Meghalaya Chief Minister Rules Out Uniform Civil Code Implementation

Uttarakhand has become the first state in the country to implement UCC, but the Chief Minister of another hill state has ruled out a similar step. The implementation of Uniform Civil Code is neither practical nor appropriate, given the country's diverse cultural and tribal communities, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said today.

He, however, acknowledged that certain aspects of civil laws could be made uniform while protecting the rights of indigenous communities.

Pointing at Uttarakhand, which became the first state to implement the UCC while excluding tribal customs from its purview, Mr Sangma said in a country as diverse as India, a Uniform Civil Code is not viable. 

His statement comes amid growing debates on the UCC, with Assam expressing interest in following Uttarakhand's lead in implementing the code.

"A Uniform Civil Code, as a concept of making sure that everything becomes uniform, is not possible in India," Mr Sangma said.

"There are tribal and indigenous communities with unique practices that may not align with the uniformity. To impose uniformity on every aspect of life, across all communities, would not be correct," he added.

To explain the situation, he further added: "If a bill at the national or state level were to declare that the entire country should adopt a matrilineal system, Meghalaya would support that, because we are a matrilineal society. It all depends on the content of the bill - what aspects are being made uniform and in what way".

"For us, as a state government, we are very clear. The Uniform Civil Code is not on our agenda. We respect the diverse identities of our tribal communities, and their traditional practices must be protected," he added. 

Mr Sangma had made it clear earlier also that his government will not support the UCC.

Two years ago, a tribal council in Meghalaya unanimously passed a resolution to oppose the implementation of the UCC in areas within its jurisdiction.

Uttarakhand has become the first state in India to implement a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), aiming to simplify and standardize personal laws related to marriage, divorce, succession, and inheritance.
The UCC applies to all residents of Uttarakhand, except Scheduled Tribes and protected authority-empowered persons and communities.

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US Justice Department Move Against Gautam Adani A "Strategic Blunder": Report

The US Department of Justice's (DoJ) indictment of billionaire Gautam Adani is a strategic blunder with severe geopolitical consequences, leading American publication Forbes has said.

In an article titled "The US Harms The West's Alliances With A Far-Flung Indictment In India", the author, Melik Kaylan, argued that the indictment, which alleges bribery and financial misrepresentation, "risks damaging India-US relations at a time when Washington is actively seeking stronger alliances to counter China's rising influence".

The article highlighted that India is a pivotal partner for the West, especially in initiatives like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) - a transformative infrastructure project designed to rival China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

The DoJ's action, however, undermines economic collaboration and trust at a critical juncture, potentially pushing India closer to Russia and China. In doing so, the US inadvertently weakens its own geopolitical positioning, allowing its rivals to strengthen their influence, according to Forbes.

Moreover, the piece argued that this indictment represents another example of Western overreach, where American extraterritorial legal actions disrupt vital global partnerships.

The broader concern is that while the US and Europe undermine their own allies with such moves, their adversaries continue advancing - economically, militarily, and technologically. As the author bluntly puts it, "They must be laughing in Beijing."

In essence, the DoJ's action against Mr Adani is not just a legal decision but a diplomatic miscalculation that risks isolating India at a time when its alignment with the West is crucial for global stability, according to the article.

(Disclaimer: New Delhi Television is a subsidiary of AMG Media Networks Limited, an Adani Group Company.)

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Adani Group Commits Rs 2.3 Lakh Crore Investment In Odisha

Adani Group on Tuesday committed to investing Rs 2.3 lakh crore over the next five years across power, cement, industrial parks, aluminium and city gas expansion in Odisha. According to a statement by the group, the investment commitment was made during Utkarsh Odisha 2025 - the state's investor meeting.

Karan Adani, Managing Director of Adani Ports and SEZ Limited (APSEZ), met state Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and exchanged MoUs for investment in Odisha over the next five years, it added.

"The Adani Group committed to invest Rs 2.3 lakh crore over the next five years across power, cement, industrial parks, aluminium, city Gas etc," the statement said.

It, however, did not give details.

"This is the biggest investment intent by any group in Utkarsh Odisha 2025." Also, the first test flight landed at Dhamra Airstrip successfully on Tuesday.

Additionally, on the occasion of Utkarsh Odisha, six projects of ATGL in Odisha were commissioned. These include an EV charging station at Bhubaneswar airport and the completion of the city gate station cum mother station project.

Other projects include the groundbreaking for an LNG cum multi-fuel hub at Bhadrak, a CNG station in Balasore, the first domestic piped cooking gas charging and burner in Bhadrak and a CNG station project completion at Rairangpur (1st in the city) of Mayurbhanj district.

"It will be open to the public soon," it added.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

(Disclaimer: New Delhi Television is a subsidiary of AMG Media Networks Limited, an Adani Group Company.)

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21-Year-Old Nursing Student Found Hanging Inside Rented Room In UP: Cops

A 21-year-old nursing student was found hanging in a house in Uttar Pradesh's Moradabad district on Monday, police said.

Officials said that no suicide note was found from the spot.

Police received information in the morning about the body of Jyoti Singh (21), a BSc Nursing student, found hanging in a rented room in Kesari Kunj Colony, Superintendent of Police (City) Kumar Ranvijay Singh said.

A police team, accompanied by forensic experts, rushed to the spot and inspected the scene, he said She was a resident of Babni village of Deoria and her family was informed about the incident, the officer said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Upset Over 'Betrayal', Man Kills Business Partner's Children: Police

Upset over his business partner's "betrayal", a 70-year-old man picked up his two children from their school, took them to his home, allegedly killed them there and hanged their bodies, according to police.

The incident happened in Boranada here and the children's bodies were found on Sunday, two day after they were reported missing by their family.

Police said they have found a note at the scene, in which the accused has purportedly admitted to killing the children due to the "betrayal" in their partnership in a bangle factory, and also mentioned his intent to commit suicide.

Police said Tamanna alias Tannu (12) and Shivpal (8) had left home on Friday for their school but never returned. Their family searched for them and eventually filed a report at the Boranada police station on Saturday.

DCP (West) Rajarshi Raj Verma said the accused, Shyam Singh Bhati, had started a bangle factory in partnership with Pradeep Devasai nine months ago. However, Devasai left the partnership for some reasons. They knew each other for about 20 years.

"This led to Bhati harbouring resentment against Devasai's family and wanting to teach him a lesson. Seizing an opportunity, Bhati murdered Devasai's two children. Their bodies were found in his (Bhati's) rented house near his factory," said Verma.

He said Bhati is absconding and a search has been initiated to nab him.

Police said the two children studied at a school in Pal. Two days ago, the accused picked up the children from the school under the pretense of dropping them home, but took them to his house near the bangle factory which is located in the vicinity of the Jain Temple in Boranada.

He killed them there and hanged their bodies, police said.

According to preliminary investigation, Bhati had invested money in the bangle factory, while Devasai worked there as a craftsman. Due to some disagreements, Devasai ended the partnership, resulting in financial losses to Bhati.

Verma said that in the note found at the scene, Bhati has written his partner had "betrayed" him, which is why he also wanted to take his own life.

Devasai's family originally hails from Uttar Pradesh. He is a bangle craftsman. Bhati hails from Rajasthan's Phalodi. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Padma Vibhushan Osamu Suzuki: The Man Who Gave India Maruti 800 Car

Osamu Suzuki, Suzuki Motor Corp's patriarch and long-time chairman who has been conferred Padma Vibhushan posthumously, headed the company for more than 40 years and revolutionised India's car market with the introduction of the popular Maruti 800 car.

Osamu Suzuki is among seven personalities who were conferred Padma Vibhushans, one of the highest civilian honours in the country, on Saturday.

Osamu Suzuki, who died in late December last year at the age of 94, shared a good rapport with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

According to PM Modi, Osamu Suzuki was a legendary figure in the global automotive industry.

“His visionary work reshaped global perceptions of mobility. Under his leadership, Suzuki Motor Corporation became a global powerhouse, successfully navigating challenges, driving innovation and expansion. He had a profound affection for India and his collaboration with Maruti revolutionised the Indian automobile market,” the Prime Minister had posted on X social media platform.

A former bank employee, Osamu Suzuki got his break in the automotive business after his marriage to Shoko Suzuki, granddaughter of Michio Suzuki, who founded Suzuki Motor's predecessor company in 1909. Osamu Suzuki took his wife's surname, in accordance with the Japanese custom when there are no male heirs.

His entry into India turned out to be a game-changer as the subcontinent-sized market, saddled with the mid-60s technology Ambassador and Fiat cars, drove up demand for the Maruti 800 small car. The waiting lists of customers stretched for as long as up to three years with the car selling at a premium in the second-hand market.

Suzuki Motor agreed to set up a venture with the Indian government outside New Delhi and acquired a 26 per cent stake in the state-owned carmaker Maruti Udyog in 1982. In December 1983, the venture rolled out the Maruti 800 small car which was an instant hit.

Maruti, now a unit of Suzuki Motor, quickly became the biggest car manufacturer in India and still commands more than 40 per cent share of the market.

Osamu Suzuki's more than 28 years as president made him the longest-serving head of a global automaker. After stepping down as president in 2000, he became Suzuki Motor's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. He came back as president at the age of 78 in December 2008, when Suzuki Motor was expecting its first profit decline in eight years amid the global recession to lead from the front.

Suzuki then passed on the presidency to his son in June 2015 and took over as Chairman and CEO, but then resigned as CEO over an embarrassing fuel-economy misstatement.

Suzuki was a man of spartan habits and was known to fly economy class even during his old age as part of his frugal lifestyle.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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If Russia Sells Crude Oil On Discount India Will Buy It: Hardeep Singh Puri

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Friday said that India would continue buying crude oil from Russia if it is available at a discount emphasising that the government is "committed" to buying the most economically-priced crude oil.

"We used to buy less than 0.2 per cent from Russia in February 2022. Now, we are buying 30 per cent. If it's available at good discounts, we will buy it. If it (crude oil) is available elsewhere (at a discounted price), we will buy (from that market)," Hardeep Singh Puri, who is Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, said during a media interaction here.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "commitment is to make energy available round the clock in the most affordable manner, along with the transition to green energy", the minister said.

"We are not committed to buying any quantity from anyone. We are committed to buying the most economically priced energy of a grade of crude that you (refineries) want." He said that the government was open to entering both long terms as well as spot deals with oil-producing countries.

"We float tenders at the point of importation. What that means is if we have a requirement for a particular route, we'll float a tender and then whoever can supply it .. supply. Payment terms will always follow from that will follow. Sometimes special situations arise where you are able to do it, mostly transactions are denominated in Dollars and as you go forward you try some local currency," he said.

"Energy is available in abundance supply. More and more crude is coming to the market in spite of the cutbacks that came from some of the producers," he said.

Responding to a question on the refinery project in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra, the minister said the project was not viable on account of its size (60-million metric tons per annum capacity).

"I think our position as of now is that instead of 60 million metric tons per annum we are looking at the possibility of three (refineries) into 20 million metric tons per annum for which discussions are going on behind the scenes." Notably, the Ratnagiri Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (RRPCL), a joint venture company, was formed in 2017 by three national oil companies, namely Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited.

It proposes to implement an integrated refinery and petrochemicals complex on the west coast of Maharashtra.

Saudi Aramco (SA) and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, the two global oil and gas majors, have also expressed their intent to partner in this project.

Hardeep Singh Puri, however, said that the refining capacity is going up with the current at around 268-270-million metric tons per annum, adding that "we already have plans in motion to go up to 310-million metric tons per annum."

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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