Inadequate awareness about tyre care among motorists is a major factor behind serious and fatal road accidents, particularly on highways, said Sanjay Sasane, the principal of the Institute of Driver Training and Research (IDTR), Pune, highlighting tyre safety as a neglected yet crucial aspect of road safety. Sasane stated that tyres are the only point of contact between a vehicle and the road, bearing the entire weight of the vehicle and playing a critical role in braking, stability and control. “Despite this, tyre health is often ignored by motorists, resulting in preventable and sometimes fatal crashes,” he noted. Sasane added that achieving road safety through awareness and collaboration aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 3.6, which aims to reduce road traffic crashes and fatalities by 50 per cent. Pune institute, tyre advisory committee join hands to boost safety awareness and driver training On the occasion of Road Safety Month in January 2026, IDTR Pune signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Indian Tyre Technical Advisory Committee (ITTAC) to strengthen technical capacity building and tyre safety awareness among drivers and the general public. The collaboration aims to integrate scientific knowledge of tyre maintenance, defect detection and safety practices into structured driver training programmes, ensuring that tyre-related risks are addressed at the grassroots level of road safety education. The MoU signing ceremony was held in the presence of Sudarshan Singh Gusain, chairman of the Tyre Safety Awareness Wing of the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA); Vinay Vijayvargia, deputy director, ITTAC; Deepak Salunkhe, senior police inspector (traffic branch), Pimpri-Chinchwad; Sourabh Sonawane from Vital Strategies under the Bloomberg Philanthropies road safety initiative; along with officials, trainers, and road safety experts. As part of the initiative, ITTAC handed over copies of its Tyre Safety Manual and awareness posters explaining tyre nomenclature, maintenance methods, identification of defects and proper tyre care. These materials have been displayed in the automobile laboratory at IDTR as well as at the driver test track used by licensing authorities in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad for conducting confidence tests and driver certification.
06 February,2026 04:15 PM IST | Pune | Archana DahiwalHighlighting the growing partnership between India and the European Union (EU), External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Friday described the signing of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as a transformative milestone in bilateral ties while addressing the India-EU forum. He also underlined the potential for deeper cooperation between India and the EU in areas including security, defence, climate, technology and talent flows. “Addressed the inaugural India-EU Forum this morning. Highlighted that the FTA has been a game changing development for our partnership. Also flagged other dimensions that hold great potential, including security, defence, climate, technology and talent flows. Hope that the India-EU Forum promotes more conversations and creates greater convergences between India and the EU,” EAM posted on X. PM Modi, EU leaders hail landmark India–EU FTA, stress stronger trade ties Earlier on January 27, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, hailed the successful conclusion of negotiations of the landmark India–EU FTA. "This historic deal is a milestone in the India–EU Strategic Partnership that will significantly enhance bilateral trade and investment ties, drive shared prosperity, strengthen resilient and diversified supply chains, and support sustainable and inclusive growth," read a joint statement issued after the 16th India–EU Summit co-chaired by the three leaders. The leaders emphasised the central role of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in the multilateral trading system and global trade governance and underlined that meaningful, necessary, and comprehensive reform of the WTO is essential to improve its functions so that it is better suited to advance all members’ objectives. In the context of global uncertainty and disruptions, closer economic ties between India and the EU are more important than ever to drive growth, job creation, green transition, industrial development, and more resilient, sustainable and trustworthy supply chains, the statement said. The leaders of India and the EU are committed to ensuring the full implementation of the FTA. Additionally, they tasked their respective teams to complete negotiations, at the earliest opportunity, on an Investment Protection Agreement (IPA) and on an Agreement on Geographical Indications (GIs). They committed to work on scaling up bilateral investments and engage in discussions on Blue Valleys to accelerate private sector engagement in strengthening select value chains, the joint statement said. (Inputs from IANS)
06 February,2026 02:52 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentA private coaching class teacher in Latur was arrested on Thursday for allegedly sexually harassing a 13-year-old student, a police official said. While highlighting the incident, an official from Shivaji Nagar Police Station said that, as per the complaint, the victim had been harassed by the accused since April 13, last year. Accused Amit Yadav is said to be a science teacher who runs coaching classes, as reported by news agency PTI. The official further added, "He contacted the minor girl on a messaging platform, made inappropriate comments and asked her to enter into a relationship with him. He pestered her with such messages and also threatened her when she refused to reply. In June last year, he stopped her after class and inappropriately touched her." While hailing the complainants' courage, the official asserted that the victim mustered the courage to approach police after she confided in a friend, who encouraged her to speak out, as per PTI. Inspector Abhishek Shinde, while briefing about the investigation, asserted, "She and her friend eventually approached the school counsellor, who contacted the victim's parents and accompanied them to Shivaji Nagar police station. Yadav was arrested under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for sexual harassment and other offences." Latur: 60-year-old woman, her daughter confined at home In a different scenario, earlier this week, a 60-year-old woman and her daughter, both reportedly suffering from mental health issues, were allegedly confined to a room in their house by the elderly woman's son in Maharashtra's Latur district, officials said, adding that both were rescued following the intervention of police and social workers, reported the PTI. According to the PTI, relatives said the women, rescued on Tuesday, were kept isolated after allegedly disturbing neighbours by throwing stones. The room from which they were rescued was found littered with several hundred empty plastic water bottles and emitted a foul smell. The shocking incident came to light in Ratnapur Nagar near Pakharsangvi village, about five km from Latur city, the news agency reported. Tip-off by social worker prompts rescue Social activist Venkat Panhale received a tip-off about the situation eight days ago. After verifying the information, he contacted Sharad Zare, founder of Majha Ghar, a shelter home for underprivileged children. Both then met Superintendent of Police (SP) Amol Tambe on Monday and informed him of the situation, according to the PTI. The SP directed the Anti-Human Trafficking Cell (AHTC) to take immediate action. Accompanied by social workers, a police team reached the spot on Monday and rescued the woman and her 30-year-old daughter around 11 am the following day. (With inputs from PTI)
06 February,2026 02:51 PM IST | Latur | mid-day online correspondentParts of Kashmir received fresh snowfall while rains lashed the plains as the night temperature rose above the freezing point at some places, including Srinagar city, officials said on Sunday. Snowfall was witnessed in higher reaches of Pahalgam in Anantnag district and Qazigund area of Kulgam district while many parts of South Kashmir were hit by rains, the officials said. They said Srinagar city also witnessed early morning rains. The minimum temperature in Srinagar city settled at 2 degrees Celsius on Saturday night, up from the previous night's minus 0.1 degrees Celsius.This was 2.6 degrees above the season's normal. While the temperature data for several places, including Sonamarg in Ganderbal district, was not available, the ski resort of Gulmarg in Baramulla district was the coldest recorded place in Jammu and Kashmir at minus 7 degrees Celsius. Officials said Pahalgam tourist resort in south Kashmir recorded a low of minus 1.4 degrees Celsius, up from minus 2.6 degrees Celsius the previous night. It was 3.8 degrees higher that seasonal normal. In Qazigund, the minimum temperature settled at 0.4 degrees, while Kokernag recorded zero degree Celsius and Kupwara recorded low of minus 1.7 degrees Celsius. A 20-day 'Chillai Khurd' (small cold) began on Saturday, after the culmination of the 40-day harshest winter period, 'Chillai-Kalan'. Chillai Khurd will be followed by the 10-day 'Chillai Bachha' (baby cold). The meteorological department has said the weather will remain cloudy, and there is a possibility of light to moderate rain or snow, especially in the higher reaches, with thunder or gusty winds at many places on Sunday. Light rain, with snow in the higher reaches, is possible at scattered to many places on February 2-3, officials said. 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.
06 February,2026 02:43 PM IST | Srinagar | PTILok Sabha proceedings were adjourned for the day on Friday following unabated protests by opposition members over various issues. Friday was the second day when the House could not take up discussion on the Union Budget presented on February 1. As the House reassembled at 12 noon after an earlier adjournment, opposition members continued with their protests by trooping into the Well of the House. Chairing the proceedings, Krishna Prasad Tenneti urged opposition to take their seats and put down placards. As opposition members refused to relent, he adourned the House till Monday. Earlier Speaker Om Birla lamenting that he cannot run "such a House". The speaker noted that 19 hours and 13 minutes have been wasted due to disruptions in the current session and said members are disrespecting the House. As soon as the House met for the day, many opposition members trooped into the Well, shouting slogans and displaying placards. The speaker said he wants the House to run and people have elected members to raise their issues and not to shout slogans. Lok Sabha has been witnessing disruptions since Monday afternoon after Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi was disallowed by the chair from quoting an article based on the excerpts of former Army chief M M Naravane's 'unpublished memoir' in which he has referred to the India-China conflict of 2020. While urging protesting members to allow the House to run, Birla also said there is a question marked for Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi. As the din continued, the speaker adjourned proceedings within less than four minutes of convening. Warning opposition members against crossing over to the treasury benches, he said, "I cannot run such a House." The government and the opposition are at loggerheads over various issues. In an unprecedented development, the Lok Sabha passed the Motion of Thanks on Thursday without the prime minister's customary reply scheduled a day earlier following relentless sloganeering by opposition MPs. 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.
06 February,2026 02:24 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIAmid rising reports of missing persons in the national capital, Delhi Police has assured the public that there is no need for fear or panic, particularly regarding children. Delhi Police PRO Sanjay Tyagi on Thursday said that, compared with previous years, there has been no increase in missing-person reports in the city. In fact, January 2026 saw fewer such cases than in the same period last year. "There is no need to fear or panic regarding the missing persons in Delhi, especially children. Compared to the past, there has been no increase in reporting missing persons in Delhi. In January 2026, compared to the same period last year, there has been a drop in reporting missing persons. It is also worth mentioning that Delhi Police follows the policy of fair and transparent reporting of crime," Tyagi said in a video released by Delhi Police. He added that missing persons can be reported not only at local police stations but also online or via ERSS 112. Under standard operating procedures (SOPs), Delhi Police prioritises locating missing children and acts promptly. Dedicated missing person squads in districts, along with the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit in the Crime Branch, ensure effective action. Tyagi emphasised that no organised gangs have been found involved in cases of missing children or kidnappings. "It is being made clear that no involvement of an organised gang has come to light regarding missing children or kidnapping. We appeal to you to pay no heed to rumours in this regard. Appropriate action will be taken against those spreading rumour," he said. The Anti-Human Trafficking Unit's women's team has been actively working to reunite missing children of all ages with their families, successfully reuniting hundreds over the past 2-3 years. Delhi Police Senior Constable Monika explained that many recovered children had left home willingly. Younger children often go missing because they do not know their address, parents' names, or contact numbers, while teenagers can be lured by strangers, sometimes under the pretext of marriage. Technical surveillance is then used to trace them. "The children recovered by our team so far were those who had left willingly. The younger children go missing as they do not know their address, the names of their parents or mobile numbers. The teenagers get lured by strangers, even under the pretext of marriage, following which they run away from their parents' house...With the help of technical surveillance, we trace such children," Senior Constable Monika told ANI. Head Constable Seema Tyagi added that most teenagers run away due to study-related pressures or personal issues. "Most of the teenagers run away from home under pressure of study. Wherever they run, they provide false details to stay. There was a recent case in which a 12-13-year-old boy repeatedly nagged his parents to take him on an outing. The parents were not capable...So, he left on his own. We identified him using CCTV footage. Many a time, teenage boys and girls leave together, but the families do not inform us for the fear of society, their honour and legal proceedings. Sometimes, the children also get influenced by social media," Seema Tyagi told ANI. Earlier on Thursday, Delhi Police released data showing that missing-person cases in the national capital declined in January 2026 compared to the previous year. The data indicate that the number of people reported missing in Delhi has remained largely stable over the past decade, with annual figures ranging between 23,000 and 24,000 since 2016, despite the city's growing population. In January 2026, 1,777 missing cases were recorded, compared with an average of approximately 2,000 per month in the national capital. Delhi Police data shows that since 2016, a total of 1,80,805 missing persons have been traced and reunited with their families, reflecting a recovery rate of about 77 per cent. 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
06 February,2026 01:47 PM IST | New Delhi | ANIApart from the fiscal deficit and various other announcements, Union Budget 2026 also highlighted an increase in the budget outlay for sports goods manufacturing. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while presenting the Budget on Sunday, proposed to extend the Khelo India Mission for the next 10 years. The extension of the scheme and surge in fund allocation for the sporting sector will give a major boost to the development and nurturing of talent and push self-reliance in equipment and infrastructure. Allocations made keeping in view India's Olympics 2036 bid These steps are aimed at developing the Indian sports ecosystem, capable of putting its best foot forward at the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the 2036 Olympics, for which the country has bid. Keeping the goal in vision, the Finance Minister also proposed plans for a major upgrade in infrastructure and for the development of sports at the grassroots level. While highlighting that India could be a global hub for sports manufacturing, she said, “India has the potential to emerge as a global hub for high-quality, affordable sports goods,” Sitharaman said in her budget speech. “I propose a dedicated initiative for sports goods that will promote manufacturing, research, and innovation in equipment design as well as material sciences," she added. Government to allocate Rs 10,000 crore for sports development Sitharaman further said, "I propose to introduce a dedicated Rs 10,000 crore SME growth fund to create future champions, incentivising enterprises based on select criteria." The government also proposed a long-term Khelo India Mission that will be in force for the next 10 years. “Taking forward the systematic nurturing of sports talent which is set in motion through the Khelo India programme, I propose to launch a Khelo India Mission to transform the sports sector over the next decade,” she added. The sports development industry could act as a major boost to the economy. Sitharaman noted the sports sector in India has great potential to generate employment, skilling, and job creation. Underlining the government’s intent to develop sports as an economic ecosystem, she highlighted the money to be invested in training, coaching, equipment manufacturing, and support services in the upcoming financial year. ‘Khelo India’ budget increased by Rs 200 crore The government has, accordingly, increased the total budget allocations for the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in Union Budget 2026 from Rs 800 crore to Rs 1000 crore. Among the other major hikes, the Budget for the Sports Authority of India (SAI) has been increased from Rs 815 crore to Rs 830 crore, while the outlay for incentives to athletes was reduced from 42.65 crore to Rs 37 crore. Also, the National Sports Federations will get more funds as its Budget allocation has been increased from Rs 340 crore to Rs 400 crore while the National Dope Testing Laboratory will get Rs 23 crore instead of the earlier Rs 18.70 crore, ensuring that the regulator keeps an eye on athletes using fraudulent ways to enhance their performances. (With inputs from IANS)
06 February,2026 01:37 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentA C-60 commando of the Gadchiroli Police in Maharashtra died on Friday after sustaining gunshot injuries during an ongoing anti-Maoist operation in the Abujhmaad forest region. The injured personnel, identified as 38-year-old Deepak Chinna Madavi, was a resident of Aheri and a native of Mandra village in Damrancha under Aheri taluka. He was airlifted from the deep forest area early in the morning and taken to the sub-district hospital in Bhamragad, where he succumbed to his injuries during treatment. Another C-60 commando, identified as Joga Madavi, a resident of Kistaipally in Hyderabad, also sustained a gunshot injury during the encounter on Thursday night. He was evacuated from the area and airlifted to Bhamragad. Officials said his condition is stable and he will be shifted to Gadchiroli for further treatment. Meanwhile, security forces recovered two more Maoist bodies — one male and one female — from the operation area on Friday morning. With this, the total number of Maoist bodies recovered so far has risen to three, including two men and one woman. An AK-47 rifle and a self-loading rifle were also seized from the site. The identities of the slain Maoists are yet to be established. Officials said the operation is still underway in the Abujhmaad region, with search operations continuing. More details are awaited. Top Maoist neutralised in encounter at Chhattisgarh; AK-47, explosives seized Security forces on Thursday achieved a major success in their anti-Maoist operations in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district with the killing of a senior Maoist leader during a joint operation in the forested and hilly terrain under Tarrem police station limits in the district’s southern region, news agency IANS reported. Acting on specific intelligence inputs about the presence of South Bastar Division Divisional Committee Member (DVCM) Udham Singh and other armed cadres, teams of the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Bijapur, and CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) launched a search operation, Bijapur Superintendent of Police Jitendra Kumar Yadav told the media. Intermittent firing broke out between the security forces and the Maoists at around 7 am and continued for several hours amid the dense forest terrain, IANS reported. Following a search of the encounter site, Singh’s body was recovered. He was carrying a reward of Rs 8 lakh and was identified as the in-charge of Platoon No 30 of the South Bastar Division, the senior police officer said. A resident of Kottaguda village under Basaguda police station, Singh had joined the Communist Party of India (Maoist) as a party member in 2002-03 and was active mainly along the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border. In recent years, he had been operating in the Pamed Area Committee for about three years. He was involved in nine criminal cases registered at various police stations in Bijapur district. (With IANS inputs)
06 February,2026 01:10 PM IST | Gadchiroli | mid-day online correspondentFinance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday kept income tax slabs unchanged in the Union Budget 2026, meaning taxpayers will continue to be taxed at the same rates as in the financial year 2025 26 under both the old and new tax regimes. While there was no revision in slab rates, the Budget sought to address several long-standing concerns of middle-class taxpayers through targeted relief measures, including a reduction in tax collected at source rates and the introduction of new deductions related to dividend income. As a result, salaried individuals and other taxpayers will not see changes in income tax slab rates, but may benefit from procedural and compliance-related easing announced in the Union Budget 2026. Follow the live updates of Union Budget 2026 with real-time coverage of major announcements, tax reforms, economic priorities and policy decisions New tax regime slabs Old tax regime slabs Union Budget 2026: Tax holiday till 2047 for global cloud firms using Indian data centres Presenting her ninth consecutive Budget in Parliament, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed a tax holiday till 2047 for foreign companies providing global cloud services using data centre facilities located in India. Such firms will be required to serve Indian customers through an Indian reseller entity. To provide certainty in taxation, the finance minister also announced a safe harbour margin of 15 per cent on costs where data centre services are provided from India by a related entity. Aimed at improving logistics efficiency for electronic manufacturing, Sitharaman announced a safe harbour for non-residents using bonded warehouses for component storage, with profits capped at 2 per cent of invoice value. She said this would translate into an effective tax rate of about 0.7 per cent, significantly lower than in competing jurisdictions. To encourage toll manufacturing, the Budget also proposes a five-year income tax exemption for non-residents supplying capital goods, equipment or tooling to toll manufacturers operating in bonded zones. In addition, the finance minister announced a set of indirect tax measures aimed at simplifying the tariff structure, supporting domestic manufacturing, boosting export competitiveness and correcting duty inversions. The announcements follow the tabling of the Economic Survey 2025–26 in Parliament on Thursday, which outlined the state of the economy ahead of the Budget.
06 February,2026 12:33 PM IST | New DelhiThe ninth edition of 'Pariksha Pe Charcha' began on Friday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaging in a lively and interactive session with students, teachers, and parents from across the country. During the discussion, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the crucial role of board examinations in shaping a student's academic journey. He urged students to treat these exams as their priority, describing them as the foundation upon which future opportunities are built. Board exams demand discipline, clarity, PM Modi tells students "Board exams should not be taken lightly," he said, adding that disciplined preparation and clarity of concepts are essential for success. His advice resonated with thousands of students who tuned in from different states, many of whom face mounting pressure as exam season approaches. The Prime Minister also offered practical guidance on balancing board exam preparation with competitive exam readiness. He explained that a thorough understanding of the chapters prescribed in the board syllabus naturally equips students for competitive tests. "If you understand your board syllabus well, you don't need to put in a lot of extra effort for competitive exams," he remarked. According to him, clear concepts and proper study habits allow students to prepare for both simultaneously, reducing unnecessary stress and duplication of effort. Pariksha Pe Charcha sees candid student queries, focus on beating exam stress The session was marked by candid exchanges, with students posing questions about exam anxiety, career choices, and study techniques. Teachers and parents also participated, sharing their perspectives and seeking advice on how to support children during this demanding period. PM Modi's responses blended encouragement with practical strategies, reinforcing the message that exams should be approached with confidence rather than fear. The annual programme, which has become a much-anticipated event in the academic calendar, is designed to help young learners overcome exam stress, build confidence, and seek guidance on career-related questions. This year's edition introduced a new format, placing greater emphasis on connecting with students nationwide and ensuring their concerns are addressed directly by the Prime Minister. Now in its ninth year, 'Pariksha Pe Charcha' has evolved into a national platform that bridges the gap between students and leadership. By addressing exam stress and offering motivational insights, the programme continues to inspire young minds and reaffirm the importance of resilience, clarity, and focus in academic life. (Inputs from IANS)
06 February,2026 12:29 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentA National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team on Friday arrived at the blast site in Thangskai area of Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills to carry out rescue and recovery operations after an explosion in an illegal rat-hole coal mine that claimed eighteen lives. A day earlier, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma assured that action would be taken against individuals responsible for the incident. He announced that the Meghalaya government will provide an ex gratia of Rs 3 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased. He said that any illegal activities will not be tolerated, as the government has promoted scientific mining. Sangma warns of strict action against illegal mining, urges shift to scientific methods "Individuals who are involved in any illegal activities, action will be taken. Whoever is responsible for this incident will face very strict action. We will not let go of anybody who is involved in this," Sangma said while addressing a press conference here. "At the same time, with the start of scientific mining, it is expected that all miners will apply for the mining. Now, there is an option. These are things that cannot be tolerated anymore. Those involved in any mining activities should not engage in illegal activities that can endanger lives. We are waiting for further report that comes in. Based on that, I will be in regular touch with the press," he added. PM Modi announces 2 lakh compensation for the families of injured Prime Minister Narendra Modi also announced ex-gratia worth Rs 2 lakh each for the families of 18 victims who lost their lives in the tragic incident. Those who have been injured in the incident in the Thangskai area of East Jaintia Hills district will be given ex-gratia of Rs 50,000 each. The incident has left one person with burn injuries. "Pained by the mishap in East Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest. An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs 50,000," the PMO posted on X. (Inputs from ANI)
06 February,2026 12:17 PM IST | Shillong | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
