A Jharkhand family took a Rs 8 lakh loan to hire an air ambulance to save 41-year-old Sanjay Kumar. He had suffered severe burns in a hotel fire in Chandwa. His condition worsened, and the family planned to shift him to Delhi for treatment. The Beechcraft C90 aircraft crashed in Chatra district shortly after takeoff from Ranchi. Sanjay, his wife Archana Devi, and relative Dhruv Kumar died in the crash. Two pilots, a doctor, and a paramedic were also killed. The family had even considered selling their land for treatment. All 7 on board died.

The Union Cabinet led by Narendra Modi has approved a proposal to rename Kerala as “Keralam”. The move follows resolutions passed by the state assembly in 2023 and 2024. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had urged the Centre to make the change under Article 3 of the Constitution.   The resolution said, “The name of our State is ‘Keralam’ in Malayalam Language.” It added that the Assembly “unanimously appeals to the Central Government” to modify the name.   The President will now refer the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 to the state assembly for its views. The process comes ahead of assembly elections. (PC: HT)

India has released its first National Counter Terrorism Policy, named PRAHAAR. The policy adopts a zero tolerance approach to terrorism. It calls for a whole-of-society response. The government said terrorism will not be linked to any religion or nationality. The policy highlights threats from cross-border terror, ISIS and Al Qaeda. It also flags risks from drones, cyber attacks and crypto funding. Local police will act first in attacks, while the NIA and NSG will handle major cases. The Unlawful Activities Prevention Act remains the key law. The policy also stresses de-radicalisation and stronger international cooperation.

The Supreme Court has allowed civil judges from Odisha and Jharkhand to assist in West Bengal’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The court acted after noting nearly 80 lakh pending claims and objections. It said 250 judges may take around 80 days to finish the work. The court asked the Calcutta High Court to seek help from neighbouring states. The Election Commission will bear travel and stay costs. The final voter list will be published on February 28. If some checks remain pending, supplementary lists can be issued later. The court used its special powers to speed up the process. (PC: PTI)

Delhi Police arrested Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib over the shirtless protest at the AI Impact Summit. He was questioned for nearly 20 hours before his arrest. Police say he planned the protest and did not cooperate. He faces charges of criminal conspiracy and obstructing public servants. The case is now with the Crime Branch. Police told the court that the protest aimed to damage India’s image before foreign guests. Chib’s lawyer said he was not present at the protest and gave no instructions. Congress leaders called the arrest unfair and said peaceful protest is part of democracy.

A chartered air ambulance travelling from Ranchi to Delhi crashed shortly after takeoff on Monday, with all seven people onboard feared dead. The aircraft departed at 19:11 IST on a medical evacuation mission. At 19:34 IST, pilots contacted Kolkata Air Traffic Control requesting a route deviation due to bad weather. Minutes later, the aircraft lost both communication and radar contact approximately 100 nautical miles southeast of Varanasi. The wreckage was later discovered near Simaria in Chatra district, Jharkhand. Onboard two pilots Vivek Vikas Bhagat and Captain Savrajdeep Singh, one patient, two attendants, one doctor and one paramedic. The DGCA has initiated a formal investigation.

All seven people on board a Ranchi-Delhi air ambulance died after the aircraft crashed in Jharkhand’s Chatra district on Monday evening. The plane went down in the Kasiyatu forest area near Simaria.   The Directorate General of Civil Aviation said the Beechcraft King Air BE9L took off from Ranchi at 7:11 pm. It lost contact with Air Traffic Control at 7:34 pm. The aircraft was operated by Redbird Airways.   Those on board included a patient, two pilots, a doctor, a paramedic and two attendants. “The search and rescue team is at the location and the AAIB team is being dispatched,” the DGCA said. (PC: India Today)

An air ambulance flying from Ranchi to Delhi crashed in Jharkhand’s Chatra district on Monday evening. One person died in the accident. The victim was Sanjay Kumar, 41, a burn patient being taken for treatment.   The Directorate General of Civil Aviation said the aircraft took off at 7:11 pm. It lost communication and radar contact at 7:34 pm. The plane was a Beechcraft King Air BE9L operated by Redbird Airways. Seven people were on board, including two pilots, a doctor and a paramedic.   Rescue teams reached the site. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau will probe the crash. (PC: India Today)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the team of Manipuri film Boong after it won Best Children’s and Family Film at the British Academy Film Awards.   In a post on X, he said, “Congratulations to all those associated with this film. This is indeed a moment of immense joy, especially for Manipur. It also highlights the immense creative talent in our nation.”   The film is directed by Lakshmipriya Devi and backed by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani. It tells the story of a young boy searching for his father. The award ceremony was held in London. 

Rahul Gandhi met Kotdwar gym trainer Mohammad Deepak Kumar weeks after a Republic Day dispute over a shop name triggered tensions.   The row began on January 26 when some people allegedly asked a shopkeeper to change his shop’s name. Deepak said he objected when the group argued with the owner. Police later filed FIRs from both sides.   After meeting Gandhi, Deepak said, “He told me not to be afraid. He said I have not done anything wrong.” He added, “He said he will come to Kotdwar and join my gym.”   Deepak said his gym membership dropped from 150 to 12–15 daily. (PC: X)