'Recognition of India's farmer-centric policies': Padma Shri awardee hails PM Modi receiving FAO's highest honour

IANS | May 21, 2026 9:00 PM

Barabanki (Uttar Pradesh), May 21 (IANS) Padma Shri awardee and progressive farmer Ramsaran Verma on Thursday expressed happiness over Prime Minister Narendra Modi receiving the highest honour of the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the 'Agricola Medal' for 2026, and said the recognition also belongs to the country's farmers, agricultural scientists and India's farmer-centric policies.

'Vande Mataram' now compulsory in all Bengal madrasahs: Minister

IANS | May 20, 2026 11:25 PM

Kolkata, May 20 (IANS) The West Bengal Directorate of Madrasah Education has made the singing of "Vande Mataram" mandatory during assembly prayers before classes in all government, aided and recognised madrasahs across the state with immediate effect, confirmed Khudiram Tudu, the minister in charge of Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education in the new Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led state government headed by the new and ninth Chief Minister, Suvendu Adhikari.