SPECIAL

Sep262025 by TheStateLineNo Comments

Oppn should refrain from appeasement politics: BJP on ‘Muhammad’ vs ‘Mahadev’ poster row

Ahmedabad, Sep 26 (IANS) Amid rising tensions over the ‘I Love Muhammad’ and ‘I Love Mahadev’ poster war, BJP spokesperson Rohan Gupta on Friday criticised the Opposition, calling it a clear example of appeasement politics. He urged the opposition parties to refrain from actions that divide communities for electoral gains.Speaking to IANS, Rohan Gupta said, “This entire controversy is a glaring example of how appeasement politics has taken root in the country. First, a provocative statement or act is made, then a counter-reaction follows, and finally objections are raised, all unnecessarily. There are people in this country who love Muhammad, and there are those who love Mahadev. Why politicise this?”He added, “The Opposition cannot continue to play the politics of appeasement. It won’t ...

Sep262025 by TheStateLineNo Comments

Migrant workers from Bengal to fill separate column in form ahead of SIR rollout in October

INDIA, SPECIAL, STATE'S, TOP STORIES

Kolkata, Sep 26 (IANS) As West Bengal is heading for the rollout of special intensive revision (SIR) after Bihar next month, the form for the voter list verification process will have a separate column for the migrant workers from the state, who are currently working in other states.The separate column, an insider from the office of the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), said will be the one where the migrant workers from the state will have to make a self-declaration that barring from the voters' list their names are not enlisted for the same list for any other state and more specifically the state they have migrated to earn their livelihood."This is to ensure that none of the migrant workers are enlisted in more than one state," the CEO's office insider added.Already, the proce...

Sep262025 by TheStateLineNo Comments

Everyone is aware of our position on Kashmir: MEA after Turkey’s Erdogan raises issue at UN

INDIA, SOUTH ASIA, SPECIAL, TOP STORIES

New Delhi, Sep 26 (IANS) India on Friday made its "well-known" stance on Kashmir clear once again under which there is no scope for any third party role or mediation.Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), touched on the issue while responding to a question on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan making remakrs on Kashmir at the ongoing United Nations General Assembly."Our statement on Kashmir is clear. Everyone is aware of our position on Kashmir over the past few years," he said during the weekly media briefing.The MEA spokesperson also expressed India's support for comprehensive and lasting settlement for North Cyprus in accordance with the United Nations framework."Regarding North Cyprus, our External Affairs Minister met with the Cyprus Foreign Mi...

Sep262025 by TheStateLineNo Comments

State to Fund Mangaluru Dasara From Next Year, Says Dinesh Gundu Rao

INDIA, SPECIAL, STATE'S, TOP STORIES

Mangaluru: This year’s Mangaluru Dasara at Kudroli Sri Gokarnanatheshwara Temple has been celebrated with grandeur rivaling Mysuru Dasara. State Religious Endowments and Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy praised the festival, calling it “a symbol of pride for the country” under the guidance of former Union Minister B. Janardhan Poojary.Government to Fund Mangaluru Dasara From Next YearDakshina Kannada District In-charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao announced that the state government will discuss providing funds for Mangaluru Dasara on the lines of Mysuru and Madikeri Dasara. Art troupes will also be sent to participate in the festival procession. Janardhan Poojary’s Leadership Elevates FestivalFormer Union Minister Janardhan Poojary, who presided over the inauguration, was lauded for h...

Sep212025 by TheStateLineNo Comments

H-1B Visa Fee only for new petitions, not renewals: White House

SPECIAL, TOP STORIES, WORLD

Washington, Sep 20 (IANS) A day after US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation to significantly curtail the H-1B visa programme, the White House issued a clarification to IANS on Saturday, saying that this is a “one-time fee” that applies only to new visas and not renewals or current visa holders.“This is a one-time fee that applies only to the petition. It ONLY applies to new visas, not renewals or current visa holders. It will first apply in the next upcoming lottery cycle,” a White House official told IANS.A White House Spokesperson also clarified to IANS that the policy would “discourage companies from spamming the system.”“President Trump promised to put American workers first, and this common-sense action does just that by discouraging companies from spamming the system and dr...

Sep212025 by TheStateLineNo Comments

Superstar Mohanlal visits mother in Kochi after Dadasaheb Phalke honour

INDIA, SPECIAL, TOP STORIES

Kochi, Sep 21 (IANS) A day after being named the recipient of the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Malayalam cinema’s popular actor Mohanlal arrived in his home state of Kerala to seek blessings from his mother. The actor landed at Kochi’s Nedumbassery airport and drove straight to his residence, “Sree Ganesh” on Rajiv Nagar Road, Elamakkara. There, he met his mother, Shanthakumari Amma, and sought her blessings before proceeding to his flat at Kundannoor.At the airport, the actor addressed mediapersons, dedicating the highest honour in Indian cinema to Malayalam films and their audiences.“This recognition is not just mine -- it belongs to Malayalam cinema. I dedicate the award to the industry that shaped me and to the people who have travelled with me through this 48-year journey,” he ...

Sep212025 by TheStateLineNo Comments

HYDRAA undertakes demolition on encroached government land in Hyderabad

INDIA, SPECIAL, STATE'S, TOP STORIES

Hyderabad, Sep 21 (IANS) In another operation to remove encroachment on government land, HYDRAA on Sunday undertook demolition of unauthorised structures at Gajularamaram in Greater Hyderabad.Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) began the demolition early Sunday morning on 100 acres of land in Qutbullapur constituency in Medchal Malkajgiri district.The value of the encroached land is said to be Rs 4,500 crore. The agency took up demolition after receiving a complaint that the encroachers are constructing houses on 60-70 square yards and selling them for Rs 10 lakh each.HYDRAA officials demolished the structures in survey number 397. Local people staged a protest against the agency's action. They tried to resist the demolition by standing in front of the bulldo...

Sep212025 by TheStateLineNo Comments

TN govt ropes in 3rd-party agencies to monitor NMFS placements

INDIA, SPECIAL, STATE'S, TOP STORIES

Chennai, Sep 21 (IANS) The Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation (TNSDC) has appointed independent monitoring agencies to evaluate the quality and authenticity of placements under the Naan Mudhalvan Finishing School (NMFS) initiative. The scheme, launched to improve the employability of youth, aims to provide industry-ready training to those seeking jobs across diverse sectors.The NMFS programme targets individuals aged between 18 and 35 years, including graduates, diploma and ITI holders, and school dropouts.The government has brought on board reputed training partners, industries, government institutions, and industrial clusters to deliver training modules ranging from 100 to 300 hours. Officials said that these partners were shortlisted after rigorous technical and financial scrutiny...

Sep212025 by TheStateLineNo Comments

Yastika Bhatia undergoes knee surgery, shares update on health

SPECIAL, SPORTS, STATE'S

Mumbai, Sep 21 (IANS) India wicketkeepr-batter Yastika Bhatia shared an update about her health after undergoing surgery after she injured her left knee during the preparatory camp for the Women's ODI World Cup in Visakhapatnam. Yastika, who underwent surgery at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai, had been ruled out of the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia as well as the ODI World Cup after she injured her left knee earlier this month.Bhatia shared a picture on her social media, mentioning that her surgery had gone well, while adding that her focus would now be on recovering as soon as possible to return to the field.“In the past few days, I’ve had to face some tough situations after sustaining a knee injury. I’m still processing it all, but I’m grateful to share...

Sep212025 by TheStateLineNo Comments

Rahul Gandhi pays tributes to Bihar’s first SC CM Bhola Paswan Shastri

INDIA, SPECIAL, STATE'S, TOP STORIES

New Delhi, Sep 21 (IANS) Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday paid tributes to Bihar's former Chief Minister Bhola Paswan Shastri on his birth anniversary. Shastri was a freedom fighter and later served as the Chief Minister of Bihar on three separate occasions between 1968 and 1971.Known for his simplicity and honesty, he was the first person from the Scheduled Castes to become the Chief Minister of Bihar.Rahul Gandhi took to X to pay homage. "Salutations on the birth anniversary of Bihar's former Chief Minister and great freedom fighter, Bhola Paswan Shastri Ji.”The Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition said that Shastri was a true Congressman who raised his voice for social justice and equal opportunities. "Coming from the Dalit community, Bhola Paswan Ji was a true Congressman, an honest po...