A group of 1,796 Sikh pilgrims from India is set to travel to Pakistan on November 5 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, visiting several historic gurdwaras as part of the ‘Parkash Purb’ celebrations. The devotees will enter Pakistan through the Attari-Wagah border. Many members of the jatha expressed joy and gratitude to the government for allowing the pilgrimage. One pilgrim shared appreciation, saying, “We thank the government for granting us permission to do darshan.”

Another devotee, Harpreet Singh, praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to permit the visit, while urging that the visa process be made easier to enable more pilgrims to participate. He remarked, “Even after Operation Sindoor, the yatra continued as normal. We didn’t expect the PM to approve it, but we are thankful. The visa procedure should be simplified so that more people can go.”

Kuldeep Singh Gadgaj, Jathedar of Shri Akal Takhat Sahib, mentioned that most visas for Sikh pilgrims had already been approved and extended thanks to both governments for facilitating the journey. He said, “The jatha is going to celebrate Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s birth anniversary. They are fortunate to visit places linked to him. This time, most visas have been processed. I thank both governments for their cooperation.”

Earlier, the Pakistan High Commission announced that it had issued over 2,100 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India to participate in the birth celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, scheduled to take place in Pakistan from November 4 to 13, 2025. On October 3, Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa welcomed the Centre’s move to allow Sikh jathas to travel to Pakistan for the occasion, expressing gratitude to the Prime Minister and Home Minister for maintaining faith-based ties despite strained bilateral relations. He recalled, “In 2019, despite tensions, the government opened the Kartarpur shrine for Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Prakash Purab. Once again, the same reverence has been shown by permitting Sikh groups to visit Pakistan. I am deeply thankful.”
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Shutterstock.

The Government of Sikkim has declared that every Thursday will be observed as “Traditional Wear Work Day” for all government employees, including those working in Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and banks. According to a circular issued by the Home Department, the initiative is intended to instill pride in Sikkim’s distinct cultural identity and to encourage the preservation of traditional values among employees. Starting immediately, all officers and staff members are urged to wear traditional clothing that reflects the state’s diverse cultural heritage each Thursday.

The circular stated: “Recognizing the rich cultural diversity and timeless traditions that shape Sikkim’s unique identity, the Government is dedicated to nurturing pride in our heritage among all employees and affiliated organizations. Therefore, all officers and staff across Departments, PSUs, and Banks under the Government of Sikkim shall observe ‘Traditional Wear Work Day’ every Thursday. On this day, employees are encouraged to dress in traditional attire that represents Sikkim’s varied cultural fabric.”

In a separate development, local butterfly experts have made a significant discovery — the Black-spot Royal (Tajuria luculentus) butterfly has now been recorded in Sikkim, extending its known range. With this finding, Sikkim joins Manipur and Meghalaya as part of the butterfly’s known distribution. The discovery was published in the March–June 2025 issue of Bionotes, a quarterly newsletter released by the Butterfly Research Centre in Bhimtal, Uttarakhand. Previously, the species had only been documented in Manipur, Meghalaya, and Nepal.

During a field survey on April 19 at Noam Panang in Dzongu, North Sikkim, researchers observed the elusive butterfly feeding on tree blossoms alongside 30–35 other butterfly species. The newsletter confirmed that this finding both extends the known distribution of Tajuria luculentus to Sikkim and verifies its presence in the state. The study was conducted by Sikkim-based butterfly researchers Sonam Wangchuk Lepcha, Monish Kumar Thapa, Sonam Pintso Sherpa, and Nosang M. Limboo, marking the first confirmed record of the Black-spot Royal from Sikkim.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

The District Administration of Rajouri organized a “Run for Unity” to mark Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Students from various schools and local residents enthusiastically participated in the event. Deputy Commissioner Abhishek Sharma highlighted that the celebration would include multiple activities such as a Pad Yatra, pledge ceremony, plantation drive, and the Run for Unity. He remarked, “Today is a significant day, marking the 150th birth anniversary of a leader who played a crucial role in uniting the nation. Through various initiatives like the Pad Yatra, pledge, plantation drive, and Run for Unity, we pay tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The active involvement of youth makes this occasion even more meaningful.”

Rajouri SSP Gaurav Sikarwar added that the administration had organized several events to spread Sardar Patel’s vision of national unity, noting the enthusiasm and positive spirit among participants. Earlier in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath flagged off the Run for Unity, praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi for initiating the campaign in 2014 to honor India’s national heroes. He stated, “The nation remembers Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel — the architect of a united India and the Iron Man of India — with gratitude on his 150th birth anniversary. The Run for Unity, being held at over 600 locations nationwide on October 31, aims to ignite a sense of patriotism among the youth.”

In Moradabad, the Nagar Nigam also launched a Run for Unity, which witnessed enthusiastic participation from children and citizens alike. Born on October 31, 1875, in Nandia, Gujarat, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel served as India’s first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister. Renowned as the “Iron Man of India,” he played a decisive role in integrating more than 560 princely states into the Indian Union, ensuring the foundation of a unified and resilient nation after independence.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Endowments and Forest Minister Konda Surekha stated on Thursday that Cyclone Montha and the resulting heavy rainfall have led to severe flooding across Telangana, submerging colonies and roads. “Despite evacuation efforts, several residents remain stranded or unwilling to leave their homes,” she told ANI. “Officials and authorities have been coordinating with NDRF teams throughout the night for rescue operations. NGOs are supplying food and aid, while temporary shelters with medical support have been arranged in schools and function halls.”

She added that the state government is taking full responsibility for those affected until the situation stabilizes. A meeting with the Chief Minister is planned to secure additional assistance, as many residents lack food and basic supplies. Rescue teams, including boats and drones for food delivery, are being deployed to impacted areas.

Meanwhile, Warangal District Collector Dr. Satya Sharada said that the administration had anticipated the cyclone’s impact and taken precautionary steps two days in advance. “Warangal received an average of 29 cm of rainfall. We declared holidays for schools and markets, and relocated patients and pregnant women to safer locations,” she noted. “People from low-lying areas were moved to shelters by last evening. Our current priority is to manage health concerns in waterlogged regions and maintain uninterrupted food supply,” she added.

Cyclone Montha also triggered heavy rains in Warangal and Hyderabad, leading to traffic congestion in several areas, including Habsiguda. In response, the Bhadradri Kothagudem District Collector declared a holiday for all educational institutions—government, aided, and private—and urged residents to stay alert and take necessary precautions as the cyclone continues.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Last weekend, millions across the U.S. took part in No Kings protests opposing Donald Trump. Although the president denied any desire to be a king, he shared an AI-generated video showing himself as one, piloting a fighter jet and dropping excrement on demonstrators. Jonathan Freedland discusses with political scientist Barbara Walter the strategies the Trump administration is employing against protesters.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from The Guardian

Recent reports indicate an increase in online threats and scams, alongside a local company under police investigation for suspected involvement in a Cambodian scam operation. What do these incidents reveal about our digital vulnerabilities? Hairianto Diman discusses this with Helena Huang, Associate Research Fellow at the Digital Impact Research team, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU).

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

From banking apps and WhatsApp to Netflix and AI chatbots, Singaporeans rely on data centres daily. These centres currently consume about 7% of the nation’s electricity, a figure expected to grow as digital service usage increases. Hairianto Diman and Syahida Othman explore the crucial role of data centres in Singapore’s everyday digital life, and discuss strategies to reduce their impact on the energy grid with Arun Bhatia, Executive Managing Director of APAC Strategy at Carrier.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

As world leaders conclude several days of speeches at the UN, the spotlight is on the White House meeting between Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu, featuring an ambitious Gaza peace plan that could potentially end the conflict if Hamas agrees. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman discuss the situation with Dr. Alica Kizekova, Lecturer at the School of Media, Creative Arts, and Social Inquiry, Faculty of Humanities, Curtin University.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.