under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and a drinking-water supply project covering 11 villages in eastern Vadodara.

Mumbai fintech event next on schedule

After his Gujarat engagements, Modi was scheduled to travel to Mumbai to inaugurate the seventh Global Fintech Fest and address its opening session.

The conference is being held from 8 to 11 September under the theme “Potential to Impact: Agentic AI, Tokenisation, Quantum – Trusted, Connected, Global Systems for Inclusive Finance”. It brings together policymakers, regulators, financial institutions, technology companies, investors and academic representatives.

New Delhi | 8 Sep 2026

The Delhi High Court has ordered the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to inspect paying guest accommodations and private hostels across its jurisdiction within a week after the Satya Niketan building collapse killed seven people and exposed possible gaps in the capital’s building-safety system.

Court orders high-level inquiry into Satya Niketan collapse

A bench comprising Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia directed the MCD to investigate at its highest executive level whether the collapsed building was constructed and operated with the required permissions.

The civic body must examine compliance with building bye-laws, identify officials responsible for any regulatory failure and disclose the action proposed or taken against them. The inspection report must also record the number of students living in each PG accommodation.

“The responsibility, prima facie, in our opinion, for such mishaps do not lie solely on the owner.”— Delhi High Court

The court sought responses from the Delhi government, MCD, Delhi University and Delhi Police within 10 days. Delhi University was asked to disclose the number of outstation students enrolled in its affiliated colleges and the hostel capacity available to them. The case is scheduled to be heard again on 25 September.

MCD building survey comes under scrutiny

The collapse has raised questions about the effectiveness of the MCD’s annual pre-monsoon survey of dangerous buildings. Civic data reported in June showed that approximately 27.84 lakh properties had been inspected against a target of about 32.55 lakh, but only 19 buildings were classified as dangerous.

Updated figures reported by 2 July indicated that around 29.94 lakh buildings had been covered. Twenty-seven were declared unsafe, while 125 others were identified as requiring repairs.

It remains unclear whether the collapsed Satya Niketan property was inspected during the 2026 exercise and, if so, what condition was recorded. An annual visual survey is also different from a detailed structural audit, which can examine foundations, load-bearing components, internal alterations and other weaknesses that may not be visible from outside.

The Delhi High Court’s directions now require a more targeted assessment of properties operating as PGs and hostels, including their permissions, construction status, occupancy and compliance with applicable building regulations.

MCD says building exceeded permitted floors

The five-storey structure, located on a plot measuring about 55 square yards, was being used as a boys’ PG near Delhi University’s South Campus when it collapsed at about 1.30 pm on 6 September.

The MCD said the building was a ground-plus-four structure in a resettlement colony where construction was permitted only up to the ground and first floors. Investigators are examining renovation and excavation work allegedly underway in the basement, but the precise cause of the collapse has not yet been conclusively established.

Authorities rescued 12 people from the debris. Seven deaths were subsequently confirmed.

The MCD suspended five South Zone officials, including Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Kumar, as inquiries began into possible enforcement failures. The other suspended personnel included engineering officials responsible for the area.

Three family members arrested in collapse case

Delhi Police arrested Hariram Gupta, his wife Urmila Gupta and their son Mahesh Gupta in connection with the collapse. Police records cited in court proceedings showed that the property was registered in Urmila Gupta’s name, while Mahesh allegedly managed its day-to-day PG operations.

A Delhi court remanded Hariram and Urmila Gupta to 14 days’ judicial custody. Mahesh Gupta was sent to police custody for two days. The allegations against them have not been adjudicated, and the criminal investigation remains underway.

The case was registered at South Campus police station under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita covering culpable homicide not amounting to murder, negligent conduct during building repair or construction, and acts endangering human life.

Delhi plans structural audits and new safety policy

Following a review chaired by Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu, the Delhi government announced plans for structural audits in student PG hubs, including Satya Niketan. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s office said it was also working on a policy requiring periodic structural audits and safety certification for public-use premises such as PG accommodations, schools and nursing homes.

The government is examining whether vacant MCD and Delhi Development Authority buildings can be used for student accommodation. Officials have also been asked to prepare medium- and long-term plans to expand hostel capacity.

The MCD has issued notices for adjoining structures assessed as dangerous. Property number 13, next to the collapsed building, was evacuated and ordered to be demolished or secured under the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act. Further action will depend on structural inspections, the High Court-ordered audit and the findings of the criminal and administrative inquiries.

Sagar | 7 Sep 2026 At least 12 people have died after allegedly consuming spurious liquor in Madhya Pradesh’s Sagar district, while police have arrested 14 suspects and named about 30 people in three FIRs as investigators examine a suspected supply network extending into Uttar Pradesh.

Sagar spurious liquor investigation traces suspected Lalitpur link

The deaths followed the consumption of suspected counterfeit liquor on Saturday in villages under Banda tehsil, around 30 kilometres from Sagar city. Nauraj and Gogra were among the areas most severely affected.

Sagar Superintendent of Police Anurag Sujaniya said the preliminary investigation had identified a Lalitpur-based group previously accused of manufacturing counterfeit liquor resembling brands sold in Madhya Pradesh. Investigators believe the consignment involved in the Sagar deaths may have originated from this network.

The suspected liquor was allegedly filled in bottles carrying labels, caps and QR codes designed to resemble genuine products. Officials are investigating whether it was subsequently distributed through people associated with licensed liquor outlets, leaving customers unaware that they were buying counterfeit alcohol.

Licensed liquor contractors Siddharth Kushwaha and Yashwant Thakur have been named among the accused, according to reports citing the police complaint. Their inclusion in an FIR constitutes an allegation, and the investigation remains under way.

Three FIRs registered as police expand raids

Police registered three FIRs at two police stations after receiving complaints from the victims’ families. By Monday morning, about 30 people had been named and 14 arrested, according to the latest police information.

Police, Excise Department and revenue teams are conducting raids to locate the remaining accused and recover any suspected liquor still in circulation. Officials and village representatives have also carried out door-to-door searches in affected areas to identify residents who may have consumed the liquor or retained unopened bottles.

Seven liquor shops in the Banda-Shahgarh area were sealed as a precaution, and samples were collected for examination. A magisterial inquiry has also been ordered to determine the source of the liquor and identify possible regulatory failures.

Five officials suspended over alleged enforcement lapses

Three Excise Department officials and two police personnel were suspended following the tragedy. The Excise Department’s area deputy commissioner was removed from Sagar and attached to the department’s headquarters in Gwalior.

The action covered the Banda police station house officer, an outpost in-charge, Sagar Assistant Excise Commissioner Kirti Dubey, Additional District Excise Officer Dilip Kandaka and Sub-Inspector Roshani Urathi. The suspensions are administrative measures pending further examination and do not by themselves establish criminal liability.

Medical screening continues in affected villages

Dozens of residents reported symptoms including vomiting, dizziness, headache and blurred vision after allegedly consuming the liquor. Patients requiring advanced treatment were referred to Bundelkhand Medical College and other hospitals in Sagar.

District authorities urged anyone who had consumed liquor in the affected area and developed symptoms to seek medical attention immediately. Health teams were deployed in villages to screen residents and identify further cases.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav ordered an immediate investigation and directed officials to take stringent action against those responsible.

“I have instructed the minister in charge and directed the officials to act promptly, take the strictest possible action and conduct a thorough investigation.”— Mohan Yadav, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh

Investigators are now working to establish where the suspected liquor was manufactured, how it crossed the Madhya Pradesh–Uttar Pradesh border and whether any licensed distribution channel was misused. The accused remain entitled to due process, and criminal responsibility will be determined through the investigation and subsequent judicial proceedings.

Jaipur | 7 Sep 2026

Jaipur’s Birla Mandir came alive with devotional music during Krishna Janmashtami celebrations on Friday, as singer Veena Modani performed a series of bhajans dedicated to Lord Krishna before a gathering of devotees and visitors at the Lakshmi Narayan Temple near Moti Dungri.

Veena Modani’s bhajans mark Birla Mandir Janmashtami celebrations

Modani’s devotional performances formed a prominent part of the evening celebrations, with worshippers joining in as Krishna-themed bhajans echoed through the temple complex.

The Jaipur-based singer, known for her stage performances and devotional music, presented the bhajans as devotees gathered for Janmashtami prayers and awaited the traditional celebration marking the birth of Lord Krishna.

The temple had been decorated for the festival, while a traditional tableau of Lord Lakshmi Narayan became one of the main attractions for visitors. The combination of devotional music, decorations and religious rituals created a festive atmosphere across the complex.

Nirmala Birla attends celebrations at Jaipur temple

Nirmala Birla, who is associated with several charitable and cultural institutions of the Birla family, was also present during the Janmashtami programme. She offered prayers at the temple and attended the devotional celebrations.

Devotees had begun arriving at the temple from the morning, with attendance increasing towards the evening as the principal Janmashtami observances approached. Several other guests from Jaipur were also present during the programme.

Foreign tourists experience Krishna Janmashtami in Jaipur

The celebrations also drew foreign tourists visiting Jaipur, many of whom watched the traditional tableau, temple decorations and musical performances during the festival.

Visitors were seen recording parts of the celebrations on their cameras as they experienced the religious and cultural traditions associated with Krishna Janmashtami.

Birla Mandir, also known as the Lakshmi Narayan Temple, is one of Jaipur’s prominent religious landmarks. The white-marble temple near Moti Dungri is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, or Narayan, and Goddess Lakshmi, and Janmashtami is among the major festivals observed there.

New Delhi | 07 Sep 2026

At least six people have died after a multi-storey paying guest building collapsed in Delhi’s Satya Niketan area near Delhi University’s South Campus, as rescue teams continued searching the debris early Monday. Police have registered a case against the building owner and others, while the Delhi government has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the tragedy.

Delhi Satya Niketan Building Collapse Leaves Six Dead

The building, known locally as “Hostel Daze”, collapsed at around 1.30 pm on Sunday in a congested neighbourhood dominated by student hostels, paying guest accommodation and eateries.

The death toll rose to six after another body was recovered during overnight rescue operations. Several people were also injured, while authorities continued clearing debris to determine whether anyone remained trapped.

Teams from the National Disaster Response Force, Delhi Fire Service, Delhi Police, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Delhi Disaster Management Authority and other emergency agencies were deployed at the site.

Rescuers worked through the night in the narrow lanes surrounding the structure. Oxygen cylinders and specialist equipment were used during efforts to reach people trapped beneath the collapsed floors.

Renovation Work Under Investigation After Collapse

Delhi Police said renovation work was allegedly being carried out on the lower portion of the building before the collapse. Investigators are examining whether alterations to the structure contributed to the disaster.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, after inspecting the site, said preliminary information indicated excavation or construction activity had affected a structural pillar. The precise cause, however, has not yet been conclusively established and will form part of the official investigation.

Residents separately reported repair work in the basement and water accumulation following rainfall. The MCD initially said debris would have to be removed before it could independently determine the nature and extent of any work being undertaken inside the building.

MCD Flags Building Norm Violations

A senior MCD official said the collapsed structure stood on a plot of about 55 square yards in a resettlement colony where construction permission was limited to a ground-plus-one configuration.

The building, however, had four floors above the ground floor, according to the civic body, which said the structure was in violation of applicable building norms.

The MCD also evacuated and sealed an adjoining building after officials found it to be in a dilapidated condition. Residents, including occupants of a girls’ PG, were shifted to a nearby community hall.

Following the collapse, Delhi Mayor Pravesh Wahi announced immediate action against unauthorised high-rise structures in the area and said illegal constructions exceeding four floors would be sealed.

“The culprits will not be spared under any circumstances.”— Pravesh Wahi, Delhi Mayor

The Mayor also warned that municipal officials found responsible for allowing illegal construction could face stringent disciplinary action.

Police File Culpable Homicide Case Against Owner

Delhi Police have registered an FIR at South Campus police station against the alleged building owner and others under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to culpable homicide, negligence in construction or repair and acts endangering life and personal safety.

Police identified the owner in their initial statements as Hariram, also reported as Hari Ram Bansal in subsequent accounts, a resident of Gurugram. Multiple teams have been formed to trace those allegedly responsible for the renovation work.

The allegations against the owner and others remain subject to investigation and have not been proven in court.

Rekha Gupta Orders Magisterial Inquiry

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited both the collapse site and the AIIMS Trauma Centre, where some of the injured were being treated. Her office subsequently announced a magisterial inquiry into the incident.

“Those found responsible for this grave incident will be held fully accountable.”— Delhi Chief Minister’s Office

The inquiry is expected to examine the legality of the construction, structural alterations, municipal oversight and the circumstances surrounding the renovation work underway before the collapse.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the families of those killed and wished the injured a speedy recovery, while saying authorities were assisting those affected.

Student PG Safety Comes Under Fresh Scrutiny

Satya Niketan lies close to several Delhi University colleges and has a large concentration of privately operated hostels and PG accommodation catering to students from across India.

The collapse has renewed questions over unauthorised additional floors, structural safety checks and the conversion of older residential properties into commercial student accommodation.

Authorities have said rescue work and the investigation will continue, with the final casualty figure and cause of the collapse to be established after the site is fully cleared and examined.

Jaipur | 06 Sep 2026

Fifty-four women from education, law, social service, leadership and other professional fields were honoured with the Savitribai Phule Award 2026 at a ceremony in Jaipur as part of Teachers’ Day celebrations. The event was organised by KRS Global Educational Consultancy with the support of Ranka Public Charitable Trust at S.S. Jain Subodh P.G. College, Rambagh Circle.

Savitribai Phule Award 2026 Recognises Women Achievers

Former Rajasthan High Court judge Justice J.K. Ranka attended the ceremony as chief guest, while Prof. Dr Shubha Sharma, Chairperson of KRS Global Educational Consultancy, presided over the programme. Advocate Roopali Chauhan, the organisation’s General Secretary, played a key role in coordinating the event.

Organisers said the awards were intended to recognise women who have made notable contributions in education, academics, social service, law, leadership and other fields, while encouraging wider participation by women in institution-building and social development.

Among the awardees was Dr Sanjula Thanvi, who was appointed Dean (Incharge), Faculty of Law, University of Rajasthan, in August 2026. Other honourees named by the organisers included Prof. Dr Shakuntala Nathpal, Prof. Dr Radha Rani Saxena, Dr Archana Srivastava, Dr Santosh Mittal, advocate Sumiti Dave Bishnoi, Captain Swati Sharma, Dr Venu Rajpurohit and Dr Lavina.

Dr Namita Jain, Dean and Head of the School of Law at JECRC University, was also among the women recognised at the ceremony.

Educators From Several States and Cities Join Jaipur Event

The programme brought together teachers, academics and professionals from Rajasthan and other parts of the country. According to the organisers, participants travelled from cities including Meerut, Varanasi, Tonk, Noida and Delhi.

Serving and former deans, heads of departments, principals, senior teachers and education professionals from universities and colleges were among those present.

The venue, S.S. Jain Subodh P.G. College at Rambagh Circle, is an autonomous Jaipur institution affiliated with the University of Rajasthan.

KRS Global Educational Consultancy and Website Launched

The ceremony also marked the formal launch of KRS Global Educational Consultancy, Jaipur, along with the unveiling of its website.

The organisation said it aims to guide students seeking higher-education opportunities and help them identify suitable academic options in India and abroad.

The launch placed student counselling and access to higher-education opportunities alongside the event’s broader focus on recognising women working in education and related fields.

Event Highlights Savitribai Phule’s Legacy in Women’s Education

The award is named after Savitribai Phule, widely recognised as a pioneering figure in women’s education and social reform in India. Her work with Jyotirao Phule in expanding access to education for girls and marginalised communities remains an important part of India’s social reform history.

Organisers said the Jaipur ceremony was intended to carry forward that legacy by recognising contemporary women whose work has contributed to education, professional leadership and social development.