On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate 'Panchajanya', a monument in Kurukshetra dedicated to the sacred conch of Lord Krishna. The ceremony will coincide with a special programme marking the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the revered ninth Sikh Guru. As part of the commemorations, the Prime Minister will also release a special coin and a commemorative stamp and address the gathering, highlighting the significance of the occasion.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, Modi will visit the Mahabharata Anubhav Kendra, an immersive experiential centre in Kurukshetra. The centre features installations that depict significant episodes from the Mahabharata, showcasing the epic’s enduring cultural, spiritual, and historical relevance. These exhibits aim to bring the teachings and stories of the Mahabharata to life for visitors, offering a deeper understanding of India’s rich heritage.

The government is observing a year-long commemoration to honour the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur, emphasizing his unwavering commitment to protecting religious freedom. During his visit, the Prime Minister will also perform darshan and pooja at Brahma Sarovar, one of India’s most sacred pilgrimage sites, associated with the divine revelation of the Bhagavad Gita.

Modi’s visit will also coincide with the International Gita Mahotsav, which is being celebrated in Kurukshetra from November 15 to December 5. The festival aims to promote the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita and celebrate India’s spiritual and cultural heritage, drawing devotees, scholars, and visitors from across the country and abroad.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Business Standard.

Amid a surge in leopard attacks in Pune district, villagers in Pimperkhed, Shirur taluka, have resorted to unusual safety measures. They are wearing belts or collars fitted with sharp nails around their necks while working in the fields and have installed iron grills around their homes for protection. Some households have also set up electric fences as an additional precaution.

Residents say frequent leopard sightings and recent attacks have made routine outdoor activities, especially in the early morning and late evening, extremely risky. Villager Vitthal Rangnath Jadhav told ANI that leopards are spotted almost daily in the area. He shared that his mother was killed by a leopard a month ago, and earlier, a young girl also fell victim to an attack.

Jadhav said, “We wear these collars to protect ourselves from leopards. They can appear at any time, and farming is our only source of livelihood. We cannot stay home in fear. One month ago, my mother was dragged about a kilometre into the sugarcane fields by a leopard. Everyone in the village is terrified, which is why we wear these collars whenever we step outside. I urge the government to take action to address this issue.”
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah attended the BSF’s 61st Raising Day celebrations on Friday as the Chief Guest at the 176th Battalion campus in Haripar Bhuj. He paid homage to BSF personnel who sacrificed their lives, laying a wreath at the memorial. The BSF, responsible for guarding the India-Pakistan border, was formed in 1965 after the Indo-Pak war, replacing the State Armed Police Battalion. Starting with 25 battalions, it expanded over time to tackle challenges such as militancy in Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, and the Northeast. Today, the force has 193 battalions (including three NDRF units) and seven artillery regiments, securing borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh.

The BSF also handles anti-infiltration duties in Kashmir, counter-insurgency operations in the Northeast, anti-Naxal missions in Odisha and Chhattisgarh, and security at integrated check posts along both borders. During Operation Sindoor, launched after the Pahalgam attack on April 22, BSF units on the Jammu frontier destroyed more than 118 Pakistani posts, severely weakening Pakistan’s surveillance infrastructure. Shah noted that even in peacetime, BSF remains alert and responds swiftly based on accurate intelligence.

As the world’s largest border-guarding force with more than 2.7 lakh personnel, the BSF has played a crucial role in national security for over six decades. The 2024 Raising Day parade was held in Jodhpur, where Shah highlighted the sacrifices of BSF personnel. Up to 2024, 1,992 BSF members have laid down their lives, and 1,330 have received medals, including Maha Vir Chakra, Kirti Chakras, Vir Chakras, Shaurya Chakras, Sena Medals, and Police Medals.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police’s State Investigation Agency (SIA) carried out a significant raid at the Jammu office of the Kashmir Times newspaper on Thursday. During the operation, authorities recovered several alarming items, including cartridges for an AK-47 rifle, pistol rounds, and grenade levers. The discovery of these materials has raised serious concerns and is part of an ongoing investigation into the activities allegedly promoted by the publication.

The raid began early in the morning and involved a thorough search of the newspaper's premises, including electronic devices and important documents. Alongside the ammunition, three grenade levers were also seized. These findings have prompted the police to register a First Information Report (FIR) against Kashmir Times editor Anuradha Bhasin. The FIR alleges that the newspaper was involved in spreading content that threatens India's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as glorifying secessionism.

This incident adds to the tense backdrop of previous actions taken against the Kashmir Times. For context, the newspaper’s office in Srinagar was sealed by the Jammu and Kashmir administration in October 2020 amid similar allegations. The Jammu office raid marks another serious step in the authorities’ crackdown on what they describe as activities hostile to national security.

From the Kashmir Times’ perspective, the raid is seen as an attempt to silence one of the few independent voices willing to critically engage with power dynamics in the region. The newspaper issued a statement underscoring its commitment to speaking truth to power despite pressures to delegitimize and intimidate independent media outlets.

On a broader note, this raid highlights the delicate balance between national security concerns and freedom of the press, especially in contested regions like Jammu and Kashmir. The recovery of military-grade cartridges inside a newspaper office is alarming and fuels questions about how such materials found their way there, triggering a deeper probe into potential networks or connections. In political circles, officials have cautioned that any action must be based on verified wrongdoing rather than pressure tactics. The Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Surinder Singh Choudhary, emphasized that accountability is important but should be fair and justified.

This unfolding situation will likely have wider implications for media operations and political discourse in the region, as well as on the ongoing struggle to maintain law and order while respecting democratic freedoms. The raid at the Kashmir Times office in Jammu, the recovery of lethal ammunition, and the resulting legal actions present a complex case involving national security, media freedom, and regional stability—a story that will continue to develop as investigations deepen.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from NDTV.

Frances Wong, who led a global anti-scam team at an international bank, discovered that her own mother had fallen prey to a scam. Motivated by this, she left her position and founded White Byte, a company dedicated to educating vulnerable individuals and businesses about scam prevention. Frances discusses how she connects with the elderly, migrant workers, and other at-risk groups, the advice she gives to victims, and the guidance she would offer her younger self.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

A month has passed since global leaders met in Egypt for a peace summit aimed at securing a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Since then, both parties have traded accusations of breaching the deal. Andrea Heng reviews the progress made during the first month and examines whether the fragile truce can endure, in conversation with Dr. Eyal Mayroz, Senior Lecturer in Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Sydney.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

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.