NEW DELHI: The Centre on Tuesday clarified that the Sanchar Saathi App could be deleted by the user from their mobile phones, adding that the government’s job was only to “introduce this app to everyone”. The clarification came after a massive political row erupted over the government’s dictum to makers to pre-install the app in mobile handsets.The opposition had flagged serious privacy concerns over the move, likening it to “Pegasus” and calling it a “snooping app.”“If you don’t want Sanchar Sathi, you can delete it. It is optional… It is our duty to introduce this app to everyone. Keeping it in their devices or not, is upto the user” ANI quoted Union minister for communications Jyotiraditya Scindia saying.A day before, the department of telecommunications (DoT) pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on devices sold in India, calling it a move towards “strengthening cybersecurity and curbing IMEI misuse.”The move drew strong reactions from the opposition leaders with Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi calling it a “dictatorship” move.“It is a snooping app. It’s ridiculous. Citizens have the right to privacy. Everyone must have the right to privacy to send messages to family, friends, without the government looking at everything… They are turning this country into a dictatorship in every form,” she said.Meanwhile, Shashi Tharoor had said that “these apps can be useful provided they are voluntary.”“I have not studied the issue in full detail, but common sense tells me that these apps can be useful provided they are voluntary. Everybody who needs them should be able to download them. Making anything compulsory in a democracy is troubling. But I need to look a little more into what the logic is of the government. In fact, the government should explain all this to the public instead of just passing an order that the media reports. I think we need to have a discussion where the government explains what their thinking is,” he said.Sanchar Saathi App is a “citizen centric initiative of DoT to empower mobile subscribers, strengthen their security and increase awareness about citizen centric initiatives.”

A routine street food stop in Auraiya, Uttar Pradesh, turned into a terrifying ordeal when a woman’s jaw dislocated while eating a golgappa. What began as a simple craving for the popular Indian snack quickly escalated into a serious medical emergency. The sudden dislocation left her mouth stuck open, causing intense pain and discomfort. Family members rushed her to a nearby clinic, but doctors struggled to manage the severity of the situation and soon referred her to a higher medical facility for specialised care. The entire incident was captured on video and has since gone viral, sparking shock and concern among pani-puri lovers nationwide. Experts are now urging caution when consuming large portions of street food.

UP woman’s golgappa bite turns painful jaw dislocation into medical emergency

Inkila Devi, a resident of Auraiya, was visiting a local clinic accompanied by a family member when the pair decided to stop at a roadside golgappa stall. The plan was simple—quench their thirst and enjoy a few crispy, tangy golgappas before returning home. While her companion finished their serving without any trouble, Inkila’s attempt to bite into a particularly large golgappa triggered an unexpected medical crisis.As soon as she tried to take a bite, her jaw suddenly dislocated. The lower jawbone slipped out of its normal position, leaving her mouth stuck open. The sudden onset of pain and discomfort left Inkila in shock, and her family rushed her back to the clinic immediately.

Sudden jaw dislocation forces immediate referral to higher medical facility

Doctors at the local clinic acted swiftly to provide first aid. However, they soon realised that the jaw dislocation was severe and could not be resolved with simple measures. The unusual severity of the dislocation made it impossible to close her mouth fully, leaving the medical team momentarily helpless. Due to the complexity of the case, Inkila was referred to a higher medical facility for specialised treatment.Her family members confirmed that Inkila had never experienced such an incident before. Medical experts emphasised that jaw dislocations, though relatively rare, can occur suddenly and are extremely painful. Such cases often require prompt intervention to prevent long-term complications.

Understanding jaw dislocation

A dislocated jaw, medically known as a mandibular dislocation, occurs when the lower jawbone, or mandible, is forced out of its normal position at the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This joint connects the jaw to the skull and allows smooth movement for talking, chewing, and yawning. When the jaw becomes dislocated, the mouth cannot close properly, resulting in severe pain, difficulty speaking, and problems with swallowing.Jaw dislocations can happen due to trauma, excessive mouth opening, or sudden force, such as biting into a large food item. Immediate medical attention is crucial. In most cases, doctors will carefully manipulate the jaw back into its proper position, sometimes using sedation to minimise pain. Severe cases may require imaging studies or specialised surgical care to ensure proper realignment.

Dangers of oversized snacks

While golgappas are among India’s most cherished street foods, this incident serves as a cautionary tale for snack lovers. Experts recommend enjoying golgappas in moderation and avoiding excessively large portions that could strain the jaw. Mindful eating, chewing slowly, and taking smaller bites can prevent similar accidents and allow people to enjoy their favourite treats safely.Street foods are a source of joy and social bonding, but they also require a degree of care. Awareness of potential risks, especially for those with underlying jaw conditions or previous dislocations, is essential.Also Read | Powerful food combinations that improve heart, bone, and brain health from morning meals to evening dinners

MUMBAI: A Kuwait-Hyderabad Indigo flight was diverted to Mumbai Airport following a bomb threat, officials said.The flight made an emergency landing at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport at 7:45 am.Authorities are investigating the threat, and further details regarding the cause and outcome of the incident are awaited.The airline has not yet released an official statement.Travelers are advised to check for updates from Indigo and airport authorities.Earlier, a bomb threat email had been received on IndiGo’s grievance portal on November 12, which triggered a high alert at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) before authorities declared it a hoax. The message had mentioned several airports—including those in Delhi, Chennai, and Goa—prompting precautionary checks across all three locations, officials said. Threats had also been reported at airports in Mumbai and Hyderabad.According to Delhi Police, the email had been flagged around 4 pm, leading to a coordinated response by security agencies, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), and the Delhi Fire Service.“A call was received at 4 pm regarding a bomb being found at Delhi Airport Terminal 3. However, after investigating the scene, it was ruled a hoax,” a fire department official confirmed.IndiGo’s internal system first detected the message. “The email was received on IndiGo’s grievance portal. It mentioned several other airports, including Delhi, Chennai, and Goa. Following the information, precautionary checks have been conducted at all locations,” Delhi Police said in a statement.(With agency inputs)

LUDHIANA: A 32-year-old businessman who was caught in a shootout between gangsters invited to a wedding in Ludhiana on Sunday night died trying to shield his wife and their three-year-old son. Vasu Chopra’s pyre was lit by the toddler Monday as the victim’s mother broke down: “ Mainu apne naal leja ,Vasu (Vasu, take me along with you).” The toddler was heard asking relatives to let him talk to his father on phone as he “hadn’t seen him since last night”.

Around 30 rounds were fired at the wedding, attended by VIPs, including politicians and at least one MLA. Ludhiana police commissioner Swapan Sharma said it “wasn’t a gang war”, but a “fight between local boys for supremacy”. The prime accused are wanted in several cases, including attempted murder.Ludhiana police commissioner Swapan Sharma said it “wasn’t a gang war”, but a “fight between local boys for supremacy”. The prime accused are both criminals, wanted for several cases, including attempted murder.But the criminal record of the prime accused — Shubham Arora alias Mota and Ankur — make it clear they are no amateurs. Shubham faces as many as 18 FIRs, including for attempted murder. His rivalsAnkur, Rubal and Jasvir Singh Jassa have a shorter crime history but they too face cases of attempted murder. Now, it’s double murder.Vasu fell victim to the senseless shootout at his friend’s wedding. The groom’s aunt, Neeru Chhabran, was also killed, shot in the face. Both of them died on the spot.Vasu’s family said he, his wife and son were eating dinner when the criminals started firing. Vasu picked up his son, grabbed his wife’s hand and started running into thewedding hall, keeping them both shielded by his body. A bullet hit him on the left of the stomach, killing him on the spot. Ankur was arrested on Monday, along with four people who allegedly harboured him. One of them is a woman. Three private security guards at the wedding venue have also been arrested for “allowing armed people to enter”.Of the 18 accused, six of whom are identified, only two are in custody — Ankur and Jatindar Kumar Dawar, whose licensed pistol was allegedlyused in the shootout. Shubham is on the run.Vasu’s brother-in-law Parul Malhotra, a local Congress functionary, said, “Those criminals were firing gunshots brazenly, without any fear, and people were running for their lives.” He said he counted at least 30 spent bullet shells at the wedding venue.“My sister lost her husband. They have two little kids. Vasu lost his father a year ago and he was the sole earning member.”

NEW DELHI: Vice President C P Radhakrishnan’s first day as chairman of Rajya Sabha was marked by a warm welcome by treasury benches led by PM Narendra Modi and clashes between them and opposition as the latter raised the issue of ex-VP Jagdeep Dhankhar.PM praised Radhakrishnan’s contributions and said his rise from an ordinary background to the office of vice president reflects the true strength of democracy. The PM assured him that the Upper House will always uphold the dignity of the “esteemed institution and will remain ever mindful of maintaining your dignity as well”.Welcoming the new chairman, PM Modi recalled his past association with Radhakrishnan and said that he has always set himself apart by rising above the constraints of protocol. “In public life, there is a special strength in living beyond protocol, and we have always seen that strength in you.”But a clash between BJP and Congress members erupted as leader of opposition in RS Mallikarjun Kharge recalled the sudden resignation of former VP Jagdeep Dhankhar. Kharge said any democracy in which opposition is not allowed to criticise freely govt policies will degenerate into tyranny.Kharge assured the chairman of Congress’ support, but urged him to treat opposition and treasury equally. “Fair and impartial conduct of proceedings, providing just opportunity to members of each party, is essential for credibility of this office,” he said.He referred to Dhankhar, who had resigned from the post of VP on July 21 over “health” issues. “I am constrained to refer to your predecessor’s completely unexpected and sudden exit from the office of the chairman, RS. The chairman, being custodian of the entire House, belongs as much to opposition as to govt. I was disheartened that the House did not get an opportunity to bid him a farewell. Regardless, wish him, on behalf of the entire opposition, a very healthy life,” he said.Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju slammed Kharge: “I just want to remind the House that you have forgotten the language you used to insult him… The removal motion you served, a copy of which we still have…just think how much you have tarnished the dignity of the chair. My appeal is, please do not refer to anything which is not necessary on this solemn occasion.”Leader of the House in RS J P Nadda also criticised Kharge. Nadda said Radhakrishnan’s public life was unblemished. He ended his speech by quoting former President S Radhakrishnan: “We should behave like responsible members in Parliament and not as professional agitators.”Earlier, members appealed to the chairman to ensure that opposition gets a voice in Parliament. “This is the only forum where opposition can put its point across,” said Congress MP Rajiv Shukla. CPI MP Santosh Kumar P, AGP MP B P Baishya & nominated member Sudha Murthy appealed to him to give requisite time to smaller parties, northeastern states and nominated members, respectively, during debates.

CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday sharply criticised the State Election Commission’s decision to postpone the upcoming municipal council elections in multiple civic bodies across Maharashtra as “arbitrary, legally indefensible and deeply unfair to hundreds of candidates who had completed their campaigning and preparations”. He said govt would submit a detailed representation to the commission, asking it to reconsider the decision.Speaking to reporters in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Fadnavis said the State Election Commission (SEC) “misinterpreted the law” when deciding to postpone the polls. He cautioned that allowing such decisions to stand could establish a dangerous precedent in which elections might be repeatedly stalled through litigation.“Cancelling these elections is extremely wrong. If this approach is taken, everyone will go to court every time, and then the election will be postponed. This has never happened before,” he said.Fadnavis said the SEC had not clarified which law or legal interpretation it relied upon while suspending the election process. “I have no idea which law the Election Commission is citing or whose advice the Election Commission is taking. But based on the law I have seen, the extent of my legal study, and having spoken to many lawyers… the consensus is that elections cannot be postponed in this manner just because one person went to court,” he said.He cited the example of the Nilanga Municipal Council, where “the entire process was complete” before a rejected candidate challenged his exclusion. “If we take the example of Nilanga, Sambhaji Patil Nilangekar spoke to me yesterday (Sunday). In Nilanga, the entire process was complete. Someone whose form was rejected went to court. The court rejected his form. Why was it accepted?” he asked. “Postponing the election here just because someone filed a petition is extremely wrong,” he added.Fadnavis described the decision as an “injustice” to candidates and local voters, arguing that last-minute postponement inflicted significant losses on those who had invested time, resources and effort. “My opinion is that legally, the Election Commission postponing the elections is completely wrong. What an injustice this is to those candidates who honestly completed all the formalities. You postponed the elections today, which were supposed to take place tomorrow. Their (candidates’) efforts and hard work are all wasted,” he said.He also criticised the extension of the campaign period, calling it an unnecessary burden. “Now, having to campaign again for 15-20 days, I feel this is extremely wrong,” he said, stressing that state govt would raise the issue formally. “Certainly, the election will take place, but we will definitely give a representation to the Election Commission regarding this, stating that postponing elections in this manner would be wrong.“Denying allegations of govt interference, Fadnavis clarified that the urban development department had no role in the SEC decision. “The urban development department has no connection to this. The connection here is solely with the Election Commission. The Election Commission is fully autonomous,” he said, adding that several collectors had also expressed concerns during a video conference held before the postponement order was issued.Though he acknowledged the SEC’s constitutional autonomy, Fadnavis maintained strong disagreement with its outcome. “They have the right to make decisions. But my opinion is that this decision is wrong,” he said.

SRINAGAR: CBI announced on Monday the arrest of a suspect wanted for 35 years for his alleged role in the 1989 abduction of former home minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s daughter Dr Rubaiya Sayeed by the banned JKLF, whose jailed chief Yasin Malik is standing trial in the case.The central agency, which took over the case in 1990, identified the arrested man as “absconder” Shafat Ahmed Shangloo. He had a Rs 10 lakh bounty on his head.“Shangloo conspired with Yasin Malik and others in committing the crime. He will be produced in the TADA court, Jammu, at the stipulated time per law,” CBI said.Rubaiya, who was 23 at the time, identified Yasin as one of her captors during a court hearing on July 15, 2022. Another witness backed her testimony in Feb 2023 when Yasin appeared at that hearing through video-conferencing from Tihar Jail, where he is serving a life sentence in a terror funding case.Rubaiya, the third of Mufti Sayeed’s daughters and sister of PDP president and ex-J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti, was a medical intern when JKLF terrorists abducted her on Dec 8, 1989, from near her home in J&K’s Nowgam. She was returning by bus from Lal Ded Memorial Hospital.The terrorists demanded the release of five of their jailed associates in return for Rubaiya’s release. After six days of negotiations, Union govt freed the terrorists despite then J&K CM Farooq Abdullah being opposed to it. Rubaiya, who now lives in Tamil Nadu, was freed hours later.Mufti Sayeed, India’s first Muslim home minister, was part the VP Singh-led Janata Dal govt.“Even if they had taken my daughter hostage, I would not have released a single terrorist,” Farooq publicly said in 2015.On Sept 19 this year, Mehbooba wrote to home minister Amit Shah, urging him to view separatist Yasin’s case through a humanitarian lens. She said his decision to “renounce violence and embrace political engagement and non-violent dissent” required courage that should not be overlooked.“I write to you not merely as a witness but as someone who has lived through the turbulent times of J&K, bearing its grief, enduring its silences, and holding on to its fragile hopes,” Mehbooba wrote.Just over a week ago, a second “key eyewitness” identified Yasin in a Jammu court as the “main shooter” in the 1990 terrorist attack in which four unarmed IAF personnel waiting for a staff bus in Srinagar were killed and 22 others wounded.The unnamed witness’s testimony came 22 months after a retired IAF colleague of the victims first identified the JKLF chief as the main armed assailant.

NEW DELHI: India started their Junior Women’s Hockey World Cup campaign with a one-sided result, running over Namibia 13-0 in their first game on Monday.Hina Bano and Kanika Siwach scored a hat-trick each, as India registered their biggest win in the event’s history. Along with Hina’s goals (35′, 35′, 45′) and Kanika’s strikes (12′, 30′, 45′), Sakshi Rana (10′, 23′) scored twice. Binima Dhan (14′), Sonam (14′), Sakshi Shukla (27′), Ishika (36′) and Manisha (60′) also scored for India. The result placed India at the top of the group standings. India scored four goals in four minutes to take early control. Sakshi began the scoring with a reverse flick. Kanika made it 2-0 with a strong finish. Binima added the third after a direct run, and Sonam scored the fourth following a sequence of passes, giving India a 4-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. India continued to press with Sakshi getting her second goal after a run that ended with a firm strike. Namibia tried to push forward for an opening but was stopped repeatedly by India’s midfield. India scored again through Sakshi, who converted a penalty-corner dragflick. Kanika added her second goal just before half-time to make it 7-0. India kept control in the second half. Hina scored her first goal of the tournament with a hit into the top corner. She added another soon after, taking advantage of a loose restart from Namibia. Ishika scored the tenth goal after a rebound from a penalty corner. Another penalty-corner deflection came to Hina, and she completed her hat-trick. Kanika then scored her third from a penalty corner, taking India’s lead to 12-0 at the end of the third quarter. India made some changes in the final quarter but continued to create chances. Manisha scored from a penalty corner to complete a 13-0 win in India’s first match of the tournament.

“In another decade, we’re going to have another “North and South Korea at night” photo.”With that one line on X, economist Noah Smith dropped an image into everyone’s mind: A future satellite shot where a border glows in the dark, one side blazing with light, the other visibly behind. His post has been widely shared and quoted in Indian and Pakistani timelines.Strip away the drama and the tweet is really about one thing: compounding GDP growth. The original Korea-at-night image became famous because it compresses decades of economic divergence into a single frame. Smith is hinting that, on current trends, we may see something similar for India and Pakistan – even if the story won’t be as extreme as the two Koreas.

India vs Pakistan: GDP paths that are pulling apart

On paper, India and Pakistan still share plenty: A long border, dense populations, a common colonial history, and deep cultural overlaps. But the GDP numbers show they are now moving on very different economic trajectories.In 2024, India’s economy was about $3.9 trillion in nominal terms, compared with roughly $370-410 billion for Pakistan – a gap of around 10:1. India’s GDP per capita was about $2,700, versus roughly $1,500-1,700 in Pakistan.India’s economy grew at its fastest clip in six quarters in the July-September period, expanding 8.2% from a year earlier and easily beating market forecasts of about 7.3%. The reading was also stronger than the 7.8% growth recorded in the previous quarter, even as Washington slapped new US tariffs of up to 50% on a range of Indian exports. India’s economy is now on track to clock about 7% of growth for the current fiscal year.

Pakistan, by contrast, managed growth of roughly 2.38% in 2024 after a contraction in 2023.Those differences might look small in a single year, but over time they compound. If India sustains growth in the 6-7% range while Pakistan stays closer to 2-3%, the absolute GDP gap widens dramatically. That is already visible: recent estimates put India’s economy at more than ten times Pakistan’s size, and some Indian states now have output similar to, or larger than, Pakistan’s entire GDP.The quality of that growth story matters too. India has built a broad-based mix of services (IT, finance, telecom), manufacturing and a large domestic market. The World Bank notes that India has stayed the fastest-growing major economy despite a tough global environment, backed by reforms and strong services activity.Pakistan, meanwhile, has lurched through repeated balance-of-payments crises and IMF programmes. An IMF-cited analysis recently highlighted how “elite capture” and corruption are effectively taxing growth.If India keeps outgrowing Pakistan at anything like the recent pace, Smith’s imagined “before and after” shot of the subcontinent in 2035 will show a much brighter India, with more continuous belts of light along expressways and industrial corridors – and a Pakistan that has grown, but not nearly as fast.