New Delhi, Jan 25: The President of India has approved the conferment of 131 Padma Awards for 2026, announced on the occasion of Republic Day, recognising individuals for distinguished service across a wide range of fields.

The awards include five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri honours. Among the recipients are 19 women awardees, 16 posthumous honours, and six awardees from the foreign/NRI/OCI category, reflecting the diversity and national reach of the honours.

Jammu and Kashmir has figured among the Padma Shri awardees, with Brij Lal Bhat being honoured for his contributions to social work. A long-time social activist, Bhat has been recognised for his sustained efforts in community welfare and public service.

Renowned academic and scholar Prof. Shafi Shauq has also been awarded the Padma Shri for his contribution to the fields of literature and education, marking a significant recognition of his scholarly work and contribution to intellectual discourse.

From Ladakh, Dr Padma Gurmet has received the Padma Shri for her services in medicine, a recognition widely hailed as a milestone for the Union Territory. Dr Gurmet has been instrumental in advancing healthcare services in the region, particularly in challenging terrains and underserved areas.

The Padma Awards, among India’s highest civilian honours, are conferred annually in three categories—Padma Vibhushan for exceptional and distinguished service, Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of a high order, and Padma Shri for distinguished service in any field. The awards recognise achievements in disciplines including art, literature, education, social work, medicine, science, public affairs and sports.

The awards will be presented by the President of India at ceremonial functions to be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan later this year.

Mathura, Jan 25: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday described newly elected BJP National President Nitin Nabin as a symbol of youthful energy and dynamism while joining him to listen to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Mann Ki Baat at a programme in Vrindavan.

Welcoming Nabin on his first visit to Uttar Pradesh after assuming office, the Chief Minister said his presence in the sacred land of Braj was a moment of pride.

CM Yogi said every BJP worker would remain fully committed to accelerating development in the state under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi.

New Delhi, Jan 25: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the first Mann Ki Baat of 2026 comes on the eve of Republic Day, a day that marks the coming into force of the Constitution and offers an opportunity to pay homage to its founding fathers. He also noted that January 25 is observed as National Voters’ Day, Matadata Diwas, and described the voter as the soul of democracy. In his address, the Prime Minister said that attaining the right to vote at 18 should not be seen as a routine milestone but as a significant moment in an Indian citizen’s life. He suggested that first-time voters should be celebrated by communities, just as birthdays are, to strengthen awareness about voting and deepen democratic values. Modi also expressed appreciation for officials and grassroots workers involved in the electoral process and urged young citizens to register as voters as soon as they turn 18.

Recalling the launch of the Start-up India initiative in January 2016, the Prime Minister said India has emerged as the world’s third-largest start-up ecosystem, driven by the innovation and courage of its youth. He noted that Indian start-ups are now active in cutting-edge sectors such as artificial intelligence, space, nuclear energy, semiconductors, green hydrogen and biotechnology. Calling on entrepreneurs and industry, Modi urged a renewed focus on quality as India’s economy continues to grow and attract global attention. He said the era of compromise is over and emphasised that quality must become the defining identity of Indian products. Reiterating his ‘Zero Defect, Zero Effect’ vision, the Prime Minister said excellence and uncompromising quality are essential to accelerate India’s journey towards a Viksit Bharat.

New Delhi, Jan 25: In her address to the nation on the eve of Republic Day, President Droupadi Murmu said on Sunday that the Constitution of the country has defined justice and brotherhood in the Republic.

Highlighting the Union government’s vision and values enshrined in the Constitution, the President recalled the celebrations of the 150th anniversary of “Vande Mataram” and the events organised to pay tributes to Sardar Patel and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

She also referred to the Operation Sindoor and hailed the valour of the Armed Forces.

The President praised the landmarks being created by women in the country’s development journey and the strengthening of democracy.

She also hailed the contribution of farmers, scientists, doctors, military, police, businessmen and youth for contributing to the nation’s development.

The President recalled Dr B.R. Ambedkar’s message of participation in elections as a means to strengthen democracy.

The annual Presidential speech, a significant moment in the country’s democratic calendar, was broadcast and telecast across the nation, reaching millions of citizens in multiple languages.

The address began at 7 p.m. on Sunday and was relayed on the entire national network of Akashvani (All India Radio) and telecast over all television channels of Doordarshan.

The President’s message was first delivered in Hindi, followed by the English version. Following the Hindi and English broadcasts, Doordarshan’s regional channels aired the address in various regional languages, allowing people in different states to hear the President’s words in their mother tongue.

The President’s address on the eve of Republic Day is a tradition that dates back to the early years of the Republic of India.

It serves as a moment of reflection on the nation’s journey, achievements, and challenges, while also setting the tone for the celebrations on January 26.

Citizens across the country look forward to the President’s speech as it often highlights the Union government’s vision, the importance of unity, and the values enshrined in the Constitution.

Republic Day itself marks the adoption of the Constitution of India in 1950, a milestone that transformed the nation into a Sovereign Democratic Republic.

New Delhi/Srinagar, Jan 25: An Interpol Red Corner notice may soon be issued against Dr Muzaffar Rather, an accused in the white-collar terror module, after his name emerged as a co-conspirator who provided critical logistical support and funding from Afghan soil for the devastating November 10 blast near Delhi’s Red Fort, officials said on Sunday.

Rather, a paediatrician by profession and a resident of South Kashmir, has already been declared as a proclaimed offender by a special NIA court.

The Interpol notice for Rather, who provided help in logistics, funding, communication and planning to Dr Umar-un-Nabi, the driver of the explosive-laden car that detonated outside the Red Fort killing over a dozen people, is in the process, they said.

The officials alleged that Rather has emerged as a primary co-conspirator who allegedly orchestrated the attack from abroad after fleeing India.

Investigators have traced a trail of logistics, encrypted communications and radicalisation efforts that lead directly to safe havens in Afghanistan, where Rather is currently suspected to be hiding, they said.

The officials said that Umar carried out the suicide attack with support from Rather and Afghanistan-based handlers, who provided logistics, communication, funding, and planning.

The officials alleged that Rather played a key role, particularly in liaison and funding.

They said Rather remained in continuous contact with the terrorists and facilitated their communication with Afghanistan-based handlers for information related to bomb-making and operational tactics.

Rather left India in mid-August last year, shortly before the Delhi blast, and he first travelled to Dubai and subsequently crossed into Afghanistan, where he is currently hiding.

The officials said the interrogation of other arrested accused in the white collar terror module showed that Rather allegedly assisted in raising funds for the terror module and contributed approximately Rs 6 lakh towards the financial pool of the terror plot.

In 2021, Rather had travelled to Turkey along with Dr Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie and Umar and the journey was primarily aimed at establishing contact with external handlers or as a transit attempt towards Afghanistan.

Although they did not enter Afghanistan at that time, the trip is considered part of their radicalisation and preparatory network activities, the officials said.

After the trip, Rather, Umar and Ganaie, who taught at Faridabad’s Al Falah University, began accumulating vast quantities of chemicals from the open market, including 360 kg of ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate and sulphur, much of which was stored near the university campus.

The terror plot fell apart when Srinagar police’s meticulous investigation led to Ganaie’s arrest and the seizure of the explosives, which possibly caused Umar to panic and led to the “premature” blast outside the Red Fort.

The intricate inter-state terror network was exposed after a small but significant incident of the appearance of JeM posters on walls in Bunpora, Nowgam, on the outskirts of Srinagar on October 19 last year.

Srinagar police registered a case and reviewed CCTV footage, leading to the arrest of three locals — Arif Nisar Dar alias Sahil, Yasir-ul-Ashraf, and Maqsood Ahmad Dar alias Shahid — all with prior stone-pelting cases.

Their interrogation led to the arrest of Maulvi Irfan Ahmad, a former paramedic turned Imam from Shopian who allegedly supplied the posters and used his access to radicalise the doctors.

The trail led the investigators to the Al Falah University in Faridabad, Haryana, where Ganaie and Dr Shaheen Sayeed were arrested, and 2,900 kg of explosive material was seized in November.