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Indian Express
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
As Monsoon session of Parliament begins, Modi's message to Oppn: ‘our hearts must definitely be in the country's interest'
Reaching out to the Opposition ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Monday that political parties may have differences of opinion, but 'our hearts must definitely be in the interest of the country.' Addressing the media before the beginning of the Monsoon Session, Modi said, 'The Monsoon Session stands as a proud moment for the nation.' 'I will definitely say that political parties are different. Each one has its own agenda, its own role. I accept this reality. Dal hit mein bhale na mile, lekin desh hit main man zaroor mile (We may have differences of opinion in the party's interest, but our hearts must definitely be in the interest of the country),' Modi said in his brief remarks minutes before the beginning of the House. 'With this feeling, many Bills that will strengthen the country's development journey, strengthen the country's progress, and empower the citizens of the country have been proposed in this Monsoon Session. The House will pass them after detailed discussions. I wish all the honourable MPs in conducting a good debate,' he said. The Prime Minister hoped for a productive Monsoon Session of Parliament, filled with enriching discussions that would strengthen democracy, adding that it is a session of national pride and victory. Referring to Operation Sindoor, Modi said the world has witnessed the strength of India's military power. He said during Operation Sindoor, Indian soldiers achieved their objective with 100 per cent success, demolishing the masterminds behind terrorism in their hideouts in just 22 minutes. Modi said that the brutal massacre in Pahalgam shocked the entire world and drew global attention to terrorism and its epicentre. Rising above party lines, representatives from across India united to expose Pakistan's role, he said, appreciating political parties and MPs. Meanwhile, the government has accepted the Opposition's demand for a discussion on Operation Sindoor during the Monsoon Session. The Opposition has demanded a discussion on the Pahalgam terror attack, and a Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar. Stating that over 100 districts have become Naxal-free, Modi said, 'India has endured many violent challenges, be it terrorism or Naxalism, but today, the influence of Naxalism and Maoism is shrinking rapidly…The Constitution prevails over bombs and guns. The red corridors of the past are now transforming into green zones of growth and development.' Harikishan Sharma, Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express' National Bureau, specializes in reporting on governance, policy, and data. He covers the Prime Minister's Office and pivotal central ministries, such as the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Ministry of Cooperation, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Rural Development, and Ministry of Jal Shakti. His work primarily revolves around reporting and policy analysis. In addition to this, he authors a weekly column titled "STATE-ISTICALLY SPEAKING," which is prominently featured on The Indian Express website. In this column, he immerses readers in narratives deeply rooted in socio-economic, political, and electoral data, providing insightful perspectives on these critical aspects of governance and society. ... Read More


Indian Express
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Express News Quiz: Samosa, jalebi and cola
Welcome to The Indian Express' weekly news quiz. You know the drill — there are 10 quiz questions below, woven around major events from India and the world. Your job is to sniff out the answers while being mindful of the timer. Any score above 80 will be commendable. Good luck, and see you on the other side! Before you try our other games, a look at the rich stories that couldn't make it into the quiz this week: Eight babies born with DNA from three people in the UK: Are designer babies a breakthrough or risk? | Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi is set to return: What Tulsi Virani can learn from Smriti Irani | Why a Muslim Filipino group reveres the Ramayana: Interview with Professor Rhodora Magan More from Express Puzzles & Games BEGINNERS | The IE Mini Crossword, made with Indian English MEDIUM | Digital Sudoku with pen, pencil and checking tools EXPERT | Chess strategy puzzle: find best moves, solve trivia Aishwarya Khosla is a journalist currently serving as Deputy Copy Editor at The Indian Express. Her writings examine the interplay of culture, identity, and politics. She began her career at the Hindustan Times, where she covered books, theatre, culture, and the Punjabi diaspora. Her editorial expertise spans the Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Punjab and Online desks. She was the recipient of the The Nehru Fellowship in Politics and Elections, where she studied political campaigns, policy research, political strategy and communications for a year. She pens The Indian Express newsletter, Meanwhile, Back Home. Write to her at or You can follow her on Instagram: @ink_and_ideology, and X: @KhoslaAishwarya. ... Read More


Indian Express
13-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan asks CMs to immediately stop forced sale of nano-fertilisers and biostimulants to farmers
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has asked the state governments to immediately stop the 'forced tagging' of nano-fertilisers or biostimulants along with conventional fertilisers like urea and diammonium phosphate (DAP). In a letter to chief ministers, Chouhan highlighted complaints that retailers are not selling subsidised conventional fertilisers such as urea, DAP, etc. to farmers unless they purchase nano-fertilisers or biostimulants. 'It is illegal to forcibly force farmers to purchase other products by tagging them with conventional fertilizer bags,' Chouhan wrote. Chouhan asked them to immediately stop the forced tagging of the nano-fertilizers and biostimulants with conventional fertilisers. 'Forced tagging of nano-fertilizers or bio-stimulant products along with conventional fertilizers should be stopped immediately. In such cases, legal action should be taken against the culprits as per law,' he wrote. Chouhan also asked the chief ministers to take strict action against the sale of spurious and substandard fertilisers. He said that agriculture is the backbone of India's economy, and to ensure stability in farmers' income, it is essential to provide them with quality fertilisers at the right time, at affordable prices, and of standard quality. He said that the sale of counterfeit or substandard fertilisers is prohibited under the Fertiliser (Control) Order 1985, which falls under the Essential Commodities Act 1955. It is the responsibility of the states to ensure adequate availability of fertilisers at the right places and locations where it is required, he said. Therefore, states must strictly monitor and take swift action against activities such as black marketing, overpricing, and diversion of subsidised fertilisers, he added. He urged the chief ministers to hold regular monitoring of fertiliser production and sale as well as to carry out sampling and testing to ensure strict control over spurious and substandard products. 'Strict legal action, including cancellation of licenses and registration of FIRs, should be taken against the culprits, and effective prosecution must be ensured to secure conviction,' he said. He also urged all states to launch a statewide campaign to eliminate the problem of fake and substandard agricultural inputs from its roots. Chouhan's letter assumes significance amid his recent remarks about nano-fertilisers and biostimulants. During the Kharif 2025 conference, Chouhan flagged concerns about the inefficiency of nano urea. At a recent conference, he also questioned the usefulness of biostimulants. Harikishan Sharma, Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express' National Bureau, specializes in reporting on governance, policy, and data. He covers the Prime Minister's Office and pivotal central ministries, such as the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Ministry of Cooperation, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Rural Development, and Ministry of Jal Shakti. His work primarily revolves around reporting and policy analysis. In addition to this, he authors a weekly column titled "STATE-ISTICALLY SPEAKING," which is prominently featured on The Indian Express website. In this column, he immerses readers in narratives deeply rooted in socio-economic, political, and electoral data, providing insightful perspectives on these critical aspects of governance and society. ... Read More


Mint
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Sanjeev Kumar: Failed relationships, Hema Malini, and the lonely death of an actor's actor
For an entire generation, Sanjeev Kumar's acting was almost a mystery. While he may not have been as famous as some of his contemporaries like Rajesh Khanna and Dilip Kumar, Kumar had a loyal fan base for his penchant for playing older roles. Born on 9 July 1938 as Harihar Jethalal Jariwala, Kumar is remembered for his wide range of roles in movies like Sholay, Aandhi, Namkeen, Koshish and Anamika, among others. But as famous as he was, his life was not without controversy. His multiple relationships, love story with Hema Malini and struggle with alcohol near the end of life drew many eyeballs. According to a report by The Indian Express' Screen, Kumar never shied away from his popularity among women and numbered his girlfriends. 'Whenever he was seeing a girl, he'd share it with me. We had numbered his girlfriends 1, 2, 3… He'd call up and say, Number 3 called me up today and number 9 reacted in this manner,' the report quoted actor Anju Mahendroo saying in an earlier interview. Kumar had relationships with several big actresses, including Hema Malini, Shabana Azmi, Saira Banu, and Sulakshana Pandit. According to the book An Actor's Actor, Kumar wanted to marry Malini. However, this could not go forward due to cultural differences, as Kumar wanted Malini to stop working after the marriage. Some years later, in the late 1970s, Sulakshana Pandit proposed that Kumar marry her, but he refused. Pandit spent her life unmarried and heartbroken. Later, his marriage to Azmi also couldn't go through as his mother disapproved of an interfaith alliance. For Kumar, reports suggest, his failed love life remained one of the biggest pain points. Later in his life, he drowned himself in food and alcohol. He underwent a bypass surgery following a massive heart attack and tried to cut down on alcohol. However, another heart attack in 1985 took him away from his fans at the age of 47. Despite his short life, Kumar's contribution to Hindi cinema remains unparalleled and unmatched.


Indian Express
08-07-2025
- Indian Express
Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2025: When and where to watch launch of Galaxy Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7
Samsung is all set to launch its latest line-up of foldables at the Galaxy Unpacked event that is scheduled to take place in New York, US, on July 9 tomorrow. The South Korean electronics giant will be unveiling the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Z Flip 7. Rumours and leaks suggest that Samsung has made major design changes to both the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Z Flip 7. The Z Fold 7 is likely to have a form factor of just 8.9 mm or 4.2 mm when unfolded, which would make it the thinnest foldable ever made by Samsung. It is also expected to have a larger cover display as well as a 200-megapixel camera. Meanwhile, the Z Flip 7 might feature an all-screen cover display. The clamshell-style foldable could be powered by the Exynos 2500 processor as opposed to the the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, as per reports. It is also rumoured that Samsung might announce a third new foldable smartphone at a more affordable price than the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7. While Samsung is holding an in-person event in New York, the launch will also be livestreamed on the smartphone maker's official YouTube Channel. You can tune into the live stream tomorrow (July 9) at 7:30pm IST, which is when the event is expected to kick off. You can also catch all the latest announcements and updates in real-time by following along with The Indian Express' live blog. Alongside unveiling its latest foldables, Samsung is further expected to debut the new Galaxy Watch 8. The smart watch is likely to sport a rotating bezel and 'Classic' moniker. In terms of the design, it could bear resemblance to the Galaxy Watch Ultra from the front. As for the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra, we will have to wait for the official announcement at the event to know more about the upgrades or new colourways coming to the device.