NEWS & VIEWS|||SARASIJ|||23-08-2026

 

NEWS & VIEWS|||SARASIJ|||23-08-2026

SUNDAY| VOL—IV/2026/AUGUST

OPINIONATED, FOR FREE CIRCULATION.

“बन्धुरात्मात्मनस्तस्य येनात्मैवात्मना जितः ।

अनात्मनस्तु शत्रुत्वे वर्तेतात्मैव शत्रुवत्” ॥ ६ ॥

BHAGABAD GEETA—CHAPTER 6, VERSE-6

TRANSLATION (BY ME): "For those who have conquered the mind, it is their finest friend. But for those who have failed to do so, the mind remains the greatest enemy."

 

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

​Union Home Minister held an important meeting with senior Gorkha leaders yesterday to  resolve Gorkha issue, cantering on for Gorkhaland.

The resumption of public transport along the Imphal-Dimapur-Guwahati route via National Highway-2 continued smoothly on its second day with more than 200 passengers leaving Imphal in a fleet of four buses and six Winger vehicles.

A specialised police training workshop on gender-sensitive policing and effective investigation of crimes against women was held in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar yesterday

In Sikkim, the Department of State Education has announced that Sushma Tamang, a Post Graduate Teacher of Chemistry at PM SHRI Government Senior Secondary School in Dikling, has been selected for the prestigious National Teachers’ Award 2026.

Goa Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant has called upon young people to play a key role in building a developed India by 2047. Responsibility is on GEN-Z. Lazy Cockroaches can’t do it.

Arunachal Pradesh:  The Chairperson briefed the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh on the outcomes of the 2-Day North East SCPCRs Convention on Child Rights, held at Tawang on 31st July and 1st August 2026.

Jammu and Kashmir: Mohd Ayaz Raina selected for National Award to Teachers 2026. He became the only awardee from the Union Territory this year.

National Teachers Awards 2026 will be conferred on 48 school teachers by President Droupadi Murmu at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on 5 September 2026. The date coincides with National Teachers’ Day in India, which is observed every year on 5 September.

The Ministry of Rural Development launched the second phase of the National Campaign on Entrepreneurship-II on 21 August 2026 under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission. The three-month campaign runs from 21 August to 21 November 2026 and coincides with World Entrepreneurs Day.

Cochin Shipyard Limited delivered Mangrol, the third of eight indigenously designed and built Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts, to the Indian Navy in Kochi on 21 August 2026. The vessel was built to Det Norske Veritas classification rules and is designed for low-intensity maritime operations and search and rescue duties.

In Jammu and Kashmir, the annual Kousarnag Yatra commenced from the ancient Lord Shiva temple in Reasi, with police, the Army, CRPF, the Special Operations Group and other security agencies putting elaborate security arrangements in place for the pilgrims.

 BENGAL FILES:

Home minister in a 3day official visit. Union Home Amit Shah attended Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) events in Siliguri. He stated that national security requires a sealed border.

Annapurna Bhandar Scheme: Protests erupted across multiple districts over delayed payouts and denial of benefits under the Annapurna Bhandar scheme. State Minister Agnimitra Paul faced angry crowds at the Midnapore district magistrate's office. Demonstrators blocked railway tracks in North 24-Parganas and National Highway-31 in Alipurduar.

The West Bengal Special Task Force (STF) arrested Fazle Rabbi, the brother of a prominent Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader, in Uttar Dinajpur on the night of August 21, 2026, over alleged espionage links to Pakistan's ISI.

Details Arrest : Fazle Rabbi is the brother of Zakir Hossain, the former TMC block president of Islampur in Uttar Dinajpur.

The Charges: He is accused of spying for Pakistan’s ISI, leaking sensitive military details, operating within a Fake Indian Currency Note (FICN) network, and sending Indian SIM cards to Pakistani handlers. 

The Connection: His name emerged during the interrogation of three suspected operatives previously detained by the STF under the cover of the Army Welfare Education Society.

Wider Network: Investigators linked him to a recently arrested Pakistani national, Rana Rauf, who was detained in North 24 Parganas.

Gambling Bust: On August 10, 2026, Moqtarul, the TMC Sabhapati of Ashokgram Gram Panchayat, was arrested in Gangarampur for allegedly running an illegal gambling ring out of his home.

Job Scam Fraud: In late July 2026, two local TMC figures—Partha Ghosh (Patiram Gram Panchayat Chief) and Asim Kundu (Balurghat Panchayat Samiti member)—were jailed for allegedly cheating a job seeker of ₹5 lakh by falsely promising employment at a local college.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said that the people of West Bengal can directly register complaints related to extortion, syndicate activities, illegal road and toll tax collections, and illegal liquor through four toll-free helplines launched by the state government.

West Bengal has launched four toll-free helplines to help people report extortion and illegal activities. The initiative aims to provide citizens with a safe and direct channel to report complaints.

155334 — Extortion

155335 — Syndicate activities

155337 — Illegal road/toll tax collections

155339 — Illegal liquor

JADAVPUR TURMIOL: State Minister Dilip Ghosh warned of strict actions, if anti-national slogans are continued from Jadavpur University. FOR A LONG TIME—THIS UNIVERSITY IS  STILL  THE DEN OF LEFT MAFIA.

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

India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is scheduled to visit Russia on August 23–24 for the India–Russia inter-governmental commission, focusing on trade, technology, science and other areas of cooperation.

 He is co-chairing the 27th session of the India–Russia Inter-Governmental Commission (IRIGC-TEC) with Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov to review bilateral trade, economic, scientific, technological, and cultural cooperation.

*Russia–Ukraine war intensifies* : New Russian and Ukrainian attacks have caused deaths and damage.

*Canada–US trade tensions* :  Canada and the US remain locked in a major trade dispute over tariffs. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is travelling to Europe, including Germany and Poland, seeking stronger economic partnerships and discussing Ukraine.

More than 16,000 doses of Ebola vaccine have been delivered to Congo as authorities respond to an unprecedented outbreak.

Russia faces fuel shortages — Russia has begun importing gasoline after attacks on oil refineries contributed to domestic fuel shortages.

European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot became the first French woman and the second European woman to perform a spacewalk on 18 August 2026. She carried out U.S. Spacewalk 97 outside the International Space Station with NASA astronaut Anil Menon during a 6-hour and 23-minute extravehicular activity.

GULF WAR:

The conflict between the United States, its allies, and Iran has reached a critical standoff as of 22 August 2026, marked by shifting military doctrines, strict maritime blockades, and an impending "economic D-Day".

 Sanctions & Diplomatic Standoff & “Economic War" Declaration: Iran's Foreign Ministry officially classified the upcoming round of U.S. sanctions as a "declaration of war on all nations," accusing Washington of trying to impose extraterritorial sovereignty.

Impending U.S. Pressure: U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is scheduled to reveal crippling new economic penalties on Monday, 24 August 2026, aimed at isolating Tehran and hitting its major trading partners, including China.

Stalled Negotiations: Diplomatic peace talks have entirely sputtered out. While U.S. President Donald Trump claimed Iran "would love to make a deal" but isn't ready to accept the "right deal", Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian countered that Iran has already won the war and should end it from a "position of strength and dignity.

"Maritime Control & The Strait of Hormuz Blockade: The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed to standard commercial transport. Thousands of seafarers are stranded on hundreds of vessels. President Trump explicitly declared that he views the strategic strait "as an American territory right now." ALL TALL TALKS & NO ACTION BY USA TO OPEN HORMUZ.

Iraqi Tanker Exception: In a rare move, Iran granted special permission for a select number of Iraqi oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz following formal bilateral requests from Baghdad.

Bypass Discussions: French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman are holding talks to establish alternative logistics routes to bypass the blocked Strait entirely.

Retaliation Threats: Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, warned neighbouring Gulf nations that if they assist the U.S. economic campaign, Iran will target their interests and ensure "not a drop of oil leaves the Gulf." He threatened an "earthquake-like" retaliation against any further U.S. military moves.

Military & Tactical Updates  Shift to "Offensive" Doctrine: Army spokesperson Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia announced that Iran's military doctrine is officially transitioning from a "defensive" posture to an "offensive" one.

Equipment Losses & Airspace: Reports indicate that while Iran's aging air force largely failed to halt U.S. and Israeli bombing runs over the course of the conflict, its tactical heat-seeking and smaller electro-optical systems have downed a F-15 fighter jet and roughly 45 advanced U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drones.

Infrastructure Repairs: The Pars Oil and Gas Company reported that reconstruction of Iran's South Pars Phase 14 gas refinery—which was heavily damaged during an Israeli strike in June 2025—is now 70% complete and expected to be fully operational by the end of the year.

Pilot Detentions: Tensions have flared regarding three Iranian Su-24 pilots currently detained by Qatar following an Iranian strike on a U.S. base in Qatari territory. Tehran has demanded the International Committee of the Red Cross step in to move the pilots from water-based detention to land hospitals due to failing health.

BALOCH NEWS:-

War continues  between, BLA and Pakistan Military, causing casualty on both sides.

The Human Rights Council of Balochistan (HRCB) released its comprehensive annual assessment. The report detailed a severe rise in enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and shrinking civil liberties across the province, attributing heavy responsibility to state security apparatuses.

Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir on Friday (August 21, 2026) described militants active in Balochistan as "foreign nationals.”

LAW, CRIME & PUNISHMENT:

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the Punjab government over allegations that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s wife demanded five crore rupees to allegedly suppress a rape case.

Karnataka’s Food Safety Division has prohibited the manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of analogue paneer sold as “paneer” across the state for one year, from 17 August 2026 to 17 August 2027. The order was issued under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and applies to non-dairy products marketed under a dairy name.

MISHAPS: -

Two workers were killed and nine others injured after a reactor blast triggered a fire at a pharmaceutical unit in Telangana's Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district late Friday night.   The incident occurred at a pharmaceutical unit on the outskirts of Anthammagudam village in the Pochampally mandal.

Four persons, including two children from the same family, were killed after the fuel tank of a commercial vehicle exploded at a scrap yard in Gujarat's Kutch district on Saturday.

A massive fire broke out last night following a powerful explosion in a turbine at the Maa Chhinnamastika Cement and Steel Power Plant in Hehal, under the Barkakana OP area of Ramgarh district, Jharkhand. Three engineers were killed in the incident, while one person sustained serious injuries.

ENVIRONMENTAL:

*Strong El Niño developing* :  Climate forecasters are warning that the developing 2026 El Niño could become one of the strongest ever recorded. Scientists are watching for increased extreme weather, heat and flooding around the world. QUESTION IS—HOW LONG IT CAN EXIST?

WEATHER:

 IMD issues orange alert for very heavy rainfall over East Madhya Pradesh.

TECHNOLOGY:

India has reportedly manufactured and test-fired its first fully indigenous AK-203 assault rifle at the Korwa facility in Amethi, an important step in defence self-reliance.

GAMES & SPORTS:

India’s Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand have etched their names in history by clinching the bronze medal at the BWF Badminton World Championships. They have become only the second Indian women’s doubles pair to win a World Championship medal, following in the footsteps of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa.

Hockey: The Indian men's hockey team is practically  knocked out of the FIH World Cup semifinal race following a tough 1-3 loss against the Netherlands. The team will play their last pool game against Argentina. If they do not win by a five-goal margin, the team will play the fifth-eighth place classification matches.

CALCULATION:

For the Harmanpreet Singh-led team to sneak into the top two of Pool  on Monday, August 24, all of the following conditions must be met:

India must defeat Argentina by a margin as indicated: India needs to beat Argentina by at least 5 goals in their final second-round match to drastically improve their goal difference. The Netherlands must beat England, which will freeze the English team at 3 points. Goal Difference Tiebreaker: If both of those results happen, India, England, and Argentina will all finish tied on 3 points. India may then advance to the semifinals alongside the Netherlands based on a superior goal difference.

In Keralam, Aromal Chundan has won the 72nd Nehru Trophy Boat Race in a nail-biting finish at Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha. In one of the closest contests in the history of the legendary water festival, Aromal Chundan crossed the finish line in 4 minutes, 23 seconds, and 328 milliseconds to secure the coveted trophy.

DAS KAPITAL:

*Interest rates* : The RBI has kept the repo rate at 5.25%, while its latest outlook puts FY2026–27 GDP growth at about 6.7% and inflation at 5%.

India has received about $72.8 billion in dollar inflows through its special swap-related channels as of August 21, strengthening foreign-exchange support.

DALAL STREET:INDIAN SHARE MARKET: CLOSED

BULLIONS:

Current Market Rates in India, as of August 23, 2026, domestic bullion prices reflect a massive global precious metals rally triggered by a weaker U.S. dollar, treasury buybacks, and escalating geopolitical tensions:

24K Gold: ₹1,62,800/- per 10 grams.

999 Fine Silver: ₹2,47,520/- per kilogram.

CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATE:--

US Dollar (USD): ₹95.71/- Euro (EUR): ₹111.85/-

British Pound (GBP): ₹130.54/- Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY) ₹13.41/-

 

THE END.