Punjab, Jalandhar: The flood-affected states of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh have received the second tranche of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) from the federal government. For the fiscal year 2025–2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs has authorized ₹240 crore for Punjab and ₹198 crore for Himachal Pradesh.

To speed up relief and rescue efforts in the flood-affected areas, this sum has been made available. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has been directed by the Centre to promptly transfer this sum to the state governments’ bank accounts so that it can be utilized promptly.

The ministry claims that this action was necessary to guarantee that the continuing relief and restoration efforts in the flood-affected areas would not be interrupted. Over the past few days, floods and constant rain have impacted life in both Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.

In order to provide relief to the impacted families as quickly as possible, the central government has promised that additional aid will be given to the states as required. The floods have destroyed almost 4 lakh acres of land in Punjab. Furthermore, the only method to reach some villages in Punjab is by boat because they are totally isolated from the rest of the province.

“After he became the PM, one big change was visible in political communication. He changed the way the PM communicated with the people from online to offline. And there was no need for intermediaries…he reached out directly to the masses and he spoke to all sections of society,” said a senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Union minister, requesting anonymity.

One significant shift in political communication was seen after he was became prime minister. He switched the PM’s online and offline communication methods with the public. Additionally, middlemen weren’t necessary. A senior member of the Bharatiya Janata Party and a Union minister, who asked to remain anonymous, said, “He spoke to all segments of society and reached out directly to the masses.”

Politics

After 2014, changes were swiftly made within the party itself. The cadres were given important responsibilities, such as helping to carry out the government’s major campaigns, like the Swachh Bharat Mission, and making sure that all welfare programs were covered, which would later become the NDA’s defining feature under Modi.

“There was a clear directive that party workers had to pull their weight. Even in states where the BJP was considered an outsider, the workers were asked to show up and work to expand the party’s base and that’s how the BJP had grown to be the world’s largest party…” said a second party functionary.

Party chief JP Nadda credited the PM for the BJP’s expansion. Speaking at a party function on Sunday in Andhra Pradesh he said, “The Modi-led NDA is responsible and responsive. We are the largest political party in the world with 14 crore (140 million) members… NDA governments in 20 states, BJP governments in 13 states…We have 240 MPs (Lok Sabha). We have around 1,500 MLAs. We have more than 170 MLCs.”

He said 11 years under Modi’s leadership have seen the politics of performance and accountability.

Party leaders say it was Modi’s personal capital that saw the National Democratic Alliance regroup after allies such as the Telugu Desam Party, the Janata Dal (United), the AIADMK, Shiromani Akali Dal, and the Shiv Sena exited the coalition. Only the SAD is not part of the NDA now. He also ensured that the party’s ideological issues from the construction of a Ram Temple in Ayodhya to the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and now a demographic mission to examine the changes in population were addressed.

Elections

The template set by the PM for the expansion of the party and ensuring the empowerment of the marginalised through government schemes have helped the BJP conquer new frontiers. He was instrumental in reviving the party’s social engineering formula of building a coalition of diverse castes – a consolidation of the Hindu vote – even as he said that for him the four biggest castes were the poor, the youth, women, and farmers (an emphasis on welfare).

For the first time, the party formed governments in states such as Assam and, thanks to smart alliances, in Jammu & Kashmir and Andhra Pradesh. “His focus on people-centric schemes and the stress on empowering these four castes saw the emergence of a new constituency for the BJP” said the second leader quoted above.

Party leaders also attribute this to the PM’s push for “decolonising the Indian state”.

Former Rajya Sabha MP and party ideologue Rakesh Sinha said that Modi ” unapologetically” freed India from colonial legacies and hangovers. “His leadership is a unique combination of ideas of developments and cultural unfoldment. We can confidently say that he redefined the idea of India,” Sinha said.

Since 2014, the BJP formed alliance governments in four states, apart from winning three consecutive Lok Sabha polls. During Modi’s tenure, the party has made an unprecedented push into the Northeast and won power in seven states for the first time. “He’s made multiple visits to the Northeast states, more than any PM. He has ensured funds for development are not just figures on paper but translate into infrastructure on the ground,” said the second functionary.

Economy

Modi’s stewardship saw India transition from being a part of the fragile five to the world’s fourth-largest economy (and soon to be the third). His focus on people-centric policies, introspection, and enhancing productivity, his colleagues said, were at the core of initiatives such as the expansion of the digital economy and financial inclusion, allowing small vendors financial empowerment through digital initiatives or collateral free loans for women and young entrepreneurs.

“The PM follows a different philosophy and work ethic. He says when you draft a policy, put yourself in the place of the poorest of the poor and then roll it out. He has always said there is a need to eliminate the layers, increase efficiency and connect with the people,” said Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.

The minister said the PM’s grasp over subjects coupled with his patient listening skills and ability to sift through make him a “chalti phirti pathshaala” (a school on wheels).

The ability to take tough decisions is another aspect that the PM is credited for. The first functionary quoted above said, with an ear to the ground, the PM pushed for reform to the tax regime (direct and indirect), merge the railways budget with the annual budget, create the Niti Aayog, push for Make in India, invest in infrastructure, especially roads, railways and airports, and ease the life of the middle class .

This is demonstrated in the implementation of the goods and services tax in 2017, the total volume of digital payments was 222 billion in 2024-25, the number of unicorns crossing 100, a significant dip in extreme poverty, and bringing inflation under control.

Foreign affairs

From inviting Saarc leaders for his first oath-taking ceremony to announcing that terror attacks on Indian soil would be considered an act of war, the PM’s foreign policy doctrine has an unmistakable ideological imprint. Tethered to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s tenet of “nation first”, the PM reset the terms of engagement. “There was a misconception that being non aligned means India should not speak out…the PM on the other hand has been firm that India’s interests are paramount and the government will do what it takes to secure our interests. Through vaccine maitri (sharing critical Covid vaccines with other countries) he showed India’s compassion and through Operation Sindoor, he sent out the message that there will be consequences for attacking our sovereign state,” said the third functionary quoted above.

From leveraging the country’s soft power through Yoga and cultural initiatives to offering aid during crises, the country’s foreign policy saw several shifts. More recently, India reset ties with China, and is driving a hard bargain on key trade agreements including one with the United States. “He asks questions, he offers suggestions and he monitors the situation…whether it was during evacuation from Yemen, Afghanistan or Ukraine, he was determined that no Indian should be left in harm’s way,” said the third functionary.

His engagement with the diaspora also stands out. Officials aware of the details said although PMs always met Indian expats during the visits abroad, this is the first time that grand receptions are held for the PM on his official visits.

“Modi is the first leader from the developing world who made his legitimate and decisive place in world politics,” Sinha said.

Welfare

Welfare and ease of living have always ranked high on the PM’s agenda. Former Himachal Pradesh chief minister Jairam Thakur said after becoming PM, Modi had an explicit instruction to expedite the construction of the Atal Tunnel.

“As the state in charge of HP he was aware of the difficulties that people in the region faced in the absence of a proper motorable road. He was instrumental in getting the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to announce the project, but after the UPA came to power, it was delayed. We had a series of meetings on how to fast track the construction that reduces the distance between Manali and Keylong by several hours,” said Thakur.

The tunnel’s completion was over when the global pandemic Covid wreaked havoc and government functionaries wanted the inauguration to be put off, which in turn would delay the opening of the tunnel and continue to hamper safe passage for people.

“I told him if the inauguration was not done by November 14 when the mountain pass is closed for the winter, it would be delayed for another five months. The PM understood the sensitivity of the situation and despite the restrictions imposed for Covid, agreed to inaugurate the tunnel (on October 3, 2020)…” Thakur said.

Party leaders point out that the time spent by Modi as an RSS pracharak, which took him across the country, has given him a ringside view of the problems faced by ordinary people. “When he spoke about the need for clean fuel, it was because he had seen his mother struggle in the kitchen. Similarly, having seen the poor struggle for health care, education, and earning opportunities fuelled his pro-people policies and welfare schemes,” said an RSS functionary.

In his tenure, the government distributed free gas cylinders under the Ujjwala Yojana, opened 550.2 million bank accounts under the Jan Dhan Yojana, created over 36 crore beneficiaries under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, and built over 91.50 lakh houses under the PM Awas scheme.

His ministers have spoken of how Modi has created an entire class of labharathis (beneficiaries)

Defence

From increasing foreign direct investment from 26% to 49% in the defence sector to giving indigenous production a fillip, the PM’s tenure has seen the defence budget grow, the acquisition of state-of-the-art defence systems such as the Rafale fighter jets from France in addition to induction of the country’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant.

“While he’s stressing on Atmanirbarta in all sectors including defence. He is a leader who has taken the initiative of addressing their demands from ensuring the roll out of One Rank, One Pension to spending time with the soldiers, a tradition he started in 2014, when he celebrated Diwali with soldiers in Siachen,” said the third leader.

At the Siachen Base Camp at a height of over 12,000 feet, the PM praised the valour and courage of the soldiers and said that all Indians could celebrate Diwali and go about their lives in comfort because of the jawans who stood guard at the borders, prepared to make every sacrifice for the nation.

He also steered the government’s rollout of the Agnipath scheme and led from the front the recent Operation Sindoor against terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.

The PM often alludes to his non- dynastic political journey, his upbringing in a poor family and his drive to serve the nation.

In the wake of the US imposing high tariffs on India and the cloud over bilateral ties, the PM announced that the welfare of farmers, those who rear livestock and fisherfolk were the top priority of his government and he was prepared to bear any cost to protect their interests.

“I am aware that at a personal level I will have to pay a heavy price, but I am prepared for it. India is ready for its farmers, fishermen and cattle-rearers. We have been consistently working towards increasing the income of farmers, reducing the expenditure on farming and creating new sources of income,” Modi said in August while speaking at the MS Swaminathan Centenary International Conference.

Wider Effects and Reaction:
Yatra suspension: Because of the severe weather, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board had already halted the pilgrimage on the Himkoti route in the morning and completely halted the Yatra on the ancient route at 1:30 pm. The pilgrimage has been halted till further notice due to the landslip.

Damage and Widespread Flooding: The landslip is a component of a broader regional catastrophe. For several days, Jammu and Kashmir has been hammered by heavy, unrelenting rain, which has caused flash floods and a dramatic rise in the water levels of important rivers, including the Tawi, Chenab, and Jhelum.

Interrupted Communication:

Railways: Due to track damage brought on by flash floods, at least 18 to 22 trains have been cancelled, and others have been short-terminated.

Roads: Landslides and bridge collapses have blocked or damaged important national highways, including the Jammu-Srinagar and Jammu-Pathankot highways.

Communication: Due to damaged optical fibre networks, telecom services, including internet and mobile, have been significantly hampered or are “almost nonexistent” in several areas of the region.

Large-scale rescue and relief efforts are being carried out by the Indian Army, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and local government. In addition to setting up community kitchens and aid camps, they are evacuating thousands of people from areas affected by flooding.

Official Statements: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have offered their sympathies and promised to help those in need as much as possible.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19LziM1NHm/

Heavy Rainfall: The Sutlej, Beas, and Ghaggar rivers are swelling as a result of Himachal Pradesh’s heavy and ongoing precipitation.

Widespread Effect: Punjab is seriously at risk of flooding due to the rising river levels. The Beas River is in a torrential spate, according to other recent reports from the area, and the water level of the Ghaggar River has been rising, causing advisories for neighbouring settlements.

Historical Context: Punjab suffered greatly during the 1988 floods, which brought home how dire the current situation is. The parallels to that catastrophe highlight how urgent the situation is and how much damage may be done.

The US publishes a notification.

The United States has formally released a public notice imposing an additional 25 per cent tariff on imports from India, with the new charges slated to take effect at 12:01 am (EST) on August 27. The notice, issued by the Department of Homeland Security through US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), said the tariffs implement President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14329, signed August 6.

The order authorised US agencies to respond to “threats to the United States by the Government of the Russian Federation”, with India being targeted for increased duties as part of that policy.

The tariffs will apply to a broad variety of Indian products indicated in the annexe to the notification. The tariffs will apply to any goods that arrive for use or are taken out of warehouses after the deadline.

TRUMP TARGETS MOSCOW’S TRADING PARTNERS

US President Donald Trump also signalled that he could impose additional tariffs on countries trading with Russia or impose additional sanctions on Moscow if a deal fails to materialise.

India’s horrified reaction to the Trump tariff

In August this year, Trump levied an extra 25 per cent duty, boosting the overall levy to 50 per cent on goods coming from India, as a penalty for New Delhi’s continuous purchase of Russian oil.

Indian authorities have denounced the so-called secondary tariffs as “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable”, while expressing hope that progress in peace talks could reduce the need for the extra taxes.

He warned of “very big consequences” in the coming weeks if no progress is made.

So far, the US has avoided imposing similar measures on other major purchasers of Russian oil, including China.

India called the US decision to raise overall tariffs to 50% “extremely unfortunate” and reaffirmed that it will take all necessary steps to protect its national interest.

On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that his government will find a solution despite Washington’s economic pressure.

“We will continue to build up our strength to withstand any pressure that may be applied. At a public speech in Ahmedabad, PM Modi stated, “Today, Gujarat is providing a lot of energy to the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, and this is the result of two decades of hard effort.

At least 15 people, including journalists, are killed when Israel strikes a hospital in Gaza.
According to Palestinian health officials, Israeli strikes on Gaza’s Nasser Hospital on Monday killed at least 15 Palestinians, including three journalists, one of whom was employed by Reuters.
One of the journalists killed in the strikes, according to the government, was cameraman Hussam al-Masri, a Reuters contractor. According to the officials, Reuters contractor and photographer Hatem Khaled suffered injuries.

Regarding the strikes, neither the Israeli military nor the Prime Minister’s Office immediately provided a statement.

He has been charged with exploiting public funds to fly to England in September 2023 to attend his wife Prof. Maithree’s convocation ceremony.

Wickremesinghe allegedly travelled to the UK on state funding to attend his wife’s private engagement while on his way back from an official engagement in the US.

His employees had already been questioned by the CID on the trip costs.

Wickremesinghe was credited with guiding Sri Lanka out of the 2022 economic crisis. He had succeeded Gotabaya Rajapaksa as president and would hold the office for the remainder of his tenure until the end of 2024. From July 2022 to September 2024, he served as president.

The seasoned politician also held six terms as prime minister of Sri Lanka.

Even while the West works to end the crisis, the US has been pressuring New Delhi to lessen its need for Russian supplies since it sees it as tacit support for Moscow during the fight in Ukraine.

Russian oil is now again appealing due to discounts.

Discounts on Russia’s flagship Urals oil have increased to almost $3 per barrel, according to officials familiar with the situation, which has rekindled interest from Indian refiners, according to Reuters. Competition for the cheaper barrels has increased as a result of China’s increased purchasing.

According to Reuters, which cites sources with knowledge of the situation, the IOC has also reserved several Russian categories, such as Varandey and Siberian Light, in addition to Urals.

India’s rudimentary purchasing strategy is driven by discounts.

Indian refiners usually don’t comment on where they source their oil, according to Reuters. IOC recently informed analysts that it would maintain purchasing Russian oil “depending on economics”, implying that alluring discounts will sustain the flow of purchases.

Amid peace discussions in Ukraine, oil prices remain stable.

However, as investors await the next stage of negotiations to terminate Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, oil prices are trading little altered Wednesday.

At 0405 GMT, Brent crude futures were up 11 cents at $65.90 a barrel. The price of U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude for September delivery, which expires on Wednesday, increased by 5 cents to $62.40 per barrel. The October contract, which was more active, was up 13 cents at $61.90 per barrel.

Moscow has not confirmed its involvement, despite Trump’s attempts to mediate negotiations between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Analysts warn that there is still little chance of a speedy conclusion.

The allocation letters for the twelve taxi stands have been given to the allottees by MLA Kulwant Singh.

He said that in order for the remaining 12 allottees to receive their allocation letters, they must shortly fulfil the prerequisites.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann received gratitude from the cab drivers for the allocation.

Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, August 19, 2025

Today, at an event in Sector 79, MLA Kulwant Singh issued allotment letters to 12 applicants from the Mohali Taxi Union. These individuals had been waiting for the allotments for many years. Speaking at the event, MLA Kulwant Singh said that the applicants’ long-standing request had at last been fulfilled. He said that 24 taxi stands in total needed to be assigned. Three of the remaining twelve allottees have had their paperwork taken for verification, even though twelve applicants received their letters today. Soon after they finish their paperwork and meet other requirements, the remaining nine will get their allotment letters. In order to ensure that the remaining candidates receive their allotment letters promptly, he congratulated the allottees and encouraged them to finish their documentation and other criteria as soon as possible. He went on to say that this project will guarantee that city dwellers have no trouble hiring taxis, in addition to boosting government revenue. MLA Kulwant Singh also emphasised how the Punjab administration prioritises public needs and development. He listed a number of projects in Mohali, including the dedication of around 250 booths for a new motor market, the installation of CCTV cameras, and the building of roundabouts to improve traffic flow. He also discussed the Aam Aadmi Party government’s plans, which include lowering household power costs by up to 600 units, establishing public health clinics in Mohalla, and launching a health insurance program that will cover up to Rs. 10 lakh per family.

He urged the taxi union’s officials to serve the public with excellence and the drivers to operate honestly while abiding by the rules. He gave them his word that he would always be accessible to meet the needs and concerns of the people of Mohali. This time, the Taxi Union urged that only taxis with yellow licence plates be permitted to function as taxi services and that private, unlicensed taxis be prohibited from operating in the city. Commissioner Parvinderpal Singh of the Municipal Corporation, Chief Engineer Naresh Kumar Batta, Chairman Paramjit Singh, Secretary Jang Singh, Treasurer Kuldeep Singh Baidwan, Vice President Manish Kumar, Parveen Rana, Tarlochan Singh Baidwan, Mohali Motor Market and Vyapar Mandal President Kuldeep Singh Samana, and other dignitaries were present at the event.

Reddy was the first Lokayukta of Goa and a former Supreme Court of India judge.

“It was unanimously resolved by all of the Indian bloc parties to field a single candidate. The fact that all opposition parties have settled on a single name makes me delighted. Following the announcement, Kharge remarked, “It is a huge victory for democracy.”

Kharge and other opposition leaders have also been contacted by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to solicit their support for a consensus decision.

The discussions take place in the context of the September 9 election, which was required following Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation from the position last month due to health concerns. Nominations must be submitted by August 21.

Margaret Alva, the opposition’s nominee the previous time, was defeated by Dhankhar.