NATIONAL 
EXPRESS

Grahan is a poignant and atmospherically crafted short film that examines the delicate fractures within a long-standing marriage. The film captures the emotional undercurrents that rise to the surface when an old friend unexpectedly returns, unsettling a couple’s quiet stability and revealing the unspoken truths beneath their relationship. Sowmya Pandey - producer n lead actress At the centre of Grahan  stands Sowmya Pandey, who leads the film both creatively and on-screen. As producer and main lead actress, she delivers a deeply grounded performance that forms the emotional spine of the narrative. Her portrayal brings nuance to the silent conflicts of love, trust, and vulnerability, while her creative vision shapes the film’s authenticity and sensitivity. Director and writer -Shariq Ali khan Directed by Shariq Ali Khan, Grahan  uses silence as a powerful storytelling tool, allowing glances, pauses, and unsaid emotions to carry immense weight. The film’s restrained style and visual subtlety make every moment feel intimate, reflective, and real. Grahan  has garnered praise and recognition across several international platforms, including: Global Independent Film Festival 2026, Asia Continental Film Festival 2026, Silver Screen Film Festival 2026, South Asia Film Festival 2026, World Panorama Film Festival 2026 These selections and accolades highlight the film’s strong emotional resonance, performance-led storytelling, and its universal exploration of relationships in flux. With its powerful performances, evocative direction, and concise yet impactful narrative, Grahan stands as a compelling festival piece—inviting audiences to reflect on the quiet shifts that reshape the bonds we hold closest.

Bangladesh is witnessing a surge in violence against women, girls and religious minorities ahead of the February 12th general elections. Human Rights Watch group (HRW) in a report said it exposes serious failures by the interim government in protecting fundamental human rights. HRW has urged the government to implement long-standing recommendations, including increasing women’s parliamentary representation, complying with international human rights treaties, and upholding constitutional protections for minorities.

Vice President CP Radhakrishnan has said that the next two decades will be crucial in making India a self-reliant and developed nation. He said, Uttarakhand will play a special role in this journey. He highlighted the state’s vast potential in renewable energy, organic farming, AYUSH, tourism, startups, and skill development. The Vice President expressed confidence that under the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Uttarakhand will achieve new heights of development.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal today discussed strengthening the India-Canada economic partnership with the Premier of British Columbia, Canada, David Eby. In a social media post, Mr Goyal said that the two sides discussed advancing trade and investment cooperation, exploring collaboration across sectors such as critical minerals, manufacturing, clean energy, technology, education, defence and innovation. He added that both countries reaffirmed the importance of sustained engagement to unlock new opportunities and deepen the ties between both nations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took part in a roadshow from Assam’s Guwahati airport to Azara this evening, commencing his two-day tour of the northeastern state. During the four-km roadshow, Mr. Modi witnessed Assam’s diverse ethnic culture amid cheers by people, who had lined up on both sides of the road. The Prime Minister is currently participating in the Bagurumba Dwhou 2026, Traditional Bodo Cultural Programme at Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex in Guwahati. During his visit, Prime Minister Modi will lay foundation stone of a development project, and flag off two new Amrit Bharat Express trains.

Gaurav Agarwal, a distinguished individual from Assam, India, has recently been honored with the prestigious Rabindra Ratna Puraskar 2026, an award conferred by the Veyil Foundation. The recognition marks a significant milestone in his journey as both a successful businessman and a committed social worker, highlighting his impactful contributions to community development, youth empowerment, and economic progress in the region. The Rabindra Ratna Puraskar is widely regarded as a symbol of excellence, celebrating individuals whose work brings meaningful and lasting change to society, and Gaurav Agarwal’s achievements strongly reflect the values embodied by this accolade. The award acknowledges Gaurav’s ability to balance entrepreneurial success with social responsibility, a combination that has set him apart as a role model in Assam. As a young entrepreneur, he has demonstrated resilience, innovation, and strategic vision while navigating the challenges of the business world. His success has not only contributed to economic activity but has also inspired many aspiring entrepreneurs across the region to pursue their ambitions with confidence and integrity. In addition to his business endeavors, Gaurav Agarwal serves as the Finance Incharge for the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) in the Hojai District under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In this role, he has showcased strong leadership and financial acumen, ensuring transparency, efficiency, and effective management of resources. His contributions have played a key role in strengthening organizational initiatives and encouraging active participation among the youth. By promoting financial discipline and accountability, he has helped foster a sense of responsibility and civic awareness within the younger generation. Gaurav’s dedication to social causes is particularly evident through his extensive work in the Lanka community, where he is widely recognized as a prominent social worker. His initiatives focus on uplifting marginalized sections of society, supporting sustainable development, and creating opportunities for long-term growth. Whether through community support programs, awareness initiatives, or economic empowerment efforts, his work consistently aims to improve quality of life and promote inclusive progress. What sets Gaurav Agarwal apart is his holistic approach to development. He firmly believes that economic growth and social welfare must go hand in hand, and this philosophy is reflected in his actions. By leveraging his entrepreneurial skills and leadership experience, he has successfully built platforms that encourage collaboration, self-reliance, and shared growth within the community. The Rabindra Ratna Puraskar 2026 not only honors Gaurav Agarwal’s past accomplishments but also serves as recognition of his ongoing commitment to service and excellence. The award stands as a testament to his dedication, vision, and tireless efforts to make a positive difference in society. As he continues his journey, his story is expected to inspire many others to pursue success while remaining deeply connected to the welfare of their communities.

The External Affairs Ministry has said that India is keeping a close eye on the prevailing situation in Iran. During a media briefing in New Delhi, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India is committed to take whatever steps are required in the interest of the Indian citizens living in that country. He said that around nine thousand citizens, mostly students, are currently living in Iran. Mr Jaiswal said that in recent days, considering the situation in Iran, MEA has issued a few advisories suggesting that Indians avoid visiting Iran and also that those in Iran are advised to return.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that the Startup India programme is not just a scheme but a ‘Rainbow Vision’ that connects diverse sectors with new opportunities.   Addressing an event marking a decade of Startup India on National Startup Day in New Delhi, Mr Modi said that the Startup India Mission has become a revolution in just ten years, fostering a new culture across the country. He noted that India is the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem. Observing that India’s youth are focused on solving real problems, the Prime Minister commended young innovators for their courage to dream anew.   The Prime Minister underlined that today marks the milestone of ten years of Startup India and that this journey is not merely the success story of a government scheme but the journey of millions of dreams and the realisation of countless imaginations. He pointed out that a decade ago, there were fewer than 500 startups in the country, while today the number has risen to more than two lakh. He noted that in 2014, India was home to just four unicorns, but now there are nearly 125 active unicorns. He said the world is watching this success story with amazement.   Mr Modi emphasised that courage is the first condition for enterprise, acknowledging the immense courage and risks the youth have taken to reach this stage. He noted that earlier risk-taking was discouraged in the country, but today it has become mainstream, and those who think beyond monthly salaries are not only accepted but also respected.   The Prime Minister also lauded the role of women in the startup ecosystem, noting that over 45 percent of recognised startups in India have at least one female director or partner. He added that, in terms of women-led startup funding, India boasts the second-largest ecosystem in the world, and this growing inclusivity within the startup sector is enhancing the country’s potential.   On the occasion, Mr Modi also visited the exhibition area at the event and interacted with exhibitors. In his address, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said that in the last decade, a big change has been brought in the startup ecosystem under the leadership of the Prime Minister.    Startup India was launched on 16 January 2016 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a transformative national programme to nurture innovation, promote entrepreneurship and enable investment-driven growth. The objective of this initiative is to make India a nation of job creators rather than job seekers.   Over the past decade, Startup India has emerged as a cornerstone of India’s economic and innovation architecture. It has strengthened institutional mechanisms, expanded access to capital and mentorship, and fostered an enabling environment for startups to grow and scale across sectors and geographies. India’s startup ecosystem has witnessed unprecedented expansion during this period, with more than two lakh startups recognised across the country.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange colour warning for dense to very dense fog conditions over Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand till the 18th of this month.   The Met Department has also predicted dense fog at isolated places over Assam, Meghalaya, Bihar, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, West Bengal and Sikkim till Tuesday.   IMD has said that cold wave conditions are very likely to prevail over Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, East Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh for the next two to three days.

Union Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy Shripad Yesso Naik said bioenergy will play a pivotal role in decarbonising India’s MSME sector, especially industrial steam and heat applications.   Addressing a national workshop organised by the Ministry, the Minister said biomass-based green heat offers a practical and scalable solution to reduce MSMEs’ dependence on fossil fuels. He noted that while MSMEs contribute nearly one-third of India’s manufacturing output, a large part of their energy needs is still met through coal and furnace oil, making the transition to clean thermal energy essential.   The Minister jointly released an MNRE-GIZ report that outlines a sector-wise roadmap for adopting biomass-based solutions in textiles, food processing, chemicals, foundries and pharmaceuticals.

External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar has said that the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between India and Japan is on an upward trajectory. Mr Jaishankar said this after co-chairing the 18th India-Japan Strategic Dialogue with his Japanese counterpart, Toshimitsu Motegi, in New Delhi today. He said that India and Japan hold immense potential for shaping the world order and de-risking the international economy.   In a social media post, the External Affairs Minister said that both countries discussed a wide range of issues during the discussions, including deeper economic cooperation, maritime security, supply chain resilience, critical minerals, technology, people-to-people ties, and multilateral cooperation. He noted that the discussions reflected the shared interests and mutual understanding between the two countries. The EAM added that he also had a useful exchange of perspectives on the Indo-Pacific and regional and global developments.   Earlier, in his opening address ahead of the talks with the Japanese Foreign Minister, Dr Jaishankar said that over the last two decades, India and Japan have successfully transformed their relationship from a purely economic one into a comprehensive and strategic partnership. He observed that India’s MAHASAGAR initiative and Vision for the Indo-Pacific closely align with Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific outlook.   Mr Motegi gifted Dr Jaishankar the uniform of the Japanese national cricket team. In return, Dr Jaishankar presented his Japanese counterpart with a cricket bat signed by the Indian cricket team, reflecting their shared passion for the sport.

The Tamil community in Sri Lanka is celebrating Thai Pongal today with fervour and gaiety. Observed at the start of the Tamil month Thai, Pongal is a multi-day harvest festival dedicated to the Sun God. The festival is named after the ceremonial ‘Pongal’, which means ‘to boil, overflow’ and refers to the traditional dish prepared from the new harvest of rice boiled in milk with jaggery. An Akashvani correspondent reports that as part of the celebrations, the Tamil Hindu community, which numbers upwards of 2 and a half million in the island, will visit temples today to give thanks for the abundance of the previous year’s harvest and pray for a successful one in the coming year. The multi-day celebration of Pongal marks the beginning of the sun’s journey northward, signalling the end of the winter solstice. Celebrations have started early in the morning with the making of beautiful designs of Kolam before every house. As devotees pray to the sun god, chants of ‘Pongalo pongal’ and the overflowing of Pongal from the pots will be notable.