THE HEADLINES:
Suvendu Adhikari becomes the first BJP Chief Minister of West Bengal; Takes oath along with five Cabinet Ministers.
Political stalemate continues for government formation in Tamil Nadu as TVK yet to reach the majority mark.
National Legal Services Authority organises National Lok Adalat across the country to provide amicable settlement of disputes.
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar meets Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
And in IPL Cricket, Rajasthan Royals to face Gujarat Titans in Jaipur this evening.
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BJP legislature party leader Suvendu Adhikari took oath as the Chief Minister of West Bengal today, heading the first BJP government in the state. Governor RN Ravi administered the oath of office and secrecy to Mr. Adhikari at a grand ceremony held at the Brigade Parade Grounds Kolkata.
Five Cabinet Ministers also took oath along with the Chief Minister. The Cabinet Ministers are Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, Ashok Kirtania, Nisith Pramanik and Kshudiram Tudu.
“Today is Pochishe Boishak – an auspicious day – birth anniversary of Kabiguru Rabindranath Tagore which is celebrated across the state. This day has been selected for the swearing in ceremony of the new BJP government in West Bengal. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief Ministers of other NDA and BJP ruled states, BJP president Nitin Nabin and other leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party present in the swearing in ceremony. The programme started with floral tribute to Kabiguru Rabindranath Tagore. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and other dignitaries paid respect to Kabiguru. Kalyan Laha reporting from Kolkata.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the blessing of 97-year-old Makhan Lal Sarkar, one of the senior most state leaders during the BJP’s initial days at the swearing-in ceremony. In a grand gesture, PM Modi hugged and touched his feet. Sarkar was the aide of Shyama Prasad Mookerjee the founder of Bharatiya Jan Sangh. BJP has won 207 seats in the West Bengal 2026 Assembly elections While Trinamool Congress secured 80 seats after ruling the State for 15 years.
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Speaking to media after taking oath as the Chief Minister, Suvendu Adhikari said that political party based on the ideals of Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee doesn’t need any certification. He added that those who are still discussing the results, may they be guided by wisdom. He further said that West Bengal has been damaged a lot in education, culture and there is a huge responsibility on BJP to rebuild it.
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Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today congratulated Suvendu Adhikari on taking oath as the chief minister of West Bengal. In a social media post, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Mr Adhikari has made a mark as a leader who has remained deeply connected to the people and understood their aspirations from close quarters. Mr Modi expressed his wishes to Mr Adhikari for a fruitful tenure ahead. The Prime Minister also extended his congratulations to Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, Ashok Kirtania, Kshudiram Tudu and Nisith Pramanik on taking oath as Ministers in the Government of West Bengal.
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Rabindra Jayanti is being celebrated today on Pochishe Boishakh, marking the 165th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Thakur. Cultural functions are held globally, with major celebrations at Santiniketan, Visva-Bharati University, and throughout West Bengal and Bangladesh, featuring Rabindra Sangeet, poetry, dance, and drama.
Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have offered tributes to Gurudev Rabindranath Thakur on the occasion of Pochishe Boishakh. The Prime Minister, said Tagore enriched the society with new thought, creative energy and cultural confidence. Defence Minister Rajnath SinghUnion Home Minister Mr Amit Shah along with other ministers offered tributes to Gurudev Rabindranath.
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In Tamilnadu, the formation of a new Government is further delayed for want of support to form a majority. The National General Secretary of CPI(M), Baby, has said that it was the duty of the Governor to invite the single largest party to form the Government. Speaking to media in Chennai, he accused the Governor of using delay tactics depending on the commands from Delhi. He also said that the BJP is taking efforts to make AIADMK rule the State by delaying the democratic process. In a related political development, AMMK Chief TTV Dhinakaran is demanding action by the Governor on the forged letter of support from his Party MLA to TVK. The VCK will announce today by four pm in a formal meeting with TVK. The AIADMK MLAs have reached Chennai from the Puducherry resort to meet the Party General Secretary Edappadi Palanisamy.
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National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) is organising the second National Lok Adalat of 2026 across the country today. Talking to Akashvani News, Member Secretary, NALSA Sanjeev Pandey said that the initiative aims to provide amicable settlement of disputes and reduce the burden on courts through participatory and people-centric mechanisms. He said that a wide range of disputes are taken up during the Lok Adalat, including criminal compoundable cases, cheque dishonour matters, and bank recovery disputes. He further added that between 2023 to 2025, 12 National Lok Adalats were organized, in which 26 crore cases were disposed of.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Karnataka and Telangana tomorrow. At around 11 AM, the Prime Minister will participate in the 45th Anniversary Celebrations of The Art of Living in Bengaluru and also inaugurate the newly constructed Dhyan Mandir at the Art of Living International Centre. The Prime Minister will also address the gathering during the programme. Thereafter, Prime Minister Narednra Modi will travel to Hyderabad and he will lay the foundation stone and inaugurate the multiple development projects worth around nine thousand 400 crore rupees in Hyderabad. He will lay the foundation stone for the four-laning of National Highway-167 from Gudebellur to Mahabubnagar on the Hyderabad-Panaji Economic Corridor at a total project cost of over three thousand 175 crore rupees.
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The Government has appointed Lieutenant General N S Raja Subramani as the next Chief of Defence Staff. Ministry of Defence said that Lt Gen Subramani will also serve as Secretary, Department of Military Affairs with effect from the date of assumption of charge and until further orders. He will assume office after General Anil Chauhan completes his tenure on the 30th of May.
Lt Gen Subramani is a highly decorated officer with over four decades of distinguished service. He is currently serving as Military Adviser at the National Security Council Secretariat since Sep 2025. He earlier served as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff and General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Command, besides commanding key operational formations along the Western and Northern fronts.
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The Government has appointed Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, as the next Chief of the Naval Staff. Ministry of Defence said that Vice Admiral Swaminathan is currently serving as Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command. The Admiral brings nearly four decades of distinguished service, with extensive operational, strategic and personnel management experience across key appointments in the Indian Navy. He will succeed Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi who retires on the 31st of May.
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External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar today lauded the traditional relationship between India and Trinidad and Tobago. On his visit, Dr Jaishankar addressed the flag-raising ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs of Trinidad and Tobago. The Minister highlighted the deep cultural ties and historical bonds shared by the two countries. Dr Jaishanakar further emphasised the cultural similarities between the two countries, including clothing, Sports, and tradition. Dr Jaishankar also met Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Kamla Persad-Bissessar and explored new ideas and initiatives to further strengthen the bilateral cooperation.
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Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Atal Pension Yojana have completed 11 years of providing social security cover to citizens across the country. Ministry of Finance said these schemes were envisioned to extend affordable financial protection to all, particularly the under-served and vulnerable sections of society. These flagship schemes aim to broaden the insurance and pension landscape by shielding citizens against life’s uncertainties and fostering long-term financial resilience.
Speaking about the schemes, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said over 27 crore enrolments have been done under PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, 58 crore in PM Suraksha Bima Yojana and 9 crore enrolments under Atal Pension Yojana.
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The two-day Indian Ocean Dialogue (IOD-10) with the theme of the Indian Ocean Region in a Transforming World, concluded yesterday in New Delhi. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said that the Dialogue brought together senior officials, policymakers, scholars, and experts from Indian Ocean Rim Association IORA Member States and Dialogue Partners to deliberate on key regional developments and emerging challenges in the Indian Ocean Region. The Ministry of External Affairs organised the Dialogue in collaboration with the Indian Council of World Affairs and the Indian Ocean Rim Association Secretariat.
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The ‘Somnath Amritparv-2026’ is being celebrated to mark the 75th anniversary of the reconstruction of Somnath Temple. The five day celebration highlights the historic significance of the temple and celebrates its enduring legacy. To commemorate this event, Prime Minister Modi is visiting the Somnath Temple on Monday.
“The celebration honours the enduring legacy of the Somnath temple. It marks one thousand years since the first recorded attack on the Somnath Temple in 1026. Somnath holds a sacred place as the first among the twelve Aadi Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. Somnath temple has been repeatedly ravaged and plundered by invaders over centuries, every time devotees and rulers have rebuilt it and restored its lost glory. Somnath therefore stands as a testimony to India’s unshattered faith that has risen victorious over repeated assault over centuries. The festivities will culminate on 11th of this month with a grand ‘Kumbhabhishek’ at the temple spire using water from 11 sacred shrines. AKSHIT VEDYAN AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI.”
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In IPL Cricket, Rajasthan Royals will face Gujarat Titans in Jaipur. The match will start at 7.30 pm. Earlier, Kolkata Knight Riders defeated Delhi Capitals by 8 wickets in Delhi last night. Chasing victory target of 143 runs, Kolkata Knight Riders made 147 for the loss off two wickets in 14.2 overs. Finn Allen delivered a jaw-dropping batting masterclass to power Kolkata Knight Riders to a commanding eight-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals.
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Two new suspected cases of hantavirus were reported yesterday, one in Spain and the other on the remote South Atlantic island of Tristan da Cunha, as experts race to contain an outbreak that began on a luxury cruise ship.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
Suvendu Adhikari becomes the first BJP Chief Minister of West Bengal; Takes oath along with five Cabinet Ministers.
Political stalemate continues for government formation in Tamil Nadu as TVK yet to reach the majority mark.
National Legal Services Authority organises National Lok Adalat across the country to provide amicable settlement of disputes.
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar meets Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
And in IPL Cricket, Rajasthan Royals to face Gujarat Titans in Jaipur this evening.
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