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A 3,057.52-Hectare Agricultural Area in Ladpura and Sangod Tehsils Set to Benefit; 242.66-Km Pipeline Network Planned to Improve Irrigation Access (SDNA) Kota, Rajasthan. Farmers in 22 villages across Rajasthan’s Kota district are set to benefit from the proposed Alania Lift Irrigation Project, an initiative aimed at expanding irrigation access by utilizing available water from the Chambal Right Main Canal. With an estimated investment of nearly ₹100 crore, the project is designed to bring 3,057.52 hectares of agricultural land under an improved irrigation network. Work on the project is expected to commence soon.The initiative is being advanced with the support of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, and the continued efforts of Ladpura MLA Kalpana Devi....

Eighth day of the rotational hunger strike focuses on demands to scrap the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), safeguard voting rights and seek the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar (SDNA) Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, October 18, 2026: A continuing protest over electoral rights, constitutional safeguards and democratic accountability entered its 13th day on Sunday at the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar statue site at Tower Chowk in Ujjain. The rotational hunger strike also completed its eighth day, with former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh visiting the protest site to express his support.Singh interacted with the protesters and discussed their demands and the future course of the movement. His visit brought renewed political attention to the ong...

Foundation stone laid for a multi-purpose educational complex in Jiyapura; proposed CBSE-based education aims to expand learning opportunities and promote holistic student development (SDNA) Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh: Madhya Pradesh is set to expand its education infrastructure with the launch of a new initiative in Ujjain. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav laid the foundation stone on Sunday, October 18, 2026, for the proposed multi-purpose Mahakalpuram Project, being developed by Vidya Bharati’s Manav Bal Kalyan Samiti in Jiyapura.On the occasion, the Chief Minister announced an additional allocation of ₹1.25 crore over and above the ₹75 lakh already approved for the project. Addressing the gathering, Dr. Yadav highlighted the role of ideal educational institutions in shaping the next generati...

A controversial clip from a Ramlila event sparks political debate in Delhi as Chief Minister Rekha Gupta reportedly dismisses it as AI-generated. With competing claims and questions over authenticity, an impartial investigation is essential before drawing conclusions. (SDNA) New Delhi | Special AnalysisA viral video allegedly featuring Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta at a Ramlila event has triggered a political controversy, raising questions about the authenticity of digital content, the responsibility of public figures and the dangers of drawing conclusions from short social media clips. The footage reportedly captures Gupta saying “Ram” instead of “Ravan” while addressing an audience during a Ramlila programme. The clip has attracted considerable attention online, with opposition leader...

The towering effigies of Ravana go up in flames every year, but corruption, injustice, greed and social prejudice continue to thrive. The real victory of Dussehra lies not in burning a symbol of evil, but in confronting the darkness within ourselves. By Dr. Satyawan Saurabh(SDNA) Special Article | Bhiwani, Haryana. Every year, as dusk falls on Dussehra, towering effigies of Ravana are set ablaze across India. Fireworks illuminate the sky, crowds cheer, and the familiar message of good triumphing over evil echoes through the celebrations. Within minutes, the mighty effigy is reduced to ashes, and people return home exchanging greetings for Vijayadashami. 📢 Join SD News Agency and Get Every News Update on Your Mobile!Stay updated with the latest and important news from India and around the w...

Maldives, Sri Lanka and Bhutan rank above India in GDP per capita, while Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar and Afghanistan trail behind; Bangladesh remains relatively close (SDNA) New Delhi: How prosperous is a country when its economic output is measured against the size of its population? While the total size of an economy often attracts attention, GDP per capita offers another perspective by showing the average economic output attributable to each resident.The World Bank’s available figures for 2024 reveal considerable differences among India and its neighbouring countries. The Maldives leads the group by a significant margin, followed by Sri Lanka and Bhutan. India stands ahead of Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar and Afghanistan on this particular indicator. However, these rankings need to ...

Heavy rain, crowd pressure and panic over a possible pandal collapse reportedly triggered chaos; authorities launch investigation into the deadly incident (SDNA) Kolkata, West Bengal: A festive evening turned into a scene of tragedy in North Kolkata after a stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in the Chorbagan area reportedly claimed 19 lives and left around 25 people injured on Saturday, October 17. What began as a gathering for one of Bengal’s most cherished religious celebrations ended in grief, with emergency responders rushing to assist victims and transport the injured to hospitals.Initial reports had put the death toll at 17, but subsequent media reports indicated that the number had risen to 19. The incident has raised serious concerns about crowd control, emergency preparedness and pub...

Raids at two warehouses uncover large quantities of medical kits and other medicines; questions raised over sourcing, storage, documentation and distribution (SDNA) Indore, Madhya Pradesh: The seizure of approximately 19,000 abortion kits, with an estimated value of ₹92 lakh, from two warehouses in Indore has brought the storage and distribution of abortion-related medicines under scrutiny. BJP MLA and former Madhya Pradesh minister Uma Thakur has expressed concern over the recovery and called for a comprehensive investigation into the medicines’ origins and the supply network involved.The case has drawn attention to the need for proper documentation, regulatory compliance and oversight of medicines that must be handled and used in accordance with applicable medical and legal requirements....

Grand commemorative event scheduled for October 21–22, 2026, at Shri Rishabh Brahmacharya Ashram; focus on pilgrimage-site conservation, Jain heritage, archaeology and the preservation of Shraman culture (SDNA) Mathura, Uttar Pradesh: Preparations are in their final stages for the grand launch of the 125th Foundation Year Celebration of the Bharatvarshiya Digambar Jain Teerth Kshetra Committee, an organisation dedicated to the preservation and development of Jain pilgrimage sites and religious heritage over the past 125 years.The two-day national celebration will take place on October 21 and 22, 2026, at the Inter College Ground within the Shri Rishabh Brahmacharya Ashram परिसर in Mathura. The event will be held under the guidance and spiritual presence of Pujya Acharya Shri Saubhagya Saga...

As Navratri celebrations grow more glamorous, a debate is emerging over whether the traditional spirit of Garba and Dandiya is receiving enough attention amid the growing emphasis on fashion, appearance and visual appeal.(SDNA) Special Opinion | India: Navratri is a festival dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga, symbolising divine power, devotion and the triumph of good over evil. Garba and Dandiya, two of its most celebrated traditions, are more than forms of dance. They bring communities together through faith, cultural expression and collective participation. Yet, as celebrations evolve, an important question deserves reflection: Is the growing emphasis on glamour and revealing outfits beginning to overshadow the devotional spirit of these traditional gatherings? 📢 Join SD News Age...