Senthil Balaji LIVE: Senthil Balaji to undergo surgery on June 21, says Health Minister Ma Subramanian

11:14 (IST)

Delhi Crimes LIVE Updates 

Kejriwal proposes Delhi Cabinet meeting with LG over spurt in crimes

Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, has written to Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena about the "alarming" increase in crime in the national capital.

He also recommended a meeting of the Delhi Cabinet with the LG for a "meaningful discussion" on the subject in the letter dated June 19.

"The seriousness of the situation can be gauged by the heartbreaking fact that four murders have occurred in different parts of Delhi in the last 24 hours," stated the letter.

Kejriwal also emphasised the importance of increased police patrolling, particularly at night, as well as immediate contact with Delhi people on the issue.

"I propose a meeting of my cabinet colleagues with your good self for a meaningful discussion on this important issue," he added.

10:38 (IST)

Senthil Balaji LIVE Updates 

Senthil Balaji to undergo surgery on June 21, says Health Minister Ma Subramanian

Arrested Tamil Nadu Minister V Senthil Balaji will have heart surgery on June 21 at a private hospital in Chennai, according to Health Minister Ma Subramanian.

Balaji, who was nabbed in a cash-for-jobs fraud last week by the Enforcement Directorate, was originally treated to a government hospital before being transferred to a private institution pursuant to a court order.

10:28 (IST)

Rath Yatra LIVE Updates 

Gujarat CM performs 'Pahind Vidhi', flags off 145th Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath in Ahmedabad

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel conducted 'Pahind Vidhi' at the Jagannath temple in Ahmedabad on Tuesday morning before launching off the 146th Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath.

Every year at Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra, the Chief Minister conducts the 'Pahind Vidhi,' a symbolic ceremony in which he cleans the way for the chariots with a golden broom and flags off the Rath Yatra. Bhupendra Patel followed the tradition by leading the 145th Rath Yatra for the first time as Chief Minister.

10:09 (IST)

Rath Yatra LIVE Updates 

President Murmu wishes people on occasion of Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra

President Droupadi Murmu congratulated people on the occasion of Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra on Tuesday and wished everyone pleasure, peace, and prosperity.

The chariots of Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Jagannath are drawn from the Shri Jagannath temple to the Shree Gundicha temple in Puri during the yearly yatra. Similar yatras are held in various sections of the nation.

ମହାପ୍ରଭୁ ଶ୍ରୀଜଗନ୍ନାଥଙ୍କ ରଥଯାତ୍ରା ଉପଲକ୍ଷେ ମୁଁ ସମସ୍ତ ଦେଶବାସୀଙ୍କୁ, ବିଶେଷ କରି ମହାପ୍ରଭୁ ଶ୍ରୀଜଗନ୍ନାଥଙ୍କ ଭକ୍ତମାନଙ୍କୁ ହାର୍ଦ୍ଦିକ ଅଭିନନ୍ଦନ ଓ ଶୁଭେଚ୍ଛା ଜଣାଉଛି। ମହାପ୍ରଭୁ ଶ୍ରୀଜଗନ୍ନାଥଙ୍କ ନିକଟରେ ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନା କରୁଛି ଯେ ଭକ୍ତି ଓ ସମର୍ପଣର ଏ ମହାପର୍ବ ସମସ୍ତଙ୍କ ଜୀବନରେ ସୁଖ, ଶାନ୍ତି ଓ ସମୃଦ୍ଧି ଆଣିଦେଉ। ଜୟ ଜଗନ୍ନାଥ… pic.twitter.com/j0yIzDaBw7— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) June 20, 2023

09:53 (IST)

Rath Yatra LIVE Updates 

Two Hundred fifty coconuts installed in the sand art of lord Jagannath Ratha Yatra

250 coconuts have been planted in the sand sculpture of Lord Jagannath Ratha Yatra, which was constructed by sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik at Puri beach ahead of the Jagannath Rath Yatra 2023.

#WATCH | Odisha: Two Hundred fifty coconuts installed in the sand art of lord Jagannath Ratha Yatra; created by sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik at Puri beach ahead of Jagannath Rath Yatra 2023 pic.twitter.com/sjIlcOxrvw— ANI (@ANI) June 20, 2023

09:19 (IST)

Rath Yatra LIVE Updates 

PM Modi greets people on annual Rath Yatra Festival

Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his congratulations to the Rath Yatra, which begins today in Odisha's Puri.

In a tweet he said may the "divine journey of Lord Jagannath" fill everyone's lives with health, happiness and spiritual enrichment.

Rath Yatra greetings to everyone. As we celebrate this sacred occasion, may the divine journey of Lord Jagannath fill our lives with health, happiness and spiritual enrichment. pic.twitter.com/ATvXmW3Yr0— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 20, 2023

09:08 (IST)

Ukraine Explosions LIVE Updates 

Explosions rock Western Ukraine city of Lviv

Russia conducted a nocturnal air strike on the Western Ukrainian city of Lviv, rattling it and the surrounding region with explosions, Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi claimed on the Telegram messaging app early Tuesday. It was unclear if the explosions were caused by Ukraine's defensive systems resisting the attack or by the target being struck.

08:38 (IST)

Rath Yatra LIVE Updates 

146th Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath starts in Ahmedabad

In Gujarat's Ahmedabad city, the 146th Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath began on Tuesday morning behind heavy security as thousands of worshippers throng the 18-km path of the procession to catch a sight of the god.

According to a senior police officer, the Gujarat Police have employed 3D mapping technology for the first time during the Rath Yatra to monitor the whole route. They have also deployed anti-drone equipment to guarantee that no illegal drones are used during the event.

The chariots of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balbhadra, and sister Subhadra set out on the yatra from the 400-year-old Jagannath Temple in the Jamalpur area after Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel performed the symbolic ritual known as "Pahind Vidhi" in the morning.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah performed 'Mangala aarti' (an auspicious rite to offer respect to the god) in the temple early on Tuesday morning before the annual festival got underway.

08:30 (IST)

Rath Yatra LIVE Updates 

Amit Shah participates in 'Mangla Aarti' at Jagannath temple ahead of 'Rath Yatra'

Amit Shah, the Union Home Minister, participated in the 'Mangla Aarti' (a religious rite) at the Jagannath temple before the Rath Yatra in the Jamalpur region while visiting Gujarat for a day.

After the Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra, the 'Ratha Yatra' Festival held in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, is regarded as the second-largest Rath Yatra in the nation.

#WATCH | Ahmedabad, Gujarat: Union Home Minister Amit Shah participates in Mangla Aarti at Jagannath Temple, before the Jagannath Rath Yatra 2023. pic.twitter.com/JgiQV0J2np— ANI (@ANI) June 19, 2023

08:27 (IST)

Rath Yatra LIVE Updates 

Rath Yatra: An eco-friendly chariot in Odisha's Puri

Bhubaneswar: Miniature artist L.K. Ishwar Rao made an eco-friendly chariot in connection with the lord Jagannath Yatra in Odisha's Puri.

Miniature artist L. Ishwar Rao said, "I have made this chariot out of paper. The length of the chariot is 9 inches. Along with this, I have… pic.twitter.com/eDbuWgtVek— ANI (@ANI) June 19, 2023

08:05 (IST)

PM Modi LIVE Updates 

US visit will be opportunity to enrich depth, diversity of our partnership: PM Modi

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that his trip to the US would be a chance to deepen and diversify the bilateral relationship between India and the US and that the two nations would be stronger working together to address common global concerns.

President Joseph Biden and First Lady Jill Biden invited Modi to the US for a state visit, and this "special invitation" is a reflection of the vigour and vitality of the partnership between the two democracies, Modi stated in his departure statement prior to his trip to the US and Egypt.

Modi departed for the US early in the day. He will travel to Egypt after leaving the US and then return to India.

07:53 (IST)

PM Modi LIVE Updates 

PM Modi leaves for first State visit to US

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed on his first-ever State visit to the United States.

US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden extended an invitation to PM Modi. The trip will start in New York, where the prime minister will preside over the International Day of Yoga ceremonies on 21 June at the UN building.