A portion of the roof of a dargah inside Delhi’s Humayun’s Tomb complex in Nizamuddin collapsed on Friday afternoon, trapping several people. Authorities received the alert around 4:30 PM, and Delhi Fire Service (DFS) teams quickly reached the site with five fire tenders. Locals rescued some individuals, while DFS personnel pulled out three more. Officials estimate 8–9 people may still be trapped. No fatalities have been reported yet. Eyewitness Vishal Kumar said a loud noise preceded the collapse, prompting immediate rescue efforts. Visuals from the site showed ongoing operations to clear debris and free those still stuck inside. (PC: News18)

At least 60 people have died and dozens remain missing after flash floods struck Chositi village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, a key stop for Hindu pilgrims visiting the Machail Mata shrine. More than 100 people were injured. Survivors recalled a blast-like sound before water, mud, and debris swept through homes and facilities. Rescue work is slowed by limited equipment, with the National Disaster Response Force warning up to 200 may be trapped. Families remain separated, with heartbroken relatives searching for loved ones. Officials suspect a cloudburst triggered the disaster, though the meteorological department has yet to confirm. (PC: BBC)

A new report revisits the controversial 1947 Radcliffe Award, suggesting Jawaharlal Nehru and Lord Mountbatten influenced the decision to assign Gurdaspur to India, securing a vital road link to Kashmir. Initially marked for Pakistan due to its Muslim majority, Gurdaspur’s final allocation enabled India’s military access to the princely state. Historians Stanley Wolpert and Alastair Lamb argue strategic motives shaped the boundary revision, citing canal headworks and railway lines. Pakistan views this as the root of the Kashmir conflict. Nehru’s intervention and Mountbatten’s delay in publishing the award allegedly pressured Maharaja Hari Singh to accede to India. India denies prior knowledge or interference, while sealed documents leave the full truth unresolved.

In a record-breaking 103-minute Independence Day speech, PM Narendra Modi unveiled five major initiatives shaping India’s future. He announced the Sudarshan Chakra Mission, a homegrown Iron Dome-style defence system to be launched by 2035. GST reforms, dubbed a Diwali gift, will reduce taxes on essentials and support MSMEs. The ₹1 lakh crore PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana aims to create 3.5 crore jobs, offering ₹15,000 monthly support to newly employed youth. Modi also launched a high-powered demography mission to counter illegal migration and safeguard national unity. Lastly, India will expand nuclear energy capacity tenfold by 2047, with 10 new reactors underway marking a bold stride toward energy security and economic growth. (PC: X/@NarendraModi)

During his 79th Independence Day address on August 15, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a strong message in response to steep tariffs recently imposed by the U.S. under Donald Trump. Modi vowed to stand “like a wall” against any policy threatening India’s farmers, fishermen, or cattle rearers, even at personal cost. He underscored his government’s commitment to safeguarding rural livelihoods while advancing self-reliance through the Make in India initiative. Emphasizing resilience over “economic selfishness,” Modi urged the nation to face global challenges with courage and unity, positioning India as a self-sustaining and determined global economic player. (PC: Mint)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day speech on August 15, 2025, pledged to roll out next-generation GST reforms by Diwali with a goal to cut taxes on everyday-use items, offering significant relief to the middle class and consumers. These reforms aim to simplify the GST structure, potentially by rationalizing multiple slabs—like merging the current 5%, 12%, 18%, and 28% brackets—which would ease compliance and lower rates. Analysts say items like packaged foods and apparel could see GST reduced from 12% to 5%, stimulating the economy while making essentials more affordable.  

On August 15, 2025, India celebrated its 79th Independence Day with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the ceremony at Delhi’s historic Red Fort. At around 7:30 AM, PM Modi arrived and was received with a ceremonial Guard of Honour. The national flag was hoisted amidst a 21-gun salute, accompanied by the national anthem, marking a moment of national pride and unity. Thousands, including officials, defense personnel, and citizens, witnessed the event. The occasion symbolized India’s sovereignty and aspirations for a developed future under the theme “Naya Bharat”, reflecting progress, self-reliance, and national resilience.

On August 15, 2025, India celebrated its 79th Independence Day with significant announcements from Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Red Fort. The PM launched the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY), offering ₹15,000 incentives to first-time private sector employees, with employers also eligible for benefits. This is part of a ₹1 lakh crore package aiming to generate 3.5 crore jobs by 2027. Key highlights included next-generation GST reforms, advancements in indigenous technology and space initiatives, recognition of Operation Sindoor for defense, and the national theme “Naya Bharat”, reflecting aspirations for a developed India by 2047. (PC: NDTV)    

On August 14, 2025, the Madras High Court declared the detention of four lawyers and two law students by Chennai police as illegal. The individuals were arrested during a midnight crackdown on sanitation workers protesting the Greater Chennai Corporation's move to privatize conservancy services in two zones. The court noted that the detainees were not presented before a magistrate, violating legal procedures. While ordering their immediate release, the court imposed restrictions barring them from speaking to the media or posting on social media until the next hearing on August 28. (PC: Bar and Bench)  

On August 14, 2025, the Indian government announced gallantry awards for 36 air warriors who played pivotal roles in Operation Sindoor. Nine Indian Air Force officers, including fighter pilots who targeted terrorist groups’ headquarters in Muridke and Bahawalpur and Pakistan military assets in Operation Sindoor, were awarded the Vir Chakra—the third-highest wartime gallantry medal. One officer received the Shaurya Chakra, and 26 others were honored with the Vayu Sena Medal. These awards recognize exceptional courage and dedication in safeguarding national security. (PC: AFP)