NATIONAL 
EXPRESS

In Andhra Pradesh, Jana Sena Party president Pawan Kalyan has announced Lingamaneni Ramesh as the party’s candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha election. The announcement was made through an official statement issued by the party. Lingamaneni Ramesh is scheduled to file his nomination papers today. According to the party, Ramesh has been associated with Jana Sena and its leadership since 2015.

Central Board of Secondary Education, CBSE, has extended the last date for submission of applications for Verification of Marks and Re-evaluation till the 7th of June. In a social media post, the Board said, students can now submit their applications till sunday midnight. CBSE said that the decision has been taken in the interest of students to provide them with additional time to complete the application process. The earlier deadline for submission of applications was 6th of this month. CBSE has advised all eligible students to take note of the extended deadline and complete the application process within the stipulated time.

Sri Lanka’s State-owned enterprises (SOEs) posted a combined profit of 444.4 billion Sri Lankan Rupees in 2025, down 17.6 percent from the previous year, as losses at the power utility dragged down overall performance, according to the Finance Ministry. The decline was driven by the state-run electricity provider, which swung from a profit of 141.6 billion rupees in 2024 to a loss of 38.7 billion rupees in 2025 following tariff cuts. Excluding the utility, the remaining 50 major SOEs recorded profits of 483.2 billion rupees, up 21.5 percent. State-owned banks remained the biggest profit earners, led by Bank of Ceylon with 120.8 billion rupees, while the petroleum corporation reported profits of 36.5 billion rupees. Meanwhile, SriLankan Airlines widened its loss to 23.2 billion rupees despite stronger operating revenue. While there have been long-standing calls by international lenders and market reform advocates for restructuring and disinvestment of loss-making SOEs, Colombo has accelerated reforms, including liquidating non-functional entities and restructuring major state enterprises under its IMF-backed programme.

In a moment of immense pride for Keralam’s educational, literary and social service communities, Santhakumari, a highly respected educator, social worker and poet, has been awarded the prestigious Rabindra Ratna Puraskar 2026 by the renowned Veyil Foundation in recognition of her outstanding contributions to society through education, literature and humanitarian service. The award celebrates her lifelong dedication to empowering individuals, strengthening communities and enriching Keralam’s cultural landscape through both her professional and creative endeavors. Throughout her distinguished career, Santhakumari has earned admiration as an educator who has inspired generations of students through her commitment to learning, character development and social responsibility, believing that education serves as a powerful tool for personal growth and societal progress. Beyond the classroom, she has established herself as a significant literary voice whose poetry reflects the richness of Keralam’s cultural heritage while courageously addressing important social issues such as inequality, poverty, gender justice, human dignity and community welfare. Her evocative verses have touched countless readers, encouraging reflection, dialogue and a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by society, while also celebrating resilience, compassion and hope. Widely recognized for her ability to blend artistic expression with social consciousness, Santhakumari has used literature not merely as a creative medium but as a catalyst for positive change, inspiring people to engage with pressing issues affecting their communities. Her commitment to public service extends well beyond her literary accomplishments, as she has actively participated in numerous community development initiatives focused on education, women’s empowerment, youth development, social justice and support for marginalized populations. Through workshops, outreach programs, awareness campaigns and various welfare activities, she has consistently worked to improve the lives of others, earning widespread respect for her humility, dedication and unwavering commitment to the common good. The Rabindra Ratna Puraskar, bestowed upon individuals who demonstrate exceptional talent, dedication and service in their respective fields, recognizes not only Santhakumari’s remarkable achievements but also the values she embodies—compassion, creativity, integrity and a profound sense of social responsibility. The Veyil Foundation noted that her contributions exemplify the transformative impact that can be achieved when education, literature and humanitarian action are brought together in service of society. Following the announcement, educators, writers, social activists, cultural leaders and members of the public expressed heartfelt congratulations, praising her as a role model whose life and work have positively influenced countless people across Keralam and beyond. Many observers have described the honor as richly deserved, highlighting her ability to inspire change through both words and actions and her consistent efforts to uplift those around her. As Keralam celebrates this significant achievement, Santhakumari’s journey stands as a powerful example of how dedication, perseverance and service can create a lasting legacy, inspiring future generations of educators, writers and community leaders to pursue excellence while remaining deeply committed to the welfare of society. Her receipt of the Rabindra Ratna Puraskar 2026 marks not only a personal milestone but also a celebration of the enduring importance of education, literature and humanitarian service in building stronger, more compassionate communities, and her continuing work promises to leave an even greater impact in the years ahead.

The first World Yogasana Sport Championship will begin today in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The 5-day event will bring together more than 500 athletes from over 70 countries, including US, Japan, Netherlands, Oman, Mauritius, Uganda, Zambia, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Kenya. The meet will feature multiple disciplines, including traditional yogasana, artistic yogasana and rhythmic pairs across different age categories. The championship includes a wide range of contests for male and female athletes across sub-junior, junior and senior divisions. Participants will showcase their skills in traditional yogasana, artistic single, artistic pair, artistic group and rhythmic pair events, alongside discipline-specific competitions such as forward bend, back bend, twisting body, hand balance, leg balance and supine categories. Yogasana Bharat, the national federation for the sport in India, is organising the event in association with the World Yogasana and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). Prime Minister Narendra Modi will join the event at around 6:40 PM today virtually. In a social media post, Mr Modi said that Yoga is gaining tremendous popularity across the world. He said the championship has brought together Yoga enthusiasts from around the world. The Prime Minister has also defined it as a significant milestone on the global sporting roadmap for Yogasana. He has conveyed his wishes to those who have organised the event and its participants.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for heavy rainfall in Keralam and Mahe today. Places in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Karnataka, Konkan and Goa, Lakshadweep, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Uttarakhand are also expected to experience rainfall during the day. The Weather department also predicted thunderstorms and hail storm conditions today in parts of East Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Delhi, Haryana, Chandigarh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana and Vidarbha are likely to witness thunder squalls today, while a dust storm is expected in parts of West Rajasthan. Hot and humid weather conditions will persist today over Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and Odisha.

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is scheduled to arrive in Kolkata on Saturday to expedite the progress of various stalled railway projects in West Bengal. The Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of Eastern Railway, Shibaji Maji, informed Akashvani News that the Railway Minister will hold a high-level meeting with the state’s Chief Minister, Suvendu Adhikari, at the Nabanna Sabhaghar. The General Managers of Eastern, Southeastern, Northeast Frontier, and Metro Railways will also attend the meeting. Mr Maji stated that discussions will focus on various railway projects within the state, which is expected to further strengthen the Centre-state relationship regarding railway development. Furthermore, Mr Maji mentioned that members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Railways are also scheduled to arrive in Kolkata on Saturday afternoon and will hold a meeting with various railway-associated organisations later that evening.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced that the portal for Verification of issues in the supplied scanned copy of answer books and for Re-evaluation of answers has been made live from today. The portal will remain open till 6th June. In a statement, the CBSE said the facility can only be availed by the students who have obtained a scanned copy of their evaluated answer books. The board stated that Aadhaar verification has been included for security reasons. For children who do not have Aadhaar, the parents’, relatives’, or guardians’ Aadhaar details can be used. According to CBSE, Students have to pay 100 rupees per answer book for Verification of Issues observed in supplied scanned copies, whereas 25 rupees per question is for Re-evaluation. The fee can be paid only through online modes such as UPI, Credit Card, Debit Card or Net Banking. CBSE has advised students to watch the tutorial video carefully for step-by-step instructions on how to apply for Verification of Marks and re-evaluation.

India has exported over 19 lakh metric tonnes of seafood valued at more than 73 thousand 890 crore rupees during 2025-26. Chairman, Marine Products Export Development Authority, P.Jawahar said it is an all-time high in both volume and value despite challenging global market conditions. He said that the United States and China continued to be the principal importers of Indian seafood during the year.Frozen shrimp remained the leading export item, contributing over 49 thousand crore rupees. The Frozen fish emerged as the second-largest exported seafood item, generating more than five thousand 658 crore rupees.

Yellow alert indicating isolated heavy rainfall has been issued in ten districts of Keralam today. Rainfall is likely to intensify over the next three days. Most observatories in Kerala have recorded around 5 mm of rainfall since 4 a.m. today. In Lakshadweep, 15 mm of rainfall has been reported from Kavaratti, Agatti, and Amini today.

Indian Railways has achieved freight loading upto 145 million tonnes in May this year despite challenges arising from the ongoing geopolitical situation in West Asia and its indirect impact on logistics and supply chains. The Railways Ministry said that this is an increase of 1.3 per cent over the corresponding period last year. The growth was led by strong performance in Iron Ore, Steel and Fertilisers among others. Loading of fertilizers also recorded healthy growth of 6.2 per cent, reflecting the Railways’ commitment towards supporting key sectors of the economy. The Ministry said, Indian Railways accorded priority to coal movement and closely monitored its transit across the network to meet the requirements of thermal power plants and ensure energy security. Meanwhile, Indian Railways carried over 61 crore passengers during May this year, compared to around 59 crore passengers in the corresponding period last year. The growth was primarily driven by the Non-Suburban segment, which recorded a 7.4 per cent increase, with passenger numbers rising from 28 crore to 30 crore.

Renowned singer Suman Kalyanpur passed away at her residence in Mumbai yesterday. She was 89. The veteran singer was known for her work in Hindi, Marathi and several other Indian languages during the golden era of film music from the 1950s to the 1970s. Born on 28th January 1937 in Dhaka, Bangladesh, her voice closely resembled that of Lata Mangeshkar, leading many listeners to mistake her songs for Lata’s. She made her Hindi film debut in the mid-1950s and went on to record hundreds of songs with legendary composers and singers, especially Mohammed Rafi. Some of her most famous songs include “Aajkal Tere Mere Pyaar Ke Charche”, “Na Na Karke Pyaar” and “Tumne Pukara Aur Hum Chale Aaye”. She also made a significant contribution to Marathi music. Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar, and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari have expressed grief over the passing of Suman Kalyanpur, highlighting her contribution to the field of music in their social media posts.