India’s National Newspaper since 1818 | Pages 20 | ` 5.00 | KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | MUMBAI | BHUBANESWAR | LUCKNOW | SILIGURI | Saturday, 15 August 2026 SPORTS SATURDAY INTERVIEW Today, Independence Day, being a holiday in the offices of The Statesman, there will be no issue of this edition dated 16 August 2026 ‘Delhi EV policy opens paths’ WORLD 2 UAE tankers attacked while transiting Strait of Hormuz Page 11 STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE 7 killed as water, debris flood Chamoli tunnel: Dehradun: At least seven workers died after a section of an under-construction tunnel of the Tehri Hydropower Development Corporation’s (THDC) Vishnugad-Pipalkoti hydropower project collapsed due to a landslide, resulting in water flooding the tunnel, in the Mayapur area of Chamoli district of Uttarakhand late Thursday night. Although neither the Uttarakhand Disaster Management Department or any other government agency has confirmed the death figures, a doctor at the Chamoli District Hospital told the media that seven persons out of 19 brought here were declared dead while remaining were undergoing treatment. One of the rescued workers was referred to the Base Hospital Srinagar as his condition was unstable. Page 9 New Delhi, 14 August P rime Minister Narendra Modi is set to lead the nation’s 80th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort on 15 August, delivering his 13th consecutive Independence Day address from the historic ramparts at a time when India’s young population, national security, defence self-reliance and global ambitions are increasingly shaping the country’s development narrative. With the overarching vision of ‘Yuva Shakti for Viksit Bharat 2047’, this year’s celebrations are expected to go beyond commemorating the freedom struggle and focus on the role of the next generation in steering India towards becoming a developed nation by 2047. A major highlight of the ceremony will be the first-ever rendering of the National Song Vande Mataram as part of the main Independence Day programme at the Red Fort. The Army band will perform the song after the Tricolour is unfurled, followed by the National Anthem. The occasion also marks 150 years of Vande Mataram, giving the celebrations a strong historical and cultural dimension. The participation of students and ‘My Bharat’ volunteers in the commemoration is expected to reinforce the government’s emphasis on youth as the principal stakeholders in India’s future. Prime Minister Modi will likely draw a connection between the spirit of Vande Mataram, the sacrifices of the freedom movement and the responsibilities of a new generation in building a developed India. Youth aspirations are therefore expected to occupy considerable space in the Prime Minister’s address. Education, BCI stepping into NALSAR ‘uncalled for’; no punitive action against students: CJI PARMOD KUMAR New Delhi, 14 August Disapproving of the Bar Council of India’s intervention in the controversy involving NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, students opposing Chief Justice of India Surya Kant’s proposed participation in its convo cation, the Supreme Court on Friday termed the BCI’s action “absolutely uncalled for” and directed that no punitive action be taken against the students or faculty. The Court took note that the BCI had withdrawn its communication restraining enrolment of NALSAR’s 2026 graduates as advocates. Heading a Bench also comprising Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana, Chief Justice Surya Kant made it clear that the issue was essentially between the students and him and did no t warrant the BCI’s intervention. “Naturally this is absolutely uncalled for. It’s a dialogue between students and me. Who are they to raise an issue? This is totally uncalled for. In my student days I have been actively involved in student activities. Assuming even if they are wrong, they have a right to protest. BCI doesn’t have any business,” Justice Kant said. “Even if during the young days some one makes a statement which is wrong, let that be wrong, but why should there be an action,” the CJI remarked. The observations came after senior advo cate K Parameshwar mentioned the matter before the Bench and questioned the BCI’s authority to intervene in what was taking place within a university. During the proceedings, counsel appearing for the BCI informed the Bench that the impugned communication had since been withdrawn. The Court nevertheless issued notice to the BCI, which was accepted by its counsel, and sought a counter-affidavit (response) within two weeks. Recording the withdrawal of the circular, the Court directed that, in the meantime, no punitive action be taken against any student or faculty member of a National Law University or law university. It specifically ordered that no punitive action be taken against NALSAR students in relation to the incidents referred to in the BCI communications. employment, entrepreneurship, innovation, technology, sports and greater participation in nation-building are likely to figure in the speech. The recent emergence of youth-led protests and agitations over examination irregularities, recruitment and employment-related concerns has also placed Gen Z aspirations firmly in the national discourse. Although it remains uncertain whether the Prime Minister will make a direct reference to these protests, the address could seek to channel the concerns and energy of young Indians towards constructive participation in the development process. The emphasis is likely to be on transforming India’s demographic dividend into an engine of innovation, manufacturing, technological advancement and social progress. National security and defence preparedness are also expected to form an important part of the Independence Day narrative. The experience and lessons of Operation Sindoor, launched following the Pahalgam terror attack in May 2025, could provide a backdrop to the Prime Minister’s remarks on India’s ability to respond to security threats and protect its citizens. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 14 August three Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry) and five Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry). Among the Kirti Chakra recipients are Lt. Colonel Maneo Francis PF of 21 PARA (Special Forces) and Major Jitendra Rathee of 2 PARA (SF). Havildar Gajendra Singh of 2 PARA (SF) has been awarded the honour posthumously. Six personnel of the Central Armed Police Forces have been awarded the Kirti Chakra posthumously. They include Head Constable Jagbir Singh, Special Grade Constables Jaswant Singh, Balvinder Singh and Tariq Hussain, Head Constable Bashir Govt taking comprehensive steps to reform exam system: President Murmu STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 14 August President Droupadi Murmu on Friday said the government is undertaking comprehensive steps to completely curb the use of unfair means in public examinations and make the system more transparent, secure and trustworthy for students and youth. The remarks came in her address to the nation on the eve of Independence Day, against the backdrop of recent protests over the NEET paper leak. President Murmu described students as the “architects of India’s future” and called for collective efforts to safeguard their opportunities, wellbeing and aspirations. “Our students are the architects of India's future. Just as the government and society must remain united to ensure national security, everyone must contribute through joint and concerted efforts to safeguard the present and future of our students. Public examinations become gateways to the opportunities for our students,” she said. “ The government is undertaking comprehensive steps to reform these examinations. The objectives of these reforms are to completely curb the use of unfair means in public examinations, make the examination system more transparent, more secure, and more trustworthy for the youth,” she added. With 65 per cent of India’s population below the age of 35, the President described the country’s talented, skilled and innovative youth as its most valuable asset. She stressed the importance of physical and mental wellbeing, family and societal support, and sports in youth development and nationbuilding. President Murmu also highlighted India’s progress towards becoming a “Viksit Bharat” by 2047, asserting that the benefits of development must reach every person. She said emerging economic activities and government initiatives were opening new avenues for young people to succeed. Describing India becoming Maoism-free as a major achievement of the government, she said: “For decades, Maoism posed a serious challenge to the nation. Today, enthusiasm prevails in the areas once affected by Maoism. All-inclusive development is underway in these regions.” Commemorating Kargil Vijay Diwas and the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor, President Murmu praised the armed forces’ valour and precision in combating terrorism, warning terrorists and their supporters that they would face consequences. BJP leaders slam Rahul Gandhi, Sandeep Dikshit over remarks on PM Narendra Modi STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 14 August B JP leaders on Friday launched an all-out attack on Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit over their remarks at a C ongress event on Thursday, describing them as “cr ude, vulgar and uncultured”. Union Minister J P Nadda described Gandhi’s position as Leader of the Opposition as “a misfortune” for the country. “To have such a Leader of the Opposition is the misfortune of the country’s democracy. What could be more unfortunate for the Congress as well than having to accept Rahul Gandhi as its leader?” Mr Nadda said. Reacting to Mr Gandhi’s remarks at the Rachnatmak Congress National Convention, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey shared photographs of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi with Fidel Castro and Yasser Arafat, along with a photograph of Rahul Gandhi hugging PM Modi in Parliament. Mr Dubey accompanied the images with a provocative caption mocking Gandhi. President approves 78 gallantry awards, 13 posthumous, ahead of Independence Day President Droupadi Murmu has approved 78 gallantry awards, including 13 posthumous honours, for personnel of the Armed Forces and Central Armed Police Forces on the eve of the 80th Independence Day, recognising acts of exceptional courage and devotion to duty. The awards include nine Kirti Chakras, including seven posthumous, one Bar to Shaurya Chakra, 19 Shaurya Chakras, including one posthumous, five Bars to Sena Medal (Gallantry), 36 Sena Medals (Gallantry), including five posthumous, Page 20 Page 13 PM Modi to lead 80th I-Day celebrations BRIEFLY Gambhir-led India chase redemption in 600th Test Ahmad and Inspector Sunil Kumar of the Special Task Force. Major Aditya Pratap Singh of the Rajputana Rifles has been awarded a Bar to the Shaurya Chakra. Eleven Army personnel have been named for the Shaurya Chakra, including Major Paramveer of the Garhwal Rifles, Major Tarun Vasudevan of the Corps of Engineers, Major Keshav Kumar of 12 Dogra, Major Gaurav Singh Brijwal of 21 Grenadiers and personnel from Assam Rifles and PARA (SF). Lance Naik Narender Sindhu of 9 Rashtriya Rifles is getting the award posthumously. The President has also approved five Bars to Sena Medal (Gallantry) for Army personnel, including Major DS Paosho, Major Anuj Mahajan, Major Krishan Kant, Subedar Ramesh Kumar and Naib Subedar Rajendra Singh. A total of 36 Sena Me dals (Gallantry) have been approved, five of them posthumously. Three Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry) have been awarded to Commander Vineet Sharma, Commander Yuvraj Kumar and Aircraft Controller Avinash Annaso. Group Captains Rahul Jagotta and Rahul Rawat, Wing Commander Ashish Rajpoot, Flt. Lieutenant Yash and Master Warrant Officer Ravinderjit Singh have been awarded Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry). “Rahul Gandhi ji calls this choking sensation gastric fire, or is it the fire of lust?” he wrote. Education Minister Pralhad Joshi said: “Rahul Gandhi, when will you grow up? Running India requires mature leadership, not amateur dramatics. Calling a demo cratically elected government ‘jokers and clowns’ proves you are out of your depth.” Speaking at the convention, Mr Gandhi said, “I don’t know where he (PM Modi) got this idea from. Strange ideas get into people’s heads. He thinks this is foreign policy,” before giving Dikshit a hug. Mr Dikshit then quipped, “Meloni samajh ke toh nahi pakda tha? (You didn’t hug me thinking I was Meloni?)”, referring to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Mr Gandhi replied: “I haven’t reached that stage yet,” drawing laughter from the gathering. Reacting to the exchange, BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya said the remarks by Mr Gandhi and Mr Dikshit “reveal something far more disturbing than a mere ‘locker-room conversation’”. Mr Malviya said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had, in 2024, expressed pain over the alleged “insult” to former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit through what he described as baseless corruption allegations. “ To day, her son @_SandeepDikshit shares the stage with @RahulGandhi and stoops to mocking the same Prime Minister,” he said. He also criticised the reference to a foreign leader, saying: “Turning a diplomatic gesture into a cheap punchline by dragging a foreign premier into domestic p olitical mudslinging is beneath any serious political discourse.” BJP MP and spokesperson Sambit Patra said Gandhi’s language and political conduct were “deteriorating day by day”, describing the remarks against the Prime Minister and the Italian Prime Minister as “shameful”. Gorkha recruitment becomes key talking point ahead of Army chief’s Nepal visit PARWINDER SANDHU New Delhi, 14 August A fresh demand for the resumption of recruitment of Nepali youths into the Indian Army under the Agnipath scheme has emerged as a sensitive issue ahead of Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth’s upcoming maiden three-day visit to Nepal, adding a new dimension to the longstanding defence ties between the two neighbours. Former Gorkha soldiers, their supporters and Nepali youths staged a protest in Pokhara on Wednesday, seeking the immediate restoration of recruitment into the Indian Army. The demonstration has brought the unresolved Gorkha recruitment issue into sharper focus just days before General Seth’s arrival in Kathmandu. Recruitment of Nepali Gorkhas has traditionally been regarded as one of the most enduring institutional links between India and Nepal, continuing from the British Indian Army into the post-Independence Indian Army. General Seth, who assumed office as the 31st Chief of the Indian Army on 30 June, is visiting Nepal at the invitation of Nepali Army Chief General Ashok Sigdel. During the visit, Nepal President Ramchandra Paudel will confer on him the honorary rank of General of the Nepali Army, continuing a reciprocal tradition between the two armies. General Sigdel received the honorary rank of General of the Indian Army from President Droupadi Murmu in December 2024. The visit is also significant in the context of Nepal’s new political dispensation. General Seth is expected to seek a courtesy meeting with Prime Minister Balendra Shah, although the meeting has not yet been officially confirmed. He would be the first senior Indian official to visit Nepal since the formation of the Shah government in March. Recruitment has remained suspended since the Covid-19 period and subsequently became entangled with Nepal’s objections to India’s Agnipath recruitment system, introduced in 2022. Under Agnipath, recruits serve for four years, after which up to 25 per cent can be selected for continued military service.