Haj Committee likely to invite applications this month
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The circular stated that the Haj application will be made available on the Haj Committee of India's official website (https://www.hajcommittee.gov.in) and the Haj Suvidha App. The invitation for applications is expected only after the announcement of the Haj Policy 2026 by the Union ministry of minority Affairs. The Haj quota will be notified separately in due course, the circular added.
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India Today
21 hours ago
- India Today
Ashoka's 2,281-year-old edict in Bihar still under shared custody after 108 years
More than a century after Emperor Ashoka's Minor Rock Edict on Chandan Sahid Hill in Bihar's Rohtas district was declared a protected monument, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) still does not have full possession of the replies accessed by India Today in March 2023 and August 2025 reveal that, despite being declared protected on December 1, 1917, the 2,281-year-old inscription remains under shared custody between the ASI and local Muslim ASI confirmed in its RTI response: "Ashoka's inscription on the Chandan Sahid Hill, District Rohtas, was declared a protected monumentvide notification no. 1814 E, dated 01.12.1917." Yet, even today, the agency acknowledges that it is only a partial custodian, compelled to share inscription, dating back to 257 BCE in Ashoka's 13th regnal year, consists of eight lines in archaic Brahmi script, though a portion is ASI described it as a priceless record of India's ancient past, noting that it "probably contains a date referring to the death of Buddha; but no convincing interpretation of it has yet been found."Religious appropriation of the site, however, predates official protection. The Bihar and Orissa District Gazetteer, Shahabad (1924) recorded that local Muslims revered the cave as "Chiragdan" or the "Lamp of Saint Chandan Pir", after the dargah on the ASI reiterated in its RTI reply that "the hill where the inscription is found appears to have been appropriated later on by the Mohammedans".In November 2022, after decades of negotiations, the Mazar Committee formally handed over one key of the locked cave to the ASI's Sasaram the arrangement of dual control continues. The 2025 RTI response confirmed: "The keys of the entry gate of CPM 'Ashokan inscription at Chandan Sahid hill' are in the possession of two institutions, one with the ASI, and another with Mr. G.M. Ansari of the Sher Shah Suri Trust, Sasaram."Speaking to India Today, GM Ansari of the Mazar Committee said, "Whenever tourists come, we cooperate and open the gate. But this is also the shrine of Chandan Pir Baba, since the time of Bakhtiyar Khilji. That is why the hill is known as Chandan Pir Hill."He added that while the Committee facilitates entry, "since the time of Bakhtiyar Khilji, the shrine of Rehmatullah Aaleh Chandan Pir Baba has stood here," tying the site to centuries of religious also claimed that day-to-day upkeep largely falls to the Mazar Committee and local administration, alleging that ASI staff "do nothing" on the only we had the key. Later, after pressure, one key was given to the ASI. Now, tourists can see the site through either of us," he said, adding that records show ASI guards were appointed as far back as 1960 but "rarely seen" until after District Tourism Officer Vinay Pratap, however, maintained that responsibility lies with the ASI: "The protection and management of Ashoka's inscription rests with ASI. Two staff are posted here to show the monument to visitors and coordinate with researchers."Preservation also remains in limbo. In 2023, the ASI's Patna Circle and Science Branch found lime plaster damage and planned in its 2025 reply, the Circle admitted: "Damage assessment records are not available with this Circle. The same are maintained separately by the Science Branch."The ASI insists the site is open to the public, but entry depends on the dual-key arrangement, requiring cooperation from both sides. Visitors, researchers, and pilgrims alike remain reliant on whether the ASI or the Mazar Committee unlocks the gate.- Ends
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Punjab, Haryana lead in water-stressed districts under ‘catch the rain' campaign
1 2 Bathinda: Punjab and Haryana lead the table in water-stressed districts in the country where the Union jal shakti ministry has a special focus. The ministry, under its campaign, has stressed the need to benefit from rains by conserving rainwater to increase recharge and, thus, lift the water table. The campaign, 'Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain' (JSA: CTR), was launched in 2021 with the tagline 'Catch the rain – Where it falls, when it falls'. The drive was later scaled up to cover all districts, blocks, and municipalities across the country, but the focus remained on 150 districts, with both Punjab and Haryana at the forefront. Despite this, over 78% of blocks in Punjab are over-exploited, stated Union minister of state for jal shakti Raj Bhushan Choudhary in a written reply in response to a question by MP Indu Bala Goswami in the Rajya Sabha on Monday. The Union ministry, under the National Compilation of Dynamic Ground Water Resources of India - 2024, categorises districts under OCS (over-exploited, critical, and semi-critical) districts and compiled 193 districts from across the country, out of which 20 were from Punjab and 19 from Haryana. Out of 193 districts, 102 were found to be over-exploited, out of which 19 are from Punjab and 16 from Haryana. Out of 22 in the critical category, one each was recorded from Punjab and Haryana, and out of 69 semi-critical, two were recorded from Haryana. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Finger Shape Says a Lot About Your Personality, Read Now Tips and Tricks Undo Under JSA: CTR for 2025, 148 districts were put in focus, out of which 19 are recorded from Punjab and 16 from Haryana. Under JSA: CTR for 2024, 151 districts were put in focus, out of which 10 were recorded from Punjab and 10 from Haryana. Under JSA: CTR for 2023, 150 districts were put in focus, out of which six were recorded from Punjab and five from Haryana. The minister stated that although the JSA: CTR campaign was implemented nationwide, each edition had included a targeted focus since 2023 to maximise impact. The JSA: CTR-2023, with the theme 'Source sustainability for drinking water', prioritised 150 special focus districts identified by the Jal Jeevan Mission. The JSA: CTR-2024 campaign, themed 'Nari shakti se jal shakti', was carried out across the country with a special focus on 151 districts identified by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB). The JSA: CTR-2025 was launched with the theme 'Jal sanchay jan bhagidari: Jan jagrukta ki or', emphasising deeper grassroots engagement, inter-sectoral convergence, and innovative financing mechanisms with a special focus on 148 districts identified by CGWB. He also stated that to address the challenges faced by the states and local bodies in the implementation of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan, particularly in water-stressed regions, the Union govt had adopted a comprehensive, multi-pronged approach. As part of this strategy, central teams consisting of central nodal officers (CNOs) of the rank of additional secretary/joint secretary/director/deputy secretary and technical officers from the organisations of DoWR, RD & GR (CWC, CGWB, NIH, CSMRS, CWPRS) were sent for field visits to the focused districts during the campaign for interaction with district authorities on Jal Shakti Abhiyan and to facilitate the districts and provide technical assistance. Further, state nodal officers are also appointed by all the states/UTs to oversee the implementation of the campaign at the state level. 148 Central nodal officers have been appointed for 148 high-focus districts for the JSA: CTR 2025-2026 campaign. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
NDTV
a day ago
- NDTV
Watch: Ex-Forest Officer Shares Footage Of Tigress Looking After Cubs As They Bathe
A stunning footage showing the maternal instincts of a tigress has gone viral, capturing the internet's attention. The 25-second clip, shared by former Indian Forest Service officer Susanta Nanda, showcases the rare sight where a tigress and her cubs can be seen bathing in a waterhole to escape the heat. The clip shows the mama tiger keeping a close eye on the proceedings as the little cubs enjoy themselves in the water and play with each other. "A mother's eye never rest -- the tigress guards the cub as they play cooling their body in a waterhole," wrote Mr Nanda on X (formerly Twitter). "Tigers are rare among big cats. They love water. It regulates their body temperature, relieves parasites, biting insects and helps them to conserve energy. Nature's Air Conditioners," he added. Watch the viral video here: A mother's eye never rest-the tigress guards the cub as they play cooling their body in a waterhole🩷 Tigers are rare among big love water. It regulates their body temperature,relieves parasites,biting insects & helps them to conserve energy. Natures Air Conditioners. — Susanta Nanda IFS (Retd) (@susantananda3) August 17, 2025 'So many tigers' The video triggered a flood of online reactions, with users expressing amazement at the rare insight into how a tiger family works. "Perfect. Tigers are neater and cleaner compared to Lions, which is home to hundreds of fleas and parasites always flying on their faces," said one user while another added: "Wow it's really great sir to see these tigers in their natural habitat." A third commented: "One tiger. Two tigers. Three tigers. Four tigers! So many tigers." India is currently home to 3,682 tigers, which is roughly 75 per cent of the total world population. On International Tiger Day (Jul 29) Union Cabinet Minister for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav said India has emerged as a global leader in tiger conservation with 58 reserves dedicated to the magnificent creature. He added that tiger conservation was not just about saving the species; the rising numbers also symbolised the health of the forests they inhabit. Mr Yadav also urged the public to pledge to protect our tigers and their ecosystems, which also support livelihood opportunities for local communities. "Let the roars grow louder," he wrote.
