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Asserting that fashion technology has immense potential to enhance India's global footprint, President Droupadi Murmu on Monday urged students to seize this opportunity and maintain a global outlook while being firmly connected to Indian cultural roots. Addressing the combined convocation ceremony of 18 National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) Campuses here, she said that today, the country is expanding its role on the global stage with far greater confidence than ever before. Fashion technology is also a field with immense potential to enhance India's global footprint, the President said while urging graduating students to seize this opportunity. The President said that in this endeavour, students should maintain "a global outlook while remaining firmly connected to their roots and the core values of our culture". By doing so, they will not only become successful professionals but also contribute to the preservation and enrichment of India's cultural heritage. She also said
President Droupadi Murmu has given her assent to the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Act, 2026, and another law to amend the Payment and Settlement Systems Act of 2007. The bills were passed by Parliament on August 10. The Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Act, 2026, and an Act to further amend the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, have received the assent of the President on the August 17, 2026, the Ministry of Law said in a gazette notification. Through the taxation Act, the government seeks to attract more foreign capital, promote domestic electronics manufacturing and make it easier for foreign cloud companies to use Indian data centres by providing "process certainty". The amendment to the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, gives a legal backing to the government to modify the zero-MDR framework on UPI and RuPay card transactions. The government can now decide, via notification, which electronic payment modes or transactions would remain free from MDR ...
President Droupadi Murmu on Friday approved 78 gallantry awards, including 13 posthumous, to defence forces and central armed police forces personnel on the eve of the 80th Independence Day. The awards included nine Kirti Chakras, 19 Shaurya Chakras, five Bar to Sena Medals (Gallantry) and 36 Sena Medals (Gallantry). Kirti Chakra is India's second-highest peacetime gallantry award after Ashoka Chakra. Shaurya Chakra is the third-highest peacetime gallantry award. The Kirti Chakra awardees are Lt Col Manoj Francis of 21 Para (Special Forces) and Major Jitendra Rathee of 2 Para (Special Forces). Seven other Kirti Chakras were conferred posthumously. The armed forces personnel granted the prestigious awards posthumously included Havildar Gajendra Singh of 2 Para (Special Forces); Head Constables Jagbir Singh and Bashir Ahmad; Constables Jaswant Singh, Balvinder Singh and Tariq Hussain; and Inspector Sunil Kumar. The Shaurya Chakra awardees are Major Paramveer from 36 Rashtriya Rifles
President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday condoled the demise of legendary playback singer Asha Bhosle and said it has created a huge void in the world of music. Her legendary career as an iconic singer has defined an era of music in India, Murmu said in an X post. Bhosle, 92, died on Sunday. She was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai on Saturday evening due to chest infection and exhaustion, her granddaughter Zanai Bhosle said. "The passing of Asha Bhosle Ji has created a huge void in the world of music. Her legendary career as an iconic singer has defined an era of music in India," the president said. Murmu said she had fond memories of having interacted with Bhosle personally. "She led her life on her own terms as an artist and as an individual. With her melodious and timeless voice, she enriched Indian music for decades," the president said. "Her music will live forever. Her demise is an irreparable loss to music lovers. I convey my heartfelt condolences to her family and .
President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday said educated and empowered women are the pillars of a progressive nation as she extended greetings on International Women's Day. As 'Nari Shakti' continues to excel across diverse fields and lead with courage, it strengthens the foundations of a more inclusive and prosperous society, she said in a post on X. "On this occasion, let us reaffirm our collective commitment to building a society where every woman has equal opportunities to grow and live with dignity, safety and freedom," Murmu said. Educated and empowered women are the pillars of a progressive nation, the President said. "Together, let us create an environment where the aspirations and achievements of women shape a more equitable future," she added.
President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday said that the Indian Navy is vigilant in safeguarding country's maritime interests and is contributing to stability across wider maritime commerce. Presiding over the International Fleet Review (IFR) off Vizag coast abroad an Indian Naval warship in the Bay of Bengal, the President said the Indian Navy is deployed in the region to serve as a credible instrument of deterrence and defence against threats and challenges arising in the sea. "Indian Navy is vigilant in safeguarding India's maritime interests and is contributing to stability across wider maritime commerce," Murmu said. Further, she noted that the Indian Navy plays a vital role in promoting goodwill and building bridges of trust, confidence and friendship with navies around the globe. Murmu addressed the IFR after she sailed to review several Indian and foreign vessels.
President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday said the government is moving on the path of 'Reforms Express', benefitting the poor and middle class, and the historic next-gen GST reform rolled out last year has ensured savings of Rs 1 lakh crore for citizens. In her address to both Houses of Parliament, Murmu also said the government has revamped the Income Tax law and taken a "historic decision" to exempt income of up to Rs 12 lakh from taxation. "These reforms are providing unprecedented benefits to poor and middle-class families. It has also given a new impetus to the country's economy," Murmu said. The new and simplified Income Tax Act 2025 has been enacted and will be implemented from April 1, 2026. In the 2025-26 Budget presented on February 1, last year, the government had increased the income tax exemption threshold to Rs 12 lakh from Rs 7 lakh earlier. "Today, my government is moving forward on the path of 'Reforms Express'. Old rules and provisions are being updated continuously
President Droupadi Murmu's reference to the VB-G RAM G Act in her address to the joint sitting of both houses of Parliament on Wednesday sparked protests from opposition parties which raised slogans demanding a roll back of the law. In her address, the President said the Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) would provide guarantee for 125 days of work, and would also stop corruption and leakages. She also asserted that it would provide a new impetus to rural development. While the President's mention of the VB-G RAM G Act was welcomed by treasury benches by thumping of desks, Opposition members raised slogans demanding roll back of the law. President Murmu paused during her address as the opposition raised slogans like "vapas lo" (roll back the Act). The Act is set to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Opposition parties are demanding the withdrawal of the VB-G RAM G Act and restoration of MGNRE
President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday said she hoped that Indians would exercise their right to vote by employing wisdom and shunning allurement, prejudice and misinformation, to strengthen the country's electoral system. She also lauded women electors for coming out in large numbers to exercise their franchise in the elections. Addressing the 16th National Voters' Day event held in Delhi, Murmu asserted that while the right to vote was important, it was also imperative that all citizens exercise it by keeping in mind their constitutional duties. For the last 16 years, the foundation day of the Election Commission has been celebrated as the National Voters' Day. On November 26, 1949, when the Constituent Assembly adopted the Indian Constitution, 16 of its Articles came into force immediately. One pertained to the creation of the Election Commission. The Election Commission came into existence on January 25, 1950, a day before India became a Republic. The remaining part of the ...
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Monday commuted to Cheong Wa Dae, the country's traditional presidential palace, for the first time since taking office in June, more than three years after his ousted predecessor Yoon Suk Yeol moved the presidential office to the Defense Ministry compound. It was the first time a president had commuted to Cheong Wa Dae since May 9, 2022, the final day of former President Moon Jae-in's term, before Yoon began his presidency working out of a converted Defense Ministry building. Lee, who won a snap presidential election in June following Yoon's removal over a brief declaration of martial law in December 2024, spent weeks relocating the presidential office back to Cheong Wa Dae, also known as the Blue House, as he seeks to erase the legacy of his now-jailed predecessor. Cheong Wa Dae is nestled on the lower slopes of a mountain in northern Seoul, occupying about 250,000 square meters (62 acres) behind the historic Gyeongbokgung Palace. The site,
South Korea's ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol was indicted on Friday on allegations he and others tried to manipulate the investigation into a marine's drowning, in another criminal case against the ex-leader. Yoon was removed from office earlier this year after being indicted on a rebellion charge related to his Dec. 3 martial law decree that plunged the country into political turmoil. After taking office in June, new President Lee Jae Myung appointed three independent counsels to investigate Yoon's martial law imposition and other allegations involving him, his wife and associates. On Friday, one of the independent councils charged Yoon, his former defence minister and 10 other figures with abuse of power, alleging they tried to alter an investigation report on the death of Cpl. Chae Su-geun, who died during a search-and-rescue operation for flood victims in 2023. The Marine Corps' early investigation report held one of the corps' division commanders and seven other people ...
Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina said he fled the country in fear for his life following a military rebellion but did not announce his resignation in a speech broadcast on national television late Monday from an undisclosed location. Rajoelina has faced weeks of Gen Z-led anti-government protests, which reached a pivotal point on Saturday when an elite military unit joined the protests and called for the president and other government ministers to step down. That prompted Rajoelina to say that an illegal attempt to seize power was underway in the Indian Ocean island and to leave the country. "I was forced to find a safe place to protect my life," Rajoelina said in his late-night speech, which was delayed for hours after soldiers attempted to take control of the state broadcaster buildings, the president's office said. They were Rajoelina's first public comments since the CAPSAT military unit turned against his government in an apparent coup and joined thousands of protesters ...
An attempted coup is underway in the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar, the country's president said on Sunday. A statement from President Andry Rajoelina's office said it wishes to inform the nation and the international community that an attempt to seize power illegally and by force has been initiated. The statement did not immediately identify who was attempting to overthrow the government, but members of the armed forces joined youth-led protests against Rajoelina on Saturday. The protests against service failures and alleged government corruption and nepotism have been going on since Sept. 25.