Times of India

In Prayagraj, a three-and-a-half-year-old nursery student tragically died after allegedly being slapped by a teacher for crying in class. An FIR has been filed against two teachers at Naini police station for culpable homicide. Police are investigating the incident, reviewing CCTV footage, and have recorded statements from family and school staff to determine the exact sequence of events.

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav addressed the ecological vulnerability of the Himalayas due to accelerated glacier melt, emphasizing the threat to water security. A study reveals the rapid retreat of Himachal Pradesh's Gepang Gath glacier and the dramatic expansion of its proglacial lake. The study calls for urgent measures, including early warning systems, to prevent potential disasters.

CJI B R Gavai expressed his disapproval of the Supreme Court Bar Association and the SC Advocates-on-Record Association's decision to boycott Justice Bela M Trivedi's farewell. The boycott was triggered by a divided Supreme Court bench ruling regarding the punishment of an AoR accused of suppressing information in a criminal case, where Justice Trivedi's order differed from her colleague's.

Indian Army's air defence units swiftly deployed along the western front, successfully neutralizing over 600 Pakistani drones and repelling the rest during 'Operation Sindoor'. A multi-layered air defence network, integrating legacy weapons with indigenous systems like Akash and Akashteer, showcased unmatched precision and thwarted Pakistan's attempts to overwhelm India's air defence grid. This operation demonstrated India's enhanced AD preparedness.

Madhya Pradesh Deputy CM Jagdish Devda's remark praising PM Modi and the army during 'Op Sindoor' sparked controversy, with Congress alleging he implied soldiers are at Modi's feet. BJP defended Devda, accusing Congress of targeting him for being Dalit. Devda refuted the claims, asserting he meant the nation salutes the army's bravery.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Deshnok in Rajasthan's Bikaner district on May 22, marking his second visit to an IAF base after the May 7 strikes. He will offer prayers at the Karni Mata temple and address a rally. The visit, following Operation Sindoor, includes a possible meeting with soldiers deployed along the Indo-Pak border.

India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty. The Jal Shakti ministry informed the cabinet secretary. The treaty will remain inactive. This will continue until Pakistan stops supporting cross-border terrorism. Pakistan has requested India to reconsider the treaty. They cited the dependence of millions on the water regulated by it. The decision follows a terror attack in Pahalgam.

Following the first political contact between India and the Taliban, India approved the entry of 160 Afghan trucks carrying dry fruits and nuts through the Attari border as a special gesture. Despite not formally recognizing the Kabul regime, India remains Afghanistan's largest export market in South Asia, with trade valued at $1 billion.

Rajnath Singh has asked IMF to rethink its $1 billion aid to Pakistan. He believes Pakistan will use the funds for terror activities. Singh highlighted India's strikes on terror hubs and warned Pakistan. He mentioned the rebuilding of LeT and JeM headquarters. Singh stated India is closely monitoring Pakistan's actions regarding cross-border terrorism.

The Supreme Court resolved a 25-year legal dispute. Iskcon Bangalore gains control of the Hare Krishna temple. The court overturned a Karnataka High Court order. The dispute involved Iskcon Mumbai's claim. The court examined documents and witness statements. It favored Iskcon Bangalore's ownership. The ruling ends a long battle between the two factions.

BJP initiated a digital campaign against Pakistan, ridiculing their unsuccessful military response following Operation Sindoor. The party highlighted Pakistan's reliance on misinformation to fabricate victories, sharing a clip of India's 2007 T20 World Cup bowl-out win as a symbolic parallel. Amit Malviya criticized Pakistan's propaganda and Ishaq Dar's misleading statements, which were even debunked by Dawn newspaper.

A recent government rule impacted operations of Turkiye's Celebi at nine Indian airports. Existing ground handling agencies stepped in to manage the workload. GMR Group made alternate arrangements at Goa's Mopa airport. Over 10,000 Celebi employees were absorbed by other handlers like Bird Group and AISATS. Operations have stabilized with no major disruptions.

Celebi Airport Services India challenges the revocation of its security clearance in Delhi High Court. The aviation watchdog BCAS took the action citing national security concerns. The firm argues the decision impacts thousands of jobs and investor confidence. Celebi denies any political affiliations and emphasizes its compliance with Indian regulations.

IIT-Roorkee and other Indian universities cancelled agreements with Turkish counterparts. This decision follows similar moves by JNU and Jamia Millia Islamia. Lovely Professional University also ended collaborations with Turkiye and Azerbaijan. The universities cited national security and pro-Pakistan stances as reasons. The Association of Indian Universities urged a review of partnerships with Pakistan, Turkiye, and Bangladesh.

Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the upgraded Multi-Agency Centre (MAC), highlighting its role in coordinating efforts against national security threats. He credited 'Operation Sindoor' to strong political will, intelligence, and armed forces' capabilities. The upgraded MAC integrates AI and machine learning for advanced data analytics, aiming to combat terrorism and organized crime by connecting various databases and improving intelligence coordination.

To bolster its diplomatic efforts regarding Operation Sindoor, the government is dispatching five all-party parliamentary delegations worldwide to highlight Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. These delegations, comprising members from various parties, aim to showcase national unity on the issue. While most parties are participating, Congress expressed concerns about the government's direct outreach to its MPs instead of consulting the party leadership first.

Bahubali Shah, director of Gujarat Samachar Ltd, was granted interim bail until May 31 by a special PMLA court due to deteriorating health after his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate on money laundering charges. The arrest followed searches at multiple locations, and the ED did not object to temporary bail given Shah's condition.

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram voices worries about the INDIA bloc's unity. He emphasizes the need for a strong alliance to challenge the BJP. Chidambaram describes the BJP as a formidable and well-organized force. He suggests the BJP controls various institutions. His remarks highlight the challenges facing the opposition in India.

President Droupadi Murmu presented the 58th Jnanpith Award to Sanskrit scholar Jagadguru Rambhadracharya and poet-lyricist Gulzar for their contributions to literature. Rambhadracharya, a renowned Hindu leader and writer, was present to receive the award, while Gulzar was absent due to health reasons. Additionally, Hindi author Vinod Kumar Shukla has been named the recipient of the 59th Jnanpith Award for 2024.