Senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia on Thursday said he will not bow down no matter how many cases the BJP-led central government files against him, hours after the President approved registration of an FIR against him in a Rs 2,000-crore classroom "scam". President Droupadi Murmu has given her approval for the registration of an FIR against Sisodia and his party colleague Satyendar Jain in the alleged scam in the construction of classrooms in Delhi government schools during their tenures as ministers in the Arvind Kejriwal-led city government, according to sources. "It has come to my attention that the central government has filed an FIR against me and Satyendar Jain regarding the construction of school buildings and classrooms," Sisodia said in a statement. "I want to tell the BJP and the central government that file as many cases as you want. Whether it is against me, Satyendar Jain, Atishi, Arvind Kejriwal, or any other AAP leader, we will not bow down before the BJP," the former
President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday conveyed her greetings to the fellow citizens on the eve of Holi, saying the festival of colours nurtures the spirit of unity and brotherhood and reflects the values of unity in diversity. In a message, Murmu extended her warm greetings and best wishes to all Indians living in India and abroad, and said Holi brings along happiness and enthusiasm. "This festival nurtures the spirit of unity and brotherhood in our lives. The diverse colours of Holi reflect the values of unity in diversity. This festival also symbolises the triumph of good over evil. It teaches us to spread love and positivity around us. "May this festival of colours fill your lives with joy and prosperity, she said.
President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday expressed concern over the drug addiction problem, saying it not only affects an individual but also the country and its economy as she underscored that doctors have an important role in freeing people from this scourge. Addressing the convocation ceremony of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here, President Murmu also spoke about obesity and called for immediate steps to prevent it, saying the disease should not become an obstacle in the country's development. She asked researchers to develop accessible technology for cancer screening. In her address, the president said for citizens, AIIMS means the best and affordable treatment and for students, AIIMS means good facilities for higher education and research. To provide excellent tertiary healthcare at affordable cost and promote research and development in the medical field, many AIIMS have been established in the country, she said. Murmu said prestigious institutes like AIIMS mus
President Droupadi Murmu is on her scheduled visit to grace several events in Haryana, Chandigarh and Punjab from March 10 to 12
Women are the foundation of the family, society and the nation and many of them have successfully carved out their identities in diverse fields but a lot needs to be done to improve their socio-economic conditions, President Droupadi Murmu said on Friday. In a message on the eve of International Women's Day, the president extended her greetings to "all sisters and daughters" and called the day an occasion to honour the achievements of women power and their unique contribution to the country and society. Women are the foundation of the family, society and the nation and many women have successfully carved out their identities in diverse fields despite facing adversities and challenges, Murmu said. "However, a lot needs to be done to improve the socio-economic conditions of women. Let us all pledge to create a society where every woman feels safe and gets equal opportunities to move ahead," she said. The president also congratulated all women achievers and wished them a bright future
An annual cultural festival that celebrates India's diverse heritage by showcasing the unique traditions of different regions is set to be held on the premises of the Rashtrapati Bhawan from March 6-9, the government said on Wednesday. The event -- 'Vividhta ka Amrit Mahotsav' -- is being inaugurated by President Droupadi Murmu on March 5 and this year the focus is on South India, according to the Culture Ministry. It will be open to the public from March 6-9 from 10 AM to 8 PM daily, the ministry said in a statement. Key highlights of this edition include over 500 artisans and weavers showcasing traditional handicrafts and handlooms, including Kanjeevaram and Kasavu sarees, Pochampally ikat, Mysore silk, and intricate brass and wooden crafts, officials said. More than 400 artistes will present folk and classical dance and music, bringing South India's cultural essence to life, they said. "Authentic cuisines will feature signature South Indian delicacies such as Bisi Bele Bath, Ke
Newly appointed Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday called on President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here. The President's Office shared a picture of the meeting in a post on X. "Chief Minister of Delhi, Smt Rekha Gupta called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan," it said in the post. Gupta, who is Delhi's fourth woman chief minister, and her six ministers were sworn in at the Ramlila Ground on Thursday. The 50-year-old chief minister, who took charge of her office at the Delhi Secretariat on Thursday afternoon, is the only woman chief minister in the NDA and the second in the country after TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal. Goa Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai also called on Murmu. "Governor of Goa, Shri P S Sreedharan Pillai called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan," the President's Office said in another post.
Delhi Excise policy case: The approval comes after the Ministry of Home Affairs sought the President's sanction for initiating legal action against Jain last week
Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, who arrived here on Monday on a two-day state visit to India, will meet President Droupadi Murmu and hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 18. Extending a rare gesture of hospitality, Modi went to the airport to receive the Amir of Qatar, who arrived in Delhi in the evening. "Went to the airport to welcome my brother, Amir of Qatar H H Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani. Wishing him a fruitful stay in India and looking forward to our meeting tomorrow," the prime minister said in a post on X. The Amir of Qatar's visit will provide "further momentum to our growing multifaceted partnership", the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement on Saturday. The Amir of Qatar will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including ministers, senior officials and business leaders, it said. According to a media advisory issued by the MEA on Monday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will call on the Amir of Qatar
President Droupadi Murmu said on Sunday that the ongoing development initiatives have positively impacted tribal communities across the country. Speaking at the inauguration of Aadi Mahotsav 2025, she noted that multi-dimensional efforts are being made to ensure their progress. "The true development of our nation will be realized only when our tribal communities progress," Murmu said. President Murmu said the ongoing developmental initiatives have positively impacted tribal communities from Arunachal Pradesh to Gujarat and from Jammu and Kashmir to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. "These efforts have not only provided opportunities for tribal families but have also increased respect and awareness about their culture and contributions," she added. She emphasized that education remains at the core of these efforts, enabling tribal children to access quality learning opportunities and empowering them for a better future. President Murmu also said that around 250 new Eklavya schools
The change of guard ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan will now be held in a new format, featuring an elaborate visual and musical performance against the backdrop of the presidential palace, an official statement said on Sunday. The new format includes military drills by troops and horses of the President's Bodyguard, along with personnel from the Ceremonial Guard Battalion and the Ceremonial Military Brass Band. The display will be spread over a larger area, the statement added. President Droupadi Murmu witnessed the inaugural ceremony in its new format on Sunday at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, according to the statement issued by her office. The ceremony will be open to a larger number of visitors from February 22, the statement said. Visitors can reserve their slots at https://visit.rashtrapatibhavan.gov.in The change of guard is a long-standing military tradition conducted weekly to allow a fresh group of the President's Bodyguard to take charge. Raised in 1773, the ...
After taking the dip, President Droupadi Murmu offered prayers at Triveni Sangam--which is a confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati
President Droupadi Murmu casts her vote at Rashtrapati Bhawan
Amrit Udyan (formerly Mughal gardens) has now been opened to the public from Sunday, Feb 2 and will receive visitors till March 30. President Murmu inaugurated the Winter Annual Edition 2025
The Union Budget on Saturday allocated Rs 141.83 crore for the staff, household and allowances of the president, a nominal increase of Rs 8.22 crore from Rs 133.61 crore earmarked in the revised estimates for ongoing fiscal. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had earmarked Rs 144.18 crore in the Budget for 2024-25 which was revised to Rs 133.61 crore. The fund allocation is for salaries and allowances of the president, the expenditure on the household establishment of the president, including staff salaries, discretionary grants of the president and provision for capital section. The document shows that of the total allocation, Rs 60 lakh has been allocated for the salary and allowances of the president, which remained unchanged from the last budget. The amount allocated under the head 'president's secretariat' provides for the establishment and allied expenses with respect to it, which includes grants-in-aid for Dr Rajendra Prasad Kendriya Vidyalaya on the campus of the president
A viral video purportedly showed Sonia Gandhi referring to the President as 'poor thing' and claiming that the latter got tired after delivering her pre-Budget address to Parliament
President Droupadi Murmu on Friday said India has the world's third-largest metro network spanning over 1,000 km and emphasised that efforts to streamline urban transportation are underway. Addressing a joint sitting of Parliament, which marked the start of the Budget session, Murmu said that metro projects in Delhi, Pune, Thane and Bengaluru, along with the recently launched Namo Bharat Rapid Rail on the Ahmedabad-Bhuj route, are shaping the cities of a 'Viksit Bharat'. To accelerate the journey towards 'Viksit Bharat', it is essential to make Indian cities future-ready, she said. In this direction, the government is focused on modernising urban amenities and making them energy-efficient. Simultaneously, the foundation is being laid for the development of new cities, she added. "Today, I am extremely pleased to share that India's metro network has crossed the milestone of 1,000 kilometres. India has now become the third-largest country in the world in terms of the metro network,"
The President also offered condolences to those who lost their lives in the Kumbh Mela stampede at Prayagraj
Huge tri-colour-themed banners have been put up along the Kartavya Path while the theme for this year's tableaux that would roll down the boulevard where the annual Republic Day celebrations take place is 'Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas', focusing on 75 years of the enactment of the Constitution. However, the maiden celebrations marking the birth of the Republic of India were not held on Rajpath (now Kartavya Path), the historical avenue that has over time become synonymous with the ceremony. It was held in the 1930s-era Irwin Amphitheatre after the country got its first president. Sukarno, the first president of Indonesia, was the chief guest at India's first Republic Day celebrations in 1950. And 75 years later, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will be the chief guest at this year's ceremonial parade which will also see the participation of a marching contingent and a band contingent from that country. Iconic public buildings, parks and railway stations dazzled with lights
Naik Dilwar Khan, who was killed in action in an anti-terror operation in Lolab Valley of Kupwara in Jammu and Kashmir in July last year has been posthumously awarded the Kirti Chakra, India's second-highest peacetime gallantry award. Major Manjit, who displayed "outstanding" leadership in a separate operation against two "foreign" terrorists in Sopore in the Union Territory in April last, was also awarded the Kirti Chakra. On the eve of the Republic Day, President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday approved gallantry awards to 93 armed forces personnel that included 14 Shaurya Chakras, the third-highest peacetime gallantry award. The Shaurya Chakra awardees are Major Manjit of 22 Rashtriya Rifles (RR); Naik Dilwar Khan, 28 Rashtriya Rifles (Posthumous); Major Ashish Dahiya, 50 RR; Major Kunal, 1 RR; Major Satender Dhankar, 4 RR; Captain Deepak Singh, 48 RR (Posthumous); and Assistant Commandant Eshenthung Kikon, 4 Assam Rifles. Subedar Vikas Tomar, 1 Para; Subedar Mohan Ram, 20 JAT Regime