Newssies

In the days leading up to January 26, preparations at the Rashtriya Rangshala Camp in Delhi Cantonment are in full swing, with artisans, painters, and workers busy assembling the Republic Day tableaux. The parade ground is filled with the scent of fresh paint and the sounds of construction as the displays take shape for the 77th Republic Day Parade on Kartavya Path.

This year’s parade commemorates 150 years of Vande Mataram, a theme that is reflected throughout the various tableaux. As per a report in TOI, around 30 tableaux are at different stages of completion, each representing facets of India’s history, present achievements, and future aspirations. Approximately 10,000 spectators are expected to view the moving displays, while 2,500 performers will participate in the event.

Among the notable exhibits is the ‘Operation Sindoor: Victory Through Jointness’ tableau, which showcases India’s military capabilities, including Rafale jets and Akash missiles. Gujarat’s tableau traces the nation’s journey from 1906 to 1947 under the banner of ‘Vande Mataram,’ featuring a prominent statue of Mahatma Gandhi. Delhi’s display honors the Prime Ministers’ Museum and highlights the city’s evolving skyline with representations of the new Parliament, Bharat Mandapam, Signature Bridge, and Yashobhoomi.

Other states have contributed unique cultural and historical elements. Bihar’s tableau illustrates the journey of makhana from pond to plate, a project that took a month to complete. Himachal Pradesh pays tribute to its 1,203 gallantry award recipients, while Punjab’s tableau reflects the spiritual bravery of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur. Ladakh presents the engineering achievement of the Shyok Tunnel, Uttarakhand features traditional instruments and utensils, and Jammu and Kashmir recreates the ambiance of a houseboat.

Performers from Tamil Nadu will present the mayilattam or peacock dance, with a 17-member team from Chennai participating. Rajasthan’s Parasmal Solanki will perform alongside a 16-member group. Nagaland’s tableau highlights the Hornbill Festival with a large hornbill figure, and Jharkhand’s display emphasizes the state’s natural beauty to attract tourism. Karnataka’s tableau, titled ‘From Millets to Microchips,’ depicts a narrative of comprehensive development, linking agriculture and technology through images of a farming family, millets, silicon crystals, a robot, and a giant microchip. Assam’s tableau transforms terracotta art into a visual presentation, while Chhattisgarh honors tribal heroes such as Veer Gunda Dhur and Veer Narayan Singh.

Union ministries have also contributed to the parade. The education tableau traces the progression of Indian knowledge from Aryabhatta’s concept of zero to the establishment of PM Shri schools, with participants from various Kendriya Vidyalayas. A distinctive tableau created by filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting illustrates the evolution of storytelling from oral traditions to cinema. Additionally, the panchayati raj tableau highlights the SVAMITA scheme.

On Republic Day, these diverse tableaux and performances will collectively present a dynamic and unified portrayal of India’s heritage, achievements, and aspirations.

A clinical investigation conducted in Colombia and published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research, the official journal of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), has identified a connection between low vitamin D levels and increased severity of dengue infection. This finding is particularly relevant for India, where both dengue fever and vitamin D deficiency are prevalent.

Dengue continues to pose a significant public health challenge in India, especially during the monsoon season, when hospitals report a surge in patients exhibiting high fever, reduced platelet counts, and bleeding complications. While many patients recover with supportive treatment, a notable number experience rapid health deterioration, and predicting the progression of the disease remains challenging.

As per a report in TOI, the Colombian study involved analyzing blood samples from nearly 100 patients with laboratory-confirmed dengue, categorized according to disease severity, alongside samples from healthy controls. Researchers measured serum vitamin D concentrations and levels of miRNA-155, a molecule that regulates immune and inflammatory responses. Results showed that patients with milder forms of dengue had higher vitamin D levels, whereas those with warning signs or severe disease exhibited significant vitamin D deficiency.

Additionally, miRNA-155 levels increased progressively with disease severity, suggesting an amplified immune response. The study also demonstrated an inverse correlation between vitamin D levels and inflammatory markers such as TNF-alpha and interleukin-6, both associated with severe dengue and complications like dengue hemorrhagic fever.

Dr. R. Goswami, professor of endocrinology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, noted that the study reinforces previous evidence linking low vitamin D to severe dengue, particularly dengue hemorrhagic fever. He highlighted the potential involvement of microRNA-155 in immune dysregulation through Th1 and Th2 pathways and recommended maintaining adequate vitamin D levels.

Indian clinicians have observed similar patterns. Dr. Pankaj Soni, principal director of internal medicine at Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, stated that low vitamin D is linked to bleeding and complications, potentially exacerbating inflammation and viral replication. He described vitamin D deficiency as a modifiable risk factor rather than a treatment. Dr. Atul Gogia, head of infectious diseases at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, explained that severe dengue is often driven by a cytokine storm and suggested that correcting vitamin D deficiency might help reduce complications, though he emphasized the need for larger, well-controlled studies.

India continues to experience a substantial dengue burden, with approximately 113,000 cases and 95 deaths reported up to November 2025, and even higher figures during peak years such as 2023. Concurrently, national data indicate that vitamin D deficiency affects a large portion of the Indian population across various age and income groups. Experts advise against self-medication but emphasize that this study underscores the importance of India-specific research to determine whether addressing widespread vitamin D deficiency could aid in early identification of high-risk patients and decrease dengue-related complications.

PUNE: A genetic analysis of a recently identified and more persistent monkeypox (Mpox) variant detected in Kerala has established a connection between these cases and foreign travel, along with evidence of ongoing human-to-human transmission. The research focused on Mpox Clade Ib, a strain responsible for outbreaks in parts of Africa that has also been reported in multiple countries outside the continent. This variant appears to spread more rapidly and extensively than earlier versions of the virus, highlighting the need for increased monitoring.

As per a report in TOI, the investigation was conducted by scientists from Pune’s ICMR-National Institute of Virology in collaboration with Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratories across India. It examined 10 laboratory-confirmed Mpox Clade Ib cases in Kerala occurring between September 2024 and March 2025.

Published in the journal Virology, the study revealed ongoing viral evolution with significant implications for disease surveillance and public health strategies. Researchers identified a unique mutation pattern indicative of sustained transmission between humans. This mutation profile was more pronounced in Clade Ib compared to older virus variants, suggesting continued adaptation during circulation.

Additionally, the viral sequences contained mutations in several genes previously recognized as mutation hotspots in Clade Ib strains from the Democratic Republic of Congo, indicating evolutionary similarities across different geographic areas. A novel mutation was found in six out of the 10 cases. The team analyzed patients’ symptoms, viral loads, immune responses, and complete viral genetic sequences.

The results indicated that the virus entered India not through a single individual but as part of a broader regional spread associated with international travel. Epidemiological data showed that nine of the 10 patients had traveled abroad before testing positive for this strain, while one case involved local transmission.

NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) reported a nearly 54% rise in voluntary contributions for the fiscal year 2024-25, amounting to Rs 6,125 crore compared to Rs 3,967 crore in 2023-24. This Rs 2,158 crore increase offset the party’s anticipated revenue loss following the Supreme Court’s February 2024 decision to discontinue electoral bonds as a funding mechanism. In 2023-24, the BJP had received approximately Rs 1,686 crore through electoral bonds.

The removal of electoral bonds, which allowed anonymous corporate donations, coincided with a significant increase in declared corporate contributions to the party. As per a report in TOI, corporate donations to BJP rose to Rs 5,422 crore in 2024-25 from Rs 1,885 crore the previous year, according to the party’s annual audit submitted to the Election Commission.

The Indian National Congress, the main opposition party, declared a total income of Rs 918 crore and expenditure of Rs 1,112 crore for 2024-25 in its audit report. Its receipts from grants, donations, and contributions declined by nearly 54%, falling to Rs 522 crore from Rs 1,130 crore in 2023-24. This reduction may be linked to the discontinuation of electoral bonds, as Congress had raised about Rs 828 crore through this channel in 2023-24.

Individual donations to BJP increased to Rs 641 crore in 2024-25 from Rs 240 crore in the previous fiscal. The party’s total declared income for 2024-25 was Rs 6,769 crore, up from Rs 4,340 crore in 2023-24. This included Rs 6,125 crore from voluntary contributions, Rs 634 crore as bank interest, Rs 5.7 crore from fees and subscriptions, and Rs 4.5 crore categorized as other income.

On the expenditure front, BJP spent Rs 3,775 crore in 2024-25, with Rs 3,335 crore allocated to election propaganda, nearly double the Rs 1,754 crore spent in 2023-24. Congress’s election-related expenses rose to Rs 896 crore from Rs 620 crore in the previous year.

Within BJP’s election expenditure, electronic media publicity accounted for the largest share at nearly Rs 1,125 crore, up from Rs 435 crore in 2023-24. Other expenses included Rs 107 crore on hoardings, Rs 583 crore on air travel, Rs 313 crore as financial assistance to candidates, Rs 91 crore on morchas and rallies, and about Rs 52 crore on meeting costs.

Starting the 2024-25 fiscal year with a general fund opening balance of Rs 9,170 crore, BJP ended the year with a surplus of Rs 2,995 crore, resulting in a closing balance of Rs 12,164 crore.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday permitted Punjab Kesari to keep one of its printing presses operational after it was shut down by the Punjab Pollution Control Board. The closure was reportedly linked to the newspaper publishing a critical report about the state government. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing before a bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, requested an urgent stay on the closure of both the press and a hotel managed by the group. As per a report in TOI, the Punjab government, represented by Advocate General Maninderjit Singh Bedi and Additional Advocate General Shadan Farasat, argued that liquor bottles were discovered at the printing press and that the hotel had violated pollution regulations. The bench expressed less concern about the hotel but emphasized that the printing press should not be closed. Bedi noted that the newspaper had filed a writ petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which had heard the case extensively on Monday and reserved its judgment. Rohatgi stated that the newspaper approached the Supreme Court after the High Court declined to stay the closure orders affecting the printing press in Jalandhar and the hotel in Ludhiana. The bench instructed, “Do not obstruct the publication of the newspaper by shutting down one of its printing presses. The hotel, being a commercial establishment, will be dealt with according to the law. Allow the newspaper to operate and publish its editions.” When Farasat reiterated the claim about liquor bottles found at the press, Rohatgi countered that the closure was primarily due to the publication of an unfavorable article. The court permitted the printing press to continue functioning and ordered that the status quo be maintained regarding the hotel.

On January 21, 2026, Tesla CEO Elon Musk commented on the upcoming production of the company’s Cybercab vehicle, highlighting the challenges associated with manufacturing new products. Musk stated that initial production is typically slow and follows an S-curve, noting that the speed of the production ramp is inversely related to the number of new parts and steps involved. He emphasized that for both the Cybercab and Optimus, almost every component is new, which will affect the pace of early production.

Musk’s remarks were in response to a post by Sawyer Merritt, who announced that Tesla’s Cybercab production is set to begin in less than 100 days. Merritt noted that the Cybercab will be the first vehicle to utilize Tesla’s unboxed manufacturing process. According to Merritt, this new process will enable a single Cybercab to roll off the production line in under 10 seconds, compared to 34 seconds for the Model Y.

The S-curve referenced by Musk describes a common pattern in manufacturing where initial output is slow as new processes are established, followed by a period of rapid increase, and eventually stabilizing as production matures. Musk’s comments suggest that the introduction of new parts and manufacturing steps for the Cybercab and Optimus will contribute to a gradual start before production accelerates.

According to reports from industry outlets, Tesla has previously implemented innovative manufacturing techniques in its vehicle production lines, aiming to reduce assembly time and costs. The unboxed manufacturing process, set to debut with the Cybercab, is described as a significant step in this direction, with the goal of increasing efficiency and throughput.

Tesla’s Cybercab is part of the company’s broader strategy to expand its product lineup and introduce new manufacturing technologies. The company has stated that advancements in production processes are central to its efforts to scale output and meet demand for new models.

Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi exited the state assembly on Tuesday before delivering his inaugural address, citing multiple grievances with the speech presented by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s government. The Governor claimed his microphone was repeatedly switched off, preventing him from speaking, and demanded the national anthem be played after the Tamil anthem, which the assembly speaker refused. This marks the third consecutive year Governor Ravi has either skipped or walked out of the customary address.

As per a report in News18.

In an official statement, the Governor outlined 13 reasons for his refusal to read the speech. He criticized the address for containing unsubstantiated claims, including overstated investment figures, ignoring rising issues such as women’s safety, drug abuse, Dalit atrocities, and a high suicide rate in the state. He also highlighted concerns over declining education standards, defunct village panchayats due to postponed elections, mismanagement of temples, stress on the MSME sector, and unrest among lower-level employees.

Governor Ravi emphasized that the speech failed to address critical social and economic challenges facing Tamil Nadu, such as a 55% increase in POCSO rape cases, over 2,000 drug-related youth suicides annually, and the state’s designation as the ‘Suicide Capital of India’ due to nearly 20,000 yearly suicides. He also noted the lack of implementation of Madras High Court directives regarding temple administration and the absence of solutions for grassroots democracy and employment grievances.

The Governor expressed particular displeasure over the omission of the national anthem at the start of the session, calling it a disregard of a fundamental constitutional duty. The ongoing discord between Governor Ravi and the Stalin-led government reflects deeper tensions over governance and protocol in Tamil Nadu.

No immediate resolution has been announced, and the Governor’s office has indicated that these issues remain unresolved as the assembly session continues.

Nitin Nabin is set to become the national president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday, having emerged as the only candidate in the election. Key party leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cabinet ministers, and chief ministers, along with numerous electors nationwide, have supported his nomination for the top organizational position. As per a report in TOI, Modi endorsed Nabin by signing his nomination papers, although he was not physically present at the party headquarters on Monday. Modi is expected to attend the formal ceremony when Nabin officially takes charge.

Senior BJP figures such as Union ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh, as well as chief ministers Yogi Adityanath, Mohan Yadav, and Nayab Saini, were present at the venue for the event. K Laxman, BJP MP and returning officer for the election, confirmed after the nomination process that Nitin Nabin was the only candidate. Since the party’s inception in 1980, the BJP president has always been chosen by consensus without facing electoral competition. The formal announcement of Nabin’s appointment is scheduled for Tuesday.

Nitin Nabin, aged 45, currently serves as the BJP working president and is a five-term MLA from Bihar. He will succeed JP Nadda, who has held the position for six years. Nabin will become the youngest president in the party’s history.

All 36 organizational units of the BJP, along with its parliamentary party members including Modi and Shah, participated in the nomination process, demonstrating broad support for Nabin. K Laxman stated that all 37 nominations submitted were valid. Ministers and state presidents waited their turn to file nominations in alphabetical order for their respective states.

Nitin Nabin is expected to lead his first official meeting with party office bearers within the next few days.