NEWS & VIEWS|||SARASIJ|||16/03/2026.

 

NEWS & VIEWS|||SARASIJ|||16/03/2026.

MONDAY| VOL—V/2026/MARCH.

OPINIONATED, FOR FREE CIRCULATION.

SPECIAL COVERAGE ON GULF WAR.

“अकर्तव्यं न कर्तव्यं प्राणैः कण्ठगतैरपि ।

कर्तव्यमेव कर्तव्यं प्राणैः कण्ठगतैरपि” ॥

*Meaning* : Whatever is not right to be done, must never be done even on pain of death; and what is right to do, must be done even if one should die for the same.

*भावार्थ* : जो कार्य निषिद्ध है, उसे प्राण कण्ठगत (मृत्यु संकट उपस्थित होने की स्थिति) पर भी नहीं करना चाहिये। जो कर्तव्य है, उसे अपने प्राण की परवाह न करते हुये भी अवश्य करना चाहिये.

 

INDIA: (GOI, SWARAJYA, VISHWAMITRA, HINDU POST, INDIA TODAY).

INDIA’s LPG demand: 34 crore LPG consumers. Average household use half cylinder per month. Earlier, while rural households traditionally relied on fuel sources like firewood, Coal and animal dung for cooking. Introduction of the PMUY resulted in an increasing acceptance of LPG as a cooking fuel.

LPG refill bookings have declined to about 77 lakh from 88.8 lakh earlier, indicating some easing of panic buying, even as the government said  supplies will remain stable despite the West Asia conflict.

Two Indian-flagged LPG carriers operated by the Shipping Corporation of India safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz under the escort of an Indian Navy destroyer.

The Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has directed households with both PNG, and LPG connections to surrender their LPG connection with immediate effect.

The Election Commission of India, on March 15, 2026, announced the schedule for the Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry. While West Bengal will vote in two phases, all the other elections will happen in a single phase.

Assam, Kerala and the Union Territory of Puducherry will go to polls on April 9, 2026. In Tamil Nadu, the election will be conducted on April 23. The first phase of elections is on April 23, 2026 in West Bengal and the second phase on April 29, 2026. The counting for all these elections will be held on May 4, 2026.

The Election Commission has announced bye-elections to eight Assembly Constituencies spread across six states. The Assembly Constituencies are Ponda seat in Goa, Umreth in Gujarat, Bagalkot and Davanagere South in Karnataka, Rahuri and Baramati in Maharashtra, Koridang in Nagaland and Dharmanagar seat in Tripura.

The Telangana state government introduced a strict mandate requiring all state departments to exclusively procure electric vehicles for official movement. Aim is reducing the carbon footprint of the state .

The Union Cabinet approved an extension of the Jal Jeevan Mission period up to December 2028 and a restructuring that reorients implementation from infrastructure creation to service delivery supported by drinking water governance and an institutional ecosystem for sustainable rural piped potable water supply.

Deputy Chief of Mission in Saudi Arabia held a virtual interaction with Principals of CBSE-affiliated schools across Saudi Arabia. The Deputy Chief Mission informed Embassy’s initiatives to support the Indian community and also addressed queries related to the CBSE Board Examinations.

The Embassy of India in Doha informed that Qatar Airways is scheduled to operate three more flights to India for the next two days. These flights will connect Qatar with New Delhi, Mumbai and Kochi. Earlier, Qatar Airways operated one flight to India.

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal has said that India is actively engaging with member countries of BRICS to arrive at a common position on the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

Dr S Jaishankar is on a two-day visit to Brussels, Belgium starting 15 March at the invitation of European Union (EU) High Representative and Vice President Kaja Kallas.

CBSE has cancelled the Class 12 examinations scheduled to take place from today till the 10th of next month in the West Asian Region.

WORLD: (REUTER, AP, AFP, BLOOMBERG, CNN, WP)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted a video of himself getting a ​cup of coffee and chatting with his aide on ‌Sunday (March 15, 2026), after rumors that he was dead or ​injured were aired by Iranian ⁠state media and spread online in Iran. "I Am Dead... For Coffee": Netanyahu Responds To Death Rumors In New Video. I WISH HE SHOULD HAVE 150 YEARS of ACTIVE LIFE!

A wounded man who lost his parents and wife, and was elected the ‘Supreme Leader’ of a nation under attack from the world’s most powerful country and its closest ally, the ayatollah now faces a rare crisis his predecessors never confronted — to survive the storm and preserve the republic. Amid his ‘DEATH’ news, and no public appearance—he may be in RUSSIA, for shelter, and treatment!

Israeli military spokesperson Effie Defrin says there are still "thousands" of targets to hit in Iran, hours after strikes were expanded to include areas in western and central Iran.

ISRAEL, and USA are pulverizing IRAN’s military nerve centers, and hide outs. Air vents, Exit, an Entrances to the fortified underground RAT HOLE are mostly are not operational.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Tehran has not asked the US "for a ceasefire".

Iran accused the United Arab Emirates of allowing its territory to be used for missile strikes against Iranian positions. Iranian Foreign Minister  alleged that overnight attacks on Kharg Island and Abu Musa were launched from HIMARS rocket systems stationed in Ras Al Khaimah and near Dubai.

Severe internal struggle has erupted for supreme post, and IRGC may be acting partly on its own. To negotiate CEASEFIRE—IRAN may have to elect somebody. 

A dangerous situation.

U.S. President said Sunday to Financial Times that NATO faces a "very bad" future if U.S. allies fail to help open the Strait of Hormuz, the critical oil transport conduit effectively shut by Iran in the West Asia war. He might have been planning "about seven" countries on "policing" the Strait of Hormuz.

He further said some countries have minesweepers and a "certain type of boat" that "could help us".

Fire breaks out in vicinity of Dubai International Airport after drone attack.

The Kurdish community of West Asia that has been waging a political and armed struggle in Iran and Turkiye would require concrete assurances from the United States about future of politics in Iran before considering the proposal to join the U.S.-Israel fight against Iran, said a spokesperson of the Kurdistan National Congress, a coalition of Kurdish groups and diaspora.  From Brussels over phone, Nilufer Koc, spokesperson for Foreign Relations Committee of the KNC, said the U.S. made the proposal about Kurdish fighters without broader consultation with the Kurds.

Since February 28, when Israel and the U.S. jointly attacked Iran,  thousands of Indian tourists and expatriates have been left stranded across the Gulf. Indian missions are struggling to keep up with requests and demands. Due to missile and drone strikes, to soaring prices, to occasional  communication blackouts, the situation  has made stranded civilians anxious. INDIGO, and AIR INDIA suspended all flights to GULF countries, as reported by The News Minute and Gulf News. Only AI may be  running very limited operations to, and from Dubai.  Airlines are providing options to rebook or claim full refunds, according to Gulf News.

ENTETAINMENT:

The 98th Academy Awards ceremony is underway at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles.

The live broadcast in India began at 4.30 am IST with the red-carpet event, followed by the awards presentation.

This year, the Oscars is being hosted by late-night host Conan O'Brien, who also emceed the 2025 show. The awards will also see actor-producer Priyanka Chopra turn presenter at the star-studded event.

Black Panther director Ryan Coogler's “SINNERS” is leading the awards race this season with 16 nods, including top honours of best picture, director, and actor. 

(04.00 a.m. Report)

MISHAPS:

In Nepal, seven Indian pilgrims were killed and several others injured after a microbus met with an accident in Gorkha district. According to police, the electric microbus was carrying sixteen people, including fourteen Indian pilgrims returning from the Manakamana temple, when it veered off the road at Kantar in Shahid Lakhan Rural Municipality.

ENVIRONMENTAL:

The Supreme Court has directed the Centre to submit a comprehensive report on illegal constructions along the banks and flood plains of the Ganga river and inform about the steps taken to remove encroachments.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY:

DRDO has successfully completed captive carriage trials and electrical/mechanical adaptation trials for the RudraM-III, a long-range air-to-ground missile with a 550–600 km.

Prachand (Light Combat Helicopter)  entered its full weaponization phase, including the integration and trials of Helina and Dhruvastra anti-tank guided missiles. The Army is also exploring air-launched loitering munitions (under 45 kg) to turn the helicopter into a drone-deploying platform.

 *T-72 Tank Modernization*: The Indian Army is undertaking a modernization and life-extension program for its T-72 tanks, planning to retain nearly 50% of its 2,400-tank fleet until the Future Ready Combat Vehicle (FRCV) begins induction around 2030. Upgrades include new 1,000 HP engines from Russia, thermal imaging fire control systems, and a large-scale overhaul.

GAMES & SPORTS: -

India finished its campaign at the World Boxing Futures Cup in Bangkok with a haul of five medals, including a gold, three silver and a bronze. Competing across the Youth Olympic weight categories, the Indian U-19 men’s and women’s teams delivered a series of strong performances.

DAS KAPITAL:

Indian Share Market: - Will open this morning.

BULLIONS:

*GOLD* : ₹ 16,700/ 01gm (24 krt)

*SILVER* : ₹ 294,000/KG

Currency Exchange Rates:

*Euro* : ₹107/-*USD*  ₹ 92/-  *China¥* : ₹ 13/-

INVESTMENT:

Japanese electronic components maker Hirose Electric Co. Ltd. plans to set up its first manufacturing facility in India in Tamil Nadu with an investment of about ₹100 crore.

Rajasthan Chief Minister held discussions with Takashi Nakajima, President and CEO of Honda Cars India, regarding the company’s electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing plans in the state,  The meeting took place at the Chief Minister’s Office and focused on Honda’s proposal to manufacture its first EV model, the ‘Honda  Alpha’, at its Tapukara, ( Near My present Residence) plant.

 

THE END.