NEWS & VIEWS|||SARASIJ|||15-08-2026

 

NEWS & VIEWS|||SARASIJ|||15-08-2026

SATURDAY| VOL—IV/2026/AUGUST

OPINIONATED, FOR FREE CIRCULATION.

अपि स्वर्णमयी लङ्का न मे लक्ष्मण रोचते।

जननी जन्मभूमिश्च स्वर्गादपि गरीयसी॥

INTERPRETATION: Quoted from Ramayana. In Hindu philosophy, the person who gave you birth (Janani) and the land that sustains you (Janmabhoomi) are both given the status of a mother, and both are GREATER than Heaven.

National Symbolism: This sentiment is so fundamental to national identity that it serves as the official national motto of Nepal.

Vande Mataram.

The nation will celebrate its 80th Independence Day today (15 August), with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the celebrations from the iconic Red Fort in Delhi.

 

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

President Smt. Droupadi Murmu has approved 78 Gallantry awards to the personnel of the Defence Forces and Central Armed Police Forces on the eve of Independence Day 2026. 13 Awards have been given posthumously.

These are nine Kirti Chakras, one Bar to Shaurya Chakra, 19 Shaurya Chakras, five Bar to Sena Medals (Gallantry), 36 Sena Medals (Gallantry), three Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry), and five Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).

 The Delhi government has approved a 20 percent horizontal reservation for ex-Agniveers in direct recruitment to fire operator posts in Delhi Fire Services and warder and matron posts in the Prison Department.

Tripura CM Dr Manik Saha Lays Foundation Stone for Agartala Government Eye Hospital.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu  launched 58 modern fire-fighting vehicles costing around Rs 40 crore to strengthen the state’s fire and emergency services.

To mark the next evolution in welfare delivery to the beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), Government of India has launched the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) – Digital Rupee (e₹) for Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) at the Union Territory of Chandigarh.

Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha urged citizens, particularly Gen-Z youth and students, to uphold the dignity of the national flag and remember the painful struggle & history of Partition.

Meghalaya’s week-long celebration of National Handloom culminated yesterday at Ri-Bhoi district. Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma inaugurated a Centre of Excellence that would help in preserving and passing on the skill and tradition of Eri silk weaving to future generations.

Social Justice Minister Dr Virendra Kumar Launches ‘SNEHA’ E-Book on Senior Citizens’ Welfare and Active Ageing.

 Indian Railways, under its ‘Operation Nanney Farishta’, has reunited 65 lost children with their families. These children, were found on various railway stations under the Ferozepur Railway Division, were secured by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and other railway staff between January and July this year and reunited with their parents.

In Jharkhand, the JPSC-JSSC aspirants’ protest continues in Ranchi on its 21st day. They are ‘ADAMANT’ when Senior State Officers visited them.

BENGAL FILES:

Ayushman Bharat Launch: The state government finalized preparations to launch the central health insurance scheme, Ayushman Bharat, across West Bengal on August 16. A total of 1,930 state hospitals (1,303 private and 627 government facilities) have been brought under the system. It will initially run parallel to the state's existing Swasthya Sathi scheme.

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Implementation: Shuvendu Adhikari announced that the central Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme will be implemented in the state. Concurrently, financial assistance for the state’s Kanyaratna scheme was doubled to ₹2,000 for school children and ₹50,000 for higher education.

Yuva and Bal Swasthya Diwas: Schools across all blocks of the Malda district observed health check-up drives, adolescent health awareness sessions, and HPV vaccination camps to conclude Ayushman Week 2026.

Partition Horrors Remembrance Day: On instruction from the Union Ministry of Culture and Governor R.N. Ravi, institutions across the state solemnly observed Partition Horrors Remembrance Day on August 14. High-profile exhibitions were held in Kolkata, and major academic bodies like the University of Calcutta and St. Xavier's University organized historical debates and candle marches to honour those displaced in 1947.

Security Alerts: Following a country-wide threat involving bomb hoaxes targeting major airports and high courts, security was significantly tightened across Kolkata and border districts ahead of Independence Day celebrations.

Illegal Border Crossings: Local police in the Baligram area of Murshidabad detained seven Bangladeshi nationals who had illegally crossed the border into India under Lalgola police station. They were transferred to a holding facility pending further investigation.

Local TMC Leader Arrests: Arrest of local TMC leader Nirmal Ghosh and his accomplice Sanjib,  and their interrogation showed directions to ‘AVAYA’ rape and murder investigations. Mamata Banerjee may be called for  interrogations. Public  was ready to welcome them with ‘Rotten Eggs’, Muds, Chappals  outside the police station, but Police prevented it largely.

MY REQUEST TO CM OF BENGAL: At least 20% entry level recruits to BENGAL POLICE FORCE shall be from ‘AGNIVEERS’ and locals shall have priority.

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

India reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are an inalienable and integral part of India. Briefing media in the national capital this evening, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, the issues that should concern the international community are the atrocities currently being perpetrated in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, and the use of PoJK for cross-border terrorism.

Protests were reported from several parts of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, with demonstrators demanding fundamental rights, accountability for reported killings and an end to alleged restrictions on civil liberties.

India and Vietnam are progressive and forward-looking partners that have built a strong relationship by turning challenges into opportunities, learning from each other and building on their shared strengths.

Romania has begun a controlled shutdown of the second reactor at its Cernavoda nuclear power plant as severe drought continues to affect much of Europe.

Pakistan-India Water Dispute: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif warned India over its suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, calling the nation's water security a strict "red line".

Extreme Wildfires in Europe: Intense heatwaves sparked uncontrollable wildfires across France, Spain, and Greece, forcing thousands of residents and tourists to evacuate.

GULF WAR:

IRAN & USA exchanged usual ‘Rants’. US President Donald Trump stated he intends to declare the Strait of Hormuz a US "territory" following an anticipated defeat of Iran.

Two vessels of the United Arab Emirates were attacked while transiting the Strait of Hormuz last evening. UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the Iranian attacks, stressing the necessity for Iran to cease attacks.

Hormuz is almost closed.

Red Sea Coalition: Saudi Arabia announced a 14-country maritime defence alliance. The coalition will secure shipping lanes through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden.

The Israeli army says it killed Mahmoud Fatair, identified as a commander of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group, during an attack over the weekend in the Deir el-Balah area of central Gaza.

BALOCH FILES:

On August 14, 2026, as Pakistan marked its official Independence Day, Balochistan witnessed heavy resistance, anti-state demonstrations, and active military escalations. Nationalist groups and insurgent factions completely boycotted the state's official celebrations.

"Black Day" Observance & Widespread Protests--Global Rejection Call: Baloch leader Mir Yar Baloch called on approximately six crore Baloch people worldwide to observe August 14 as a "Black Day". Citizens were urged to wear black armbands and hoist black flags at homes and schools to reject Pakistani authority.

Flag Burning & Boycotts: Demonstrators across various towns took down Pakistani national flags, trampling and burning them. This was done to highlight the forced integration of the region following British colonial partition.

Symbol of Subjugation: The insurgent group Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) formally rejected the state holiday. They declared August 14 a clear symbol of historical oppression and state repression.

Military Escalations & Casualties---Surab Region Airstrikes: Tensions peaked immediately following targeted Pakistani military airstrikes in the Surab Gadar Gondon area. According to activist and rebel reports, the BOMBINGS BY PAKISTANI AIR FORCE resulted in the deaths of roughly 30 Baloch civilians, including women and children.

BLA Counter-Offensive: Concurrently, the BLA claimed to have mounted a heavy string of retaliatory attacks. They released footage asserting that 32 Pakistani soldiers were killed during clashes around their camps.

Assault on Home Minister: Mir Ziaullah Langove, the Home Minister of Balochistan, was targeted in an armed attack. The assault took place shortly after he publicly distributed Pakistani national flags to locals.

Security Crackdown and Infrastructure Damage--Heavy Garrisoning: Fearing widespread rebellion, Islamabad placed security forces on high alert, locking down key entry routes and imposing strict movement restrictions across Quetta and border sectors.

Critical Pipeline Blast: High-intensity rebel sabotage damaged an 18-inch critical gas pipeline, cutting off vital gas infrastructure supplies to major residential hubs including Quetta.  

MISHAPS: -

Eight people were killed in a suspected gas leak at a shipbreaking yard in Bangladesh.

In Uttarakhand, seven people died and 14 sustained injuries following a landslide and water seepage in an under-construction tunnel at a hydroelectric project site in Chamoli district.

Former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab and President of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Sukhbir Singh Badal has been discharged from Nanded Hospital yesterday. He was attacked by a person on 13 Aug with a sharp-edged weapon while coming out of a Gurdwara after paying obeisance with his family in Nanded.

In Jammu and Kashmir, one Village Defence Guard (VDG) member was killed and another critically injured after a fellow VDG member allegedly opened fire on them following a scuffle in Udhampur district.

ENVIRONMENTAL: -

Fatal Flooding in Japan: Record-breaking rainfall triggered severe flooding in Chiba, Japan, resulting in multiple casualties. * persons are reported dead.

Odisha remains caught in a relentless monsoon spell, with incessant rain triggering repeated flooding across northern districts and leaving lakhs of people displaced. IMD issued an Orange Warning has been issued for four districts and Yellow Warning for 14 districts, keeping the flood situation under close watch.

WEATHER:

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall over Chhattisgarh, East Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

GAMES & SPORTS:

Indian Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa bounced back from his previous-round defeat to secure a convincing victory over Dutch player Jorden Van Foreest in the fourth round of the Sinquefield Cup. The win took Praggnanandhaa tally to two-and-a-half points from four games, placing him in a share of second position in the 10-player, nine-round tournament.

DAS KAPITAL:

DALAL STREET:

The Indian stock market ended flat with a negative bias on Friday, August 14, 2026, snapping a two-week winning streak due to rising global trade fears and geopolitical escalations in the Middle East. Investors chose caution over aggressive bargain hunting as crude oil prices ticked up, prompting a minor sell-off across key sectors.

BSE Sensex:-78,009.25📉 -70.71-0.09%

NSE Nifty 50:-24,366.00📉 -29.85-0.12%

Nifty Midcap 100:-63,782.00📉 -0.53%

BULLIONS:--

MCX Gold : Dropped by 0.68% to settle around ₹1,52,415 per 10 grams, plunging from an intraday high of ₹1,53,200.

MCX Silver: Fell sharply by 1.27% to close near ₹2,35,447 per kg.

CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATES:

British Pound Sterling (GBP):1 GBP = ₹129.43/-

EUR: 1 EUR = ₹110.62/- (Holding stable against global inflation macro-pressures)

US Dollar (USD): 1 USD = ₹95.64/- (Acting as the baseline currency for global trade contracts)

Swiss Franc (CHF): 1 CHF = ₹117.64/- (Favoured heavily by institutional investors as a safe-haven asset)

MY BLOG POSTED:

CONFESSIONS OF A BLIND SUPPORTER:I posted this below ‘BLOG’ yesterday.URL furnished below.

https://sarasijmajumder.in/confessions-of-a-blind-supporter/

 

THE END.