As board exam season grips students across the country, they are under immense pressure. To help motivate students appearing for exams, former HCL CEO Vineet Nayar has shared a candid and comforting message for them on his official social media handle on X. While posting a picture of his marks sheet when he appeared for the board exam, Nayar wrote, “If board exams decided life, half the CEOs would be unemployed.” While not many try to calm down the nerves of the students appearing for the exams. Some leaders take out time and share their story to motivate and uplift the tensed students. IF BOARD EXAMS DECIDED LIFE, HALF THE CEOs WOULD BE UNEMPLOYEDLet that sink in.Boards are important.But they are not your destiny.At 17, I walked out of my Chemistry exam knowing I had messed it up.Full panic mode.A cousin looked at me and asked,“Will you die if you… pic.twitter.com/FED0Cmi90q — Vineet Nayar (@vineetnayar) February 13, 2026 Nayar’s post is a perfect blend of motivation for the children and also enlightening them that their future depends on a lot of other aspects apart from the board exams. Sharing a personal anecdote from his teenage years, Nayar recalled walking out of a chemistry exam when he was 17 years old convinced he had “messed it up". Panic had set in, he said, until a cousin posed a simple but piercing question: “Will you die if you fail?” When Nayar replied "no", the follow-up hit harder: “Then why are you treating it as a life-and-death situation?” Nayar, in that particular moment, shifted his mindset. Two days later, he approached his Mathematics exam with calm focus, studied steadily, and performed far better. The lesson stayed with him and helped him grow professionally in a way that is helping him even today. In an extremely inspiring post, Nayar further wrote, “Exams test memory. Life tests courage.” Through his post, he underlined that board exams are merely a few yards in a cross-country marathon. He further urged students to sleep well, study sincerely, give their best effort, and then accept the result without fear. HCL CEO's post for children appearing for board exams win hearts Earlier, Nayar while trying to lighten up the moment for children appearing for the board exams a lot more calm and relaxed, he added humour to his post, advising students to occasionally shout, “Dad, omelette please… and don’t forget the mango shake!" Reminding families that while parents may worry, a student’s primary job is to prepare and remain steady without overthinking and ruining their mental health. Concluding his hearty post on X and spreading the words of encouragement, Nayar described stress as the “Board Exam Bully” that feeds on fear.
17 February,2026 11:40 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentUttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday participated in the "Mukhya Sevak Ki Chaupal" programme held under the "Jan-Jan Ki Sarkar, Jan-Jan Ke Dwar" campaign at Village Aryanagar (Gajiwali), Shyampur Kangri in rural Haridwar. The Chief Minister interacted directly with the public while sitting among them and conveyed a clear message that the government will work on the ground, not just through files. During the programme, village heads and local residents from various villages presented their issues before the Chief Minister. He listened to each concern seriously and issued strict on-the-spot instructions to concerned departmental officers to ensure timely resolution. The Chief Minister directed the District Magistrate to ensure the speedy disposal of all received applications and stated that keeping any complaint pending will not be acceptable. He also instructed other departmental officials to resolve issues immediately wherever possible. He said that "Mukhya Sevak Ki Chaupal" is not just a programme but a living example of government accountability. The government's aim is that people should not have to visit government offices repeatedly; instead, the administration should reach their doorsteps. He reiterated that the state government is fully committed to public welfare and ensuring that the benefits of schemes reach the last person in the queue. Meeting public expectations remains the government's top priority, and accountability will be fixed at every level. The Chief Minister assured that there will be no laxity in resolving public grievances and that the government stands with the people at all times and in every situation. Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that public affection, trust, and blessings are his biggest strength and motivation. He described himself not as separate from the public but as their servant, stating that public satisfaction is his greatest honour. He reiterated that the Chaupal is not a formal government event but a live platform for dialogue between the government and the people. He emphasised that he is here to listen to people's problems and ensure their resolution. The government is committed to bringing administration to people's doorsteps. He said sensitivity, transparency, and accountability are the core principles of the government. Officials have been clearly instructed that public interest must remain paramount and negligence at any level will not be tolerated. He assured that no voice will be suppressed and no complaint will go unheard. Under the "Jan-Jan Ki Sarkar, Jan-Jan Ke Dwar" campaign, he said that in the last one and a half months, lakhs of people across Uttarakhand have benefited. He described the campaign as a strong bridge of trust between the government and the public. The Chief Minister said the state government has taken historic steps towards providing employment to youth. So far, more than 28,000 youths have been given government jobs. He emphasised that transparent and fair recruitment remains a top priority. He added that the government is continuously encouraging self-employment and entrepreneurship among youth so that they can become self-reliant and contribute to overall state development. He said multiple welfare schemes are being implemented for the protection of farmers' interests and increasing their income. Continuous efforts are being made to resolve farmers' issues, ensure better prices for agricultural produce, expand irrigation facilities, and promote modern agricultural technologies. The Chief Minister stated that implementing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state is a historic step that strengthens social harmony, equality, and justice. He described it as a visionary and courageous decision taken in the public interest. He reiterated that the state government is working with the spirit of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas" and will continue efforts for the welfare of youth, farmers, and common citizens. Highlighting development in rural Haridwar, he said that basic facilities like roads, electricity, and drinking water are being strengthened. Improvements in health and education are now visible on the ground. Irrigation facilities for farmers have been expanded, and continuous efforts are being made to make agriculture more profitable. Youth are being connected with employment, self-employment, and skill development. Several schemes are being run for the respect, safety, and empowerment of women. He added that coordination between the central and state governments has accelerated development work in the state. Due to the commitment of the double-engine government, schemes are reaching the last person without discrimination. Technology and transparency have helped curb corruption and improve administrative efficiency. The Chief Minister said that public suggestions act as guidance for the government. If the government and people work together, development has no limits. He expressed confidence that with public support and trust, the resolve to make the state one of the best in the country will be achieved. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
17 February,2026 09:33 AM IST | Haridwar | ANIThe Bharatiya Janata Party has launched Chakri Chai Bangla Campaign here against job crisis in West Bengal under the Trinamool Congress regime. Speaking to reporters on Monday, BJP MP Raju Bista said that the youth of West Bengal have no other option but to travel to other states in search of jobs. He alleged the settlement of Rohingyas and Bangladeshi citizens in North Bengal, adding that local people have become minority in their own homeland. "The youth of West Bengal wants jobs...Industries are shutting down, and unemployment is rising...The youth of West Bengal has no other option but to look for jobs in other states...Rohingyas and illegal infiltrators are settling in North Bengal; they are using our resources...We are becoming a minority in our home...We have written several postcard letters to West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee that the youth of Bengal want jobs," Raju Bista told reporters. This comes amidst the ongoing clash between the Centre and West Bengal government due to Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in the state. West Bengal is set to hold elections in the first half of this year. The Bharatiya Janata Party, which looks forward to form government in the forthcoming elections have tightened their preparations and Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to visit the state to participate in several programs ahead of the 2026 state Assembly elections. He would arrive at Kolkata airport on February 18 (Wednesday), around 1.30 pm. From there, he will take a helicopter to Mayapur, where he is scheduled to participate in several programs at the ISKCON temple. It is reported that he will spend approximately two hours at ISKCON. The Trinamool Congress, led by Mamata Banerjee, retained power for the third consecutive time in the 2021 elections, winning 221 of 294 seats; the Bharatiya Janata Party emerged as a key opposition force, winning 77 seats.
17 February,2026 09:32 AM IST | Siliguri | ANIThe Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed a penalty of Rs 5 lakh on e-commerce platform Snapdeal for selling toys that do not comply with mandatory Bureau of Indian Standards certification, violating the Toys (Quality Control) Order, 2020. The CCPA has also issued notices to other e-commerce entities including Amazon and Flipkart, along with other sellers. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
17 February,2026 09:31 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesThe police have advised travellers on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway not to leave valuables unattended in cabs or buses while stopping for refreshments at highway food malls. In a recent incident, a cab driver allegedly stole gold jewellery after passengers stepped out to eat. Police Inspector Sachin Hire of Khopoli police station told mid-day, “Theft of valuables is often reported on the expressway, especially in buses, but now these are increasing in private cabs as well. In most cases, passengers leave their valuables inside the vehicle when they go for refreshments. I advise travellers to always carry their valuables with them. It will help prevent such incidents.” What food mall says The official spokesperson of Grand Ocean Cube told mid-day, “We have installed CCTV cameras covering all areas of the premises. We receive frequent calls regarding thefts or missing valuables. In this case, we were informed promptly and immediately reviewed the CCTV footage from all directions. The footage was shared with the persons concerned. We also have a separate lost-and-found cell at the mall, as many visitors often forget mobile phones, purses, and even expensive valuables at the premises.” What happened Poonam Ahuja, 37, and her husband Mandeep Singh Khurana, 37, lost gold ornaments worth around Rs 7 lakh during a halt on the expressway. “On February 7, we were returning to Mumbai after attending a wedding in Pune. We checked out of the hotel around 3 pm. At about 4.15 pm, we stopped at Grand Ocean Cube on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. We left our bags inside the car and went in to eat. The halt lasted for about an hour,” Poonam said. According to Poonam, after reaching home, she realised that a gold bangle and a gold ring were missing from her bag. “We contacted the driver, who denied taking anything,” she said. The next morning, the couple returned to the food mall and requested access to CCTV footage. “Visuals showed the driver moving to the back seat, where our bags were kept, and spending several minutes inside the parked car while we were away. We confronted the driver again and our jewellery was recovered in 24 hours,” she added. Police advisory >> Avoid carrying expensive valuables while travelling>> Do not leave jewellery, cash or other valuables inside buses or cabs when stepping out>> Do not hand over purses or bags to unknown persons while using public facilities
17 February,2026 08:35 AM IST | Pune | Archana DahiwalFollowing directives from Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar, the Pune traffic police, along with the Pune police, conducted a joint drive against triple-seat riding across the city on February 12 and 13, 2026, under the supervision of senior officers from the East Regional Division. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Himmat Jadhav said, “2649 triple-seat riders were booked during the drive”. Of these, 988 vehicles were seized, while 2137 offenders paid fines on the spot, collecting Rs 21.37 lakh. Another 13,308 challans were issued for assorted violations. Earlier drive In a separate enforcement drive starting February 10, police booked 2329 triple-seat riders, seized 1380 vehicles, and collected Rs 43.52 lakh in fines. Action was also initiated against 10,875 other violators. Safety focus More than 1000 offenders were counselled at Shivajinagar headquarters, where DCP Jadhav highlighted legal provisions and accident risks linked to unsafe riding. What’s next? DCP Jadhav said similar enforcement drives and awareness programmes will continue to curb repeat offences. Objective of the special drive The drive aimed to improve road safety, reduce two-wheeler accidents, and strictly enforce helmet and seating norms. How the net was cast >> Simultaneous nakabandis across the city>> Surprise checks at key junctions>> Joint deployment of 30 traffic divisions>> Support from 44 police stations>> Surveillance systems used to track violations Rs 21.37 lakhAmount collected in fines during the drive in Pune
17 February,2026 08:27 AM IST | Pune | Archana DahiwalThe National Testing Agency (NTA) has declared the results of JEE (Main) 2026 Session 1 Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech.), with 12 candidates, including Madhav Viradiya from Maharashtra, scored a perfect 100 percentile, an official release said. Of the 12 toppers, 11 belong to the General category and one to the OBC-NCL category. The examination was conducted in January 2026 across 658 centres in 326 cities, including 15 cities outside India. The exam was also held in international cities such as Manama, Doha, Dubai, Kathmandu, Muscat, Riyadh, Sharjah, Singapore, Kuwait City, Kuala Lumpur, Lagos, West Java, Washington, Munich and Abu Dhabi, the release said. A total of 13,55,293 candidates registered, and 13,04,653 candidates appeared, resulting in a high attendance rate of 96.26 per cent. According to the official release, 12 candidates achieved a 100 NTA Score in Paper 1. 12 candidates score perfect 100 Twelve candidates achieved a perfect 100 NTA Score (percentile) in Paper 1. The top scorers include- - Shreyas Mishra (Delhi-NCT) - Narendrababu Gari Mahith (Andhra Pradesh) - Shubham Kumar (Bihar) - Kabeer Chhillar (Rajasthan) - Chiranjib Kar (Rajasthan) - Bhavesh Patra (Odisha) - Anay Jain (Haryana) - Arnav Gautam (Rajasthan) - Pasala Mohith (Andhra Pradesh) - Madhav Viradiya (Maharashtra) - Purohit Nimay (Gujarat) and - Vivan Sharad Mahiswari (Telangana) Category-wise registration data General Category: 4,73,633 candidates Gen-EWS: 1,64,260 candidates OBC-NCL: 5,33,971 candidates SC: 1,37,207 candidates ST: 46,222 candidates Overall, 4,67,817 female candidates and 8,87,476 male candidates registered for the exam. The NTA score is a normalised score based on the relative performance of candidates in each shift. It is not the same as percentage marks. Final ranks will be released after Session 2, considering the best of the two NTA scores, in line with existing policy. The results of Paper 2 (B.Arch/B.Planning) will be declared later. Strong security and monitoring NTA adopted several strict measures to ensure fairness including: - OTP-based Aadhaar E-KYC introduced for authentication - Biometric attendance and frisking at centres - 5G jammers installed in all centres - AI-based video analytics and virtual observers - Live CCTV monitoring from a Central Control Room in New Delhi - 311 City Coordinators, 726 Observers, 311 flying squads deployed - Special facilities for PwD/PwBD candidates under the RPwD Act 2016 - Provisional answer keys and recorded responses were uploaded online for transparency before final results were declared. Full list of toppers
16 February,2026 11:11 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the India AI Impact Expo here featuring over 600 high-potential startups and 13 country pavilions showcasing international collaboration in the AI ecosystem. He also interacted with startups participating in the expo. The prime minister visited various stalls and spoke with the companies participating in the expo. He was seen asking questions from company representatives to better understand what they are showcasing. The prime minister spent several minutes at various stalls while interacting with the representatives. The Expo brings together global technology firms, startups, academia and research institutions, central and state governments and international partners. Spread across 10 arenas covering more than 70,000 square metres, the Expo brings together global technology firms, startups, academia and research institutions, Union ministries, state governments and international partners. The Expo also features 13 country pavilions, showcasing international collaboration in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) ecosystem. These include pavilions from Australia, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Serbia, Estonia, Tajikistan and Africa. The Expo will host over 300 curated exhibition pavilions and live demonstrations, structured across three thematic chakras: people, planet and progress. In addition, the Expo will feature over 600 high-potential startups, many of them building globally relevant and population-scale solutions. These startups will demonstrate working solutions that are already deployed in real-world settings. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
16 February,2026 08:51 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIThe Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has clarified that it will be compulsory for Class 10 students to appear in the first board examination from 2026 onwards, reported the PTI. The board is introducing two board examinations for Class 10 students starting in 2026. However, officials have made it clear that students cannot skip the first exam and appear directly for the second one. The clarification came after the board received requests from some schools and parents. They had asked whether students who are unable to sit for the first exam due to certain reasons could instead appear only in the second edition. CBSE Examination Controller Sanyam Bhardwaj said that appearing in the first board examination is mandatory for all students. “It is mandatory for all students to appear in the first board examination. All passed and eligible students will be allowed to improve their performance in any three subjects out of Science, Mathematics, Social Science and languages,” he said, according to the PTI. This means that students who pass the first exam will get an opportunity to improve their marks in up to three subjects during the second board examination. ‘Essential repeat’ category explained The board has also clarified what will happen if a student fails to appear in multiple subjects in the first examination. “If a student has not appeared in three or more subjects in the first examination, then he or she will not be allowed to appear in the second examination. Such students will be placed in the ‘Essential Repeat’ category and can take the examination only next year in the main examinations in February,” Bhardwaj added. Students placed in the ‘Essential Repeat’ category will have to wait until the next academic year to sit for the board examinations again. Thane police helpline turns lifeline for students stuck in jams during board exams Meanwhile, with Std XII board exams underway and Std X exams approaching, Thane Traffic Police have activated a special helpline to help students stuck in traffic reach centres on time. Since February 10, 54 traffic riders across 18 zones have been deployed to respond to distress calls during peak morning congestion. “Students are expected to reach their centres at least 30 minutes early, but exam timings clash with office rush hour,” said Police Inspector Yuvraj Sarnobat. This initiative was also carried out last year, and saw great response from parents and students. Helpline numbers 82863003008286400400WhatsApp: 7039003866 (with PTI inputs)
16 February,2026 07:07 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentGates Foundation Chairman Bill Gates on Monday visited Real Time Governance Society (RTGS) Centre at Andhra Pradesh Secretariat here to view utilisation of technology in governance. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu explained to him how faster civic services are being provided and the results being achieved through Real Time Governance. Bill Gates enquired about the functioning and progress of Data Lake, Aware 2.0, WhatsApp Governance, Sanjeevani project and Amaravati projects. He also witnessed presentations on the display walls in the RTGS during which CM Naidu apprised him of the fact that all government wings are interconnected with Data Lake. According to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), Bill Gates appreciated the efforts being made to simplify citizen services through Data Lake and WhatsApp governance. The Chief Minister also informed him that Real Time information is being gathered through Aware 2.0 following which decisions are being taken expeditiously. Bill Gates examined the way the state government is gathering public opinion on the implementation of various schemes and policies. The Chief Minister told Gates that the growth of the GSDP is being assessed regularly through Key Performance Indicators. When Bill Gates asked about the steps being taken for the safety and security of property records, the officials informed him that land records are being preserved with the help of Block Chain Technology and similarly steps are being taken to ensure transparency with policies such as QR Codes for land records. While Bill Gates termed the tax collection system as amazing, Chandrababu Naidu informed him that the tax collection in the country has increased significantly with the GST system. Bill Gates enquired about the implementation of the Sanjeevani project, which is being run in Chittoor district with the support of the Gates Foundation and also asked how the details of tests like blood pressure and diabetes are being recorded. He expressed satisfaction over the functioning of the Sanjeevani project at Kuppam. The officials explained that they are providing advice to the patients on their lifestyle and diet, based on their digital health records. CM Naidu said that they are planning to take further steps to improve public health services by using AI. Bill Gates praised the effort and termed it as 'Great'. He felt that if diagnostic services are made available at a lower cost, it will further help the poor. Bill Gates also enquired about the progress of the ongoing construction works in the state capital of Amaravati and appreciated 30 per cent green and blue plan. CM Naidu explained in detail the ongoing construction works in the capital. Earlier, CM Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, and ministers welcomed Bill Gates and his delegation on arrival at the Secretariat. The Chief Minister introduced the ministers to Bill Gates This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
16 February,2026 06:07 PM IST | Amaravati | IANSAt least seven people were killed in a major fire at a chemical manufacturing unit in Bhiwadi of Rajasthan, on Monday morning. Two others were feared trapped inside the factory premises, according to officials, reported the IANS. The fire broke out at around 9.30 am at plot number G-1-118 B in the Khushkheda Industrial Area. Around 25 workers were reportedly present when the blaze started. Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan expressed deep sorrow over the incident. “Deeply saddened by the tragic fire incident in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan. Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, and prayers for the speedy recovery of those injured,” he said in a post on X. PM Modi, CM express grief Prime Minister Narendra Modi also conveyed his condolences. The Prime Minister’s Office quoted him as saying, “The fire mishap in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan, is tragic and deeply saddening. My condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured.” Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma described the incident as heartbreaking. He said the district administration had been directed to carry out relief and rescue operations and prayed for the peace of the departed souls. Fire spread rapidly According to initial reports, the blaze erupted suddenly inside the private industrial unit and spread quickly, engulfing large parts of the factory within minutes. The RIICO Fire Brigade received information from the police control room at about 9.22 am and responded immediately. Fire engines from the Khushkheda and Bhiwadi fire stations were rushed to the spot. Firefighters battled the flames for nearly one and a half hours before bringing the situation under control. Rescue and investigation underway Additional District Magistrate Sumita Mishra said the fire was first noticed during routine police patrol in the area. Rescue operations began soon after confirmation. Police personnel, fire brigade teams, medical staff and administrative officials reached the site quickly and sealed off the area to carry out relief work. Several bodies were recovered in a charred condition. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause of the fire. Tijara Deputy Superintendent of Police Shivraj Singh is leading the initial investigation. Senior district officials are also reviewing the situation. The district administration has ordered a magisterial inquiry to determine the cause of the blaze and examine whether there were any lapses in safety measures. The incident has left the industrial area in panic. (with IANS inputs)
16 February,2026 05:57 PM IST | Jaipur | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
-1771254913316_d.png "PM Modi interacting with a startup during the India AI Impact Expo. Pic/X (@narendramodi)")
