SampadakExpress

Tashi Namgyal, the Ladakhi shepherd who played a pivotal role in alerting the Indian Army about Pakistan's intrusion during the 1999 Kargil War, has passed away at the age of 58 in Aryan Valley, Ladakh. Known for his vigilance, Namgyal spotted Pakistani soldiers digging bunkers on the Batalik mountain range and swiftly informed the Indian Army, a timely warning that shaped the military response during the conflict. His actions were instrumental in India’s victory, earning him recognition as a national hero. The Fire and Fury Corps and the Army have paid tribute to his invaluable contribution, with his legacy etched in history.

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh criticized the Narendra Modi government over the complexity of the GST system, particularly the "absurdity" of having three different tax slabs for popcorn. He called for a complete overhaul of the system, highlighting how its growing intricacies were facilitating tax evasion, input tax credit fraud, and the establishment of bogus companies. Ramesh also pointed to the recent revelation by the Directorate General of GST Intelligence, which reported a staggering ₹2.01 lakh crore in GST evasion for FY24. As the Union Budget approaches, Ramesh urged the Prime Minister and Finance Minister to launch a GST 2.0 to address these issues.

Thieves targeted the Indian Overseas Bank branch in Lucknow's Chinhat area over the weekend, breaking into the bank by cutting through two walls from an adjacent plot. A total of 42 lockers were opened, and valuable items, including jewellery, were stolen. While the exact value of the theft is yet to be determined, it is believed to be worth several crores. The crime was discovered on Sunday afternoon, and police, along with forensic experts, are investigating the incident. CCTV footage shows the thieves using electric cutters to break into the lockers.

The Union Government’s recent amendment to the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, has sparked strong opposition from various political parties. The amendment, which restricts public access to election-related materials like CCTV footage and Form 17C, unless specifically listed by the Election Commission of India (ECI), has been criticized by Congress and other opposition groups. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge called it “another assault” on the ECI's integrity, while other parties, including CPI and CPI(M), warned that it could undermine electoral transparency. The government, however, defended the move, emphasizing that it aims to enhance the role of the Election Commission in overseeing election materials

Tensions soared on Sunday evening when protesters vandalized Allu Arjun’s Hyderabad home, demanding compensation for the family of a woman who died in a stampede during the promotion of Pushpa 2: The Rule. The protesters, claiming to be from the Osmania University Joint Action Committee (OU JAC), hurled stones and tomatoes at the actor's residence in Jubilee Hills and called for Arjun to pay ₹1 crore to the victim's family. This comes after the tragic incident on December 4, which led to the woman’s death and her son's critical injury, following a visit by Arjun to the Sandhya Theatre.

"Independence should never be confused with neutrality. Bharat can never permit others to have a veto on its choices. We will do whatever is right in our national interest and for the global good without being intimidated to conform," said External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. He emphasized that India’s progress must not come at the cost of its heritage and traditions, and that the country must balance modernity with its rich cultural roots. Jaishankar also highlighted India’s unique position as a civilisation state, asserting that the nation's true influence lies in leveraging its cultural strengths on the global stage.

The State Bank of India (SBI) has issued an advisory warning the public about common cybercrime scams, urging caution amidst the rising number of frauds. The advisory highlights 10 popular scams, including fake TRAI calls, parcel customs fees, and digital arrest threats. It also warns about scams involving easy money offers, lottery wins, and KYC updates. SBI stresses the importance of verifying any suspicious communication, especially when financial or personal details are requested. The advisory aims to help individuals recognize fraud attempts and protect themselves from falling victim to cybercriminals.

Rohini Arju, a spiritual content creator and veterinarian, has garnered attention on social media after posting multiple videos expressing her deep love and devotion for YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia, known as BeerBiceps. In one of her recent posts, Rohini dressed as a bride and performed rituals with a photo of Allahbadia, declaring, “I love you beyond time, space, and eternity, Ranveer Allahbadia. You are my everything, my Swami.” Despite facing criticism for her actions, Rohini continues to profess her love, even getting a tattoo of his name and sharing intimate moments with his portrait. Many on social media have labeled her behavior as “creepy” and “problematic,” sparking debate about fan culture and obsession.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a warm ceremonial welcome in Kuwait on the second day of his historic visit, marking the first Indian prime ministerial visit to the Gulf nation in 43 years. Modi, invited by the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, was greeted with a guard of honour at the Bayan Palace. In his interactions with the Kuwaiti leadership, Modi highlighted the growing bilateral ties, emphasizing trade, energy partnerships, and cultural connections. He underscored the significance of India’s economic growth and Kuwait’s increasing investments in India, noting the synergies between the two nations’ visions for the future. The prime minister also engaged with the Indian diaspora, applauding their contributions to Kuwait’s development and calling for deeper cultural exchanges between the two nations.

The Uttar Pradesh government has launched a new initiative during Maha Kumbh 2025, deploying 'Digital Warriors' to fight fake news, raise awareness about cyber crime, and highlight the police’s efforts on social media. Led by social media influencers and college students, the campaign leverages the younger generation's digital savvy to promote positive messaging. The initiative builds on a previous effort started in 2018, expanding to over 10 lakh digital volunteers and 2 lakh police personnel. Digital Warriors will undergo training to combat misinformation, report cybercrime, and spread awareness within their communities.

A major fire broke out in a slum near New Alipore Bridge in Kolkata on Saturday evening, destroying 40-50 shanties. The fire, which began around 7 PM, spread quickly, with explosions heard from gas cylinders in the area. Despite locals’ efforts to extinguish the flames, the fire grew uncontrollable. Fire tenders and army personnel assisted in firefighting operations, and the blaze was eventually contained. No casualties were reported, and authorities are investigating the cause of the fire. West Bengal Minister Aroop Biswas and Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim visited the site following the incident.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his address at the 'Hala Modi' event in Kuwait, praised the warm welcome he received and expressed a deep sense of connection with the Indian community there. Describing the gathering as a "mini Hindustan," he highlighted the strong cultural and historical ties between India and Kuwait. He emphasized that the relationship between the two nations is built not just on diplomacy, but on shared values and traditions. PM Modi also recognized the contributions of the Indian community to Kuwaiti society, underscoring India's role in supporting Kuwait’s vision for development.