President Droupadi Murmu Turns 68: From Odisha’s Tribal Heartland to Rashtrapati Bhavan
Today marks the birthday of India’s incumbent and 15th President, Droupadi Murmu. She was born on June 20, 1958, in Baidaposi village, located in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha. Her father’s name was Biranchi Narayan Tudu. President Droupadi Murmu has also been a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). She is the second woman to serve as the President of India, following former President Pratibha Patil. Additionally, she has been honored with the title of ‘Prabuddha Mahila Samrat’ (Enlightened Woman Empress) by the Prabuddha Samiti. President Droupadi Murmu is the second person from Odisha to hold the office of President and is the youngest President in the country’s history. Notably, she is the first President of India to have been born after the country gained independence. Prior to assuming the presidency, she served in various portfolios within the Odisha state government’s cabinet between 2000 and 2004 and also served as the 9th Governor of Jharkhand from 2015 to 2021. Both President Droupadi Murmu’s grandfather and father served as the village head (Pradhan). She was married to Shyam Charan Murmu, and they had two sons and a daughter. Tragically, her husband and both sons met with untimely deaths at different times; her daughter is married and resides in Bhubaneswar. Droupadi Murmu began her career as a teacher before gradually entering the field of politics. She embarked on her political journey in 1997 by winning the election for Councilor of the Rairangpur Nagar Panchayat. She served as the Vice President of the BJP’s Scheduled Tribes Morcha and was also a member of the National Executive of the BJP’s Tribal Morcha. She won the election twice—in 2000 and 2009—from the Rairangpur constituency in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district on a BJP ticket, serving as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA). In the coalition government formed by Naveen Patnaik’s Biju Janata Dal and the BJP in Odisha, Draupadi Murmu served as a minister—first for Commerce and Transport, and later for Fisheries and Animal Resources Development. In 2015, she became the ninth Governor of Jharkhand, succeeding Syed Ahmed; Virender Singh, the then Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court, administered the oath of office to her.
Major Setback for Uddhav Thackeray: 6 of 9 Shiv Sena UBT MPs Rebel
Shiv Sena (UBT) has suffered a major setback in Maharashtra politics. For the second time in four years, the Shiv Sena is facing rebellion. Six of the party’s out of nine Lok Sabha MPs (Sanjay Jadhav, Sanjay Deshmukh, Nagesh Patil, Bhausaheb Wakchaure, Sanjay Dina Patil, and Omraje Nimbalkar) have rebelled. Eknath Shinde had left the party in 2022, and now six Lok Sabha MPs have rebelled. Uddhav Thackeray called a parliamentary party meeting in Delhi on Thursday, June 18th. Only three of the nine MPs—Anil Desai, Arvind Sawant, and Rajbhau Vaze—attended the meeting. These rebel MPs are preparing to join the Eknath Shinde faction by submitting a letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker. Six MPs submitted a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla Speaking to reporters after the meeting, MP Sanjay Raut stated that the six MPs’ absence from the meeting violated party directives and would be sought from them. A show-cause notice was also issued by the Shiv Sena (UBT) to the six MPs who were absent from the party meeting. According to reports, these six MPs submitted a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla requesting recognition as a separate faction and hinting at joining the Shinde faction. The Shiv Sena was formed in 1966 by Balasaheb Thackeray. The Shiv Sena has split six times in its political history, and once again, six of Uddhav Thackeray’s nine Lok Sabha MPs are preparing to break away and join forces with Eknath Shinde. This is the second major rebellion in four years, following Eknath Shinde’s rebellion. After Eknath Shinde’s rebellion, Uddhav Thackeray somehow formed Shiv Sena UBT, but after 4 years, now 6 of his Lok Sabha MPs have rebelled, this is being considered a big blow to Uddhav Thackeray’s politics.
China Breaks Ground on Record,Breaking Hydropower Base in Tibet…
China’s decision to build the massive hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo is significant because this river does not stay in China. It enters India through Arunachal Pradesh as the Siang, becomes the Brahmaputra River in Assam, and eventually flows into Arunachal Pradesh. Construction of the project officially began in 2025 and is expected to become the world’s largest hydropower development, generating roughly three times the electricity of the Three Gorges Dam. Why India is worried China sits upstream, giving it physical control over infrastructure that can influence river flows. Even if Beijing does not intend to cut off water, the ability to regulate releases gives it a strategic advantage during crises or periods of tension. Indian analysts worry that water could become another factor in the broader India-China rivalry. A major concern is not only reduced water flow but also sudden releases of water. If large volumes are discharged during heavy rainfall or emergencies, downstream regions in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam could face heightened flood risks. The Brahmaputra basin is already among the most flood-prone regions in the world. Although China says the project is primarily hydropower-oriented rather than a diversion scheme, Indian policymakers worry that dam operations could alter seasonal flows. Reduced water during dry months could affect agriculture, fisheries, river ecosystems, and local communities dependent on the river. The dam is being built in a geologically active part of the eastern Himalayas, an area prone to earthquakes, landslides, and fragile ecosystems. Environmental groups have warned that a project of this scale could affect biodiversity and sediment transport throughout the river basin. Probably not in the simplistic sense often portrayed on social media. The Brahmaputra receives enormous amounts of water from rainfall and tributaries inside India, especially in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Bhutan. By the time the river reaches Assam, much of its flow comes from sources beyond Tibet. This limits China’s ability to completely control the river. Some experts therefore argue that fears of China shutting off the Brahmaputra are exaggerated. However, even partial control over timing, storage, and release of water can have important consequences for flood management, drought conditions, and regional security. That is where India’s concern is concentrated. How this could change Brahmaputra geopoliticsWater security becomes a national-security issue Traditionally, border disputes and military deployments dominated India-China tensions. The dam adds a new dimension: control of critical natural resources. Water security may increasingly be discussed alongside territorial security. India is accelerating its own dam projects India has explored large storage and hydropower projects in Arunachal Pradesh, including the proposed Upper Siang project, partly to create a buffer against any upstream manipulation and improve flood control. Bangladesh becomes an important stakeholder Because the Brahmaputra ultimately flows into Bangladesh, Dhaka also has an interest in any changes to river management. This could lead to greater regional diplomacy involving China, India, and Bangladesh over shared water resources. More pressure for data sharing and agreements Unlike some international rivers, the Brahmaputra lacks a comprehensive basin-wide water-sharing treaty among all riparian states. The mega dam may increase demands for transparency, hydrological data sharing, and formal mechanisms to manage disputes. Bottom line India’s concern is less about China literally stopping the Brahmaputra and more about China’s ability to influence the river’s timing, storage, and flow from an upstream position. The project introduces environmental, flood-management, and strategic uncertainties into an already sensitive border region. Whether it becomes a source of cooperation or tension will depend largely on transparency, data sharing, and how the dam is ultimately operated once it comes online in the 2030s.
Political Turmoil Deepens in West Bengal: Udayan Guha Held, TMC Faces Rebel MPs Challenge Ahead of Key June 19 Meeting..
In a significant development, the police arrested Udayan Guha, the former Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA from Dinhata, from the Phoolbagan area of Kolkata on Wednesday. Officials view this arrest as a major development in state politics. Udayan Guha’s arrest comes at a time when several significant events are unfolding within West Bengal’s political and legal spheres. This move has further heated up the state’s political atmosphere. Meanwhile, sources revealed that Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has summoned Trinamool Congress National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee for a discussion on June 19. The meeting will focus on the 20 dissident TMC MPs and the party’s stance on the entire matter. This issue stems from the growing discontent within the TMC following the assembly elections. Twenty dissident MPs from the party had met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on June 14. During that meeting, the MPs submitted a letter informing him about the merger of their group with the Tripura-based Nationalist Congress Party of India (NCPI). They also requested separate seating arrangements in the Lok Sabha. According to sources, the Lok Sabha Speaker is currently reviewing the status of these 20 MPs. It is reported that he will make a final decision only after hearing all parties involved. Sources further indicated that the summons sent to Abhishek Banerjee follows a previously scheduled meeting that he was unable to attend. According to TMC sources, the Lok Sabha Speaker’s office had sent a meeting notification to Abhishek Banerjee via email on June 15 at 2 PM. There is now considerable interest in political circles regarding the upcoming June 19 meeting, as it could impact the ongoing internal dispute within the TMC and the future of the dissident MPs.
Akal Takht Sahib declares CM Bhagwant Mann ‘Guru Dokhi’ and ‘anti-Khalsa Panth’
A political controversy has erupted following a decision by the Sri Akal Takht Sahib against Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. In a significant development concerning Punjab politics and the Sikh community, the Akal Takht has issued a significant ruling regarding Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. On Monday, June 15th, the Akal Takht declared Mann ‘Dokhi’ and ‘anti-Khalsa Panth’, sparking heated exchanges in political circles. Following the Akal Takht’s decision, opposition parties Congress and BJP have demanded the resignation of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Punjab Pradesh Congress President Raja Wedding has demanded the Chief Minister break his silence on these allegations and resign. According to a report by news agency PTI, the Akal Takht has taken this decision in connection with an alleged objectionable video regarding which the Chief Minister has been accused of lying. The Akal Takht is considered the highest religious body of the Sikhs. Akal Takht has summoned all Sikh MLAs from Punjab The Akal Takht has summoned all Sikh MLAs from Punjab, regardless of their political affiliation, and the Punjab Cabinet to appear before the Akal Takht on June 29th. This summons has been issued in connection with the anti-sacrilege law enacted by the state government. Regarding the anti-sacrilege law, the Akal Takht Jathedar stated that all Sikh MLAs and the Punjab Cabinet must appear before the Akal Takht on June 29th regarding the “Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026.” Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh issued this order from the Akal Takht platform after a meeting of the “five Singh Sahibans” in Amritsar. Bhagwant Mann is also accused of making objectionable remarks about the “Gurudwara’s donation box” and insulting Sikh Gurus. Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj claimed that a video circulating on social media shows a man resembling Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. It has been authenticated in the investigation of two forensic labs. He said that there has been no tampering with the video nor has it been created with Artificial Intelligence (AI). He said that in January, the Akal Takht Secretariat had written a letter to the Chief Minister regarding the investigation of the video. At that time, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann himself had said that he was ready for forensic investigation of the video. Giani Kuldeep Singh said that Bhagwant Mann lied before the Akal Takht regarding the video. He said that “five Sikh Sahibans” have unanimously declared the Chief Minister as ‘Guru Dokhi’ and ‘anti-Khalsa Panth’.
PM Modi and President Macron Expand UPI in France…
Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with President Emmanuel Macron in Nice, France, where the two leaders jointly inaugurated the “India Innovates” program, which aims to connect startups from India, France, and other countries. President Macron also welcomed PM Modi. This program will bring together leading innovation startups and venture capital funds from India, France, and other countries. Prime Minister Modi also stated that while different countries in the world trade with each other, there are also policy partnerships between different countries, but some relationships are driven by shared interests as well as shared passions. He described the relationship between India and France as one of strong trust, innovation, inspiration, shared values, and a shared vision. He emphasized the strength of this relationship, highlighting the strong trust, innovation, inspiration, shared values, and shared vision that have been the foundation of these initiatives over the years, and they have striven to find solutions to global challenges. He also expressed his happiness at the collaboration between the two countries and the launch of India Innovates. Prime Minister Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron held bilateral talks during which the two leaders discussed key issues. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the talks focused on areas such as artificial intelligence, startups, trade, infrastructure, mobility, and health. The two leaders reviewed the progress of the India-France Special Global Strategic Partnership and agreed to further strengthen it, discussing innovation, investment, security, culture, and people-to-people ties. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Emmanuel Macron sealed the deal. Following the meeting, payments using the UPI payment app will now be available in France. Countries like Thailand, Sri Lanka, Combodia, Mauritius, Qatar, UAE, Singapore and Nepal have already adopted this payment system. France is the first European country to adopt India’s digital payment system, allowing Indian tourists to make payments directly in rupees by scanning a QR code in France. Modi led India’s financial sector to reach global prominence. During his visit to Paris in July 2023, he announced the bilateral agreement. In January 2024, PM Modi hosted the French President in Jaipur, where the President demonstrated the system live by purchasing tea and local handicrafts using UPI. Recently, at the India Innovates 2026 conference in France, PM Modi and the President met, and an agreement was reached to expand UPI to more French transport hubs and cities. Using UPI, Indian tourists can purchase tickets in rupees directly by scanning a QR code at ticket counters online. This world-renowned luxury shopping mall in Paris will also accept merchant UPI payments for Indian tourists. The Ministry of External Affairs also stated that the meeting yielded concrete results in several areas, particularly in the areas of AI, science, space, and startups. Before departing, Prime Minister Modi stated that the relationship holds a special place in the strategic vision of France and India, and during this visit, he will also participate in the G-7 summit and meet with several global leaders, including US President Trump. It is being told that Prime Minister Modi has left France for his visit to Slovakia and during this visit, India-Slovakia relations are expected to become stronger in the field of trade, investment, innovation and strategic cooperation.
President Draupadi Murmu Commissions 515 Officers at IMA Dehradun; 9 Women Make History
A total of 412 Agni Veer Air Force trainees from the Automobile Technician Branch of the Indian Air Service completed their training at the Mechanic Transport Training Institute (MTC) at the Passing Out Parade held at the IMA in Dehradun, the capital of Uttarakhand, on Saturday, June 13th. A formal Passing Out Parade was also held at the Airport Station Abadi in Chennai on Friday, June 12th, 2026, to formally commemorate the completion of the cadets’ training and the achievements of the graduating batch. Air Vice Marshal Atul Laxman Das Gilani inspected the parade and congratulated the trainees on completing the complex training. Addressing the Passing Out Parade, Air Vice Marshal Gilani encouraged all the trainees to serve the nation with a strong sense of professionalism, discipline, teamwork, and dedication. He urged them to make meaningful contributions to nation-building in their future assignments in the Indian Air Force. 141st Technical Graduate Course at the IMA President of India, Draupadi Murmu, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, inspected the Spring Term 2026 Passing Out Parade of the 158th Regular Course and 141st Technical Graduate Course at the IMA. The parade was held at the historic Building Drill Square, and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was also present. Following the parade, a total of 515 Gentlemen and Lady Cadets, including nine female candidates, were commissioned into the Indian Army. The passing out group also included 34 Officer Cadets from 16 friendly foreign countries who will join their respective countries’ armies. IMA made history when, for the first time in its 94-year history, a batch of female Officer Cadets graduated from the IMA and were commissioned as officers in the Indian Army. India’s Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also inspected the Combined Graduate Parade (CGP) of the 217th Course at the Air Force Academy (AFA) in Dundigal, Telangana. This parade marks the successful completion of the pre-commissioning training of the Indian Air Force flight cadets.
PM Modi Begins Six-Day France Visit, to Attend G7 Summit and Strengthen India-France Strategic Partnership
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a Six-day visit to France, starting today. He will participate in a bilateral visit and the G-7 Leaders’ Summit. He will be in Nice on June 13th and 14th, in Evian for the summit on June 16th and 17th, and in Paris on June 17th and 18th. This is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s seventh visit to France since being sworn in as Prime Minister for the first time. This visit follows French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India on February 17th–19th, when relations between the two countries were elevated to the status of a Special Global Strategic Partnership. France is considered one of India’s most favored partners in Europe, and this relationship, based on strategic support and mutual respect, has reached its peak over the past several decades. During his visit to France, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the India Innovates 2020 program, along with Prime Minister Macron. This program will bring together the best innovation startups from India, France, and around the world. Held during the India-France Innovation Year, this program is expected to attract participation from over 120 Indian companies and startups, along with prominent business leaders from France and other countries. PM Modi will also attend the WebTech Summit During this visit, PM Modi will also attend the WebTech Summit, Europe’s largest technology and startup event, in Paris on June 18. The Indian pavilion will be the largest this year. The G7 summit is also being capitalized on by US President Donald Trump’s participation, during which India will have the opportunity to reflect on issues affecting its security and economic interests. Defense: Defense cooperation between India and France is deep and wide-ranging, ranging from air and naval assets to helicopter engines and missiles. Some prominent examples of cooperation include the Rafale aircraft, Scorpene submarines, and Shakti helicopter engines. Space: In this area, ISRO and France’s national space agency, CNES, have a rich legacy of cooperation spanning six decades. Highlights include joint launches, the development of satellites such as Megha-Tropiques and SARAL, and cooperation on India’s human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan. The two countries are also considering another satellite mission, TRISHNA. Nuclear: The passage of the Sustainable Use and Development of Nuclear Energy to Transform India (SHANTI) Act has created a major opportunity for cooperation between Indian and French industries. Regarding Small Modular Reactors/Advanced Modular Reactors, India and France signed a Declaration of Intent for cooperation in this area in February 2025.
Uttarakhand to Become National Model in Economy, Wellness & Sustainable Development: CM Dhami
During the NITI Aayog meeting, Chief Minister Dhami set the goal of making Uttarakhand a national model for economics, wellness, and sustainable development. He presented the model chosen for Uttarakhand’s development at the 11th Governing Council of NITI Aayog. He also stated that work is progressing rapidly towards developing Uttarakhand into a knowledge-based economy, wellness economy, and sustainable development, which is aligned with the national resolve for a developed India 2047. Sectors such as natural farming, horticulture, medicinal plants, yoga and wellness, tourism, and green energy are being developed as future development avenues. Special Needs of Himalayan States Chief Minister Dhami stated that Devbhoomi Uttarakhand has a special responsibility to preserve the country’s environmental and spiritual heritage. The Himalayas, the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the state’s vast forest areas are invaluable assets not only for Uttarakhand but for the entire nation. In such a situation, the Himalayan states need special policy support and long-term financial assistance on issues related to climate change, ecological conservation, disaster management, carbon neutrality, green energy, and mountain development. He also mentioned the government’s achievements, such as the Devbhoomi Parivar Pehchan Yojana, digital monitoring system in the mining sector, and online simplification of land use change feedback, which have made governance more transparent and effective, and promoted women’s empowerment. He said that Uttarakhand will continue to contribute with all its energy, capacity, and commitment to this national campaign, further strengthening India’s position to achieve its goal of becoming a major global power.
Big Trouble for Mamata Banerjee’s Party…
There’s turmoil within Mamata Banerjee’s party, the TMC. Following the crushing defeat in the assembly elections, MLAs and MPs have launched a campaign against Mamata Banerjee. One by one, MLAs and MPs are defecting and speaking openly against Mamata Banerjee. Now, 19 new members have rebelled against the party and submitted a letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker, further exacerbating the problems for the TMC and Mamata Banerjee. The names of Shatrughan Sinha and cricketer Yusuf Pathan have also emerged among those who left the party. Shatrughan Sinha is considered very close to Mamata Banerjee, as Mamata trusted him and fielded Anshul in the elections. Recently, Chitrakoot Singh was seen agreeing with every decision Mamata Banerjee made, but now news of his rebellion is suddenly emerging. According to the helpline of Lok Sabha elections 2024, Trinamool Congress MP from Ansul and Bollywood actor Shatrughan Sinha is the richest MP of West Bengal. According to the helpline filed during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, his total declared assets are around Rs 210 crore. Earlier in 2019, his total assets were around Rs 112 crore, which means his assets have increased rapidly in 5 years.