National

Inauguration of the Four-Day ‘Akhil Bharatiya Shastroutsav’ at Patanjali University

Published

1 year ago

March 18, 2025

The 62nd “Akhil Bharatiya Shastroutsav” competition commenced on March 18 and runs until March 21, organized collaboratively by the Central Sanskrit University in New Delhi and Patanjali University in Haridwar. The event was inaugurated on Tuesday.

During the opening session, Acharya Balkrishna, Vice-Chancellor of Patanjali University, emphasized that Sanskrit is not just an ancient language; it embodies a profound intersection of spirituality, science, and culture. He claimed that Sanskrit is the original language of India, deeply rooted in truth and authenticity, arguing that events like this one are vital for transmitting this priceless heritage to future generations.

He highlighted Sanskrit as the cornerstone of knowledge and the arts, asserting that, despite historical setbacks and invasions, India’s culture, including the Sanskrit language and scriptures, continues to thrive and resonate today. Acharya Balkrishna criticized the Western view that reduces Sanskrit to mere rituals, which creates a false sense of inferiority. In reality, he stated, Sanskrit has the power to empower individuals across various fields.

He remarked that without Sanskrit, our scriptures and culture would be endangered. He proclaimed that Indian history is indeed the collective history of the world and noted that India is regaining its global prominence thanks to its classical traditions and knowledge systems.

In his presidential address, Prof. Srinivas Varkhedi, Vice-Chancellor of Central Sanskrit University, conveyed that Sanskrit transcends mere communication, serving as the very essence of Indian culture. He stressed that the All India Shastra Competition is a critical platform for the preservation and promotion of Sanskrit. This competition allows students to demonstrate their proficiency in Vedic literature, philosophy, grammar, logic, astrology, literature, and music, fostering a collaborative environment for mastering the profound aspects of Sanskrit.

Prof. Varkhedi described the 62nd All India Shastra Competition as both a testament to Sanskrit’s glorious history and a significant move towards safeguarding India’s cultural legacy. He praised Patanjali University and its affiliates for their leading role in revitalizing India’s knowledge traditions and urged students to integrate the study of Sanskrit texts into their daily lives beyond mere exam preparation.

Guest speaker Prof. C G Vijaykumar, Vice-Chancellor of Maharshi Panini Sanskrit University, noted that identity, culture, economic values, and knowledge all emerge from India’s rich knowledge tradition. He regarded knowledge as the true strength of a nation and indicated that India is in a transformative period, with increasing discussions around Indian knowledge traditions. He framed the Shastra Competition as a pivotal initiative in achieving the vision of a developed India by 2047.

Dr. N P Singh, Executive Chairman of the Indian Education Board, and Dr. Sandhya Purecha, Chairperson of the Sangeet Natak Academy, contributed valuable insights about India’s knowledge traditions, culture, and Sanskrit.

The event featured a “Vakartha” discussion where scholars from throughout India engaged in in-depth conversations regarding the “Janikratupakritih” Sutra found in various scriptures and philosophical traditions. Topics of discussion included Advaita Vedanta, Panini’s sutras, and their commentaries, as participants analyzed the usage and interpretation of the Prakriti Sutra through classical reasoning, grammatical scrutiny, and philosophical viewpoints. Notable scholars such as Acharya Srinivas Varkhedi, Acharya Devdutt Patil, Acharya Gyanendra, Acharya Brajbhooshan Ojha, Dr. Bilwakupeshwar, and Acharya Tulsi Kumar actively participated in the discussion.

The ceremony was attended by a number of distinguished guests, including Prof. Sadhvi Devpriya, Dean of Humanities and Ancient Studies at Patanjali University; Prof. Mayank Kumar Agarwal, Pro-Vice Chancellor; and Prof. Satyendra Mittal, Director of Distance Education, among others, as well as faculty members, students, researchers, and scholars from Patanjali University and Central Sanskrit University. The program was hosted by Prof. Pawan Vyas.

National

Delhi Techie Found Dead During Honeymoon Trip

Published

1 day ago

June 17, 2026

Namma Kudla

National: A 27-year-old IT professional from Delhi was found dead at a homestay in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand. The woman, P Radha Gayatri, had gone on a honeymoon trip with her husband.

According to police, the couple checked into a homestay on June 14. Her husband said they had consumed alcohol and went to sleep late at night.

The next morning, he found Gayatri unconscious on the floor. Police said she was lying in a pool of urine, and blood was coming from her nose. She was declared dead at the scene.

The body has been sent for a post-mortem examination. Police are investigating the case and waiting for the autopsy report to determine the cause of death.

National

Pakistan Ranked World’s Most Polluted Country in 2025

Published

5 days ago

June 13, 2026

Namma Kudla

Islamabad: Pakistan has been ranked as the most polluted country in the world in 2025, according to a new report released by Swiss air quality monitoring company IQ Air.

The report found that Pakistan’s average PM2.5 pollution level was 13 times higher than the safe limit recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). PM2.5 refers to tiny harmful particles in the air that can enter the lungs and cause serious health problems.

IQ Air said that only 13 countries and territories met the WHO air quality guideline of less than 5 micrograms of PM2.5 per cubic meter of air in 2025. This was an improvement from seven countries in 2024.

The report also revealed that 130 out of 143 monitored countries and territories failed to meet the WHO standard.

Bangladesh was ranked as the second most polluted country, while Tajikistan secured the third position. Chad, which was the most polluted country in 2024, ranked fourth in 2025.

Experts said that Chad’s lower ranking may be linked to missing pollution data. In March 2025, the United States ended a global air quality monitoring program due to budget cuts. The program had collected pollution data from US embassies and consulates around the world.

Christi Chester Schroeder, the lead author of the report, said that the loss of data makes it difficult to know the true pollution levels in some countries.

Because of data shortages, Burundi, Turkmenistan and Togo were not included in the 2025 report.

The report also identified Loni in India as the world’s most polluted city. The city recorded an average PM2.5 level of 112.5 micrograms per cubic meter. Hotan in China ranked second with 109.6 micrograms.

According to the report, the 25 most polluted cities in the world were all located in India, Pakistan and China.

Only 14 percent of cities worldwide met the WHO air quality standard in 2025. This was lower than the 17 percent recorded in the previous year.

The report noted that large wildfires in Canada increased air pollution levels across the United States and even affected parts of Europe.

Countries that met the WHO air quality guideline in 2025 included Australia, Iceland, Estonia and Panama.

Meanwhile, Laos, Cambodia and Indonesia reported significant improvements in air quality. Experts said wetter and windier La Niña weather conditions helped reduce pollution levels in these countries.

Mongolia also recorded a 31 percent drop in average PM2.5 levels during the year.

Overall, 75 countries reported lower pollution levels in 2025, while 54 countries experienced an increase in air pollution, according to the IQ Air report

National

Indian Air Force AN-32 Transport Aircraft Crashes

Published

5 days ago

June 13, 2026

Namma Kudla

Dispur: An Indian Air Force (IAF) AN-32 transport aircraft crashed at the Air Force Station in Jorhat, Assam, on Saturday. The aircraft caught fire after the crash.

According to reports, the AN-32 aircraft went down within the premises of the air base. A fire broke out immediately after the accident.

Rescue and firefighting teams rushed to the spot and launched an operation to control the flames. The fire was brought under control after their prompt response.

The exact cause of the crash is not known yet. Authorities are investigating the incident.

So far, there have been no reports of any deaths or injuries. The Indian Air Force has confirmed the accident and said that more details will be shared after a complete assessment of the situation.

Further information is awaited.