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Unable to relocate, or remove stray dogs from streets, Shimla Municipal Corporation gives them QR and GPS based collars ‘to monitor their location’

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Unable to relocate, or remove stray dogs from streets, Shimla Municipal Corporation gives them QR and GPS based collars ‘to monitor their location’

On 16th August, the Shimla Municipal Corporation launched an extensive sterilisation and anti-rabies vaccination drive for stray dogs in the city amid rising cases of dog bites. Shimla, which is known as a tourist hub, has seen over 2,500 cases of dog bites in around 20 months, raising serious concerns for public health and safety.

Alongside the sterilisation and vaccination drive, the civic body has introduced QR and GPS-based collars for the stray dogs in what it described as a solution to “monitor their location” and maintain digital records.

Each collar will hold key details of the dog, including whether the dog has been sterilised, dates of anti-rabies vaccination, health check reports, approximate age, and behavioural patterns including aggression level. The GPS system will allow authorities to track their movement in real time and the QR codes can be scanned with a smartphone by any resident to instantly view the records.

The civic body has claimed that it will help people identify vaccinated and sterilised dogs and officials will be able to keep a centralised database of the city’s stray population. However, the civic body did not explain how this is going to help in reducing stray dog bite cases, as sterilisation and vaccination drives do not ensure that a dog would not bite.

Mayor Surinder Chauhan said in a statement that veterinary experts from Goa, Maharashtra and Delhi have been brought in to assist. Four vehicles and facilities have been arranged for catching and tagging dogs across wards.

Unable to remove dogs due to ABC Rules 2023

Despite rising dog bite cases in the city, the Shimla Municipal Corporation is bound by the Animal Birth Control Rules 2023, which prohibit the removal or relocation of stray dogs. Even if a dog has bitten someone, the civic body can only keep it in observation for 10 days, and if found to be healthy without any infection such as rabies, the dog must be released at the same location where it has a history of biting people. This has left civic bodies with little choice but to sterilise, vaccinate, and now digitally tag the dogs. The aggressive ones, according to the civic body, will be housed in a “dog hut” at Tutikandi.

Dog-bite cases rise in Shimla

Shimla is not only Himachal Pradesh’s capital but also a major tourist hub. Despite the importance of keeping streets safe, the data shows there were 2,500 cases of dog bites in the city in just 20 months. In 2025 alone, there were 800 cases of dog bites recorded. Most of the victims were children and school students. Some of the victims suffered serious injuries.

Congress councillor Narendra Thakur recently raised the issue during an MC meeting, stating that officials hide behind “dog rules” while the public lives in fear. The uproar led to a ten-minute adjournment of the House, with BJP councillors also staging a protest.

Residents trapped in fear, demand action

The menace is not confined to dogs. More than 2,700 cases of bites by dogs and monkeys have been reported in the past year, forcing women and children indoors. Critics accuse the municipal corporation and the Himachal Pradesh government of being mute spectators while the threat grows.

Mayor Chauhan, however, insists the MC is committed to public safety and is acting within legal limits. On demands for compensation for bite victims, he said a proposal would be sent to the state government.

Supreme Court order sparks debate

The move comes in the backdrop of the Supreme Court reserving its order in the ongoing stray dog case in Delhi-NCR. The court had earlier directed the removal of all stray dogs from Delhi-NCR in a phased manner, which led to protests by dog lovers, celebrities and politicians. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal and others are contesting the case on behalf of dog lovers, while SG Tushar Mehta is representing the government at the Supreme Court. Despite rising dog bite cases and deaths due to dog attacks in the country, the dog lovers want the canines to roam free on the streets.

OpIndia is doing a series on Stray Dog Menace in India which can be checked here.

Madhya Pradesh woman says her in-laws didn’t allow treatment for child ‘because she was a girl’, doctors had asked family multiple times to bring her to nutrition centre

OpIndia Staff
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Madhya Pradesh woman says her in-laws didn’t allow treatment for child ‘because she was a girl’, doctors had asked family multiple times to bring her to nutrition centre

A tragic case from Madhya Pradesh has again highlighted the state’s long battle with malnutrition. On Saturday, 16th August, a 15-month-old girl called Divyanshi, from Shivpuri district, died at the district hospital. Disastrously, she weighed just 3.7 kg, well short of the normal weight for her age.

According to media reports, doctors treating her disclosed that her haemoglobin reading was as low as 7.4 g/dl, critically low for survival. She had already been identified in the state’s Dastak Abhiyan, for which health workers had persuaded her family to take her to the Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre (NRC). 

Her mother said that her in-laws prevented her from undergoing treatment, just because the child was a daughter. “Whenever she was sick, they used to tell, “Let her die, she is just a daughter.”

This case follows only two days after the death of another girl, Radhika, who was one-and-a-half years old, in Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh. At the time of her death, she was merely 2.5 kg in weight. According to her mother, although she was born normal, her body gradually weakened and her limbs became thin as sticks. In Bhind district as well, recently a toddler passed away under the same conditions, with the families attributing her death to malnutrition, although doctors provided contrasting views.

These recurring deaths underline a harsh truth: in spite of government assurances and campaigns, Madhya Pradesh remains one of the worst-hit states when it comes to child malnutrition.

Malnutrition cases in different states

Malnutrition just refers to the fact that the body is not receiving enough of the proper nutrients that it requires to live and develop. In children, it is much worse. It can prevent growth, impair immunity, and in extreme cases, cause death.

Government data released by the Women and Child Development (WCD) ministry in 2024 reveal the gravity of the situation. Uttar Pradesh leads the list with 46.36% of children being stunted, or nearly half the children of the state failing to grow based on age. Lakshadweep is close second with 46.31%, Maharashtra (44.59%) and Madhya Pradesh (41.61%) also reporting terribly alarming numbers.

In case of underweight children, Madhya Pradesh again has the highest figure of 26.21%, followed by Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu (26.41%) and Lakshadweep (23.25%).

When it comes to wasting, a symptom of acute malnutrition in which children rapidly lose weight – Lakshadweep leads the pack once again at 13.22% of children suffering from it. Bihar (9.81%) and Gujarat (9.16%) are not far behind, indicating that a large number of children there are either not consuming sufficient food or are repeatedly falling ill.

Who is Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan, the NDA candidate from Tamil Nadu for Vice-Presidential election

OpIndia Staff
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Who is Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan, the NDA candidate from Tamil Nadu for Vice-Presidential election

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Sunday announced that Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan will be its candidate for the upcoming Vice-Presidential election. The election is scheduled to be held on September 9.

A veteran BJP leader from Tamil Nadu, Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan has had a long career in politics, marked by his association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and various leadership roles within the BJP. He is a seasoned political leader with decades of experience in parliamentary politics, state leadership, and constitutional offices.

Radhakrishnan was born in Tiruppur, then part of Madras State (now Tamil Nadu), in October 1957. From the age of 16, he became involved with the RSS and the Jan Sangh. In 1974, he became a member of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh’s state executive, laying the foundation for his long association with the Sangh Parivar and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

His major breakthrough in national politics came in 1998 when he was elected as a Member of Parliament from Coimbatore, a victory by over 150000 votes made significant by the fact that it came soon after the Coimbatore bombings. He won again in 1999, defeating a DMK candidate.  

In Parliament, Radhakrishnan served as Chairman of the Standing Committee on Textiles and as a member of committees on Public Sector Undertakings, Finance, and the Stock Exchange Scam inquiry. He also represented India at the United Nations General Assembly in 2003, addressing issues of humanitarian coordination and disaster relief. In 2004, he was part of India’s first parliamentary delegation to Taiwan.

Radhakrishnan was appointed as the President of the BJP’s Tamil Nadu unit in 2004, and he remained in the position till 2007. During this period, he organized a 93-day, 19,000 km Ratha Yatra to advocate for interlinking rivers, fighting untouchability, countering terrorism, and pressing for a Uniform Civil Code.

He later conducted two more padyatras, cementing his image as a leader who could connect with grassroots issues. His organizational skills and ideological clarity helped strengthen the BJP’s presence in Tamil Nadu, a state where the party has historically faced challenges.

He contested Lok Sabha elections in 2014 and 2019, but was unsuccessful. Between 2020 and 2022, he was the BJP’s in-charge for Kerala. Radhakrishnan was also appointed Chairman of the Coir Board in 2016, where he oversaw record exports worth ₹2,532 crore during his tenure.

In 2023, Radhakrishnan was appointed Governor of Jharkhand. He earned praise for visiting all 24 districts of the state within four months and engaging directly with citizens. Later, he was also given additional charges as Governor of Telangana and Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry. In July 2024, he was sworn in as the Governor of Maharashtra.

If the opposition fields a candidate, CP Radhakrishnan is almost certain to win the polls and become the next vice president of India.

The Vice President of India is elected by an electoral college consisting of members of both Houses of Parliament, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Unlike the Presidential election, state assemblies are not part of this process. Currently, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) enjoys a comfortable majority in the Lok Sabha and has significant strength in the Rajya Sabha, even though it does not have an outright majority in the Upper House. Taken together, the NDA’s numbers in both the Houses place its candidate in a strong position.

The only real challenge to Radhakrishnan’s chances lies in whether the opposition can present a united candidate and mobilise all its MPs. In recent years, opposition parties have struggled to maintain cohesion, particularly in contests for constitutional posts. Even if the opposition fields a candidate, the numerical arithmetic in Parliament Favors the NDA.

By choosing Radhakrishnan, a leader from Tamil Nadu, the BJP has signalled its intention to strengthen its presence in southern India, where the party is still trying to expand.

Security ramped up around Fatehpur tomb after Hindu organisations claim it was built on an ancient Hindu temple, police officials submit report to administration

OpIndia Staff
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Security ramped up around Fatehpur tomb after Hindu organisations claim it was built on an ancient Hindu temple, police officials submit report to administration

Following an incident of vandalism of a tomb located in Abu Nagar, Rediya locality of Sadar tehsil in the Fatehpur district in Uttar Pradesh last week, Commissioner Prayagraj, Vijay Vishwas Pant and IG Range Prayagraj, Ajay Mishra, have submitted a detailed report about the disputed structure to the administration. The 80-page report was prepared by the officers in six days after the incident.

The report provides the details of the government records of the land (Khasra number 753), in which the structure is referred to as Maqbara Mangi and is recognised as a national property. It also discloses all the details relating to the registry, ownership of the land, how it came to be recognised as the national property and its registration with the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board.

Along with the details of the land on which the disputed structure is built, details of plot number 1159, adjacent to the tomb, have also been given in the report. As per reports, among the 23 landholders of plot number 1159, Thakurji Virajman Mandir is registered at number 6. The report is said to have highlighted several lapses of the then government and administration. The government has not been made a party in the case. The administration had also sought a report on the alleged police inaction in stopping the Hindu organisations from vandalising the structure.

Meanwhile, security has been ramped up in the area around the disputed structure, as the Math Mandir Sanrakshan Sangharsh Samiti announced on Saturday (16th August) that it would hold a ‘kirtan’ (devotional singing) at the site. Prohibitory orders have been implemented in the area as locals have been asked not to step out of their homes without a valid reason.

Background of the case

Some members of a Hindu organisation vandalised the tomb on 11th August by some members of a Hindu organisation. Members of the Math Mandir Sanrakshan Sangharsh Samiti and some BJP activists said that the tomb was built over an ancient Hindu temple belonging to Thakurji (Lord Krishna) and Lord Shiva. They said that the lotus patterns and trident motifs inside the building were proof that the structure was an ancient Hindu temple.

The situation emerged after the Math Mandir Sanrakshan Sangharsh Samiti sent a letter to the administration on 7th August seeking permission to “clean and beautify” the structure, saying that it is an ancient Hindu temple. After the permission was denied, a group of members of the organisation breached the police barricades on 11th August and entered the premises. They hoisted saffron flags, performed Hindu rituals, and vandalised graves in the premises.

The damaged portion of the structure was repaired, and security forces were deployed. Media access to the site had also been restricted. The police have registered three FIRs in connection with the incident. Around 140 suspects have reportedly been identified by the police from video footage, but no arrests have been made so far.

District Magistrate Ravindra Singh and Superintendent of Police Anoop Singh went to inspect the site on Saturday to review the security arrangements. Over 300 police personnel, two platoons of the Provincial Armed Constabulary, and Special Task Force teams have been deployed within a one-kilometre radius. The area is also being watched closely through aerial surveillance.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to meet PM Modi during his 3-day India visit, to hold 24th round of Special Representatives’ talks with NSA Doval

OpIndia Staff
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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to meet PM Modi during his 3-day India visit, to hold 24th round of Special Representatives’ talks with NSA Doval

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is set to arrive in India on Monday for an official visit. During his three-day visit, Wang Yi will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 19th August, Tuesday, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

Wang Yi’s itinerary includes the 24th round of Special Representatives’ talks on the India-China boundary question with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. The discussions will focus on maintaining stability along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and addressing broader bilateral issues. Additionally, Wang will hold a bilateral meeting with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday to further dialogue on strengthening ties.

His meeting with NSA Ajit Doval is scheduled for Tuesday morning. At 5:30 PM on Tuesday, he will meet PM Modi at his official residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, according to a schedule released by the Ministry of External Affairs. 

Yesterday MEA issued a statement saying, “At the invitation of National Security Advisor Shri Ajit Doval, Member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China and Chinese Foreign Minister H.E. Mr. Wang Yi will visit India on 18-19 August 2025. During his visit, he will hold the 24th round of the Special Representatives’ (SR) Talks on the India-China boundary question with India’s SR, NSA Shri Doval. EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar will hold a bilateral meeting with Mr. Wang Yi.”

While meeting with PM Modi was not mentioned in the original press release, it has been reported now.

Xu Feihong, Chinese Ambassador to India, confirmed the visit on X. He posted, “From August 18 to 20, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Minister of Foreign Affairs and China’s Special Representative on the China-India boundary question Wang Yi will visit India and hold the 24th Round of Talks Between the Special Representatives of China and India on the Boundary Question at the invitation of the Indian side.”

This visit marks a key step in ongoing efforts to stabilize India-China relations ahead of PM Modi’s anticipated trip to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1.

The visit follows a thaw in India-China relations, marked by the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, tourist visas for Chinese nationals, and progress on disengagement at friction points along the LAC in eastern Ladakh, including Depsang and Demchok, after the 2020 Galwan clash. The agenda also includes exploring enhanced economic cooperation, such as resuming direct flights and restoring supplies of rare earth magnets, fertilizers, and pharmaceutical products from China.

Wang’s visit comes amid complex geopolitical dynamics, including strained India-U.S. trade ties following tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Make in India: Samsung starts making laptops at its Greater Noida plant, months after MSI began manufacturing laptops in Chennai

OpIndia Staff
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Make in India: Samsung starts making laptops at its Greater Noida plant, months after MSI began manufacturing laptops in Chennai

South Korean electronics giant Samsung has started laptop production at its Greater Noida factory in India, marking a significant expansion of its manufacturing portfolio in the country. This development, reported by PTI, aligns with India’s push to become a global hub for electronics manufacturing under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

“Samsung has expanded its manufacturing portfolio. It has started manufacturing laptops in India at its Greater Noida factory. It has plans to start manufacturing more devices in the country,” a source told PTI.

Samsung’s Greater Noida facility, established in 1996, has long been a cornerstone of the company’s operations in India. The plant, one of the first global electronics manufacturing facilities set up in the country, already produces feature phones, smartphones, wearables, and tablets. The addition of laptops to this lineup underscores Samsung’s commitment to diversifying its production capabilities in India.

The move follows earlier announcements by Samsung Electronics President and Head of Mobile eXperience (MX) Business, TM Roh, who in January 2024 indicated that preparations for laptop manufacturing were underway at the Noida plant. The facility has a production capacity of over 120 million smartphone units annually and is Samsung’s second-largest mobile manufacturing unit globally, trailing only its operations in South Korea. The company is also the second-largest exporter of phones from India, following Apple.

Union Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw yesterday highlighted Samsung’s growing presence in India, stating, “Samsung continues to expand manufacturing of its advanced technology devices in Bharat, driven by talent and innovation.” Vaishnaw recently met with Samsung Southwest Asia President and CEO JB Park and Corporate Vice President SP Chun, emphasizing the company’s role in fostering innovation and job creation in India. Notably, Samsung’s research unit in the country employs over 7,000 engineers, further solidifying its investment in India’s tech ecosystem. This expansion comes at a time when India is actively encouraging domestic hardware production through tax incentives, financial support, and import restrictions.

In August 2023, the union government briefly imposed a ban on laptop imports, which was later replaced with a streamlined import registration system to promote local manufacturing. While competitors like Acer, HP, Lenovo, and Asus have leveraged the government’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for IT hardware, Samsung has opted not to participate, choosing instead to independently scale its operations.

Samsung’s decision to manufacture laptops locally is expected to reduce reliance on imports from its China and Vietnam plants, potentially lowering costs for consumers through savings on import duties. Currently, Samsung holds a strong position in India’s smartphone market, ranking second in both value and volume share, according to Counterpoint Research.

It also commands a 15% share of the tablet PC market, as per CyberMedia Research. However, the company has yet to establish a significant presence in India’s laptop market.

The Greater Noida factory’s laptop production line is reportedly capable of producing 60,000 to 70,000 units annually. This move positions Samsung alongside other global players like MSI, which recently began laptop manufacturing in Chennai.

Next-generation GST reforms set to bring double benefits for citizens: Prime Minister Narendra Modi

OpIndia Staff
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Next-generation GST reforms set to bring double benefits for citizens: Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday reiterated that the next phase of Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms will be rolled out before Diwali, promising what he called “double benefits” for citizens across the country.

Major tax slabs set for overhaul

According to sources, the Centre has proposed scrapping the existing 12 per cent and 28 per cent GST slabs. Almost 99 per cent of items in the 12 per cent bracket are expected to shift to 5 per cent, while nearly 90 per cent of goods in the 28 per cent slab are likely to move down to 18 per cent. The changes, if approved, are expected to make everyday items more affordable for households and ease the burden on small businesses.

Framework shared with states

Speaking at the inauguration of two National Highway projects worth nearly Rs 11,000 crore in New Delhi, the Prime Minister said the complete framework of reforms had been shared with all states. He expressed hope for swift cooperation, emphasising that the initiative would make life and business simpler. “We are coming with the next generation of GST reforms, this will be a gift for you this Diwali,” he said, urging quick completion of the process.

Impact on common man and MSMEs

PM Modi stressed that the reforms were designed to directly benefit the poor, middle class and small entrepreneurs. Everyday items would become cheaper, he said, while micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) would receive a “huge boost” in easing their business operations. “Taxes needed by the common man will be reduced substantially, and a lot of facilities will be increased,” he said, underlining the government’s aim to deliver tangible relief.

Decision expected in coming weeks

The proposal will be studied by the Group of Ministers, with the GST Council expected to meet between September and October to consider its adoption. If cleared, the reforms would mark a major simplification of India’s indirect tax system, aligning with the government’s pitch for inclusive growth and economic revival.

ECI counters Opposition on voter fraud claims, says correct time to raise concerns about electoral rolls is during the ‘Claims and Objections’ period

OpIndia Staff
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ECI counters Opposition on voter fraud claims, says correct time to raise concerns about electoral rolls is during the ‘Claims and Objections’ period

On Saturday, 16th August, the Election Commission of India (ECI) issued a press release after several Opposition leaders’ allegations of large-scale voter fraud during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The poll body clarified that the correct time to raise concerns about electoral rolls is during the “Claims and Objections” period, which is held before every election.

In its press release, the Election Commission said that some political parties and individuals are now raising issues about errors in electoral rolls, even though these lists had been shared with them well in advance. 

The Commission explained that once the draft electoral rolls are published, both digital and physical copies are given to all political parties. A full month is then provided to check the list and file objections.

The poll panel added that this one-month window is meant for correcting errors. If any genuine mistakes were reported, then they could have been fixed before the final rolls were published. After final publication, the updated lists are again shared with all recognised political parties and made available on the ECI website.

Transparency in voter list preparation

The Election Commission stressed that transparency has always been the “hallmark” of electoral roll preparation. According to the poll body, political parties and their booth-level agents (BLAs) are also expected to check the lists during the given time, but many failed to do so.

“ECI continues to welcome scrutiny of Electoral Rolls by Political Parties and any Elector,” the statement said, adding that timely feedback would help in removing errors and keeping the lists accurate.

Opposition’s allegations of vote theft

The Opposition, especially the Congress party, has strongly criticised the Commission over manipulation of voter lists. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has accused the ECI of allowing “vote theft” in states like Maharashtra, Karnataka and Haryana.

In a press conference on 7th August, Rahul Gandhi claimed that in Karnataka’s Mahadevapura constituency alone, more than one lakh votes were “stolen” through duplicate entries, fake addresses and multiple registrations at the same location. He also pointed out that the data he presented was from the Election Commission itself, and questioned why the poll body had not denied it.

“This is Election Commission data. Why don’t you say it’s wrong? Because you know the truth. You know that we know what you have done across the country,” Gandhi had said.

ECI asks for proof

In response, the Election Commission has asked Rahul Gandhi to provide the names of voters he believes were wrongly added or removed. It has also asked for a signed declaration to support his allegations.

The poll body maintained that raising such issues after the elections is not the right approach and insisted that the system in place already gives parties enough time to check and report errors in the voter lists.

‘Those who dance with the Constitution on their heads had trampled it’: PM Modi lashes out at Congress for betraying Ambedkar, says they treated sanitation workers like slaves

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‘Those who dance with the Constitution on their heads had trampled it’: PM Modi lashes out at Congress for betraying Ambedkar, says they treated sanitation workers like slaves

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday alleged that “those who dance with the Constitution on their heads” had “trampled” the Constitution and “betraying” the sentiments of BR Ambedkar by retaining oppressive laws for decades before he came and started repealing them.

Addressing a government event to inaugurate two national highway projects in Delhi, the Prime Minister said that previous governments had treated safai karamcharis like slaves. “I am telling you the truth of how those who dance with the Constitution on their heads trampled the Constitution and betrayed Babasaheb Ambedkar. You will be shocked,” PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister raised questions on the Opposition’s claims of working for social justice and alleged that Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957, had a provision of sending sanitation workers to jail for a month if they did not show up for work without prior information.

“Today I am going to tell you that truth. In Delhi, there was a dangerous law in the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act. There was a clause that if a safai mitra (sanitation worker) skipped work without informing beforehand, he or she could be jailed for a month. Think about it, what did they think of safai karmacharis? You will put them in jail for a small mistake? They now talk big about social justice. They made and kept such laws. It is Modi who is removing these laws and repealing them,” the Prime Minister said.

“It is Modi who is tirelessly finding and abolishing such unjust laws and this campaign continues relentlessly,” he added.

Lashing out at the previous Congress government in Haryana, PM Modi alleged that every job appointment was influenced from corruption in the state.

“There was a time in Haryana, during the Congress governments, when it was difficult to get even a single appointment without spending money or using influence. But in Haryana, the BJP government has given lakhs of youth government jobs with complete transparency. Under the leadership of Nayab Singh Saini ji, this process is continuing…”

Additionally, PM Modi said that to make India stronger we must take inspiration from Lord Krishna and to make India self-reliant, we must follow the path of Mahatma Gandhi. The country celebrated the festival of Janmashtami yesterday.

“To make India stronger, we must take inspiration from Chakradhari Mohan (Shri Krishna). To make India self-reliant, we must follow the path of Charkhadhari Mohan (Mahatma Gandhi). We need to make Vocal for Local mantra of our life, and it’s not difficult for us to achieve this. We must make Vocal for Local our life’s mantra. This task is not difficult for us; whenever we have made a resolution, we have always achieved it,” PM Modi said.

PM Modi inaugurated two major National Highway projects, the Delhi section of the Dwarka Expressway and the Urban Extension Road-II (UER-II). The projects are worth a combined cost of nearly Rs 11,000 crore.

The 10.1 km long Delhi section of Dwarka Expressway has been developed at a cost of around Rs. 5,360 crore. The section will also provide Multi-modal connectivity to Yashobhoomi, DMRC Blue line and Orange line, upcoming Bijwasan railway station and Dwarka cluster Bus Depot. Prime Minister inaugurated the Alipur to Dichaon Kalan stretch of Urban Extension Road-II (UER-II) along with new links to Bahadurgarh and Sonipat, built at a cost of around Rs 5,580 crore. It will ease traffic on Delhi’s Inner and Outer Ring Roads and busy points like Mukarba Chowk, Dhaula Kuan, and NH-09. The new spurs will give direct access to Bahadurgarh and Sonipat, improve industrial connectivity, cut city traffic, and speed up goods movement in the National Capital Region.

After a failed meeting with Russian President Putin over Ukraine war, Donald Trump once again says he ended India-Pakistan war in a bid to boost his Nobel Peace Prize chances

OpIndia Staff
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After a failed meeting with Russian President Putin over Ukraine war, Donald Trump once again says he ended India-Pakistan war in a bid to boost his Nobel Peace Prize chances

After a failed meeting with the Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on 15th August to resolve Russia-Ukraine war, US President Donald Trump is back to taking undue credit for brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan.

Speaking to Fox News’ Sean Hannity, following his meeting with Putin, Trump reiterated his claim that he mediated a ceasefire between India and Pakistan during their military conflict. “Take a look at India and Pakistan. They were shooting down airplanes already. And that would have been maybe nuclear. I would have said it was going to go nuclear. And I was able to get it done,” Trump bragged.

When Hannity asked why he was getting involved in all these conflicts across the world, Trump justified his interference, saying that his main objective was to save lives. “Number one, to save lives in all cases, because wars are wars. When you see what would have happened with Cambodia as an example, now, I’m not involved, but I was involved in negotiating a trade deal. And I said, You guys are going to be fighting Thailand, Cambodia, so many different,” Trump rambled.

Trump also claimed that he played a key role in ending conflicts between Thailand and Cambodia, Iran and Israel, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Serbia and Kosovo, and Egypt and Ethiopia, saying this justified a Nobel Peace Prize for him. Apparently, Trump is trying to portray himself as some sort of global peacemaker to lay claim to the Nobel Peace Prize.

The self-bragging style of the US President is not new to the world. He has a reputation for being a loudmouth who exaggerates things and makes sweeping statements, none of which suits the high office he holds. Upholding his reputation, he recently described his meeting with the Russian President as “extremely productive” even though he could not get Russia to agree to a ceasefire with Ukraine, which was supposedly the main objective of the meeting.

India has unequivocally denied the US role in the ceasefire with Pakistan

Ever since a ceasefire understanding was reached between India and Pakistan at the request of the latter, following India’s Operation Sindoor in May this year, Trump has been going on with his boastful tirade about brokering peace between the two countries. The US President did not stop repeating his false claim, despite the Indian government’s clear statement that the ceasefire understanding between the two countries was a bilateral act.

A ceasefire understanding was reached between India and Pakistan on May 10, 2025, after India inflicted heavy damages on Pakistan in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, in which Pakistan-backed terrorists killed 26 Hindu tourists after identifying their religion. India launched a retaliatory military action after the terror attack and destroyed the terror launchpads located inside Pakistan and the PoJK. India’s military action against terrorists rattled Pakistan, and it launched drone and missile attacks on India, which led to a military conflict between India and Pakistan. After suffering heavy losses due to India’s strong military response, Pakistan requested a ceasefire.

However, right after a ceasefire was reached bilaterally between India and Pakistan, the US President jumped in to take the credit for it. In an unstatesmanlike manner, Trump made an official statement taking the credit for the ceasefire, even before an official statement could be made by the Indian government.

Trump took a U-turn on his false statement about brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi clearly told him in a phone call that he had no role to play in the ceasefire. He admitted that the two countries agreed to the ceasefire bilaterally. However, later on, Trump again went back to reiterating his lie that he mediated the ceasefire, displaying his desperation to boost his contendership for the Nobel Peace Prize.

This became evident after Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize following a luncheon with the US President in June this year. Whether Trump will be able to get the Nobel Peace Prize after all his desperate attempts to be seen as a global peacemaker remains to be seen, but looking at his trade and foreign policy in his second term, he seems to be emerging as a global bully.

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