Podcasts about Aam Aadmi Party

“The War for Delhi” wasn't just political, it was personal.In this unfiltered conversation, Aam Aadmi Party spokesperson Jasmine Shah reveals how Delhi's governance was dismantled, its leaders jailed, and institutions weaponized.

This episode discusses the severe battering received by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the Delhi Assembly polls. Beyond the AAP's electoral loss, it is notable to watch the unhinged meltdown of sections of the Indian media which had acted as the cheerleaders of the AAP. Veteran journalist Rajdeep Sardesai's open support -- and tears -- for the AAP saw him plumb another new low. The same was the case with Pierre Omidyar-funded Newslaundry's apology for the AAP's defeat. Join the conversation!An Appeal: Please Support our Sacred WorkIf you enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting The Dharma Dispatch podcast so we can offer more such interesting, informative and educational content related to Indian History, Sanatana Dharma, Hindu Culture and current affairs.It takes us months of rigorous research, writing and editing and significant costs to offer this labour of love.Your support helps us keep our content free!Ways you can Support The Dharma Podcast:* UPI: dharmadispatch@axl* Wallets, Netbanking, etc: http://tinyurl.com/3xvzk7sn* Scan the QR Code below: Get full access to The Dharma Dispatch Digest at thedharmadispatch.substack.com/subscribe

Despite the Aam Aadmi Party's emphasis on developmental initiatives and its promise of good governance, voter dissatisfaction was evident in the Delhi Assembly elections as the BJP is now set to form a government in the national capital after 27 years.The Indian Express' Mallica Joshi and Jatin Anand help us dissect the BJP's campaign that looked on track to unseat Arvind Kejriwal's reign and the factors that are likely to guide the BJP's decision while picking its Chief Minister.Produced, written and hosted by Niharika NandaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

RESULTS OF THE Delhi Assembly elections were announced yesterday, on February 8, 2025. The incumbent Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was trounced with a significant loss of seats. Its founder Arvind Kejriwal and his close buddy Manish Sisodia were handed humiliating defeats in their own strongholds. This event is a good occasion as any to delve into the circumstances and the forces that led to the AAP's founding in 2012 and the unlikely emergence of Arvind Kejriwal as a visible player in Indian politics.Any way you look at it, AAP is not a political party in the true meaning of the term. It is rather a collection of anarchists and Far Left activists. This podcast traces the trajectory of the AAP's growth and the dangerous, globalist breaking India forces that operate it from behind the scenes.With each passing second, we are hearing the shocking revelations tumbling out of the skeleton closet of USAID, now regarded as one of the world's biggest mafia outfit. The same forces that created, funded and operated USAID were also funding AAP. The AAP was the first attempt at regime change in India.Filled with original insights and in-depth analysis presented by Sandeep Balakrishna, this podcast episode is a must listen! Join the conversation!An Appeal: Please Support our Sacred WorkIf you enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting The Dharma Dispatch podcast so we can offer more such interesting, informative and educational content related to Indian History, Sanatana Dharma, Hindu Culture and current affairs.It takes us months of rigorous research, writing and editing and significant costs to offer this labour of love.Your support helps us keep our content free!Ways you can Support The Dharma Podcast:* UPI: dharmadispatch@axl* Wallets, Netbanking, etc: http://tinyurl.com/3xvzk7sn* Scan the QR Code below: Get full access to The Dharma Dispatch Digest at thedharmadispatch.substack.com/subscribe

pWotD Episode 2839: 2025 Delhi Legislative Assembly election Welcome to Popular Wiki of the Day, spotlighting Wikipedia's most visited pages, giving you a peek into what the world is curious about today.With 311,571 views on Saturday, 8 February 2025 our article of the day is 2025 Delhi Legislative Assembly election.The 2025 Delhi Legislative Assembly elections were held in Delhi on 5 February 2025 to elect all 70 members of the Delhi Legislative Assembly. The counting of votes and declaration of result took place on 8 February 2025.The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won in 48 out of 70 seats, thus winning the Delhi assembly elections after 32 years. The incumbent Aam Aadmi Party, which was in power for the previous ten years, lost the election, with several prominent leaders and cabinet ministers including national convener Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Somnath Bharti, Saurabh Bhardwaj and Durgesh Pathak losing their seats. The Indian National Congress did not win any seats for the third straight election, although it increased its vote share compared to the last election.This recording reflects the Wikipedia text as of 01:29 UTC on Sunday, 9 February 2025.For the full current version of the article, see 2025 Delhi Legislative Assembly election on Wikipedia.This podcast uses content from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.Visit our archives at wikioftheday.com and subscribe to stay updated on new episodes.Follow us on Mastodon at @wikioftheday@masto.ai.Also check out Curmudgeon's Corner, a current events podcast.Until next time, I'm standard Aditi.

As Delhi goes to polls tomorrow, that is the 5th of February, we are dedicating today's episode to discussing the Aam Aadmi Party's progress and schemes over the last decade, why are these elections crucial for the BJP, where does the Congress stand and what are the major narratives dominating the polls. To help us unpack all this, we have the Indian Express' Mallica Joshi joining us.Hosted by Niharika NandaProduced by Niharika Nanda, Shashank Bhargava and Ichha SharmaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Ichha Sharma.Today is the 31st of January and here are this week's headlines.The Indian government has launched the National Critical Minerals Mission, a 16,300 crore rupees initiative to reduce country's dependency on foreign mineral imports on Wednesday. The mission focuses on domestic exploration, mining, and processing of essential minerals to support technological growth and industrial needs. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized the importance of securing India's mineral future as the nation seeks to strengthen its economic infrastructure and ensure sustainability in key industries.Meanwhile, the Joint Committee of Parliament has adopted its report on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, despite criticism from Opposition MPs about the rushed process and lack of sufficient review time. The bill, which proposes changes to the management of Waqf properties, has sparked disagreement within the committee. Opposition leaders have raised concerns about the short notice to review the 655-page report, accusing the government of undermining parliamentary procedures in the final stages of the bill's consideration.Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday dared leaders from BJP and Congress to drink the water of Yamuna river after the Election Commission responded to the Aam Aadmi Party chief amid the ongoing row over Yamuna, asking the former Delhi chief minister not to mix the issue of increased ammonia in Yamuna with his allegation of river poisoning. The EC gave Kejriwal another chance to explain his charges against the Haryana government. The EC further asked Kejriwal to provide factual evidence with specific and pointed response to type, quantity, nature and manner of poisoning of Yamuna.On the global front, an American Airlines passenger plane and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter collided and crashed near Reagan Washington National Airport on Thursday. The passenger jet, carrying 64 people, was on approach to the airport when the incident occurred. Initial reports indicate that at least 18 bodies have been recovered from the river, with search and rescue operations ongoing amid challenging cold weather conditions. Emergency responders, numbering over 300, are actively engaged in the recovery efforts, which have been complicated by the frigid temperatures. The airport has suspended all operations until at least 11 a.m. EST on Thursday. While the exact number of casualties remains unclear, officials have confirmed that fatalities are expected.Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump signed his first piece of legislation, the Laken Riley Act, during his second term, which allows for the pre-trial detention of undocumented immigrants accused of crimes such as theft, burglary, and assault. Additionally, a group of Republican Senators introduced the Birthright Citizenship Act of 2025 in the US Senate, aiming to restrict birthright citizenship for children of illegal immigrants and non-immigrants on temporary visas. Trump's administration also rescinded a controversial memo that temporarily froze federal spending on loans and grants just two days after its issuance, leading to widespread confusion and legal challenges.This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by the Indian Express

Welcome to The Indian Business Podcast! Today, we're joined by Arvind Kejriwal, former Chief Minister of Delhi, Atishi Marlena, current Chief Minister of Delhi, Raghav Chadha, MP in Rajya Sabha, and Satyendar Jain, former Cabinet Minister of Delhi. In this special episode, we've taken a deep dive into governance and policies, steering clear of political drama or masala content. With high-stakes elections around the corner in February 2025, we've focused on decoding Aam Aadmi Party's transformative policies in education, healthcare, and public welfare. From world-class schools and hospitals to innovative governance models, this conversation is about understanding how impactful policies are shaping lives and setting benchmarks for the nation. Join us as we explore the finer details of governance and what it takes to bring meaningful change to millions.

One of the most talked about policy experiments in India in recent memory is the reform of government schools in the city-state of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Under the leadership of the Aam Aadmi Party, the Delhi government has implemented an innovative program to equip students with foundational literacy and numeracy. But while these reforms are much discussed, they have been surprisingly under-studied. A new book by the scholar Yamini Aiyar tries to remedy this gap.Yamini's new book, Lessons in State Capacity from Delhi's Schools, draws on three years of ethnographic research where she and a team of colleagues were embedded in a cluster of schools across the national capital.Yamini is currently Visiting Senior Fellow at the Saxena Center for Contemporary South Asia and the Watson Institute at Brown University. Many of our listeners will know her from her work with the Centre for Policy Research in New Delhi, where she served as President from 2017 to 2024.To kick off season thirteen of Grand Tamasha, Yamini joins Milan on the show this week. They discuss Yamini's decade-long adventure studying India's public schools, the core elements of the Delhi education model, and the mysterious ways in which the India bureaucracy operates. Plus, they discuss whether the Delhi experiment can travel beyond the national capital.Episode notes:1. “How Bureaucracy Can Work for the Poor (with Akshay Mangla),” Grand Tamasha, March 29, 2023.2. Yamini Aiyar and Shrayana Bhattacharya, “The Post Office Paradox: A Case Study of the Block Level Education Bureaucracy,” Economic & Political Weekly 51, no. 11 (2016).3. Lant Pritchett, “Is India a Flailing State?: Detours on the Four Lane Highway to Modernization,” HKS Faculty Research Working Paper Series RWP09-013, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, 2009.4. Devesh Kapur, Pratap Bhanu Mehta, and Milan Vaishnav, Rethinking Public Institutions in India (New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2017).

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Niharika Nanda.Today is the 13th of January and here are the headlines.An estimated 40 crore people are expected to descend on the banks of the Ganga in Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh Mela, which commenced today and will end on February 26. Besides this, 50 lakh pilgrims and sadhus plan to stay in camps for the entire duration of the event. The spiritual festival, held every 12 years, attracts millions of devotees who gather to bathe at the sacred Triveni Sangam, where the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers converge. It is the world's biggest religious gathering, with deep links to Hindu mythology wherein participants seek forgiveness for their sins and aspire for Moksha, or spiritual liberation.Today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Z-Morh tunnel at Sonamarg, a strategic infrastructural project that is key to all-weather connectivity to Ladakh. The tunnel has been renamed Sonamarg tunnel, after the famous tourist resort that will have round-the-year connectivity thanks to this project. Modi inspected the 6.5-kilometre tunnel and interacted with workers who played a role in its construction. The soft-opening of the tunnel was carried out in February last year, but Assembly elections delayed the project's official inauguration.Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, while speaking on the disengagement efforts along the India-China border, said that the situation across the LAC is “sensitive but stable.” The army chief further said that patrolling and grazing in traditional areas has started in Depsang and Demchok in eastern Ladakh is taking place as per routine. General Dwivedi further stated quote, “Our deployment is balanced and robust; we are capable of handling any situation.” unquote. While talking about the future of LAC, the army chief said that they are currently focused on boosting border infrastructure and capability development.The Indian Express exclusively reported that after unprecedented footfall in 2023 the Capital's mohalla clinics saw a 28 per cent dip in 2024 to 1.39 crore appointments. An application filed under the Right to Information Act and official documents sourced by The Indian Express have revealed that the decline, health department officials, doctors and experts say, is primarily due to a drug shortage that the mohalla clinics faced last year. Mohalla clinics, the centrepiece of the Aam Aadmi Party government's health infrastructure, were first set up in October 2015. Since then, the clinics, which are meant to be the first point of contact for patients with basic illnesses, have caught the attention of many from across the world.The death toll in the devastating Los Angeles wildfires has risen to 24, the LA County Medical Examiner confirmed today. As forecasters predict a return of strong winds this week, authorities warn that the toll is likely to rise, as per news agency Reuters . Firefighters continue to scramble to make headway with search and rescue operations against the blazes that have destroyed thousands of homes. The Palisades fire has burned through 23,723 acres and is only 13 per cent contained, while the Eaton fire, near Pasadena, has scorched 14,117 acres and is 27 per cent contained. Authorities report that at least 24 people are still missing, and the scale of destruction across the region is vast, with more than 12,000 structures damaged.This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by the Indian Express

First, The Indian Express' Jayprakash Naidu tells us about Mukesh Chandrakar, a journalist from Chhattisgarh who was allegedly murdered last week by two men, including his cousin and childhood best friend, Suresh Chandrakar.Next, The Indian Express' Vidheesha Kuntamalla explains how IIT campuses across the country have changed six years after implementing the 20% quota for women (10:00).Finally, we discuss the ongoing "Sheesh Mahal" controversy between the Aam Aadmi Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party (20:40).Hosted, written and produced by Shashank BhargavaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Ichha Sharma.Today is the 30th of December and here are the headlines.In view of the statewide bandh called by two Punjab farmer unions, security has been amped up with several groups of farmers gathering at key locations on highways and railway stations at 6.30 am onwards. The bandh call was given in support of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal who has been holding a hunger strike for more than a month seeking the implementation of 13 farm demands. Over 150 trains, including Vande Bharat, were cancelled today and all educational institutes are to remain closed. However, emergency services will remain active across the state. The war of words over former prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh's funeral intensified today, with the Congress saying that senior party leaders did not accompany his family “out of our deference to the privacy of the family”. This comes a day after Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri of the BJP said on Sunday that Congress leaders did not accompany Dr Singh's family when the ashes were immersed in the Yamuna river while BJP leaders were present. Dr Manmohan Singh passed away on Thursday at the age of 92. Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal announced his fifth promise today ahead of the Assembly polls in Delhi, the Pujari Granthi Samman Rashi Scheme, with an eye on Pandit and Sikh voters. Under this scheme, the AAP has promised that if the party returns to power, it will give Rs 18,000 per month to all pandits and pujaris working in temples and to granthis in gurdwaras across the city. The AAP has so far announced four welfare schemes targeting specific categories of voters, including women, Dalits and senior citizens. ISRO will demonstrate for the first time its ability to bring together and join two satellites in space today. The SpaDeX mission, which is the Space Docking Experiment, will launch at 10 pm today, as ISRO's workhorse PSLV rocket lifts off from the first launch pad of the Sriharikota spaceport. For the first time, an ISRO mission will carry a biological experiment. The CROPS experiment (Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies) will see the germination of seed and sustenance of a plant up to a two-leaf stage. The fourth stage of the launch vehicle will be used later as a platform to carry out 24 experiments, including several by startups.The investigation into the Jeju Air plane crash that killed 179 at Muan International Airport in South Korea is underway. Initial findings show a malfunction in the landing gear, which a bird strike may have caused, could have led to the plane's belly landing. Experts have said that multiple factors could have resulted in the plane crash, among which are design flaws at the airport. Questions have been raised over the length of the runway at the airport. According to the official website, the runway is 2,800 m long. This is considerably shorter than runways at international air hubs.This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express.

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Ichha Sharma.Today is the 27th of December and here are this week's headlines.Three members of the Khalistan Zindabad Force, who were allegedly involved in grenade attacks at police establishments in border areas of Punjab, were killed in an encounter in Uttar Pradesh's Pilibhit district on Monday. The encounter was jointly conducted by the police forces from Punjab and UP. While the Punjab Police said in the morning that the men had been arrested, police in UP confirmed later that the men had died a little before 10 am. The deceased have been identified as Gurvinder Singh, Virendra Singh alias Ravi, and Jasan Preet Singh alias Pratap Singh, all residents of Gurdaspur.Amid Congress and the INDIA bloc's attack over Amit Shah's remarks on B.R. Ambedkar, top BJP leaders, including Amit Shah and J.P. Nadda, met NDA allies to discuss a united front on Wednesday. They focused on countering the opposition's narrative, especially on Shah's comments, caste census, and social justice issues. Shah emphasized Congress's attempts to create false narratives, urging NDA leaders to stand together against the opposition's criticism.Dr Manmohan Singh, the 14th Prime Minister of India who was widely acknowledged as the architect of the country's economic reforms, passed away in New Delhi on Thursday. Singh who was 92 years old was on Thursday evening admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. Sources said that the former Prime Minister was administered CPR but efforts to revive him remained unsuccessful.Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal expressed frustration with Congress over complaints filed against AAP leading up to Delhi's 2025 elections on Thursday. Kejriwal criticized Congress for alleging AAP was anti-national despite seeking its help during campaigning. Delhi CM Atishi questioned why Congress formed an alliance with AAP if they had such doubts. She accused Congress leaders in Delhi of aiding BJP in the upcoming polls and possibly making secret pacts to harm AAP's electoral prospects.Meanwhile, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy met with major figures from the Telugu film industry on Thursday, rejecting their demand for increased movie ticket prices. Reddy stressed the importance of respecting the law and not offering any more concessions for film screenings. He also urged industry leaders to support government campaigns against drugs, promote women's safety, and help with ecotourism and temple tourism initiatives. The meeting followed concerns over a stampede during the premiere of "Pushpa 2," which tragically killed a woman.On the global front, a plane crash near Aktau, Kazakhstan, involving an Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190, has left over 30 dead, with 32 survivors. The flight from Baku to Grozny crashed during an emergency landing attempt approximately 3 kilometers from Aktau. Disturbing footage shows the plane bursting into flames upon impact. Emergency teams extinguished the fire, and survivors were rushed to hospitals. Investigations are underway into the cause of the crash.This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express.

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Ichha Sharma.Today is the 20th of December and here are the headlines.The ‘One Nation, One Election Bill' was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, with strong opposition from Congress and Samajwadi Party. The bill, supported by 269 MPs, aims to synchronize elections across India. Union Law Minister Arjun Meghwal defended it, while Congress leader Jairam Ramesh called it unconstitutional, warning of its impact on democracy. The bill seeks to amend three Constitution articles, based on recommendations from a committee chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind.Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal unveiled the 'Sanjeevani Yojana' on Wednesday, promising free medical care for all citizens over 60, in both government and private hospitals. The scheme is seen as a counter to the BJP-led Centre's Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. Kejriwal aims to attract senior voters ahead of the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections.In the wake of an altercation on Parliament premises, Congress MPs, led by Pramod Tiwari, filed a complaint with the Sansad Marg police station accusing BJP MPs of manhandling Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge. Priyanka Gandhi, witnessing the incident, described how Kharge fell after being pushed, with a CPIM MP also collapsing on him. She expressed concern that Kharge might have been seriously injured. The confrontation follows tensions between NDA and INDIA MPs during parliamentary proceedings.Meanwhile, an Indian Navy craft, which was undergoing trials for a newly fitted engine, experienced malfunction and crashed into a passenger ferry boat, off the Mumbai coast on Wednesday that killed 13 people. An inquiry has been initiated to determine the exact cause of the incident but it is believed that the engine malfunction led to the rider losing control of the craft, resulting in the collision. After the Mumbai ferry accident, boat operators are pointing to the lack of regulation and monitoring in one of India's busiest harbours. They said the Navy generally conducts its boat testing during non-peak hours, primarily in the mornings.On the global front, Israel has announced it will close its embassy in Ireland after Dublin supported a petition to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) accusing Israel of committing genocide. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar criticized Ireland's “extreme anti-Israeli policies” for backing the case. In response, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris stated that Ireland is pro-peace, pro-human rights, and supports a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, emphasizing Ireland's commitment to international law.This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express.

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.Today is the 9th of December and here are the headlines.India called for a “peaceful and inclusive Syrian-led political process” which respects the interests and aspirations of all sections of Syrian society, in its first statement today since the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday. Bashar al-Assad fled Syria for Russia after Islamist rebels managed to advance and capture Damascus on Sunday. The Syrian conflict since 2011 had been frozen for the last few years and the Assad regime had managed to stave off any possible insurrection but that changed in the last few days, as the rebels advanced against the Syrian regime's army.The Lok Sabha faced disruptions amid slogans raised by Opposition MPs, leading to an adjournment. In the Rajya Sabha, Leader of the House JP Nadda made a brief statement seeking a discussion on the Soros issue. Meanwhile, Congress has called for a comprehensive debate on the India-China ties, encompassing strategic and economic policies. This comes as a response to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's recent briefing in Lok Sabha on key developments in bilateral relations following the agreement on patrolling along the Line of Actual Control in easter Ladakh.After the Maharashtra Assembly Speaker's election was formally announced in the House today, the Assembly passed the confidence vote in favour of  Devendra Fadnavis led government by majority voice vote. BJP MLA Rahul Narvekar was elected as the Speaker unopposed after Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi parties refused to file nomination. The confidence motion in the assembly was accepted as ruling coalition has 237 MLAs in 288 member assembly. The Opposition MVA has placed a formal demand seeking the Leader of Opposition post and the Deputy Speaker post in the Assembly.In its second list of candidates for the Delhi Assembly elections scheduled in February 2025, the Aam Aadmi Party today changed nominees in 20 of the 70 constituencies in the Capital. There are widespread changes in the AAP candidate list, with the ruling party dropping 13 of its sitting MLAs. Two sitting MLAs, Manish Sisodia and Rakhi Bidlan, have been fielded from new constituencies of Jundpura and Manipur, respectively. Avadh Ojha, a popular UPSC coaching teacher and motivational speaker who joined the AAP recently, replaced Manish Sisodia in Patparganj. Meanwhile, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju said today that the alleged links between the Congress and Hungarian-American businessman should be considered “serious” and urged the opposition party  to fight unitedly against “anti-India forces”. He also said the matter should not be viewed through a “political lens.” The BJP minister's statement comes a day after the BJP alleged that former Congress president Sonia Gandhi has links to an organisation financed by the George Soros Foundation and which has backed the idea of Kashmir as an independent nation.This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express.

Welcome to another thought-provoking episode of the Kaka Balli Punjabi Podcast, where we dive deep into the burning issues shaping Punjab, India, and the global Punjabi diaspora. Joined by the insightful Ajaydeep Singh Dhaliwal, we unravel topics that matter most to our listeners, blending facts, opinions, and bold perspectives. This episode covers: ➡️ Balancing Indian Pride and Punjabi Concerns: As proud Indians, we celebrate India's incredible progress, but why does Punjab feel left behind? Is it poor governance, lack of planning, or something deeper?➡️ Aam Aadmi Party's Marketing Game: Their social media campaigns are top-notch, but does their work reflect their promises? Or is it just smoke and mirrors to win votes?➡️ The Power of WhatsApp in Politics: Discover how political parties manipulate narratives using WhatsApp campaigns to influence voters and control public opinion.➡️ Khalistan Referendum Elections Abroad: A deep dive into the much-debated Khalistan referendum. Is it a serious legal movement with global support, or just a cleverly crafted PR stunt?➡️ Canada Immigration Crisis: With rising crime rates linked to immigrant communities, is Canada's immigration policy failing? How do bad actors impact the economy, and what role do Punjabi immigrants play?➡️ Fake Asylum Stories: The truth behind Punjabis claiming persecution under the guise of Khalistan for asylum. Are these cases hurting genuine asylum seekers?➡️ Ravneet Bittu's Drug Farming Controversy: Could legalizing certain drug crops help solve Punjab's drug problem? Or is this suggestion morally and socially wrong?➡️ Pollution and Stubble Burning: Punjab is often blamed for Delhi's smog, but is it fair? We explore sustainable solutions for stubble burning and discuss how affordable alternatives can save the environment.➡️ Gujarat's Business Boom: Why are businesses thriving in Gujarat? Is it political stability, government incentives, or just smarter governance? Can Punjab adopt similar strategies?➡️ Nuclear Power in Punjab: Did Punjab miss out on a major opportunity to generate clean energy? The history and politics behind the absence of nuclear power plants.➡️ Democracy and Bureaucracy's Slowdown: How red tape and sluggish systems hinder progress, business growth, and economic prosperity in Punjab and beyond.➡️ Tourism in Punjab: Why isn't Punjab a global tourist destination despite its rich culture and history? What needs to change to attract international visitors?➡️ Farmer Challenges in Punjab: With rising costs and diminishing returns, how can Punjab's farmers thrive? What role should the government play in offering real support?

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.Today is the 11th of October and here are the top stories of the week.The results of Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls were declared by the ECI on Tuesday. The ruling BJP secured a historic third term in Haryana, winning 48 Assembly seats. The Congress, meanwhile, won 37 seats, Independents stood at 3 and the INLD won 2 seats. In the JK UT, The NC-Congress alliance crossed the 46-seat majority mark, securing 49 seats . The NC won the highest number of seats at 42, the Congress took six, and the Communist Party of India (Marxist), which was also part of the alliance, secured one. Meanwhile, the BJP won 29 seats and the PDP bagged three. Seven Independents were declared victorious. The AAP and Jammu & Kashmir People Conference secured one seat each.The final rites of Ratan Tata, the legendary industrialist and Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons, were performed with full state honors on Thursday evening. Tata, 86, breathed his last on Wednesday night at Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital. Among those who paid respects to the business tycoon are Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel, and industrialist Mukesh Ambani. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has proposed that a Bharat Ratna be awarded to Tata, posthumously.Setting the stage for a new tussle between the Aam Aadmi Party and the L-G office, the CMO on Wednesday claimed that Chief Minister Atishi was “forcibly vacated” from the residence at Civil Lines, which was previously occupied by Arvind Kejriwal. “Delhi CMs residence was forcibly vacated at the behest of the BJP as Lt Governor V K Saxena wants to allot it to a saffron party leader,” the CMO said. This comes two day after Atishi was asked to vacate the bungalow by officials from the Public Works Department (PWD)- a department under her own charge. The Aam Aadmi Party claims that Atishi followed all formalities before moving in, but the PWD says that an official “handover” of the property from Kejriwal to the department is yet to take place. The house has now been sealed.Maldives President Muhammad Muizzu reached New Delhi Sunday on his first bilateral State visit and was received at the airport by Minister of State (External Affairs) Kirti Vardhan Singh. During his five-day visit — from October 6 to 10 — he travelled to Agra, Mumbai and Bengaluru. Both Modi and Muizzu launched Rupay card in the Maldives, inaugurated the new runway at the Hanimadhoo International airport and agreed to further strengthen bilateral relations that had hit a rocky patch last year.US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had a call on Wednesday amid tensions with Iran. The 30-minute call was the first known chat for Biden and Netanyahu since August and coincides with a sharp escalation of Israel's conflict with Iran and the Iran-backed Lebanese Hezbollah, but with no sign of an imminent ceasefire to end the conflict with Iran-backed Hamas in Gaza. The call was "direct and very productive," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters, while acknowledging the two leaders have disagreements and are open about them.This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express.

First, The Indian Express' Legal Editor, Apurva Vishwanath, discusses the controversy surrounding Karnataka High Court Justice V. Srishananda's reference to a Muslim-majority area in Bengaluru as 'Pakistan' and the lack of guidance and protocols on how judges in constitutional courts should conduct themselves.Next, The Indian Express' Rural Affairs Editor, Harish Damodaran, sheds light on the Tirumala laddu controversy and explains why ghee is so susceptible to adulteration (13:50).Finally, The Indian Express' Kanchan Vasudev explains why the Supreme Court quashed the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government's notification seeking to expand the scope of the NRI quota in the state (20:36).Hosted, written, and produced by Shashank BhargavaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.Today is the 23rd of September and here are the headlines.The Indian Express has obtained exclusive details about Mumbai's Ring Road masterplan, developed by MMRDA, which outlines an extensive network of road connectivity across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). This ambitious plan stretches from the Vadodara border in Gujarat to Alibaug in the Konkan region of Maharashtra, encompassing Navi Mumbai and Thane. The intricate network includes roads, flyovers, reclaimed coastal routes, bridges, and underwater tunnels, all designed to alleviate the city's notorious traffic bottlenecks by 2029. Once completed, this infrastructure project is expected to significantly transform the island city and its surrounding areas. It will not only reduce congestion but also enhance public transport accessibility, making travel more convenient for residents and commuters alike.Union Minister of Labour and Employment Mansukh Mandaviya said today that the Centre is looking into the recent incident involving the death of an employee of Ernst & Young (EY) India and has sought information from state authorities. The report is expected to be submitted in the next 7-10 days, following which the government will take any action, he said. He further added, “We will have to study the results of the report. We have already sought information from the state officers. We'll be able to tell more about it when the report comes."The Supreme Court today set aside the Madras High Court order which said that merely storing child pornographic material without any intention to transmit it would not constitute an offence under the POCSO Act. A bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said the High Court “committed an egregious error in passing the impugned judgment.” The judgement also called upon Parliament to “seriously consider to bring about an amendment to the POCSO for the purpose of substituting the term “child pornography” with “child sexual exploitative and abuse material” (CSEAM) to “reflect more accurately on the reality of such offences”.Aam Aadmi Party leader Atishi took charge as Delhi's eighth Chief Minister, becoming the youngest leader to do so. While assuming her post, she said that she will work as a caretaker CM, like “Bharat did for Ram in Ramayana”. Pointing towards an empty chair placed beside her, she added: “this is the Chief Minister's seat and it will remain empty till Kejriwal becomes CM again.” The BJP decried the move, asking Kejriwal if he will “run the government with a remote control”.The Film Federation of India, the apex body responsible for selecting India's official entry for the Best Foreign Film Category at the 97th Academy Awards, announced Laapataa Ladies as India's official entry to the Academy Awards at an event in Chennai on Monday. Directed by Kiran Rao and produced by Aamir Khan, Laapataa Ladies chronicles the story of two young newlywed brides, who get exchanged during a train ride to their husband's homes. The film starred Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Srivastava and Nitanshi Goel. Twelve Hindi films, 6 Tamil and 4 Malayalam films were among the 29 films vying for the honour of being India's official entry for 97th Oscar ceremony.This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express.

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Ichha Sharma.Today is the 12th of September and here are the headlines.The Union Cabinet is expanding the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana to provide health coverage to people aged 70 years and above, regardless of their income level. Currently, the scheme is income-based and provides 5 lakh rupees shared annual coverage to all members of eligible families irrespective of their age. According to a government statement, an additional 6 crore people in this age group, from 4.5 crore families, are expected to benefit. The eligible beneficiaries will be issued a new card under PM-Jan Arogya Yojana.Two young Army officers were assaulted and one of their two women friends was allegedly gangraped by a group of six men who attacked them in the early hours of Wednesday near Jam Gate along the Mahow-Mand lesh war Road in Madhya Pradesh. Police said two of the six assailants had been arrested and a search is underway for the others. DIG Nimish Agrawal said the two officers from the Mhow cantonment town had gone out on a night trip and were sitting in a car with their friends when six men showed up, surrounded and assaulted them.The Supreme Court will deliver its verdict on pleas filed by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal seeking bail on Friday. The plea also challenges the Delhi High Court order upholding Kejriwal's arrest by the CBI in a corruption case in relation to the alleged excise policy scam. Opposing the plea, the CBI had told the Supreme Court that witnesses from Goa, including those who contested the Assembly elections on an Aam Aadmi Party ticket, would turn hostile if Kejriwal walked out of jail. Kejriwal has filed two separate petitions challenging the denial of bail and against his arrest by the CBI in the case. A year after multiple IPS officers were sent to Manipur by different states/Union Territories to head their Special Investigation Teams to investigate the violence cases, three states, Punjab, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh have called back their officers and sent their replacements. The Indian Express has learnt that a discussion to send them back to their kaa druh started when some of the IPS officers who came on Supreintendent of Police rank got promoted to deputy inspector general (DIG) in January and requested their police chiefs to call them back.Amid stalemate between West Bengal government and protesting doctors, state chief secretary sent a fresh letter to the agitators calling for a meeting at 5 pm today. On Wednesday, the government rejected the agitators' demand to live broadcast talks intended to resolve the month-long “ceasework”. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court's direction to doctors to resume work remains in place. In addition, sleuths of the Enforcement Directorate today started search operations at the residences and offices of persons “close” to arrested former principal of RG Kar hospital, Sandip Ghosh, in connection with alleged financial irregularities at the medical establishment.This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express

First, Indian Express' Asad Rehman discusses the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which proposes significant changes to how Waqfs are governed, and the reasons it is facing criticism from opposition parties and Muslim organizations.Next, Indian Express' Mallica Joshi talks about senior Aam Aadmi Party leader and former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, Manish Sisodia, being granted bail in the Delhi excise policy case after 17 months (13:26).And in the end, Indian Express' Anonna Dutt explains why several international drugs will soon be available in the Indian market much faster (23:20).Hosted, written and produced by Shashank BhargavaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

his is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.It's the 10th of July and here are today's headlines.Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held a delegation-level meeting with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, according to news agency ANI. He will also meet the President of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen, and hold a high-level business meeting in the country. He arrived in Vienna on Tuesday from Moscow for a one-day visit to the country. This visit, the first by an Indian prime minister in over 40 years since Indira Gandhi in 1983, aims to explore ways to further deepen bilateral relations and enhance cooperation on various geopolitical challenges.The Mumbai police investigating the BMW hit-and-run case said today that the family members of accused Mihir Shah, including his mother and sisters, escaped after the accident on Sunday. According to the police, they were scared of being attacked by a mob and also of being interrogated by them. On Tuesday, the Crime Branch arrested Mihir Shah and detained his mother Meena, his sisters Pooja and Kinjal, and a friend from a resort in Murbad in Thane. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde removed his father Rajesh Shah from the post of deputy leader of the Shiv Sena's Palghar unit.Opposing the Enforcement Directorate's plea to cancel the bail granted to him in the excise policy case, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal informed the Delhi High Court that the agency had implicated him in a “false concocted story” and his arrest was “absolutely illegal”. The submission was made in the Aam Aadmi Party convener's reply filed in the ED's plea seeking cancellation of bail granted to him by a trial court on June 20. A single-judge bench today listed the matter on 15th of July, granting the ED time to respond to Kejriwal's reply.The Supreme Court today held that Muslim women can claim maintenance from their divorced husbands under Section 125 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973. The Supreme Court was hearing an appeal by Mohd. Abdul Samad, who had been ordered to pay maintenance of Rs 20,000 to his ex-wife by a family court in Telangana. The woman had moved the family court under Section 125 of CrPC stating that Samad had given her triple talaq. He appealed to the high court which, while disposing of it on December 13, 2023, said “that several questions are raised which need to be adjudicated” but “directed the petitioner to pay 10,000/- as interim maintenance”.Pakistan has legally authorised its army-run spy agency to tap telephone calls and messages, further strengthening its key role in the politics of a nation ruled by military regimes for almost half its independent history. The powerful military plays an oversized role in making and breaking governments in Pakistan, where the new powers for its Inter-Services Intelligence agency provoked outcry from the opposition and on social media. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar told parliament the ministry of information technology and telecommunications had been advised of the change in a July 8 notice.This was the Catch-Up on the 3 Things by The Indian Express.

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I am Niharika NandaToday is the 2nd of July and here are today's headlines.At least 27 people, including 23 women, 3 children, and 1 man, were killed in a stampede in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras today. According to the police, a religious event was underway in the village of Mughalgarhi in Hathras district when the stampede occurred. The process of identifying the bodies is ongoing. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has constituted a team, including the Additional Director General of the Agra Zone and the Police Commissioner of Aligarh, to inquire into the causes of the tragedy.A day after delivering his maiden speech in the Lok Sabha, Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi told reporters outside Parliament today that truth can be expunged in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's world, but not in reality. His remarks came shortly after significant parts of his speech during the discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address were reportedly expunged by the Chair.The Delhi High Court has issued a notice on Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's petition challenging his arrest and scheduled the hearing for the 17th of July in connection with the alleged corruption case related to the now-scrapped excise policy. On the 29th of June, a trial court ordered the Aam Aadmi Party leader to remain in judicial custody until the 12th of July as part of the CBI's investigation into the matter. Kejriwal was officially arrested by the CBI on the 25th of June.The Madhya Pradesh State Government is preparing to introduce a new law to curb paper leaks, which may impose a 10-year prison sentence and hefty fines. This comes after the Congress attempted to corner the ruling BJP government in the state over paper leaks in the Assembly. In 2023, the then-school education minister Rao Uday Singh spoke about bringing in stricter laws to prevent exam leaks as the government was hit by protests after it was forced to cancel the recruitment of revenue officers after alleged irregularities in the patwari recruitment exam.The India Meteorological Department said today that the southwest monsoon has covered the entire country six days ahead of the normal date.  The monsoon arrived in Kerala and the northeastern region on the 30th of May, six days earlier than usual. The country recorded 16 days of below-normal rainfall activity — from June 11 to June 27 — which led to an overall below-normal precipitation last month. This was the catch up on 3 things by the Indian Express.Preparing for Civil Services? The Indian Express content that keeps you ahead of the curve is now available also on IAS Saathi. This new AI-driven app provides you credible information and aims to keep a balance of study & health. Download today on Google PlayStore and Apple Appstore.https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.iassathi.IASsathi&hl=en

This week, Newslaundry's Abhinandan Sekhri, Raman Kirpal, and Anand Vardhan are joined by The Caravan's editor-in-chief Hartosh Singh Bal and investigative journalist Aruna Chandrashekhar.On the final phase of elections, Hartosh says “it's baffling” that the voting date in Punjab coincides with the 40th anniversary of Operation Blue Star. He says because of the strong anti-BJP sentiment in Punjab, the state remains a political battleground primarily for the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party, despite the “quadrangular fight” after the split between the Shiromani Akali Dal and the BJP.The conversation then shifts to the issue of natural resource mining in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha. Aruna describes them as “sacrificed zones”, regardless of the governing party. She says that due to the Congress's “neglect”, the locals had turned to the BJP.On the rise in temperatures in Delhi and other metropolitan cities, Aruna says the environmental crisis has been triggered by urbanisation, reduced green cover, and increased concrete structures. She delves into the mention of environmental issues in the political parties' manifestos. The panel also discusses the working conditions for labourers in the heatwave.This and a whole lot more. Tune in!We have a page for subscribers to send letters to our shows. If you want to write to Hafta, click here. Check out the Newslaundry store and flaunt your love for independent media. Download the Newslaundry app.General elections are at its peak and Newslaundry and The News Minute teams are bringing ground reports from across the country. Click here to support us.Song: Punjabiyan Di ShaanTimecodes00: 00:00 - Introduction00: 07:47 - Headlines 00: 19:02 - Elections in Punjab 00: 25:25 - Voter sentiments in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Odisha 00: 31:49 - Key party battles in Punjab00: 43:03 - On climate change and soaring heat waves 01: 00:20 - Hartosh's recommendations 01:04:03 - Aruna's recommendations 01:21:34 - Podcast letters 01:40:49- Panel recommendations Hafta letters, recommendations, songs and referencesCheck out our previous Hafta recommendations.Produced and recorded by Aryan Mahtta and Prashant edited by Hassan Bilal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Aam Aadmi Party, led by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, is one of the most formidable political parties in the country and has often been described as a game-changer. But to what extent has that been the case? Has it truly transformed Indian politics, or has Indian politics, in turn, reshaped what the party once stood for?In this episode, host Sandip Roy is joined by Ashutosh and Neelanjan Sircar to discuss the evolution of the party, its current standing, the threat it poses to the BJP, and the challenges that lie ahead.Ashutosh is a former member of AAP, the co-founder and editor of SatyaHindi, and the author of Hindu Rashtra. Sircar is a senior fellow at the Centre for Policy Research (CPR). Produced by Shashank BhargavaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

Is the Aam Aadmi Party on the verge of suspension? In this video, Sanjay Dixit delves into the LG's strategic maneuvers and the Supreme Court's nod that could significantly impact AAP's future. Get the latest insights and detailed analysis on this unfolding political drama

How did someone getting treated for an eye disorder for over two months suddenly became fit to travel back to India? What is the 'miracle medicine'? Just how many scams is the Aam Aadmi Party involved in? Liquor, Jal Board, Foreign funding violations and what else? Blockbuster session. #AamAadmiParty #GameOfThrones #ArvindKejriwal #SwatiMaliwal #BibhavKumar #SanjaySingh #SunitaKejriwal #RaghavChadha #AtishiMarlena

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.It's the 16th of May and here are today's headlines.The Supreme Court today said it had not carved out an exception for Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal while granting him interim bail till June 1 to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections. The apex court added that “critical analysis or even criticism of the judgment” was “welcome”. The remarks came as Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the ED, took “exception” to Kejriwal's reported comments that he will not have to go back to jail on June 2 if people vote for the Aam Aadmi Party and senior advocate A M Singhvi objected.The Supreme Court today said that the Enforcement Directorate cannot directly arrest a person under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, once a special court takes cognisance of the complaint but will have to approach the special court if it wants his or her custody. Th bench said that after cognizance is taken of the offence punishable under Section 4 of the PMLA based on a complaint under Section 44, the ED and its officers are powerless to exercise powers under Section 19 to arrest a person shown as accused in the complaint. If the ED wants custody of the accused who appears after service of summons for conducting further investigation in the same offence, ED will have to seek custody of the accused by applying to the special court.Days after she approached the police alleging assault at the hands of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar, the National Commission for Women (NCW) summoned him for a hearing in the matter. The NCW said it had taken suo motu cognizance of a media post captioned ‘DCW chief Swati Maliwal accuses Arvind Kejriwal's personal secretary of assaulting her'. The post, according to the NCW, had reported that Maliwal, a Rajya Sabha MP from Delhi and former chief of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW), had alleged that the private secretary of the Delhi chief minister had brutally assaulted her at the chief minister's residence.Britain's food watchdog has applied extra control measures on all spice imports from India, becoming the first to ramp up scrutiny of all Indian spices after contamination allegations against two brands sparked concerns among global food regulators. Hong Kong last month suspended sales of three spice blends produced by MDH and one by Everest, saying they contained high levels of a cancer-causing pesticide ethylene oxide. Singapore also ordered a recall of the Everest mix, and New Zealand, the United States, India and Australia have since said they are looking into issues related to the two brands.Sunil Chhetri has called time on his football career for the Indian national team. The Indian football legend said that the match against Kuwait will be his last game in the national colours. He made the announcement and said that the game against Kuwait — which is part of the second round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers — will be his last game. The match will be played at the Salt Lake Stadium on 6th of June. India are currently second in Group A with four points, behind Qatar.This was the Catch-Up on the 3 Things by The Indian Express.

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.It's the 14th of May and here are today's headlines.The death toll after the collapse of a billboard in Mumbai's Ghatkopar rose to 14 this morning. 74 people have been reported injured, among them, 44 are still hospitalized, with one person in critical condition. 31 individuals have been discharged so far. The billboard was located beside a petrol pump on the Eastern Express Highway and collapsed yesterday after gusty winds and season's first spell of rainfall lashed the city. Most of the victims were either refuelling or seeking refuge from the rain when the disaster struck.Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday today filed his nomination papers at the District Magistrate's office in Varanasi for the Lok Sabha elections. The PM started his day by offering prayers at Dasaswamedh Ghat in the constituency, following which he visited the Kal Bhairav temple. The Varanasi seat will go to polls in the seventh and last phase of the Lok Sabha elections on 1st of June.The Enforcement Directorate, probing the excise policy case, told the Delhi High Court today that the Aam Aadmi Party will be named as a co-accused in the case in its next prosecution complaint. The submission was made by the ED counsel while the High Court was hearing former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia's bail petition in the money laundering case pertaining to the excise policy. Opposing Sisodia's bail plea, the probe agency said concerted efforts are being made by the accused to delay trial in the liquor policy case.The Supreme Court today refused to entertain a plea seeking to bar Prime Minister Narendra Modi from elections for allegedly making hate speeches and violating the Model Code of Conduct during campaigning. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and S C Sharma asked the petitioner to approach the authorities concerned for the redressal of the grievance. The petitioner withdrew the plea and the matter was dismissed as withdrawn.The Supreme Court today reserved its order on the contempt notice issued to yoga guru Ramdev, his aide Balkrishna and Patanjali Ayurved Ltd in the misleading advertisements case. A bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah noted that the counsel appearing for the firm has sought time to file an affidavit indicating the steps being taken to recall the advertisements of those products of Patanjali whose licences have been suspended. The bench said the affidavit has to be filed within three weeks.This was the Catch-Up on the 3 Things by The Indian Express.

D'un côté, L'Aam Aadmi Party, dont le dirigeant emprisonné est érigé en martyr politique. De l'autre, le BJP qui veut conserver la capitale. En se posant en gardienne de la démocratie, l'opposition espère infliger une sanction symbolique à Narendra Modi dans la capitale. Reste à voir si cette thématique mobilise des électeurs inquiets du chômage.  De notre correspondant en Inde,Dans la cour du petit siège de L'AAP, les militants fébriles mais joyeux se prennent dans les bras. Sanjay Singh, le Lion comme on le surnomme ici, fait son entrée sous les lancers de fleurs. Voilà six mois qu'il était en prison, mais la Cour suprême de l'Inde vient de le libérer. « Merci à tous ceux qui luttent contre la dictature du BJP, lance le député depuis une petite tribune. Ils peuvent nous jeter en prison, mais pour quel crime ? Fournir une éducation de qualité, des soins, de l'eau, des bus gratuits, à 20 millions d'habitants de Delhi ? Ce soir, l'heure n'est pas aux réjouissances mais au combat ! ».Le combat, c'est celui pour la libération d'Arvind Kejriwal, icône politique et fondateur de l'AAP, lui aussi emprisonné en mars pour corruption par l'Enforcement Directorate. Ici, on ne croit pas une seconde aux accusations de cette agence, accusée d'être aux ordres du Premier ministre. Kejriwal va devenir un martyr, prédit Charan, 50 ans. « Les Indiens savent que Kejriwal est un homme intègre, qui est ciblé parce qu'il dérange. Tous les partis d'opposition font face à des menaces similaires, et c'est pour ça qu'ils sont venus à sa défense et vont s'allier contre Modi qui se comporte en dictateur. »Meeting unitaireCe dimanche, l'opposition affiche son d'unité dans la capitale. L'AAP mais aussi le parti du Congrès ou les partis régionaux DMK et TMC s'expriment devant des milliers de personnes. Autrefois rivaux, ils ont décidé de faire front commun au sein de la coalition INDIA. Dans plusieurs États, ils ne présenteront qu'un candidat par siège pour ne pas diviser les électeurs. « Mes amis, vous savez comme on peut truquer un match de cricket », lance la figure du parti du Congrès Rahul Gandhi, qui a lui été exclu du parlement pour diffamation. « Lors de ces élections, Narendra Modi s'est attribué le rôle d'arbitre. Dans notre équipe, avant même le début du match, des joueurs phares sont emprisonnés. »Parmi la foule, de nombreux militants de l'AAP qui brandissent des photos de leurs leaders sous les barreaux comme Ayushi, 41 ans. « Je redeviens militante après 5 ans parce que moi et mon mari sommes très inquiets. Je soutiens l'alliance INDIA qui rassemble des partis différents mais unis par la défense de notre Constitution. »Cette croisade démocratique peut-elle porter ? Tavleen Singh, analyste politique, en doute. « Les dérives autoritaires du gouvernement, les électeurs en entendent parler lors de chaque élection. De plus, les chefs de l'opposition, souvent des clans familiaux, sont loin d'être perçus comme des politiciens vertueux. »Des électeurs troublésSur le marché populaire de Sarojini Nagar, l'arrestation d'Arvind Kejriwal jette cependant un certain trouble. « J'ai toujours voté Aam Aadmi Party car ils ont amélioré les écoles et les cliniques pour les pauvres », explique un couturier musulman. « Les habitants de New Delhi vont continuer à soutenir Arvind Kejriwal. »Ram Singh, un policier à la retraite, votera Narendra Modi parce que « sa politique étrangère est bonne et qu'il développe les infrastructures ». Mais il confie apprécier Kejriwal. « Je ne sais pas trop pourquoi ils l'ont arrêté, on n'a toujours pas de preuve dans cette affaire ». D'autres affirment ne pas encore savoir pour qui ils voteront.Pawan Khera, responsable média du Congrès, est convaincu que Narendra Modi paiera son autoritarisme dans les urnes. « Il n'y a pas que Kejriwal. Le dirigeant du Jharkhand a été emprisonné. Nos comptes en banque ont été gelés. L'opposition va gagner, sinon dans 5 ans, vous serez renvoyé dans votre pays, et moi en prison. »Plusieurs études montrent des Indiens d'abord préoccupés par le chômage record. « La démocratie c'est abstrait, il faut parler de la vie quotidienne durant une campagne », juge Tavleen Singh. Entre la puissance triomphante mise en scène par Narendra Modi et la République au bord du gouffre décrite par l'opposition, les Indiens doivent trancher entre deux visions aux antipodes de leur pays.

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.It's the 12th of April and here are the top stories of the week.The Delhi High Court dismissed a plea by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case linked to the Delhi excise policy scam on Tuesday. Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud the next day said he will look “immediately” into the request to take up Kejriwal's plea challenging his ED arrest. Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigation on Thursday arrested Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader K Kavitha, who is accused of allegedly paying Rs 100 crore to Aam Aadmi Party leaders in return for liquor licences in the Capital.The Supreme Court on Wednesday said it will not accept the “unconditional and unqualified” apology tendered by Yoga guru Baba Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurved Managing Director Acharya Balkrishna. The apology was tendered in response to the contempt of court notices issued by the court in a case in which they had been sued by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) for allegedly publishing misleading advertisements, claiming cure for some diseases and criticising the allopathy branch of medicines.A 25-year-old Indian student named Mohammed Abdul Arfath, who went missing last month, has been found dead in Cleveland, Ohio late on Monday, weeks after the Indian Consulate in the US said it was working with law enforcement authorities to find him. The Consulate General of India in New York expressed deepest condolences to Arfath's family in a poston X. It added that it was in touch with local agencies to ensure a thorough investigation into the student's death.A total solar eclipse, which is a once-in-a-lifetime celestial event for most people, swept across North America Monday night. The eclipse began at 9.13 PM IST on Monday, April 8 and continued till 2.22 AM IST on Tuesday, April 9. Although Indians were not able to watch the eclipse this time, they will be able to view the next one on March 20, 2034.Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has raised the issue of the killing of a Khalistani Sikh separatist on the country's soil last year and asserted that his government stood up to defend the rights and freedoms of all Canadians. Trudeau, who was testifying at a high-profile public inquiry looking into foreign interference in Canada's electoral process on Wednesday, also alleged that the previous government was “cosy” with the Indian government.This was the Catch-Up on the 3 Things by The Indian Express.

First, we talk to Indian Express' Vikas Pathak about the BJP's plan to invite foreign political parties from across the globe to witness the scale of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls and to understand the party's campaign strategies.Second, Indian Express' Amrita Nayak Dutta joins us to talk about the infrastructural upgrades that are happening in the Andaman and Nicobar islands to make them a military base. (12:56)Lastly, we talk about another setback that the Aam Aadmi Party faced - the resignation of MLA and Cabinet Minister Raaj Kumar Anand. (20:13)Hosted by Niharika NandaWritten and Produced by Shashank Bhargava and Niharika NandaEdited and Mixed by Suresh Pawar

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.It's the 11th of April and here are today's headlines.The Central Bureau of Investigation today arrested Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader K Kavitha, who is accused of allegedly paying Rs 100 crore to Aam Aadmi Party leaders in return for liquor licences in the Capital. She is currently under the Enforcement Directorate's custody at Tihar jail over the matter. This comes days after a Delhi court had given permission to the central probe agency to interrogate her. She was arrested from her Banjara Hills residence in Hyderabad on 15th of March.Addressing an election rally in Uttarakhand, Prime Minister Narendra today sought to draw a contrast between his “strong government”, which he said brought safety and security to the country, and previous “weak and unstable” governments. Targeting the Congress, he said that for the party's leaders, their families always came first. He also repeated his criticism of the Opposition party for declining the invitation for the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.Apple has sent a fresh round of threat notifications to some of its users in India, along with 91 other countries. It has warned them that their iPhone could have been potentially attacked by “mercenary spyware,” including the Israeli NSO Group's controversial Pegasus malware. Last October, it had sent a similar notification to Opposition leaders across parties warning of a “potential state-sponsored spyware attack” on their iPhones. After pressure from the government, the company had later clarified that it “does not attribute the threat notifications to any specific state-sponsored attacker”.More than 6,000 Indian workers will arrive in Israel during April and May to help the country's construction sector meet a labour shortage post the Israel-Hamas conflict. They will be will be brought to Israel on “air shuttle” following a joint decision by the Israeli Prime Minister's Office (PMO), finance ministry and the construction and housing ministry on subsidising charter flights. The construction industry of Israel employs workers in specific fields where there is a lack of Israeli workers.Eleven men and one woman, all said to be Indian nationals, have been arrested by the UK's immigration authorities in a series of raids on suspicion of being in breach of their visa conditions and working illegally at a bedding and cake factory. Meanwhile, the two businesses could now face substantial fines if it is established they employed illegal workers at their factories and failed to conduct relevant pre-employment checks. In February this year, the Home Office tripled fines for employers who allow illegal migrants to work for them.This was the Catch-Up on the 3 Things by The Indian Express.

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Niharika Nanda.It's the 8th of April and here are the top stories of the day.Senior Congress leaders raised several complaints today before the Election Commission, including one against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his remark that the party's manifesto reflects the ideology of the Muslim League and that every page reeks of an agenda to break India into pieces. A delegation consisting of former Union Minister Salman Khurshid, Rajya Sabha MP Mukul Wasnik, Pawan Khera, and Gurdeep Sappal met with officials of the poll body in the capital.The Supreme Court dismissed a plea filed today by Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh challenging an order of the Gujarat High Court, which refused to quash summons issued against him in a defamation case for alleged comments on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's educational qualification. Kejriwal and Singh had challenged the summons issued by a trial court in the case filed by the Gujarat University.The AAP launched its campaign for the Lok Sabha elections today, which the party describes as a movement, and issued "Jail Ka Jawab Vote Se" as its tagline, seeking support for its founder and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Aam Aadmi Party national general secretary Dr. Sandeep Pathak said the party workers would visit each house, meet every family in Delhi, sit with them, and explain how their Chief Minister had been arrested in a false case and how they would lose the benefits of the policies and revolutionary steps brought by him if the BJP comes to power.Former Maldives minister Mariyam Shiuna apologized today via a post on X after a controversy erupted over a social media post in which she had used an Ashoka Chakra-like symbol to replace the compass on a Maldivian Democratic Party poster, along with a plea to vote for her party in the upcoming Maldivian elections. This is not the first time she has been in the news over similar issues. Shiuna is among the three ministers who were suspended for making derogatory remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India.Today, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. This type of solar eclipse is a rare event for any particular spot. According to the Royal Museums Greenwich, once a place on Earth witnesses a total solar eclipse, it will be about 400 years before that part sees it again. A total eclipse occurs only about once every 18 months or so, and this time North America will get to experience it.This was the Catch-Up on the 3 Things by The Indian Express.

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.It's the 5th of April and here are the top stories of the week.A Delhi court on Monday sent Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to judicial custody till 15th of April in the excise policy case. Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, representing the Enforcement Directorate, sought the Aam Aadmi Party chief's judicial custody for 15 days stating that Kejriwal had not been cooperative and had not shared his passwords with the agency. The court has reserved its verdict on it.AAP's Sanjay Singh, was granted bail on Tuesday and walked out of Tihar Jail on Wednesday. He said that his jailed party colleagues in the excise policy case — Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and former minister Satyendar Jain — will also be released soon. He also commented on Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena remark that “government won't be run from jail” in the aftermath of Kejriwal's arrest.Katchatheevu has been a newsmaker all through this week, as the BJP attempted to reignite the decades-old issue ahead of the general elections. Former Sri Lankan envoy to India Austin Fernando told The Indian Express that if the Indian government crosses the Sri Lankan maritime international boundary line, it would be seen as a “violation of Sri Lankan sovereignty”. Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan foreign minister said that his country does not see any need to re-open talks on a contentious island.World Central Kitchen demanded an independent investigation into the Israeli strikes that killed seven of its staff in Gaza, as Israel faced growing isolation Wednesday over the deaths of six foreign aid workers and a Palestinian driver helping deliver desperately needed food to isolated and starving residents. Wednesday night, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told his Israeli counterpart that the strikes, which Israel says targeted the aid workers in error, strengthened U.S. concerns about Israel's plans to expand its ground offensive and said that Israel must do more to protect the lives of civilians and aid workers in Gaza.The number of people injured in a 7.2 magnitude earthquake in eastern Taiwan climbed past 1,000 on Thursday though the death toll remained steady at nine, with 42 workers on their way to a hotel in a national park still missing. The temblor, the strongest in 25 years, hit on Wednesday morning just as people were readying to go to work and school, focused on the largely rural and sparsely populated eastern county of Hualien.This was the Catch-Up on the 3 Things by The Indian Express.

First, in light of the recently concluded Nuclear Energy Summit in Brussels, Indian Express' Amitabh Sinha discusses the arguments for and against utilizing this technology.Next, Indian Express' Pavneet Singh Chadha and Kanchan Vasdev tell us about the Enforcement Directorate's raids on the Aam Aadmi Party leaders in Goa and Punjab (12:08).And finally, we provide an update on the warning issued by India's cybersecurity agency, CERT-In (19:24).Hosted by Shashank BhargavaWritten and produced by Shashank Bhargava and Niharika NandaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.It's the 1st of April and here are the top stories of the week.A Delhi court today sent Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to judicial custody till 15th of April in the excise policy case. Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, representing the Enforcement Directorate, sought the Aam Aadmi Party chief's judicial custody for 15 days stating that Kejriwal had not been cooperative and had not shared his passwords with the agency. Kejriwal's wife Sunita and party colleagues and AAP MLAs Atishi, Saurabh Bharadwaj and Gopal Rai were in the courtroom today.In his latest tweet on Katchatheevu Island, Prime Minister Narendra Modi targeted the DMK, saying that the Congress and the MK Stalin-led party were “family units”, who don't care for anyone else. PM Modi cited a news report based on a reply to an RTI reportedly filed by Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai, which states that then-CM and DMK leader M Karunanidhi was taken into confidence by then-PM Indira Gandhi when the island was ceded to Sri Lanka in 1974. The Congress has accused PM Modi of raking up the issue now with an eye on the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.The Income Tax Department assured the Supreme Court today that it will not take any coercive steps to recover approximately Rs 3,500 demanded from the Indian National Congress before the end of Lok Sabha elections 2024. The Supreme Court was hearing the appeals filed by the Congress challenging the demands made by the I-T Department. The court recorded the I-T Department's assurance and posted the matter for the next hearing on 24th of July.Indian stock markets today started the first day of the financial year 2024-25 on a bullish note with key indices, Sensex and NSE Nifty, hitting all-time highs on strong buying in intra-day trades. The Sensex opened at 73,968.62 against the previous close of 73,651.35 and rose about 0.82 per cent to hit its fresh all-time high of 74,254.62 within the first two hours of trade. The Nifty Index, on the similar lines, opened at 22,455 against the previous close of 22,326.90 and jumped 0.90 per cent to hit its new record high of 22,529.95.Israeli forces have withdrawn from Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza City after a two-week operation, leaving behind devastation with destroyed buildings and scattered bodies. Following intense clashes with the Palestinian Hamas group, hundreds of residents rushed to assess damage to nearby residential areas. The Israeli military claims to have targeted and neutralized numerous gunmen, seizing weaponry and intelligence documents. However, Hamas officials and medical staff deny any armed presence within the hospital premises.This was the Catch-Up on the 3 Things by The Indian Express.

After months of evading summons by the Enforcement Directorate, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the agency last Thursday in the Delhi excise policy case—an unprecedented move.Since then, leaders from the Aam Aadmi Party have been staging protests across several parts of the country, including the capital, where they have been joined by their supporters.In this episode, we discuss the accusations against Kejriwal, the concerns raised by opposition parties, and the BJP's rationale behind this move.Guests: Indian Express' Mallica Joshi, Manoj CG, and Liz MathewHosted, written and produced by Shashank BhargavaAudio clips sourced by Niharika NandaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.It's the 26th of March and here are today's headlines.While the Aam Aadmi Party is protesting against the arrest of Kejriwal, in a counter-protest, the Bharatiya Janata Party sought to march towards the Delhi Secretariat to demand the CM's resignation. The police have said that permission has not been granted for protests and Section 144 has been imposed outside the Prime Minister's residence in view of  AAP's protest. The police have detained AAP workers, including Punjab minister Harjot Bains, Chandigarh mayor Kuldeep Kumar Tita and party leader Somnath Bharti.The National Commission for Women (NCW) Monday wrote to the Election Commission to take strict action against Congress and its leader Supriya Shrinate over her objectionable remarks against Kangana Ranaut, named BJP Lok Sabha candidate for Mandi in Himachal Pradesh. Speaking to reporters, NCW chief Rekha Sharma said that it is very unfortunate that a woman is using such derogatory language against another woman. Shrinate, however, has denied any involvement, claiming it was posted by somebody who had access to her accounts.A Delhi court today sent BRS legislator K Kavitha to 14 days of judicial custody until April 9. Earlier, she was in the Enforcement Directorate's custody for 10 days in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case. A member of the Telangana Legislative Council and daughter of former chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao, Kavitha is accused of allegedly paying Rs 100 crore to AAP leaders in return for liquor licences in Delhi. The ED took her into custody from Hyderabad on March 15.Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi chief Prakash Ambedkar today gave the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance in Maharashtra one more day to decide on his demands for seats to contest in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections 2024. Ambedkar had severed ties with Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena and issued a March 26 ultimatum to the MVA to finish seat-sharing talks. Ambedkar has been miffed with Shiv Sena (UBT) for not pushing VBA's case during MVA meetings.A portion of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed after a large boat collided with it early this morning, and multiple vehicles fell into the water. According to a video posted on X, A large vessel crashed into the bridge, catching on fire before sinking and causing multiple vehicles to fall into the Patapsco River. As per reports, emergency responders were searching for at least seven people believed to be in the water.This was the Catch-Up on the 3 Things by The Indian Express.

Discover the intriguing story behind Kejriwal's letter writing from jail in this thought-provoking video. Uncover the details and insights into the Aam Aadmi Party's strategies as we delve into the topic.

First, Indian Express' Executive Editor (National Affairs) P. Vaidyanathan Iyer discusses the findings of the latest Household Consumption Expenditure Survey and the reasons why they are significant.Next, Indian Express' Jatin Anand talks about the seat-sharing arrangement agreed upon between the Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress, along with the challenges they encountered in finalizing it (11:58).And in the end, Indian Express' Mihir Vasavda tells us the story of a girl who was abandoned at the age of 2 at a railway station in Delhi but now nurtures a dream of playing hockey in Spain (20:08).Hosted, written and produced by Shashank BhargavaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.It's the 27th of February and here are the headlines.Across 15 states, 56 Rajya Sabha seats are up for grabs today. Heading into polling day, the ruling NDA had 109 MPs in the Upper House, 10 members short of the halfway mark in the 238 member Rajya Sabha. The Opposition INDIA bloc had 89 MPs. The stage is set for a high-octane RS election battle in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Himachal Pradesh today. Last week, former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, BJP chief J P Nadda, new party entrant Ashok Chavan and Union ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw and L Murugan were among the 41 candidates elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha.Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced the names of the four astronauts that will fly to low-Earth orbit as part of the ISRO's Gaganyaan. Group Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, Angad Prathap, Ajit Krishnan and Shubanshu Shukla have been selected to be the astronauts on India's first crewed mission to space. They are all officers in the Indian Air Force and have extensive experience working as test pilots.The Enforcement Directorate today issued summons to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for the eighth time in Delhi excise policy case. The ED has asked him to appear before it for questioning on the 4th of March. Kejriwal has not appeared for questioning for the last seven times but has responded to each summons in written. The Aam Aadmi Party said that “instead of sending summons daily, the ED should wait for the court's decision.” The matter is up for hearing in court on the 16th of March.External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said India had to suspend the issuance of visas in Canada because Indian diplomats were “not safe going to work”. He further stated that that New Delhi expects action against the culprits involved in last year's attacks on its diplomatic premises in London, San Francisco and Ottawa, among other cities.As per local reports, a Pakistani court today indicted former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra on charges that they allegedly received land as a bribe during his premiership. Khan is in jail since August in connection with other cases, and has previously denied the allegation.This was the Catch-Up on the 3 Things by The Indian Express.

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.It's the 22nd of February and here are the headlines.The Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party have finalised their seat-sharing alliance for the seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi after several rounds of deliberations this week. Sources from both parties confirmed that they had settled for a four-three seat-sharing formula, with AAP contesting four constituencies and Congress on three. The agreement was finalised after the AAP agreed to the Congress' proposal to contest from one Lok Sabha seat of its choice and another suggested by the latter.Prime Minister Narendra Modi today underlined his government's commitment to fulfilling its pledge for the welfare of farmers, asserting that a "historic" hike in sugarcane's price is part of such efforts. In a series of posts on X, he sad this will benefit crores of sugarcane farmers. The Cabinet meeting headed by Modi hiked the minimum price that mills have to pay to sugarcane growers by Rs 25, raising it to Rs 340 per quintal for the 2024-25 season starting October.Social media company X (formerly Twitter) has said that it has received orders from the Indian government to block certain accounts and links, failing which the platform and its employees could face potential penalties including significant fines and imprisonment. In an early morning post today, X's government affairs handle said that while it was complying with New Delhi's blocking orders, it "disagrees" with its actions. The Indian Express has learnt that a majority of these accounts were tweeting in support of the ongoing farmers' protests.As per a preliminary probe by New Delhi's cybersecurity agency, The Indian Express has learnt that a data breach impacted the systems of the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation in 2018. This exposure of the personal data of millions of Indians was found to have been "repackaged" by a Chinese cyber agency. According to information that has been uploaded to Github, the leaked database claims to have information from across Indian institutions – both government and private. However, in 2018, when reports about the alleged breach had first surfaced, the EPFO had denied that its systems were compromised.The Enforcement Directorate has asked the Bureau of Immigration to issue a look-out-circular against Byju Raveendran, the CEO of Byju's to ensure that he does not leave the country without intimating the investigation officer. In November last year, the agency had issued show cause notices to Think & Learn Private Limited, the parent company of Byju's, and Raveendran on the basis of a complaint filed against alleged contraventions of Foreign Exchange Management Act to the tune of Rs 9,362.35 crore.This was the Catch-Up on the 3 Things by The Indian Express.

Capt. Sahana Sundar (Retd) is a remarkable individual who dedicated 32 years of her life to serving in the National Cadet Corps (NCC). She joined the NCC in 1989 as an instructor in the 1 Karnataka Girls Bn NCC, where she provided invaluable training to the cadets of Karnataka. During her tenure, Capt Sahana accompanied the cadets onseven occasions to the prestigious Republic Day camp. Her dedication and hard work paid off when her cadets won the PM's banner once, showcasing their exceptional skills and discipline. Recognizing her outstanding abilities, Capt Sahana was commissioned as a Lieutenant in 2006. She served as an Administrative Officer in various NCC battalions, stationed in cities like Shillong, Lucknow, Vijayawada, Goa, Mysore, Kurnool, and Ananthpur, where she continued to contribute to the growth and development of the NCC. After dutifully serving for over three decades, Capt Sahana decided to take a voluntary retirement as a Captain. However, retirement did not slow her down. She embarked on a new journey and founded an all-India writing guild called Spark Igniting Minds. This initiative eventually led to the establishment of her own publishing house. As an accomplished author, and publisher, Spark Igniting minds,has published a total of 18 books, including anthologies, fiction, and non-fiction works. Her debut novel, "Anand," centered around CCD owner Siddhartha Hegde, received critical acclaim from readers and even won the prestigious Best Fiction Lift Magazine Award. Her second book, "Are You Smart with Words," launched by a legendary lyricist of Karnataka, has also garnered positive reception from the audience. Aside from her love for writing, Capt Sahana is also a talented poet, having penned over 400 poems. Spark Igniting minds has published 18 books which was launched by prominent personalities such as Sri Sri Ravishankar, Dr. Kiran Bedi, Priya Dutt, and a renowned brain scientist. In addition to her literary pursuits, Capt Sahana had a brief political stint, working for the Aam Aadmi Party. Her dedication to public service extends beyond her military career, showcasing her commitment to making a positive impact on society. Capt Sahana's remarkable achievements and unwavering dedication are a testament to her passion and commitment to excellence. She continues to inspire others through her writing, leadership, and unwavering spirit. instagram.com- @sahanasundar Website link www.sparkignitingminds.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/soulvelocity/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/soulvelocity/support

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain, extending warm wishes to our listeners on the occasion of India's 75th Republic Day today.It's the 26th of January and and here are the top stories of this week.Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony at the Ayodhya Ram Temple on Monday. The sculpted Ram Lalla idol, crafted by Arun Yogiraj, was unveiled during the ceremony. Over 8,000 invitees attended the event, including prominent celebrities such as actors, sportspersons, industrialists, etc. Ayodhya witnessed a massive influx of devotees, that resulted in a stampede-like situation, a day after the consecration of the temple.Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh's car was allegedly attacked and media persons accompanying the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra “manhandled” by miscreants in Assam's Sonitpur on Sunday. Meanwhile the Assam Police registered an FIR against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders on Tuesday after a scuffle broke out between people taking part in the Yatra and the local cops when the yatra tried to enter Guwahati city that day. This week, the yatra reached West Bengal.In a jolt to the INDIA bloc ahead of Lok Sabha elections, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday announced that the Aam Aadmi Party will not stitch up an alliance with Congress in the state. Mann's declaration came as Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee said the TMC is not in any discussion with the Congress, and that her party would contest by itself in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in the state.President Droupadi Murmu conferred the Bharat Ratna posthumously to two-time Bihar chief minister and socialist icon Karpoori Thakur on Tuesday. Often remembered as the “voice of the oppressed and the downtrodden”, Thakur served as the chief minister of Bihar from December 1970 to June 1971 and from December 1977 to April 1979. Also called ‘jannayak', he is widely considered as the pioneer of OBC and EBC reservations in the country.As President Droupadi Murmu addressed the nation on the eve of the 75th Republic Day on Thursday, she said this year of the Republic is “truly a historic milestone in the journey of the nation in many ways”. Calling the time India is seeing currently as one of an "epochal transformation" with the golden opportunity to soar to new heights, President Droupadi Murmu said the nation is in the early years of Amrit Kaal. Speaking of Republic Day, French President Emmaunel Macron is the chief guest for this year's Republic Day event. He met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday for dinner at Jaipur's Taj Rambagh Palace where they held discussions on bilateral and global issues of concern and interest.This was the Catch-Up on the 3 Things by The Indian Express.

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.It's the 24th of January and here are the headlines.As the Congress party's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra resumed from Assam's Barpeta today, party leader Rahul Gandhi asserted that he cannot be intimidated by the BJP-RSS. He openly challenged them to file as many cases against him as they wished. He also accused state CM Himanta Biswa Sarma of “spreading hate and usurping the land of the people of Assam.” The Assam police had registered a case against Gandhi and other Congress leaders yesterday following a scuffle between participants of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra and the Assam Police when the yatra attempted to enter Guwahati city.In another jolt to the INDIA bloc ahead of Lok Sabha elections, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today announced that the Aam Aadmi Party will not stitch up an alliance with Congress in the state. Mann's declaration came even as Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee said the TMC is not in any discussion with the Congress, and that her party would go it alone in the 20 Lok Sabha election in the state.Bar Council of India chairman Manan Kumar Mishra has backed the idea of simultaneous elections. He told the ‘One Nation One Election' committee in his response that the concept “warrants careful deliberation before becoming an integral part of the electoral framework”. The high-level committee had written to Mishra on 2nd of January as a part of its consultative process. In his reply on 16th of January, Mishra said quite, “One Nation, One Election presents a promising stride forward for India. Its a very welcome step”. Unquote.Aviation watchdog DGCA has imposed a penalty of Rs 1.10 crore on Air India for safety violations with respect to operations of leased Boeing 777 planes to the US.This is the second time in a week that the regulator has penalised Air India. The regulator had received a complaint from a former Air India pilot alleging that the airline operated Boeing 777 planes to the US without having the required system of emergency oxygen supply.The Supreme Court today questioned Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta's submission that the government did not accept the 1981 amendment made by Parliament to the Aligarh Muslim University Act, and said it cannot take such a stand. The top court said that “irrespective of which government represents the cause of the Union of India, Parliament's cause is eternal, indivisible and indestructible” and that the government would have to stand by the amendment.This was the Catch-Up on the 3 Things by The Indian Express.

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.It's the 28th of December and here are the headlines.India saw a single day rise of 702 cases of COVID-19, with the number of active cases of the infection rising to 4,097. Six new fatalities — two from Maharashtra and one each from Karnataka, Kerala, West Bengal, and Delhi — were reported in a span of 24 hours, according to the ministry's data updated at 8 am. The number of daily cases had dropped to double-digits by December 5, but the cases have again gone up after emergence of a new variant and cold weather conditions.The death toll in the bus accident in Madhya Pradesh's Guna district Wednesday evening has gone up to 12. The police said that the bus was headed from Guna to Aaron when it collided with a dumper truck, at around 8.30 pm. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, has directed the district administration to provide financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh each to the families of those killed, and Rs 50,000 each to those injured.The Enforcement Directorate, in a recently filed money laundering case charge-sheet claimed that the purchase of three plots of land in Haryana in 2005-06 by Congress leader Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra from a real estate agent is being probed along with a land deal made by his wife Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. The federal agency filed the charge-sheet in November before a court against NRI businessman C C Thampi, who is allegedly linked to Robert Vadra, and Sumit Chadha, a relative of alleged middleman Sanjay Bhandari.Tamil super star and DMDK founder Vijayakanth, fondly called as ‘Captain', passed away at a private hospital in Chennai today after a prolonged illness. He was 71.Vijayakanth's death marks the end of an influential chapter in Tamil Nadu's political history and leaves a void in the state's diverse political tapestry. MIOT Hospital in Chennai released a statement confirming that he was admitted for pneumonia, was placed on ventilator support due to the severity of his condition, before succumbing to illness.The Aam Aadmi Party has slammed the BJP-led Central government for allegedly rejecting its entry for the Republic Day tableau segment and termed the move politically motivated. AAP national spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar said Delhi wanted to showcase its transformation of education and health facilities in the tableau, but was denied the opportunity. Furthermore, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said that he received a letter of R-Day tableaux finalists from the Centre which did not have names of Delhi and Punjab.This was the Catch-Up on the 3 Things by The Indian Express