
APCC chief Sharmila slams AP MPs for silence on bifurcation issues, calls them puppets of BJP
Sharmila alleged that MPs, regardless of party, were acting like 'puppets' of the BJP, prioritising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's approval over the State's interests. She alleged that they remained silent on critical unresolved promises, including the special category status for Andhra Pradesh.
She slammed the Union government for not fulfilling its commitments, including granting national project status to Polavaram. She pointed out that the project was now reduced to a water storage scheme, citing the reduction of its height to cut costs by Rs 25,000 crore. She also mentioned lack of progress on the Kadapa Steel Plant and Dugarajapatnam Port.
Targeting the State government's 'Super Six' schemes, she called the free bus travel for women a 'super flop' even before its commencement, citing limited to intra-district travel. She demanded statewide free travel for the women.

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Indian Express
15 minutes ago
- Indian Express
From Vedic roots to modern silhouettes: India's handloom heritage in spotlight
India's handloom heritage was in the spotlight on Wednesday as the Delhi government marked the National Handloom Day with 'Vastra Katha' — a curated fashion show that brought together designers, policymakers, and weavers on one platform. Organised by the Delhi Khadi and Village Industries Board at the The Ashok Hotel, the event highlighted the cultural, economic and environmental significance of the country's handloom sector as the government pledged support for the future of the sector. The evening began with the lighting of a ceremonial lamp by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. She had earlier announced the allocation of Rs 50 crore for handloom and artisan welfare. 'Love for the country can be shown not only by standing at the border and firing a gun, but also by wearing clothes woven with the threads of the country,' she said. 'From Jammu and Kashmir to Tamil Nadu, every state has a fabric that tells its own story. I proudly wear handloom sarees from different states and I want all sisters of Delhi to join me in embracing our culture,' the Chief Minister asserted. Bureaucrats, international dignitaries and renowned fashion designers like Gaurang Shah were in attendance. A 'Rainbow Revolution'— the handloom movement that now colours global couture with its threads — is how Delhi minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa described the event. The opening presentation — 'Khadi: Ek Daivik Vardan' — by students of Satyam Fashion Institute visually evoked the idea of khadi as sacred and timeless, with performers dressed as sages and figures from Vedic lore. What followed was a multi-segment showcase of India's textile diversity. 'Bharat – Vividhta Mein Ekta' featured handlooms from Bihar, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra in a tribute to the freedom movement. The vibrance of Punjab took centre stage in 'Punjab Da Rang, Khushiyan Da Sang', where models walked the ramp in brightly coloured traditional attire. 'Delhi Marches Ahead with Handloom Office Wears' reimagined handloom for modern office wear, emphasising everyday utility. The show also spotlighted regional craftsmanship through Banarasi Shringar, designed by Shivam Arts Exports from Varanasi, which brought wedding wear to the ramp — lehenga set, sarees and sherwanis in rich weaves. 'Opulence Through Threads', by students of Satyam Fashion Institute, celebrated intricate floral threadwork on Khadi wear. The 'Nine Yards Wonder' segment drew attention to sarees from states including West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh. The finale — 'Khadi Handloom Goes International — presented by designer Samant Chauhan showcased global designs reimagined in Khadi. Speaking at the event, Sirsa described handloom as a force that goes beyond aesthetics. 'This is the vision of our Chief Minister, who wants to take the handloom to every home in the country as a fashion icon,' he said. With government action aligning with cultural celebration, Vastra Katha positioned the handloom not just as heritage — but as a vital part of India's future, said organisers.


India.com
15 minutes ago
- India.com
Major Military Buildup? Why Is India Rushing To Buy Rs 67,000 Crore Worth Of War Equipment?
New Delhi: India has taken a major step to sharpen its military edge. The Ministry of Defence has cleared the purchase of weapons and defence systems worth Rs 67,000 crore for the Army, Navy and Air Force. The decision came on August 5, during a meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Senior military leadership attended the meeting. The Chief of Defence Staff, the service chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force, along with the Defence Secretary, were all present. Their agenda was to strengthen combat readiness across land, air and sea. BrahMos for Navy, Combat Drones for All Forces After the successful showcase of the BrahMos missile in Operation Sindoor, the Defence Ministry approved the procurement of additional BrahMos Fire Control Systems and launchers for the Indian Navy. Alongside this, the green signal was given to acquire combat-capable drones for all three services. These unmanned aerial systems fall under the Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) category. The ministry's official statement did not disclose specific models but confirmed that these drones would carry payloads and weapons. Their long-range capabilities are expected to boost India's surveillance and strike power significantly. Backup Plan Amid U.S. Drone Supply Delays India had signed a deal to buy 36 MQ-9B Predator drones from the United States. However, delivery has been delayed. To bridge this gap, the Defence Ministry has approved the purchase of alternate remote-piloted aircraft (RPAs). Meanwhile, Pakistan has already inducted similar drones, such as the Turkish Bayraktar UAVs. Boost to Naval and Aerial Defences The Navy will also receive Compact Autonomous Surface Craft, sea-based drones designed for detecting and neutralising enemy submarines. An upgrade to the Barak-1 Point Defence Missile System has also been cleared. For the Air Force, the ministry has sanctioned mounted radar systems. There is also an upgrade in the pipeline for two major defence platforms, Saksham and SPYDER weapon systems. These upgrades will integrate them into the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), enhancing battlefield coordination. Maintenance and Night Combat Gear The Air Force's C-17 and C-130 transport fleets will undergo essential sustainment and maintenance. Annual upkeep of the S-400 missile systems has also been cleared. On the ground, the Army's mechanised infantry will get a technological boost. Thermal imaging sights for BMP vehicles will soon be part of their night combat toolkit. This fresh round of acquisitions marks a strategic push toward high-tech warfare. The armed forces are preparing for today's threats and tomorrow's challenges.


Time of India
42 minutes ago
- Time of India
Koppal gears up for bandh following youth's murder
Koppal: A large-scale protest is scheduled in the city on Aug 8, condemning the murder of 26-yr-old Gavisiddappa Nayak, reportedly killed for being in love with a Muslim woman. The demonstration aims to be secular and non-partisan in its approach. All Karnataka Valmiki Nayak Mahasabha district committee held a preliminary meeting at Valmiki Bhavan on Wednesday to plan the protest. They decided to ensure large-scale participation from the community across district while maintaining a firm secular stance. Former minister B Sriramulu has been invited to join the protest, who confirmed his attendance during the meeting. He urged supporters to join the event, emphasising its importance in sending a clear message for justice. He promised support until those responsible for the murder face appropriate legal consequences and advocated measures to prevent future incidents of this nature. Several Hindu organisations have expressed solidarity with the Valmiki community's initiative, strongly denouncing the murder and declaring support for a district-wide bandh on Aug 8 (Friday). Meanwhile, progressive group leaders have appealed for calm and warned against actions that could escalate communal tension. Prof Allaprabhu Bettadur emphasised the need for compensation and land allocation to Gavisiddappa's family, citing their lack of land ownership. While advocating a thorough investigation—including the involvement of the young woman—Bettadur recommended avoiding narratives that might disrupt social harmony. SP Ram L Arasiddi said that police detained four individuals connected to the murder, including the primary suspect, Sadik Kolkar. "The other individuals arrested are Gesudaraj Patel, Nizamuddin, and Mehboob Sikkalgar. The investigation is ongoing," he stated. Tangadagi meeting District minister Shivaraj Tangadagi convened a meeting on Wednesday with Koppal MLA K Raghavendra Hitnal to review the situation. He assured justice for Nayak's family and visited them to express condolences. He described the incident tragic and stressed the govt's commitment to taking swift and serious action. The minister noted that key suspects were arrested and pledged full accountability. While addressing calls for protests, he reiterated the need to prioritise support for the grieving family. Tangadagi also stated that the woman allegedly involved would be questioned if required, and assured that there has been no political interference in the investigation thus far. Responding to local concerns over reports of prime accused Sadiq's alleged ganja consumption, Tangadagi directed police to crack down on such drug-related issues in Gangavathi and Koppal. As part of govt relief efforts, Tangadagi provided an initial compensation of Rs 4,12,500 to Gavisiddppa's parents under the SC/ST social welfare provisions. He confirmed that the total relief package would amount to Rs 8,25,000.