Articles by "NATIONAL"
Showing posts with label NATIONAL. Show all posts


Ruling alliance secures one of the largest victories in state history; Nitish Kumar set for record fifth term.

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has won a massive and decisive victory in the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections. Results announced on Friday, November 14, show that the alliance has crossed the 200-seat mark in the 243-member state legislature, giving it a powerful mandate for the next five years. The final tally from the Election Commission of India (ECI) confirms the NDA has secured over 200 seats, well above the 122-seat majority mark.

This sweeping win—one of the largest in Bihar's recent political history—is a result of strong performances by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)), and allies like the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) (LJP(RV)).

The victory is largely being credited to welfare schemes and the strong support of women voters, whose turnout was remarkably high (over 71%). These voters prioritized the government’s work on infrastructure, security, and financial aid over political changes. The combined appeal of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi resonated strongly across the state.

Following the victory, Prime Minister Modi thanked all NDA workers and said the mandate was a win for the aspirations of the Mahila (Women) and Youth of Bihar.

In contrast, the main opposition, the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), struggled significantly, securing a tally far lower than expected. Although RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav successfully retained his Raghopur seat, the alliance failed to convert public dissatisfaction into votes, especially due to a split in the opposition vote by smaller parties. The Opposition camp alleged the election was not conducted fairly.

With this commanding win, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is set to be sworn in for a record fifth term. The focus will now immediately shift to the formation of the new cabinet and the implementation of development projects promised during the campaign.


High-Security Zone Incident: Delhi Police and Special Cell Investigating Cause of Blast.

New Delhi, November 10, 2025 (Monday): An explosion in a parked car near the Red Fort Metro Station late Monday evening resulted in the death of one person and injuries to four others, triggering a high security alert across the National Capital.

The incident occurred around 6:30 PM near Gate Number 1 of the Lal Quila Metro Station, a bustling and highly sensitive area close to the historic Red Fort monument. The blast immediately caused a fire, which quickly spread to three to four nearby vehicles. Videos shared from the scene showed dense smoke billowing from the burning cars, causing immediate chaos among commuters and pedestrians.

The Delhi Fire Services (DFS) responded quickly, deploying seven fire tenders to control the blaze. Fire officials confirmed that the fire has been extinguished, and cooling operations are now underway. The injured individuals were rushed to the nearby Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital for emergency treatment. The identity of the deceased is yet to be officially confirmed by the authorities.

As of the latest update, the official cause of the explosion remains unknown. Police sources have stated that they are investigating all possibilities, including a potential mechanical failure (like an Oxygen cylinder explosion or a fuel tank burst) and other angles. However, authorities have yet to issue a verified statement confirming the nature of the explosion.

A senior police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated: "We have collected samples from the site and our priority is to determine if the explosion was accidental or due to external factors. A full report will be released only after forensic experts complete their analysis."

The Delhi government has advised the public to avoid the area near the Red Fort Metro Station to allow investigators and emergency services to work without disruption. Further updates on the cause of the blast and the condition of the injured are expected early tomorrow morning, following initial forensic findings.

io Users Get 18 Months Free Google AI Pro (Gemini 2.5 Pro) Worth ₹35,100
Major step taken to bring advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to common people across India.

New Delhi: Tech giant Google and Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) have announced a big strategic partnership to speed up the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in India. The most immediate benefit of this deal is that eligible Jio customers will get 18 months of free access to Google’s premium AI Pro plan, which includes the advanced Gemini AI model.

The free subscription, which is officially valued at approximately ₹35,100, is set to roll out soon. The move is seen as one of the country's largest efforts to bring cutting-edge AI technology directly into the hands of consumers.

What is Included in the Free Plan?

The Google AI Pro plan gives users access to several high-end tools:

  1. Gemini 2.5 Pro Model: This is Google's most powerful AI model, used for complex tasks, writing, research, and coding.

  2. Creative Tools: Higher limits for generating high-quality images and videos using models like Nano Banana and Veo 3.1.

  3. Storage: A large 2 Terabytes (TB) of cloud storage across Google Drive, Gmail, and Photos.

  4. Learning Help: Expanded access to NotebookLM, which is an AI tool designed for study and research.

Who is Eligible and How to Get the Offer?

The rollout will begin for a specific group of users first. Eligible customers must be Jio 5G users on an Unlimited 5G plan and must be aged between 18 and 25 years. This focus on youth is part of the companies’ goal to equip the next generation with AI tools. Eligible users can activate this free plan directly through the MyJio app by clicking the “Claim Now” banner once the offer is live for them. The companies have promised to expand this offer to include every Jio customer nationwide soon.

Beyond the Consumer

The partnership is not just for individual users. Reliance and Google are also working together on the business side. Reliance Intelligence will team up with Google Cloud to help Indian companies use advanced AI systems for their work. This includes increasing access to special hardware (Tensor Processing Units or TPUs) needed to train very large AI models, which will help strengthen India's overall AI infrastructure.

Mukesh Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Industries, said, “We aim to make India not just AI-enabled but AI-empowered—where every citizen and enterprise can harness intelligent tools.” Similarly, Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, noted that the announcement will put Google’s "cutting-edge AI tools in the hands of consumers, businesses, and India's vibrant developer community.”

This announcement comes as competition in the Indian AI market heats up, following rival telecom operators like Airtel also partnering with AI companies to offer free premium services to their users. This signals a healthy race to make advanced technology more affordable and accessible in the country.

The next step is the phased rollout of the offer and the formal launch of enterprise AI solutions based on this new collaboration.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. What is the Google AI Pro offer for Jio users? A: Jio, in partnership with Google, is offering 18 months of free access to the Google AI Pro premium subscription. This plan includes the advanced Gemini 2.5 Pro AI model and other high-end features.

Q2. What is the value of this free subscription? A: The 18-month Google AI Pro subscription is officially valued at approximately ₹35,100 per user.

Q3. Who is eligible to get this offer first? A: In the initial phase, the offer is available to Jio users aged 18 to 25 years who are subscribed to an Unlimited 5G plan.

Q4. How long does the free access last? A: The complimentary access will last for 18 months from the date of activation, provided the user stays on an eligible Jio 5G plan.

Q5. Will all Jio users get this free plan? A: The companies plan to expand this offer to include all eligible Jio customers nationwide in a phased manner following the initial youth-focused rollout.

Q6. Where can I activate the free subscription? A: Eligible users can claim the offer directly through the MyJio app by looking for the “Claim Now” banner.


Inspiring act by a senior citizen at the popular adventure spot proves that age is no limit to thrilling experiences.

Rishikesh, Uttarakhand: A truly inspiring event took place recently in Shivpuri, Rishikesh, when an 82-year-old woman successfully completed India's highest bungee jump. The woman, whose identity has not been widely shared, has become a national sensation after a video of her fearless leap went viral across social media platforms.

The jump was performed from a fixed platform located in Shivpuri, known as one of India's major adventure sports hubs. The height of the jump is believed to be over 80 meters, making it the country's highest such platform. Bungee jumping requires strict safety checks and physical fitness, especially for senior citizens.

In the viral video, the elderly woman shows amazing energy and excitement. She can be seen cheerfully dancing with the instructors as they prepare her for the jump. Without any sign of fear, she confidently steps off the high platform and dives into the valley below. Onlookers and staff celebrated her successful landing with loud cheers.

The video has been viewed by millions, with countless people praising her spirit. Many social media users called her an example for others, often repeating the phrase, "Age is just a number." Her graceful jump has encouraged many people—young and old—to overcome their fears and seek out new adventures.

The incident also highlights the professional standards of adventure sports operators in Rishikesh, who ensure thorough medical checks and safety protocols, making sure that even very senior citizens can safely participate in extreme sports with the necessary clearance.

The woman’s daring achievement serves as a powerful reminder that life can be full of thrills at any age. The video continues to spread joy and motivation across India.

Satish Sharma meets Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya

Seeks enhanced support for strengthening sports infrastructure, youth engagement in J&K

NEW DELHI, OCTOBER 09: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Information Technology, Transport, Youth Services and Sports, Satish Sharma today called on the Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya in New Delhi and held an extensive discussion on measures to strengthen sports infrastructure, enhance youth engagement, and promote athletic excellence in Jammu & Kashmir.

During the meeting, Satish Sharma presented a comprehensive memorandum to the Union Minister, reiterating the J&K Government’s commitment to transforming Jammu & Kashmir into a vibrant hub of sports and youth empowerment.

The memorandum detailed key proposals focusing on infrastructure development, athlete welfare, and grassroots participation aligned with the National Sports Policy 2025 and the J&K Sports Policy 2022.

Highlighting the significance of sports as a medium for peace, unity, and integration, Satish Sharma said, “Jammu & Kashmir stands at a defining moment in its sporting journey. With the Centre’s continued support, we can channelize the energy of our youth, nurture their talent, and position J&K as a model of sporting excellence and national unity.”

The Minister sought the Union Government’s assistance in accelerating the development of world-class sports infrastructure, including the establishment of a National Winter Sports Centre of Excellence at Gulmarg, modernization of district stadiums with all-weather facilities, and creation of sports amenities at the panchayat level to ensure equitable access for rural youth.

He also called for expanding Khelo India grassroots programs, enhancing scholarship and financial aid schemes for athletes, integrating sports science and physiotherapy into training systems, and promoting public-private partnerships for the management and maintenance of sports facilities.

To encourage sports-linked tourism and international exposure, Satish Sharma proposed the hosting of international winter sports events at Gulmarg, which would position Jammu & Kashmir as a leading global destination for winter and adventure sports.

The Minister further requested the early release of 103.82 crore as proposed earlier for construction of critical sports infrastructure projects under Khelo India, enabling rapid execution of ongoing and planned initiatives. He also stressed the need for providing funds for promotion of sports in rural areas and funds be placed at each rural Panchayats of Jammu and Kashmir

Reaffirming the Jammu and Kashmir Government’s commitment, Satish Sharma said, “Under the leadership of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah we are determined to build a robust, inclusive, and self-sustaining sports ecosystem that empowers our youth and strengthens the spirit of national integration.”

The Union Minister assured that soon policy for promoting sports in rural areas will be framed, besides funds for sports equipments will be provided.

Election Commission of India MCC Guidelines

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a press note instructing all political parties to strictly adhere to the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and relevant guidelines concerning the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in their campaign materials, especially synthetic videos targeting rival parties and candidates. This directive comes following the announcement of the General Election to the Legislative Assembly of Bihar and bye-elections for eight Assembly Constituencies, bringing the MCC into immediate effect.

Key Announcements

  • The ECI emphasized that the MCC now applies to all online and social media content posted by candidates and political parties.

  • Parties have been warned that criticism of opponents must be limited to policy, program, past record, and work, avoiding any remarks about private lives unrelated to public duties.

  • Criticisms based on unverified allegations or distortions are strictly prohibited.

Guidelines on AI and Synthetic Content

  • The Commission has specifically advised against the misuse of AI-driven tools to create deepfakes, misinformation, or distorted content on social media platforms.

  • All political actors must clearly label AI-generated, digitally enhanced, or synthetic campaign content with prominent notations such as “AI-Generated” or “Synthetic Content”.

Enforcement and Monitoring

  • A strict watch is being maintained on social media to prevent the vitiation of the election environment, and the Commission has implemented comprehensive measures for the effective enforcement of MCC guidelines.

  • Any violations will be dealt with strictly by the authorities.

This press note reiterates ECI's commitment to ensuring the integrity of the electoral process in the digital era and maintaining a fair campaign environment as the elections approach.