Ayesha Fathima from Telangana State, India, has been honored with the prestigious Rabindra Ratna Puraskar 2026 by the Veyil Foundation, recognizing her outstanding contributions to the field of education. This distinguished award celebrates individuals who demonstrate exceptional dedication, innovation, and impact within their respective fields, and Ayesha Fathima’s achievements in academic leadership and teacher development have made her a deserving recipient. With a strong background in teacher training and curriculum development, Ayesha Fathima has played a significant role in strengthening academic standards and improving educational practices within her institution. Serving as a School Academic Coordinator, she has been instrumental in guiding educators, refining teaching methodologies, and ensuring that students benefit from a structured and progressive learning environment. Her leadership in academic coordination has contributed to the enhancement of curriculum planning, teacher mentoring, and academic monitoring, enabling her institution to maintain a high standard of educational excellence. Through her dedication and strategic approach to learning, she has helped foster an environment that encourages creativity, critical thinking, and continuous improvement among both teachers and students. Ayesha Fathima’s commitment to nurturing quality education reflects her passion for shaping the future through knowledge and innovation. By focusing on effective teacher training and modern academic practices, she has positively influenced not only her institution but also the broader educational community. Receiving the Rabindra Ratna Puraskar 2026 stands as a testament to her tireless efforts, visionary leadership, and unwavering commitment to advancing education. Her work continues to inspire educators and institutions across Telangana and beyond, setting a remarkable example of dedication and excellence in the field of education.

Jay Amonkar is an emerging filmmaker from Goa who has made a mark as a director, writer, and composer with a strong passion for storytelling. Known for his creative versatility, he brings together multiple artistic elements—direction, writing, and music—to create films that are engaging, thought-provoking, and emotionally impactful. His work reflects a deep commitment to exploring human experiences through the language of cinema. With a keen interest in visual storytelling, Jay approaches filmmaking as a collaborative and multidimensional art form. By actively participating in different aspects of production, from developing the story to composing the film’s music, he ensures that every element aligns with the narrative’s emotional tone. This dedication allows him to present stories that feel cohesive and immersive to audiences. One of his notable short films, Prarabdha, highlights his ability to tackle serious social issues through powerful storytelling. The film focuses on the dangers of drinking and driving and presents a tragic yet impactful narrative. In the story, a father who works as a bus driver drives under the influence of alcohol and unknowingly runs over his own son, adding a shocking and suspenseful twist that emphasizes the devastating consequences of irresponsible decisions. The film’s strong narrative and emotional depth make it both compelling and socially relevant. Jay Amonkar has also directed the psychological film Manas, which explores themes of fear, trauma, and emotional healing. The story follows a young girl who develops a deep fear of rain because of a painful incident from her past. As the narrative unfolds, she receives support that helps her gradually confront and overcome this fear. Through this film, Jay demonstrates his ability to explore psychological themes while presenting a story of resilience and recovery. Based in Goa, Jay Amonkar continues to pursue filmmaking with creativity and dedication. His work reflects a filmmaker who values meaningful narratives and artistic expression. By combining thoughtful storytelling with visual and musical elements, he aims to create films that resonate with audiences and contribute to the evolving landscape of independent cinema.

In FIH women Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifiers, India were held to a 2-2 draw by Scotland in their second Pool B match in Hyderabad last evening. Indian team was in a strong position, leading 2-1 at half time but Scotland staged a late comeback to level the score in the third quarter and snatch a point. The Hyderabad meet was one of the two qualifying tournaments for the Women’s Hockey World Cup, alongside another event in Santiago, Chile. The teams finishing first, second and third in both Hyderabad and Santiago will earn direct qualification for the 2026 Women’s Hockey World Cup. This year, the World Cup will be co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands.

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has called for a comprehensive upgrade of the state’s police department to tackle the growing menace of cyber crime and narcotic drugs. He was speaking at the Telangana Police Retreat 2026, held in Hyderabad yesterday. Addressing senior police officials, the Chief Minister said the department faces two key challenges technical challenges, which can be resolved by providing resources and technology, and adaptive challenges, which require deeper understanding and strategic planning. Mr Reddy announced that the government will constitute a high-level committee headed by Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao to examine proposals submitted by police officials on issues including cyber crime, narcotics, and recruitment, and to recommend actionable solutions. The Chief Minister also announced that a Police Retreat will be organised every year in December. The Chief Minister stressed that law and order is critical to attracting investments into the state and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to achieving a three trillion US dollar economy by 2047 under the Telangana Rising 2047 vision. He also highlighted the development of the CURE region, spanning over 2,100 kilometres within the Outer Ring Road, as a key investment corridor. Referring to the rising air pollution in Delhi and the traffic congestion and flood threats in Mumbai and Chennai, Mr Reddy urged Telangana Police to draw lessons from metropolitan cities and plan proactively.

The India Meteorological Department has forecast severe heatwave conditions over Himachal Pradesh today. Heatwave conditions are expected over Gujarat, Konkan, Goa, Vidarbha, and Rajasthan. Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada will experience hot and humid weather throughout the day. Furthermore, the weather agency has predicted heavy rainfall over Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir. Thunderstorm and lightning conditions will also prevail over Bihar, Jharkhand, Kerala, Mahe, Gangetic West Bengal, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim and Northeastern states.

In Nepal, counting for 165 seats under the first-past-the-post system is complete, and counting for Proportional representation is underway. Under the first-past-the-post system, the Rastriya Swatantra Party has won in 125 constituencies, Nepali Congress won 18 seats, UML has 10 seats and NCP has won 8 seats. RPP has won 1 seat, Shram Sanskriti Party has won 3 seats and an independent candidate has won 1 seat. The Election Commission had completed the counting of nearly 90 percent of the votes cast under the proportional representation system. So far, 6 political parties have crossed the PR threshold, with the RSP leading by significant margin. Any party must cross the PR threshold which is by securing 3 % of the valid votes. A total of 10,977,711 votes were cast under the PR system and 316,158 votes were required to cross the PR threshold. Now EC has to present the Election report to the President. The president then shall call the new session of House of Representaive within 30 days. After the House of Representatives session convenes, the senior most member of the House, will administer the oath of office and secrecy to all the elected members. According to Article 76(1) of constitution, the president shall appoint the leader of the parliamentary party that commands majority in the House of Representatives as the Prime Minister and the council of Ministers shall be constituted under his or her chairmanship. As RSP is the largest winner in march 5 elections, RSP has to choose its Parliamentary Party leader. During election campaigning, RSP had gained votes promising Prime Ministership to Balendra Shah. If RSP continues to keep its promise, Balendra Shah would become the youngest PM of Nepal.

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) today announced that it has eliminated five senior commanders in the IRGC Quds Force’s Lebanon Corps in a precise strike in Beirut. In a social media post, the IDF noted that those eliminated were Commander of the Lebanon Corps Daoud Ali Zadeh, Majid Hassini, Commander of the intelligence sector of the Lebanon Corps – Ali Reza Bi-Azar; and Hasan Ahmadlo, an intelligence operative in the Lebanon Corps, among others. The IDF said that these were eliminated in Operation Roaring Lion. In another post on X, the IDF said that it also eliminated the new Head of the Military Office of the Supreme Leader and the Chief of Staff of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, Abu al-Qassem Baba’iyan. Baba’iyan was responsible for coordinating between the Iranian terror regime’s various force employment organisations to execute operations and emergency operations.

The 7th Assembly Session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly will resume today. The Session was adjourning sine die on 5th February. During the session, the House will discuss the Governor’s Address, which was delivered on 5th February. The Supplementary demand for grants 2026-27 will also be tabled in the house, and an obituary reference will be held for the departed members. The session will continue till the 17th of this month.

As Operation Epic Fury, led by US and Israel, enters its tenth day, Iran has named a new Supreme Leader. State media reports that Mojtaba Khamenei will succeed his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed at his compound in Tehran during the first wave of US and Israeli strikes. Israel has already issued a threat, saying any successor will be targeted. Meanwhile, in the UAE, Iranian strikes continued to target Abu Dhabi yesterday, with projectiles being intercepted. Since the 28th of February, a sustained air campaign led by a United States and Israeli coalition has focused on dismantling Iranian missile capabilities and key leadership infrastructure. Iran has responded with waves of strikes against regional targets, including the Gulf nations, significantly deepening the crisis across West Asia. In Tehran, Israeli strikes resumed after nightfall, with the Iranian capital choked by smoke following earlier attacks on its energy infrastructure. The US military urged Iranian civilians to remain indoors, claiming Tehran has been launching drones and missiles from populated areas, making those locations potential targets. At sea, the situation remains critical. The Strait of Hormuz is effectively impassable for most commercial shipping. While no formal closure has been decreed, the risk has driven an eighty percent drop in vessel traffic. Major shipping lines have suspended transits as war-risk insurance premiums surge, forcing global logistics networks to urgently seek alternative routes around the volatile waterway.

Deepak C V from Karnataka has been honored with the prestigious Rabindra Ratna Puraskar 2026, awarded by the Veyil Foundation, in recognition of his remarkable contributions to the fields of Education and Office Administration. This esteemed accolade celebrates individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and innovation in their respective fields, and Deepak C V’s achievements stand as a testament to his commitment to educational excellence. Deepak C V serves as the Director of Aspire Bee School in Bengaluru, where he has played a pivotal role in redefining modern educational practices and administrative efficiency. As the Founder of Aspire Bee School, he has consistently worked toward creating a progressive and student-centered learning environment that nurtures curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. Under his visionary leadership, Aspire Bee School has embraced innovative teaching methods that go beyond traditional classroom instruction. Deepak believes that education should empower students to actively participate in their learning process rather than remain passive recipients of information. His approach encourages students to explore ideas, develop problem-solving skills, and gain the confidence needed to face the challenges of a rapidly changing world. Deepak C V’s mission is centered on transforming education through holistic development. He strives to cultivate an atmosphere where academic learning is complemented by the growth of life skills, emotional intelligence, and social responsibility. By prioritizing well-rounded development, he aims to equip students with the tools necessary for both personal and professional success in the future. His unwavering dedication and forward-thinking approach have contributed significantly to the success and growth of Aspire Bee School, making it a beacon of progressive education in Bengaluru. Through his work, Deepak C V continues to inspire educators, students, and communities alike, reaffirming the vital role of innovative leadership in shaping the future of education. The recognition of Deepak C V with the Rabindra Ratna Puraskar 2026 stands as a proud moment for Karnataka and the broader educational community, celebrating a leader whose vision and efforts continue to transform the landscape of learning.

Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya Scindia has said that India is not only building networks for its 1.4 billion citizens but also building trusted digital bridges for the world. He said this while inaugurating the Bharat Pavilion at the Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. Guided by the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, he said, India believes connectivity must empower humanity, strengthen partnerships, and create shared prosperity. On the occasion, Jyotiraditya Scindia said that as the world deliberates the future of connectivity in the IQ Era, India stands at the intersection of intelligence and infrastructure, where connectivity meets capability and innovation meets inclusion. He underlined that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India’s telecom transformation has been anchored in indigenous research and development, trusted telecom ecosystems, production-linked incentives, and deep integration into global value chains. The Bharat Pavilion this year brings together over 40 Indian telecom innovators across the value chain, spanning 4G and 5G, emerging 6G technologies, Open RAN, optical and satellite communications, semiconductor design, AI-driven network intelligence, cybersecurity, telecom software and digital platforms. The expanded participation reflects growing global confidence in India’s telecom capabilities and its rapidly deepening innovation ecosystem. Jyotiraditya Scindia noted that the strong presence of Indian innovators at the Pavilion demonstrates India’s commitment to building secure networks, advancing AI-driven telecom infrastructure, promoting trusted ecosystems and expanding telecom exports worldwide.

Delhi Traffic Police has made elaborate arrangements to ensure smooth traffic management on the occasion of Holi in the national capital. Talking to the Media, Additional Commissioner of Police Dinesh Kumar Gupta said that police personnel will be deployed at around 134 major intersections from early morning till the evening. He said 79 joint pickets have been set up in coordination with local police; the teams equipped with Alcometers will conduct checks to curb drunk driving. Dinesh Kumar Gupta further added that there will be focus on wrong-side driving and police motorcycles will take action immediately.