Connect Gujarat Desk

Dhurandhar collected USD 3.20 million (Rs. 29 crore) approx in its opening weekend internationally, with a strong box office trend.

The Indian Junior Women’s Hockey Team defeated Wales 3-1 in their FIH Junior Women’s World Cup 9/16 position qualifier match in Santiago, Chile.

In a major relief for home guard personnel, the Gujarat government has approved a three-year increase in their retirement age.

The Railways announced 89 special trains across all zones to be operated in the next three days starting Saturday to help people facing travel disruptions due to themass flight cancellations by IndiGo.

The U.S. Embassy in Benin issued an emergency security alert late Sunday, ordering American citizens to shelter in place after gunfire, explosions and “unclear” security conditions erupted across Cotonou following an attempted military coup.

Lok Sabha has taken up the discussion on the 150th Anniversary of the National Song Vande Mataram. The national song was written by Bankimchandra Chatterji in 1875. Initiating the discussion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the mantra of Vande Mataram gave power and inspiration to the entire country and energised the freedom movement. He said, remembering the sacred Vande Mataram, today is a great privilege for all members of this House and the countrymen. Mr Modi said that 150 years of Vande Mataram is an opportunity to re-establish that great chapter and the glory. He added that the national song Vande Mataram brought the country independence in 1947. The Prime Minister said, Vande Mataram is the force that drives the people to achieve the dreams of the freedom fighters envisioned. Prime Minister Modi said that when Vande Mataram celebrated its 100th anniversary, the country was shaken by the emergency. He added that when the national song should have been celebrated with great fervour, the Constitution of India was strangled, and those who lived and died for patriotism were imprisoned behind bars. Prime Minister Modi said, Vande Mataram is not just a mantra for political freedom, but it was a sacred war cry to rid Bharat Mata of the shackles of colonialism. He said, Vande Mataram rekindled an idea deeply rooted in India for thousands of years. The Prime Minister said, Vande Matram was written at a time of uprising in 1857 against the British government for unleashing various forms of oppression. He said through the national song, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay responded to this challenge with great strength and resolve. Prime Minister Modi said, Vande Mataram is the modern expression of this great cultural tradition. He said the deep connection of Vande Mataram with the people reflects the journey of the country’s freedom movement. Mr Modi added that Vande Mataram gave strength and direction to the freedom movement. The Prime Minister highlighted that the politics of the Muslim League opposing Vande Mataram took place in 1937. He criticised Congress for compromising on Vande Mataram. He alleged that Congress bowed to the Muslim League on the national song. The Prime Minister said, Mohammed Ali Jinnah raised slogans against it, and the then Congress chief Jawaharlal Nehru, instead of condemning Jinnah, he started investigating Vande Mataram just five days after Jinnah’s opposition. Participating in the debate, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said, several writers and poets from Bengal wrote songs that inspired many during the Independence movement. He alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi tried to give a political colour to the debate during his speech. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said the House is taking up the discussion of Vande Mataram, the National song written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay. He said the national song offered light and hope during difficult times as India fought off colonial oppression.

In Badminton, India is assured of a gold medal at the Guwahati Masters 2025 after Sanskar Saraswat and Mithun Manjunath stormed into the men’s singles final with straight-games victories.

Special PMLA Judge K M Sojitra convicted Sharma under Sections 3 and 4 of the PMLA and ordered the permanent confiscation of properties already attached by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) during the investigation.

The Thai capital, famed for its nightlife, street food scene, and booming hotel industry, continues to be a magnet for travellers from around the globe.

An earthquake of magnitude 4.1 struck Nepal on Sunday morning, National Center for Seismology (NCS) said.