Chhattisgarh

In this address to the Honourable Members of Parliament, President Droupadi Murmu highlights the government's initiatives to preserve indigenous heritage, including the construction of a dedicated museum and the relocation of the Bir Narayan Singh Indigenous Independence Movement memorial in Chhattisgarh. She emphasizes the cultural milestone of translating the Indian Constitution into the Santali language to empower tribal communities. Regarding the nation's progress, she states, 'The goal of a developed India is not limited to a single government or a single generation.' Murmu also notes the global recognition of Indian traditions, citing UNESCO's inclusion of Deepavali in the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. She calls upon all representatives to remain united on issues of national interest, asserting that the decisions made today will shape the country's trajectory for years to come. The President concludes by describing the path toward a developed India as a collective journey of independence requiring the perseverance of the administration and citizens alike.

On this Special Report, India Today correspondent Sumi Rajappan reports on Chhattisgarh celebrating the 77th Republic Day with significant milestones in the Bastar region. The state is observing this occasion with patriotic fervor as 47 remote villages, previously cut off from democratic festivals, unfurl the national flag for the first time in history. Sumi Rajappan notes that this year is particularly significant because 'this is exactly the year in which Chhattisgarh will finally be Naxal free' as per the deadline set by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai hoisted the tricolour at the police parade ground in Bilaspur, where he reaffirmed the state's commitment to a Naxal-free future. The report highlights the increase in police camps and anti-Naxal operations across remote areas, signaling a stronger comeback for democracy in the tribal heartland. The programme explores the festive atmosphere and the strategic security shifts currently transforming the landscape of Chhattisgarh.

On this Special Report, anchor Preeti Choudhry provides live commentary on the Republic Day parade at Kartavya Path, highlighting the vibrant tableaus from various states and Union Ministries. The broadcast showcases Assam's terracotta art, Gujarat's 'Vande Mataram' theme, and Tamil Nadu's focus on self-reliance. Preeti Choudhry notes that the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship's float is 'Building a Self-Reliant Future-Ready India' while the Ministry of Home Affairs features the historic enactment of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The programme emphasizes India's 'Atmanirbharata' or self-reliance, alongside its ancient traditions like Ayurveda and Yoga represented by the Ministry of Ayush. Guest Sandeep joins the discussion, comparing India's diversity to the European Union and praising the improving aesthetics of the floats. The report captures the essence of India's cultural heritage and its journey toward becoming a future-ready nation through these 31 distinct tableaus.

This Special Report covers the leadership transition within the Bharatiya Janata Party as Nitin Naveen assumes office as the 13th BJP President. At 45, Naveen is the youngest individual to hold the position, succeeding JP Nadda. During the ceremony at the party headquarters in Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the appointment, emphasizing the party's organizational structure. The program analyzes Naveen’s background as a former Bihar Minister and Chhattisgarh in-charge, alongside the strategic implications for upcoming assembly elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. Panelists including Renuka Choudhury and Ashok Malik discuss internal democracy and preparations for the 2029 general elections. Additionally, the report addresses a fatal incident in Noida involving 27-year-old techie Yuvraj Mehta, who died after his vehicle fell into an unguarded pit. The segment examines civic accountability, the subsequent removal of the Noida CEO, and the high-level SIT probe ordered by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to investigate the infrastructure failure and local authority negligence.

The big talking point of this episode of To The Point is the appointment of 45-year-old Nitin Nabin as the 13th National President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), succeeding JP Nadda.

BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi joined India Today to discuss the appointment of Nitin Naveen as the new party president. Sarangi highlighted Naveen's extensive experience, noting he is a five-time MLA and former minister who brings a balance of organizational skill and governance expertise. Addressing upcoming elections in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, West Bengal, and Puducherry, she stated, "We would be winning all the five states definitely with absolutely no doubt." Sarangi dismissed opposition claims that the appointment was a mere 'rubber stamp' or lacked internal democracy, asserting that "cynicism is the disease many people suffer from." She emphasized the party's core pillars: internal democracy, nation-first ideology, cadre cultivation, and good governance. The discussion also touched upon the generational shift within the BJP leadership, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for a 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047. Sarangi reiterated that the party remains focused on its strategy and hard work at the booth level to ensure continued electoral success across India.

On this Special Report, the focus is on the transition of leadership within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as Nitin Naveen takes over as the National President. Succeeding Jagat Prakash Nadda, the 45-year-old leader from Bihar represents a generational shift, embodying the party's new motto of 'Youth, Energy, Continuity'. Reflecting on his journey, Naveen stated, 'I would like to remember my father, Naveen Kishore Prasad Sinha... he connected me with the workers and I always say that the workers taught me how to work by holding my hand.' The programme highlights Naveen's rise from a grassroots worker to a master strategist credited with the BJP's success in Chhattisgarh. As the party approaches its 46th anniversary, the new chief faces immediate challenges with upcoming assembly elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, alongside the long-term goal of steering the party toward the 2029 Lok Sabha elections amidst significant legislative changes like delimitation and women's quotas.

On this news bulletin, Professor Rakesh Sinha discusses the transition of leadership within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as Nitin Naveen takes charge. Sinha highlights that under the Narendra Modi era, the BJP has transformed into a 'national party of governance' with a presence in every corner of India, including Kerala and Tamil Nadu. He emphasizes the shift towards younger leadership, noting that 'the aging leadership must give the place to the younger generation' to vitalize the Indian party system. Sinha contrasts this with the 'feudal lordship' and aging leadership seen in the Congress and Left parties. He further explains that the appointment of Nitin Naveen, a grassroots worker, signifies the end of political lobbying and the start of a merit-based evaluation process. The programme also touches upon the inclusive spiritual messaging behind the new president's visits to various religious sites, reflecting the party's inclusive political philosophy.

On this Special Report, India Today’s Himanshu Mishra discusses the elevation of Nitin Naveen as the National President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Highlighting his journey from a grassroots worker to the party's top post, Mishra notes that Naveen’s appointment signals a generational shift within the organization. The speaker emphasizes Naveen's core philosophy, quoting him: 'There are no shortcuts in politics.' The discussion details Naveen's extensive experience, including his five terms as an MLA, his ministerial roles in Bihar, and his successful stint as the election in-charge for Chhattisgarh, where the BJP secured 54 seats. The report also covers his visits to various religious sites, including the Jhandewalan Temple and Bangla Sahib Gurudwara, reflecting the party's 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' motto. Naveen’s deep connection with the youth wing and his organizational skills are cited as key reasons for his selection to lead the party into its next phase.

Ashok Malik, Partner and Chair of the Asia Group, analyzes the appointment of Nitin Naveen as the new BJP President in an interview with India Today. Malik describes the move as a significant 'generational shift' for the party, noting that Naveen is the first BJP president born after the party's founding in 1980. Addressing Naveen's relatively low profile in Delhi media circles, Malik argues that Indian politics exists far beyond the capital, drawing parallels to former president Kushabhau Thakre. He emphasizes that Naveen should not be judged solely on immediate upcoming state elections in places like Kerala, but rather on his ability to revitalize the party organization while it is in power. Malik points out the challenge of leading a ruling party when much of its talent is concentrated in the government, suggesting that Naveen's success will depend on bringing new ideas from the grassroots to overcome organizational inertia over the next few years.

In this episode of To The Point, the focus is on the leadership transition within the Bharatiya Janata Party as Nitin Nabin is named its 13th and youngest-ever National President.

In this Special Report, Preeti Choudhry tracks the significant leadership transition within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Nitin Nabin, a 45-year-old leader from Bihar, has been elected unopposed as the 13th President of the BJP, succeeding J.P. Nadda. Choudhry notes, 'So unopposed Nitin Nabeen has been proclaimed as the new president of the Bharatiya Janata Party.' The appointment is viewed as a major generational shift, with Nabin set to lead the party into the 2029 General Elections and several crucial state polls in Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. Nabin, a four-term MLA and former election in-charge for Chhattisgarh, is recognized for his organizational expertise and troubleshooting capabilities. He is scheduled to officially take charge at the party headquarters in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. The programme explores how this move signals the BJP's strategy to empower younger leadership and reach out to the Gen Z demographic across India.

In an exclusive interview with India Today, Trinamool Congress (TMC) Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra described the ED's raids at I-PAC offices as 'pure and simple political loot, political robbery and political espionage' aimed at stealing the party's election strategy and data ahead of Bengal assembly polls.

This special report focuses on the Enforcement Directorate's raids on political consultancy IPAC ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections. The broadcast highlights the long-standing association between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and IPAC, crediting the firm for the party's landslide victories in 2021 and 2024. The speaker draws parallels with previous agency actions against other political strategists, such as Sunil Kanugolu and Naresh Arora, noting a pattern of raids targeting opposition consultants closer to polls. The report details the opposition's allegation that these investigations are a 'witch hunt' designed to intimidate political rivals. The segment also reviews the timeline of agency actions in states like Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand.

On this Special Report, India Today’s Principal Correspondent Sumi Rajappan reports from Raipur, Chhattisgarh, where six Bajrang Dal workers received a ‘grand welcome’ after being released on bail. The accused, arrested for the Christmas Eve vandalism at Magneto Mall, were garlanded and carried on shoulders by supporters chanting slogans. Bajrang Dal leader Ravi Wadhwani defends the celebration, claiming the arrests were ‘illegal’ and that the men were not part of the vandalism, despite video evidence suggesting otherwise. The programme explores the controversy surrounding the glorification of the accused.

In a major anti-insurgency operation in Chhattisgarh, security forces have neutralised 14 Naxals in two separate encounters in Sukma and Bijapur districts. India Today's Principal Correspondent Sumi Rajappan reports that 12 cadres were killed in the forests of Sukma, while two were gunned down in Bijapur. Among the neutralised Maoists is Mangtu, a Divisional Committee (DVC) member and high-value target. The operation also led to the recovery of weapons, including SLRs and 12-bore rifles. The crackdown aligns with Union Home Minister Amit Shah's deadline to eliminate Left Wing Extremism from the region.

Amid concerns over the recent death of a Tripura student following an alleged racial assault in Dehradun, RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat delivered a strong message on unity and India belongs to everyone.

On this Special Report, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Chief Mohan Bhagwat delivers a strong message on social harmony and 'Swadeshi' during his three-day visit to Chhattisgarh. Addressing a 'Hindu Sammelan' in Raipur district, Bhagwat emphasises that the 'first step towards harmony is removing feelings of separation and discrimination from one's mind and treating everyone as one's own.' The RSS Sarsanghchalak advocates for the use of one's mother tongue at home, respecting Indian attire, and being 'vocal for local' to promote self-reliance. India Today's Principal Correspondent Sumi Rajappan reports on the speech, highlighting Bhagwat's call to eliminate caste and wealth-based judgment and his focus on family values.

On this news bulletin, the focus is on RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat’s address at the Hindu Conference in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. Amid a fresh spike in atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh, Bhagwat stressed that 'endless discussions achieve nothing' and advocated for unity, stability, and collective strength. The transcript highlights recent targeted attacks in Bangladesh, including the lynching of Deepu Chandra Das on December 18 and Amrit Mandal on December 24. It also mentions the killing of Vajendra Biswas, who was shot dead two days ago. Bhagwat, currently on a three-day visit to the state, urged society to stand together in these times of crisis.

In this special year-end broadcast of India Today Explains, anchor Akshita Nandagopal looks back at the defining news events of 2025.