TOP NEWS

India ushered in its 75th Republic Day on Friday with a grand display of its women power and military might that included elite marching contingents, missiles, warplanes, surveillance gadgets and lethal weapon systems, with French President Emmanuel Macron gracing the occasion as the chief guest.

For the first time, an all-women tri-services contingent marched down the Kartavya Path, reflecting the country's growing 'Nari Shakti' (women power).

In another first, the parade was heralded by over 100 women artistes playing Indian musical instruments such as sankh, naadswaram and nagada instead of traditional military bands kickstarting the celebrations.    

Extending greetings to people on the eve of the 75th Republic Day, President Droupadi Murmu said here on Thursday that Ram Temple in Ayodhya stands as a grand edifice, giving a befitting expression not only of people’s faith but also as a testament to people’s enormous trust in judicial process.

The President said earlier this week, the country witnessed the historic consecration ceremony of the idol of Lord Ram in the glorious new temple constructed at his birthplace in Ayodhya.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday evening returned to the national capital amid the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. Rahul Gandhi is undertaking the over 6700-km Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra from Manipur to Mumbai. The yatra reached West Bengal on Thursday.

Ahead of the Republic Day 2024, Rahul Gandhi returned to Delhi on Thursday evening, taking a pre-scheduled two-day break beginning January 26 from the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.

The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra is currently going through West Bengal, after it entered Cooch Behar on Thursday morning where Rahul Gandhi was accorded a rousing welcome by party workers.

The ministry of external affairs (MEA) on Thursday lashed out at Pakistan for "peddling false and malicious anti-India propaganda" after Islamabad claimed that India was involved in killing of two Pakistani nationals.

MEA strongly rejected Pakistan's claims and said that Islamabad will reap what it sows.

"We have seen media reports regarding certain remarks by Pakistan foreign secretary. It is Pakistan’s latest attempt at peddling false and malicious anti-India propaganda. As the world knows, Pakistan has long been the epicentre of terrorism, organised crime, and illegal transnational activities," MEA said in a statement.

The British army's top official is poised to alert the nation that in the face of a potential conflict with Russia, citizens might be summoned to serve, due to the military's limited capacity to manage such a confrontation independently. General Sir Patrick Sanders, the Chief of the General Staff, is emphasizing the urgency for government officials to ready the nation for a broader skirmish with Russia, particularly in light of its ongoing aggression in Ukraine, a Daily Mail report said.

Nearly two years ago, General Sir Patrick likened the situation to Britain's precarious position in 1937, just before the outbreak of the Second World War. He has been vocal about the inadequacies in military staffing and insists on a paradigm shift in public attitude towards national defense.