NEW DELHI: Are the senior and junior Pawars on the same side again? For the upcoming civic polls, the answer is yes. The Ajit Pawar-led NCP has announced that it will contest the Pimpri-Chinchwad and Pune local body elections together with the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction).Announcing the tie-up, Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar said the alliance is restricted to the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) elections, stressing that it is a local arrangement.“For the sake of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation elections, the ‘clock’ and the ‘tutari’ (trumpet) have united. The parivar has come together,” deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar said while announcing the alliance.“We are the ones who work for development. We will edge out those who tried to put this municipal corporation in debt,” he added.Claiming the upcoming polls to be the “fight of the workers”, NCP(SP) MLA Rohit Pawar said that the decision was taken listening to the views of party workers.“After speaking with all the party workers, Supriya Sule herself also interacted with the workers from Pune. Subsequently, discussions were held with workers from Pimpri-Chinchwad. This is a fight of the workers and their election. Therefore, after listening to their views and understanding their concerns, it was decided that both NCP factions will contest the polls together in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. However, both parties will contest on their respective symbols.” NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar said.“This decision has been taken only for Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, and that too after listening to the local workers and with their consent. Pawar Saheb is not involved in this entire decision-making process. Such senior leaders have never directly participated in municipal corporation elections. He only said that the views of those who fought for us should be heard and understood, and that decisions should be taken in accordance with what the workers decide. Therefore, this alliance has been formed in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad,” he added.Cracks in MVA?Meanwhile, the announcement also brought ripples in the Mahaviakas Aghadi Dal alliance partners seeking answers from Sharad Pawar.“This issue is limited to Pimpri-Chinchwad. As far as I think, they will not be in an alliance in Pune. Sharad Pawar needs to answer this, as he has always opposed the BJP, but now they are going with them. Pawar Saheb and Amit Shah need to respond to this,” Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said during a media briefing.Earlier, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Shirsat also hinted that there is a possibility of NCP (SP) joining the BJP-led NDA government.“Both the NCPs are coming together by forming an alliance for the upcoming municipal corporation elections,” he said, adding that such local-level adjustments could be a precursor to a broader political understanding.How the feud beganThis comes two years after Ajit Pawar, along with a group of senior leaders, parted ways with his uncle Sharad Pawar and joined hands with BJP and Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena in Maharashtra. He had raised objection over Sharad Pawar continuing to lead the party, despite old age.Ajit was sworn in as deputy chief minister under this new alliance. He favoured aligning with the ruling coalition, while Sharad Pawar’s faction insisted on remaining with the opposition.The Election Commission later recognised Ajit’s faction as the legitimate NCP, retaining the ‘clock’ symbol. Meanwhile, Sharad Pawar’s faction (NCP-SP) adopted the ‘tutari’ (curved trumpet) symbol.Both factions contested elections separately. After the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where his faction faced setbacks, Ajit Pawar acknowledged that turning his back on family had been a “mistake”.What the split led toAjit had justified his decision by saying that he joined hands with NDA to “ensure stability and progress in Maharashtra.”“We are in alliance with the BJP and Shiv Sena, and many people ask me why I took the step of separating from the (undivided) NCP and why I accepted the strain on family and personal relationships. I want to tell you that I did this not for power or position, but to ensure stability and progress in Maharashtra.”“In other parties, leaders retire after an age. In the BJP, leaders retire at 75, when are you going to stop? You should also give new people a chance. If we make mistakes, tell us. Your age is 83, will you ever stop or not? You give us blessings,” he added.In the Maharashtra assembly elections in 2024, Ajit Pawar’s NCP upped its score from a mere six Assembly segment leads in the Lok Sabha results to a tally of 41 MLAs, in the process beating the senior Pawar’s nominees in 27 head-to-head clashes; the latter won seven of those contests.The 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections saw the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance win 235 seats, including 132 for the BJP, 57 for the Shiv Sena, and 41 for the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction). The Maha Vikas Aghadi was reduced to 20 seats for Shiv Sena (UBT), 16 for the Congress, and 10 for the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction).

NEW DELHI: Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav on Monday welcomed the Supreme Court‘s direction to stay its order on the “new definition” of the Aravalli range that was widely criticised across the spectrum.The minister said the government was “committed to extending all assistance sought from MOEFCC (Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change) in the protection and restoration of the Aravalli range”.“I welcome the Supreme Court directions introducing a stay on its order concerning the Aravalli range, and the formation of a new committee to study issues. We stand committed to extending all assistance sought from MOEFCC in the protection and restoration of the Aravalli range. As things stand, a complete ban on mining stays with regards to new mining leases or renewal of old mining leases,” the minister wrote on X.The minister’s comments come days after he held a press conference amid outrage over the “new definition” of the Aravali hills, where he said no new mining leases would be permitted in core, protected and ecologically sensitive areas, including the NCR.Speaking on the Supreme Court’s acceptance of the “new definition” of Aravalli, the minister had said: “The ruling recognises and endorses the Government of India’s sustained efforts to protect the Aravalli range through scientific assessment, strict safeguards and initiatives such as the Aravalli Green Wall Project.”The controversy erupted after the Supreme Court, in November, agreed with a proposal by the central government on how the Aravalli hills should be officially identified. The court said that only those hills that rise at least 100 metres above the surrounding land, or groups of such hills located close to each other, will be considered part of the Aravalli range for regulatory purposes.In the ruling, the Supreme Court had accepted a “standard definition” proposed by the central government to identify what qualifies as the Aravalli Hills. While the move was intended to bring clarity to long-standing disputes, the definition’s limited ecological lens raised fresh concerns about environmental protection and sustainable development.

NEW DELHI: The Indian National Congress on Monday welcomed the Supreme Court’s directive regarding the redefinition of the Aravalli Hills and demanded the resignation of union environment minister Bhupendra Yadav.Congress leader Jairam Ramesh in a post on X wrote, “In light of this decision, the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change should resign immediately. This ruling dismisses all the arguments they were making in favor of changing the definition.”

This comes after the Supreme Court put on hold its earlier decision of November 20, which had accepted the Central Environment Ministry’s definition of the Aravalli Hills and the Aravalli Range. The November order had effectively exposed large parts of the Aravalli region to potential regulated mining and other commercial activities, raising concerns about ecological degradation and loss of natural barriers against desertification.Reacting to the top court’s order, Ramesh further wrote, “The Indian National Congress welcomes the directives issued by the Supreme Court on the Modi government’s attempts to alter the definition of the Aravalli.” The Congress leader also stated that the matter requires further study, highlighting that the proposed changes have already faced opposition from the Forest Survey of India and the Supreme Court’s Central Empowered Committee. He added that the top court’s order has sparked ‘a ray of hope’. “A more detailed study of this issue will now be conducted. It is essential to remember that the opposition to this new definition had also come from the Forest Survey of India itself, the Supreme Court’s Central Empowered Committee, and the court’s amicus curiae. For now, this has certainly provided some temporary relief, but the struggle against the Modi government’s conspiracies to open up the Aravalli for mining, real estate, and other activities must be continued relentlessly and with greater strength. Today, the Supreme Court’s directives have sparked a ray of hope, ” Ramesh added. The apex body’s order emphasized that the matter requires a more detailed and comprehensive study. The court observed that earlier expert reports and its own observations had been “misconstrued” in some quarters and directed that a new high-powered committee of domain experts be constituted to conduct a thorough “multi-temporal examination” of the Aravalli Hills and Ranges. This committee will assess the structural and ecological integrity of the hill range, which serves as the only natural barrier preventing the Thar Desert from advancing into the fertile Gangetic plains.The Supreme Court has also issued notices to the Centre and the four states through which the Aravalli range passes Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana and Delhi seeking their responses in the suo motu case titled In Re: Definition of Aravalli Hills and Ranges and Ancillary Issues.Environmentalists have highlighted that over 1,200 mining leases are currently active in Aravalli districts across Rajasthan, underlining the importance of an independent and detailed review to protect water security, air quality and the overall ecological balance in the region.

NEW DELHI: The Indian Navy’s stitched sailing vessel INSV Kaundinya will embark on her maiden overseas voyage on Monday, sailing from Porbandar in Gujarat to Muscat in Oman. The journey will symbolically retrace ancient maritime routes that once connected India with West Asia and the wider Indian Ocean world, testing traditional shipbuilding techniques that predate modern navigation by more than a millennium.The voyage marks a rare operational deployment of a vessel built entirely using ancient stitched-plank technology, with no engine, no metal fastenings and no modern propulsion systems. The ship will rely solely on wind and sails, recreating the conditions under which Indian mariners once undertook long-distance oceanic voyages.

A ship built without engines or metal

INSV Kaundinya is a non-combat sailing vessel constructed using a shipbuilding technique believed to date back to at least the 5th century CE. Unlike modern naval platforms, the wooden planks of the vessel are stitched together using coir rope made from coconut fibre and sealed with natural resins, cotton and oils to ensure seaworthiness.

This stitched construction allows flexibility in the hull, enabling the ship to absorb wave energy rather than resist it rigidly. Such flexibility was crucial for ancient sailors navigating rough seas across the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and beyond.

Inspired by ancient Indian sources

The vessel’s design draws inspiration from depictions of ships found in the Ajanta cave paintings, descriptions in ancient Indian texts and accounts left by foreign travellers. With no surviving blueprints, the Indian Navy reconstructed the design through visual interpretation and scientific validation.Hydrodynamic testing and stability studies were conducted with the support of academic institutions, including IIT Madras, to ensure the vessel could safely undertake open ocean voyages despite its ancient design.

Dimensions and crew

INSV Kaundinya measures approximately 19.6 metres in length and 6.5 metres in width, with a draft of around 3.33 metres. The ship is powered entirely by sails and is crewed by about 15 sailors trained to operate the vessel under traditional sailing conditions.

The construction follows the Tankai method, an indigenous Indian shipbuilding practice in which the hull is stitched first and ribs are added later, avoiding the use of metal entirely.

A collaborative revival project

The project was initiated in July 2023 under a tripartite memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Culture, the Indian Navy and Hodi Innovations, with funding provided by the Ministry of Culture. Traditional artisans from Kerala, led by master shipwright Babu Sankaran, stitched the vessel entirely by hand.The ship was launched in February 2025 and formally inducted into the Indian Navy in May at Karwar in Karnataka, marking a milestone in the revival of indigenous maritime knowledge systems.

Cultural symbols on board

INSV Kaundinya carries several motifs associated with India’s maritime and civilisational heritage. These include the Gandabherunda, the two-headed eagle of the Kadamba dynasty, sun motifs on the sails, a Simha Yali mythical lion figure on the bow, and a Harappan-style stone anchor placed on the deck.Each symbol reflects different periods of India’s seafaring past and its long-standing engagement with overseas trade and cultural exchange.

Named after a legendary mariner

The vessel is named after Kaundinya, a first-century Indian mariner referenced in Southeast Asian and Chinese records. According to these accounts, Kaundinya sailed to the Mekong Delta, married Queen Soma and helped establish the Kingdom of Funan in present-day Cambodia.The kingdom became one of the earliest Indian-influenced states in Southeast Asia, with later Khmer and Cham dynasties believed to trace their origins to this union. Although Indian records do not mention him, Kaundinya is regarded as the earliest named Indian sailor with a documented global historical impact.

Recreating ancient maritime highways

The Porbandar to Muscat route was once a vital corridor for trade and cultural exchange. Indian merchants and sailors used these sea lanes to transport spices, textiles and ideas across West Asia, Africa and Southeast Asia.By sailing this route again, INSV Kaundinya seeks to demonstrate the sophistication of ancient Indian shipbuilding and navigation while reaffirming India’s long-standing identity as a maritime civilisation.

NEW DELHI: Congress leader TS Singh Deo on Sunday defended Digvijaya Singh‘s remarks on the RSS‘s organisational strength, stating that Singh intended to highlight areas for improvement within the Congress party, not to imitate the RSS.Speaking with ANI, Deo emphasised that organisational strengthening is a continuous process and that the Congress should focus on its own growth.“Digvijaya Singh is much senior to me; I cannot comment on his statement. He will be able to explain it better, but as far as strengthening the organisation is concerned, it is a continuous process…In any organisation, whether it is the BJP, RSS, or any other, everyone’s work is reviewed. The BJP certainly reviews the Congress and other parties… So, Digvijaya Singh’s intention was not to imitate anyone, but he spoke about what we can do to strengthen the organisation...,” said Deo.Singh had sparked controversy by praising the RSS’s organisational strength, citing Narendra Modi‘s rise to power as an example. He later clarified that he rejects the RSS’s ideology but admires its organisational capabilities.Other Congress leaders, like Pawan Khera and Manickam Tagore, criticised Singh’s comments, equating the RSS with hatred and violence.Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Saturday reiterated his remarks that he remains firmly opposed to the ideology of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) but admires their organisational capacity.Singh said, “I’ve been saying this from the beginning: I am opposed to the ideology of the RSS. They neither respect the Constitution nor the country’s laws, and it’s an unregistered organisation. But I admire their organisational capacity because an organisation that isn’t even registered has become so powerful that the Prime Minister says from the Red Fort that it is the world’s largest NGO.”What fanned the rumours of internal differences within the Congress was his comment on the party’s organisational strength.Singh said, “I can say this much that there is room for improvement, and every organisation should always have room for improvement,” he said.His remarks came after he shared a black-and-white photograph from the 1990s on December 27 on the social question-and-answer website Quora, showing a young Narendra Modi seated on the floor near senior BJP leader LK Advat an event in Gujarat.“I found this picture on the Quora site. It is very impressive. In what way did the grassroots swayamsevak of RSS and the worker of Jan Sangh @BJP4India sit on the floor at the feet of leaders and become the Chief Minister of the state and the Prime Minister of the country? This is the power of the organisation. Jai Siya Ram. @INCIndia @INCMP@kharge @RahulGandhi @priyankagandhi @Jairam_Ramesh @narendramodi,” Singh’s X post read.Responding to criticism over his social media post and praise for RSS, Singh said his remarks had been misunderstood. “I support the organisation. I am against the RSS and Modi ji. You have misunderstood. I have praised ‘sangathan’. I was, am, and will remain a staunch opponent of the RSS and Modi. Is it a bad thing to strengthen and praise the organisation?” he said.

NEW DELHI: The ministry of civil aviation on Monday issued a travel advisory after multiple flights were delayed due to a thick layer of smog and fog in northern parts of India.The ministry shared customer support numbers of various airlines and said, “Due to fog conditions across parts of Northern India, flight operations at select airports may be impacted, leading to possible delays.“

“Passengers are advised to stay updated through official airline communication channels, allow additional time for airport arrival and check-in procedures, and plan their travel accordingly,” it added.Airlines closely monitoring situationMeanwhile, various airlines issued travel advisory and urged flyers to check flight status before heading to airports.“Foggy conditions are present across Delhi and several airports in northern India this morning. If reduced visibility conditions persist, flight departures and arrivals may be impacted as the day progresses. We are closely monitoring the situation and are making operational adjustments wherever required to keep journeys moving as smoothly as possible,” IndiGo said.“We recommend checking your latest flight status before leaving for the airport here . As fog may also affect road traffic, keeping a little additional time in hand for your drive may help make your journey more comfortable. Should there be any changes to your flight, timely updates will be shared on your registered contact details and through our digital channels. Our teams remain attentive and ready to assist, and we will continue to keep you informed as conditions evolve. Here’s hoping for clearer skies soon,” it added.Additionally, Air India said that it has “taken proactive steps to minimise disruptions.” Delhi airport operating under CAT III conditionsMeanwhile, Delhi airport said that flight operations are currently being conducted under CAT III conditions due to dense fog, which may which may result in delays and cancellations.“Flight operations are currently being carried out under CAT III conditions due to dense fog, which may lead to delays or cancellations. Our ground teams are on-site and actively assisting passengers to ensure a smooth travel experience,” It said.“For the latest flight updates, please reach out to your respective airlines. We sincerely regret for any inconvenience caused,” it added.AQI hits 402This comes as Delhi woke up to a chilly morning on Monday with air quality deteriorating as the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) touched 402 at 8 am, slipping into the “severe” category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).Also Read| Delhi air pollution: City slips into ‘severe’ category as AQI hits 403; ‘orange alert’ issued for dense fogFor comparison, the city recorded an AQI of 390 at 4 pm on Sunday, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category. According to the CPCB, several areas across the city recorded worse air quality, with AQI levels exceeding 400.Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 455, while Bawana registered 411. Several other locations across the capital also witnessed severe pollution levels. Areas such as Wazirpur (443), Rohini (442), Punjabi Bagh (426), and Patparganj (431) saw further deterioration in air quality, settling in the ‘severe’ category, according to CPCB data.However, some areas of the city had relatively better air quality than others, yet still fell into the ‘very poor’ category. For instance, Dwarka Sector 8 recorded an AQI of 400, falling in the ‘very poor’ category, according to CPCB data. IGI Airport T3 (318), IIT Delhi (358), and Najafgarh (353) also recorded similar results, entering the ‘very poor’ category.Additionally, a dense fog blanketed the city, sharply reducing visibility. Many motorists were seen driving with their headlights on, while the conditions were causing discomfort for residents. In Anand Vihar, thick fog settled amid poor air quality. Similar foggy conditions were also witnessed in several areas, including Dhaula Kuan, Akshardham, Dwarka, and Kartavya Path this morning.

NEW DELHI: Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan will be on a two-day visit to Puducherry, Kerala and Tamil Nadu on December 29 and 30.On December 29, the Vice-President will attend a civic reception, unveil the statue of Mahakavi Bharathiar, and launch a housing project under the Smart City Mission in Puducherry, according to the Vice President’s Secretariat. He will also participate as the Chief Guest at the 30th Convocation of Pondicherry University, Puducherry.Later on the same day, the Vice-President will travel to Kerala and attend the Trivandrum Fest 2025.On December 30, the Vice-President will participate in the 93rd Sivagiri Pilgrimage at Varkala, Kerala. He will also inaugurate the public meeting of the conclusion of the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations of Mar Ivanios College, Thiruvananthapuram.Later the same day, the Vice-President will participate as the Chief Guest at the valedictory ceremony of Kashi-Tamil Sangamam 4.0 in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu. Earlier, Radhakrishnan participated in the birth centenary celebrations of Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Indore, Madhya Pradesh. The event was organised by the Atal Foundation, the vice president’s secretariat said in a press release.Recalling a couplet from the Tamil classic Thirukkural, the Vice-President said that while all human beings are equal by birth, greatness is achieved through one’s actions. The Vice-President said that Atal Bihari Vajpayee was no ordinary individual but a mission in himself, who always remained “Atal” in his commitment to principles and values. He observed that Atal Bihari Vajpayee is remembered and honoured for his exemplary actions as a statesman, administrator, parliamentarian, poet, and above all, as a great human being.