PM Modi to be conferred with Maldives' highest honour

A spiritual discourse explores the path to achieving mental calmness and purpose in a fast-paced modern society. Addressing issues of stress, modern lifestyle pressures, and isolation, the discussion highlights the importance of daily introspection, silence, and mindful living. The speaker recounts experiences from years spent in the Himalayas, learning endurance, silence, and non-reaction from saints and nature. The conversation touches upon the intrusive impact of excessive mobile phone usage and social media, advising individuals to disconnect from digital screens in the early mornings and late nights to connect with their inner self. Further, the discourse examines rising mental restlessness, especially among younger generations, noting that genuine happiness stems not from external material acquisitions or achievements, but from contentment, empathy, and service to others. Emphasising holistic Indian traditions, collective meditation, and balanced living, the dialogue underscores that sustainable peace arises when people learn to reflect rather than react to daily conflicts and chaos.

The Tamil Nadu cabinet has approved conducting a caste and social status survey across the state by February or March 2027, following the completion of the central government's population census. A commission headed by a retired High Court judge will be formed to carry out the enumeration process. Additionally, the state government decided to file a review petition in the Supreme Court against its ruling that upheld the quashing of the 2024 government order granting Backward Class reservation benefits to converts from Hinduism to Islam. The cabinet also approved industrial projects for eight companies to begin operations in the state.

The Bharatiya Janata Party in Punjab has approached the Governor demanding the early imposition of the Model Code of Conduct and early assembly elections, citing a breakdown in the state's law and order. The party highlighted recent murders, shootouts, and multiple drug hauls across the state. The demand also follows the denial of police permission for an annual anti-drug marathon in Abohar on grounds of law and order. The event, organized systematically over the past eight years with thousands of registered participants, was scheduled to feature multiple race categories to raise awareness against narcotics.

A political disagreement has surfaced within the Congress party regarding the Special Intensive Revision voter list exercise in Karnataka. A state cabinet minister endorsed the drive, stating that deceased, relocated, and duplicate voter entries were legitimately removed and suggested that similar procedures be implemented in other states. Conversely, the central leadership of the party challenged the Election Commission of India, alleging manipulation of voter rolls and claiming that legitimate voters were disenfranchised in Karnataka. Party colleagues expressed differing views, with other state ministers supporting the central high command's stance and maintaining that the deletion process remained flawed. The leadership called for halting the voter revision drive and sought the removal of the Chief Election Commissioner, claiming evidence of electoral malpractice involving improper voter additions and deletions in constituencies. The ruling party in the state faces political criticism over contradictory internal views on the electoral verification process and voter list revisions.