Prayagraj man feted by the British monarch
Sameer Sah from Prayagraj has been honoured with the Humanitarian Medal by King Charles III at a Buckingham Palace ceremony for his exceptional service in humanitarian emergencies and human welfare in the face of crisis. Sameer is the first Indian to have received the honour for providing medical aid in war-torn Gaza – leading the first WHO emergency medical team convoy into the West Bank in December 2023. Hailing from Nainital and educated at St Joseph's College in Prayagraj, Sameer is an Overseas Citizen of India. Currently living in Colchester, England, Sameer has over 30 years of experience in the human development sector.
Party's interest above all, says Mayawati
The BSP supremo is out to justify re-induction of expelled party members saying such decisions are entirely motivated by the interests of the party. Apparently, in a veiled reference to the repeated expulsions and readmission of her nephew Akash Anand, BSP chief Mayawati said there are no qualms if people, who have worked for the party, rejoin its ranks after leaving once. 'When few party members start weakening the party, or become undisciplined and lack sincerity, it becomes necessary to expel them in the interest of the party. But, after they realise their mistakes, they are taken back into party fold,' Mayawati wrote in a series of posts on X.
The rare achievement of a murder convict
Jubilations inside a prison are rare scenes. One such occasion presented itself in Pratapgarh district jail as a murder convict scored 71.6%, highest among all the 105 inmates who took the Class 12 UP Board exams across various prisons in the state. The results of Class 10 and 12 board exams were announced recently. One of the convicts, Amethi-born Pintu alias Omprakash Gupta, 35, passed the intermediate exam with 71.6% marks while serving life imprisonment for murder. Lodged in Pratapgarh jail since June 2021, Pintu used to study at night as he worked in the jail canteen. He procured his subject books from the prison library and often took help of jail teachers.
Namita Bajpai
Our correspondent in Uttar Pradesh
namita.bajpai@newindianexpress.com
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
40 minutes ago
- The Hindu
PM to visit Cyprus, Croatia during his trip to Canada
NEW DELHI Reiterating India's traditional foreign policy goals, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Cyprus and Croatia, official sources said in New Delhi on Monday (June 9, 2025). Mr. Modi will visit Cyprus on his way to Canada to participate in the G-7 summit (June 15-17), and on the way back, he will pay a visit to Croatia, which will be the first-ever Prime Minister-level visit from the Indian side since the formation of Croatia in 1991 after the dissolution of former Yugoslavia. Both visits are being described as important from a political as well as a commercial point of view. Sources in New Delhi hinted that the Cyprus visit will serve as a message to Türkiye, which had supplied weapons to Pakistan, which it used during Operation Sindoor in May. It will also act as a timely revival of top-level contacts as Cyprus is set to take over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2026. Cyprus had condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22 and indicated that it would raise the issue of cross-border terrorism from Pakistan at the EU-level discussions. Cyprus has been consistent in its support of India on the Kashmir issue and cross-border terrorism from Pakistan. That apart, the Mediterranean country, which has a territorial dispute with Ankara regarding the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, has also supported India in its campaign for a permanent seat at the U.N. Security Council, the Nuclear Suppliers Group, and the International Atomic Energy Agency. In a reciprocal gesture, India has supported the resolution of the Cypriot territorial dispute as per UNSC resolutions, international law, and the EU acquis, the collective EU body on laws and regulations. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had visited Cyprus in 1982, while Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee visited the island nation in 2002. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited Nicosia in December 2022, while President Ram Nath Kovind visited in 2018. Officials said Mr. Modi is expected to meet President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides. Mr. Modi's visit to Croatia is also being described as a tribute to the strong tradition of Indology that exists in the country. The University of Zagreb has been a seat of serious study of Indology, and Croatia is noted for the presence of ISKCON (International Society of Krishna Consciousness). In recent years, these cultural contacts were supplemented by growing defence and technological relationships. Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić-Radman participated in the Raisina Dialogue in March 2023, when he signed a memorandum of understanding on defence cooperation with Mr. Jaishankar. Sources said the Croatia visit has additional diplomatic importance as it indicates India's continued commitment to partners of the non-alignment, as the erstwhile Yugoslavia's founding father, Josip Broz Tito, was a Croatian as well. Officials in New Delhi indicated that both Cyprus and Croatia have acquired growing significance in recent years after the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) was launched during the G-20 summit in New Delhi in 2023. Croatia and Cyprus are being viewed here as 'potential participants' and investors in the IMEC-related projects. Croatia, with its extensive maritime facilities and ports on the Adriatic Sea, is attractive for India's commitment to the IMEC, sources said, setting the context of Mr. Modi's upcoming visit.
India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel inaugurates Shri Swaminarayan Gurukul, commences academic session in Dabhoi
Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], June 9 (ANI): Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the newly constructed Swaminarayan Gurukul in Dabhoi, Vadodara district, and formally commenced the academic session. The event was graced by the presence of saints, spiritual leaders, and distinguished dignitaries, according to the release. He said that 'In the Indian education system along with knowledge, values are also essential.' He further explained that in the ancient Gurukul tradition, princes received education and initiation from revered sages. Lord Rama was educated by sages Vashishta and Vishwamitra, while Lord Shri Krishna acquired knowledge from Rishi Sandipani. This very Gurukul tradition is now being revitalised through modern methods, thereby honouring and preserving our ancient heritage. The Chief Minister stated that institutions like these are, in contemporary times, blending the Gurukul tradition with modern advancements to offer students not only academic knowledge but also value-based and culturally grounded training essential for holistic development. The establishment of a modern hostel alongside a technologically equipped school campus marks the beginning of a new era in education. He expressed firm belief that this Gurukul by the Swaminarayan institution will nurture a generation poised for a bright future founded on patriotism, values, and spirituality. He mentioned that under the New Education Policy, which advances the legacy of ancient universities like Nalanda and Takshashila, the Prime Minister has established sector-specific universities. For the first time, an education system rooted in Indian tradition and based on the mother tongue has been implemented. Under the Prime Minister's guidance, the state government is bringing quality improvements in schools through the Gunotsav campaign. CM Patel emphasised that special attention has been given to the education of girls through initiatives such as Kanya Kelavani and Shala Praveshotsav. Chief Minister stated that through the Namo Lakshmi and Namo Saraswati Yojana, students are being encouraged to opt for science streams. 'Within just one year, there has been a 27 percent increase in the number of students enrolling in the science stream. Through Mission School of Excellence and Vidya Samiksha Kendra, both standards and quality of education have progressed,' he said. The Prime Minister has resolved to establish India not just as a developing nation but as Viksit Bharat by 2047. Chief Minister urged that to realize this resolution, we must all contribute to shaping an 'Amrit Generation' that is educated, value-oriented, and determined. The CM mentioned that institutions like Shri Swaminarayan Gurukul play a vital role in supporting environmental initiatives led by the Prime Minister, including Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, Catch the Rain, and No Usage of Single Use Plastic. Congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi and all the brave soldiers of the Indian Army who displayed exceptional valour in protecting Bharat Mata for the unforgettable success of Operation Sindoor, the Chief Minister said that this operation has given a new direction to India's fight against terrorism. The Prime Minister has set such an example of national defence that it will inspire future generations to serve the nation. MLA Shailesh Mehta stated that, considering the cultural ethos of Darbhavati Nagari, the establishment of a Gurukul imparting value-based education had become a vital necessity. Under the leadership of the institution's directors--K P Swami, Nautam Swami, and Bapu Swami--this Gurukul has not merely been inaugurated today, but has marked the beginning of a new chapter in shaping the future of Darbhavati Nagari. 'The Chief Minister has shown special affection for Darbhavati by providing unique grants and developmental schemes, and therefore, I proudly say today that the Chief Minister's contribution to Darbhavati's development is invaluable. I express my heartfelt gratitude to him for that,' Mehta said. Jitubhai Vaghani, MLA Bhavnagar, stated that generally, when any educational institution is managed by commercial entities, it often operates with a profit-oriented approach. However, when such institutions are managed by saints, they are guided by a spirit of service and are enriched with cultural and moral values -- a truth that society has experienced firsthand. Swaminarayan Gurukul is not just an educational institution; it is an abode of values. Such institutions, equipped with modern technology and rooted in values, contribute not only to teaching but also to showing students how to live. The real success of a Gurukul is when students feel drawn to attend, to study, and are shaped with Indianness, ethics, and patriotism alongside their education, the release said. Nautam Swami presented an outline of Swaminarayan Gurukul's activities. (ANI)
India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
Indian Army to get Rs 30,000 crore QRSAM air defence missile system boost
ANI 09 Jun 2025, 20:47 GMT+10 By Ajit Dubey New Delhi [India], June 9 (ANI): At a time when Indian air defence systems successfully thwarted the Pakistani aircraft, missile and drones attacks under Operation Sindoor, the Indian Army is all set to get Rs 30,000 crore boost with a new surface-to-air missile system expected to be cleared for acquisition by the Defence Ministry soon. The Defence Ministry is scheduled to take up the proposal for buying three regiments of the indigenous Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile system (WRSAM) for the Army Air Defence for deployment along both western and northern borders, defence officials told ANI here The missile systems, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation, are highly mobile as they have the capability to search and track targets on the move and fire at short halts, they said. With a range of around 30 km, the system would be complementing the existing systems in the forces like the MRSAM and Akash in short to medium ranges. The missile system performance has been extensively evaluated under both day and night operational scenarios during the trials. The meeting of Defence Acquisition Council is planned to be held around the fourth week of June. During the four-day conflict with Pakistan, which used Chinese weaponry, the Indian Army's Air Defence units destroyed majority of the drones using L-70 and Zu-23 air defence guns while the Akash and MRSAM played a crucial role along with the Indian Air Force's Spydwr and Sudarshan S-400 air defence systems. The Army Air Defence is also getting a number of new radars, very short range air defence systems along with jammers and laser-based systems to deal with drones of Turkish and Chinese origin. (ANI)
