National
Act Now for a Sustainable Future: CM Yogi Urges Against Waiting for Catastrophe
In his address, he noted, “We should not wait for disasters to occur; we must strive for a greener Earth starting now. This is the essence of Kumbh’s message.”
The chief minister stressed the importance of merging environmental awareness with faith, advocating for definitive measures to combat climate change. He underscored that protecting nature and wildlife is crucial for the survival of human civilization.
During the event, he expressed his condolences regarding the recent stampede at New Delhi Railway Station and paid tribute to the lost souls. Addressing daily climate responsibility, CM Yogi remarked on the logistical challenges at Mahakumbh, where aerial observations revealed vacant parking areas while visitors parked on the roads, causing congestion.
He called upon attendees to utilize designated parking facilities—even if it meant walking a little farther—to ensure smoother traffic flow and enhance the experience at the sacred site. He urged collective responsibility in fighting climate change and encouraged participants to adopt sustainable practices in their daily lives, aligning with the ethos of Mahakumbh.
CM Yogi Adityanath highlighted that from January 13 to February 16, an astonishing 52 crore devotees took part in the holy dip at the confluence of Maa Ganga, Yamuna, and Maa Saraswati. He noted that such participation is possible only due to the continuous flow of water in these rivers, viewing it as a divine blessing.
“Every devotee who bathes here experiences spiritual energy, which they take back to their villages, encouraging even more participation and elevating the event’s success,” he stated.
Addressing environmental issues, CM Yogi pointed out that climate change is the underlying cause of carbon emissions and pollution. He compared rivers to the arteries of Mother Earth, warning that just as our bodies cannot survive without healthy arteries, a polluted or depleted river system jeopardizes the planet’s lifelines.
The government has proactively addressed ecological challenges by banning single-use plastics to safeguard the environment. Additionally, over the past eight years, 210 crore saplings have been planted in Uttar Pradesh, with survival rates for trees planted by the Forest Department at 70-80%, and 60-70% for those by other organizations.
Moreover, the government is promoting electric buses in place of diesel-powered vehicles through targeted policies and expansion initiatives. The CM also mentioned the revival of dying rivers to restore their natural flow.
He elaborated, “The channelization of rivers and the expansion of the Sangam area have ensured a consistent water flow of 10,000 to 11,000 cusecs, enhancing the sustainability and accessibility of this grand spiritual gathering.”
CM Yogi emphasized that while government efforts are ongoing, public involvement is essential for environmental protection. He urged individuals to evaluate their own contributions—eliminating plastic usage, halting river encroachments, preventing pollution, and showing compassion towards wildlife.
He remarked that just as humans experience a life cycle, so does Mother Earth, asserting their interconnected survival. Only through the preservation of both can the universe flourish. Encouraging collective action, he proposed a simple yet meaningful gesture: planting a tree in honor of one’s mother and another as an offering of faith.
Present at the event were Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Vasudevanand Saraswati, head of Paramarth Ashram Swami Chidanand Saraswati Muni, Jagadguru Swami Mukundanand, Forest and Environment Minister Dr. Arun Kumar Saxena, Minister of State KP Malik, along with various MLAs and officials.
The unfortunate incident occurred just 20 meters from Kedarnath while the helicopter was landing. Thankfully, the pilot emerged uninjured; an AIIMS spokesperson confirmed that the helicopter was there to retrieve a seriously ill patient. According to the AIIMS PRO, the crash took place during the landing process.
Although the helicopter’s tail rotor sustained damage, there were no injuries, and the pilot, along with one additional passenger on board, was safely rescued.
It’s noteworthy that the ‘Sanjeevani’ heli ambulance service for AIIMS Rishikesh was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 29, 2024. This marked the launch of the country’s first heli ambulance service for AIIMS, which was introduced online from Delhi alongside several health projects valued over ₹12,800 crore.
In September 2022, former Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia had revealed plans for the heli ambulance at AIIMS Rishikesh. The service operates under a partnership between the Centre and the Uttarakhand government, each contributing 50 percent.
This helicopter crash isn’t the only incident during the ongoing Chardham pilgrimage in 2025; on May 8, another helicopter en route to Gangotri crashed near Gangani, resulting in the tragic loss of six lives, including five women.
The arrested individuals are Rahul Singh alias Kalu (20) from Thathi Sohal, Tarn Taran; Gurmukh Singh (21) from Sudhar Rajputan village, Amritsar; and Varinderpal Singh (32) from Akalgarh Dhaphian village, Amritsar.
DGP Yadav noted that two FIRs under the NDPS Act have been filed at Police Stations Gate Hakima and PS Verka. Investigations are ongoing to identify all connections within the smuggling ring.
Commissioner of Police (CP) Amritsar, Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, provided details of the first operation, stating that CIA-2 police teams arrested Rahul alias Kalu, recovering 510 grams of heroin and ₹30.18 lakh in cash, along with a counting machine from his residence in Anand Vihar, Amritsar. Initial investigations suggest that Rahul was in contact with a foreign-based drug smuggler named Tony German and was distributing heroin locally after receiving shipments across the border. A case (FIR No. 117, dated 16-05-2025) has been registered at Police Station Gate Hakima under sections 21-C and 25 of the NDPS Act.
In a separate operation, CP Bhullar reported the arrest of Gurmukh Singh and Varinderpal Singh by the Police Station Verka team. They were found with 500 grams of heroin, ₹15.19 lakh in drug proceeds, and a camera-equipped toy drone. The duo had created a concealed locker in a bed-box at a house in Akalgarh, where drug money was stored. The drone was reportedly being used for practice purposes.
Ongoing investigations may lead to further arrests and recoveries in the coming days. A case (FIR No. 40, dated 14-5-2025) has been filed under Sections 25 and 29 of the NDPS Act at Police Station Verka in Amritsar.
National
MEA Denies Rahul Gandhi’s Claim Regarding Jaishankar Briefing Pakistan on ‘Operation Sindoor’
The MEA’s XP Division stated, “The EAM indicated that we warned Pakistan at the beginning, which pertains to the early phase following the commencement of Operation Sindoor. This has been misrepresented as happening before the operation began, and we are calling out this erroneous portrayal.”
The MEA’s clarification came on the heels of Mr. Gandhi’s assertion that Jaishankar had committed a “crime” by allegedly notifying Pakistan in advance of the airstrikes.
Mr. Gandhi shared a video on his WhatsApp channel where Jaishankar is quoted saying, “At the start of the operation, we sent a message to Pakistan, informing them that we were targeting terrorist infrastructure and not military assets. Hence, the military had the option to stand down and avoid interference.”
In response, Gandhi commented on X: “Informing Pakistan at the beginning of our attack was a crime. EAM has publicly admitted this. 1. Who authorized it? 2. How many aircraft did our Air Force lose as a result?”
However, the government has dismissed these allegations as misleading. The Fact Check Unit of the Press Information Bureau (PIB) clarified that no admission was made by the EAM. Additionally, PIB denied claims that Jaishankar suggested Chinese satellites assisted Pakistan during its military standoff with India.
This political exchange follows Operation Sindoor, India’s retaliatory measure in response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives.
AIIMS Helicopter Ambulance Crashes in Kedarnath; Pilot Unharmed, No Injuries Reported
Three Arrested with 1.01 kg of Heroin and ₹45.19 Lakh in Drug Money in Amritsar
MEA Denies Rahul Gandhi’s Claim Regarding Jaishankar Briefing Pakistan on ‘Operation Sindoor’
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