Committed to integrating Divyangjan into mainstream: MoS B.L. Verma

IANS | February 22, 2026 7:51 PM

Dehradun, Feb 22 (IANS) Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment B.L. Verma on Sunday said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and various welfare schemes have laid a strong foundation for integrating Divyangjan into the mainstream, an official statement said.

Hirok Patel from Odisha featured in ‘Mann Ki Baat’ for pond-based farming innovation

IANS | February 22, 2026 7:33 PM

Bhubaneswar, Feb 22 (IANS) Odisha farmer Hirok Patel, whose ingenuity Prime Minister Narendra Modi had lauded in his latest 'Mann Ki Baat', has transformed limited land into a high-yield farming mode by combining modern techniques with traditional knowledge to successfully double his income, while inspiring farmers across the country to innovate and optimise resources.

Holi sales likely to record 25 per cent jump at Rs 80,000 crore: CAIT

IANS | February 22, 2026 7:20 PM

New Delhi, Feb 22 (IANS) The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said on Sunday that the upcoming Holi festival is expected to generate business exceeding Rs 80,000 crore across India this year, reflecting a growth of nearly 25 per cent compared to last year's estimated Rs 60,000 crore.

PM’s 'Mann Ki Baat' boosts organ donation awareness: NOTTO chief

IANS | February 22, 2026 7:03 PM

New Delhi, Feb 22 (IANS) Emphasising the life-saving impact of organ donation, National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) Director Anil Kumar on Sunday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal in the latest episode of Mann Ki Baat as a “noble campaign” that can transform public awareness and participation across the country.

'Planned murder': Telangana Police solve mystery behind death of writer

IANS | February 22, 2026 6:26 PM

Hyderabad, Feb 22 (IANS) Telangana Police have solved the mystery behind the death of writer and YouTuber Boggula Srinivas with the arrest of his friend, who allegedly hired contract killers to eliminate him and push the car with the victim’s body into a reservoir to make it look like an accident.

Rajsakhi fair inaugurated in Rajsamand, Eco-friendly herbal colours steals spotlight

IANS | February 22, 2026 5:37 PM

Rajsamand (Rajasthan), Feb 22 (IANS) A seven-day Rajsakhi Fair showcasing products made by women’s self-help groups under the Rajasthan Grameen Aajeevika Vikas Parishad (Rajeevika/RGAVP) was inaugurated in the state's Rajsamand district on Sunday, with herbal colours (gulal) prepared from local vegetation emerging as the star attraction ahead of Holi.