Defence Minister Rajnath Singh celebrated Holi with army personnel in Leh after plans to visit Siachen were changed due to extreme weather conditions. Singh praised Ladakh as the "capital of bravery," recognizing its significance as the location of Siachen and Kargil. His decision to shift the celebration underscores the challenges faced by troops in demanding terrains. The event highlights the importance of their service in safeguarding the nation's borders. Siachen Glacier, near the India-Pakistan Line of Control, remains a strategic location, despite its harsh conditions.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar spoke on several key issues during a lecture session on his book 'Why Bharat Matters'. Jaishankar highlighted Pakistan's alleged sponsorship of terrorism, calling it "almost an industry level" practice. He emphasized the need for honest dialogue to address the issue. Additionally, he addressed troop movements on China's borders, dismissing China's claims on Arunachal Pradesh as "ludicrous" and asserting India's sovereignty. Jaishankar also discussed India's multi-vector policy in relations with Russia and the US and hinted at ongoing considerations regarding dual citizenship for OCI cardholders, initially proposed during Atal Bihari Vajpayee's tenure.

India's Railways Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, hailed progress on the Mumbai to Ahmedabad bullet train project, emphasizing its transformative impact on regional economies. Vaishnaw highlighted key cities along the corridor like Mumbai, Surat, and Ahmedabad, emphasizing the project's goal of enhancing connectivity and economic cohesion. He pointed out the success of bullet trains globally in dominating transportation share and hinted at competitive pricing compared to air travel. Speaking at the NDTV Indian of the Year awards, Vaishnaw underscored the project's potential to revolutionize travel patterns, allowing for seamless movement between cities and facilitating economic integration across the region.

Astronomers have pinpointed the earliest elements of the Milky Way, dating back 12-13 billion years, calling them 'Shakti' and 'Shiva'. These stellar clusters, akin to founding blocks of a city, emerged as smaller galaxies merged to form our galaxy. Researchers from Germany's Max Planck Institute for Astronomy detailed in The Astrophysical Journal that these star groups retained unique energy and angular momentum signatures. Their findings illuminate the Milky Way's formation through galactic collisions, providing insights into the origins of our cosmic home.

A man in Assam's Dhubri district has been sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for kidnapping and raping a five-year-old girl from his neighborhood in 2022. The accused was swiftly apprehended based on the family's complaint, facing charges under POCSO and IPC sections. The victim's mother filed an FIR on February 17, 2022, detailing how the man lured the child with chocolate, abducted, and assaulted her in an abandoned location. Locals found the girl in a distressed state, while the perpetrator fled. This verdict underscores the gravity of crimes against children.

Actor Sunny Deol was touched by a man's story at the NDTV Indian Of The Year awards. The event honored miners who helped rescue 41 workers trapped in a tunnel in Uttarakhand. The miners shared how they stepped in when machines couldn't reach the workers, highlighting the value of experience over diplomas. They also mentioned the ongoing challenges they face despite their brave actions. Deol's emotional response highlighted the importance of their tale at the ceremony

In Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, two Maoists were killed in a clash with security forces during an anti-Naxal operation, while two jawans were injured in an IED blast in Sukma district. The encounter occurred at the tri-junction of Bijapur, Dantewada, and Sukma districts, known as a Maoist stronghold. The identities of the deceased Maoists remain unknown. Additionally, two Bastar Fighters jawans sustained injuries in the blast along the Dantewada-Sukma border. The injured constables are receiving medical attention. Security forces continue search operations in the area.

India summoned a German diplomat to protest Germany's statement on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest. Germany's mention of the case prompted India to assert its democratic values, emphasizing the rule of law. Meanwhile, Kejriwal's wife read a letter from him, affirming his commitment to serving Delhi despite his detention. Anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare criticized Kejriwal's arrest, attributing it to political motives. Additionally, the Enforcement Directorate raided AAP leader Gulab Singh Yadav's home, although it clarified the action was unrelated to Kejriwal's case. Kejriwal remains in ED custody until March 28.

The Indian rupee depreciated by 35 paise to reach an all-time low of 83.48 against the US dollar. The decline was attributed to a strengthening greenback in global markets and weak performance of Asian currencies. Foreign fund outflows also contributed to the rupee's fall. At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened weak at 83.28 and settled at the record low of 83.48. Analysts cited factors such as a strong US dollar against the euro and pound, along with robust US economic data, as reasons for the rupee's decline.

YouTuber Elvish Yadav, former winner of Bigg Boss OTT 2, secured bail after six days of detainment in Noida Jail. Facing charges related to a snake venom case linked to a rave party, Yadav was released on a bail bond of Rs 50,000. His lawyer, Prashant Rathi, emphasized that Yadav and his friends were falsely accused, with no substance found violating the NDPS Act. The court's decision came amidst a lawyers' strike, delaying the hearing until Friday. Yadav's arrest by Noida Police was under provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and for criminal conspiracy under IPC section 120B.