This special report covers significant political and social developments across South India. In Tamil Nadu, the tragic Karur stampede has led to intense political fallout, with Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and Leader of Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami engaging in Assembly debates. The DMK's mouthpiece, Murasoli, issued a statement regarding Vijay following the stampede. A controversy has also emerged over the DMK government's announcement of a ₹15,000 crore Foxconn investment, which opposition parties like PMK and AIADMK have labeled a fraudulent claim after the company's denial of a new deal. The Tamil Nadu government is also preparing to introduce a 'Hindi Ban Bill'. In other regional news, Google's decision to establish its $15 billion AI hub in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, has sparked a political blame game in Karnataka. Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh commented on the Google deal. Further reports include a major rave party bust in Hyderabad, a political row in Karnataka over a proposed ban on RSS activities, a controversy over a student's right to wear a hijab in a Kerala school, and an alleged ritual violation at the Aranmula temple involving a Kerala minister.
In a candid reflection on India Today's UnPolitics podcast, India's first individual Olympic gold medallist, Abhinav Bindra, reveals the profound personal cost of his historic 2008 Beijing Olympics victory. The decorated shooter details his obsessive and unconventional training methods, which included recreating the Olympic shooting range in a marriage hall and undergoing laser surgery for stability.
A major aviation scare unfolded in Odisha when a nine-seater India One aircraft on its way from Bhubaneswar to Rourkela crash-landed. The pilots executed a controlled forced landing in an open area about 15-20 km from the airport after sending a May Day call, averting a more significant tragedy. Seven people were reported injured and were subsequently rushed to hospitals in Rourkela. An unidentified official stated that a probe has been ordered, noting, 'The special investigation team came to ensure that the aircraft should not be touched.' The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) have been informed and are monitoring the situation closely.
On this special report, a leading political scientist and head of a major geopolitical risk firm analyses the global storm following a hypothetical US raid in Caracas that captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The speaker claims, 'The United States is embracing the law of the jungle,' and is unilaterally walking away from the global order it created. The report delves into the concept of a 'GZERO' world, where raw power trumps rules, and the potential for other nations like Russia and China to be emboldened. The analyst also discusses the strategic implications for India, which is seen as being in a 'strategically quite strong position' due to its consistent leadership and diverse international partnerships, contrasting it with a weakened Europe and an unpredictable United States.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the 'Somnath Swabhiman Parv' in Gujarat, an event marking 1,000 years since the first invasion of the Somnath Temple by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1026. The multi-day program included a 72-hour 'Akhand Omkar Japa' and a drone show. This special report examines the historical significance of the temple, which is the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas, as a symbol of India's cultural heritage. The report details the temple's history of repeated destruction by invaders, including Mahmud of Ghazni and Aurangzeb, and its subsequent reconstructions. It highlights the roles of figures like Ahilyabai Holkar and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who initiated the modern reconstruction after India's independence. The broadcast also notes the context of Patel's efforts proceeding despite objections from then-Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. The event is framed as a tribute to India's resilience and civilizational continuity.
